Soul Health CV
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
This weekend's Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe - often referred to more simply as the Feast of Christ the King - marks the end of the Liturgical Year.
As with the secular calendar year, the end of the Liturgical Year is a great time to take a step or two back and examine our lives in the context of the Bigger Picture. How are we doing in our relationship with God? What have we done since last Advent to grow in faith, hope, and love? Are there any spiritual goals we want to set for ourselves as we continue on our faith journeys? How'd we do on keeping the 5 Precepts of the Church, our most fundamental obligations as Catholics?
These questions may seem basic, but as we move ahead as a community along the path of becoming a mission-oriented parish, it's important for us to be honest with ourselves about where we stand with the basics. The basics become the foundations of our faith, on which we are meant to build up our part of the Church.
As we bid farewell to this Liturgical Year and enter the season of Advent, let's take some time to review how we did on the basics of our faith. Let's invite the Holy Spirit into this self-examination too, both for guidance to the true state of our spiritual affairs and for the grace to ask God's help in anything we might need to straighten out. And through it all, let us call upon that powerful name of Jesus Christ, our King, in praise and thanksgiving for this past Liturgical Year.
Deacon Bernie remains in recovery at the hospital,
and says that your prayers mean a lot and are helping.
He is growing in faith if not in strength.
Regular Liturgy Schedule & Intentions, November 19-25
Saturday, November 19 (Christ the King): Anniversary of Gaetan Berube by His Wife, Lucille
Sunday, November 20 (Christ the King): For All Parishioners
Tuesday, November 22 (St Cecilia): In thanksgiving for a favour received by Darlene Fitzgerald
Thursday, November 24 (St Andrew Dung Lac & Companions): Debbie Hughes by Maureen Dearden
The Sanctuary Lamp
Deceased Members of the Moran & Gregory Families by Wally & Rose
As our Mass intentions are booked far in advance, the Sanctuary Lamp can be lit in memory of your loved ones or for intentions. The candle is lit for the week for a suggested offering of $20.00. For more information and to book a specific week please contact the office.
The Book of Remembrance
During the Month of November, our Book of Remembrance is on display on the Ambo on the organ side of the church.
With Deepest Gratitude
Thank you to the Women’s Club and longtime President Rose Gregory. The Women’s Club had their Final Dinner recently after 7 decades of service running the Parish Bazaar and many other fund raising events. Their final donation is going to our Christmas Baskets this year. We express as a Parish a deep gratitude to the Women’s Club Members living & deceased.
Support one of our parish's oldest traditions: The St Thomas More Christmas Baskets
For over 50 years, our parish has supported families in need in our community through Christmas Baskets. This year, Trish (who has been leading the project for 30 years!) projects that over 40 families will benefit from our efforts.
The Annual Canned Goods Collection used to fill the Christmas Baskets is now underway, and continues until the weekend of December 17-18!
We invite you to make contributions of canned goods and non-perishable food items, and 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 monetary donation towards the meat and perishable items are asked to place their offering in the St. Vincent de Paul Boxes on the walls at the back of the church.
50/50 Fun Continues!
There's still time to put your luck to the test for November's 50/50 Draw!
- November Draw: Saturday, November 26th after the 4:30pm Mass
- Ticket Prices: $2.00 each, 3 for $5.00 and 7 for $10.00.
- Ticket Sales: After all weekend Masses
A Special Invitation to Young FamiliesFamily Faith Formation invites you to its first Activity Day of the new Liturgical Year at Saint Willibrord's Parish on Sunday, November 27th. Join us at the 10:30am Mass followed by coffee and snacks, and then in the Bistro for our annual wreath-making Gathering and other fun, festive activities! Let us know you're coming by emailing Angela at pa.englishparishes.verdun@gmail.com. Envelopes for 2023The 2023 sets of Church Offering Envelopes will be available beginning next weekend. Envelopes are in alphabetical order.Parishioners who had a number between 102-110 have been assigned a new number. Parishioners wishing to use envelopes for the first time may pick up a set next weekend. Sunday Missals for Year A now available We have some copies of the Living with Christ Sunday Missals which are available on the shelves at the back of the church. The cost is $7.00. This month's Magnificat is in!Parishioners who subscribe to the Magnificat may pick up their December Issue on the shelves at the back of the church. Advent begins next weekend...be prepared! The Magnificat Advent Companion is available on the shelves at the back of the church. The cost is $2.00 per copy. This is a good resource for preparing for Christmas.
St Willibrord: The Christmas Baskets ProjectThe Christmas Baskets Project at St. Willibrord’s Parish is a 100% volunteer-powered mobilization that helps provide food and Christmas cheer to 200 families in Verdun. Financial contributions to the Christmas Baskets Project can be made online. You can also contact thechristmasbaskets@gmail.com to receive a needs list of non-perishable food items and toys, and also to learn more about how you can get involved as a volunteer on drop-in weekends, packing day, and delivery day!
Coffee Break Catechesis
Ever wondered why it's so hard to forgive yourself? If this is a struggle that weighs heavily on you, Father Mike from Ascension Presents has some words of comfort, advice, and hope for you.
Beyond Verdun- .Discover what life is like on the other side of cloister walls
While making a documentary called L’iconographe (The Icon-Maker), Brazilian-Canadian film director Lessandro Sócrates met the iconographer nuns of the Abbey of Sainte-Marie des Deux-Montagnes. Twelve years later, the fruits of their resulting friendship are revealed in Lessandro's new documentary, De l’autre côté (The Other Side). The cloistered nuns appear to lead a life of austerity, but Lessandro's film introduces us to these endearing women endowed with an extraordinary joie de vivre.
Screenings for this film in Montreal will take place as part of the Montreal International Documentary Festival at Cineplex Odeon in Montreal’s Quartier Latin on November 22, 2022, (9:00pm, Cinema 10), and on November 25, 2022 (6:00pm, Cinema 12).
Watch the trailer here, and read more about the film here.
Put Your Faith, Hope, and Love into Action!
- The Indigenous Reconciliation Fund
- The Indigenous Reconciliation Fund was established to accept donations from 73 Catholic entities across the country, and to advance healing and reconciliation initiatives. It seeks to support projects that are determined locally, in collaboration with First Nations, Métis and Inuit partners. Learn more and support this Catholic commitment to healing and reconciliation at https://www.irfund.ca/
- CAPP-Canada
- CAPP was founded by Pope St. John Paul II to advance the principles of the social doctrine of the Church: the dignity of the human person, solidarity and subsidiarity. Learn more at https://www.cappcanada.ca/ and watch the replay of September's virtual launch of CAPP-Canada at https://www.cappcanada.ca/launch
- Catholic Action Montreal
- Motivated by our faith, Catholic Action Montreal empowers its community through a network of gifted individuals, partners, and organizations, enabling them to respond to an expressed need, resulting in profound changes in the community. Learn more and get involved at https://catholicaction.ca/
Yours in Christ,
Father Robert Assaly+