Bulletin: Christmas and New Year’s

Posted 2022-12-23 by @saintmichaelyyc

 

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

 

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The Other Side of Christmas

December 25, 2022

Usually we reckon the Christmas story with the gentle scenery of the Baby Jesus in the manger with shepherds, angels and kings with exotic gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh in the background.  
 
But there is the other side of the Christmas story that can relate more to people who are dealing with difficulty and challenge. This completes the calm, silent or holy portrayal of Christmas. It speaks about the painful processes required to come up with the gentle scenery which was brought about, as it were, by the agonizing experiences of the protagonists of our salvation  history, including John the Baptist, the voice crying in the wilderness, who lived in self-sacrifice, persecution and eventual martyrdom. Even the visiting kings had to travel a great distance into unknown territory after a frightful courtesy call on King Herod. It took the exceptional courage for Mary in accepting the motherhood of the Savior as well as for Joseph to take her as his wife. The aftermath of the gentle scenery was even more disturbing when the Holy Family had to flee to Egypt as King Herod ordered his army to slaughter all children under age two in Bethlehem in a murderous search for the Child. The violent events in the Old Testament, including the murder of the prophets, remotely preceded the realization of the gentle scenery of Christmas, as we know it. Like the pangs of birth, the Christmas story was marred with bloody circumstances and a history of violent events, courageous acts and difficult decisions.  
 
In a very real way, we can relate our present difficulties and challenges to the other side of the Christmas story as we search the light amidst the shadows of our dark experiences. A complete approach to the Christmas story is about appreciating more not only its gentleness, peace and joy but also its aspects of fear, insecurity and violence. Christ’s coming does not save us from the harsh, ugly and dark realities of our life. But it equips us with the grace to face our fears and frustrations in the faith that love can overcome death.  
 
FrEdmund@saintmichael.ca
 
 
Healing Lines
 
As we contemplate this birth of Jesus, let us not forget those who may be consumed by the trauma of abuse and homelessness at this time of year. How can we reach out to those who may need an extra hand at this moment? Can we remember to keep them in our prayers? What can we share of ourselves with those less fortunate?

 

Announcements:

 

2023 Contribution Envelopes

Next year’s 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.

 

Confirmation

Registration for the 2023 Confirmation program is now open! To register your child(ren) in grades 6 and up for the Sacrament of Confirmation, visit our website at https://saintmichael.ca/confirmation/

 

Together in Action (Formerly Bishop’s Appeal)  

The parish target for 2022 is $121,243, we are still short by $93,585.50.  With only one week left in the year, please consider making a contribution to help us meet our target.

 

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. 

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Christmas Hampers 2022 Donations

We will distribute hampers to 170 families at the cost of $54,000. The parish has “advanced” $29,000 to cover the required amount while we wait for contributions from parishioners. Please consider supporting this outreach effort as part of being a “missionary” community.  

 

Christmas Hamper Program Update

A big thank you to all parishioners for your support of our 2022 Christmas Hamper program. On Monday, December 19, our parish community volunteers braved the coldest of temperatures with an outpouring of service, bringing their light to the world. Together we prepared and delivered 155 hampers, serving 515 people. Your generous support was much appreciated as our team grappled with supply chain problems and increased costs. We also prepared 210 Angel Tree gifts for delivery with the hampers. Our volunteers bring many talents to this project, most importantly evident this year was the gift of a willing heart.

Many thanks to our parish schools for their support with food donations, and to the Knights of Columbus for keeping us safe on a cold night.

Donations are still being accepted: 

Online: via the parish website https://saintmichael.ca/giving/

Cheques or cash: place them in the green SSVP envelopes located at the SSVP donation box.

 

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)

 

Christmas Mass Schedule

Saturday, December 24, Christmas Eve

4:00 pm, 7:00 pm, 10:00 pm


Sunday, December 25, Christmas Day

9:00 am, 11:00 am

 

Saturday, December 31, New Years Eve

5:00 pm


Sunday, January 1, New Years Day

9:00 am, 11:00 am, 5:00 pm

 

Mass Schedule for this Weekend

Saturday, December 24, 4 pm, 7 pm & 10 pm Masses: Fr. Edmund Vargas

Sunday, December 25, 9 am & 11 am Masses: Fr. Edmund Vargas

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Christmas & New Year's, 25/12/2022, 707.73 KB

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