Bulletin: 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted 2023-01-20 by @saintmichaelyyc

 

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

 

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Scripture, anyone?

January 22, 2023

This homily is part of what we call the Liturgy of the Word, which precedes and prepares us for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The homily is supposed to be reflection on the word of God that is proclaimed as we gather in God’s holy name in this holy assembly.
 
Whenever we as Christians gather for worship, we listen to a selection or selections from the Bible. Our biblical selections every Sunday and during the entire year are chosen on the basis of our celebrations by a special group of liturgical experts. The selections are so arranged that we are able to listen and reflect on the different ranging topics covered by the Bible. The Bible is a sacred book. It is aptly described as the word of God in words of human beings. The Bible, as we now know it, was formed through the centuries. Who we are as a Christian community is somehow reflected in this book. We believe that whenever the word of God is proclaimed in our midst, something special happens. We believe that  speaks to us through His word. God speaks to us not just about what happened a long time ago, but about our own lives now. Our community helps us to understand what the word of God means for us today.
 
After preaching for more than 43 years now, I have found the word of God as proclaimed and reflected in our Christian communities to be alive, meaningful and powerful in our own respective lives. When I preach, my preaching is not only for you but also for me, who have to struggle with my own struggling efforts to approximate what I believe with what I practice. Because Christ’s revelation is inexhaustible, we can always know more about it and understand it better. God always speaks to us in a special manner in Sacred Scripture. What we are to believe is found in tradition and Scripture, which together from one sacred deposit of the word of God which is committed to the Church. Scripture is the word of God in as much as it is consigned to writing under the inspiration of the divine Spirit. The Bible has an essential and indispensable role to play in Christian catechesis. As St. Jerome says: “Ignorance of the scriptures is ignorance of Christ”.  
 
Just like literary criticism, we have to understand Sacred Scriptures according to its historical and literary circumstances. A literal interpretation may not be appropriate for many of the biblical selections. A term used to refer to the study of scriptures is exegesis, which denotes that the meaning of a biblical passages come out of the passages themselves and not something that we put or assign to the passages. We cannot try to justify or support our foregone conclusions with a selective gathering of biblical passages which seem to support our claims or agenda. That is in-gesis, not exegesis.
 
Let us ask yourselves what role Sacred Scripture plays in our decisions and actions. Is there is symbolic place of honor for the Bible in our homes which can be a reminder of God’s presence in your home. Is Scripture reading part of any of our family gatherings?  
 
FrEdmund@saintmichael.ca
 
 
Healing Lines
 
As we are invited by Jesus to spread the Good News, so we are asked to look after those that we encounter in our daily lives. Those effected by bullying and abuse are especially in need of our help and love. Remember a time when you felt alone and helpless. Wouldn’t you have felt relieved to be given a kind word or some direction from those in your Church community? There may be someone sitting next to you right now who could use your reaching out to them.

 

Announcements:

 

2023 Contribution Envelopes

The 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 Preparation

Our next Baptism preparation course will be on Saturday, February 11 from 9 am – 12 pm. To register your child for Baptism, please visit our website at https://saintmichael.ca/baptism/

 

Children’s Offering Basket 

Each Sunday, a children’s Offering Basket will be placed at the front of the altar during the offertory. Children are invited to place their offerings into the basket. The Children’s Offerings will be for general donations.

 

Sisters From the Seeds of the Word

The Sisters from the Seeds of the Word will be in the gathering area selling Lectio Divina’s for 2023 as well as some Home Baking. Please feel free to see them after Mass. 

 

Moms and Tots

Thursdays 

Moms and Tots is back. Please join us every Thursday 9:30-11:30 am in the St. Nicholas room for coffee, social and play!

 

Day Chapel Renovation

The renovation of the Day Chapel is scheduled for next year. The Renovation includes the addition of two side altars for the Blessed Virgin Mary (current statue) and the Divine Mercy (framed canvas print). The Divine Mercy print is from the original. The two side altars will also have votive candle racks where devotees can light real candles. Thomas Tan will be our project coordinator. The renovation design was done by Architect June Lee. The project has been duly approved by the diocese. The project concept was presented by Bill Tapuska and Peggy Tan, in an effort to place the Divine Mercy and the Blessed Virgin Mary in their appropriate places. The draft recommendations of the defunct Interior Enhancement Committee on the Day Chapel improvements have been duly taken into account. The Blessed Virgin Mary is currently located in a grotto-type make-shift altar at the back corner of the Day Chapel. The project cost is at $98,000 plus taxes, as budgeted by Cougar Construction who won a recent bidding. We encourage families and individuals in contributing to the project. So far, a family has contributed $30,000 for the project. 

 

GriefShare

January 17 to March 2, 2023 

Have you lost a loved one recently, or know someone who has? The grief support ministry invites individuals who have experienced the loss of a loved one and would like to participate in a Grief Share Program in the new year. The program consists of a video seminar (Christian based with personal stories from Christian experts who have experienced grief), group sharing with participants/facilitators and a personal workbook. The program runs every Tuesday, 7 pm to 9 pm from January 17 to March 7. There is a fee of $10 for the workbook. Free will offerings will also be accepted. To register or for more info, please contact the Parish Office at 403-249-0423 or info@saintmichael.ca.

 

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.

 

Society of Saint Vincent de Paul 

Special thanks to all St. Michael parishioners for supporting the Society of St. Vincent de Paul!

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: Cereal, pasta sauce, canned vegetables and canned fish/meat.

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)

 

Mass Schedule for this Weekend

Saturday, January 21, 5 pm Mass: Fr. Edmund Vargas

Sunday, January 22, 9 am, 11 am & 5 pm Masses: Fr. Edmund Vargas

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3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, 22/01/2023, 1.00 MB

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