Bulletin – 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Aug 8th
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19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
SPECIAL NOTES & IMPORTANT DATES
Farewell Dinner for Fr. Steny
Please join us as we celebrate and thank Fr. Steny for a Farewell Dinner on Sunday, August 23. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., with dinner beginning at 6:15 p.m. Tickets are available after all Masses, this and next weekend.
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. Please see the parish bulletin for more details.
Rev. Fr. Alexander Braganza will assume the role of Pastor on August 27, 2026.
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. Â
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 Romeo & Elena DeSouza by Zofia Bronowska
Repose Helen Mercado by family
Monday
Repose Denise Clark by Roz
Wednesday
Repose St. Edmund Parishioners
Saturday
Repose John Cusanelli by Giovanna Cusanelli
Repose Rudolf Kral by Serafino & Zuzana Vignone
REFLECTIONS
True Christian Ministry Emerges
Today’s Gospel directly follows last week’s account of Jesus feeding a crowd of more than 5,000 people with just five loaves of bread and two fish. For the sake of the crowds, Jesus had postponed his time of solitude. Now, at last, Jesus finds some time for quiet and prayer. He sends his disciples ahead of him by boat, dismisses the crowds, and then withdraws to the mountain to pray.
The disciples do not fare well. They struggle to weather the wind and waves, making little progress in their journey. We are reminded of a previous story in Chapter 8 of Matthew’s Gospel, when Jesus calms the seas. This time, however, Jesus does not calm the seas, and the disciples do not express fear until they see Jesus walking toward them on the water. In this story it is not the storm that is feared but the sight of Jesus before them, whom they mistake for a ghost.
Clues like these suggest that this story is about the disciples’ growing understanding of the identity of Jesus. In continuity with last week’s Gospel about the feeding of the multitude, today’s Gospel is also about what the disciples’ faith in Jesus will enable them to do. In last week’s Gospel, when the disciples see the crowds, they ask Jesus to send the crowds away. Jesus turns the situation around, telling the disciples to feed the crowd with the provisions that they have. Both of these Gospels tell us much about ministry.
Jesus calls to the disciples and calms their fears. He is not a ghost. The impulsive Peter seeks proof that the person is indeed Jesus. He asks Jesus to call him out onto the water, and Jesus grants this request. Peter’s fear and doubt overtake him, however, once he is walking on the water. Jesus reaches out to Peter and saves him. When Jesus and Peter enter the boat, Matthew reports that the wind ceases, and the disciples confess that Jesus is the Son of God.
Faith in Jesus will enable the disciples to do the work that Jesus has done. Peter walks on water. The five loaves and two fish feed a multitude of people. The disciples can and will participate in the work of the kingdom of heaven. When Peter fears and doubts the person of Jesus, however, he falters. Peter’s example teaches us that true Christian ministry emerges from the faith that Jesus is the Messiah, God’s only Son.
   ~ 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 11-11:30amÂ
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.Â
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.
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.