Bulletin: 2nd Sunday of Lent

Posted 2023-03-03 by @saintmichaelyyc

 

What you need to know from this weekend’s bulletin:

 

Download bulletin PDF

 

Moments of Self-giving

March 5, 2023

The transfiguration was an awe-inspiring experience of God’s presence for Jesus and for his disciples. It was an incredible show of divine support, grace and inspiration at the time when Jesus faced the most trying period of his life: the decision to offer himself for our salvation through his own passion and death. This illuminating experience would carry him through the dark days of confusion, insecurity and terror that would come after this encounter with the Other. Jesus received the affirmation of his mission to give himself up from the great figures of his tradition, representing the law and the prophets.
 
All of us need some graced memories or God-filled experiences to recall or return to when faced with difficulty and challenge in our journey of faith.  
 
These graced-filled experiences or God-moments can inspire us and carry us through the darkness and difficulty of our trying periods of our journey. Our own stories of struggle in the faith can sustain us in our trials and tribulations. These God-moments may not approximate Christ’s transfiguration on a mountaintop but their significance can help us in efforts to do God’s will when we recognize and acknowledge it in our prayer and discernment. These moments are marked with self-giving and generosity that fulfill the deepest hunger of our soul.
 
All grace-filled memories or God-filled experiences are times when we realize giving ourselves to others in the spirit of self-sacrifice and true love. These are moments when we imitate God’s generosity and love which embody the essence of our personal commitment to Christ who gave himself up for our freedom from sin and death Our struggling efforts to offer ourselves to God and others can be transformed into meaningful faith experiences by returning to our graced-filled memories when we experienced God’s love and presence in our lives.  
 
In our own lives, we have had experiences of self-giving that continue to inspire and strengthen us in our efforts to love and serve. These are our own  transfiguration experiences that transform our own selfish self into a self-giving person. These self-giving moments make us more aware of our own giftedness that should move us to share and care for another.
 
FrEdmund@saintmichael.ca
 
 
Healing Lines
 
As the Lord is transfigured and we are instructed to “listen to him”, so we must change ourselves into those who have compassion and listen to our fellow human beings when they suffer from the effects of abuse and harassment. Let us become more like Christ with each passing day.

 

Announcements:

 

Pastor’s Updates

· We are recruiting a Children’s Liturgy Coordinator as a paid position as well as volunteers to run the Kid’s Kingdom and other related catechetical programs. This year, we are preparing 133 candidates for First Reconciliation/ First Communion (June 11 celebration) and 101 candidates for Confirmation (May 28). There are 16 catechumens/candidates who are currently in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Christian Adults (RCIA), preparing for the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation this coming Easter. 

· Last November, the National Evangelization Team (NET) offered a retreat for Grade 4-7 children (not well attended) and another one for Grade 8-12 students (well attended). The parish has a pending application for a NET team to come this year. Last year’s application was not accepted, due to a lack of NET youth workers. After the NET program, we are hiring a Youth Coordinator to continue and sustain the NET initial efforts. Only recently, Michael Chiasson has agreed to prepare a transitional program for our youth, including a monthly or so Youth Mass/gathering. The monthly youth gathering is now scheduled every last Saturday of the month, starting March 25. He is also coming on March 15, Wednesday, 7pm for a Lenten Night of Music & Reflection. 

· Joyce Vayalumkal (as coordinator) with Randy Gritter (an installed Acolyte preparing for his Diaconate) and Michelle Conway (former coordinator) is working on an Altar Servers program manual for the parish. The family-oriented ministry will include a monthly pray/prepare/pizza (PPP) gathering of the altar servers. An Orientation Meeting for those who are interested will be held on Palm Sunday, April 2, after the 11am Mass. Campaign for altar servers will soon be initiated. 

· We need more volunteers for practically all our liturgical ministries and other services. Our current numbers are as follows: Ushers/Hospitality Ministers (58), Lectors (38), Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Eucharist (72), Music Ministry (15 for Sunday 5pm Mass & 45 for the rest of the weekend Masses), Pastoral Care Ministers (2), Kids Kingdom (none), Coffee Ministry (3). We need Hospitality Ministers at the Sunday 5pm Mass. We have also a handful of volunteers  helping Francesca in the Sacramental Preparation sessions. Those interested to volunteer have to contact Marvin, our volunteer coordinator or the respective coordinators of the ministries.

· The Gallery of the Pastors will be re-installed.  

· The church has recently installed an alarm system with connection with the police authorities. Access to the building will be limited accordingly. For security and wheelchair access (newly installed), the Columbarium is now accessible only to cardholders. Public access has to be arranged with the office or through families who have authorized access cards.  

· The Day Chapel renovation is now underway. We need your prayers and financial support.

 

Presentation Night Holy Land Pilgrimage

Tuesday, March 7 – 7pm

A Presentation Night on the Israel Pilgrimage with Fr Edmund this coming November, will be held on Tuesday, March 7, at 7pm in the St. Michael Meeting Room. Those interested are encouraged to attend for questions & clarifications. 

 

Lenten Fish Friday

Friday, March 10 & Friday, March 31 at 7pm

Please join us for Lenten fish on Fridays hosted by the Knights of Columbus, immediately following the Stations of the Cross. Free will offering. 

 

Lenten Music and Reflection

Wednesday, March 15 at 7pm

Please join us for an evening of music and reflection hosted by Michael Chiasson on Wednesday, March 15 at 7 pm.

 

God Squad Canada

Registration is open for the 2023 God Squad 26th Annual Conference!

Friday March 17 from 6-9 pm, Saturday March 18 from 9-4 pm at St. Michael’s Catholic Community
Take this opportunity to empower and inspire you to become who God created and calls you to be.
Why should you come to this year’s conference?
Why should you bring another man with you?
To strengthen our culture, our family and our faith.  And the way we do that is becoming men of the cross, living our faith from the Cross of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
This year’s theme is Memento Mori which invites us to remember our death, that the final things are death, judgment, heaven or hell.
In the sheer silence of our hearts, the Lord’s theophony calls us to be bearers of light and to live for heaven, drawing upon us amidst today’s darkness of spiritual famine and moral confusion.
Register today: https://godsquad.ca/2023-conference-deacon-harold.html

 

Righteous Sounds of the Passion

Saturday, March 18 at 7pm

Come and experience the Inspirition Band perform songs from their highly anticipated and emotional Good Friday service music on Saturday, March 18, 7 pm in the Mezzanine. Bring someone and listen to the Passion in song. Admission is free.

 

Undie Sunday

Saturday, March 18 & Sunday, March 19

The Annual Undie Sunday is back in support of the Elizabeth House on March 18 and 19th. At this time, they are seeking women’s personal hygiene items (conditioner, body wash, deodorant, body lotions, hair products), Baby lotion and wash, Hand soap with pump, Towels – all sizes, Dish towels and kitchen wash clothes, Pots and Pans, HE laundry soap, Collapsible Laundry baskets, Double Bed sheets and bed in bags, 2T -4T boys and girls clothes, Women’s leggings ( basic black), and Women’s socks and underwear (M- XL). Please note, all items must be NEW. A drop off table will be set up in the main entrance. Thank you for your support – Catholic Women’s League and Knights of Columbus

 

Liturgical Ministers Lenten Retreat

Friday, March 31, 7pm

Please join us for a Liturgical Ministers Lenten Retreat led by Fr. Edmund on Friday, March 31 at 7 pm (following Mass and Stations of the Cross). Enjoy a Lenten fish dinner while you listen to Fr. Edmund; free will offering to the Knights of Columbus. ALL ARE WELCOME!!  This retreat will be especially beneficial for volunteers who serve in a liturgical capacity at Mass (Communion Ministers, Proclaimers, Ushers and Choir members) or for anyone who would like to serve as a Liturgical Minister. To register, please call the office at (403) 249 0423.

 

40 Days for Life Prayer Campaign

Friday, March 31

St. Michael is once again part of this prayer campaign. Over 5000 babies are killed at the Kensington abortion facility every year. 40 Days for Life is a prayerful, respectful campaign that seeks to bring awareness to the inconvenient truth that abortion kills innocent human beings. Our prayerful presence during 40 Days at abortion centres around the world draws attention to the plight of preborn children and seeks God’s help through intercessory prayer. Will you join us? Sign up and be a loving, prayerful voice for the preborn babies who have no voice but ours. We know from the testimonies of many that these campaigns save lives. St. Michael’s day to pray this campaign is Friday, March 31. Please join us and signup online at 40 Days for Life. Click on the “SIGN UP FOR VIGIL HOURS” box and choose an hour or more on Friday, March 31. Please sign up for a time slot between the hours of 10 am to 4pm. Up to four persons can sign up for each one hour time slot. Signs are provided. 

 

St. Michael Catholic Community Pastoral Council

Every month, a dedicated team of Pastoral Council members meet with our Pastor to discuss and advise on issues that affect Saint Michael’s Catholic Community.

At our meeting in February, some of the matters we discussed were:

· Hiring a Children’s Liturgy Coordinator

· Blessing of St. Mary’s Chapel on Divine Mercy Sunday

· The Triduum – help is needed to decorate!  Please email Bob camaro11@shaw.ca

· Liturgical Ministers Lenten Retreat on March 31 at 7 pm ALL WELCOME! Register at the office.

If you would like to read the minutes from our most recent meeting, or any past meeting, please go to www.saintmichael.ca/bulletin          

Questions? Concerns? Please reach us at (403) 249 0423

 

Holy Land Pilgrimage

November 13 to 21, 2023

Join Fr. Edmund on a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, November 13 to 21, 2023, on an inspirational journey that visits some of the most ancient sites in the world. Book now and save $150 per person. Cost: double $5,699, single $6,849 and triple $5,669. For more information visit: gateway.gocollette.com/link/1122663.

 

 

Lent & Easter Schedule

Ash Wednesday: February 22, 2023

Mass at 9 am, 6 pm

 

Lenten Fridays: February 24, March 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31

Mass at 6 pm, Stations of the Cross at 6:30 pm

 

Parish Reconciliation: Thursday, March 23

Confessions at 6:30 – 8:30 pm

 

Palm Sunday: April 2

Regular Sunday Masses: 9 am, 11 am, 5 pm

 

Holy Week

Holy Thursday: April 6

Mass at 7 pm, Adoration following Mass until 11 pm

 

Good Friday: April 7

Liturgy at 12 pm, 3 pm

 

Easter Vigil: April 8

Mass at 8 pm

 

Easter Sunday: April 9

Regular Sunday Masses: 9 am, 11 am, 5 pm

 

Parish Office: The office will be closed on Good Friday.

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