Category Archives: Liturgy

Featured, Liturgy

Fr. Jim’s homily & liturgical resources for the Epiphany of the Lord

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St. Joseph’s Parish wishes you good health, much light and joy as we enter into a new year. Fr. Jim has prepared a video homily for the Epiphany of the Lord and we are also sharing with you resources for this Sunday. At this time, we would like to communicate a reminder that on Saturday, January 1st, 2022 (New Year’s Day) and on Sunday, January 2, 2022 there will be a single Mass on each of those days, celebrated at 11:00 a.m.

In his homily for the Epiphany of the Lord, Fr. Jim shares:

“When I was a little boy, I remember a time in the middle of winter, when the whole town of Whitehorse was overwhelmed by darkness when the electricity generated by the dam was shut down. The sudden lost of light caused me and my siblings to panic and we cried out in fear as we tried to find each other in the dark. Our mother’s response was to light a candle and place it on the coffee table in the living room. A small act of motherly love and concern which drew us kids together around that tiny light, no longer afraid and delighting in our unusual situation.

As we celebrate the Feast of Epiphany may we recognize the revelation of Emmanuel, may God’s light and truth lead us on our journey of life; may these gifts help us live the unity and oneness God has created, in a way that overcomes the darkness of our world.” Continue reading Fr. Jim’s homily & liturgical resources for the Epiphany of the Lord →

Bulletins, Featured, Liturgy, Music Ministry

Fourth Sunday of Advent & Father Jim’s Reflection

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As we move through Advent,  Fr Jim Bleackley offers the reflection for the 4th Sunday.
” The story of the Visitation is our story. God communicates with us inviting us to be a part of his saving plan; to make God’s presence, truth and love visible in our time and place. In our darkened world which struggles to face the pain and suffering caused by the ever increasing pandemic, the dangerous crisis of climate change, the mass movement of migrants and refugees and the injustices inflicted on Indigenous peoples, let us remember that we are a people overwhelmed by God’s goodness and peace. Believing that nothing is impossible with God, let us be lights for the world by allowing God’s saving power to flow through our faith, hope and love. Remember that the mystery of the Incarnation teaches us that we can only do that by accepting to becoming one with those who are suffering and walk this difficult path with God’s wisdom and grace.”

Reflection Youtube link

Continue reading Fourth Sunday of Advent & Father Jim’s Reflection →

Liturgy

All Saints’ & All Souls’ at St. Joseph’s Parish

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In the book A Pilgrim’s Almanac, Edward Hays shares:

The Feast of all Saints is a day to celebrate all saints, including the unknown saints whose names are not mentioned in the Holy Hall of Fame of the Church. This is a day to recall that we are all called to be holy. Pray today that someday in the future this will be your feast day too. November 2nd is the Feast of All the Holy Dead. It is a day to remember those you loved who have passed through the doorway of death. Take time today to prayerfully recall those family members, friends and significant people in your life who have died. 

Continue reading All Saints’ & All Souls’ at St. Joseph’s Parish →

Featured, Liturgy, Reflections

Mark McCormick’s Reflection and a Parish Update for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Mark McCormick offers us this weekend’s reflection. In it, Mark shares: “Jesus asks us today to be on the leading edge of change, for we cannot escape the conclusion that human hearts outside of God make enemies of the other. When we watch unfolding tragedies and say “no more” and “not again”, the pattern still endures and emerges with another group suffering under our oppressive ways.

In Christ, our hearts are tamed and taught in the gentle and humble ways of peace, understanding and friendship. These are the ways that Jesus lived. His sacred heart reaches out to us today to imitate his compassion for one another.” Continue reading Mark McCormick’s Reflection and a Parish Update for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time →

Featured, Liturgy, Reflections

Fr. Jim’s Reflection, Zoom Liturgy of the Word and a Parish Update for Pentecost

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Fr. Jim offers the reflection for Pentecost and shares: “There is only one way to believe in the resurrection of Jesus. And that is to believe in the spirit  being alive in our midst today.  Like the first disciples, gathering together in faith and prayer, we experience the presence of the risen Christ.” Continue reading Fr. Jim’s Reflection, Zoom Liturgy of the Word and a Parish Update for Pentecost →

Featured, Liturgy, News, Reflections

Eleanor Rabnett’s Reflection, Zoom Liturgy of the Word and a Parish Update on Ascension Sunday

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On Sunday, May 16, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. we once again invite you to attend our Liturgy of the Word service on Zoom. Please register here. Eleanor Rabnett offers the reflection for Ascension Sunday in video format, as well as in full-text version here: Ascension Sunday May 15, 16 2021.  In her reflection. Eleanor shares:

“Paul’s letter to the Ephesians reminds us how we have been called to live and maintain a new relationship of peace; by invoking the qualities of deep humility, gentleness, enduring patience, and love. He speaks of the unity of the Christian community with Christ as the head and the Church as the body. One God, one faith, one baptism. Different gifts are given to different people; some are to be apostles, prophets, preachers, pastors, teachers, parents just to name a few: all to build up the Body of Christ. All to serve God, the Church and each other.” Continue reading Eleanor Rabnett’s Reflection, Zoom Liturgy of the Word and a Parish Update on Ascension Sunday →

Featured, Liturgy, Reflections

John Mark Keyes’ Reflection, Zoom Liturgy of the Word and a Parish Update for the Sixth Sunday of Easter

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The reflection for this Sunday is offered by John Mark Keyes, available as a video recording and also at our Zoom Liturgy of the Word service on Sunday, May 9th, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. (Please register here.) In his reflection, John Mark explores the different ways that we have come to understand the concept of both love and friendship. What does it mean to see God as a friend, rather than as a stern, distant figure? What does it mean to see God as love? Continue reading John Mark Keyes’ Reflection, Zoom Liturgy of the Word and a Parish Update for the Sixth Sunday of Easter →

Featured, Liturgy, Reflections

Fr. Jim’s Reflection, Live Zoom Liturgy of the Word and a Parish Update for the Fifth Sunday of Easter

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Fr. Jim offers us the reflection for this weekend, when we will once again hold a live Liturgy of the Word service on Sunday, May 2, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. (Please register here to receive your Zoom link.) In his video reflection, Fr. Jim shares: “We hear the call to abide in Jesus, as he abides in us; that he is the vine and we are the branches.  The image of Jesus as the vine  and us as the branches explains that we are an intimate and inexplicable part of him, and of one another. For the author of John’s gospel, this blessing and choice marks us as disciples of Jesus. Most of the time, we consider discipleship of Jesus to be a following after him.  This is a consistent image in the Synoptic Gospels. However,  in John’s Gospel, discipleship is not an action or a movement, but a permanent dwelling in Jesus. ” Continue reading Fr. Jim’s Reflection, Live Zoom Liturgy of the Word and a Parish Update for the Fifth Sunday of Easter →

Featured, Liturgy, News, Reflections

Andrew Pump’s Reflection, Live Zoom Liturgy of the Word and a Parish Update for the Fourth Sunday of Easter

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On Sunday, April 25, 2021 at 10:30 a.m., we will be holding a Liturgy of the Word service live over Zoom. While the current provincial restrictions do not make it possible for us to gather on weekends, we look forward to seeing you each Sunday during this period on Zoom. Please register here to receive the Zoom link. We are also offering weekday noon Mass on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday with a reduced capacity of 10 people. If you would like to attend, please register here.

Andrew Pump offers the reflection for this weekend, exploring the concept of the good shepherd. He references Fratelli Tutti,  where Pope Francis reminds us that we are called to meet people wherever they are; to be with them in their lives, no questions asked. Francis notes that our communities still have a problem with Pharisees, yet as members of the Church, we are always called to seek out the lost and injured. Continue reading Andrew Pump’s Reflection, Live Zoom Liturgy of the Word and a Parish Update for the Fourth Sunday of Easter →

Featured, Liturgy, Reflections

Fr. Jim’s Homily and a Parish Update for the Third Sunday of Easter

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St. Joseph’s Parish remains open for Mass on the weekend of April 17-18, 2021 by registration.  (Please register here to attend.) Fr. Jim offers the homily for the Third Sunday of Easter.  Our Pastor shares: “We can only begin to discover the truth of Jesus having been raised when we allow ourselves to be grasped by the power of the Risen One; when we allow ourselves to be transformed by Him. The truth of the Resurrection of Jesus will only begin to dawn on us when we act and speak in the power of the Risen One. ” Continue reading Fr. Jim’s Homily and a Parish Update for the Third Sunday of Easter →