Bulletin – Pentecost Sunday – May 23/24
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Pentecost Sunday
May 23/24
SPECIAL NOTES & IMPORTANT DATES
St Edmunds Elementary is hosting their year end BBQ, we encourage parishnoers to join this school event. Please click here to order food.
Adoration Chapel is open at 10am to noon – Monday through Friday.
MONTHLY COMMUNION is taken to the sick on the 1st Thursday. Should you need this service, please contact the Parish Office.
CWL COFFEE & BAKE SALE – next Sunday after each Mass, everyone is invited to enjoy refreshment and take home some baked goodies.
2025 TAX RECEIPTS can be picked up during the week from the Parish Office, or you can phone/email and we can mail or email to you.
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.
The Filipino Mass is on the first Sunday at 6pm
Christian Meditation Group meets in person on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 7pm.
MASS INTENTIONS
Sunday May 24
Repose Alfredo Freschi by Pia Freschi
Repose Serafino & Maria Cusano/Fiore & Enza Romano by Angelo & Adelina Cusano
Monday May 25
Repose Martin Husar by Peter & Fernande Husar
Tuesday May 26
Spec. Intention Fr. Steny by Liz Wong
Wednesday May 27
Repose St. Edmund Parishioners
Repose Anna Hrvatin by Liz Snade
Thursday May 28
Repose Holy Souls in Purgatory by Liz Wong
Friday May 29
Repose Laurette LaRose by Antoine LaRose
Saturday May 30
Spec. Intention Lilian Grande by Legion of Mary
REFLECTIONS
A way of life for Christians
The Season of Easter concludes with today’s celebration, the Feast of Pentecost. On Pentecost we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem; this event marks the beginning of the Church. The story of Pentecost is found in the Acts of the Apostles, today’s first reading. The account in today’s Gospel, John 20:19-23, also recounts how Jesus gave the gift of the Holy Spirit to his disciples. Yet the event in John’s Gospel takes place on Easter Sunday. There is no need to try to reconcile these two accounts. It is enough that we know that after his death, Jesus fulfilled his promise to send to his disciples a helper, an advocate, who would enable them to be his witnesses throughout the world.
We already heard today’s Gospel proclaimed on the Second Sunday of Easter this year (Lectionary Cycle A). That Gospel passage, however, also included the description of Jesus’ appearance to Thomas. In that context, we were led reflect on belief and unbelief.
In the context of the Feast of Pentecost, John 20:19-23 reminds us about the integral connection between the gifts of peace and forgiveness and the action of the Holy Spirit. Jesus greets his disciples with the gift of peace. Jesus then commissions his disciples to continue the work that he has begun, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” He breathes the Holy Spirit upon the disciples and sends them to continue his work of reconciliation through the forgiveness of sins. Jesus’ act of breathing the Holy Spirit mirrors God’s act of breathing life into Adam at the time of Creation. In fact, both the Greek and Hebrew words for “spirit” can also be translated as “breath.”
This Gospel reminds us that the Church is called to be a reconciling presence in the world. The reconciling presence of Christ is celebrated in the Church’s sacramental life. In the Sacrament of Baptism, we are cleansed of sin and become a new creation in Christ. In the Sacrament of Penance, the Church celebrates the mercy of God through the forgiving of sins. This reconciling presence is also to be a way of life for Christians. In situations of conflict, we are to be agents of peace and harmony among people.
~ 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
SCHOOL EVENTS & NEWS
St. Edmund’s Elementary School
St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School
St. Thomas Aquinas Regional Secondary School is looking for an experienced, full-time Office Assistant.
Duties include:
Answer incoming calls and review voicemail daily, directing as required.
Overseeing students’ attendance and advising the Administration of any potential issues.
Distribute daily mail accordingly.
Other duties as assigned.
Assisting the office team when necessary.
Potential candidates should have at least one year of related experience and be available to work 5 days per week, Monday to Friday, starting August 24, 2026. Previous experience with Microsoft Office systems, Google and MyEd BC is beneficial.
Please review the posting on Make A Future website: https://www.makeafuture.ca/
We launch our new online store with something for everyone. The online store contains a variety of wearables, athletic and non-athletic bags, and more. Click here to view the store. Looking for specific Alumni merch? Let us know here and we'll be sure to include it with our Spring edition.
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 - classes are in St. Edmund’s School and held every Wednesday from 6:00 - 7:00 pm. 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
Come hear Bishop Gary Gordon, the Bishop of Victoria, share about their Permanent Pastoral Synod and how other communities can begin this journey of fostering a "listening church"? His address will take place on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at 7:30pm at St. Patrick's Church hall, 2881 Main St., Vancouver, BC. Free tickets and open to all! Register for in-person and online option here: www.thecccm.ca/sherlock-lecture
Rosary for Peace with Archbishop Smith -Archbishop Richard Smith invites all Catholics in the Archdiocese of Vancouver to come together in prayer each month for peace in our world, particularly in the Middle East, Ukraine, and other areas affected by violence and conflict. As Christians, one of the most powerful ways we can call for peace is through prayer. Come with your parish ministry group, Catholic school, youth or young adult group, or prayer group to take part in this monthly Rosary. The next rosary is on Saturday, June 6 at 11:00 am at Holy Rosary Cathedral, or tune-in at youtube.com/@holyrosarycathedral/live.
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.
