December 4 2016: 2nd Sunday in Advent – Year A

Masses for the Week

Sat Dec 3

• 9:00am †Daniel Sheehan
• 5:00pm †Deceased and Living Members of the Catholic Women’s League

Sun Dec 4

• 9:00am †Guiseppe Cornacchia
• 11:00am For the People of the Parish
• 7:00pm †Living & Deceased Members of the Catholic Women’s League

Mon Dec 5

• 9:00am †Lisa Allison

Tues Dec 6

• 9:00am †Matthew Fernandes

Wed Dec 7 ST. AMBROSE, BISHOP & DOCTOR

• 9:00am †Laurier Maheu

Thurs Dec 8 THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

• 9:00am †Lisa Allison

Fri Dec 9

• 9:00am
  • Intention of Nenita Gomes
  • Intention of the Children of Aleppo & Mosul
  • †John Lee
  • †Rev. Matthias Kuefler
  • †Mervyn Welch & DeceasedMembers of the Welch Family

Sat Dec 10

• 9:00am †Alfred & Matilda Hannah
• 5:00pm †Maria Bomba

Reflection

John the Baptist cries “Repent!” in the wilderness of a godless world. His message is simple yet demanding: Turn toward God, change your hearts, confess your sins. He rebukes those who would be baptized without inner conversion, for rites alone do not save. He preaches the imminence of God’s reign, about to begin in Jesus’ public ministry. But where John prepares the way for Jesus with stern language, Isaiah promises a king of David’s line (we recognize him to be Christ) who will bring in the messianic era of peace, justice, and knowledge of God. He will be like a new shoot spring-ing from an old root, giving new life to our withered lives. God’s presence will be paradise; on his holy mountain we will learn to “know” God by experiencing him. Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire, cleansing and purifying as John could not. He prepares us for this encounter with God. Then we will be filled with the gifts of the Holy Spirit listed by Isaiah, gifts possessed first in their fullness by Jesus himself. Sunday Mass Book

Family Of Faith Campaign Update

Ten (10) months ago we completed the Family of Faith campaign. In total, our parishioners pledged $820,005 and St Joseph will receive $267,500 once all pledges are collected.

The outpouring of generosity and sacrifice by our parish families was astounding and inspiring. My heartfelt thanks to all the families and individuals that made pledges to the Family of Faith campaign.

In order for our campaign to be successful and complete, we need to collect the full amount pledged of $820,005. As of September 2016, $141,660 was received from parishioners.

Some pledges are not being fulfilled due to incomplete payment information, changed credit card number/expiry date, or payment delayed/overdue. If your pledge falls into these categories, you might have already received one or more letters from the Family of Faith campaign Donation Processing Centre.

Please contact the Donation Processing Centre at your earliest convenience at: campaign@archtoronto.org or 416.934.3400 ext. 555.

And remember if you make your contribution before December 31, you can take advantage of the tax deduction when you file your 2016 tax returns.

Fr. Oliver Iwuchukwu

Campaign Life Christmas Cakes

Cakes will be on sale in the Narthex after Mass on Saturdays at 5:00pm and Sundays after the 9:00am and 11:00am Masses.

There will be no sales on Sunday evenings. Also, please that there will be no sales on Saturday December 3.

For special orders, please call Roy Fox at 416-286-5798

2016 Advent, Christmas & New Year Season Schedule

The Archdiocesan Day of Confession

• Thursday, December 15, 2016
  • 10.00am – 2.00pm

Parish Advent Reconciliation Service

• Monday, December 19, 2016 at 7:00 p.m.
  • A number of priests will be available at this time.

Christmas Eve Masses

Saturday, December 24, 2016

• 5:00p.m. Nativity Play & Carol singing begins at 4:25p.m.
  • (Sunday Celebration Group)
  • Children can bring their teddy bears and stuffed animals for blessing 
• 7:30p.m Carol singing begins at 7:00p.m.
  • (Saturday Folk Group)
• 9:00p.m. Pilipino Mass
  • Carol singing begins at 8.30 p.m.
• 12:00a.m. Midnight Mass
  • Carol singing begins at 11:15 p.m.
  • (Choir led by Jason Gotera)

Christmas Day Masses

Sunday, December 25, 2016

• 9:00a.m. (Choir led by Isis Rebello)
• 11:00a.m. (Choir led by Jason Gotera)

No Evening Mass on Christmas Day

New Year’s Day/Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God & World Day of Peace

Saturday, December 31, 2016

• Masses:
  • 9:00a.m.
  • 5:00p.m.

Sunday, January 1, 2017

• Masses:
  • 9:00a.m.
  • 11:00a.m.
  • 7:00p.m.

The Epiphany of the Lord

Saturday, January 7, 2017

• Masses:
  • 9:00am
  • 5:00p.m.

Sunday, January 8, 2017

• Masses:
  • 9:00a.m.
  • 11:00a.m.
  • 7:00p.m.

Line Dancing Classes

Come one, come all and have some fun!

LINE DANCING CLASSES

St. Joseph’s Parish Hall (200 Morrish Road)

Start Time 7:00p.m. $2.00 per class

Refreshments & Snacks

Dates:

• Wednesdays: October 12, 19, 26
• Wednesdays: November 9, 16, 23, 30
• Wednesdays: December, 7, 14, 21 (Room 2)

We invite all members, parishioners and friends.

For more information contact: Ingrid Hart at 416-282-8775

Sacramental Preparation – Key Dates 2016 – 2017

Confirmation

• Confirmation Classes: January – May 2017
• Class Lists will be posted in December on the Narthex Bulletin Boards
• Confirmation Retreats: To be hosted by each elementary school

Share Life

The ShareLife office has released a Report to Donors sharing the results of the 2016 campaign and demonstrating how our support has made a difference. Copies of the report are available at the parish, or can be downloaded from the ShareLife website at www.sharelife.org.

Euthanasia / Assisted Suicide – Did You Know?

The Government of Canada passed legislation in June 2016, legalizing euthanasia/assisted suicide. Despite wording in-tended to protect doctors and facilities, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario is forcing health care workers to arrange for the killing of their patients. No other country does this. Provinces across Canada do not do this. Yet, Ontario refuses to protect doctors who object to ending the life of their patients.

Please visit www.CanadiansforConscience.ca to learn more and write directly to your Member of Provincial Parliament.

St. Vincent De Paul Christmas Appeal

All donations, large or small, are appreciated. They can be placed in the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Poor Box after Mass or dropped off at the Parish Office.

If you or your workplace would like to sponsor a family, give us a call for details on a family. Please contact us before December 4th which is the date that we would like to have our Christmas list completed.

Your donation and other donations are combined to purchase gift cards from No-Frills and Walmart to match the needs of the families on our Christmas List. Early donations are greatly appreciated.

Income Tax receipts are given for all donations received. These receipts will be mailed out in late January 2017. Store receipts are required for donated gift cards/baskets.

If you know of any family in the parish who could use some help this Christmas or if you need further information, contact us through the Parish Office at 416-282-0370 Ext. 217.