Bulletin: 4th Sunday of Advent
What you need to know from this weekend’s bulletin:
Hail, Joseph!
December 21, 2025
We find in Joseph a principled person faithful to his own Jewish tradition who would prefer compassion rather than legalism. Even though Joseph did not completely comprehend the implications of his dream, he responded with faith to the messenger of God. Joseph, together with Mary, sought to do the right thing, believing that God would be with them in their own respective life journeys.
Joseph is a model of husbandry and fatherhood, especially in our own times. Here is a husband and father whose role is more of following the divine will than seeking his own human preference in taking care of his wife and his son. The basis of his loving and caring relationship is more moral and spiritual than physical, which is not existent after all.
We look up to Joseph in his selfless dedication to his family. Joseph is also a model of unity for our families and world communities. Joseph embodies the principle of unity based on the fatherhood of God. His selfless attitude to what has happened in his own life is an outstanding character that is needed in our elusive search for peace and unity in our world. It is an attitude that requires full trust and confidence in God for whom, through whom, and from whom, we all have our being. It is an attitude of a creature that acknowledges the complete and total jurisdiction of the Creator.
Like Joseph, we are challenged to be faithful to the message of God in the unfolding events of our lives. We don’t have to be larger than life. We are not, after all. We have to go through our lives with the magnanimity of heart that made Joseph follow the will of God in his life to the end. We are part of God’s entire plan.
“His example helps us to understand that it is only by complete submission to the will of God that we be become effective workers in the service of His plan to gather together all mankind into one family.” (Pope Benedict XVI)
Healing Lines
After Mary conceived Jesus, she was at risk of shame and ridicule being an unwed mother. God chose Joseph to take her as his wife and he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, taking her into his home. As we await the arrival of Jesus, let us remember the obedience of Joseph with his love and caring for Mary. Men hold a special role in the prevention of violence against women and children. They can learn to handle their anger in a constructive manner, teach their children to develop healthy relationships, and support violence prevention initiatives in our parish and communities.
Announcements:
Please see this weekend’s bulletins for all announcements:
2026 Donation Envelopes
Next year’s 2026 donation envelopes may be picked up from the tables by the main washrooms. Continue to use your 2025 envelopes until the new year. Donations made after midnight on December 31, will be considered donations for the 2026 tax year. Please note: you may use envelopes only for the current year, all previous year’s envelopes must be discarded.
Parish Finance Update
Our operations income is on track to exceed expenses, although we just wrote a cheque for $22k for the elevator upgrade. Our TIA campaign is still short $24k of the target goal of $121k. We hope that our year-end donations will cover the deficit, otherwise we will cover the shortfall from the General Fund which is assessed (taxed). We need to maintain our loan payments, which is scheduled at $420k per year. Our total parish goal for the Multiply the Hope matching fund is $510,569. Please consider contributing to the opportunity to double contributions. Last day for contributions for the year is December 31. God’s blessings on our community. God is never outdone in generosity!
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. You can visit our website at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/33185 and make your contribution to the “Building Fund / Multiply the Hope Campaign”. 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
Simbang Gabi
Simbang Gabi Mass will be celebrated at our parish on Saturday, 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.
Elevation Youth Group (Gr. 4-6)
Youths in Grade 4-6 are invited to join our youth group: ELEVATION youth! Join us on Fridays from 6:30-8:30pm in the St. Nicholas Room for devotions, snacks, games, faith, and fun! The next session is on January 9. 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! If you are able to volunteer, please contact Gladys Doh gdoh@saintmichael.ca or Abigail Lewis 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 2025 Update
A big thank you to all who came out to support our efforts over these past few weeks. Whether you supplied or wrapped a gift, donated to enable us to purchase the food, or came out on Hamper Day to assist, know that your efforts made this work. We served 679 people and prepared 184 Hampers – a new record! This number included 337 children. Total volunteer slots filled in advance 385 of 417 (92%). This doesn’t include those who didn’t sign up, but showed to help on Hamper Day. The total costs of the annual effort would be more than $72,000. A final report will be provided later. We’re still doing the final counting, but are very grateful for all the volunteers, donors, and behind the scenes parish staff who supported us in this outreach. We are truly living out the parish mission of being a church of outreach and encounter. God is never outdone in generosity.
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
Together in Action (TIA)
This year’s goal is $121,243 and currently, we have reached 80% 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, Dec. 31 / Resumes Jan. 7, 2026.
Coffee Sundays:
Cancelled Dec. 28, Jan. 4 / Resumes Jan. 11, 2026.
Children’s Liturgy:
Cancelled Dec. 21, Dec. 28, Jan. 4 / Resumes Jan. 11, 2026.
Moms & Tots:
Cancelled Dec. 25, Jan. 1 / Resumes Jan. 8, 2026.
Knights of Columbus Meeting:
Cancelled Dec. 18 / Next one Jan. 15.
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. 20, 2025 – Sun. Jan. 11, 2026):
Saturday, December 20:
Simbang Gabi: Sanctuary, Carols 6:30pm, Mass 7pm, Reception to follow.
Sunday, December 21:
Cancellation: Children’s Liturgy
Coffee Sunday: Narthex, after 9:00am Mass & 11:00am Mass
Monday, December 22:
No event.
Tuesday, December 23:
Rosary Group: Day Chapel, 5:20pm
Cancellations: SSVP Meeting, Pastoral Council Meeting, RCIA
Wednesday, December 24:
Daily Mass: 9am, Christmas Eve Masses: 4pm, 7pm, 10pm
Cancellation: Coffee Wednesday
Thursday, December 25:
Christmas Day Mass: 9am and 11am
Christmas Day – Office Closed
Cancellations: Knitting Ministry, Moms & Tots
Friday, December 26:
Daily Mass: 9am
Boxing Day – Office Closed
Saturday, December 27:
No events.
Sunday, December 28:
Cancellations: Children’s Liturgy, Coffee Sunday
Monday, December 29:
Christmas Holiday – Office Closed
Tuesday, December 30:
Rosary Group: Day Chapel, 5:20pm
Christmas Holiday – Office Closed
Cancellations: Library Cataloging, RCIA
Wednesday, December 31:
New Year’s Eve – Office Closed
Daily Mass: 9am, New Year’s Eve Mass: 5pm
Thursday, January 1:
New Year’s Day Mass: 9am and 11am
New Year’s Day – Office Closed
Cancellations: Knitting Ministry, Moms & Tots
Friday, January 2:
Office re-opens.
No event.
Saturday, January 3:
No event.
Sunday, January 4:
Cancellations: Children’s Liturgy, Coffee Sunday
Potluck Sunday and Name Tag Sunday: Narthex, after 5pm Mass
Monday, January 5:
No event.
Tuesday, January 6:
Library Cataloging Committee Resumes
Rosary Group: Day Chapel, 5:20pm
RCIA: St. Nicholas & Theater, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Wednesday, January 7:
Coffee Wednesday Resumes: Narthex, after the 9am Mass
Thursday, January 8:
Moms & Tots Resumes: St. Nicholas’ Room, 9:30am – 11:30am
Knitting Ministry Resumes: Library, 10:00am
Friday, January 9:
Elevation Youth Group Gr. 4-6: St. Nicholas’ Room, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Saturday, January 10:
Saturday Night Lights Gr. 7-12: Sanctuary, 7:00pm
Sunday, January 11:
Children’s Liturgy Resumes: 8:30am and 10:30am
Coffee Sunday Resumes: Narthex, after 9:00am & 11:00am Mass
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4th Sunday of Advent, 21/12/2025, 664.69 KB