Second Sunday of Advent
This Week in the Church
CHRISTMAS DINNER & DANCE TICKETS – are available at parish office and after all Masses starting next weekend
ADVENT CONFESSIONS:
THE FILIPINO MASS – is on Sunday December 10th at 6pm.
Simbang Gabi Novena Masses start on Friday, December 15th @ 6pm – see schedule below
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.
PLEASE PICK UP YOUR 2024 ENVELOPES FROM THE ENTRANCE OF THE CHURCH (they are in numerical order)
CWL CHRISTMAS BAKE & CRAFT SALE is on Sunday, December 17th after all Masses. The location will be in the PREP & Centennial Rooms. All Bakers & Crafters are invited to contribute – the CWL asks that the CWL price all items. They also ask that you provide a brief description of any baked goods such as “Banana Bread – contains nuts”.
CHRISTMAS FLOWER DONATIONS – envelopes are available at the Church entrance. Thank you so much for your generosity.
Our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Tessie Hanlon-McMillan who went home to God. May she rest in peace in the comfort of the Lord. Funeral services are Thursday, Dec. 21st at Holy Trinity Parish. Prayer service & eulogy @ 10am & Funeral Mass @ 11am
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24 – there will be 8 & 9:30am Masses but no 11am Mass on that day. Please check the Mass schedule included in this bulletin for more information & for Christmas schedule.
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
Reflections
THE ROLE OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
Today’s Gospel is taken from the beginning of Mark. Unlike Luke and Matthew, Mark does not include any details of Jesus’ birth. Instead, Mark begins with the appearance of John the Baptist in the desert. On this the Second Sunday of Advent, we are invited to reflect upon the role of John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Jesus and the salvation that he would bring to us.
Mark’s description of the appearance of John the Baptist highlights John’s continuity with the Jewish prophetic tradition. Mark combines quotations from the Old Testament books of Malachi, Isaiah, and Exodus. Mark’s description of John as an ascetic, living in the desert, clothed in camel hair, and eating locusts and wild honey, is reminiscent of the description of the prophet Elijah found in Second Kings. The people of Judea and Jerusalem flock to him, listening to his message of repentance and forgiveness; they also come to him to be baptized. Mark’s Gospel is clear, however, that John the Baptist’s role is only to prepare the way for another who will come, one who is greater than John.
Many scholars believe that the Gospels reflect the tension that likely existed between followers of John the Baptist and disciples of Jesus. Each of the four Evangelists report on John’s preaching and baptizing, and they each emphasize the importance of Jesus’ baptism by John. The four Gospels also explain that John was sent to preach in preparation for another. In the Gospel of Luke, the question is raised as to whether John the Baptist was himself the Messiah. Just as in today’s Gospel, however, John speaks quite explicitly that the Messiah was to come after him.
In today’s Gospel we hear John the Baptist contrast his baptism of repentance with the baptism that Jesus will inaugurate. John says that he has baptized with water, but that the one who is to come will baptize with the Holy Spirit. John’s baptism was not yet a Christian baptism, but a preparation for the Sacrament of Baptism through which sins are forgiven and the gift of the Holy Spirit is received.
John the Baptist is presented to us as a model during Advent. We, too, are called upon to prepare a way for the Lord. Like John the Baptist, we are messengers in service to one who is greater than we are. Our Baptism commissions us to call others to life as disciples of Jesus.
- Loyola Press
Mass Intentions
Sunday, December 10
• Healing Mass for Yanic Pean by Chantel Pean
• Repose Kay Donnelly by Roger & Pat LaBreche
• Repose Curtis Dayton by Domenico & Maria Maglieri
• Repose Curtis Dayton by Aime & Terry Lehouillier
Monday, December 11
• Spec. Intention St. Edmund’s Parishioners
• Spec. Intention Abby, Joseph & Karen Siu by Rose Wong
• Repose Leoncio Pinto by daughter Jasmin Pinto
Tuesday, December 12
• Repose Curtis Dayton by Peter & Fernande Husar
• Spec. Intention Elizabeth Livingston by Zofia Bronowska
• Spec. Intention Chin Yong Teh by Liz Wong
• Spec. Intention Elizabeth Livingston by Bev Watson
Wednesday, December 13
• Repose Grandmother Catrina
• Repose Curtis Dayton by John & Elisa Bueno
Thursday, December 14
• Spec. Intention Imelda Weafer by Janet Ficocelli
Friday, December 15
• Repose J. Victor Santos by Ludovina Santos
Saturday, December 16
• Spec. Intention Daisy Przybylowski by Jasmin Pinto
• Repose Assunta Cusano by Janet Ficocelli
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
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
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.
Thank you for your generosity!
ARCHBISHOP'S ANNUAL MASS FOR LIFE
Join Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB for Mass at Holy Rosary Cathedral on Saturday, December 16 at 12:00 p.m. We begin with the Rosary at 11:30 a.m. and then Mass. We recognize and celebrate all life from conception to its natural end and the people who witness and volunteer in this field.
WORLD YOUTH DAY - LISBON 2023
Discover the essence of WYD Lisbon 2023 in the video created by WYD Canada.
Please click the link below:
🎄Dundarave Festival of Lights 2023
Everyone welcome - Free, Festive, Fabulous.
The Forest of Miracles: Located at DUNDARAVE BEACH open 24/7 to January 7th
Wheelchair Accessible
WV Blue Bus 255 will take you to 25th and Marine Drive (one block from bus stop)
** we have a few trees left for anyone to sponsor - reserve now.
Please contact mary@dundaravefestival.com 778-847-1426 for any questions.
Performance Programme:
Saturday Dec 23rd 4-8pm
Christmas Wassail and Bonfire Night
Los Duendes - Psych Latin Funk Fusion
Square Dancing
Carolling
Santa arrives by Search and Rescue Boat, Music Dancing etc.
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
Financial Updates
Remember St. Edmund's in your Will
Prayer Requests and Advertisements
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