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1st Sunday of Advent
Nov. 29th & 30th, 2014
STM SOUND MINISTRY:
– Volunteers needed to assist with the operation of the sound board during parish liturgies and
celebrations. No technical experience is necessary; training and mentoring is provided. Contact Johanna Dietrich, Music
Ministry Coordinator, at johanna@dietrichconsulting.com or (780) 919-3747 for more information.
The Society of St. Vincent De Paul donations in lieu of Christmas gifts program will
continue to accept donations in the month of December. Please place your envelopes in the collection basket at mass or in
the SSVP poor box next to the coffee/snack station. Please ensure that all mailing data is legible and filled out so tax receipts
can be mailed. We thank those in advance for their support. If you or someone you know need help or wish to donate furniture
or household goods, please give us a call at 780-471-5577 or visit us at www.ssvpedmonton.ca
THE SOCIETY OF SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL:
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
St. Thomas More Parish
210 Haddow Close Edmonton, AB
T6R 2P3
The next meeting will be held Monday Nov. 24th and Dec. 1st at Annunciation Church. Any questions
or concerns please call: Charlotte DeRudder at 780-446-6357.
FRANCISCAN FOOTSTEPS:
SIGN OF HOPE:
CLERGY
SPIRITUAL SHARING CIRCLE:
PASTOR
ASSOCIATE PASTOR
PERMANENT DEACON
RESIDENT PRIEST
“Through Catholic Social Services’ Therapeutic Counselling, Parenting – Teen Medication, and Family Capacity
Building programs, the Agency provides innovative and effective supports to children, teens, couples, and families in crisis.”
will meet on Tuesday, Dec 2nd at 1:00 PM at St. Thomas More Parish, for a Lenten retreat with Fr.
Matthew Hysell. Theme: mental prayer. Everyone is welcome. For information call Maureen Gouveia at 780-438-7060.
Fr. Andrew Bogdanowicz
Fr. Jaya Rajan J. M. SAC
Dk. Randall Abele
Fr. Stan Blaszkowski
PASTORAL MINISTRY
Monica Bober
Ext. 227
Kathleen Eistetter
Diane Middleton
Johanna Dietrich
Darlene Smigelski
Kathleen Gust
Ext. 235
Ext. 233
Ext. 226
Ext. 226
CHRISTMAS BAKE SALE AND CRAFT SALE:
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR
SECRETARY/RECEPTIONIST
BOOKKEEPER
MAINTENANCE/GROUNDS
EVENING RECEPTIONIST
David Matwie
Sherisse Schindel
Dora Jankowska
Arthur Connick
Doreen Schmidt
Ext. 236
Ext. 228
Ext. 222
Ext. 231
Ext. 228
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE 8TH ANNUAL KAROL WOJTYLA NATIVITY PLAY:
TELEPHONE
780-434-6313
FAX
780-438-2088
THE GIVING TREE: is
a St. Thomas More Advent tradition. As a parish, we take time to share our good fortune with the women
and children of the Lurana Shelter, a refuge for those fleeing family violence. We will be in the front gathering place of the
Church the first weekend of Advent, Nov. 29th /30th. The angels and stars hanging on the Giving Tree suggest items that are
needed for the Lurana Shelter. Each parish family is encouraged to pick an angel or star and return a new item during the
following three weekends of Advent. In 2013 our parish donated approximately 7,400 new items of clothing, toiletries, books,
toys, games and creative activities. A special request to fund baby cribs for the Shelter was a remarkable success and eight
hospital quality baby cribs were purchased. Families are encouraged to keep the angel or star to hang on their own Christmas
tree as a reminder of a special Advent gift. Once again the Catholic Girls’ League will be decorating the angels and stars.
PLEASE ENSURE ALL TOYS ARE OF A NON-VIOLENT NATURE AND PLEASE DO NOT WRAP THE GIFTS.
JEWELLERY AND CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS & GIFT ITEMS FOR SALE Nov.
28th, 2014 at 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM at St. Joseph's Auxiliary Hospital, 10707 – 29th Avenue NW, Edmonton
Sat. Dec 6 at 2 p.m., Grant MacEwan University
10045 - 156 Street, Edmonton. Tickets $12 in advance by phoning TIX on the Square at 780-420-1757. Cast of 52 children
and youth perform the traditional nativity story. Bring the whole family for an enjoyable afternoon!
YOUTH & FAMILY
COORDINATOR
SACRAMENT ASSISTANT
SACRAMENT ASSISTANT
MUSIC COORDINATOR
RC IA COORDINATOR
RCIA ASSISTANT
OFFICE STAFF
Masses Offered
ARE YOU REGISTERED WITH THE PARISH OFFICE? Being registered with the parish office is of the utmost importance.
It allows us to serve all parishioners by providing a better vision of the active populace so that we may respond to the needs
of this growing and dynamic parish. Please do not assume that you are automatically registered if you or your children have
received sacraments at STM or if you live within the parish boundaries and attend Mass. The only way we can register you
and your family is upon your submission of a registration form. These forms are on the counter at the main entrance. If you
attend St. Thomas More Parish and have not yet registered, or if your information is not up to date, please fill out a
registration form and return it to the parish office.
NEW PARISHIONERS / CHANGE OF ADDRESS - Please fill out a Parish Registration Form located on the counter below
the bulletin board at the church entrance.
INTERESTED IN PRE-AUTHORIZED DONATIONS? – The Pre-Authorized Donation (PAD) Forms are located on the
counter below the bulletin board at the church entrance. PAD tokens are available on the counter at the church entrance.
Dec. 1.
Dec. 2
Dec. 3
Dec. 4
Dec. 5
Dec. 6
Dec. 7
Dec. 7
Dec. 7
Dec. 7
7:00 pm
7:00 pm
8:30 am
8:30 am
8:30 am
5:00 pm
8:30 am
10:00 am
12:00 pm
6:00 pm
Vincent Silveira
Cressy Silveira
+ Florida Belland
+ Ron Tarnowski
+ Joseph Kuruvila
+ Paul Wan
Zach Pyshniak
+ Willem Jan Baas
All Parishioners
+ David Crosby
With the beginning of the season of Advent, we begin a new
liturgical year. The first Sunday of Advent is the Church’s “New
Year’s Day.” In the Judeo-Christians tradition, Sunday begins at
sundown the day before when the faithful celebrated the First
Vespers. Therefore, the first Sunday of Advent is celebrated as
the beginning of the Christmas cycle.
Advent comes from the Latin word for an arrival or coming. It
means that the Lord is coming. Jesus Christ our brother in our
humanity and our God in His divinity is about to arrive. But He
comes to us in different ways. Firstly, Jesus came to us at a
specific point in history over at Bethlehem about 2000 years
ago. But in the Church’s great feast of Christmas He mystically
comes again. Secondly, our Lord, the Alpha and the Omega
will come to judge the living and the dead in His Second
Coming. Thirdly, our Redeemer comes to us in grace and He
speaks to us in our consciences, He comes to us in the
Eucharist and in the Word of God proclaimed in the gospel.
Fourthly, He arrives in the person of the beggar, the needy,
the suffering, and the oppressed. Therefore, we must be ready
to receive and welcome Him when and however He comes.
Advent is a time of joy tinged with penance. Joy, because we
can imagine nothing sweeter than the Christ Child and His
Mother Mary’s bliss at the light of His coming. Penance
because we must strive to be properly prepared to receive the
great gift of his presence. In the millennial tradition of the
church we faithful have done penance before great feasts.
Christmas and Easter each have their penitential seasons in
anticipation, Advent and Lent.
The liturgical colours used in Latin Churches for the liturgy
during both Advent and Lent is purple, a sign of penance. The
Latin Church also emphasizes the penitential dimensions
directing the use of sparse ornaments in the church and by
legislating the instrumental music of the season that is being
used, except to sustain congregational singing. This is a kind of
liturgical fast, which then makes the joyous celebration at
Christmas all that much more powerful by the contrast of the
lean and muted Advent.
Advent is a time of great joy, because we look forward to the
beautiful feast of the joyful stitched through with sombre and
focused spiritual preparation by doing penance.
2015: Missals are for sale in the
parish office. You may obtain them from the parish
office for $5 each for the adult Missal’s and $10
each for the children’s missals.
SUNDAY MISSALS
REFUGEE SPONSORSHIP:
has formed a Refugee
Sponsorship Committee to sponsor Syrian and
Iraqi Christians to become free of persecution and
to immigrate to Canada (Edmonton) from their
war-torn countries. We are in need of volunteers to
help our committee for this VERY important cause!
If you can help, please contact Eric Green at 780436-2072.
Nov. 13th and
every 2nd Thurs. of the month thereafter. Fr.
Michael Troy Jr. High School from 6pm. at 363023rd St. The topic for our first Eucharistic
Catechesis will be ‘The Eucharist: Sacrament &
Sacrifice’ by Fr. Matthew Hysell.
EUCHARISTIC CATECHESIS: Beginning
YOU ARE INVITED TO A CHRISTMAS PLAY!:
“Come
experience the meaning of Christmas with family
and friends at a Christmas Pageant, presented by
the Challenge and Conquest Club. The play will
take place on Dec 12th at 7 p.m. in the Parish Hall.
Everyone is welcome to attend and share in this
special event. Monetary donations will be
accepted at the door and will be placed towards
our parish’s refugee projects
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEWLY BAPTIZED:
During
the month of November the following children were
received into our Parish family through the
Sacrament of Baptism:
Jacob M., Ethan T., Jennifer and Myles L., Kiera
O., Andrew R., Maximus B., Alexander B.,
Ruistelle D., Maria G.G., Michael K., Aviana M.,
Daphne M., Saryn R. and Asha Z.
THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM:
is for infants to age 7 by which children
become members of the Body of Christ, the Church. To prepare for
your child’s baptism, visit our website: www.stmparish.com or pick up
a Baptism brochure at the church entrance. When you have all the
documentation, call Diane at (780) 434-6313 ext. 233 to set up an
office visit on our scheduled dates (afternoon or evening appointments
available) and register for the Baptism Preparation Session(s). Next
Baptism Preparation session will be Jan. 5th and 12th, 2015
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEWLY BAPTIZED:
During the month of
November the following children were received into our Parish family
through the Sacrament of Baptism:
Jacob M., Ethan T., Jennifer and Myles L., Kiera O., Andrew R.,
Maximus B., Alexander B., Ruistelle D., Maria G.G., Michael K.,
Aviana M., Daphne M., Saryn R. and Asha Z.
FIRST RECONCILIATION AND FIRST HOLY COMMUNION:
1st Reconciliation
and 1st Holy Communion are offered to children in grade 2. See the
green Sacrament brochure in your Catholic school office or the parish
brochure stand for details. St.Thomas More offers Drop-in Registration
at the parish. The Drop-in Registration occurs from 9-11 am. The final
3 Drop-In Registrations are Sat. Dec. 6, Sat. Jan. 3 and Sat. Jan.
31.
CONFIRMATION 2014:
This weekend the 163 young people who have
prepared for the sacrament of Confirmation will be Sealed with the Gift
of the Holy Spirit. Archbishop Richard Smith will celebrate two special
masses for the Confirmands on Sunday. Please keep these young
parishioners in your prayers.
will take place March 13,
14 and 15, 2015. For details, email
stm.marriagepreparation@gmail.com. Information about other
Marriage Preparation programs can be found on the Archdiocese
web-site at: caedm.ca.
ADVENT PENITENTIAL CELEBRATION AT ST.THOMAS MORE
Our Penitential Celebration will take place Wednesday, December 17th starting at 7 p.m.
Prior Week Donations: Nov 16th
Regular Sunday - $18, 076
Sign of Hope - $20 Together We Serve - $15
Children’s Fund: ESK OMI Mission ‐ $1,000 Our Lady of Victory Camp ‐ $2,000 Holy Childhood Association ‐ $2,000 POINSETTIAS: STM is accepting donations for poinsettias. If you wish the donation can be made in memory of a loved one. The
suggested donation is $20. You can drop off your donation at the parish office or place the donation in the collection basket in
an envelope marked “POINSETTIA.” (Clearly print the name, if your donation is in memory of a loved one).
SIGN OF HOPE PAD:
In 2015 the Sign of Hope Campaign will be merging with Together We Serve. As noted on the PreAuthorized Donation Form, all Sign of Hope Pre Authorized donations will be transferred to the Together We Serve Annual
contribution which will be withdrawn from the parishioner’s bank accounts on Mar. 1st of each year. If you would like to make
changes in regards to this, please revise your preauthorized donation form or contact the parish bookkeeper.
GROCERY CARD PROGRAM:
The St. Thomas More Parish Grocery Card Program is now underway. Members of the Knights of
Columbus council will be selling grocery cards before and after all Sunday morning masses. They will also be selling grocery
cards on the first Saturday of each month, before and after the 5:00pm Mass. This is a great way to assist the parish and the
less fortunate. Please take the time to support the program and our volumes will continue to grow.
STM FOOD BANK:
Our St. Thomas More pantry is bare. We need small household sizes of jams, Cheese Whiz, mustard,
ketchup, dish soap, liquid hand soap, soups, can ham, can chicken and rice. We thank our parishioners in advance for their
generosity.
MARRIAGE PREPARATION AT ST. THOMAS MORE:
Liturgical Calendar
THE SISTERS OF CHARITY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: invite
you to join them in celebrating 90 years of ministry in Alberta.
The celebration will take place at St. Alphonsus Church on Sunday, December 7, beginning with Eucharistic Liturgy at 2:00
pm and followed by a reception in the Parish Hall.The Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate came to Edmonton in 1924 at the
invitation of Archbishop H. J.O’Leary and the Redemptorist Fathers, to teach school in the newly founded St. Alphonsus
Parish. The first “schools” were portable buildings and store fronts until a six-room brick school was opened in September
1927. From these humble beginnings the Sisters reached out in faith and love, responding to the needs of the people of
Alberta, in Radway, Wetaskiwin, Hanna, Fort Saskatchewan Spruce Grove, Lloydminster, Viking-Holden, Wainwright, Edson,
Camrose, and many of the rural parishes. We hope that you can join us in this, our Celebration of Thanksgiving, as we all
reflect on and thank God for the blessings of these 90 years.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS: Father
Mon. Dec. 1
Tues. Dec. 2
Wed. Dec. 3
Thurs. Dec. 4
Fri. Dec. 5
Sat. Dec. 6
Sun. Dec. 7
MASS
7:00 p.m.
MASS
7:00 p.m.
MASS
8:30 am
MASS
8:30 am
MASS
8:30 am
MASS
Reconciliation
6:30 p.m.
Reconciliation
6:00 p.m.
Reconciliation
8:00 am
Reconciliation
8:00 am
Reconciliation
8:00 am
MASSES
8:30 am
10:00 am
12:00 pm
6:00 pm
5:00 pm
Adoration
6:00 pm
R.C.I.A.
7:00 pm
Reconciliation
4:00 pm
Child’s Liturgy
5:00 pm
Children’s
Liturgy
All Masses
(except 6pm)
Bonner Council #7599 invites boys and girls in the Parish ages 5 14 to participate in the
organization’s international “Keep Christ in Christmas” poster contest. By engaging the creative talents and imaginations of
our young people, we hope they will come to a deeper understanding of the true, spiritual meaning of Christmas. The contest
will be conducted locally with winning entries advancing to the district/region and then to state, national and international
levels. The winning entries will serve as the basis for a series of new Christmas posters that encourage a deeper
understanding of the holiday. Posters must be submitted to Monica Bober, our Parish Youth and Family Coordinator, on or
before Dec. 15th. The posters will be distributed in the countries where the Knights are active as part of our “Keep Christ in
Christmas” campaign. Creative credit will also be given to the winning artists. K of C Father Bonner Council representatives
will present the project and discuss the participation in the contest during the Youth meeting on Nov. 5th at the Parish Church.
STAR OF THE NORTH RETREAT CENTRE:
Away Days – Sometimes it is good to get away, to simply ‘to be,’ instead of always
‘doing.’ Through a combination of presentations and reflective time, these day retreats will each focus on a different
contemporary spiritual book. It is not necessary to have read these books. Thurs Dec. 11: Evangelii Gaudium (Joy of the
Gospel) by Pope Francis. Facilitator: Sandy Prather. 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. $35/day OR $40/day at the door (includes lunch and a
day use of room when available)