22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
This week in the Church
Father Francois Beyrouti has been canonically elected as the 6th Eparchial Bishop of Newton for Melkite Greek Catholics in the United States.
We offer our heartfelt Congratulations and wish him God’s Abundant Blessings.
Please note, there will be no Friday Adoration & no 7pm Mass on the 2nd of September
7:30am Mass resumes on September 6th. 9am Mass continues as usual
The Rosary will be prayed every day at 6pm in front of the Grotto for World Peace especially for Ukraine and Russia until the end of the summer. You are cordially invited to join in.
Important Updates
PREP starts on Wednesday, September 21st – 6-7pm weekly – more details under the “Religious Education” heading
Regular Office hours resume on September 6th
A Pilgrimage to the Holy Land including Cairo, Sinai, Bethlehem, Nazareth and Petra will happen between November 7th & November 20th Information is available from Brian Andrade (778-999-4599)
Red Cross Volunteering
Volunteer now with the Health Equipment Loan Program (HELP) – Client Services Volunteers in the Health Equipment Loan Program volunteer in-person at the North Vancouver depot.
About the Role: Volunteers provide administrative support like answering the phone, scheduling client appointments, coordinating health equipment loans and returns and making minor adjustments to equipment.
Individual Time Commitment: 4 hours once per week for a minimum of 6 months. The North Vancouver depot shifts are Monday to Friday.
Training: A mixture of online & in-person training, no experience necessary!
Apply online at: redcross.ca/volunteer or inquire by email at volunteerBCY@redcross.ca
Helping Refugees
The Parish is in the process of welcoming a family of 5 to North Vancouver. If you would like to help, please join the Refugee Committee by contacting the Parish Office
Parking Lot Paving/Drainage Repair Update
With gratitude, we have raised $154,554 of the estimated $190,000 needed to complete these projects. Work will begin on the parking lot the first week of July.
Reflections
How to enter the Kingdom
Today's Gospel reading is the third of three parables in chapter 13 that deal with the theme of the unexpected reversals brought by the Kingdom of God. The other two parables are about the tiny mustard seed that grows into a large tree and the small amount of yeast that makes a large batch of dough rise. All three are about the few and the many and the Kingdom of God.
As this parable opens, Luke reminds us that Jesus is making his way to Jerusalem. This journey, this exodus as Luke refers to it, makes up the entire middle of the Gospel. He is teaching as he goes. A question from the crowd gives Jesus the chance to make a prophetic statement. Luke uses this question device a number of times in his Gospel. A few weeks ago, the question “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” led to the parable of the Good Samaritan. The question about will only a few be saved uses typical Christian language about salvation but also expresses the Jewish concern about whether everyone who calls himself a Jew is actually faithful to the covenant. This was a concern of the Pharisees.
Jesus answers that they must strive in the time remaining to enter through the narrow door because many will be trying to get in but won't be strong enough. He then moves to a parable about another door. (The translation says “gate” then “door,” but the same Greek word is used.) Once all those entering the master's house are in and he locks the door, there will be no way for others to get in. Those left outside may knock, but the master will say he doesn't know them. Unlike the Gospel reading from a few weeks ago where Jesus was teaching about prayer, and we were told to knock and the door would be opened, in this parable, the master will not open and say he does not know us. People from the north, south, east, and west will take our place inside. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets will take our place in the Kingdom of God. Those who do not make it through the narrow door will be cast out to where there is wailing and grinding of teeth.
The image of the door is replaced in the final verses of the parable with the image of the heavenly banquet. Two passages from the Book of Isaiah influence the conclusion. Isaiah 43:5-6 speaks of God bringing Israel's descendants back from the east and from the west, the north and the south. And Isaiah 25:6 speaks of the Lord providing a feast of rich foods and choice wines for all peoples on his holy mountain. The answer to the question if only a few will be saved is no. In the end, many will be saved, but many who thought they would be saved will not be saved. The parable is a prophetic warning to repentance in order to enter the kingdom.
~ Loyola Press
Mass Intentions
Sunday, August 28
Repose Peter Murzello by Sandra Scolt
Repose John Martin by Lynn McLeod
Repose Fioravante Romano by Giovanna Cusano
Repose Angelo Jimeno by Fe Guieb
Monday, August 29
Repose Liz Jackson by Elizabeth Wong
Tuesday, August 30
Spec. Intention Roan Jahn by Barbara Stuart
Spec. Intention Sarah Teh by Elizabeth Wong
Wednesday, August 31
Spec. Intention St. Edmund Parishioners
Spec. Intention M. Correia by C. Correia
Thursday, September 1
Repose Vittora D’Aquila by niece Maria & family
Friday, September 2
Spec. Intention Christina Gallagher & House of Prayer by Janet Ficocelli
Saturday, September 3
Spec. Intention Anna Maria A’Quilla & Francesca Della Savia by cousin Maria & family
If you need a Mass Intention, please contact the Parish Office
Events
Parish
RAFFLE FUNDRAISER
Great prizes to be won!
When
September 17, 2022 Early Bird Draw $500 Cash
October 22, 2022 - Main Draw
Why
To pay for the new parking lot and school playground
How
Tickets are $20 each
They will be sold after all masses next week
Cash, VISA and Mastercard will be accepted
Chances of winning are 1 in 1,000
Parish Groups
ST. Edmund's Christian Meditation Group
Re-starting "In Person" Meditation Sessions
Date: All Mondays at 7:00 PM
Participation in person:
please contact Luis Zunino - lzunino@gzarchitects.com or at 604-987-8304
Option to participate via ZOOM:
For an introductory conversation, please contact Luis Zunino - lzunino@gzarchitects.com or at 604-987-8304 – Afterwards, A ZOOM link will be provided
CWL
Catholic Women’s League meetings are now in person on the 2nd Thursday of each month @ 7pm – no meetings during the summer
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 – no meetings during the summer
School
St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School
First Day of School - Tuesday, September 6th, 2022
Welcome Packages will be mailed to home addresses of returning and new students at the end of August. The school's yearly calendar is posted on the school's website. Please ensure the office is informed of any address changes during the summer. Emails may be sent to office@aquinas.org.
Please Note: Administration Office will be staffed starting Monday, August 22nd, 2022. Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm
Religious Education
PREP
Children's Choir Training
Altar Servers’ Training
Archdiocese Events
Synod
Project Advance 2022
A Letter from the Archbishop
Special Gifts
Altar Candles & Sanctuary Lamp
Bread & Wine
Remember a loved one with a special gift
Financial Updates
Parking Lot Paving/Drainage Repair Update
Remember St Edmund's in your Will
Prayer Requests and Advertisements
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 |  | Our Parish Community is asked to pray for the Special Intention of St. Edmund Parishioners |
Our Parish Community is asked to pray for the Repose of the Soul of Rev. John Barry |  |  |
Our Parish Community is asked to pray for the Special Intention of Father Steny & Father Cannio |  | |