Bulletin – 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time – Aug 29th
- Aug 29
- 8 min read
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
SPECIAL NOTES & IMPORTANT DATES
Farewell Message from Father Steny.
We welcome Rev. Fr. Alexander Braganza – our new Pastor
Introducing Our New Pastor - Fr. Alexander Braganza, OCD
Fr. Alexander Braganza was born in Goa, India. After completing High School in 1987, he entered the Carmelite Order. He was ordained a priest in 1989 and was appointed as Assistant Pastor in one of the biggest parishes in Bombay, St. Joseph - Mira Road. From 2003 to 2005, he was appointed and served as Superior of the newly established Dhyanashram Retreat Centre in the neighboring Diocese of Vasai where he assisted in the design and delivery of Evangelization and Formation Programs as well as teaching courses and leading workshops on topics such as Moral Science, the Bible, Prayer and Meditation. In 2005, Fr. Alexander was appointed as Assistant Pastor of Santa Maria A Ripa Parish in Florence, Italy, and while there, undertook Biblical Theological Studies from FTIC, Florence, Italy. In 2010, he returned to India from Italy and was appointed once again as Director and Superior of the Dhyanashram Retreat Centre in Vasai, overseeing its administration as well as providing spiritual talks, workshops and seminars. In 2014, Fr. Alexander was nominated as Rector of the Carmelite Minor Seminary in Mapusa, Goa where he was responsible for Priestly Formation which included developing and teaching interdisciplinary seminars and workshops as well as providing Spiritual Direction to the candidates. Since 2017, Fr. Alexander has served as Superior of Little Flower Monastery in Deroche, British Columbia, Canada, where he uses his expertise and vast experience developing and delivering spiritual-theological Formation Programs to other Religious as well as to Lay Groups serving in the Archdiocese of Vancouver.
Fr. Alexander’s formal academic studies include a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy, Economics and English from Mysore University as well as a Master of Arts Degree in Sociology from the University of Mumbai, though he has undertaken other elective studies such as Biblical Theology in recent years. He speaks English, Konkani, Marathi, Hindi, Italian and German.
On June 25th, 2023, Fr. Alexander was elected the Provincial Delegate for the Discalced Carmelite Priests from the Karnataka-Goa Province of India on mission and serving in Canada. From August 4th, 2023, to August 25th, 2026, he served as Associate Pastor of St. Thomas More Parish, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
We welcome Fr. Alexander Braganza – our new Pastor. Please join us after 11am Mass for coffee & cake.
PREP REGISTRATION for 2026 - 2027 IS OPEN
Please complete the registration form and hand it over to the Parish Office or leave it in the mailbox to the left of the office entry gate.
PREP classes are held at St. Edmund’s School every Wednesday from 6:00 - 7:00 pm and begins on September 23, 2026.
Parents are required to accompany students on September 23, 2026. Any questions can be sent to prepatsteds@shaw.ca
FIRST FRIDAY is on September 4th – Adoration begins after 9 am Mass (no 7:30 am Mass that day) followed by Benediction at 6:45 pm and Mass at 7 pm. Please sign up – it would be greatly appreciated if there were 2-3 people per time slot.
CWL MEMBERS PLEASE NOTE – your September meeting will be on September 9th @7pm
PARISH OFFICE SUMMER HOURS – during 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
Spec. Intention Roman & Val Rybski by Zofia Bronowska
Spec. Intention Sarah Teh by Liz Wong
Spec. Intention Roan Jahn by Barbara Stuart
Repose Serafino & Maria Cusano/Fiore & Enza Romano by Angelo & Adelina Cusano
Repose Helen Mercado by family
Repose Belen Floren by Armi Grano
Tuesday
Repose In Loving Memory of my Mum Magdalena
Wednesday
Spec. Intention St. Edmund Parishioners
Spec. Intention Tilly Bara by Zofia Bronowska
Spec. Intention Gillian Morrison (healing) by Diane & Peter Nation
Thursday
Spec. Intention Thanksgiving (birthday) Jairus Inigo by Ciera
Spec. Intention Thanksgiving for Erid & Lillian Mendoza by family
Friday
Spec. Intention Father Steny by Sue Farrell
Saturday
Spec. Intention Father Cannio by Sue Farrell
REFLECTIONS
Being called to sacrifice and serve others
Today’s Gospel continues the story that began in last week’s Gospel. Simon Peter was called the “rock” upon which Jesus would build his Church, and yet Peter continues to show the limitations of his understanding of Jesus’ identity. Now that the disciples have acknowledged that Jesus is the Messiah, Jesus confides in them the outcome of his ministry: he must suffer and die in Jerusalem to be raised on the third day. Peter rejects this prediction, and Jesus rebukes him severely, calling him “Satan.” In opposing this aspect of Jesus’ mission, Peter shows that he is no longer speaking based on the revelation from God but as a human being. Jesus then teaches all of the disciples about the difficult path of discipleship: to be Christ’s disciple is to follow in his way of the cross.
Peter could not yet understand what it meant to call Jesus the Messiah. It is unlikely that the other disciples understood any better. Messianic expectations were a common aspect of first-century Judaism. Under Roman occupation, many in Israel hoped and prayed that God would send a Messiah to free the Jews from Roman oppression. The common view was that the Messiah would be a political figure, a king that would free Israel from Roman rule. This is perhaps what Peter envisioned when he was led to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. In this passage, however, Jesus is beginning to teach his disciples that he would be the Messiah in a different way.
Jesus would be more like the suffering servant described by the prophet Isaiah than the political liberator. Those who would be Jesus' disciples would be called to a similar life of service. Perhaps this is what Peter feared most in Jesus’ prediction of his Passion. He whom Jesus had called “rock” would also be called upon to offer himself in sacrifice and service to others. Christian leaders today are still called to sacrifice and serve others as Jesus did.
~ 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 for 2026 - 2027 IS OPEN
Please complete the registration form and hand it over to the Parish Office or leave it in the mailbox to the left of the office entry gate.
PREP classes are held at St. Edmund’s School every Wednesday from 6:00 - 7:00 pm and begins on September 23, 2026.
Parents are required to accompany students on September 23, 2026. Any questions can be sent to prepatsteds@shaw.ca
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
The B.C. Catholic - New Publishing Schedule
The B.C. Catholic will continue serving readers through a renewed print and digital model. The final weekly newspaper has been published, readers can now follow The B.C. Catholic each week through a new email digest. A redesigned monthly print edition will launch in September and will continue to be mailed to homes through Canada Post. Sign up for the new weekly email at bccatholic.ca/digest
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.
