HOLY FAMILY PARISH WEEKLY BULLETIN
"Stewardship - A Way of Life"
December 27, 2009
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Administrator - Fr. Vernon F. Driscoll
Pastoral Associate - Deacon Howard Gotell
Religious Education Coordinator - Deacon Howard Gotell
Office Manager - Maria Kirkpatrick
K of C 3rd Degree Grand Knight - Jack Leger 545-2418
K of C Community Centre- 667-8252
Click here to visit our Diocesan Website
We have added a new page for the building news as it happens. This is the place to come for news and updates throughout the construction phase of the Holy Family complex. We have also started a photo page on Flickr. Check it out! Holy Family Parish Amherst Flickr site
~News from the Construction Site~
The new pictures were taken on December 23, 2009.
~THANKSGIVING AND EXCITEMENT~
Another Christmas has been celebrated and the love and support of so many for the Parish and the staff is truly gratifying. Again, we can say that the Parish has made a noble effort to attend to the less fortunate as well. But anticipating what the New Year holds for the Parish certainly is starting to fill all with excitement as we see steel girders erected and walls arise to hold the roof. We look forward in 2010 to some special celebrations around this happening acknowledging God’s blessings on us.
~WELCOME HOME~
To those who are home for Christmas and especially those who have been away for studies at college or university we welcome you home for the holidays
~CWL BURSARIES PRESENTED TODAY~
On the Feast of the Holy Family, our Catholic Women’s League will present today at the 11:15 celebration of Eucharist bursaries to three of our post-secondary education parishioners: Taylor Cormier, Jamie Gamblin and Justin Harrison. We are always proud of the efforts of our young people, and want to support and encourage them to pursue higher education.
~OFFICE HOURS DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON~
The Parish Office will be closed from noon on December 24th to January 3rd. However, you can contact us anytime by phone at 667-2523.
~RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS~
- This was the last Sunday for classes at West Highlands School for the Christmas break. Classes will resume at West Highlands on January 10th beginning at 10:00am. Catechists for children in Levels 6 to Confirmation will advise students of their schedules for the Christmas holidays.
- Level 6 will move from Wednesday evening to Sunday evening from 7:00 to 8:00pm in the Church sacristy beginning in the New Year.
- The children have participated in an Advent project supporting the Holy Childhood Association over the Advent Season. Children received small milk cartons to place their pennies in as they thought about certain tasks outlined on an Advent calendar. The milk cartons are to be returned to classes on January 10th. Their contributions will assist the Holy Childhood Association with projects of children helping children throughout the world.
~BAPTISM PREPARATION~
Parents wanting children baptized should call the Parish Office for Baptism preparation. Please call Maria or Deacon Howard at 667-2523 to book an appointment.
~CHARISMATIC PRAYER MEETINGS~
Please note that the Prayer meetings will resume Thursday, January 7th in the Holy Family Sacristy at 6:30pm.
~NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY~
A New Year's Eve Party will take place at the K of C Hall, Robie Street on December 31st from 10pm to 2am with music provided by the Morgan Keith Band. This event is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and proceeds to Special Olympics. Tickets $20.00 each and first come first serve. Tickets available from Ron White, Ron Curtis and Jack Leger.
~SCENT FREE~
We are again asking all parishioners to please be conscious of those who are sensitive to strong smells like perfumes, after-shave and deodorants. Please refrain from wearing these scents to church. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.
~FAMILY MEMBERS IN HOSPITAL~
It would be appreciated if the Parish Office could be informed of the admittance of family members to our local hospital. This will ensure that all parishioners will receive a visit from the pastoral team. Please note when you are admitting a family member, you must tell the hospital that the person being admitted is Catholic. The admitting clerk is not permitted to ask if you are a member of church.
~2010 OFFERTORY ENVELOPES~
A number offertory envelopes for 2010 have been given out. Please take a moment to pick up your box if you did not receive them. If you have not used envelopes before, and would like to begin using them, there are unassigned boxes available on the table with 2010 marked on the top.
~A REMINDER ABOUT 2009 INCOME TAX RECEIPTS~
Donations made on January 1, 2010 and thereafter cannot be included in the charitable tax receipts issued for 2009. This includes cheques dated in 2009, or cash in a church envelope dated 2009, but received on January 1, 2010 or later. The law requires these be treated as 2010 donations.
~STEWARDSHIP CORNER~
On the Feast of the Holy Family, we read about a mother who makes a bold promise to the Lord, if her petition is answered in the Book of Samuel. She gives birth to a son. The first reading closes with these words, “Therefore, I have sent him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he is given to the Lord. She left Him these for the Lord.” As we move toward 2010, we live knowing God's love for us. How will we leave a portion of that love for the Lord, through sharing gifts of Time, Talent & Treasure?
~December PARISH EVENTS~
Dec 24th - Christmas Eve Service 8:00pm – Trinity St. Stephen’s United
Dec 24th - Christmas Eve Service 11:00pm – Holy Family
Dec 25th - Christmas Day Service 10:00am – Holy Family
Dec 31th - New Year's Eve Service - 4:30pm– Holy Family
Jan 01st - New Year's Day Service - 10:00am – Holy Family
COMMUNION PYX
Do you have a pyx for distributing communion to the sick and shut ins that you are not using? Please take the pyx to church and give it to Howard, Father or Maria.
~MEETINGS~
Meetings this week...
- Monday - No Meeting
- Tuesday - No Meeting
- Wednesday - No Meeting
- Thursday - No Meeting
-
Please Take Note of this Change!
Prince Arthur Street exit has been closed off permanently. -
Baptism Preparation!
Please call Maria or Deacon Howard at 667-2523 to schedule your appointment. -
Mass Cancellation Notices!
Please listen to CKDH Radio for cancellation notices or visit their Web Site at CKDH.net -
Weekly Bulletin Submissions!
Anyone who would like to have a notice published in the bulletin is asked to submit their notice in writing to the Parish Office no later than Wednesday at noon. We ask for your cooperation in this matter. -
Prayer Wall!
We invite parishioners to continue placing intentions on the prayer wall and ask that you visit the prayer wall from time to time to read the intentions. You may also take one home, pray for that intention and return it the following week with your initial. We will refer to these intentions from time to time in the prayers of the faithful. We will also celebrate these intentions with a prayer ritual. -
Religious Articles Kiosk!
We have many religious articles available for sale in the hall entrance leading from the Sacristy. Rosaries, crucifixes, baptism gifts and cards and other items are available at reasonable prices. Ask Father Driscoll or Deacon Howard to open the cabinet for viewing after mass. -
In the Hospital?
It would be appreciated if the Parish Office could be informed of the admittance of family members to our local hospital to ensure a visit by the pastoral team. -
Donations!
When considering a memorial donation at the time of death, we remind parishioners that Saint Charles - Nativity Cemetery, St. Vincent de Paul and Holy Family Parish Building Fund also have memorial cards. These memorial cards are available at our funeral homes and the Parish Office for your donations. Please consider these charities when making a memorial donation. -
No Scents Just Make Sense!
Scent Free Reminder..We ask your cooperation, when attending church functions, to please refrain from using scented products. The usage of scented products makes it impossible for some people to remain at Sunday Eucharist.
FINANCIAL CORNER
St. Vincent de Paul - $332.50
Children's Offering - $42.79
Sunday Offering
Envelopes ( 165 ) $4,179.00
Loose $160.36
Pre-authorized ( 65 ) $ 1,428.16
Budgeted Amount to November 2009 $201,666.00
Received to November 2009 $193,754.00
- Shortfall $7,912.00
Thank you for your generosity.
~READINGS For Next Week~
1stReading – Isaiah 60.1-6
2nd Reading – Ephesians 3.2-3a, 5-6
Gospel –Matthew 2.1-12