Thursday, December 2, 2021

Soul Health LVIII (58)

Memorial Mass & Dedication of the Church Hall to Father George S. Oakes

Mass 6:00pm

Thank you to everyone who purchased dinner tickets! We look forward to welcoming you on Friday evening! Dinner and Auction: 7:00pm


Please observe all the usual public health and safety measures!

- Wear your facemasks (we have extras at the door)

- Sanitize your hands (when entering the church upstairs, and again before entering the hall downstairs)

- Respect social distancing measures (sit in the designated pews, and do not rearrange tables in the hall)

- Remain in your pews with your masks on at Communion (the Eucharist will be brought to you, and given to those who are standing)


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Enhance Your Advent Experience!

The Archdiocese of Montreal now has a page dedicated to the Season of Advent where you can find content specifically curated to enhance your Advent experience this year. Click here to explore it with your families, and grow in faith together!

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A little closer to home, our Family Faith Formation group extends an invitation to all parishioners to join us on this year’s Advent Field Trips! If you are interested in attending, please contact Angela at pa.englishparishes.verdun@gmail.com by Friday, December 3rd 2021.


Sunday, December 5th: Saint Joseph's Oratory (3800 Queen Mary)

9:45am-1:15pm

This excursion includes a visit to the Creche Museum and a chance to explore the Oratory, as well as Mass in the Crypt Church at 11:15am. The vaccination passport is mandatory for all visitors aged 13 and over.

Parking is available at the Oratory, all the way up to the hill to the Basilica.

If you'd like to come to the Oratory and require a ride, please contact Angela at pa.englishparishes.verdun@gmail.com.


Sunday, December 19th: Notre Dame des Sept Douleurs (4155 Wellington)

10:30am -2:00pm

This excursion includes Mass at St Willibrord at 11:15am with coffee and refreshments afterwards, before heading to Notre Dame des Sept Douleurs to view the Christmas display there.

Street parking is available around St Willibrord.

Notre Dame is within walking distance so we will go there on foot.


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Open Now: Pray More Advent Retreat - Online, self-paced, and flexible registration fees!

Featuring 19 presentations and reflection guides, the Pray More Advent Retreat is an online retreat that allows you to dive into Advent at your own pace. Following the guidance of 6 speakers including theologian, author, and speaker Dr Edward Sri, participants in the retreat can grow closer to Christ during this season of preparation. Registration fees are flexible – you can choose what you’d like to pay, and even if you can’t pay, you can still register for free and gain access to all 19 presentations! For more information and to register, visit https://praymoreretreat.org/


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This evocative 16th century prayer is offered daily at every mass during Advent in the Catholic Ordinariate Rite:

Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness,

and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life,

in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility;

that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious Majesty,

to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal;

through him who lives and reigns with thee and the Holy Spirit, now and ever.

Amen.


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Magnificat Subscriptions

Parishioners who are subscribed to Magnificat can now pick up their January editions at the back of the church.

If you’re looking for a faith-centered Christmas gift that keeps on giving, consider buying your loved ones (and yourself!) a yearly subscription to Magnificat for $64.00!

Magnificat is a monthly spiritual guide designed for daily use at home or at church, and is a useful tool in becoming more engaged in your faith life. It features daily readings, prayers, reflections, and short essays on our rich Catholic heritage in one pocket-sized publication to help you enliven and enrich your life in Christ.

Copies of the January 2022 edition of Magnificat are available for you to put under the tree to start your loved ones off the incredible year-long journey of growing in faith, hope, and love with Magnificat. Contact the parish office to get yours today!


Coffee Hour after the 9:30am Mass!

Volunteers are needed each week for Coffee Hour. Please call the parish office if you’re interested in contributing to this opportunity for fellowship and community building.


Altar Servers

If you have children aged 10 or over who would like to help at Sunday Mass, we invite you to encourage them to become Altar Servers! Please speak with Fr Robert after Mass or contact the Parish Office.


Family Faith Formation

If you are not yet enrolled in FFF and have been waiting for our return to in-person gatherings to register, please contact Angela at pa.englishparishes.verdun@gmail.com.

We’re also looking for more Catechists! If you are searching for more joy and fulfilment in your life, please consider joining our team of volunteer Catechists! No experience teaching (Catechism or otherwise) necessary – all we require from you is a love for Christ and for families, and a commitment to the future of the English Catholic Parishes of Verdun! Please contact Angela or Father Robert if you would like more information.


Celebrate and pray with Fr Robert this month!

Milestone: 30 Years of Celebrating Mass

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th marks the 30th Anniversary of the first Mass Fr Robert celebrated! A special invitation is extended to all parishioners to join him at the 7:00pm weekday evening Mass at the Saint Willibrord’s Rectory to celebrate this special day. If you would like to sponsor the Mass for Fr Robert's intentions and for his future works as our pastor, please contact the parish office.


Fr Robert’s Induction as Pastor of Saint Thomas More

Saturday, December 11th at the 4:00pm Mass


Saint Thomas More parishioners who usually come to the 9:30am Mass on Sundays encouraged to attend on Saturday at 4:00pm to support Father Robert during his Induction as the pastor of our parish.


Annual Canned Goods Collection

The Annual Canned Goods Collection for our Christmas Baskets is underway and continues until the weekend of December 18th – 19th.

We are accepting donations of non-expired canned or boxed goods and non-perishable food items. We especially need the appropriate foods associated with meals during the Christmas Season (example: canned fruits and puddings, cookies and treats for children).

Parishioners wishing to make a donation towards meat and other perishables are asked to place their offering in the St. Vincent de Paul Boxes on the walls at the back of the church.


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MARK YOUR CALENDARS!


**Free Weekend Concerts** in Old Montreal throughout December!

Notre Dame des Bon Secours (400 Saint-Paul Street East)

Saturdays and Sundays from December 4th-19th 1:30pm *or* 3:00pm


Les Choralies returns this year offering free concerts for the holiday season at Notre Dame des Bon Secours, Montreal’s oldest chapel. Featuring a diverse selection of traditional holiday carols performed by guest choirs, these free concerts will be offered on Saturdays and Sundays throughout December, with show times at 1:30pm and 3:00pm. For more details, visit: https://margueritebourgeoys.org/les-choralies/


December 7th, 2021

Couch Talks for Couples: Rekindle Your Love! – Tuesday, Dec 7th from 8:00pm-9:30pm


The Archdiocese of Montreal’s Couch Talk series continues with a session focusing on “The Hidden Lives of Men & Women – Communication.” Facilitated by Bridget Bagshaw and Karl Sataguida, the Couch Talk Series invites couples to come together in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere to share ideas on happiness, communication, parenting, intimacy, work life balance and holiness in marriage. All the events in the series are free, but registration is required. Click here for more information and to register for this and future Couch Talk sessions.

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Blessings in Christ, the King who is to come,

Father Robert+


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