Bulletin – 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Oct 18
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
World Mission Sunday
SPECIAL NOTES & IMPORTANT DATES
The Enrolment Mass for all students preparing for Sacraments is this Sunday at the 11:00am Mass.
The Knights’ Pancake Breakfast is this Sunday after the 8 & 9:30am Masses.
The Class Mass on Wednesday, the 21st at 9am is Grade 2.
The Book of Life and All Souls Envelopes are available as we prepare for All Souls’ Day.
Please make note that our Priests will be away from November 17th to the 20th at a Study Week. There will only be an 8AM Mass during that time but no Confession.
MONTHLY COMMUNION is taken to the sick on the 1st Thursday. Should you need this service, please contact the Parish Office.
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.
The Filipino Mass is on the first Sunday of the month at 6pm.
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.
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, Oct. 18
Repose Gillian Morrison by Jane Richmond
Repose Gillian Morrison by Elisa & John Bueno
Tuesday, Oct. 20
Spec. Intention Anne Mould by Coffee Group
Wednesday, Oct. 21
Spec. Intention Father Jeevan by Margaret Petreny
Spec. Intention St. Edmund Parishioners
Thursday, Oct. 22
Repose Wendy Roy by Liz Wong
Friday, Oct. 23
Spec. Intention Ave & Lisa by Margaret Petreny
Saturday, Oct. 24
Spec. Intention Celie Calpito by Legion of Mary
REFLECTIONS
The Honour that we owe to God
In today’s Gospel Jesus and the religious leaders in Jerusalem continue their tense exchange of questions and challenges. At this point the disciples of the Pharisees, together with the Herodians, try to entrap Jesus by their question about the payment of taxes.
Matthew sets up an unusual partnership between the Pharisees and the Herodians. The Herodians were supporters of Herod Antipas, a Jewish political leader who collaborated with the Romans. Such collaboration would have required a compromised observance of the Mosaic Law. The Pharisees, on the other hand, taught scrupulous observance of the Mosaic Law and opposed Roman occupation. Herodians favored the payment of taxes; the Pharisees opposed it. The Herodians and the Pharisees approach Jesus, asking that he take sides in their dispute. If Jesus answers with the Pharisees, he shows himself to be an enemy of Rome. If he answers with the Herodians, he offends popular Jewish religious sensibilities.
Jesus’ response to this attempt to trap him exposes the guile of his questioners. From his first words to them, Jesus shows that he is very much aware of what they are trying to do. He asks to see a Roman coin, which is readily provided to him. It may have come from the hand of a Herodian, but the Pharisees show themselves to be quite willing to accept this compromise. Jesus has already exposed the Pharisees as hypocrites.
Jesus takes his response one step further. He asks that his questioners examine the coin. Agreeing that it is Caesar’s image on the coin, Jesus tells them that it must belong to Caesar. Avoiding the question of lawfulness altogether, Jesus answers their question with simple logic. Then, going further still, Jesus tells them that their obligation is to pay to God that which belongs to God.
Jesus’ response to the Herodians and Pharisees suggests the ethic that Christians ought to adopt. It reminds us of the importance of keeping things in their proper perspective. Do we attach ourselves to worldly things at the expense of the love and honour that we owe to God?
~ 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:
Canadian Christian Meditation Community
St. Edmund’s Meditation Group
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
Parish Religious Education Program (PREP):
PREP classes are held at St. Edmund’s School every Wednesday from 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Any questions can be sent to prepatsteds@shaw.ca
SCHOOL EVENTS
St. Edmund’s Elementary School
Class Masses this month on Wednesdays @ 9am:
October 21st – Class Mass – Gr. 2
October 28th – Class Mass – Gr. 3
Find the October Newsletter here: October Newsletter
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
LITTLE FLOWER ACADEMY is hosting our Annual OPEN HOUSE on Wednesday, October 21st at 6:00 p.m.
This evening is designed for prospective students currently in grades 6 and 7 and their parents to learn more about an LFA Education. It is an opportunity to explore our campus, meet members of our community, and learn more about life at LFA before beginning the application process for grade 8 admission. All students wishing to apply for our 2027-28 Grade 8 classes must sit the ENTRANCE EXAM on Saturday, December 5th, 2026.
For more information and online application, please visit our website www.lfabc.org or contact Kathi Wilson, Registrar wilsonk@lfabc.org or 604-738-9016 x114
Discipling Adults
October 24, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Our Lady of Fatima, Coquitlam
Have a deeper understanding of how important developing relationships and practicing accompaniment is in adult faith formation. Be able to apply the vision of the Church for forming Christian disciples in parish formation programs.
November 21, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. – St. Mary’s Parish, Vancouver
Know more about the beautiful role of a catechist that you have been called to embrace. Recognize your own call to echo Christ as a catechist and set goals to continue growing in your mission as a catechist. Note: this workshop would be useful for all parish catechists, not only PREP. Please note this workshop is followed by the Catechists' Gathering with Archbishop.
THE MASS FOR DECEASED BISHOPS, CLERGY AND CONSECRATED MEN AND WOMEN
The annual Mass for deceased bishops, clergy and consecrated men and women will be held at Holy Rosary Cathedral on Wednesday, November 4 at 12:10 pm. All parishioners are most welcome to attend this special Liturgy concelebrated by the priests of the Archdiocese. Remember kindly in your prayers during the month of November those who have laboured for the Church in Vancouver and pray that the Lord will send more dedicated men and women to continue their ministry.
8th Annual Beloved Catholic Women’s Retreat – MYSTERIUM: Behold the Lamb of God
Women of the Archdiocese of Vancouver are warmly invited to join us November 13–15, 2026 at Camp Homewood on beautiful Quadra Island for a weekend of faith, friendship, prayer and renewal. Come away from the busyness of everyday life and enter more deeply into the mystery of the Eucharist. With special guest Sr Damien Marie Savino FSE, we’ll fall deeper in love with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and take time to rest and reset just in time for Advent. For more information and to register please go to https://www.belovedvi.com
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.
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