First Sunday of Advent
Prayer for the Peace
Lord, come to our aid! Grant us peace, teach us peace; guide our steps in the way of peace. Open our eyes and our hearts and give us the courage to say no to war. Instill in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace. Keep alive within us the flame of hope, so that with patience and perseverance we may opt for dialogue and reconciliation. In this way may peace triumph. Lord God, defuse the violence of our tongues and our hands.
Gracious God, we pray for all people who are suffering from war. May they be held in your loving care and protection and given the strength to endure great suffering and hardship. Transform the hearts and minds of all those who perpetuate violence and oppression. Through Christ our Lord. Amen
This Week in the Church
CHRISTMAS DINNER & DANCE TICKETS – are available at parish office and after all Masses starting next weekend
2023/2024 SUNDAY MISSALS are available after all Masses this weekend & next and also from the Parish Office – cost is $5.00 each
Our heartfelt condolences to the family & friends Kay Donnelly who went home to God. May they rest in peace in the comfort of the Lord. Funeral Mass is Friday, Dec. 8th @ 11am
THE FILIPINO MASS – is on Sunday December 10th at 6pm.
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.
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
PREPARING FOR CHRIST’S RETURN IN GLORY
Today we begin the season of Advent, which marks the start of a new liturgical year for the Church. The readings for Sunday Mass are arranged on a three-year cycle. Each year features a different Gospel—Matthew, Mark, or Luke. Readings from the Gospel of John are interspersed throughout all three years. With this year’s first Sunday of Advent, we begin Cycle B of the Lectionary, which focuses our attention on the Gospel of Mark. This week and next week, our readings from Mark’s Gospel present two important Advent themes: the Lord’s return at the end of time and John the Baptist’s preparation for Jesus.
Today’s Gospel is taken from the end of Mark’s Gospel, the chapter that immediately precedes Mark’s account of Jesus’ Passion. Having been questioned repeatedly by the scribes and the Pharisees, Jesus is now questioned by his disciples—Peter, James, John, and Andrew—who want details about his prediction of the destruction of the Temple. Jesus answers with many warnings about the difficulties that the disciples will face.
Today’s passage comes at the conclusion of Jesus’ warnings to his disciples. Jesus emphasizes the need for watchfulness. The Son of Man will come without warning; only the Father knows the exact hour. The disciples must not be caught unprepared when this time comes.
Scholars believe that Mark’s Gospel was written around the time of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in A.D. 70. Mark’s audience consisted of Christians who were living in difficult social and political times, times of conflict. They were likely beginning to face persecution as followers of Jesus. In this difficult time, it helped to recall that Jesus had foretold of such difficulties. Early Christian communities took courage from Jesus’ warning to remain alert and watchful, and they found in his words a way to persevere through suffering.
Today’s Gospel reminds us that Advent is about more than our preparation for the Church’s celebration of Christ’s birth at Christmas. Advent is also about preparing ourselves for Christ’s return in glory at the end of time. Like the disciples and the faithful in Mark’s community, we must also stay alert and watchful. Our faithfulness to God, through the good times as well as the difficult times, shows us to be ready for the coming of the Son of Man.
- Loyola Press
Mass Intentions
Sunday, December 3
· Healing Mass for Yanic Pean by Chantel Pean
· Repose Felice Pistilli by daughter Maria & family
· Repose Michelina Tinaburri by daughter Paola Vignone
· Repose Curtis Dayton by Zofia Bronowska
Monday, December 4
· Repose St. Edmund’s Parishioners
· Spec. Intention Cindy Li by Rose Wong
· Repose Josefa &all my loved ones by Flory Nielsen
Tuesday, December 5
· Spec. Intention Marie Melgarejo by Barbara Stuart
· Spec. Intention Arthur Chan by Rose Wong
· Repose Gina Galozo by Cathy Shorten
Wednesday, December 6
· Spec. Intention Tiffany Liu & Sonny Lozano by Rose Wong
· Spec. Intention Michael Mulhall by Pamela Lauzon OCDS
Thursday, December 7
· Spec. Intention Father Raymond So by Rose Wong
· Spec. Intention for all the dying by Pamela Lauzon OCDS
Friday, December 8
· Spec. Intention Constance Lau by Rose Wong
· Spec. Intention Father Robert Noonan by Pamela Lauzon OCDS
· Spec. Intention Pearl Peng by Liz Wong
· Repose Bernard Demers by Fernande & Peter Husar
Saturday, December 9
· Repose Kay Donnelly by Zofia Bronowska
· Repose (death anniversary) Nonito Sonalan by Marion Sonalan
· Repose Curtis Dayton by Lynn
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!
PRO-LIFE CHRISTMAS CARDS
Will be available to purchase from parish office starting next week (Oct.30 ) during office hours
1 pkg. is $10.00 or 3 pkgs for $25.00
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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