March 26/27, 2022 - Sunday Bulletin
4th Week of Lent
This week in the Church
FIRST FRIDAY – April 1st
Adoration Sign-up at the Church Entrance
7:30 Mass followed by Adoration until 8:50am
9am Mass
6:30pm Stations of the Cross
7pm - Mass
FRIDAYS DURING LENT
NO 7:30am Mass
9:00am Mass
6:30pm Stations of the Cross
7:00pm Mass
The CWL Coffee Sunday and Bake Sale
- The CWL would like to welcome everyone back to our Coffee Sunday and Bake Sale, held after every mass on Sunday, March 27th.
- Any baking donations will be graciously accepted, and to be dropped off at the school gym the day of the sale. We kindly ask that you let the CWL do pricing for your baked goods
Parish Clean-Up Day
Important Updates
LENT is a time to Prepare
Bring your friends and come join us at St. Edmund’s Parish April 7th, 8th, 9th for a Lenten Retreat—the Retreat Preacher will be Rev. Fr. Alex Braganza, OCD—Superior of Little Flower Monastery.
The theme of the Retreat is: Mercy of God
“Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do.”
(Luke 23:34)
PENITENTIAL SERVICES
Thursday, April 7 – St. Stephen’s @10:30am
Tuesday, April 12 – Christ the Redeemer @7pm
Wednesday April 13 – Holy Trinity @7pm
HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE
Holy Thursday Mass (April 14) – 7pm
Good Friday Liturgy (April 15) – 3pm
Easter Vigil (April 16) – 9pm (please note time)
Easter Sunday (April 17) – 8am/9:30am/11am
CWL
On April 15th, the Catholic Women’s League will offer soup and buns after the Veneration of the Cross which starts @ 3:00 p.m.
On Sunday, April 17th, there will be a Pop-up Bake Sale hosted by the CWL after the 8 & 9:30am Masses
LENTEN CONTRIBUTIONS
Your Lenten contribution will go to the education of students who need assistance. A collection box is near the West 6th Church door.
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
North Shore Pro-life
NS Pro-Life encourages your participation in 40 Days for Life from March 1 to April 11.
There are many opportunities to participate virtually or in person. Your prayerful support is welcome.
2021 TAX RECEIPTS
Pick up from back of church this weekend & next
Pick up from parish office
Have them emailed to you – be sure we have your correct email
2022 Collection Envelopes
New sets of envelopes are in the Parish Office for you to pick up. It is important that you use this year’s envelopes to help ensure that you get credit for your donations. Please do not use envelopes from previous years.
Reflections
Laetare Sunday - the Reason for our Joy
The parable Jesus tells in today's Gospel is unique to the Gospel of Luke. Jesus has been teaching the crowds as he journeys to Jerusalem. As he teaches, the Pharisees and scribes complain and challenge Jesus because he is welcoming sinners at his table. Today we hear the third of three parables that Jesus tells in response to his critics. These three familiar parables—the lost sheep, the lost coin, and today's parable of the prodigal son—invite us to consider the depth of God's mercy and love.
The Pharisees taught a scrupulous observance of Jewish Law. In their interpretation and practice, observant Jews who shared table fellowship with sinners would be made unclean. Like Jesus, the Pharisees hoped to lead sinners back to God. The Pharisees, however, required that sinners first become ritually clean—observant of the Pharisees' interpretation of Jewish Law—before sharing table fellowship. This appears to be one of the major differences between the Pharisees and Jesus. Jesus reaches out to sinners while they are still sinners, inviting them to conversion through fellowship with him. Jesus is God acting among us; by befriending us, he is inviting us to return to friendship with God. Through friendship with Jesus, our sins are forgiven and we, in turn, bear fruit for God. Recall last Sunday's Gospel and the barren fig tree.
Our familiarity with today's parable risks dulling us to its tremendously powerful message. We call this the parable of the lost son or the prodigal son. Any focus on the younger son, however, must also be balanced by an examination of the unusual behavior of the father.
First we must imagine our first response to the audacity of a son who asks for his inheritance before his father has died. Indignation would certainly be a justifiable response to such a request. Yet the father in this parable agrees to honor the son's request and divides his property among his two sons. How might we describe such a father? Foolish comes to mind, but so does trusting. Without property of his own, the father must rely upon his sons to provide for his well-being.
The younger son takes his inheritance and leaves home. The older son remains, continuing to provide for the father and the household. Having been disgraced by the younger son, the father spends some time watching the road for the return of the lost son. When he eventually sees his wayward son returning, the father not only welcomes him but also runs out to greet him and then honors him with a party. We say that this father is loving and forgiving. Yet these adjectives only begin to describe the depth of love and mercy that characterize the father.
We find no surprise in the anger of the older son. Yet the father appears sad and even confused by the older son's indignation. He says in reply that they should celebrate because the lost son had returned. The father is filled with gratitude and love for the older son's faithfulness. This love is in no way diminished by the father's rejoicing at the return of the younger son. Yet the older son's jealousy reveals his limited understanding of the depth of his father's love.
The Fourth Sunday of Lent is traditionally called Laetare Sunday. Laetare is a Latin word that means “rejoice.” Today's Gospel describes the reason for our joy: God's great love for us has been revealed in Jesus. Through his Passion, Death, and Resurrection, Christ has reconciled us with God and one another.
~ Loyola Press
Mass Intentions
Sunday, March 27
· Repose Serafino Vignone by son Angelo & family
· Repose Michael Goodsell by Zofia Bronowska
· Repose John Cusanelli by wife Giovanna
· Repose Antonio Martino by Elisa, John, Lino, Nana & family
Monday, March 28
· Spec. Intention St. Edmund Parishioners
· Repose Ernesto Oandasan by daughter-in-law Anita Oandasan
Tuesday, March 29
· Spec. Intention Estelle Harriott by Barbara Stuart
· Repose All Souls in Purgatory by Helene & Lorne Brooks
Wednesday, March 30
· Repose Paul Chin & Grace Liang by Elizabeth Wong
Thursday, March 31
· Repose Lisa Bell by John Prescott
· Spec. Intention Caitlin Teng by Elizabeth Wong
Friday, April 1
· Spec. Intention Christine Gallagher by Janet Ficocelli
· Repose Molly Aberdien by Elizabeth Livingston
· Repose Molly Aberdien by Roz Kerr
Saturday, April 2
· Repose Rose Yoong by Elizabeth Wong
· Repose Victor Santos by Ludovina Santos
If you need a Mass Intention, please contact the Parish Office
Events
Parish
Parish Groups
Holy Trinity CWL Annual Retreat - April 1-3, 2022
Theme: The Feminine Genius
Who is woman and who is she meant to be? Join Sister Angela Marie Castellani, FSE, at the Holy Trinity CWL retreat, to learn more about the gift of femininity, and to grow in love and understanding of your call as a woman. Pope St. John Paul writes that "woman has a genius all to her own, which is vitally essential to both society and the Church. Unpacking Pope St. John Paul II's teachings on dignity and vocations of women, our time together, under the guidance of Mary, our Mother, will be one of learning, sharing and prayer.
Spaces: limited to 24 participants
Location: Westminster Abbey, Mission, BC Cost: $170 per person for a 2-night stay, including meals (Cost for those who wish to come an extra night and bring their own food is $30 extra.)Payment: E-transfers to nickitancredi@gmail.com Cheques can be made to Holy Trinity CWL (please leave at church office)
Please RSVP nickitancredi@gmail.com
CWL
Catholic Women’s League meetings are now in person on the 2nd Thursday of each month @ 7pm
Catholic Women’s League Coffee Sunday & Bake Sale resumes on Sunday, March 27th after all Masses
CWL Membership Fees - Please note that CWL Membership fees are due by March 31st. Fees are $30.00. If you are not a member, but would like to join or need more information, contact Donna Colcleugh - dkmajeau@shaw.ca
On April 15th, the Catholic Women’s League will offer soup and buns after the Veneration of the Cross which starts @ 3:00 p.m.
On Sunday, April 17th, there will be a Pop-up Bake Sale hosted by the CWL after the 8 & 9:30am Masses
School
St. Edmund’s Elementary School - Fundraiser
Once again St Edmunds will promote a fundraising initiative using Purdy for Easter Chocolates Treats, a great way to support our school community.
Information below. Thank you for all your support!
PLACE & PAY FOR ORDERS BY: March 28th 2022
PICK UP ORDERS ON: April 12th 2022 at St Edmunds School 2:30-3:30pm
If you have any questions, please contact the school office 604-988-7364
1. Sign in or create a new supporter account either by clicking the link sent to you by our coordinator or by visiting fundraising.purdys.com
2. If you’re creating a new account, please enter the customer number below on the registration page.
3. If you’re signing into an existing account, enter the number below into the search bar that will come up after you’ve signed in.
4. Click on JOIN CAMPAIGN 22052
School (STA) Job Opportunity
St. Thomas Aquinas Regional Secondary School is looking for an experienced, full-time office assistant. Potential candidates should have a minimum of 1 year related experience and should be available to work 5 days per week starting March 28, 2022.
Please send your resume to the attention of Christina Donovan, the Office Manager by email: cdonovan@aquinas.org
Deadline for application: Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at 4 p.m.
Bishop Thomas J. Lobsinger, OMI Memorial Bursary Program
The annual British Columbia & Yukon Bursary program known as the Bishop Thomas J. Lobsinger, OMI Memorial Bursary Program is underway. The 2022 program is now receiving applications. We are privileged to offer fourteen bursaries of $1,000.00 each to Catholic students across BC. These bursaries are made available on a one-time only basis to young practicing Catholic students who are in post secondary education at a recognized institute of higher learning within the BC. Applications are accepted from Jan. 1, 2022 until June 30, 2022 with the bursaries being awarded in the fall. The Terms of Reference may be found on our web site (kofcbc.org) after Jan 1, 2022.
Requests for application should be addressed to:
Knights of Columbus BC & Yukon
809 Mara Drive, Coquitlam, BC V3C 5T9
Attn: Herb Yang, Bursaries Chairman
Or email: herbykofc@gmail.com
We would like to congratulate the many recipients once again over the past years and look forward to the opportunity to assist many more young people in the advancement of their education.
Religious Education
PREP
Every Thursday at 6 PM - In Person
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
Flowers
NO FLOWERS DURING LENT
Altar Candles & Sanctuary Lamp
March 26 – April 1
Thanksgiving for blessings received
Donated by Grace Koo
March 26 – April 8
Special Intentions & Blessings for Jasmin Pinto
Bread & Wine
March 26 – April 1
Special Intentions for Jasmin Pinto
March 26 – April 1
Repose Emeliano Patenu
donated by Grace Koo
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.
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 Intention of All Carmelite Priests |  |  |
Our Parish Community is asked to pray for the Special Intention of Father Steny & Father Cannio |  |  |