Bulletin – December 31, 2023

Happy New Year!

“The most beautiful thing that God made, was the family. All of the love that God has in Himself, all of the beauty that God has in Himself, all of the truth that God has in Himself, He gives to the family.”

Pope Francis

Heavenly Father, you have given us the model for life in the Holy Family. Please bless our families and help us to achieve the unity, peace and love of Jesus’ Holy Family of Nazareth.

Christmas Schedule 2023

FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY

Saturday December 30th – 4:30 PM Mass

Sunday, December 31st – 8:30 AM Mass, 10:30 AM Mass, 12:30 PM Mass, Office Open – 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM

NEW YEAR’S EVE, Feast of Mary the Holy Mother of God

Sunday, December 31st – There is no Vigil Mass

NEW YEAR’S DAY, Feast of Mary the Holy Mother of God

Monday, January 1st – 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, Office Open – 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM

ANNOUNCED MASSES

January 1st – January 7th, 2024

MONDAY – NEW YEAR’S DAY – No Announced Masses
TUESDAY – JOSEPH SUNG ✞ – Requested by Cecilia Sung
WEDNESDAY – ANNA RO ✞ – Requested by Cecilia Sung
THURSDAY – LILY LAU MAK YEE MAN
FRIDAY – LYDIA McGRANN ✞ – Requested by Ron & Anne Ackber
SATURDAY – THANKSGIVING – Requested by Cherry Torres
SUNDAY – 8:30 – MASS FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE PARISH
SUNDAY – 10:30 AM – RENATO BELLISARI ✞ – Requested by Chiara Intini
SUNDAY – 12:30 PM – FUSAO KIMURA ✞ – Requested by Caroline & Jun Martin

ANNUAL WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY PRAYER SERVICE 2024

Sunday, January 21st, 2024 at 4:00 PM

St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Cathedral,455 Ferrier St., Markham, Ont. L3R 5Z2

Theme: “You shall love the Lord your God… and your neighbour as yourself.” (Luke 10:27)

Join Archbishop Francis Leo and a wide representation of Christian leaders to pray for the restoration of full visible unity willed by Jesus Christ for the Church. This event is jointly organized by the Office for Promoting Christian Unity and the Greater Toronto Area Council of Christian Churches

SHARELIFE

This is the final weekend that your contribution to our parish’s ShareLife campaign will be matched by an anonymous donor up to a total of $500,000.

We all feel it: the rising cost of living is hurting families, forcing many to seek food assistance for the first time. Through our parish’s support, ShareLife is committing over $500,000 to support food banks and meal programs throughout the Archdiocese.

Please support the fight against hunger at sharelife.org/donate for living the Gospel

FRIARS STUDENT WRITING CONTEST 2024

November 8th, 2023, to January 15th, 2024

Theme: “You shall love the Lord your God … and your neighbour as yourself.” (Luke 10:27)

High school students (ages 13-19 years) in the Catholic School Boards located in the Archdiocese of Toronto are invited to participate in this annual event that commemorates the global Week of Prayer for Christian Unity from January 18th -25th.

Write a five-hundred-word essay that explores the 2024 theme. Great prizes await the top three submissions.

Students are to consult the resources at https://rb.gy/wajo9 to understand the meaning and purpose of the theme and address the focus question found on the poster at https://bit.ly/3G0I4zT and submit their entries at https://www.catholicregister.org/writingaward.

CONTACT: ecumenical@archtoronto.org or call 416-934-3400 (Ext. 527) for more information or questions.

FINANCE CORNER

Offertory envelopes for 2024 are now available in the Gathering Space. On the first few 2024 envelopes, please write your name and complete address so that the office can ensure they have your correct information when sending out 2023 tax receipts.

If there is no box with your name on it and you wish to use envelopes, please advise the parish office either in person, by email or by phone.

You normally would not have an envelope box assigned to you if you are donating via Pre-Authorized Giving or Donate Now via the Archdiocese. However, if you want envelopes, please contact the Parish Office.

To ensure the proper recording for tax receipt purposes, please do not use any envelopes from 2023 or any prior year for any 2024 donations.

Please note: All donations for 2023 must be received in the Parish Office by Sunday, December 31st, 2023 to be included in your 2023 Tax Receipt.