Bulletin: Second Sunday of Advent

Posted 2022-12-02 by @saintmichaelyyc

 

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

 

Download bulletin PDF

 

The Character of Baptism

December 4, 2022

John the Baptist heralded the coming of Christ by proclaiming a baptism of repentance. His baptism is the forerunner of our Christian baptism which gives us the Christian life. Baptism leaves an indelible mark in the soul of the baptized, which we refer to as the baptismal character. Baptism characterizes the baptized, setting us apart, giving us the mandate to share with others the faith we have received. We are marked with the sign of faith.
 
In our parish, baptisms are also celebrated on Sundays within Mass. The sacrament is celebrated on the day that Christ rose from the dead and when the Church community assembles in worship and praise. It begins the process of integrating the baptized into the community which reaches its fulfillment when we share the Eucharist. Baptism is the first step of a three-step process of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist which are also referred to as the Sacraments of Initiation. It is in the Eucharist (at Mass) that we share full communion with the Church.
 
Baptism, through the renewal of our baptismal promises, reminds us that we shape our lives by the choices we make. The renewal of our baptismal promises gives us the opportunity to reflect on the direction of our lives and to strengthen our resolve to be Christians. The words of the rite are richly symbolic. They ask us to choose between slavery to sin and the freedom of being God’s children, between darkness and light, between the glamour of evil and the simplicity of truth. Ultimately, they ask us to choose between Satan and Christ.
 
We often refer to baptism as a christening which means joining to Christ. Through baptism we are united to Christ. We become Christians, members of the Church. The original meaning of the word “Christ” is anointed one. In the Scriptures, someone chosen for a special role such as priest, prophet or king was anointed with a fragrant olive oil. When the followers of Jesus eventually recognized him as the Messiah, they began to call him Christ, which means God’s anointed one. In baptism, we are also anointed with Holy Chrism to express our unity with Christ and to show that we are called to share in Christ’s work as priest, prophet and king.
 
FrEdmund@saintmichael.ca
 
 
Healing Lines
 
“I am the voice of one crying out in the desert; make straight the way of the Lord!”  A person who is being abused is not easily identifiable. They may be your neighbor. They may sit with you on a committee at church. Maybe they are the parent of one of your children’s friends. They may be your minister. They may be the tenant downstairs, the older person who you visit at the park, or your sibling. Be aware that violence against anyone is not just a statistic but may be happening to people you know.
 

 

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 month left in the year, please consider making a contribution to help us meet our target.

 

Simbang Gabi at SMCC 

Saturday, December 17

St Michael’s Church is hosting the traditional Filipino Mass (Simbang Gabi) on Saturday, December 17, at 7pm starting with carols at 6:30 pm. Filipino families or individuals who are interested in helping with our Filipino Night reception, following the Mass, may email Fr. Edmund at Fredmund@saintmichael.ca or text 403-874-2015.

 

Simbang Gabi Meeting

Sunday, December 4

There will be a short meeting on Sunday, December 4, after the 11am Mass in the Hospitality area for those interested to help with the Simbang Gabi (Filipino) Mass on Saturday, December 17, 7pm.  

 

Stocking Tree

We will not be collecting stockings for the stocking tree this year. If you wish, you can make a donation to SSVP, or donate to a charity of your choice.

 

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.

 

Feast of Immaculate Conception

Thursday, December 8

In honor of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, we will be having an extra daily Mass on Thursday, December 8 at 6 pm. All are invited to attend. Coffee and treats to follow.

 

Knitting Ministry 

Thank you to all who are knitting for our project! Just a reminder that the deadline to drop off any items is Thursday, December 15. There is a “knitting donations” box in the gathering area beside the SSVP donations. 

 

Chalice

Chalice would like to extend a huge thank you to Fr. Edmund Vargas and St. Michael’s parish for hosting a Child Sponsorship Weekend on November 19-20. Chalice envisions a world where all children and families live in communities of life and love; and thanks to the generosity of St. Michael’s parishioners, 94 children, families, and communities around the world are closer to that reality. On behalf of the children we serve, we give thanks to God that you have revealed His love to the poor among us. It’s never too late to sponsor! Please visit chalice.ca or call 1-800-776-6855 for more information on our mission and to sponsor a child today.

 

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 Outreach

Volunteers Needed! 

Hamper Day Monday, December 19

Help us meet all requests for a hamper – we especially need cash donations, as detailed below.  

Referrals: Referrals are accepted from parish school counselors, and through the SSVP intake line at 403-249-0423 extension 122.    

Donate: 

Monetary donations help us offset the costs of our food (purchased at wholesale prices), and each hamper includes a grocery gift card for the recipient to purchase their turkey. 

Donations may be made through: 

-the collection box, noted for Christmas Hampers

-depositing the green envelopes located in the SSVP donation bin/lockbox in the gathering area

-online at saintmichael.ca/giving.

Please include your clearly printed name and address – tax receipts will be issued in January 2023

Gifts for Children: 

The Angel Tree is how we meet requests for children’s gifts.  Stop by the Angel Tree, choose a gift request and shop for that special gift.  Gifts are then enclosed with the hamper going to the family.   

Volunteers: Thank you to all our faithful parish members who volunteered. We will be in touch about your assignment. More delivery volunteers are needed for the evening of December 19th. Importantly, those delivering are required to have an updated Police Check on file, and complete Praesidium training. Note it can take up to 4 weeks to process but this can be completed online. To volunteer please contact Marvin Matthews MMatthews@saintmichael.ca

Food Donations: Thank you to our parish schools for their food drives in support of SSVP. SSVP provides support to families year-round.  Food donations received this month are used by SSVP to address late hamper requests and after-Christmas hamper needs.

 

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 October we helped over 20 families.

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 3, 5 pm Mass: Fr. Edmund Vargas

Sunday, December 4, 9 am Mass: Fr. Edmund Vargas

Sunday, December 4, 11 am & 5 pm Masses: Fr. Edmund Vargas

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Second Sunday of Advent, 04/12/2022, 712.59 KB

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