Bulletin: 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted 2022-10-28 by @saintmichaelyyc

 

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

 

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Our Restless Hearts

October 30, 2022

St. Augustine (353-430) in his Confessions recounts his life up to his conversion to the faith. One of the first sentences of his book expresses in simple language one of the most profound insights of the human mind: “You have made us for you, Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you…”
 
This statement is not merely derived from a speculative reflection on the mystery of creation. It is gained from empirical observation of human beings over the ages. Gerard May, a contemporary psychiatrist, writes: “After twenty years of listening to the yearnings of people’s hearts, I am convinced that all human beings have an inborn desire for God. Whether we are consciously religious or not, this desire is our deepest longing… Regardless of how we describe it, it is a longing for love. It is a hunger to love, to be loved, and to move closer to the source of love. This yearning is the essence of the human spirit.”
 
We find in today’s gospel a little man whose heart was restless, like all human hearts. He was rich, being a chief tax collector, but money and power had not satisfied his restless heart. The original Greek text used is translated “He was seeking to see Jesus”. The little Zacchaeus was seeking. Or in the words Henry Thoreau in his book Walden, he was one of those men and women who “lead lives of quiet desperation.” 
 
Zacchaeus, as described in our gospel today, “was trying to see who Jesus was” and was so desperate to meet Jesus that he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus… He was “out on a limb”. He placed himself at a disadvantage and embarrassing situation which might be the only thing needed for Jesus to find him. For Jesus has been seeking for Zacchaeus since creation. He knew that only he could give rest to the little man’s restless heart. St. Thomas Aquinas expressed this human search in a magnificent summary: “God alone satisfies”. Much later, St. Teresa of Avila would conclude: “God alone suffices”. The gospel tells us what happened after Zacchaeus found Jesus: he became rich enough to joyfully let go of his money.
 
FrEdmund@saintmichael.ca
 
 
Healing Lines
 
Alberta has the third highest rate of self-reported spousal violence among Canadian provinces, yet family violence is preventable. November is Family Violence Prevention Month (FVPM) in Alberta. It is a time to increase awareness of the warning signs of family violence and the resources and supports available so we can work together to end family violence and build healthier relationships in our communities. Family violence is as prevalent within religious/spiritually-based communities as it is within the general population. Women of religious/spiritual communities often stay in abusive relationships longer. “Many religious abuse victims want both the support and care of their faith communities and the skills and services that secular agencies can provide”. Let us reach out to those who need our compassion and support, especially during this designated month. The Family Violence Info Line (310-1818) is available toll-free to Albertans 24/7 in over 170 languages.
 

Announcements:

 

2023 Contribution Envelopes

Next year’s 2023 contribution envelopes are now available for pickup in the Gathering Area. Please look for your name alphabetically organized and note that your number may have changed from last year. If you have any questions, call the parish office at 403-249-0423.

 

Baptism

To register your child for Baptism, please visit https://saintmichael.ca/baptism/. The next Baptism preparation course will take place on Saturday, November 19 from 9 am-12 pm. Please contact Francesca at sacramentprep@saintmichael.ca for more details.

 

Gift Shop

Sunday, October 30

The Gift Shop is hosting a meet and greet and serving coffee and cookies after the 9 am Sunday Mass. All are invited.

 

All Soul’s Day 

The Commemoration of the Faithful Departed is celebrated on November 2. The month of November is Remembrance month. In our faith, we remember our loved ones who have gone before marked with the sign of faith. A Book of Remembrance will be available in the gathering area to write the names of our loved ones, to be included in our community intercession. There are two Masses for the day: 9 am and 6 pm. Gift offerings for All Souls Day will be shared with parishes in need of Mass stipends. 

 

Ministry Fair

November 5-6

Our Stewardship (Ministry Fair) weekend will be taking place after the services on Saturday, November 5, and Sunday, November 6. This is an opportunity for your respective ministries to engage with parishioners who might be interested in volunteering. If your ministry would like to participate, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Marvin Matthews at mmatthews@saintmichael.ca.

 

Catholic Education Sunday

November 5-6

Join us in celebrating Catholic Education Sunday on November 5 and 6, 2022. Let us unite with our community to support and give thanks for Catholic education in Alberta. Your dedicated donation will provide enhanced learning opportunities for Calgary and area Catholic students.  For more information, please visit theccef.ca.

 

Remembrance Day

November 11

The office will be closed on November 11, daily Mass will be offered in the Day Chapel, but Holy Hour is cancelled. 

 

NET Youth Retreats at St. Michael’s

Calling all youth grades 4-12! Join NET Ministries at St. Michael’s for one of our incredible youth retreats. It will be a time to meet new friends, eat pizza, and encounter God in a new and exciting way!

Retreat for grades 8-12: Friday, November 25

Retreat for grades 4-7: Saturday, November 26 

Registration will be open next week, and will include more details, including start and end times. 

 

Steve Bell Concert

December 2

St. Michaels is pleased to be hosting Steve Bell in a solo concert on Friday, December 2nd at 7:30pm. This will be an evening of story and song featuring music from his latest album, “Wouldn’t You Love to Know,” as well as Steve Bell classics and favourites. Tickets are $25 and are available on-line at www.stevebell.com/events, or from the parish office. Visit www.stevebell.com/events for more info.

 

Knitting Ministry 

We invite everyone in the parish to join us in our fall project of knitting/crocheting hats, scarves, neck warmers, mitts for the needy (mostly adults). Last year we collected almost 100 beautifully made items which were donated to and gratefully received by several charities serving the homeless. There will be a collection box in the gathering area with an end date of Dec.15. Thank you for helping us meet this ongoing need!

 

Moms and Tots

Moms and Tots – every Thursday morning 9:30-11:30 in the St. Nicholas Room. Moms and your little ones come join us for coffee, social, and play!

 

Christmas Hamper Outreach

Volunteers Needed! 

Hamper Day Monday, December 19

Next week (October 29/30 weekend), members of the Hamper Organizing Committee will be in the gathering area after all Masses to answer questions and sign up volunteers for Hamper Day. After two years of reduced activity, we are once more gearing up for a large event, with plans to prepare and deliver 170 hampers on that day. We need your help with:

– Wednesday, December 14: Preparing and Wrapping Gifts 

– Sunday, December 18: Set up 

– Monday, December 19: Hamper Assembly: fill and pack hampers, assist in the store room, re-stock shelves and   store hampers ready for delivery.  

  Note: Morning and afternoon sessions available

– Monday, December 19, Evening: Deliver prepared hampers to recipients’ homes

 

A detailed list of all required jobs will be available next weekend, and our Organizing Committee volunteers will be happy to assist you find a volunteer opportunity that matches your needs. Importantly, those delivering hampers will be required to have an updated Police Check on file. Note that it can take up to 4 weeks to process this, although it is a simple online process. To check if your volunteer requirements are up to date, please contact Marvin Matthews MMatthews@saintmichael.ca.

 

           Gifts for children: The Angel Tree will be available the weekend of November 26/27, where you can select a child and shop for their special gift.  

Further details will be made available as we complete our plans.

Questions? Send to MMatthews@saintmichael.ca.

 

           Referrals: Referrals will be accepted from parish schools, and through the SSVP intake line at 403-249-0423 ext 122.    

 

           Donate: Monetary Donations to SSVP are used to purchase the food at wholesale prices, and may be made through: 

-the collection box, noted for Christmas Hampers

-depositing the green envelopes located in the SSVP donation bin/lockbox in the gathering area

-online at saintmichael.ca/giving.

Please include your clearly printed name and address – tax receipts will be issued in Jan 2023

 

           Food Donations: Christmas Hampers contain a standard list of goods and quantities, purchased wholesale, at a substantial cost saving. SSVP provides support to families year-round, and food donations received that are not on our list will still be used and placed in the larder, for use by SSVP to address late hamper requests and after-Christmas hamper needs.

 

Mass Schedule for this Weekend:

Saturday, October 29, 5 pm Mass: Fr. Raul Hernandez
Sunday, October 29, 9 am Mass: Fr. Raul Hernandez
Sunday, October 30, 11 am & 5 pm Masses: Fr. Edmund Vargas

 

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31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, 30/10/2022, 701.66 KB

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