NOTES: The churches of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Agnes are now closed for the winter months. MASS will resume the first weekend in May, 2023.

COMMUNION CALLS - If you know of anyone who is unable to get out to Mass and would like to receive Holy Communion, please call the parish office to have their name added to the list.

MEMORY TREES - have been placed in Star of the Sea and St. Joseph Churches and will remain until Sunday, January 8, 2023. Minimum donation will be $5.00 and a loved one’s name will be written on a ball. Donations will be deposited to the parish of your choice. Please fill out a memorial card with your loved one’s name. For more information contact the parish office or Carla Armsworthy.

REFLECTION ON TODAY’S READINGS - Prepare the way for the Lord!

Prophet Isaiah foretells that the new world of justice, where the wolf shall live with the lamb and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the young lion shall browse together, the baby shall play by the cobra’s den, is going to be established. Are these mere tall claims? There is so much bloodshed, and so much more hatred in the world all in the name of the love of God and religion! There is so much more pride and selfishness in our world. We live in a society where people make bombs and other sophisticated weapons to fight a just war to protect God and religion! The harmonious world painted by the Prophet seems to be an illusion. To see this prophecy become a reality one should listen to John the Baptist. He announces, “Reform your lives, the reign of God is at hand.” The words of the Prophet are not magic but a reality that will be achieved when the Messiah on whom the Spirit of the Lord rests, comes to the world. John tells us, “I baptize you in water as a sign of your conversion, but the one who is coming after me is more powerful than I; indeed, I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” When one is prepared to leave the ‘ways of the world’ and reform oneself to accept the ways of the Lord, the words of the Prophet will be realized. John prepares the way for Jesus. He calls for a total change of attitude and direction. He makes it clear that no status, birth, pedigree, past or present religious experience, or allegiance will ensure salvation unless one accepts God’s ways. According to John, there are no favorites. Every one of us should undergo a baptism of the Spirit and Fire that Jesus alone can give, and this ensures a transformation into the character and attitude of Christ. Every person matters to God and in his kingdom, everyone including the unloved, the outcasts, the downtrodden, and the sinners, has a place. We are called to prepare ourselves to be part of the kingdom by opening ourselves to love.

SUNDAY COLLECTIONS

Star of the Sea (26) 345.00

Loose 5.00

Winter Fuel (1) 30.00

St. Agnes (7) 110.00

St. Vincent de Paul Nil

St. Joseph (13) 155.00

Loose 5.00

Thank you so very much for your support.

ST. AGNES NEWS

Sunday Night Bingo - 7:00 p.m. in the parish hall.

ST. JOSEPH NEWS

Regular Weekly Bingo - Saturday at 7:30 pm

Card Play - Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.

STAR OF THE SEA NEWS

Property and Finance Committee - Tuesday, March 7 at 6:15 p.m. in the meeting room Ministries Schedule, December 11

Lector - Martha Rhynold

Usher - Carla Armsworthy

Sacristan - Carla Armsworthy

Cleaners - December 11- 17 - Irene & Juanita

Christmas Bazaar - a very special thank you to the organizers and to all who supported the Christmas Bazaar, Bingo an d Card Play!

Tickets on $300.00 Grocery Gift Card - will be available November 1. Draw date December 13

LITURGY COMMITTEE - will meet Tuesday, December 6 at 6:30 in vestry of Star of the Sea. All members are encouraged to attend.

SUNDAY MISSALS - SUNDAY MISSALS - are available in the entrance of our churches, cost is $7.00 per missal.

ADVENT ACTIVITIES

Journey Through Advent:     https://www.cccb.ca/evangelization-catechesis-catholic-education/video-resources/journey-through-advent/