Jan 16, 2022 - Sunday Bulletin
This week in the Church
Important Updates
· The Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfasts cancelled until further notice
· Catholic Women’s League meeting will be virtual until further notice – no in-person meetings
· Catholic Women’s League Coffee Sundays cancelled until further notice
Reflections
Bringing the Kingdom of God
This Sunday we begin the liturgical season of Ordinary Time. For many Sundays in this lectionary cycle (Cycle C), our readings will be taken from the Gospel of Luke. Occasionally, however, we will read from John's Gospel. This is true of today's Gospel reading, which describes the beginning of Jesus' ministry and his first miracle.
To situate today's reading within the context of John's Gospel, we note that John's report of this event follows Jesus' call of his first disciples. John tells us that Jesus and his disciples were invited to this wedding at Cana, as was Jesus' mother, Mary. There is no parallel report of this miracle at Cana in the Synoptic Gospels.
In the Church's liturgical history, the wedding feast of Cana is closely associated with the baptism of the Lord and the adoration of the infant Jesus by the Wise Men. In this context, the sign Jesus performs at the wedding feast is celebrated as an epiphany or a manifestation of Jesus' divinity.
Yet awareness of Jesus' impending passion and death is ever present in John's Gospel. Even in this report of Jesus' first sign, the language used anticipates Jesus' passion. When Jesus says to his mother that his hour has not yet come, he protests against her wishes in language that John will use again when reporting Jesus' Last Supper with his disciples. When introducing the story of Jesus washing his disciples' feet, John writes that Jesus knew that his hour had come. In John's Gospel, Jesus is very much in command and aware of all that is to happen to him.
Here, as elsewhere in John's Gospel, Mary is not mentioned by name, but is referred to instead as the mother of Jesus. Mary is influential in Jesus' first sign. She will also be present at his Crucifixion, a witness to the final manifestation of his divinity.
John's Gospel describes seven signs that indicate Jesus' identity to his disciples. John never speaks of these signs as miracles because their importance is not in the deed that Jesus performs but in what these deeds indicate about Jesus' identity. Here, as when John describes the other signs, the disciples are said to begin to believe, but no mention is made as to whether the other wedding guests are even aware of what has happened.
Marriage and wedding feasts are metaphors used in Scripture to describe God's salvation and the Kingdom of God. Here at the beginning of Jesus' public ministry, John's Gospel seeks to establish that Jesus is going to re-interpret and fulfill Yahweh's promise to Israel. Jesus establishes the New Covenant. A hint about what this New Covenant will be like is made evident in the deed that Jesus performs.
Asked to do something to address the awkward situation that the absence of wine at a wedding feast would create, Jesus' miracle produces vast quantities of wine—six jars holding thirty gallons each are filled to overflowing with choice wine.
This lavish response to a simple human need is a vision for us of the abundance of God's kingdom. It challenges us to respond generously when confronted with human need today. We respond as best we can, fully confident that God can transform our efforts, bringing the Kingdom of God to fulfillment among us.
~ Loyola Press
Mass Intentions
Sunday, January 16
· Spec. Intention Father Steny (safe travels) by Zofia Bronowska
· Spec. Intention Joan Beairsto by Zofia Bronowska
· Repose Raffaele Cusano by wife Rosa
· Repose All Souls in Purgatory
· Repose Natividad Ferma & Guillierma Aceron by Cloma family
Monday, January 17
· Spec. Intention St. Edmund Parishioners
· Repose deceased Laganson family members
· Spec. Intention Catholic Women’s League of St. Edmund
Tuesday, January 18
· Repose All Souls in Purgatory
· Repose Robert Gordon Tennant by Cloma family
Wednesday, January 19
· Repose deceased Tung family members
· Spec. Intention Mass by Rosa Zivarts
Thursday, January 20
· Repose deceased Tung family members
· Repose Concetta D’Aquila by daughter Maria & family
Friday, January 21
· Repose Cecilia Ho
· Spec. Intentions Legion of Mary members
Saturday, January 22
· Repose Margaret Lam
· Spec. Intention Protection of all unborn children in law & with love by N.S. Pro Life
If you need a Mass Intention, please contact the Parish Office
Events
Parish Events
January 22nd - Baptism
Parish Group Events
· The Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfasts cancelled until further notice
· Catholic Women’s League meeting will be virtual until further notice – no in-person meetings
· Catholic Women’s League Coffee Sundays cancelled until further notice
School Events
School Mass - Every Wednesday at 9 AM
Virtual STA Open House
Religious Education
PREP
Every Thursday at 6 PM - Online
Children's Choir Training
Every Saturday at 10 AM
Archdiocese Events
Synod
Pope Francis has decided the next world Synod of Bishops at the Vatican, which will take place in October 2022, will have the theme: "For a synodal church: Communion, participation and mission." With that in mind, there will be information cards available at the Church entrance with Topics of Conversation suggested on the reverse side and encouraging us to check for updates on the Archdiocese site www.rcav.org/synod
Special Gifts
Altar Candles & Sanctuary Lamp
For the week of January 15th to 21st.
Repose Jady Li & Liz jackson
Donated by Nora
Bread & Wine
For the week of January 15th to 21st.
Special Intentions for all Carmelite priests
Flowers
For the week of January 15th to 21st.
Special Intentions for safe travels for Father Steny
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
Project Advance
Paving of the School Playground & fixing the Drainage
The required amount $125 thousand
Raised so far
2020 : $44,590.00
2021 : $48,448.00
Fundraising: $04,500.00
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Total: $97,538.00
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We still need to raise $27,462.
We thank all those who have contributed in various ways. Your generosity is highly appreciated. May God bless you, for the sacrifices you make. Without you (U), there is no Success. As you know this project has been identified as a priority that will help our school students to use it as a playground and parking for the Parish.
Give online - Project Advance
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.
Prayer Requests and Advertisements
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Our Parish Community is asked to pray for the Special Intention of St. Edmund Parishioners |  |  |
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Our Parish Community is asked to pray for the safe travel of Father Steny |  |  |
Our Parish Community is asked to pray for the Special Intention of All Carmelite Priests |  |  |