Bulletin: 3rd Sunday of Advent
What you need to know from this weekend’s bulletin:
Gaudete/Rejoice Sunday
December 14, 2025
This Gaudete or Rejoice Sunday, symbolized by the pink candle of the Advent wreath, is the celebration of our joy of realizing that Christmas is at hand.
We rejoice at the nearness of our celebration of the event that has made God present in our humanity. We rejoice at the fast-approaching celebration of Christ’s birth that has made God present among us, in the sacraments and in prayer, in our daily life and in the signs of the times, in other people and in occasions of serving one another. We rejoice at the promised gift of God’s only begotten Son’s taking on human form through the Blessed Virgin Mary that renewed our world from within, bringing about an abiding source of supernatural life and liberation from sin.
Our reason for great rejoicing is Christ’s presence in our midst which began on the first Christmas Day. We see and feel Christ’s presence in people whose lives reflect His love, mercy, and forgiveness. Although harder to see and understand, God is also with us in pain and suffering.
Our readings today urge us to move forward as we rejoice in the signs of God’s presence in our midst. And we are called upon to live as a sign of Christ’s presence in our daily life, in the midst of our difficulties, and in the challenges that we face in our journey of faith.
As we hasten towards Christmas, let us offer the gift of Christ’s presence to our loved ones as well as to those who need most our love. Let us be more generous with our gift-giving, knowing that we give on behalf of Him who gave up His life for our sake.
As Christmas approaches, let us re-learn to welcome Christ not only in our hearts but also in the lives of others, especially those who are struggling to gain their human dignity in the midst of poverty, sickness, and need for love and comfort. The joy of Christmas is rooted in sharing Christ’s love and presence with others in community. The birth of the Emmanuel, which means God is with us, highlights the continuing presence of God in our world through the life we live as followers of Christ. May this season strengthen us in our witness to Christ’s presence in our midst.
Healing Lines
Faith communities and faith leaders have a unique role to play in responding to the needs of abuse victims and their families. First and foremost, faith communities need to be safe places to disclose abuse. Persons of faith who are abused often feel that their spirit has been broken, that God does not care about their life, that they are worthless in every way. The healing journey from victim to survivor is long and arduous; ongoing emotional support and many caregivers are required. Many persons of faith who are abused would require assistance from both community agencies and their faith fellowship. Become one of the chosen as we are asked to assist with wherever we can.
Announcements:
Please see this weekend’s bulletins for all announcements:
2026 Donation Envelopes
Next year’s 2026 donation envelopes will be ready for pick up on the weekend of November 29 and 30. They will be arranged alphabetically on tables by the main washrooms. Continue to use your 2025 envelopes until the new year. Please note: you may use envelopes only for the current year, all previous year’s envelopes must be discarded.
Advent: A Season of Hope and Renewal
As we begin the holy season of Advent, the Church invites us into a time of watchfulness, reflection, and joyful expectation for the coming of Christ. In the spirit of the Jubilee Year proclaimed by Pope Francis last year and set to conclude this December, our Diocese is launching a matching financial campaign for parishes called, Multiply the Hope. Once our parish has fulfilled all of its financial obligations for the year, every dollar contributed to reduce our parish loan will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to our parish goal. Even after the Jubilee year concludes on December 28 this year, the Diocese has extended this campaign to the end of 2027, giving us additional time to reach our parish goal. Our goal for this matching program is $510,569. This means that every contribution toward this goal has twice the impact, allowing our parish to move forward with greater freedom in strengthening the renewal priorities. As we enter this Advent season, we invite you to pray, to reflect, and to respond generously. Together, let us prepare a strong, welcoming parish home for all who seek Christ. May this season of expectation fill us with hope, and may God complete the good work He has begun in us. Find out more about this campaign at www.catholicyyc.ca/multiplythehope
Parish-Wide Advent Reconciliation Night
There will be a parish-wide reconciliation night on Thursday, December 18, 2025 from 7:00-9:00pm with a number of priests available to hear confessions. Consider this an opportunity to receive God’s mercy and grace.
Simbang Gabi
Simbang Gabi Mass will be celebrated at our parish on Friday, December 20, 2025 at 7:00pm, preceded by carols at 6:30pm and followed by a reception. Filipino families are encouraged to email Fr. Edmund at FrEdmund@saintmichael.ca or text him at 403-874-2015 if you are interested to help contribute to the reception.
Holy Night Movie
This Christmas, prevent stress, anxiety, and burnout; enhance your relationships with family, friends, and colleagues; grow your capacity to love and be loved; increase your enjoyment of the holiday season. HOW? Join us in a morning retreat on Saturday, December 13 with the following times:
9:30-10:00am – Coffee, Tea, Christmas Baking
10:00-10:55am – Viewing of “Holy Night” (47 minutes) (a segment from the marvelous series The Chosen)
10:55-11:45am – Conversation and Sharing
11:45am-12:00pm – Advent Prayer Experience
Sign up at: https://forms.gle/ybSF4YrixhzGyPwF6
Elevation Youth Group (Gr. 4-6)
Youths in Grade 4-6 are invited to join our brand new youth group: ELEVATION youth! Join us on Fridays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the St. Nicholas room for devotions, snacks, games, faith, and fun! The next session of the program is on December 19 and will run until the spring. Pre-registration is required and capacity is dependent on volunteer availability. Register by scanning the QR code or by emailing youth@saintmichael.ca. All are welcome! We are also looking for volunteers to supervise activities, help with games, and provide a small snack for the group each week. If you are able to volunteer, please contact Gladys Doh gdoh@saintmichael.ca or our group leader Abigail Lewis at youth@saintmichael.ca.
Saturday Night Lights
Youths in grades 7-12 are invited to an evening of music, food, friendships, and talks hosted by Access 52. Dates for the evenings are January 10, February 14, and April 25. This is a free event. Click here to register.
Christmas Hamper Program
“You, O Lord, are my hope.” (Ps 71:5)
Hamper Day: Monday, December 15, 2025 – We plan to prepare and deliver 184 hampers.
We have been busy accepting referrals from parish schools and our SSVP. We have reached maximum capacity, so your support is needed more than ever.
Volunteers:
Your response to our request for volunteer assistance is amazing! We have almost 400 individual volunteer spots filled, with some folks filling multiple spots. We still need 20 more pairs of drivers to help us get all the hampers out on the evening of December 15. If you are able to drive, please email us at christmashampers@saintmichael.ca, or please use the link/QR Code below to sign up. If your plans have changed, and you need to cancel your volunteer spot, please do so also using this link, as we will attempt to fill any empty spots prior to December 15th. Click here to manage your volunteer signup. .
Angel Tree:
Thanks also to those who signed out an Angel from the Angel Tree to provide a gift. If you have signed out an Angel, it is very important to return the gift by this Sunday, December 7th to allow time to prepare it. If you cannot provide your gift in time, please either call the Parish Office or email christmashampers@saintmichael.ca
Donate:
We reached our planned capacity much earlier than expected, and have decided to increase the number of hampers we are providing this year. Our plan is to provide 184 hampers, revised up from our initial budgeted 170 hampers. We need your financial support more than ever. Donations may be made via: *the collection box, noted for Christmas Hampers, *online by clicking here. Tax receipts will be issued in Jan 2026.
Questions: christmashampers@saintmichael.ca
Grief Share Program
Grief Share is a special weekly seminar and support group designed to help you rebuild your life after losing a loved one. Our group is led by caring people who have experienced grief and want to help you through the difficult times. This program consists of a video seminar (Christian based with personal stories from Christian experts who have experienced grief), group support discussions with facilitators, and a personal workbook. This is an 8-week program and will run from January 13 – March 3, 2026, on Tuesdays from 7:00-9:00pm. Free will giving/ $20 charge for the workbook. For registration, contact the Parish Office at 403-249-0423 or email: peggy.tan@shaw.ca
Elevator Upgrade
The elevator is back in service! Thank you for your patience while the upgrade was taking place. Those who are interested in supporting this special project ($61,766.14 + tax) may contact the Office or Fr. Edmund for details.
Together in Action (TIA)
This year’s goal is $121,243 and currently, we have reached 73% of this target amount. Thanks to your generosity, we reached this target amount last year. All surplus funds will go to our Building Fund to help pay our loan.
Cancellations
Coffee Wednesdays:
Cancelled Dec. 24 and Dec. 31.
Resumes January 7, 2026.
Coffee Sundays:
Cancelled Dec. 28 and Jan. 4.
Resumes January 11, 2026.
Children’s Liturgy:
Cancelled Dec. 14, Dec. 21, Dec. 28, Jan. 4.
Resumes January 11, 2026.
Moms & Tots:
Cancelled Dec. 18, Dec. 25, Jan. 1.
Resumes January 8, 2026.
Knights of Columbus Meeting:
Cancelled Dec. 18
Christmas Mass Schedule
Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24:
Daily Mass 9:00am / Eve Mass: 4:00pm, 7:00pm (live-streamed), 10:00pm
Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25:
9:00am, 11:00am (with incense and live-streamed)
Boxing Day, Friday, December 26:
Daily Mass 9:00am
New Years Eve, Wednesday, December 31:
Daily Mass 9:00am / Eve Mass: 5:00 pm
New Years Day, Thursday, January 1:
9:00am, 11:00am (with incense and live-streamed)
Parish Office: The office will be closed from December 25 to January 1.
Week-at-a-Glance: (Sat. Dec. 13, 2025 – Sun. Dec. 21, 2025):
Saturday, December 13:
Movie, “The Chosen: Holy Night”: Day Chapel, 10:00am-12:00pm, coffee and muffins served prior to the movie in the Narthex at 9:30am
Sunday, December 14:
Cancelled Children’s Liturgy: 8:30am and 10:30am
Coffee Sunday: Narthex, after 9:00am Mass & 11:00am Mass
Nativity Pageant: Sanctuary, 1:00pm-2:30pm, Reception to follow
Hamper Day Assembly (for those who signed up): St Nicholas’ Room & Narthex, 4:00pm-10:00pm
Monday, December 15:
Mass for Hamper Deliver Day: Day Chapel, 8:00am
Hamper Delivery Day: Narthex, 8:30am-Evening
Tuesday, December 16:
Rosary Group: Day Chapel, 5:20pm
RCIA: St. Nicholas Room, 7:00pm
Wednesday, December 17:
Coffee Wednesday: Narthex, after 9am Mass
Thursday, December 18:
Parish Advent Reconciliation: 7:00-9:00pm
Friday, December 19:
Elevation Youth Group: St. Nicholas Room, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Saturday, December 20:
Simbang Gabi Carols: Sanctuary, 6:30pm
Simbang Gabi Mass: Sanctuary, 7:00pm, Reception to follow
Sunday, December 21:
Cancelled Children’s Liturgy: 8:30am and 10:30am
Coffee Sunday: Narthex, after 9:00am Mass & 11:00am Mass
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3rd Sunday of Advent, 14/12/2025, 631.88 KB