Third Sunday of Advent
Gaudete Sunday
Important Updates
Online Giving
Make a weekly, or one-time donation to the St. Edmund's Parish collection.
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!
SPECIAL DECEMBER 8TH EVENT – Another big THANK YOU to the Knights & the CWL for hosting the Breakfast/Craft & Bake Sale & also all those who attended to support their hard work.
ADVENT PENITENTIAL SERVICES:
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 18TH – 10-30am – 12:30 pm – St. Stephen’s
THURSDAY, DEC. 19TH – 7-8:30om – Christ the Redeemer
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.
ST. EDMUND'S CHRISTMAS DINNER & CHRISTMAS TREE DISPLAYS is on Saturday, December 14 @ 6 pm.
Special Notes
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 trees
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:
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
EACH PERSON HAS A ROLE TO PLAY
This Sunday's Gospel continues last week's focus on John the Baptist and his role in preparing the way for Christ. Recall that last week's reading described John's appearance in the desert and established his connection with the prophetic tradition of Israel. If we were to read Luke's Gospel continuously, we would learn about John the Baptist challenging the crowds who came to him and calling upon them to show evidence of their repentance. John tells his listeners that they cannot rely on their lineage as Israelites because children of Abraham can be raised up from stones. Repentance, rather, must be observable in one's actions. Here, Luke is continuing to set up two important themes of his Gospel message: the Christian faith is expressed in one's actions, and the call to salvation is extended to everyone, Jews and Gentiles.
In today's Gospel reading, the crowds ask John the Baptist for specifics. What evidence of repentance is required? John replies by naming concrete actions: crowds should share their food and cloaks; tax collectors should be just; soldiers should act fairly. The concern for justice is a hallmark of Luke's Gospel.
When the crowd begins to wonder if John the Baptist might be the Messiah, John interprets his baptism and makes it clear that his ministry is in preparation for the Messiah. John the Baptist knows his place and role in God's plan of salvation. By encouraging the crowd to act similarly in accordance with their stations in life, John's teaching suggests that each person has a role to play in God's salvation. It is the great mystery of our salvation that God permits and even asks for human cooperation in his divine plans.
The third Sunday of Advent is also called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is a Latin word that means “rejoice.” This name is taken from the entrance antiphon for Sunday's Mass, which is also echoed in today's second reading from the Paul's letter to the Philippians. Some people mark this Sunday by lighting a pink candle instead of a purple one on their Advent wreath. It is a reminder that the Advent season is a season of joy because our salvation is already at hand.
~ Loyola Press
Mass Intentions
Sunday, December 15
Repose Bill Herman by Ann Herman
Spec. Intention Jane Richmond by Margaret Petreny
Repose J. Victor Santos by Ludovina Santos
Repose Milagros & Juan Lammoglia by Elisa & John Bueno
Monday, December 16
Repose St. Edmund Parishioners
Spec. Intention Daisy Przybylowski by Jasmin Pinto
Tuesday, December 17
Spec. Intention Mohamad Saif Alaubaisi
Repose Benjamin Aguillardo by daughter Gerlie
Wednesday, December 18
Spec. Intention Father Steny by Margaret Petreny
Repose Jenna Dorman by Peter, Diane & Katherine Nation
Spec. Intention Marie Mussatto by St. Ed’s School staff & students
Thursday, December 19
Spec. Intention Raiden Mendonca by family
Spec. Intention Imelda Weafer by Zofia Bronowska
Repose Jean Winstanley by Sue Farrell
Spec. Intention Jessica Diego by Maribeth Bihis
Friday, December 20
Spec. Intention Father Cannio by Margaret Petreny
Spec. Intention Liz Wong by Zofia Bronowska
Repose Marta Brisco by St. Ed’s School staff & students
Saturday, December 21
Spec. Intention Lynn McLeod by Margaret Petreny
Spec. Intention Raiden, Leslie & Nadia by family
Spec. Intention Marie Mussatto by STA staff & students
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
MAIL DISRUPTION: The B.C. Catholic Print Edition
Stay informed and inspired with The B.C. Catholic digital edition, now available for free at digital.bccatholic.ca. Due to a mail service disruption, our print edition is temporarily paused. We will resume printing as soon as the postal service returns to normal.
Archbishop's Annual Mass for Life - Free - All are welcome
Location Holy Rosary Cathedral 646 Richards Street Vancouver, BC
Date and Time Saturday, Dec 14, 2024-12:10 PM - 1:10 PM
The Archbishop’s Annual Mass for Life is a once-a-year Pro-Life event for all those involved in the Pro-Life movement and all Catholics and people of other faiths to pray for respect for human life for conception to its natural end. The event begins with the rosary at 11:30 AM, Mass at 12:10 PM and reception afterward. We ask attendees to bring food to share.
This event is organized by the Archdiocese of Vancouver and held at Holy Rosary Cathedral.
It is a ‘thank you’, as well as an encouragement for all those who pray and witness for life in various aspects such as crisis pregnancy work, witnessing through 40 days for life, or other Pro-Life initiatives.
JUBILEE 2025: SOLEMN OPENING MASS - celebrated by Archbishop Miller
At Holy Rosary Cathedral
December 29th, 2024, 11:00 AM
More information is here: beholdvancouver.org/events/jubilee-year-2025-opening-mass
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.
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
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