O God,
whose mighty Son was born in Bethlehem
those days long ago,
lead us to that same poor place,
where Mary laid her tiny Child.
And as we look on in wonder and praise,
make us welcome him in all new life,
see him in the poor,
and care for his handiwork, the earth, the sky and the sea.
O God, bless us again in your great love.
We pray for this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Christmas Schedule 2014
MASSES
CHRISTMAS EVE – Wednesday, December 24th
No 9:00 AM Mass
7:00 PM: Family Mass – Carol Singing
9:00 PM: Contemporary Group
12:00 AM: Midnight Mass – Adult Choir, Carol Singing
Office Open 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM only
CHRISTMAS DAY – Thursday, December 25th
10:30 AM
12:30 PM
Office Open 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
BOXING DAY – Friday, December 26th
No Mass, Office Closed
NEW YEAR’S EVE – Wednesday, December 31st
No 9:00 AM Mass
Mass at 4:30 PM for the Feast of Mary the Mother of God
Office Open 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM only
NEW YEAR’S DAY – Thursday, January 1st
FEAST OF MARY THE MOTHER OF GOD
10:30 AM
12:30 PM
Office Closed
Parking
While parking at ground level is limited to 51 spaces, there is plenty of space in the underground parking lot. Please follow the instructions of the attendants. Do not park in front of the Church since this is a fire route and must be kept clear.
Additional parking is available on the east side of Elkhorn Public School and in the bus loop. Again, please follow the instructions of the attendant. The school requests that we do not park on the grass. Many thanks to Holly Richards, the Principal of Elkhorn Public School, for allowing us the use of the school property.
ANNOUNCED MASSES
December 22nd to December 27th, 2014
MONDAY – UMBERTO INTINI – Requested by Chiara Intini & Family
TUESDAY – ROY CELIS – Requested by Maria Lourdes Luz
WEDNESDAY – CHRISTMAS EVE
THURSDAY – CHRISTMAS DAY
FRIDAY – BOXING DAY – No 9:00 AM Mass
SATURDAY – MAURICE TEMPLO – Requested by Monica Cheng
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
Dress Rehearsal: Sunday, December 21st at 1:30 PM
The Christmas Eve Pageant is a tradition at our church we hope to continue with again this year. But we need volunteer children to play the parts of Mary and Joseph, wise men, shepherds, angels and of course, the star. If you have a young child who would like to be in the Pageant at the 7:00 PM Mass on Christmas Eve, there is one mandatory practice for about an hour on Sunday December 21st after the 12:30 Mass in the Gabriel Room.
FAMILY MASS CHRISTMAS EVE CHILDREN’S CHOIR
Rehearsal: This Sunday, December 21st 2:00 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 this Sunday, December 21st from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.
Please call Marilyn Calderone at 416-618-2041 for more information.
ADVENT-SOLSTICE REFLECTION: “Shifting from Darkness to Light: Not by Passive Hope.”
This Sunday, December 21st from 7:30 to 9:30 PM
The hopeful expectation of the Advent season requires our active participation to effect change; it is not a passive hope.
By examining the recent typhoon in the Philippines, we will seek signs of active hope and reflect on the Church’s calls for ecological justice.
Please contact Elliott Allen Institute for Theology & Ecology at eaite.contact@utoronto.ca or Dennis O’Hara at dennis.ohara@utoronto.ca or 416-926-1300, ext. 3408 to register or for more information.
BLUE HYMN BOOKS
Many parishioners have been asking what happened to our Blue Hymn books. They were too large to fit easily into the pew racks. Many ended up on the floor especially at the very crowded Masses. This was a safety hazard. We are having racks made which will accommodate these hymnals in the new year.
CASSEROLES FOR THE GOOD SHEPHERD CENTRE
Your prepared casseroles (frozen please) will be collected at the Masses on the weekend of January 3rd/4th for delivery to the Good Shepherd Centre.
More volunteers are needed to help feed the hungry in our city. Please get a copy of a casserole recipe from the Parish Office and a pan and give it a try.
For more information, contact Irene Albrecht at 416 221-2791.
FINANCE CORNER
The Parish’s 2014 budgeted operating expenses average $14,550 per week.
Offertory Collection for last weekend:
Envelopes 442 $10,234
Loose Change 1,048
Weekly Portion of Pre-Authorized Giving 164 3,058
Total 606 $14,340
OFFERTORY ENVELOPES FOR 2015
The 2015 Offertory Boxed Envelopes are available in the Gathering Space. Please pick yours up as soon as possible. If you have a PAG or Donate Now account, 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 2015.
Please note: All donations for 2014 must be received in the Parish Office by Tuesday, December 30th 2014 or they will not be included in your 2014 Tax Receipt.
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.
