Bulletin – 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Aug 1st
- Aug 1
- 7 min read
Updated: 21 hours ago
18th Sunday in Ordinary Time
SPECIAL NOTES & IMPORTANT DATES
NEW CHAPTER: WITH GRATEFUL HEARTS, WE BEGIN A NEW CHAPTER IN OUR PARISH JOURNEY
Our parish family joins together in thanksgiving as we express our heartfelt gratitude to our beloved Pastor, Fr. Steny, for his faithful service, spiritual guidance, and loving care of our parish community. We thank him for sharing his gifts with us and pray that the Lord will continue to bless him abundantly as he begins his new assignment.
At the same time, we extend a warm and joyful welcome to our new Pastor, Fr. Alexander Braganza. We assure him of our prayers, friendship, and wholehearted support as we journey together in faith. May God bless his ministry among us, and may our parish continue to grow in love, unity, and service under his shepherding.
Farewell Dinner for Fr. Steny
Please join us as we celebrate and thank Fr. Steny at a Farewell Dinner on Sunday, August 23. Tickets will be available next weekend after all Masses.
Adults - $25.00 & child 6 – 11 - $10.00. Absolutely no ticket sales at door.
We encourage everyone to be part of this special celebration as we thank Fr. Steny for his ministry and warmly welcome Fr. Alexander into our parish family.
ALTAR SERVERS & YOUTH CHOIR PICNIC is on WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19TH. We will be going to Waterpark in Langley & Little Flower Monastery at Carmel Hill. Please arrive at parish at 7:15am, Registration was due this past Friday. You can contact Cerena Bolivar @ 778-883-3679 for more information.
Summer Weekday Mass Schedule - Please note that there will be no changes to the weekday Mass schedule during the summer months. The regular weekday Mass schedule will remain in effect throughout the summer. Thank you.
PARISH OFFICE SUMMER HOURS – during July & August, the office will be open Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays
The Royal Orchid Tours welcome to join the beautiful eastern Europe pilgrimage sites from October 5-20, 2026, to visit Medjugorje, Infant Jesus of Prague, the Divine Mercy in Krakow, St. Faustina Shrine and other places. There are still 6 spots available. The tour will be joined by Rev. Jeevan Dalmeda as the spiritual guide. Those interested please contact at the earliest the office for more information and find more details posted in the parish bulletin or on the announcement board.
MONTHLY COMMUNION is taken to the sick on the 1st Thursday. Should you need this service, please contact the Parish Office.
2026 SUNDAY ENVELOPES – if you haven’t already, please pick up your envelopes from the Parish Office during the week.
On the 4th Sunday of every month, the 11am Mass will be for all students & parents of our School. All parents & students are requested to attend.
Gluten-Free Communion Available - If you require a gluten-free Communion, please receive communion directly from the priest rather than from a Eucharistic minister. Kindly indicate your need when you come forward. Your health and spiritual well-being are important to us. We are committed to making Sacraments accessible and welcoming for all.
PROJECT ADVANCE LAUNCH is the weekend of Sept. 19th/20th after all the Masses. All proceeds will go towards repairs to pews & floors in the church. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.
The Filipino Mass is on the first Sunday of the month- August 2 - at 6pm
CHRISTIAN MEDITATION GROUP meets in person on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 7pm.
MASS INTENTIONS
Sunday
Spec. Intention - Pray to God the Father - For all Humankind
Repose Alfredo Freschi by Pia Freschi
Repose Joseph Petrvalsky by wife Emilia
Repose Helen Mercado by family
Monday
Spec. Intention-Healing for my sickness-physical & spiritual by FM
Repose John Thompson by Diane & Peter Nation
Tuesday
Spec. Intention Father Lucio by FM
Wednesday
Spec. Intention St. Edmund Parishioners
Thursday
Spec. Intention – Healing for our family by FM
Friday
Spec. Intention - Pray to God the Father - For all Humankind
Saturday
Repose Debbie Miller by Diane & Peter Nation
REFLECTIONS
A DEFINING ELEMENT OF CHRISTIAN LIFE
Today we jump ahead in our reading of Matthew's Gospel to Chapter 14. Last week we heard Jesus conclude his discourse with the crowds about the Kingdom of Heaven. In Matthew's narrative, Jesus then leaves the crowds and returns to Nazareth, where he is rejected. Matthew then recounts the story of John the Baptist's arrest and execution at the hands of Herod. Today's Gospel reading begins at this point.
Upon hearing the news of the death of John the Baptist, Jesus seeks to withdraw, but the crowds follow him. Jesus reaches out to them in compassion and heals the sick. At the end of a long day, the disciples encourage Jesus to send the crowds away so that they might find provisions for themselves. Jesus again responds with compassion for the crowd. Jesus tells his disciples to provide food for the crowd. The disciples reply with a report of the meagreness of their own provisions—five loaves and two fish. The result is the very familiar miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fish. Matthew's Gospel tells us that 5,000 men were fed, and this number does not even include the women and children.
Jesus' blessing brought abundance from the meager provisions of the disciples. In this action, Jesus offers us a sign of the Kingdom of Heaven that he has been teaching about in the parables. A feast results from the smallest of portions—remember the mustard seed and the yeast. In this miracle we witness an example for Christian life and ministry. Even the smallest of offerings can produce abundant results when placed in the service of the Kingdom of Heaven.
We find the story of Jesus' multiplication of the loaves and the fish in each of the four Gospels. In the Gospels of Mark and Matthew, Jesus performs this same miracle on two separate occasions. The story of this miracle is an anticipation of the Eucharist in which we are fed by the abundant grace of God. The importance of the Eucharist has been a defining element of Christian life from the very beginning.
~ Loyola Press
PARISH GROUPS
The Catholic Women’s League meetings are in person on the 2nd Thursday of each month @ 7pm.
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
St. Edmund’s 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 7pm 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 7.00pm. You are sincerely invited to attend the WCCM meeting(s). All are welcome.
To learn more of WCCM, kindly contact: Luis Zunino - email lzunino@gzarchitects.com
Please note the following Zoom Link:
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 832 0552 4810
Passcode: 965923
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Children's Choir is every 2nd & 4th Sunday of the month; practices @10am & Mass @ 11am
Altar Servers’ Training - Every Saturday 11-11:30am
PREP REGISTRATION - Watch for information in the bulletin near the end of summer for information on the next sessions in the program.
ARCHDIOCESE NOTICES & EVENTS
Journey with Archbishop Smith on social media.
Follow for reflections, messages, and glimpses into parish life through photos and videos. Stay updated with event highlights, responses to current news, and invitations to pray together as a community.
Facebook: facebook.com/vancouverarchbishop
Instagram: instagram.com/vancouverarchbishop
Threads: threads.com/@vancouverarchbishop
Upcoming Marriage & Family Events
Monthly (First Saturday of the month) | Pro-Life Mass and Prayer Vigil
Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto
St. Joseph’s Parish, 7497 Mary St., Mission invites you to the Holy Eucharist on Saturday, August 15th at 1pm. Confession will be heard between 10am & 1pm. After Mass, there will be a procession to the Grotto for the Rosary followed by Benediction. Please bring your own chairs & food. For bus information, please contact info@aquinasinstitute.ca – also visit www.MissionGrotto.com
Administrative Assistant, Archbishop's Office
The Archdiocese of Vancouver is hiring an Administrative Assistant to support the day-to-day workflow of the Archbishop’s Office. This includes sorting incoming correspondence, responding to inquiries, liaising with parishes, coordinating the Archbishop’s travel arrangements, and other related duties and projects. Learn more and apply at rcav.org/careers.
Manager of Family Services, Gardens of Gethsemani
Gardens of Gethsemani Catholic Cemetery is hiring a Manager of Family Services to provide strategic and pastoral leadership to their advisors, ensuring families receive attentive, respectful, and high quality service during times of need. Through mentorship, collaboration, and a strong ministry mindset, the Manager will help foster meaningful relationships with families, parishes, and the broader community. Learn more and apply at rcav.org/careers. Learn more and apply at rcav.org/careers.
FINANCIAL UPDATES
Remember St. Edmund's in your Will - Gifts for Tomorrow
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.
