Bulletin – 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Aug 15th
- Aug 15
- 6 min read
20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
SPECIAL NOTES & IMPORTANT DATES
Farewell Dinner for Fr. Steny
There is a box at the Church entrance if you wish to give a card or Farewell Wishes to our beloved Pastor Fr. Steny.
Sunday, August 23 @ 5:30 pm
Please join us as we celebrate and thank Fr. Steny for a Farewell Dinner
Tickets
Adults - $25.00 & child 6 – 11 - $10.00.
August 27, 2026
Rev. Fr. Alexander Braganza will assume the role of Pastor
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.
Farewell
Message from Father Steny.
Message from Father Jeevan.
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 at 6pm
CHRISTIAN MEDITATION GROUP meets in person on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 7pm.
You can make your parish donations by clicking below
MASS INTENTIONS
Sunday
Repose Alfredo Freschi by Pia Freschi
Anniversary of Luci Murray’s Birthday by Liz Snadel
Repose Helen Mercado by family
Tuesday
Repose Angiolius & Filippo Fuseo by Serafino & Zuzana Vignone
Wednesday
Repose St. Edmund Parishioners
Friday
Spec. Intention Curtis Harriott by Barbara Stuart
Saturday
Spec. Intention (birthday) Mercy Edma by Legion of Mary
REFLECTIONS
SALVATION IS FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL
Today we move ahead in our reading of Matthew’s Gospel. Last week we read about Jesus walking on the water and the disciples’ confession of faith that Jesus is the Son of God. If we were reading Matthew’s entire Gospel, we would have read about Jesus’ debate with the Pharisees about Jewish purity laws. Jesus argues that it is not what goes into us that makes us unclean; he is referring to the strict Jewish dietary rules. Instead, our words and our actions—what comes out of us—make us unclean because they emerge from a heart that is unclean.
Knowing about Jesus’ debate with the Pharisees helps us to understand today’s Gospel. In fact, the story heightens the surprise and shock we feel as we hear Jesus’ exchange with the Canaanite woman. The woman, who is not Jewish, approaches Jesus, requesting that he heal her demon-possessed daughter. At first Jesus ignores her; he says nothing. The disciples ask Jesus to send her away, and Jesus agrees, remarking that he was sent to minister to the Jews alone.
The woman persists, paying homage to Jesus, and yet Jesus denies her request again. He even insults her, using a Jewish word of derision for Gentiles, “dog.” But the woman cleverly turns Jesus’ insult into an affirmation of faith. Only then does Jesus grant her request and heal her daughter.
Jesus’ unresponsiveness to this woman may strike us as uncharacteristic or shocking. Yet in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus’ ministry is directed primarily to the people of Israel. At only a very few points, such as the one found in today’s Gospel, do we find Jesus anticipating the later Christian ministry to the rest of the world.
Behind Matthew’s text we can hear this early Christian community’s struggle to understand how God’s selection of Israel is consistent with two events: Israel’s rejection of Jesus and the Gentiles’ acceptance of Jesus. Just as Jesus was surprised by the faith expressed by the Canaanite woman, so too the first Christians were surprised that the Gentiles would receive the salvation God offered through Christ. In today’s second reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans, we hear the apostle Paul considering this same concern.
The faith that the Canaanite woman expresses is an affirmation of and confidence in God’s abundant mercy. Yes, salvation comes through Israel, but it overflows for the benefit of all.
~ 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
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.
