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Dec 2/3, 2023 - Sunday Bulletin

  • Leslie Mendonca
  • Dec 2, 2023
  • 6 min read

First Sunday of Advent



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Prayer for the Peace


Lord, come to our aid! Grant us peace, teach us peace; guide our steps in the way of peace. Open our eyes and our hearts and give us the courage to say no to war. Instill in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace. Keep alive within us the flame of hope, so that with patience and perseverance we may opt for dialogue and reconciliation. In this way may peace triumph. Lord God, defuse the violence of our tongues and our hands.


Gracious God, we pray for all people who are suffering from war. May they be held in your loving care and protection and given the strength to endure great suffering and hardship. Transform the hearts and minds of all those who perpetuate violence and oppression. Through Christ our Lord. Amen


This Week in the Church


  • CHRISTMAS DINNER & DANCE TICKETS – are available at parish office and after all Masses starting next weekend

  • 2023/2024 SUNDAY MISSALS are available after all Masses this weekend & next and also from the Parish Office – cost is $5.00 each

  • Our heartfelt condolences to the family & friends Kay Donnelly who went home to God. May they rest in peace in the comfort of the Lord. Funeral Mass is Friday, Dec. 8th @ 11am

  • THE FILIPINO MASS – is on Sunday December 10th at 6pm.

Important Updates


  • THE KNIGHTS’ FAMOUS PANCAKE BREAKFAST will be after the 8 & 9:30am Masses on Sunday, December 10th. Bring your appetite and enjoy good food and good company.



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Project Advance : Every gift, regardless of its size, makes a difference. Every gift, regardless of its size, makes a difference. All pledge forms were mailed out; if you receive it and already have given; please disregard and we thank you for your donation.

  • Please look over information on your pledge form before sending in and make sure it is up to date, make any corrections as needed.

  • You may also make a donation online here: https://support.rcav.org/project-advance-2023/ Be sure to select St. Edmund's in the parish drop down menu to ensure the excess funds come back to our community.

  • THE MONTHLY FILIPINO MASS – is on the 2nd Sunday of each month at 6pm

  • SPECIAL OFFER – go to the Knights of Columbus notices for important information

  • Announcing the Knights 62nd Annual Charity Appeal - there are great prizes

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Reflections


PREPARING FOR CHRIST’S RETURN IN GLORY


Today we begin the season of Advent, which marks the start of a new liturgical year for the Church. The readings for Sunday Mass are arranged on a three-year cycle. Each year features a different Gospel—Matthew, Mark, or Luke. Readings from the Gospel of John are interspersed throughout all three years. With this year’s first Sunday of Advent, we begin Cycle B of the Lectionary, which focuses our attention on the Gospel of Mark. This week and next week, our readings from Mark’s Gospel present two important Advent themes: the Lord’s return at the end of time and John the Baptist’s preparation for Jesus.


Today’s Gospel is taken from the end of Mark’s Gospel, the chapter that immediately precedes Mark’s account of Jesus’ Passion. Having been questioned repeatedly by the scribes and the Pharisees, Jesus is now questioned by his disciples—Peter, James, John, and Andrew—who want details about his prediction of the destruction of the Temple. Jesus answers with many warnings about the difficulties that the disciples will face.


Today’s passage comes at the conclusion of Jesus’ warnings to his disciples. Jesus emphasizes the need for watchfulness. The Son of Man will come without warning; only the Father knows the exact hour. The disciples must not be caught unprepared when this time comes.


Scholars believe that Mark’s Gospel was written around the time of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in A.D. 70. Mark’s audience consisted of Christians who were living in difficult social and political times, times of conflict. They were likely beginning to face persecution as followers of Jesus. In this difficult time, it helped to recall that Jesus had foretold of such difficulties. Early Christian communities took courage from Jesus’ warning to remain alert and watchful, and they found in his words a way to persevere through suffering.


Today’s Gospel reminds us that Advent is about more than our preparation for the Church’s celebration of Christ’s birth at Christmas. Advent is also about preparing ourselves for Christ’s return in glory at the end of time. Like the disciples and the faithful in Mark’s community, we must also stay alert and watchful. Our faithfulness to God, through the good times as well as the difficult times, shows us to be ready for the coming of the Son of Man.


- Loyola Press

Mass Intentions


Sunday, December 3

· Healing Mass for Yanic Pean by Chantel Pean

· Repose Felice Pistilli by daughter Maria & family

· Repose Michelina Tinaburri by daughter Paola Vignone

· Repose Curtis Dayton by Zofia Bronowska


Monday, December 4

· Repose St. Edmund’s Parishioners

· Spec. Intention Cindy Li by Rose Wong

· Repose Josefa &all my loved ones by Flory Nielsen


Tuesday, December 5

· Spec. Intention Marie Melgarejo by Barbara Stuart

· Spec. Intention Arthur Chan by Rose Wong

· Repose Gina Galozo by Cathy Shorten


Wednesday, December 6

· Spec. Intention Tiffany Liu & Sonny Lozano by Rose Wong

· Spec. Intention Michael Mulhall by Pamela Lauzon OCDS


Thursday, December 7

· Spec. Intention Father Raymond So by Rose Wong

· Spec. Intention for all the dying by Pamela Lauzon OCDS


Friday, December 8

· Spec. Intention Constance Lau by Rose Wong

· Spec. Intention Father Robert Noonan by Pamela Lauzon OCDS

· Spec. Intention Pearl Peng by Liz Wong

· Repose Bernard Demers by Fernande & Peter Husar


Saturday, December 9

· Repose Kay Donnelly by Zofia Bronowska

· Repose (death anniversary) Nonito Sonalan by Marion Sonalan

· Repose Curtis Dayton by Lynn


Parish Events


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CWL

2nd Thursday of each month @ 7 PM







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Knights of Columbus



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


SPECIAL OFFER - Knights of Columbus - Free 1 Year On-Line Membership. You can enjoy the benefits of being a Knights of Columbus member including Accidental Death Benefit and the famous Columbia Magazine.


Promo Code: BLESSEDMCGIVNEY

After joining, please check your Inbox for confirmation.



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St. Eds Christian Meditation Group

Mondays @ 7 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





School Events


St. Edmund's Elementary School



ST. EDMUND’S SCHOOL PURDY’S FUNDRAISIER


Pickup will be on December 11th at St Edmunds Gym


St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School


Pilgrimage to the Medjugorje Youth Festival & Italy - The STA Alumni Association, in conjunction with STA Campus Ministry, is hosting a Pilgrimage to the Medjugorje Youth Festival and Italy from July 22nd - August 8th, 2024. All STA alumni & their families (18+) are invited to join.

Find more information at: https://www.aquinas.org/alumni



Religious Education


PREP

  • PREP classes will be held every Wednesday 6:00 - 7:00 pm at St Edmund’s School


Children's Choir Training

  • Every Saturday at 10am


Altar Server Training

  • Every Saturday 11-11:30am



Archdiocese Notices & Events



PROJECT ADVANCE 2023



Be sure to select St. Edmund's in the parish drop down menu to ensure the excess funds come back to our community.

Thank you for your generosity!

PRO-LIFE CHRISTMAS CARDS

Will be available to purchase from parish office starting next week (Oct.30 ) during office hours

1 pkg. is $10.00 or 3 pkgs for $25.00


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CATHOLIC INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS VANCOUVER ARCHDIOCESE


Invite you to be a part of their upcoming Catholic Educators Conference that will be held on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre, located in the heart of downtown Vancouver, BC. The event promises to be a fantastic platform for showcasing and promoting your products and services to a diverse and engaged audience.

Here’s why you won’t want to miss this opportunity:

• Exposure: With the Catholic Educators Conference set to attract a large crowd of over 1500 attendees, your brand will gain maximum exposure

• Networking: Connect with our 46 schools, potential clients, and fellow vendors to establish valuable business connections

• Promotion: Benefit from our extensive marketing efforts that will promote your presence before, during and after the event

• Innovation: Showcase your latest products and innovations to a captivated audience

For more information on how to become a vendor and sponsor of the event, please visit the following link: https://cisva.regfox.com/cec2024

Don’t miss the chance to be a part of something truly special and grand. Your presence at the 2024 Catholic Educators Conference will be a highlight, and we can’t wait to have you on board!


Special Gifts


Remember a loved one with a special gift

The remembrance can be for an anniversary, a birthday, in thanksgiving or to remember our deceased loved ones. Stop by the Parish Office to arrange to have the Bread and Wine, Flowers, Altar Candles and/or Sanctuary Lamp donated for someone you love. All donations are for one week. Altar Flowers - $30 Bread & Wine - $25 Altar Candles - $20 Sanctuary Lamp - $20 Masses - $10 (per Mass) Please contact the Parish Office.


Financial Updates

Remember St. Edmund's in your Will

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. Donations of this type are a great way to reduce the substantial deferred tax burden that many RRSP and RRIF plans carry.


You pray best when the mirror of your soul is empty of every image except the image of the invisible Father. This image is the Wisdom of the Father, the Word of the Father… the Glory of the Father. – Thomas Merton


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