Sunday, November 22nd, 2020
Dear Parishioners,
This week is the Feast of Christ the King. There are many items in our bulletin this week, so we invite 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.
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
We are pleased to announce the Mass times for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We will have 200 people at each Mass. At present we are recruiting for volunteers for each Mass. If you think you can volunteer please step forward as soon as possible to help us in our planning. We will need to know our volunteers by Friday, November 27. You can begin signing up for Christmas Masses on Monday, December 7 at 2:00 P.M. As we have been doing throughout this time of pandemic, we ask that you sign-up for Mass through Sign-Up Genius, the link is found on our web-page.
On Christmas Eve we will be offering a pre-recorded Christmas Liturgy. This will be recorded at the church. Our music ministry will bless us with Christmas music that you will enjoy from home. This Christmas Liturgy will be available on-line beginning at 7:00 P.M. on Christmas Eve. It will be available the entire evening so you can watch it with your family at whatever time best suits your schedule.
Registering Your School Aged Child To Celebrate a Sacrament This School Year
Ordinarily, children in grade 2 will celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession. Children in grade 3 will receive communion for the first time and children in grade 6 will celebrate Confirmation. This year we are asking that you register your child for any of these sacraments on-line.
Beginning Monday, November 23 you will find a link on our web-page for “Sacramental Registration.” You will be invited to watch a short video then you be allowed to register your child. If you are registering your child for reconciliation (or your child celebrated an earlier sacrament in another parish) you will need to upload a copy of your child’s baptismal certificate (scan it or take a photo).
Registration closes on Saturday, November 28 at 6:00 P.M.
For more information please contact Beatriz (SJC-sacraments@gpcsd.ca) at the parish office.
Although unfortunately are unable to have advent materials this year, we invite you to sign up for a great resource to help you have the BEST ADVENT EVER! Experience free, daily video reflections on the Advent Gospel readings and head into 2021 with the happiest, shiniest soul you’ve ever had! Click here to sign up!
It’s time for the Salvation Army Christmas Kettle program again! St. Joseph Church have picked slots for Fridays and Saturdays starting on Friday November 20 to Saturday December 11. This year there will be no candy canes or calendars and volunteers must be masked. They are 2 hour commitments. If you wish to volunteer call Cliff 780 532-1231 (or email cliff.joyce.mitchell@
Cursillo Secretariat (Board) Members Needed
The Cursillo Secretariat requires 3 people to fill the positions of Secretary, Communications Director and treasurer to help with the ongoing work of running the Cursillo Movement in the Peace Country. The Treasurer must be someone living in the Grande Prairie area, but the other 2 can be conducted from anywhere in the diocese. As the Movement serves many cities and towns outside of Grande Prairie, we would like to have representatives from other areas. Members must have attended a Cursillo weekend. Monthly meetings are conducted through Zoom. Please contact Shannon, 780-832-2223.
Arctic Visions 2020- Calendar Fundraiser
Bishop Jon Hansen has put together 13 of my favorite photos from my past year’s travels around the north for Arctic Visions 2021, an 11″ X 17″ Coil bound calendar. All proceeds from the sale of these calendars supports the Roman Catholic Missions of the diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith. Calendars are available for $20 each
We would also like to remind you that we are approaching the deadline to request a refund for the purchased 100th Anniversary tickets. If you have purchased tickets and would like to request a refund or would like to donate the cost to the parish and receive a tax receipt, please click here to fill out the “Refund Request Form” and submit both the form AND the purchased tickets to the parish office. Any unclaimed refunds will be donated anonymously to the parish after December 15th.
We are happy to announce that the parish gift shop is now open and available for visitors. Come check out the various Catholic goods, such as rosaries, bibles, medals, books, statues, pictures, and more! It is a hidden gem, right in the Narthex of our church. Hours are Tuesdays after the 7pm mass, and Wednesdays after the 12:15pm mass.
Left are dates for Adoration for the next few months. We begin Adoration at 7:00 P.M. and finish at about 7:45 P.M. We no longer have Mass connected with Adoration.
We would like to continue to invite you to join us for Reconciliation from 1-2 pm on Fridays (no-sign-up-necessary).
