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.”
Liturgical Resources
Fourth Sunday of Advent – December 19 2021 – Liturgy of the Word for use at home
READINGS FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT – 2021
READINGS FOR CHILDREN – Fourth Sunday of Advent 2021
Fourth Sunday of Advent 2021 – Prayers of the Faithful
Vocation Reflection by Serena Shaw, Oblate Associate
Parish Updates
Music Ministry Update *Tonight (Sunday)*
Service of Lessons & Carols for Christmas: St. Joe’s Supper Table Fundraiser
St. Joseph’s Parish Music Ministry is holding a Service of Lessons & Carols on Sunday, December 19, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. in our church. Admission is free, but freewill donations to support the outreach programs of the St. Joe’s Supper Table will be accepted with gratitude. The Service tells the story of the Fall of Adam, the faithful wait for the arrival of the Messiah and the birth of Jesus through music and readings. The Service will include arrangements of carols performed by the choir as well as congregational singing. Face masks and COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place. This is the Supper Table’s only significant fundraising opportunity this year. With an expanded meal service (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and higher costs, any donations raised at this service will be greatly appreciated. Please share information on this service with your contacts and if you can, please consider attending.
A St. Joe’s Fundraiser for Kateri Native Ministry- Last Weekend to Donate!!!!!!
In support of Kateri Native Ministry’s work in Reconciliation and healing, St. Joseph’s Parish has launched a special fundraising campaign that will run through Advent. We invite parishioners and friends in the broader community to contribute to this special collection – all proceeds will be given to Kateri Nativ
e Ministry at the end of our parish campaign.
Additionally, St. Joseph’s Parish will match parishioner contributions to Kateri by up to a total of $10,000.
You will be able to track the progress of this fundraising campaign on our parish website each week.Total raised to date: $7,005.00 For more information, please click here.
Indigenous Peoples and the Church: Walking Together Toward Healing and Reconciliation
Each week, beginning on Sunday, 21 November 2021, the Solemnity of Christ the King, the CCCB will release a video recording of a Bishop in Canada reflecting on the Gospel Reading for each Sunday of Advent. This year’s reflections were developed in view of the Indigenous Delegation travelling to Rome to meet with Pope Francis which has been postponed due to COVID-19. Each reflection is based one of the five essential stages of reconciliation: examen, confession, repentance, reparation (making amends), and reconciliation. Likewise, it is hoped these reflections will assist the faithful, Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike, in preparing for Pope Francis’ eventual apostolic journey to Canada. The topic for the Fourth week of Advent is about Reconciliation.
St Joe`s Supper Table Update
In addition to the Carol Service Fundraiser, the Supper Table will be selling Red Pepper Jelly, Strawberry Jam & Blueberry Jam after each mass while supplies last. 10$ per Jar (250ml). Cash, cheque, or credit cards accepted.
Christmas Poinsettia Donations –
Parishioners are invited to donate a poinsettia in memory of a loved one to help decorate our church this Christmas. The suggested donation is $20, or you may purchase your own. If you purchase a poinsettia, please bring it to our Front Office on weekdays or to church on weekends after December 15th, to ensure that the flowers remain healthy during Christmas season. If you prefer to offer a donation towards the purchase of a poinsettia, please visit the Front Office in person (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or call in your credit card information: 613-233-4095, ext. 251). We will include the names of loved ones both on our website, as well as on cards displayed with the flowers in the church. Please submit names to the Front Office by December 20th, 2021.
St Joseph’s History Series with Terry Byrne
Speaking with Terry Byrne as part of the Parish History Video Series, Parishioners Dianne and Tom Taylor share memories of St. Joseph’s Parish, focusing on the impact of Vatican II and what it means to be an inclusive, welcoming Catholic faith community.
Dianne and Tom Taylor Interview
ADVENT & CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE
Link: Advent and Christmas Schedule
Christmas Mass Registration
Currently, the capacity limit is set at 200. Please register every individual of your family attending this Mass in advance. All are welcome. If you have any questions, please contact the Front Office: 613 233 4095 ext 251 or frontdesk@st-josephs.ca.
Christmas Eve Mass 5pm registration form
Christmas Eve Mass 7pm registration form
Christmas Eve Mass 9pm registration form
Christmas Day Mass 11am registration form
Front Office News
Holliday Office Closure – the Front Office will be closed at 12pm December 24th, 2021 and reopen 8am January 3rd, 2022.
2021-2022 Missals are available for purchase, $5 cash, or cheque. Please contact the Front Office if you would like to purchase one: 613-233-4095 or frontdesk@st-josephs.ca.
2021-2022 Donation Envelops will soon arrive. However, if you no longer use envelops but have in the past, please contact David Trepanier in the Front Office: 613-233-4095 or frontdesk@st-josephs.ca.
Financial Stewardship
Sunday offerings for December 5th, 2021: $7,635
Mass Intentions
December 22, 2021: Jacqueline McKenna
December 23, 2021: Rick O`Reilly
Prayers for those who are sick: Francis Anne Smeaton, Jane McGarry
Prayers for those who have died: Wilma Guest, David Hicks, Daniel Robin, Dr. Stefan Lukan
Please contact Kathleen in the Front office (kstrader@st-josephs.ca) to add a name to the prayers for the sick & deceased.
