First Sunday of Advent
Important Updates
Online Giving
Make a weekly, or one-time donation to the St. Edmund's Parish collection.
CONGRATULATIONS ST. EDMUND'S CWL ON 100TH ANNIVERSARY
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Today, as we gather to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Catholic Women's League at St. Edmund's, we give thanks to God for the many blessings, the countless lives touched, and the enduring spirit of service that has flourished within this parish community. For a century, the women of the CWL have been an incredible witness to the Gospel, embodying Christ’s love through their selfless work, devotion, and faith.
In the Gospel reading today, we hear the story of Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth, a moment filled with joy, humility, and profound faith. Mary, after receiving the message from the angel, hurried to help Elizabeth in her time of need. In her action, we see the essence of Christian service: a willingness to go out of oneself, to share in the joys and sorrows of others, and to give of oneself completely for the good of others. It is this same spirit that has guided the women of the CWL for the past 100 years.
Mary’s song of praise, the Magnificat, echoes through time, proclaiming the greatness of the Lord and the many ways He works through humble hearts. As Mary rejoices in God's blessing, we, too, rejoice today as we reflect on the legacy of service and faithfulness that the CWL has built at St. Edmund’s.
Over these past 100 years, the women of the CWL have been a beacon of love, support, and action within our parish and beyond. From organizing community outreach to supporting the needs of the poor and vulnerable, from leading spiritual formation to fostering a sense of belonging for all, their efforts have been a living testament to the mission of the Church.
The Catholic Women’s League has been a place where women, guided by faith and fueled by love, have come together in fellowship to live out the Gospel. Through prayer, charity, and action, they have shown that service is not just about doing good works—it’s about living the heart of the Gospel in the world.
As we mark this significant milestone, let us remember that the legacy of the CWL is not just about the past—it is about the future. The women who have gone before us, who laid the foundation of service and faith, have set a powerful example for those who will follow. But the work is not done. As we look ahead to the next 100 years, we are called to continue this work, to carry the torch of faith, and to keep the light of Christ shining brightly in our community.
St. Paul speaks of how the body of Christ is made up of many parts, each with its own role and purpose. So too, the Catholic Women's League has been an essential part of the body of Christ at St. Edmund’s. The work of the CWL has been vital to the health and growth of our parish, and each member has played an indispensable role in the mission of our Church. We celebrate their unique gifts, and we are grateful for their tireless commitment to Christ’s work in the world.
As we celebrate this milestone, let us also take time to reflect on how each of us can contribute to the ongoing mission of Christ’s Church. The spirit of the CWL is one of inclusivity, compassion, and action. Let us, like Mary, be ready to say “yes” to God’s calling, ready to serve in whatever ways we are called, and to be agents of His love and mercy in the world.
Today, we thank God for the rich history of the Catholic Women's League at St. Edmund’s. We give thanks for the women who have shaped this legacy through their faith, their service, and their love. And we pray that God will continue to bless the CWL in the years to come, guiding them to be a source of light, hope, and love for all.
Let us also pray for all the women of the CWL—past and present—that they may continue to be inspired by the example of Mary, our model of service, humility, and faith. May the Lord bless them abundantly and may their work continue to bear fruit in the lives of all who encounter it.
May the Lord bless the Catholic Women's League at St. Edmund's, and may they continue to shine His light for many more years to come.
May He bless us and give us the Grace. Amen.
THE FILIPINO MASS is on the 1st Sunday of the month at 6 pm.
FIRST FRIDAY is on December 6th – Adoration begins after 9 am Mass (no 7:30 am Mass that day) followed by Benediction at 6:45 pm and Mass at 7 pm. A sign-up sheet is on the cabinet just outside the Confessional – it would be greatly appreciated if 2-3 people could sign up per time slot.
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.
2024-25 SUNDAY MISSALS are available from the Parish Office at $5.00 each. There is a limited supply
ADVENT PENITENTIAL SERVICES:
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 4TH @ 9:30 AM – St. Edmund’s School
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 11TH – 7-8:30 PM – St. Pius
THURSDAY, DEC. 12TH – 7-8:30 PM – St. Edmund’s
FRIDAY, DEC. 13TH – 9am – Noon – STA
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 18TH – 10-30 am – 12:30 pm – St. Stephen’s
THURSDAY, DEC. 19TH – 7-8:30 am – Christ the Redeemer
MASS SCHEDULE FOR DECEMBER 15 TO JANUARY 2
CHRISTMAS TREE SET-UP & DECORATION
We are excited to announce that the Christmas trees have arrived! A heartfelt thank you to the badminton team for helping us transport them. We kindly ask for your assistance in two key activities:
Setting up the trees – Saturday, December 7th starting at 10:00 am
Decorating the trees – Sunday, December 8th after the 11:00 am Mass
Your help will be greatly appreciated in making this event a success. A special thank you goes to all the generous sponsors who have made this possible by sponsoring the trees. We look forward to working together to bring the holiday spirit to life!
SPECIAL DECEMBER 8TH EVENT – The Knights will provide their delicious breakfast after the 8 & 9:30 am Masses & the CWL will host the Craft & Bake Sale throughout the morning (see the following poster). Not only that – North Shore Pro Life Christmas Cards will be available at $10.00 per pack/ 3pkgs for $25. What a great way to get the Christmas Season underway!
CHRISTMAS PARTY VOLUNTEERS
We are looking for Volunteers to help decorate the gym for the Christmas Party
DATE: Friday, December 13
TIME: 4:30 pm to 9 pm
Please contact Marie Dayton 604 990 4542, email madayton123@gmail.com or the Parish Office 604 988 3211.
ST. EDMUND'S CHRISTMAS DINNER & CHRISTMAS TREE DISPLAYS is on Saturday, December 14 @ 6 pm. Tickets are available after all Masses starting next weekend.
Prices are Adults - $40
Children aged 6 to 12 - $20.
Children under 5 are admitted free. Reserved seating is being offered.
Special Notes
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
WITNESSING TO GOD'S UNFAILING LOVE
Today is the first Sunday of Advent, which is also the first Sunday of the new liturgical year. The Advent season includes the four Sundays that precede Christmas. Advent is a time of preparation for the coming of the Lord. In this season, we recall two central elements of our faith: the final coming of the Lord in glory and the incarnation of the Lord in the birth of Jesus. The key themes of the Advent season are watchful waiting, preparation, and justice.
In this new liturgical year, the Gospel of Luke will be the primary Gospel proclaimed (Lectionary Cycle C). Today's Gospel is taken from the last chapter before the passion narrative in which Jesus is teaching in the Temple. We hear Jesus speak to his disciples about the need for vigilance and prayer as they wait for the coming of the Son of Man in glory. This passage marks the conclusion of a lengthy dialogue in which Jesus predicts the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, warns about the persecution and tribulations to follow, and identifies the signs that will signal the coming of the Son of Man in glory.
The community for whom Luke wrote his Gospel may have believed that they were already experiencing some of the events Jesus described. Most scholars believe that Luke's Gospel was written after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 A.D. At the time, many Christians interpreted this event as an indication that Jesus' second coming was near.
Though Jesus predicts a time of destruction and fear, Jesus indicates that others will be frightened; Jesus' disciples are not to fear, but are to stand tall. Yet Jesus does not promise deliverance from anxiety or tribulations. He encourages his disciples to pray for strength. The early Christian communities did not find consolation in the promise of a utopia, nor should we. Instead, we find in our Christian faith the means by which we witness to God's unfailing love for us in all circumstances.
Jesus' predictions about the end times may sound dire, but in the next paragraph Luke tells us that people woke early to listen to Jesus' teaching in the Temple area. In his person and in his message, those who heard Jesus found strength and consolation. Like the first Christians, we may encounter events and circumstances that could lead us to despair. Through prayer, however, we find strength and consolation in Jesus' words and in his continuing presence with us to endure all things and to witness to the action of God in our world.
~ Loyola Press
Mass Intentions
Sunday, December 1
Repose Anna Michniewcz by daughter Zofia
Spec. Intention Vince Harriott by Barbara Stuart
Repose Raffaele Cusano by wife Rosa
Repose Felice Pistilli by daughter Maria & Domenico & family
Repose Josefina Tupaz by Alba & Dina Tupaz
Monday, December 2
Repose St. Edmund Parishioners
Repose John Keaveney by Sister Catherine Burke, SEJ
Tuesday, December 3
Spec. Intention Dylan Teng & Andy Xie by Liz Wong
Wednesday, December 4
Repose Matt Huet by Liz Wong
Thursday, December 5
Spec. Intention Marie Melgarejo by Barbara Stuart
Friday, December 6
Repose All Souls by Rosa Zivarts
Spec. Intention Christine Gallagher/House of Prayer by Janet Ficocelli
Parish Events
CWL 2nd Thursday of each month @ 7 PM
CWL Bake & Craft Sale Dec 08 after all Masses
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
A SWEET DEAL - Stock up on beautiful Christmas gift boxes, classic Purdy’s Favourites, Himalayan Pink Salt Caramels, Sweet Georgia Browns and so much more. All profits will go directly to St Edmunds Elementary Fine Arts Department and to will benefit YOUR child directly. So, satisfy those cravings and get all your Christmas gift-shopping done while supporting a great cause. 😊💜 The deadline to order is end of day December 1st.
What you need:
Campaign number: 22052
Campaign link: https://fundraising.purdys.com/1970486-120748
Once orders close, you can collect your delicious treats on December 10 at the St Edmunds Gym - Mahon Street entrance. 📦 Share the love with friends and family who might be interested – it means the world to us! 🌍💖
St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School
The STA Annual Poinsettia Sale
Pick-ups will take place on December 4 and December 5.
Global Day of Philanthropy
Did you know that #GivingTuesday is a Global Day of Philanthropy each year? This day is an opportunity for our entire community to come together to make a lasting impact on our school and students.
When you give on #GivingTuesday, your donation goes directly to the STA Giving & Gratitude Annual Fund. This year, we have a participation challenge. If we reach 50 donor participants on Tuesday, December 3, a generous STA family will donate $10,000.
Why give? Your contribution plays a pivotal role in supporting programs and initiatives that go beyond what government funding and tuition can provide. While the priorities of the Fund change from year to year, their goal is the same: to provide STA Saints with enhancements and opportunities so they can thrive and achieve excellence.
Our fundraising priorities for this year are: staging for performances, events and masses, and a new, small school bus. While the student-led Walkathon achieved our fundraising priorities for the new staging, our focus now is on the new school bus. A bus is more than just transportation. By giving, you're providing students with an opportunity to:
build memories singing silly songs at the top of their lungs, much to the annoyance of teacher sponsors!
participate in music and choral festivals to showcase their talents to win first place
bond on the bus ride home after winning a key game or race
Your gift can be made online, through stocks and securities, or by cheque and is fully tax-deductible. It can be a one-time gift or a monthly contribution. On December 3, click here to make your gift and help us to achieve our participation potential.
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
Date Night - Kindle the Joy
Thursday, Dec 5| 6:30 pm-9:00 pm, St. Clare of Assisi Parish, Coquitlam
Join us for our 6th annual Date Night, kindly hosted by Saint Clare of Assisi Parish in Coquitlam. This is open to all married couples and is also a great opportunity for mentor and mentee couples to join us for a joy-filled dinner of celebration and encouragement. It's a time set aside to:
Have intentional marriage-strengthening conversations
Learn and laugh with other couples with the same values
Hit pause and make space for your relationship, allowing the grace of God to shed wisdom and light to see each other in a new way
Click here to register. The fee is $40 per couple
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.
LITTLE FLOWER ACADEMY
Accepting applications from prospective Grade Eight candidates for the 2025-2026 school year. All students wishing to apply must sit the ENTRANCE EXAM on Saturday, December 7, 2024. For more information and online application, please visit our website (www.lfabc.org) or contact Kathi Wilson, Registrar at wilsonk@lfabc.org or 604-738-9016 ext. 114.
Ember of Hope - An Advent Retreat for Divorced and Separated
Location John Paul II Pastoral Centre 4885 Saint John Paul II Way Vancouver, BC V5Z 0G3 | Date and Time Saturday, Dec 14, 20249:30 AM - 3:00 PM |
Do the weeks leading up to Christmas ever feel like a hurried race to a finish line? Do the holidays bring a particular kind of tension within your relationships and spiritual life? How can we truly encounter Christ in the midst of our busy and complicated lives?Join us as we explore Christ's love during the season of Advent, the season of anticipation and hope. Adoration and the sacrament of Reconciliation will be available. The talks, guided meditation, sharing, and worship songs will be led by Deacon Andre and Vea Coronado. They have been serving youth, family, and parish ministry together for nearly 2 decades. After being married for 11 years, Andre was ordained into the Permanent Diaconate. They both serve Our Lady of Mercy parish.
Registration deadline: Please see link below to register
Registration is $20 - Register by Dec. 9 – Below is the link to the Registration page
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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