Fourth Sunday of Advent
THE CANDLE OF LOVE  During this final week of Advent, we rejoice in the endless love that God has for us, which is made apparent in the birth of his Son. We reflect on the good news of God's love brought to us from the angel Gabriel.
Important Updates
Online Giving
Make a weekly, or one-time donation to the St. Edmund's Parish collection.
PARISH OFFICE HOURS OVER CHRISTMAS & NEW YEARS:
Parish office is closed Tuesday, Dec. 24th, Wednesday, Dec. 25th & Thursday, Dec 26th
Reopens Friday, December 27th
Closed again on Tuesday, December 31st & Wednesday, January 1st
Reopens Thursday, January 2nd
Heartfelt thanks to everyone for your donations. We are continuing to collect food items & gift cards for needy families. You can drop off your full bags at the back of the church or at the Parish Office.
2025 ENVELOPES ARE READY. Please pick it up from the parish office this coming week. Next weekend they will be in the back of the church. They are in Alphabetical order.
We reduced the amount of envelope boxes we purchased therefore anyone who had a number over 401; has been assigned a new number.
2024-25 SUNDAY MISSALS are available from the Parish Office at $5.00 each. There is a limited supply
CHRISTMAS TREE SET-UP & DECORATION – A big THANK YOU to everyone who enthusiastically participated in setting up and decorating the Christmas Trees!
MASS SCHEDULE FOR DECEMBER 15 TO JANUARY 2 is on a separate page after these notices
NOTE: NO 9 AM MASS ON DECEMBER 24TH
ST. EDMUND'S CHRISTMAS DINNER & CHRISTMAS TREE DISPLAYS is on Saturday December 14 @ 6 pm
THE FILIPINO MASS is on the 1st Sunday of the month at 6 pm.
CHRISTIAN MEDITATION GROUP meets in person on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 7 pm on December 19th.
Special Notes
MASS ATTENDANCE COUNT 2024 – Our parish count for this year is 612 which is an increase of +1% over last year
A HUGE ST. EDMUND’S THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO WORKED SO HARD ON THE ST. EDMUND’S PARISH CHRISTMAS PARTY
There are so many Parishioners who gave of their time and talent to make this annual event the resounding success it was! That said, particular thanks must be given to Marie Dayton who quarterbacked the entire project. Well done, Marie!
CHRISTMAS TREE SPONSORS
We want to thank all our Christmas tree sponsors, your generosity is grateful and appreciated
ARCILLA FAMILY
EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS
BEYROUTI FAMILY
VENUE KINGS
REMAX RALPH MAGLIERI
ANONYMOUS – 8 trees
A LONG TIME PARISHIONER – 3 trees
EDGETT FAMILY
VIGNONE FAMILY
BELLA ALMAZON
ROYALE ORCHID TOURS
ATC GLOBAL CONSTRUCTION LTD. – 2 trees
ST. EDMUND’S CWL
ERNEIDA DEGUZMAN
ST. EDMUND’S KNIGHT OF COLUMBUS
OCDS-NORTH VANCOUVER
OCDS-VANCOUVER
FIRST MEMORIAL FUNERAL SERVICES
McKENZIE FUNERAL SERVICES
WALLACE UNDERPINNING -2 trees
HOA TRAN
RUEL BAG-AO, GRACE KOO, JESSIE EGUNA & MARINA DADULA
TYLER & KIM THORPE – 2 treesÂ
LEGIONARIES - JOVITA RAMIREZ, ROSE DUMALIANG, HELEN MERCADO, LAURA LABADAN, CELIE CALIPTO, ANNIE OANDASAN, ANNA PANINTUAN, GRACE KOO, ERNA MILLS, PATTI CALINDAS, GEMMA QUIBUYFEN, CHARMAINE GUINDON & EMMYLOU OCMEJA
EDGAR & ROSEMARY GERMIA, NOEL & MARIA HERRERA
LORENZO’S KITCHEN CATERING
PINAY CAR LOAN-RACHEL NAWALES
EMMANUEL & JANET MAXIMO FAMILY, EDWARD & LENNETTE VILLAGANTE FAMILY, BERNARD & IVY DUCOT FAMILY & ELSA CATALAN
REGIE & NITA DIEGO & NESTOR & MARITESS DIEGO
NOEL & MARIBETH BIHIS, ROMY & IRENE IGNACIO
AGNES & PHILIP JUMILLA
JASMIN’S FOOTCARE SERVICES
CWL BOTTLE, CAN DRIVE FUNDRAISER is ongoing. CWL has an account with Return It Express. You can take your bottles, cans, tetra packs, milk, plant-based beverage containers to any Return-It location. Instructions are as follows: Â
Place unsorted bottles in a clear plastic bag(s)
Print off sticker @ Kiosk – Use phone # 778-996-3407
Text code RVCA TO 778-400-5253
To open the door, touch the keypad with your finger or the back of your hand to activate it
Enter the one-time pin code you receive by message. The one-time pin will time out in a few minutes. Repeat if it has timed out.
The Keypad light will turn green. Open door and drop off bag(s)
North Vancouver Return It Express Locations:
310 Brooksbank Ave. (Mon-Fri 8-4/Sat 8-5/Sun 9-5/closed holidays)
At Superstore 333 Seymour Blvd. (everyday 8-8)
235 Donaghy Ave. (Mon-Sat 8-5/Sun 10-4/closed holidays)
30 Riverside Dr.-North Shore Recycling Depot (Tues-Fri 8-5/Sat., Sun, Holidays 9-5)
FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE, PLASTIC BAGS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE CHURCH ENTRANCE
Proceeds from this fundraiser will go towards the renovation of the Kitchen cabinets, countertops, and flooring in the school gym.
If you are unable to return the bottles yourself, please get in touch with Donna @ 778-996-3407 / dkcolcleugh@gmail.com.  Donna will happily pick them up for you and make the deposit.
Please do not drop off bottles at the church or parish office.
Reflections
PREPARING US TO WITNESS CHRIST'S BIRTH
On this the last Sunday before Christmas, our Gospel reading prepares us to witness Christ's birth by showing us how Jesus was recognized as Israel's long-awaited Messiah even before his birth. The Gospel turns our attention from the ministry of John the Baptist to the events that preceded John the Baptist's birth. The story of John the Baptist and his parents, Elizabeth and Zechariah, are reported only in Luke's Gospel. Luke pairs the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus, establishing John's early connection to the Messiah.
Our Gospel reading recalls Mary's actions after the announcement of Jesus' birth by the angel Gabriel. Mary goes to visit Elizabeth, her cousin, who is also with child. Elizabeth greets Mary with full recognition of the roles that they and their unborn children will play in God's plan for salvation. If we were to continue to read the verses that follow in Luke's Gospel, we would hear Mary respond to Elizabeth's greeting with her song of praise, the Magnificat. Both women recall and echo God's history of showing favor upon the people of Israel.
In Luke's Gospel the Holy Spirit helps reveal Jesus' identity as God to those who believe. Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit and sings Mary's praise because she bears the Lord. We sing these words of praise to Mary in the Hail Mary. Even John the Baptist, the unborn child in Elizabeth's womb, is said to recognize the presence of the Lord and leaps for joy.
It is appropriate in this season of Advent that we consider the role of Mary in God's plan of salvation. Elizabeth describes Mary as the first disciple, as the one who believed that God's word to her would be fulfilled. Mary's faith enabled her to recognize the work of God in her people's history and in her own life. Her openness to God allowed God to work through her so that salvation might come to everyone. Because of this, Mary is a model and symbol of the Church. May we be like Mary, open and cooperative in God's plan for salvation.
~ Loyola Press
Mass Intentions
Sunday, December 22
Repose Lolito Ologar by Lolybe Ologar
Spec. Intention Jeanette Bertram by Bev Watson
Repose Marta Brisco Ferguson by STA Staff & Students
Repose Ann Marie Steigerwald by Camille Steede
Monday, December 23
Spec. Intention St. Edmund Parishioners
Tuesday, December 24
Repose Mum & Dad Fiorvento by family
Repose Antonio Testa by wife Lucia & family
Spec. Intention-Thanksgiving Mass by Ronnie & Grace Koo
Wednesday, December 25
Repose Theo & Joyce by Roger & Pat LaBreche
Repose Mum & Dad Cusanelli by family
Spec. Intention Thanksgiving by Romeo & Mylene Enriquez
Thursday, December 26
Spec. Intention Father Jeevan by Margaret Petreny
Saturday, December 28
Repose Giuseppe (Joe) Rucci by family
Repose Cristino Ficocelli by wife
Repose John Cusanelli by Giovanna Cusanelli
Repose Gerson Frias by Aurea Frias
Parish Events
CWL 2nd Thursday of each month @ 7 PM
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.
St. Eds 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 7.00 pm 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 7.00 pm. You are sincerely invited to attend the WCCM meeting(s). All are welcome.
To learn more about WCCM, kindly contact: Luis Zunino - email lzunino@gzarchitects.com
School Events
St. Edmunds Elementary School
Religious Education
PREP 2024-2025
PREP REGISTRATION IS OPEN until September 15th. Please complete the registration form and hand it into the Parish Office or leave it in the mailbox to the left of the office entry gate. There are copies at the entrance.
PREP classes are in St. Edmund’s School and begin on September 11, 2024. Classes will be held every Wednesday from 6:00 - 7:00 pm.  Any questions can be sent to prepatsteds@shaw.ca
Children's Choir Training
Practices will be every 2nd & 4th Saturday of the month @10am - Masses will be every 2nd & 4th Sunday of the month @ 11am
Altar Server Training
Every Saturday 11-11:30 am
Archdiocese Notices & Events
The B.C. Catholic CHRISTMAS Edition
The Christmas edition of The B.C. Catholic is now available online. Registered parishioners can receive a free subscription to The B.C. Catholic by calling (604) 683-3208 or registering at bccatholic.ca/subscribe. Due to a mail disruption, our print edition is temporarily paused. We hope to resume printing on January 6.
 Holy Trinity Catholic Church - Spanish Mass
JUBILEE 2025: SOLEMN OPENING MASS - celebrated by Archbishop Miller
At Holy Rosary CathedralÂ
December 29th, 2024, 11:00 AMÂ
More information is here: beholdvancouver.org/events/jubilee-year-2025-opening-massÂ
A website dedicated to the Jubilee will be live on the RCAV site before the New Year.
GOOD NEWS!!!
We have reached our parish goal so now all pledges made will come back to the parish.Â
You have the option to collect the pledge forms from our parish office or receive a scanned version via email.
Financial Updates
Remember St. Edmund's in your Will
Bread & Wine
Prayer Requests
Our Parish Community is asked to pray for the Special Intention of Father Steny & Father Cannio
Our Parish Community is asked to pray for the Special Intention of Father Jeevan Prakash D'Almeda
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 Repose of the Soul of Maria Caridad Campos Mendoza
Our Parish Community is asked to pray for the Special Intention of Erneida & Joel de Guzman
Advertisements
If you would like to let St. Edmund Parishioners know of the services your company provides, please contact the Parish Office about advertising on this page.