THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Gaudete Sunday
This week in the Church
2023 COLLECTION ENVELOPES – they are ready to be picked up at the Church entrance and are in alphabetical order. In 2023, it is very important that you use your 2023 envelopes to help ensure that you are credited for any donations. Do not use previous year envelopes, as envelope numbers may change and, again, you may not receive credit for your donations.
PENITENTIAL SERVICES:
Tuesday, Dec. 20th @ 7pm - St. Edmund’s Parish
Wednesday, Dec. 21st @ 7pm - Christ the Redeemer Parish
Thursday, Dec. 22nd @ 10:30am – St. Stephen’s Parish
Important Updates
CHRISTMAS FLOWER DONATIONS – Would you like to contribute to the flowers that will adorn the Church for Christmas? If so, donation envelopes are at the Church entrance. Thank you for your generosity.
CWL COFFEE SUNDAY & CHRISTMAS BAKE SALE is after all Masses on Sunday, December 18th. Baking donations will be gratefully received prior to the Masses. Please allow the CWL to price your baked goods.
Pro-Life Christmas cards are available from the Parish Office & during the next CWL Coffee Sunday & Bake Sale in packs of 10 for $10 and 3 packs for $25
Christmas Star Competition
Dear Children and Parents, we encourage you to partake in this Competition.
The competition is open to all the parish members. The maximum size of the star should not exceed two feet X two feet (length x breadth). Please Signup before December 10, 2022.
The last day to submit the stars 22 December 2022. The prepared stars will be displayed inside and outside of the Church. The best star will be awarded with a prize. Prizes will be distributed at the Children's Mass on 24th December 2022. Stars of all sorts made by human hands in imitation of the heavenly stars appeared at the birth of Jesus.
How to make a Star? Here are some samples!
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS UPCOMING FUNDRAISER:
Twinkling Lights on a Christmas Night – takes place beginning Dec. 3rd & concluding Dec. 17th with a dinner celebration. All proceeds will towards our parish as well as various charities.
To achieve our goals, we are asking individuals, organizations, and local business in our community to assist us by sponsoring a Christmas tree. Sponsoring a Christmas tree is $250.00 with the cheques made payable to “St. Edmund’s Parish”. For more information please contact Vlad Florescu @ 604-367-8875 or Roney George @ 604-376-7127. Or pick up flyer/letter at entrance of church.
Helping Refugees
The Parish is in the process of welcoming a family of 5 to North Vancouver. If you would like to help, please join the Refugee Committee by contacting the Parish Office.
Reflections
A Cause for Rejoicing
The third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin word meaning “rejoice.” This Sunday is so named because “Rejoice” is the first word in the entrance antiphon for today's Mass taken from Philippians 4:4,5: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near.” Some people mark this Sunday on their Advent wreath with a pink candle instead of a purple candle. This Sunday is a joyful reminder that our salvation is near.
This week's Gospel Reading continues our Advent reflection on the person and message of John the Baptist. Last week we heard John speak about his relationship to the coming Messiah, Jesus. This week, we hear Jesus' message to John the Baptist, now in prison, about the signs of the kingdom found in Jesus' ministry and Jesus' assessment of John's role in the Kingdom of God.
The Gospel of Matthew tells the story of John's arrest in chapter 14:3-12. In today's Gospel, John sends word to Jesus from prison, asking if Jesus is the Messiah for whom he has been waiting. Jesus responds by pointing to the miracles that he has worked and invites John and the other hearers to make their own determination. In his next breath, however, Jesus praises John for his role in preparing the way for Jesus. Then Jesus says that all of those who work for the Kingdom of God will be as great as John and even greater.
Jesus' message to John about the signs of the kingdom being performed recalls the salvation described by the prophet Isaiah. This passage is a reminder that the beginning of salvation is already mysteriously present to us, but also yet to be fulfilled. Salvation is already in our midst as manifest in the miraculous deeds of Jesus and in the Church. But salvation is also to be fulfilled in the coming reign of God. Even as we observe our world today, we can find glimpses of God's work among us. Even more, we help to prepare the way for God's kingdom by our words and our deeds. This message is indeed a cause for rejoicing.
~ Loyola Press
Mass Intentions
Sunday, December 11
Repose Maria & Joseph Pham by Rosa Zivarts
Repose deceased Cusano family members by Angelo & Adelina Cusano
Repose Seng Huat Lim & Kuan Chiang Lim by Christine Keong
Monday, December 12
Spec. Intention Bishop Gary Franken by Cecilia Son
Spec. Intention Chin Yong Teh by Elizabeth Wong
Spec. Intention Elizabeth Wong by Bev Watson
Tuesday, December 13
Repose St. Edmund Parishioners
Repose Myriam Vanderoost Helene Brooks
Repose John Le Jeune by Zofia Bronowska
Wednesday, December 14
Spec. Intention Marta Ruzickova by Peter & Fernande Husar
Repose Rev. John Barry by Louzado family
Spec. Intention Toni Bartulin by Bev Watson
Thursday, December 15
Repose Cecile Virginia McNeill by Mary Ann Riccardi
Repose J. Victor Santos by Ludovina Santos
Repose Mary Catherine & Wasantha Kumara by Deepa
Friday, December 16
Repose Katarzyna & Ian Wasak by daughter-in-law
Repose Molly Aberdien by Elizabeth Livingston
Saturday, December 17
Repose Benjamin Aguillardo by daughter
Spec. Intention Elizabeth Livingston by Roz Kerr
If you need a Mass Intention, please contact the Parish Office
Events
Parish
Parish Groups
ST. Edmund's Christian Meditation Group
Date: All Mondays at 7:00 PM
Participation in person:
please contact Luis Zunino - lzunino@gzarchitects.com or at 604-987-8304
Option to participate via ZOOM:
For an introductory conversation, please contact Luis Zunino - lzunino@gzarchitects.com or at 604-987-8304 – Afterwards, A ZOOM link will be provided
CWL
Catholic Women’s League meetings are now in person on the 2nd Thursday of each month @ 7pm
SPECIAL NOTE: monthly CWL meetings will be via Zoom for December/January/February
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
School
St. Edmund's Elementary School
Religious Education
PREP
Every Wednesday at 6-7pm
Children's Choir Training
Every Saturday at 10 AM
Altar Servers’ Training
Every Saturday at 11 - 11:30am
Archdiocese Events
PRO-LIFE CHRISTMAS CARDS
North Shore Pro-life is again offering a selection of pro-life Christmas cards in packages of 10 for $10 or 3 for $25. Orders available for pickup by emailing northshoreprolife@gmail.com
They will also be available at the next Knights’ Pancake Breakfast & CWL Coffee Sunday as well as a few packages in the Parish Office.
Project Advance 2022
The Project Advance Webpage is live, please visit projectadvance.ca
You can donate by scanning ↘
Special Gifts
Remember a loved one with a special gift
Financial Updates
Remember St Edmund's in your Will
Prayer Requests and Advertisements
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 |  | Our Parish Community is asked to pray for the Special Intention of St. Edmund Parishioners |
Our Parish Community is asked to pray for the Special Intentions of All Carmelite Priests |  |  |
Our Parish Community is asked to pray for the Special Intention of Father Steny & Father Cannio |  | |