Thanks to those who were able to come together to celebrate All Saints
and All Souls. I think they were both wonderful celebrations of two important
feast days. It was great, too, to have Ministers of the Word, Eucharistic
Ministers, Musicians and Altar Servers for these special occasions. The Mass
for the Anointing of the Sick was also well attended and I thank those who were
able to come out to this sacred celebration.
Our Resettlement Bazaar was very successful again this year. This is an
important event as it helps to secure funds to support our refugee families for
the first year of their residency here in Mississauga. Currently, we have just
welcomed the Donak family to the community, two weeks ago. Your support of
Resettlement makes all the difference in the lives of people caught up in
serious, desperate and often dangerous situations around the globe. The
Resettlement Program changes their lives from chaos into one of safety and
peace and affords them the opportunity to become self-sufficient members of the
community with a personal sense of dignity and value; something that is often
impossible in many parts of the world today.
I would like to thank the Resettlement Committee and you, the
parishioners, for making this happen, one family at a time!
The postings for our annual Caring and Sharing Christmas event
will begin next Saturday, November 16th, in the parish hall. Please take the time to go downstairs and
select a family. Your generosity is much appreciated. The Annual Shepherd’s
Trust collection will be taken on November 17th. This is the
annual collection for the priest retirement fund. Again, your generosity is
appreciated by all our retired priests.
Parish
events to mark on your calendar:
Memory and New Life: This annual celebration of our deceased loved ones
and parishioners will be held on Wednesday, November 20th, 2013 at 7
PM.
Parish Concert: November 22 at
8 PM. Tickets are currently on sale and are $20.00.
First Sunday in Advent: November
30/December 1st. We begin the ‘A’ cycle in the Liturgical Year
today. If you would like to light the candles on the Advent Wreath this year,
please sign your name and phone number on the sheet in the vestibule. The
crosses will be blessed and given to all children receiving First Confession
and First Holy Communion in 2013/14 at the 5 PM Mass and the 10 AM and 12 Noon
Mass on the first Sunday of Advent.
Our Annual Tree Blessing and Lighting/Evening With
Santa: Saturday December 7th after the 5PM Mass. I have decided to
combine these 2 events this year and they will be hosted by the Knights of
Columbus and our parish Youth Group. If you can, please bring a shoe box size
box with articles like school supplies, small toys and hygienic supplies for a
small child. The boxes will be taken to Dr. Simone’s warehouse for shipment
abroad, thank-you!
Christmas Decorating of the Church: Please plan to come and help decorate on Sunday,
December 22 between 2 and 4 PM. Refreshments will follow.
Marriage Course for all couples being married in 2014: Please register
for the marriage course which will be held on January 10/11 and 17/18 as soon
as possible. Details are on the website or at the office.
As you will note, after reading my column this weekend, this is a very
busy time of year as we gear up for the Seasons of Advent and Christmas.
Thank-you for your ongoing support and prayers.
I hope you all have a good week.
Fr. Phil
