In this week’s bulletin, an Advent evening of reflection, the children’s choir, Christmas pageant, and the Christmas mass schedule.
December 3rd to December 8th, 2012
MONDAY – MICHELINA FEDELE & OTO COLANGELO Requested by Maria Sabatini & Family TUESDAY – MARIA DIODATO Requested by the Family WEDNESDAY – DENISE McCHESNEY Requested by John Chan & Family THURSDAY – ANITA MARKLE & MARJORIE SKAZIN Requested by the Family FRIDAY – MARTIN SMEE Requested by the Smee Family SATURDAY – LILY D’SOUZA Requested by Sophie & Candida Pereira
“What if Jesus came — and I missed him?” Wednesday, December 12th 7:30 to 9:00 PM
Christmas is right round the corner. The few weeks leading to Christmas are always such a busy time for us — shopping, entertaining, decorating, that we often forget the true reason for the season.
To prepare our hearts and minds for Christmas, the parish will once again be hosting an Advent Evening of Reflection: “What if Jesus came – and I missed him?” on December 12th from 7:30 to 9:00 PM. Father Patrick Fitzpatrick, CSSp, will be leading us in prayer and reflection.
The evening will be a great opportunity to pause, listen, and look deeply into our lives to find the room there to appreciate the meaning of “God with us”. Please mark your calendar, and reserve the time for some quietude amidst the busyness!
Rehearsal: Sunday, December 23rd 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Each year, young people, Grade 3 and up, form a special choir for the Family Mass on Christmas Eve. Children must be at the Church by 6:00 PM. One rehearsal, which is mandatory, will be held on Sunday, December 23rd from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Please call Marilyn Calderone at 416-618-2041 for more information.
Dress Rehearsal: Sunday, December 23rd 2:00 to 4:00 PM
S.K. to Grade 5 children are invited to participate in the pageant. Please call the Parish Office at 416-221-8866 for more information.
CONFESSIONS Saturday, December 22nd
MASSES
CHRISTMAS EVE -Monday, December 24th
No 9:00 AM Mass
Office Open 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM only
CHRISTMAS DAY -Tuesday, December 25th
Office Closed
BOXING DAY – Wednesday, December 26th No Mass, Office Closed
NEW YEAR’S EVE – Monday, December 31st No 9:00 AM Mass
Office Open 1:00 to 4:00 PM only
NEW YEAR’S DAY Tuesday, January 1st FEAST OF MARY THE MOTHER OF GOD –
This Christmas, St. Vincent de Paul is looking to provide mittens, hats, scarves or socks for needy kids. If you are able to participate in this drive please look for our Christmas “mitten” tree in the Gathering Space. There you can select a “mitten” tag from the tree that describes the gender and age of the child you would like to support. You may also choose a “Christmas Stocking” tag to buy mittens hat, scarves or socks for a toddler at Rosalie Hall.
Items should be gift wrapped with the original tag attached and delivered to the drop box by the “mitten” tree no later than December 16th. Thanks for your generosity.
We are having a Christmas Toy Drive for the Catholic Children’s Aid Society and Rosalie Hall. Can you help by dropping off an unwrapped new toy for a child 0 to 12 years old? Containers will be in the Gathering Space until Sunday, December 16th.
This Weekend, December 1st/2nd
As you know, the Iraqi refugee family that the parish sponsored arrived safely in July from Damascus, Syria — amidst heavy fighting there. They are Christians who lived originally in Mosul (the biblical city of Nineveh) in northern Iraq. They were targeted and threatened because of their faith, and had to flee to Damascus.
Since arriving in Toronto, your financial and material assistance has helped the family begin a new life in Canada. The parish, in sponsoring the family, has committed to supporting them financially for one year. For a family of five, the commitment is $39,000. Thus far, we have received $23,800 in funds as well as donations in kind. We estimate that we would need another $15,200 to fulfill our commitment.
This weekend, December 1st/2nd, there will be a second collection dedicated especially for the sponsorship of our refugee family. Please be as generous as your means allow. Your help will be instrumental in allowing the family to finally make a new home here in Canada, after their many years of living in danger or exile.
There but for the Grace of God….. Please help feed the hungry and homeless this Christmas. Make a difference in the lives of those most in need within our community by participating in the Good Shepherd Centre’s annual Christmas Food Drive.
Urgently Needed Items: Rice, pasta and sauces, breakfast cereals, powered fruit juices, canned items (fish, meats, vegetables, fruit, soup or stews), peanut butter, jams, tea, ground and instant coffee, sugar, cookies and crackers, ketchup, mustard and relish.
Donations may be left in the designated containers at the doors of the Church. We thank you for your generous support.
CASSEROLES
Thank you to the volunteers who prepared 48 casseroles for the Good Shepherd Centre for the month of November. For December, casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at all the Masses on the weekend of December 29th/30th. If you would like to get a copy of the recipe and a casserole pan, please contact Irene Albrecht at 416 221-2791. Recipes are also available here.
Meals on Wheels and More, a non-profit community service agency, is looking for volunteers to deliver meals to elderly and disabled community members residing in North York. Volunteers work in pairs, one driver and one meal deliverer. Training and orientation is provided. To become a volunteer please contact Karen Leung at 416-225-6041 or email kleung@mowam.ca for more information.
December 8th/9th
You are invited after all the Masses on December 8th /9th to sign an Amnesty International petition and/or send a greeting card to a prisoner of conscience or human rights defender who is under threat. Human Rights Day is officially December 10th, the anniversary of the adoption of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Tuesday, December 4th at 7:30 PM or Thursday, December 6th at 10:30 AM
Topic: An Overview of the Old Testament – now known as the ‘Hebrew Scriptures’. For information please call Mary at 416-293-3760.
Our operating expenses average $13,750 per week. Collection for November 18th 2012
Loose Change – $1,465 Envelopes (406) – $8,005 Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving (183) – $3,453 Total – $12,923
The 2013 Offertory Boxed Envelopes will soon be available in the Gathering Space. Please inform the Parish Office if you have recently moved or are new to the Parish so that we may update our records and label your box correctly. If you are on the Pre- Authorized Giving Plan, you will still receive a smaller green box of envelopes since these include Initial, New Year’s, Christmas, Easter and Maintenance envelopes. You may contact the Parish Office if you do not have envelopes but would like a box for 2013.
Blessed Trinity Parish Hall Wednesday, December 5th at 6:00 PM
Come join in the festivities of the season .Bring a friend and a dish to share. There will be a sing-along and raffle. In the spirit of the Christmas season, please bring a non-perishable item such as canned goods, etc. These will be collected by the St. Vincent de Paul Society or the Good Shepherd Centre.
This Bulletin entry was posted on Sunday, December 2nd, 2012.
Founded by St. Paul of the Cross, every Passionist takes a special vow to spend his or her energies in promoting remembrance of the sufferings of Jesus, the memory of the Cross, and reflection of the meaning of the Cross for the world.
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