Feast of the Holy Family
Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God
Dear Brothers and sisters,
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior!
I am writing to extend a heartfelt thank you for joining us at St. Edmund’s Church for our Christmas Eve service. It was a joy to have you with us as we celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ, a time of great joy and reflection. Your presence added to the warmth and spirit of our gathering. At St. Edmund’s, we strive to create a welcoming and nurturing environment for all who walk through our doors, and we hope you felt the love and fellowship of our Parish Community.
Rev. Fr. Cannio and I would like to take this opportunity to express our deepest appreciation and thanks for the kindness you have shown to us during this special time, by showing your love and support to us. Your cards, notes, letters, massages, and gifts have been so kind and generous. We both assure you that our prayers are with you always. Your prayers for us are also highly valued and needed.
Another year has come to a close, and as we embark on a new year, I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know that, how much we appreciate your faithful giving to St. Edmund’s Parish. It is gifts like yours that continue to enable us to function as a healthy and vibrant Catholic Church. We desire to continue to reach out into our parish community with love, care, and concern, but most importantly, celebrating and administering the Sacraments.
Rev. Fr. Cannio and I wish you a Happy New Year 2024, praying, that the peace of Christ may prevail on Earth.
May God Bless you all.
Fr. Steny OCD
This Week in the Church
FIRST FRIDAY is on January 5th – Adoration begins after 9am Mass (no 7:30am Mass that day) followed by Benediction at 6:45pm and Mass at 7pm. Sign-up sheet is at the Church entrance – it would be greatly appreciated if 2-3 people can sign up per time slot.
Important Updates
• PARISH OFFICE reopens on Wednesday, January 3rd
• PLEASE PICK UP YOUR 2024 ENVELOPES – from the Parish Office
• 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
Reflection for Feast of the Holy Family
The Presentation of the Child
Today’s Gospel describes the presentation of the child Jesus in the Temple and shows Joseph and Mary as devout Jews, following the prescriptions of the Law of Moses. The Gospel alludes to several aspects of the Law of Moses: circumcision, the dedication of the firstborn son to the Lord, and the purification of a woman after childbirth.
According to the Law of Moses as presented in the Book of Leviticus, a woman was considered ritually unclean during her menstrual period and for a prescribed period of time following the birth of a child. After the birth of a son, a woman was considered ritually unclean for 40 days. After the birth of a daughter, a woman was considered unclean for 80 days. In order to be restored to ritual purity, a Jewish woman performed the appropriate rites of purification and made the prescribed ritual offering.
Today’s Gospel notes that Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day after his birth, in accordance with the Mosaic Law. At that time, he was called Jesus, the name he was given by the angel Gabriel. On the 40th day after Jesus’ birth, Mary performed the appropriate purification rites and made her offering at the Temple. Although the Law of Moses required an offering of a lamb, those who could not afford a lamb could substitute two turtledoves or two pigeons. In this scene, Luke identifies Joseph and Mary as being poor, and indeed throughout Luke’s Gospel, Jesus will show special concern for the poor.
Another Jewish rite referenced in this Gospel is the dedication of the firstborn son to the Lord. In remembrance of the feast of Passover, when the firstborn children of the Israelites in Egypt were saved from death, the Law of Moses prescribed that all firstborn males of Israel should be consecrated to the Lord. In this tradition, Mary and Joseph present the infant Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem.
In Jerusalem, Luke reports that Mary and Joseph encounter two devout Jews, Simeon and Anna, who recognize the infant Jesus as the fulfillment of Israel’s hope for redemption. In Simeon’s words we find a prediction of Mary’s witnessing of Jesus’ death on the cross. The Canticle of Simeon, also called by its Latin name, Nunc Dimitis, is prayed at night prayer, or compline, during the Liturgy of the Hours.
REFLECTION for Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God
Imitate her Faith
Way back in 431, there was a bitter controversy among theologians over the role of Mary in the Catholic Church. They debated the question: Who is Mary in God’s plan?
In the end, the bishops declared that Mary is really the mother of Jesus and Jesus is really God. So, it must be said that Mary is the Mother of God. The oldest Christian greeting of Mary was proclaimed when Mary’s relative Elizabeth called her “Mother of my Lord.” When Elizabeth welcomed Mary, she recognized both the great privilege God had given Mary and Mary’s great faith in accepting it.
For centuries, Mary has been praised because she believed. She is Mother of God because of her faith in God. The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, celebrates Mary’s faith and trust in God alone. The Church wants us to imitate her faith.
- Loyola Press
Mass Intentions
Sunday, December 31
· Healing Mass for Yanic Pean by Chantel Pean
· Repose Betty Watson by daughter Bev
· Repose Serafino & Maria Cusano/Fiore & Enza Romano by Adelina & Angelo Cusano
· Repose Curtis Dayton by Aime & Terry Lehouillier
Monday, January 1
· Spec. Intention - Thanksgiving Mass by Rosa Zivarts
Tuesday, January 2
· Repose Helen O’Brien by Elizabeth Livingston
· Repose Josefa & All My Loved Ones by Flory Nielsen
Wednesday, January 3
· Spec. Intention Jeanette Bertram by Bev Watson
· Repose Celine Landry by Lorne & Helene Brooks
Thursday, January 4
· Repose Quiteria Baricaua by Anita Oandasan
Friday, January 5
· Spec. Intention Diana Froh by Bev Watson
Saturday, January 6
· Repose Victorio Baricaua by Anita Oandasan
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:
January 1st, 2024 --- For the year 2024, January 8th will be our next meeting.
School Events
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
UPCOMING MARRIAGE & FAMILY EVENTS
• Making Sense of Counterwill - January23 - February 20*
• Spiritual Care Training Program - February 1 - March 21
• Weekend Getaway Marriage Conference - February 16 - 18
• Momentum Single Mothers Gathering - February 24
• Together for Good Marriage Workshop - March 2
*MAKING SENSE OF COUNTERWILL – Tuesday evenings, January 23 – February 20 - 7:30-9:30pm. Online via Zoom/$25 cost to register.
The instinct to resist being controlled or coerced is one of the most perplexing and troublesome dynamics in dealing with children and youth. This course reveals the dynamics controlling this instinct and provides suggestions for how to deal with it.
This material is applicable for all those dealing with toddlers through adolescents: teachers, parents, and helping professionals.
WORLD YOUTH DAY - LISBON 2023
Discover the essence of WYD Lisbon 2023 in the video created by WYD Canada.
Please click the link below:
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
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  | If you would like to let St. Edmund Parishioners know of the services your company provides, please contact the Parish Office about advertising on this page. Thank you. |
Our Parish Community is asked to pray for the Special Intentions of Ashley |  |  |