Sunday, January 17th, 2021
Dear Parishioners,
Happy New Year! This Sunday we celebrate the 2nd Week of Ordinary Time
We invite you to check out the many news items below. We hope that if you were unable to register to attend public mass that you are able to join us for our live streamed mass at 10 AM. **Please be aware that due to COVID-19, Archbishop Gerard has given dispensation for all Sunday obligations. This means you are not obligated to attend mass, and we will continue to live-stream Sunday mass on our Facebook page until the dispensation has been lifted.
New Pastoral Theme
Each year the Parish Pastoral Council prepares a pastoral theme. A pastoral theme is a short phrase or sentence that gives direction to our parish in the present liturgical year. The pastoral theme comes from discerning the pressing pastoral needs in union with the gospel we will be hearing from this year. This liturgical year we will be hearing mostly from the Gospel of Mark. This year our pastoral theme is Grace and courage: United through prayer and loving service. Through this next year you will be hearing much more about this theme. Stay tuned!
Bring Your Old Palms
Ash Wednesday is approaching, time to bring back your old palm branches. We burn these branches and use the ashes on Ash Wednesday.
Read Last Week’s Blog: The Danger of Epiphany
This week we celebrate the feast of Epiphany. Epiphany means “manifestation” or “showing forth. This feast commemorates when the three wise men, called Magi, visited the infant Jesus in Bethlehem, and recognized his divinity.
Recently, I was reminded of T.S. Eliot’s poem, “The Journey of the Magi”. In the poem he describes the “hard time we had of it”, and the “cold coming” at the “worst time of the year”. Clearly, the journey of the Magi was not for the faint hearted. I wondered what made them do it, and what kept them going once the hardship became apparent…
Donation Details for 2021
Donations envelopes are ready for pick up! Please stop by the office during regular office hours (8:30am-12 and 1-4). If you are unable to stop by, please contact the office to arrange for someone to drop them off for you. If you would like to receive Donation Envelopes, please contact the Parish Office.
If you would like to sign up for Pre-authorized Payments for your donation, please click here and complete the attached form and return it with a VOID cheque. If you prefer to donate using a credit card, please click here and complete the Credit Card Monthly Donation form.
New for 2021!!! Sign up for pre-authorized payments or automatic credit card payments of Special Collections – the form is attached. The “Donate Button” on the website will be updated for the coming year to include options for “Building Maintenance Fund” and all “Special Collections”.
All completed forms must be returned to Joanne at the Parish Office. Thank you all for your continued support of the Parish!
Collect your Stamps this Christmas
The Redemptorists will happily collect any stamps leftover from Christmas cards sent in the mail. They are collected and recycled as an annual fundraiser. Simply collect your stamps, put them in an envelope and drop them off at the parish office, or place them in the collection box at mass. The Redemptorists thank you!
Welcome New Parishioners!
Since Covid-19 began we have had to make some changes at the masses and because of this we have had temporarily close the Welcome Table that is normally at the back of the church. Even so, we are always so happy to welcome new parishioners!
Are you new to the parish? Please reach out so we can Welcome You! Individuals and families can contact Christina Stang by phone at 780-532-2351 (ext. 230) or by email at SJC-Family@gpcsd.ca
