Fourth Sunday of Advent
Nativity of the Lord
This Week in the Church
CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE CHANGES – please note changes to the schedule: December 24th – Christmas Evening Mass at 6pm (not 7pm)
Important Updates
PLEASE PICK UP YOUR 2024 ENVELOPES FROM THE ENTRANCE OF THE CHURCH (they are in numerical order after this weekend please)
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.
PARISH OFFICE CLOSED 24TH DEC 2023 TO 2ND JAN. 2024 - REOPENS – WED, JAN. 3RD
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
Reflections
God’s saving plan
This Sunday we read the story of the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary about the birth of Jesus. This story is found only in Luke’s Gospel. On this fourth Sunday of Advent, the liturgy shifts our attention from John the Baptist to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Both John and Mary serve as important figures for our reflection during the season of Advent; they both played instrumental roles in preparing the way for Jesus. Last week we reflected on John the Baptist’s announcement that the Savior was among us, although not yet recognized. This week we reflect upon Mary’s example of faith and obedience to God, traits which permitted her to receive the angel’s message that God’s Son would be born as a human person, as one of us.
We are familiar with the story of the Annunciation, and it is fitting that we recall how God announced the birth of Jesus as we make our final preparations for our celebration of the Incarnation. The angel Gabriel visited Mary, a virgin, betrothed to a man named Joseph. Mary greeted the angel’s news with awe and wonder and asked how it could be possible that she could give birth to a child. In his reply, the angel Gabriel announced the seemingly impossible reality: the child to be born would be conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and would be God’s own Son. The angel reported to Mary another miracle; her relative Elizabeth was also pregnant despite having been thought to be unable to have a child. Mary’s response to the angel, which is called her fiat, is an example of complete faith and obedience to God.
The story of the Annunciation calls to our attention God’s wondrous action in human history. God chose a human person to give birth to his Son so that all humanity would know God’s salvation. Mary, already full of God’s grace, was able to cooperate in this great plan for our salvation. Thus, Jesus was born as one of us, fully human and also fully divine. This is the mystery we prepare to celebrate at Christmas, the mystery of the Incarnation. In the model of Mary, we pray that we will be people of faith who recognize God’s saving plan for us and are able respond with obedience.
- Loyola Press
Mass Intentions
Sunday, December 24
· Healing Mass for Yanic Pean by Chantel Pean
· Repose Estelita Pinto by daughter Jasmin
· Repose Antonio Testa by wife Lucia & family
· Repose Mum & Dad Fiorvento by family
Monday, December 25
· Repose Mum & Dad Cusanelli by family
Tuesday, December 26
· Spec. Intention Father Steny by Romeo & Elena De Souza
Wednesday, December 27
· Spec. Intention St. Edmund Parishioners
· Spec. Intention Maria Miceli & family by Nora Gemino
· Spec. Intention Father Cannio by Romeo & Elena De Souza
Thursday, December 28
· Spec. Intention Lorne & Margaret Beaucamp by Nora Gemino
· Repose Mary Wong by Liz Wong
· Repose Cristino Ficocelli by wife Janet
Friday, December 29
· Spec. Intention Yvette Harriott by Barbara Stuart
· Repose Antonio Diego by Maribeth Bihis & family
· Repose Alain Larose by Lorne & Helene Brooks
Saturday, December 30
· Repose Kay Donnelly by Charmaine Guindon
· Spec. Intention of all members of Louzado family
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
PLEASE NOTE: On the following dates Online Meditation Meeting is cancelled:
December 25th, 2023 and January 1st, 2024 --- For the year 2024, January 8th will be our next meeting.
School Events
St. Edmund's Elementary School
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!
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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