Bulletin: 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted 2023-11-03 by @saintmichaelyyc

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

The Gift of Catholic Education

November 5, 2023

Four Catholic schools fall within our territorial jurisdiction as a parish. We minister to these schools in terms of presiding over their liturgical celebrations including Remembrance, Advent, and other liturgical feasts. More and more, we have to pray and support the continued mission of the Catholic schools in creating distinctive communities permeated by freedom, love, and faith.

The mission of Catholic education is the same as our mission as a Christian community. Catholic education promotes personal transformation towards a Christ-like relationship with God and others, as well as the social transformation that establishes gospel values in our society.

As we reflect on Catholic Education, I would like to refer to today’s gospel imperative to follow what the Pharisees and Scribes say and not what they do. In a real way, Christ realized too well the growing contradiction between faith and life on the part of the religious leaders and educators of His time. In our own time, we are confronted with this same issue of transparency in many professions, including those involving our trust and confidence.

Do as I say, not as I do can be a confession of our own hypocrisy. Indeed, it can be a realization of our own inability as teachers, parents, preachers, and educators to achieve that elusive unity between our words and our actions. Our experience with power and authority, whether in parenthood, or the teaching or preaching profession, speaks of our constant struggle to overcome the darker side of our being human. Inherent, as it were, in the exercise of leadership is its own seeking to exercise authority for its own sake. We have witnessed in our recent history that there are failures in our exercise of leadership, and we realize that there will always be failures in the exercise of our parenthood, our teaching profession, or our priestly ministry. Such realization is critical in facing the challenge of education.

Speaking for myself, my every homily is not only for you, but also for myself. I do have to struggle and cope with my groping efforts to achieve that integrity of word and action in my life as a Christian and as a priest. It all boils down to the Christian virtue of humility which is the ultimate lesson of our gospel today. Humility is the strength that comes as a result of our total acceptance of our human limitations. Humility provides truth when we are arrogant, insight when we are weak, and compassion when we are indifferent. It makes us realize that we are not God, after all, and that we depend on His divine power and presence to cope with the limitations of our human condition. And may God help us to always remember that He is our Teacher and we are His disciples. Amen.

ERRATUM: Remembering our beloved dead…. The highlighted lines were included in error. “As we remember our loved ones, we offer our prayers for them. We are encouraged to show sympathy and support for our families in their time of bereavement, especially those families who are alone in coping with this difficulty and challenge. This is also part of the reason we have proposed the columbarium to be established in our Lower Hall and the basement of this church. The columbarium project would open up ministries around grief support, renewal of friendships in family relationships during the time of bereavement, perpetual care for the remains of our loved ones and our continued prayers for our beloved dead, especially during the celebration of All Souls’ Day and death anniversaries of our family and friends. We pledge that every gesture of affection and friendship we show to one another on behalf of our beloved dead becomes a sign of God’s love for all of us. The legacy of love and friendship that our loved ones have left us should inspire and move us to live a life full of love and concern for one another.”

FrEdmund@saintmichael.ca

Healing Lines

Even though we may not be touched by abuse in our families, we are affected by abuse daily. We see it portrayed in the media, we hear about the atrocities perpetrated on others though war, poverty and discrimination, and we witness it through the mistreatment of others around us (strangers, friends, and relatives). Let us humbly pray that we readily recognize signs of abuse and take action to stop it whenever we can. Let us offer protection and solace to those abused in our faith community and Church.

Announcements:

Real Votive Candles

Real Votive Candles are now waiting for you to light for your prayer intentions. The candle racks are in the alcoves of the Virgin Mary and the Divine Mercy inside St Mary’s Chapel. It is said that when you leave the candle you have lit, the Angels finish up your prayers.

Mass Intentions

Mass Intentions can now be booked online at saintmichael.ca, the link is on the homepage next to the Mass schedule, or directly via: Mass Intentions Booking Form. The parish office will follow up on booking requests before any Mass Intention is confirmed and scheduled.

Confirmation Registration Open!

Registration for Confirmation Prep is now open. If you have a child in grade 6 and up, you can register them on our website at https://saintmichael.ca/confirmation/.

Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary

Oct. 26 – Dec.14 (excluding Nov.2), 7:00-8:30 pm.

There will be a seven week video series on the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary beginning Thurs. Oct. 26 in the Day Chapel. Please feel free to show up for any, or all, of the days. Please note that there is no meeting on Nov. 2. For more information about the series, please visit the website at saintmichael.ca/events.

St. Michael Catholic Community Fellowship Dinner – Cancelled

The previously planned Community Fellowship Dinner is cancelled for Sunday, November 5^th..

Book of Remembrance

The Book of Remembrance, where we can write the names of beloved dead, is now in the gathering area throughout the month of November.

Society of Saint Vincent de Paul

Special thanks to all St. Michael parishioners for supporting the Society of St. Vincent de Paul! If you have lost your job please contact us for food support.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR NEW MEMBERS. If you are interested contact us by email SSVP@saintmichael.ca or phone 403-249-0423 ext 122

DONATIONS OF NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS can be dropped off in the SSVP Food Chest in the church Gathering Area or make arrangements by e-mailing us at SSVP@saintmichael.ca. Currently we are looking for: canned soup, canned tomatoes, canned pasta sauce, canned fruit, cereal, and syrup. Please note that we do not need tuna or pasta.

MONETARY DONATIONS can be deposited in the drop-box in the Food Chest or by online donations through the St. Michaels Parish website: https://saintmichael.ca/giving/. Please indicate funds are for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the drop-down menu.

If you or anyone you know needs assistance, please contact us by email SSVP@saintmichael.ca or phone 403-249-0423 ext 122.

Cleanliness is Next to Godliness

Sanitary countertops have recently been installed in our washrooms. We are also installing the same state-of-the-art sanitary countertops in our kitchen area. If you are interested in supporting this endeavor, please contact Fr. Edmund or the Office for details. You can also make a donation with memo/note: countertops. Hopefully, we can all help maintain cleanliness in our Church we love. May God continue to bless our families and individuals for their continuing support.

Community Night

Friday, December 1, 6pm

A Community Night will be celebrated on Friday, December 1^st, with a Mass at 6pm, followed by a reception. The Mass will be presided by Fr. Edmund who also celebrates his birthday on the day (Philippine time). The reception will be tendered by our Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Women’s League. A free will offering is suggested. Entertainment will be provided by Ad Hoc Band with Marvin Matthews, our Volunteer Coordinator. The Ad Hoc Band has raised thousands of dollars for various charitable organizations. The Partnership of Hope, which looks after our Refugee Program, will receive what would have been their performance fee. Please register at https://forms.gle/BqkUdeLF6kdUJYvr5 .

“One Starry Night” Pageant

Friday, December 8 starting at 6:00 pm

Ready to take your family back in time? Want to make some family memories you’ll treasure forever? And would you like to have an amazing time as you do it? On Friday, December 8, on the day of The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the KIDS’ KINGDOM proudly presents a 6:00pm Mass, followed by a Nativity Pageant and “INNteractive” stations for the whole family. Please stay tuned for more information or contact Caroline Dixon, Children’s Liturgy Coordinator, at 403-249-0423, ext. 105. Please register at https://forms.gle/GPzrCjZ56y3juvGYA

Catholic Christmas Market

Sunday, December 10, Mezzanine, After 9am & 11am Masses until 4pm

St. Michael’s is excited to host a Catholic Christmas Market featuring local Catholic and Christian goods from all sorts of wonderful vendors. This will take place on Sunday, Dec. 10th in the Mezzanine after 9am and 11am Masses until 4pm. If anyone is interested in being a vendor, or a volunteer, please contact Colleen Joy at pcjoy@shaw.ca.

Christmas Hamper Program

Sign up: November 18 & 19 After All Masses | Assembly & Delivery: Monday, December 18

Our Christmas Hamper assembly and delivery date is Monday, December 18. Volunteer sign up for all our needs will take place on the weekend of November 18 & 19 after all Masses. Referrals are being accepted from Parish schools and through the SSVP. To refer someone, please call the SSVP intake line at 403-249-0423, ext. 122.

Questions? Contact christmashampers@saintmichael.ca

Angel Tree

November 25 & 26

The Angel Tree will be in the Gathering Area. Come select an Angel from the tree and volunteer to provide a gift for a child whose family is receiving a food hamper.

2024 Missals

Living With Christ Missals 2024 for adults and children are available for purchase at the Gift Shop or the Office.

St. Michael Catholic Community Pastoral Council

Greetings to our fellow parishioners and visitors, and thank you to all volunteers, new and seasoned! Your dedication to our community is appreciated! A few of the many items discussed at our meeting on October 24 were: Memorial Mass on November 2 at 7:00pm in the Sanctuary, An annual display of the posters featuring our Church building, Hosting the Eucharistic Miracles display, Printing bulletins weekly instead of monthly. More details on these and the other items discussed will be available on the website after our next meeting on November 28. If you would like to attend one of our meetings as an observer, or if you have any questions or concerns, please reach us at (403) 249-0423. To read minutes from our meeting in September, or any past meeting, please go to: saintmichael.ca/bulletin.

Catholic Education Sunday

Join us in celebrating Catholic Education Sunday on November 4 & 5, 2023. 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 https://theccef.ca/who-we-are/news-events/catholic-education-sunday.html

Partnership of Hope

I would like to introduce to you St Michael’s newest sponsored refugee family arriving on November 7^th, 2023.

There are five people in the family. Dad-Mehdi (Matthew), Mom-Negar (Mary), Aryan 11 yrs. (M), Adryian yrs. (M) and Manley 5yrs (F). Originally from Iran, they were called to the Catholic faith and have been baptized. Since then, their lives have been in danger, and it is unsafe for them to return to Iran. They have been living in Turkey as refugees, where they are badly mistreated. Life in Turkey has been very difficult. As refugees they are not allowed to work and any odd jobs they might find are poorly compensated. They are unable to move around freely. They are very excited to start their new life in Canada. To be welcomed and become part of the St. Michael’s Community, to be able to attend church to pray peacefully, to work and have their children attend school. Your help is desperately needed. We are looking for donations of household items, clothing, gift cards for groceries or clothing. Monetary donations are always welcomed. Tax receipts will be issued for gifts in kind.

There are many volunteer opportunities available to help them settle into their new life here. If you would like more information on how you can help, please contact: Jocelyn Fitzgerald ; cefitz@shaw.ca; 403-650-9741.

URGENT NEED: We are looking for accommodations for them, if anyone is able to help with that it would be greatly appreciated. Please contact me either by email, text or phone if you have anything to donate. Please do not drop items off directly at the Church, as there is no space to handle the items. Thank you for your continued support.

The Rite of Commissioning for all Liturgical Ministers

December 2 & 3

The Rite of Commissioning for all Liturgical Ministers will be held at all the Dec. 2 & Dec. 3 weekend Masses. During these First Sunday of Advent Masses, Auxiliary Ministers of the Holy Eucharist (who require a written mandate from the Bishop) come forward after the homily and are joined by the other liturgical ministers in their respective places for this rite. The Liturgical ministers include, among others, ushers, hospitality ministers, sacristans, lectors, altar servers, and musicians. Ministry means doing something on behalf of Christ Himself.

Changes at the Sunday 9am Mass

Changes at the Sunday 9am Mass will be introduced in the new liturgical year. The Mass will be choir-less, with Jim Howells as instrumentalist and lead singer. This means our choir for the Saturday 5pm, and Sunday 9am & 11am, will no longer join Jim Howells at the Sunday 9am Mass, giving a bit of a break from the early Mass. This choir is composed of four (4) teams that rotate on a weekly basis.

Mass Schedule for this Weekend

Saturday, November 4: 5pm – Fr. Kevin Chukwurah

Sunday, November 5: 9 am – Fr. Kevin Chukwurah

Sunday, November 5, 11 am – Fr. Edmund Vargas

Sunday, November 5, 5 pm – Fr. Edmund Vargas

Calendar of Events for November

November 5 | Sundays | Coffee Sundays | Gathering Area | After 9:00am & 11:00am Masses

November 5 | Sunday | Children’s Nativity Pageant – Rehearsal for Choir & Narrators | Green Room & Guardian Angel Room| 12:00-1:00pm

November 5 | Sunday | Cancelled: Community Fellowship Dinner

November 6 | Mondays | Bible Study | Green Room | 7:00-9:00pm

November 7| Tuesdays | Rosary Group | Day Chapel | 6:30-7:00pm

November 7 | Tuesdays | RCIA | Green Room | 7:00-9:00pm

November 8| Wednesdays | TMIY | Gathering Area | 6:00-7:30am

November 8 | Wednesdays | Women’s Ministry | Children’s Main Theatre & Green Room | 9:30am-12:00pm

November 9 | Thursdays | Coffee Thursdays | Gathering Area | After 9:00am Mass

November 9 | Thursdays | Moms & Tots | Green Room | 9:30-11:30am

November 9| Thursdays | Knitting Ministry | Library | 10:00-11:30am

November 9 | Thursdays | Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary | Day Chapel | 7:00-8:30pm

November 9 | Thursday| First Reconciliation Session 2 | Sanctuary | 6:00-7:30pm

November 9 | Thursday | Pastoral Care Training Session | Mezzanine | 7:00-9:00pm

November 12 | Sunday | Children’s Nativity Pageant – Rehearsal for Primary Actors | Green Room & Guardian Angel Room | 12:00-1:00pm

November 13 | Monday | Office Closed for Remembrance Day

November 16 | Thursday | Cancelled: Coffee Thursday for today

November 16 | Thursday | Bishop Carroll High School Retreat Day | 9:30am-3:30pm

November 17 | Friday | Confirmation Orientation | Sanctuary | 7:00-8:00pm

November 18 & 19 | Sign-Up for Christmas Hamper | Gathering Area | After All Masses

November 19 |Children’s Nativity Pageant – Rehearsal for Choir, Narrators, & Primary Actors | Green Room & Guardian Angel Room | 12:00-1:00pm

November 19 | Sunday | Eucharistic Training Session | Sanctuary | 2:30-3:30pm

November 22 | Wednesday | Eucharistic Training Session | Sanctuary | 7:00-8:00pm

November 24 | Friday | Altar Servers Pizza Party | Gathering Area| 6:30-8:30pm

November 25 | Saturday | Angel Tree Begins

November 25 | Saturday | Baptism Prep | Green Room | 9:00am-12:00pm

November 26 | Sunday | Children’s Nativity Pageant – Rehearsal for Choir, Narrators, Primary Actors, & Secondary Actors | Green Room, Sanctuary, and Guardian Angel Room | 12:00-1:00pm

November 28| Tuesday | PPC Meeting | St. Michael’s Room | 7:00-9:00pm

November 28 | Tuesday | SVDP Meeting | St. Gabriel Room 145 | 7:00-9:00pm

November 30 | Thursday | Christmas Hamper Food Sorting Day

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31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, 05/11/2023, 792.11 KB

Bulletin: 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

The Gift of Catholic Education

Announcements:

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