Bulletin: 4th Sunday of Lent

Posted 2023-03-17 by @saintmichaelyyc

 

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

 

Download bulletin PDF

 

Blindness & Sight

March 19, 2023

The theme of blindness/sight and light/darkness, so prominent in today’s readings, continues the Lenten tradition of preparing for the Easter baptisms. It is not coincidental that this period of the liturgical year is referred to as the Period of Purification and Enlightenment.   
 
Blindness, as attributed to the man born blind from birth in our gospel today, is a fitting image of the human condition we now know as original sin. John tells the story of the man’s cure by Jesus in a way that reveals who it is that is truly blind: those who stubbornly refuse to accept Jesus as the light of the world. The dramatic unfolding of John’s story gives eloquent expression to the way individuals in a community compound their blindness. Everyone gets involved: the man’s neighbors, his family, those who have seen him begging, the Pharisees, the evil spread like cancer until in an act the man is expelled from the synagogue for acknowledging Jesus as the Messiah.
 
God’s choice of David over his other brothers in the First Reading from the First Book of Samuel speaks of our own inability to see spiritual truth as God sees it. David is portrayed as the least likely to be the candidate for divine election. God sees into the heart and directs the prophet to choose and anoint the young David and consecrate him to be shepherd of God’s people as king. The blindness of those around David to his potential as God’s chosen leader speaks of how sin can blind us to God’s will for us.  
 
“Once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light…” is a metaphor to capture our desperate human situation without Christ’s saving light that eradicate the effects of “social sin”. “Whenever the Church speaks of situations of sin or when the collective behavior of certain social groups, big or small, or even of whole nations and bloc of nations, she knows and she proclaims that such cases of social sin are the result of the accumulation and concentration of many personal sins”. 
 
As we gather today, we ask God to let His light penetrate the darkness of our lives, shining forth in goodness, righteousness and truth. We seek His light and long to become children of His light, good and pleasing in His sight. Just as Jesus opens the eyes of the blind man to the wonders of belief in God’s Son, God call us from our ordinary life and opens our eyes, through baptism and the other sacraments, to insight into his mighty works. God call on us to believe, to worship and to follow the footsteps of His Son. God call us to new life, to become enlightened children of God.
 
FrEdmund@saintmichael.ca
 
 
Healing Lines
 
A significant factor that leads women to tolerate abuse is the economic reality of separation. Women cannot afford to leave their partners. Women fear they will not be able to provide for their families if they leave the relationship. Many men do not provide child or spousal support. In situations of divorce, the standard of living of men on the whole increases, while the standard of living for women on the whole decreases. Women fear leaving their partners because it will mean a substantial decrease in the standard of living, both for themselves and their children. Let us not turn a blind eye to the realities that victims of abuse face. Reach out to support those disabled by fear.

 

Announcements:

 

Important Security Alert! 

The church security system is armed and monitored outside of scheduled hours of opening. If you require access to the building outside of office hours please contact the office. Anyone entering outside the scheduled hours will trigger the alarm and a call will be made to the monitoring company, which may result in a police response. 

 

Children’s Liturgy Coordinator Position

St. Michael’s is looking to hire a Children’s Liturgy Coordinator to plan and oversee the implementation of the Children’s Liturgy of the Word Ministry. Please click on the link below if you are interested in applying for this position:

https://www.catholicyyc.ca/uploads/6/5/5/7/65570685/childrens_liturgy_coordinator__march2023_.pdf

 

Righteous Sounds of the Passion

Saturday, March 18 at 7pm

Come and experience the Inspirition Band perform songs from their highly anticipated and emotional Good Friday service music on Saturday, March 18, 7 pm in the Mezzanine. Bring someone and listen to the Passion in song. Admission is free.

 

Undie Sunday

Saturday, March 18 & Sunday, March 19

The Annual Undie Sunday is back in support of the Elizabeth House on March 18 and 19. At this time, they are seeking women’s personal hygiene items (conditioner, body wash, deodorant, body lotions, hair products), baby lotion and wash, hand soap with pump, towels – all sizes, dish towels and kitchen wash clothes, pots and pans, HE laundry soap, collapsible laundry baskets, double bed sheets and bed in bags, 2T -4T boys and girls clothes, Women’s leggings ( basic black), and Women’s socks and underwear (M- XL). Please note, all items must be NEW. A drop off table will be set up in the main entrance. 

Financial donations can be made online & will be matched 50%, please use https://shawcharityclassic.com/charity/participating-charities/elizabeth-house/ . Cash and cheque donations can also be given on March 18 & 19 at the tables. Thank you for your support – Catholic Women’s League and Knights of Columbus.

Baby Blanket Raffle – 6 gorgeous, stroller sized, hand-knitted, 100% acrylic baby blankets are up for raffle with all proceeds going to support the Elizabeth House. Pictures of the blankets can be seen on the poster board in the main gathering area. Tickets can be purchased in person on Undie Sunday, during Mom’s & Tots on Thursday mornings, and also online by sending an etransfer to SMCWLTREASURER@gmail.com with the password of “raffle”. Tickets are 3 for $5 or 1 for $2. 

 

Saturday Night Lights with Michael Chiasson & Access 52

Saturday, March 25, 6pm

All students for life (Grade 7-12) are invited to an amazing youth experience on Saturday, March 25, 6-8pm after the 5pm Mass. This will be followed every last Saturday of the month: April 29, May 27 & June 24, 6-8pm.  

To register please  go to https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/591820590317

 

Liturgical Ministers Lenten Retreat

Friday, March 31, 7pm

Please join us for a Liturgical Ministers Lenten Retreat led by Fr. Edmund on Friday, March 31 at 7 pm (following Mass and Stations of the Cross). Enjoy a Lenten fish dinner while you listen to Fr. Edmund; free will offering to the Knights of Columbus. ALL ARE WELCOME!!  This retreat will be especially beneficial for volunteers who serve in a liturgical capacity at Mass (Communion Ministers, Proclaimers, Ushers and Choir members) or for anyone who would like to serve as a Liturgical Minister. To register, please call the office at (403) 249 0423.

 

40 Days for Life Prayer Campaign

Friday, March 31

St. Michael is once again part of this prayer campaign. Over 5000 babies are killed at the Kensington abortion facility every year. 40 Days for Life is a prayerful, respectful campaign that seeks to bring awareness to the inconvenient truth that abortion kills innocent human beings. Our prayerful presence during 40 Days at abortion centres around the world draws attention to the plight of preborn children and seeks God’s help through intercessory prayer. Will you join us? Sign up and be a loving, prayerful voice for the preborn babies who have no voice but ours. We know from the testimonies of many that these campaigns save lives. St. Michael’s day to pray this campaign is Friday, March 31. Please join us and signup online at 40 Days for Life. Click on the “SIGN UP FOR VIGIL HOURS” box and choose an hour or more on Friday, March 31. Please sign up for a time slot between the hours of 10 am to 4pm. Up to four persons can sign up for each one hour time slot. Signs are provided. 

 

St. Michael Catholic Community Pastoral Council

Every month, a dedicated team of Pastoral Council members meet with our Pastor to discuss and advise on issues that affect Saint Michael’s Catholic Community.

At our meeting in February, some of the matters we discussed were:

· Hiring a Children’s Liturgy Coordinator

· Blessing of St. Mary’s Chapel on Divine Mercy Sunday

· The Triduum – help is needed to decorate!  Please email Bob camaro11@shaw.ca

· Liturgical Ministers Lenten Retreat on March 31 at 7 pm ALL WELCOME! Register at the office.

If you would like to read the minutes from our most recent meeting, or any past meeting, please go to www.saintmichael.ca/bulletin          

Questions? Concerns? Please reach us at (403) 249 0423

 

43rd Annual Hike for Life

Saturday, May 13 

Please join Fr. Edmund in support of the Calgary Pro-Life Association’s 10K Hike For Life at Prince’s Island. You can join the St. Michael’s team, start collecting pledges and hike on your own or you can make a donation to Fr. Edmund or any other team member from now until May 13. All donations go directly to Pro-Life and will be accepted until June 30th. All funds raised will go to support the Respect for Life program.

 

Holy Land Pilgrimage

November 13 to 21, 2023

Holy Land Pilgrimage Alert! The deposit ($600) due date for the Pilgrimage to the Holy Land with Fr Edmund this coming November is May 7, after which reservations will be based on availability.  Deposits are refundable until May 14. 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!  During the month of February we helped 16 families. If you have lost your job please contact us for food support.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR A TREASURER: If you have an accounting background and are interested in volunteering your talent, please contact us by email SSVP@saintmichael.ca

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.

 

Moms and Tots 

Thursdays 9:30 am

Moms and Tots is every Thursday 9:30- 11:30 am in the St. Nicholas Room. Moms and their little(s) are invited to join us for coffee, social, and fellowship. Guest speaker Debbie Wagner will give her faith testimony of her conversion to Catholicism at age 46 and then proceeded to be a constant beacon in the church and even CWL president in 2020/21.

 

Women’s Conference by Beloved Daughters Ministry

May 26-27 

Join Beloved Daughters Ministry for their first annual women’s conference entitled, “Restoring the Feminine Heart.” Conference will be held from May 26-27, 2023 at St. Luke’s Parish (Calgary, AB) and guided by guest speakers Heather & Jake Khym of Life Restoration Ministries. For more information visit: www.beloveddaughtersyyc.com

 

Lent & Easter Schedule

Lenten Fridays: March 24 & 31

Mass at 6 pm, Stations of the Cross at 6:30 pm

 

Parish Reconciliation: Thursday, March 23

Confessions at 6:30 – 8:30 pm

 

Palm Sunday: April 2

Regular Sunday Masses: 9 am, 11 am, 5 pm

 

Holy Week

Holy Thursday: April 6

Mass at 7 pm, Adoration following Mass until 11 pm

 

Good Friday: April 7

Liturgy at 12 pm, 3 pm

 

Easter Vigil: April 8

Mass at 8 pm

 

Easter Sunday: April 9

Regular Sunday Masses: 9 am, 11 am, 5 pm

 

Parish Office: The office will be closed on Good Friday.

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4th Sunday of Lent, 19/03/2023, 723.65 KB

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