April 5/6, 2025 - Sunday Bulletin
- Leslie Mendonca
- Apr 5
- 11 min read

Important Updates
Online Giving
Make a weekly, or one-time donation to the St. Edmund's Parish collection.

This Jubilee Year, Pope Francis has designated Holy Doors exclusively at the four major papal basilicas in Rome to highlight the unity of the universal Church and to invite Catholics worldwide to make the traditional pilgrimage to Rome. There are no Holy Doors in Vancouver, though Catholics can still obtain the Jubilee Indulgence by following the instructions outlined on the website here: Clarification on Holy Doors during the Jubilee of Hope - Archdiocese of Vancouver.
Click - Schedule for Holy Week Services


Updates
Parish News
On Sunday April 6th, we are holding a Food Drive to help those in need in our Parish community.
THE FILIPINO MASS is this Sunday - April 6 - at 6pm.
There will be no incense used at the 9:30am Mass on Palm Sunday & Easter Sunday.
KNIGHTS’ PANCAKE BREAKFAST – make note! This Sunday you can enjoy a delicious Pancake Breakfast after the 8 & 9:30am Masses.
Fridays in Lent: Mass at 9am, 6.30 Stations of the cross, followed by Mass.
YOUTH CAMP - The North Cluster of the Couples for Christ Youth Ministry will be hosting a Youth Camp from May 9 to 11, at St. Francis de Sales Parish. This camp is open to all young people ages 12 to 18 residing in North Vancouver, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, and Burnaby areas.
Every 3rd Saturday, 9am Mass will be offered to the sick, aged and home bound. After the Mass anointing will take place.
The Adoration chapel is open now from 10am to 12pm (noon). Sign-up is needed on Flock Note. If you are unable to use that method, please contact the Parish Office.
TAX RECEIPTS are available from the Parish Office. If you wish yours to be mailed or emailed, please contact the Parish Office. Thank you.
Heartfelt thanks to everyone for your donations. We are continuing to collect food items & gift cards for needy families. You can drop off your full bags at the back of the church or at the Parish Office.
Christian Meditation Group meets in person on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 7pm.
CWL BOTTLE, CAN DRIVE FUNDRAISER is ongoing. CWL has an account with Return It Express. You can take your bottles, cans, tetra packs, milk, plant-based beverage containers to any Return-It location. Instructions are as follows:
Place unsorted bottles in a clear plastic bag(s)
Print off sticker @ Kiosk – Use phone # 778-996-3407
Text code RVCA TO 778-400-5253
To open the door, touch the keypad with your finger or the back of your hand to activate it
Enter the one-time pin code you receive by message. The one-time pin will time out in a few minutes. Repeat if it has timed out.
The Keypad light will turn green. Open door and drop off bag(s)
North Vancouver Return It Express Locations:
310 Brooksbank Ave. (Mon-Fri 8-4/Sat 8-5/Sun 9-5/closed holidays)
At Superstore 333 Seymour Blvd. (everyday 8-8)
235 Donaghy Ave. (Mon-Sat 8-5/Sun 10-4/closed holidays)
30 Riverside Dr.-North Shore Recycling Depot (Tues-Fri 8-5/Sat., Sun, Holidays 9-5)
FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE, PLASTIC BAGS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE CHURCH ENTRANCE

Proceeds from this fundraiser will go towards the renovation of the Kitchen cabinets, countertops, and flooring in the school gym.
If you are unable to return the bottles yourself, please get in touch with Donna @ 778-996-3407 / dkcolcleugh@gmail.com. Donna will happily pick them up for you and make the deposit.
Please do not drop off bottles at the church or parish office.
Reflections
To live in God's love and peace
The Gospel for the fifth Sunday of Lent continues to offer lessons about God's mercy and forgiveness. Last Sunday we heard the Parable of the Prodigal Son from the Gospel of Luke. Today we hear not a parable, but the report from John's Gospel of an encounter among Jesus, the scribes and Pharisees, and a woman caught in adultery.
In John's Gospel, the conflict between Jesus and the scribes and Pharisees occurs much earlier than in the Synoptic Gospels. Jesus' cleansing of the Temple in Jerusalem is reported at the beginning of John's Gospel. Even after this event, Jesus continues to teach in the Temple. After returning to Galilee for a time, Jesus again enters Jerusalem and cures a man on the Sabbath. From this point forward in John's Gospel, the Pharisees are described as making plans for Jesus' arrest and seeking his death.
In the chapter preceding today's Gospel, Jesus was teaching in the Temple area. Feeling threatened by his teaching and his actions, the chief priests and the Pharisees are already sending guards to arrest Jesus. The guards return, however, without arresting Jesus because they have been impressed by his words. Even more than this, some among the crowds are considering the possibility that Jesus is the Messiah. The chief priests and the Pharisees change their plan. Before making an arrest, they seek to gather more evidence against Jesus by posing a question intended to trap Jesus.
Today's Gospel begins by reporting that Jesus is again teaching the crowds in the vicinity of the Temple. The scribes and the Pharisees approach Jesus, bringing a woman who has been caught in the act of adultery. They put to Jesus the question of what ought to be done in this case.
The Pharisees state clearly that according to the Law of Moses, those caught in the act of adultery were to be stoned to death. Under Roman occupation, however, the Jewish people did not have the authority to execute people; this is cited in John's passion narrative. To answer the Pharisees' question, Jesus must propose an action that will be either contrary to the Law of Moses or contrary to Roman law. The purpose of the question appears to be similar to the question about paying taxes found in Mark 12:13-17. Either answer, yes or no, will support the Pharisees' case against Jesus.
Jesus avoids the trap, however, by offering an answer that was not anticipated by those who posed the question. Jesus, after writing on the ground with his finger, addresses those who stand before him and suggests that the one without sin cast the first stone. Jesus then returns to his writing. This Scripture reading, by the way, is the only evidence we have of Jesus writing. Yet there are no specific details about what he wrote.
We can easily imagine the scene as the Pharisees and the elders disperse, one by one. Jesus has eluded the trap they had prepared. We might also give credit to the elders and the Pharisees who do not, in the end, claim to be sinless and worthy of passing judgment. These Pharisees are not as self-righteous as the portrait found in the parable of the pharisee and the tax collector (See Luke 18:9-14).
Left alone with the woman, Jesus asks where the accusers have gone. With no one remaining to condemn the woman, Jesus (the one who truly is without sin) sends the woman on her way, refusing to pass judgment on her and exhorting her to avoid future sin.
Jesus' response to those who accuse the woman is more than a caution to us about making judgment of others. It is a profound lesson in divine mercy and forgiveness. As sinners, we are all unworthy to judge the sins of others and we would stand convicted by God for our transgressions. Yet Jesus, the one without sin and thus our judge, offers us who are sinners his mercy and forgiveness. Redeemed by Jesus' compassion, we are sent to sin no more and to live in God's love and peace.
~ Loyola Press
Mass Intentions
Sunday, April 6
Repose Beverly Larose by Antoine Larose
Spec. Intention Colin Yee Lim by Janet Ficocelli & Adrian Brecelj
Repose Luz Lammoglia by John & Elisa Bueno
Spec. Intention Joseph Petrualsky by wife Emilia
Repose Deogracias Zulueta by Erna Mills
Spec. Intention Father Jeevan by Erna Milla
Spec. Intention families of Gr. 3 PREP students by Erna Mills
Monday, April 7
Repose All Poor Souls by Margaret Patipatanakoon & Renata Gervais
Spec. Intention Jerny Arackal by Zofia Bronowska
Tuesday, April 8
Spec. Intention Dolores Noga by Barbara Stuart
Repose Roberta (Baba) Yee Lim by Janet Ficocelli & Adrian Brecelj
Wednesday, April 9
Repose All Poor Souls by Margaret Patipatanakoon & Renata Gervais
Thursday, April 10
Repose James Robert Deal, Jr. by Emelyn Deal
Friday, April 11
Repose Norman & Janney Yee by Janet Ficocelli & Adrian Brecelj
Saturday, April 12
Spec. Intention Father Jeevan by Legion of Mary
Repose All Souls of Cusanelli family by family
Repose Manual & Clara Alagoa by daughter Marilyn
Parish Events

CWL 2nd Thursday of each month @ 7 PM
Your CWL membership fee is due by April 30th and is $40.50 payable by cheque or by cash. The fee may be dropped off at the Parish Office or given to Donna Colcleugh or Charmaine Guindon. Thank you.

Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus general meetings are in person on the 1st Tuesday each month @7pm/executive meetings are also in person on the last Tuesday of the month @7pm
SPECIAL OFFER - Knights of Columbus - Free 1 Year On-Line Membership. You can enjoy the benefits of being a Knights of Columbus member including Accidental Death Benefit and the famous Columbia Magazine.
Promo Code: BLESSEDMCGIVNEY
After joining, please check your Inbox for confirmation.

St. Eds Christian Meditation Group
The St Edmund's Parish unit of the 'World Community for Christian Meditation' (WCCM) will resume its in-person meditation meeting, on the 3rd Thursday of every month at 7.00 pm in St Edmund's Church.
"No Experience Necessary"- The group leader will give new people the basics of meditation and some resources.
WCCM continues to hold a weekly virtual meeting on Mondays (via ZOOM), also at 7.00 pm. You are sincerely invited to attend the WCCM meeting(s). All are welcome.
To learn more about WCCM, kindly contact: Luis Zunino - email lzunino@gzarchitects.com
School Events
St. Edmunds Elementary School
REMEMBRANCE DAY CONTEST WINNERS
Congratulations to 23 of our students who were recognized by our Branch #118 Royal Canadian Legion for the Poster & Literary Contest

St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School
NET missionaries (faithful men and women between the ages of 18-30 who have chosen to devote a year of their lives to serving and ministering to Catholic youth across Canada) will be running a retreat for STA students at the end of this month. During this time, the missionaries will need a place to stay. Are you able to host 2 women, 4 women, or 3 men at your home from April 23rd - 25th? If this is an opportunity you are interested in, please reach out to Elizabeth Hughes at ehughes@aquinas.org for more information.
Religious Education
PREP 2024-2025
Any questions can be sent to prepatsteds@shaw.ca
Children's Choir Training
Practices will be every 2nd & 4th Saturday of the month @10am - Masses will be every 2nd & 4th Sunday of the month @ 11am
Altar Server Training
Every Saturday 11-11:30 am
Archdiocese Notices & Events
THE MASS OF INSTALLATION – THE MOST REV. RICHARD SMITH
With praise and thanksgiving to Almighty God, The Most Reverend Richard W. Smith will be installed as the twelfth Archbishop of Vancouver on Friday, May 23 at 7 pm. His Installation Mass will be a moment of great significance as he formally takes up his ministry among us.
Due to limited space, in-person attendance is limited to invited guests only. We invite you to watch the livestream at rcav.org and join in prayer as we welcome our new Archbishop.
If you haven't already, be sure to subscribe to the Friday Report for updates as the Mass of Installation draws closer.
PARISH LENTE MISSION – ST. PIUS X
Fr. Emmerich Vogt, OP will be at St. Pius X Parish for four days. The theme will be “Love is Lord of Heaven and Earth”. MONDAY – THURSDAY, APRIL 7 TO 10 – Mass at 9am everyday followed by hour long conference; confessions to follow. Evening talk every day at 7pm, with confessions afterwards.
JUBILEE YEAR 2025
A Jubilee Year is celebrated by the universal Church every 25 years, dedicated to encouraging the faithful to embark on pilgrimages, repent of their sins, forgive others, and renew their focus on spiritual life. Learn more about this special year, stay updated with the latest news, and explore how you can participate at rcav.org/jubilee.
BISHOP THOMAS J. LOBSINGER, OMI MEMORIAL BURSARY PROGRAM
The annual British Columbia and Yukon Bursary program known as the Bishop Thomas J. Lobsinger, OMI Memorial Bursary Program is underway. The 2025 program is now receiving applications. We are privileged to offer fourteen bursaries of $1,000.00 each to Catholic students across the Province of British Columbia. These bursaries are made available on a one-time only basis to young practicing Catholic students who are in post secondary education at a recognized institute of higher learning within the Province of British Columbia. Applications are accepted from January 1, 2025 until June 30, 2025 with the bursaries being awarded in the fall. The Terms of Reference may be found on our web site (kofcbc.org) after Jan 1, 2025.
Requests for application should be addressed to:
Christopher Chen – State Bursary Chairman
Knights of Columbus BC Charity Foundation
#333 – 1231 Pacific Boulevard
Vancouver, B.C. V6Z-0E2
Deadline for requests for application is June 1, 2025.
We would like to congratulate the many recipients once again over the past years and look forward to the opportunity to assist many more young people in the advancement of their education.
Upcoming Marriage & Family Events
Monthly (First Saturday of the month) | Pro-Life Mass and Prayer Vigil
Monthly (various Sundays until June) | Marriage Enrichment at Saint Mark's Parish
North Shore Pro-Life Society 2025 Annual General Meeting
April 6, 2025: North Shore Pro-Life Society 2025 Annual General Meeting will take place on Sunday, April 6 at 3:30 pm in the Holy Trinity Parish Church Hall, 2725 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver. All invited to attend. Hope to see you there.
40 DAYS FOR LIFE LENTEN CAMPAIGN sponsored by 40 Days for Life Pro-Life – Fr. Larry Lynn, Chaplain. The Campaign begins on Ash Wednesday, March 5 until Palm Sunday, April 13. For more information, please contact Father Lynn.
Financial Updates
Remember St. Edmund's in your Will
A planned gift to be realized in the future, such as the options below, may be the best approach for you and may allow you to make a larger gift than you might have thought possible.
A Gift in Your Will - This is the most common type of planned gift - a gift in your will. Arranged today, a bequest is paid to St. Edmund’s Parish through your estate, after your death. You can give a specific sum, property, or a percentage of your estate. It is important that the full name of the parish and charitable number be included in your will so that there is no confusion about your intentions. (St. Edmund’s Parish, North Vancouver # 11884 9470 RR0064)
Life Insurance - A gift of life insurance is a simple and thoughtful way to make a gift to St. Edmund’s Parish. Insurance allows you to make a modest gift now for a significant gift in the future.
RRSP and RRIF Funds - Naming St. Edmund’s Parish a beneficiary of your RRSPs and RRIFs means all or a portion of these assets can now be left directly to St. Edmund’s Parish upon your death without having to pass through your estate. This arrangement means that no probate fees are payable on these assets. In most cases, the taxes owing on your donated RRSPs or RRIFs at death are offset by the charitable tax credits generated by your donation. Donations of this type are a great way to reduce the substantial deferred tax burden that many RRSP and RRIF plans carry.
You pray best when the mirror of your soul is empty of every image except the image of the invisible Father. This image is the Wisdom of the Father, the Word of the Father… the Glory of the Father. – Thomas Merton
Prayer Requests
Our Parish Community is asked to pray for the Special Intention of Father Steny & Father Cannio
Our Parish Community is asked to pray for the Special Intention of Father Jeevan Prakash D'Almeda
Our Parish Community is asked to pray for the Special Intention of St. Edmund Parishioners
Our Parish Community is asked to pray for the Special Intentions of All Carmelite Priests
Our Parish Community is asked to pray for the Special Intention of Anish Rodrigues & Nileema D’Souza
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