Pastoral Staff
Pastor: FR. LUCIANO CORTOPASSI [email protected]
*Appts to be arranged through the parish office
Senior Administrator: DEBORAH QUINLAN [email protected]
Religious Education: LEANNE PLAMONDON [email protected]
Administrative Asst: CHRISTINA SPRINKHUYSEN Submissions for the bulletin go to:
DEADLINE IS THURSDAY 12 NOON
Parish Mailing Address
St. James Parish, Site 7, Box 41, RR#2
Okotoks, AB T1S 1A2
Phone: 403-938-3122
Fax: 403-938-0524
Email: [email protected]
Parish Website: http://
stjamesparishokotoks.wordpress.com
OFFICE HOURS:
Monday - Friday 8:30-12:00 & 1:00-3:30pm
*Closed for the Noon Hour*
*Closed 3rd Friday of the Month
Sacrament of the Sick: For Emergencies Call:
Fr. Luciano at 403-860-4344 *Please state your name and Phone number
St. James Church
338060 – 32nd St. East
(Street Address only)
Okotoks
SCHEDULE FOR ST. MICHAEL’S
CHURCH:
Mass Times:
PLEASE SEE INSIDE BULLETIN FOR ALL MASS TIMES DURING THE CHRISTMAS BREAK
SCHEDULE FOR ST.
JAMES CHURCH
(for the week of Dec 25 -
Jan 7):
Mass Times:
PLEASE SEE INSIDE BULLETIN FOR ALL MASS TIMES DURING THE CHRISTMAS BREAK
St. Michael’s Church 402 Government Road (Street address only)
Black Diamond
Upcoming Events and Activities
CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE 2016
ST. JAMES CHURCH,
338060 Avenue and 32nd
St. East, Okotoks
Christmas Eve – December 24th – 6:00 pm and 9:00 pm
Christmas Day – December 25th – 10:00 am
New Year’s Eve – December 31st – 5:00 pm
New Year’s Day – January 1, 2017 – 11:00 am
ST. MICHAEL’S CHURCH,
402 Government Rd, Black Diamond
Christmas Eve – December 24th – 11:00 pm
Christmas Day – December 25th – 9:00 am
New Year’s Day – January 1, 2017 – 9:00 am
Parish Office Closed - December 23rd - January 3rd
ST. JAMES PARISH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED FROM
DECEMBER 23RD NOON TO JANUARY 3RD, 2017.
Mass Times & Mass Intentions
Activities For The Week of Dec 25 - Dec 31
Sunday - Dec 25
9:00am - St. Michael’s People of the Parish
10:00am - St. James People of the Parish 7:00pm - St. James NO MASS
Monday - Dec 26
NO MASS
2nd Sunday Choir Practice 7-8pm, St. Michael’s Church Parish Office closed until Jan 3rd
Tuesday - Dec 27
7:00pm - NO MASS
Men’s Prayer Group 8-9pm, St. James Church, St. Br. Andre
Wednesday - Dec 28
9:00am - NO MASS
Thursday - Dec 29
9:30am - St. James
Victoriano Galvan
“Rivers of Living Water” Prayer Group RESUMES JAN. 5TH, 2017, 7-8:30 PM, St. James Church, St. Br. Andre Room. MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE – SEE YOU ALL IN 2017!
HIS Choir Practice 8:30-10pm, St. James Church
Friday - Dec 30
9:00am - St. Michael’s
Vanny & Sylvia Hellman
Adoration following 9am Mass
Saturday - Dec 31
5:00pm - St. James
Jodie & Travis Marcyniuk
No Morning Mass
* Low Gluten Eucharist is available at every Mass
St. James Par ish Page 3
Mass Times & Mass Intentions
Activities For The Week of jan 1 - Jan 7
Sunday - Jan 1
9:00am - St. Michael’s People of the Parish
11:00am - St. James People of the Parish 7:00pm - St. James NO MASS
Monday - Jan 2
NO MASS
Tuesday - Jan 3
7:00pm - St. James
Mathew & Ellie Arsenault
Parish Office Now Open Reconciliation and Adoration following 7pm Mass Men’s Prayer Group 8-9pm, St. James Church, St. Br. Andre
Wednesday - Jan 4
9:00am - St. Michael’s
Mona El Ghali
St. James KofC Mass (All Welcome) 6:30pm, St. James Church St. James KofC Meeting 7-9pm, St. James Church, St. Raphael
Thursday - Jan 5
9:30am - St. James
Edward Krott
“Rivers of Living Water” Prayer Group 7-8:30 PM, St. James Church, St. Br. Andre Room.
HIS Choir Practice 8:30-10pm, St. James Church St. James Women’s C & C 7-9pm, St. James Church Hall RCIA 7-9pm, St. James Church, St. Joseph Room
Friday - Jan 6
9:00am - St. Michael’s
Vic Gill
Adoration following 9am Mass
Saturday - Jan 7
9:00am - St. James
Andrew, Jessica & Aria Fagan
* Low Gluten Eucharist is available at every Mass
Weekday Mass Schedule for the Christmas Season Tuesday December 27th - NO MASS Wednesday December 28th - NO MASS Thursday December 29th, 9:30am at St. James Church Friday December 30th, 9:00am at St. Michael’s Church Saturday December 31st - NO MORNING MASS, 5pm Mass St. James Church Tuesday January 3rd - 7:00pm at St. James Church Wednesday January 4th, 9:00am at St. Michael’s Church Thursday January 5th, 9:30am at St. James Church Friday January 6th, 9:00am at St. Michael’s Church Saturday January 7th, 9:00am at St. James Church
*Sunday, Jan 8th Join our Pancake Breakfast hosted by the K of C following
11am Mass at St. James Church
Dear Parishioners,
Merry Christmas! The peace of the Baby Jesus be with you and all your family.
Usually, every Christmas I write down a Christmas Letter and during Advent after Masses in
front of the altar, I distribute it personally to the parishioners. This year I didn't find the time to
prepare it and at the last moment I prepared this message for you.
Many years ago, during the period when I was thinking to make the very big decision in my life,
to go in the seminary and to become a priest, I was strolling in a cold night illuminated by the
Christmas street lights of my beautiful city (Lucca), with my mentor Father Cesare. At once he said
to me: "Christmas is the spring of the human Spirit. For the most part of the year people don't like
to show the good things within them, and it seems that only in this period they remember that they
are children of God." This friend of mine, who passed away nine years ago, did not believe that
Christmas was just a feast passed on by the power of business, but that at this time of the year
something extraordinary happens in people, a deep desire returns to belong to God.
I also would like to think the same that in some way for many, Christmas is really the spring in which
the Spirit of God awakens in us. It marks a return to the origins of our faith.
Christmas is a special liturgical space of time, which reminds us that a child, the Son of God, is born
for us. That child in his time will complete his mission of salvation by his resurrection from the dead.
Christmas is the time of spiritual renewal because it provides an opportunity for discernment on how
we live personally, to discover if there is any inconsistency between our own thoughts, purposes and
the concrete life that we lead.
This is my first Christmas here with you in Saint James Okotoks and Saint Michael’s Black Diamond,
and I'm very happy to be here. In these few months I have had the opportunity to meet and get to
know many of you, and in all sincerity, I have the good feeling of belonging to a warm and friendly
community. Thank you so much for your friendship.
If you want this Christmas to not be a Christmas like past years, and do something completely
different, you may discover that you can fly like an eagle and that Christmas is not just a routine
feast that arrives at the usual time and day, but Christmas remains alive forever within you.
Let us take this time to renew our joy at the coming of Baby Jesus.
Peace, Father Luciano
Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary Announcements from the Catholic Pastoral Centre
PLEASE SEE THE BULLETIN BOARD FOR THE LATEST COPY OF THE DIOCESAN
NEWS
*NEW* Senior’s Group All seniors are invited for fellowship & discussion about forming this group and what you would like it to look like. We will meet on Wednesday, January 18th, 2:00pm, at St. James Church, in the St. Raphael Room. We are eager to hear your ideas & input!
*NEW* Youth Ministry
Information Session
This meeting if for
Adults who are
interested in
working with the
Youth (Gr 7-12). January 27th @
7pm in the St. Raphael Room
*NEW* Youth Choir for Saturday Nights
A 2nd Youth Choir is forming for Saturday evening Mass. Please contact Leanne @ [email protected] if interested in singing.
CHRISTIAN WOMEN'S
FELLOWSHIP BREAKFAST
We hope you are all having a Blessed Advent
and enjoying each day as it comes along. We
wish all the ladies in the community a Merry Christmas and
hope to see you in the New Year!
Our first breakfast in 2017 will be on Thursday January 12.
Our guest speaker will be Jill Mowser from the organization
called Mary’s Meals. She joins us from Calgary but will tell
us all about how children are being fed at their schools all
over the world.
All Christian women in the area are welcome to join us.
(Unfortunately our space does not lend itself to offering child
care).
We gather at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Black Diamond
at 9:00am. The cost is still $7.00 and reservations are needed.
For reservations or to be added to our phoning list please call
Elva Painchaud @ 403-938-0751.
Save the Date! KofC St. James Parish Cup February 4th, 2017. Tickets on sale soon!
From Catholic Charities, RE: Year End Giving. In order to receive 2016 tax receipts for donations to St. James Parish, they must be received by December 31, 2016 at midnight OR post marked by December 31st (cheques).
St. James Catholic Women’s League
The members of St. James Catholic Women’s League wish all of our parishioners a blessed Christmas and all the best in 2017. Mark your calendars for the January10th and February 8th, 2017 regular meetings. February is when we reveal our Prayer Partners from 2016,and choose our 2017 Partners. It is usually a fun evening. God bless!
Page 6
Ministry Contact Information
Bereavement Ministry
Barbara Zimmer [email protected]
Children’s Liturgy Roxanne Bruketa [email protected]
Couples for Christ Program
Julius Strachan 403-630-5291 [email protected]
Finance Council
Girls T&T Nicole Joachim [email protected]
K of C - St. James Elie Plamondon 403-982-9876
K of C - St. Michael’s Ernie Bird [email protected]
Men’s Prayer Group
Stefan Schwarz 403-850-2057 [email protected]
Music Ministry Leanne Plamondon 403-982-9876
Parish Pastoral Council
Dave Wilson 403-995-2201
Pastoral Care Mary McGinness 403-995-0202
Prayer Chain Vi Lake [email protected]
RCIA Cheryl Poulin [email protected]
Rivers of Living Water Prayer Group
Kim Jakobowski [email protected]
Sacramental Preparation
Leanne Plamondon religiousedu@ stjamesparishrc.com
403-938-3122
St. James’ Boy’s Youth Group
Stefan Schwarz 403-850-2057 [email protected]
St. James Catholic Women’s League
Pamela Mclean [email protected]
St. James Women’s Coffee & Connections
Linda Bryson 403-938-7644 [email protected]
St. Vincent de Paul
Julie Ann Heggenstaller 403-938-0562 [email protected]
St. Vincent de Paul - Black Diamond
John Walsh 403-933-4955
Stewardship Colleen Mortimer [email protected]
Together in Action Dave Wilson 403-995-2201
Youth Music Ministry Jasmine Siqueira [email protected] 403-9991321
Youth Ministry [email protected]
Helen Russel Margaret Clark
Victoria Kinkart Camille Carriere
Mabel Wilson Herb Wilson
Paulette Robillard Lambert van Oirschot
Kip Campbell Bill Smigelski
Randy Kovitch Patsy Carriere
Armand Amyotte Jeannette Amyotte
John C. Foy Claire Gonneville
Joe Kennedy Art Peddicord
Teresa
Worobets-Bosley John & Ann Motkoski
Chris Crook Horst Schoenfelder
Cathy Miller Mary Foy
Josephine Carriere Bill Mercer
Doug Wilson Dennis Steciw
Jamie van Oirschot Sean Kenney
Daryl Smigelski Bill & Betty Sturgeon
Gerard Carriere
We thank those who made donations for our
Christmas flowers, and remember their loved ones
below. “’...For nothing will be impossible with God.’ Then Mary said,
‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according
to your word.’” Luke 1:37-38
Sacramental Preparation 2017
St. James Parish If your Child has not received the Sacraments at St. James
Church or St. Michael’s Church, a copy of their certificate of
Baptism must be given at time of registration.
FIRST RECONCILIATION 2016 - For Grades 3 and up. Sessions for 2016 have now ended. Registration will
begin again in September 2017.
CONFIRMATION 2017 - For Grades 8 and up. ALL CLASSES WILL BE MONDAYS @ 7-9pm,
Parents and Students are expected to attend the 11am or 7pm Mass on
Sundays. Cost is $40.00.
- Monday, January 9th, 2017 @ 7pm
- Sunday, January 22nd, 2017
Commitment Mass at 11am or 7pm
- Monday, January 23rd, 2017 @ 7pm
Student only Session
- Monday, February 13th, 2017 @ 7pm
- Monday, March 6th, 2017 @ 7pm
- Monday, March 20th, 2017 @ 7pm
Student only Session
- Monday, April 3rd, 2017 @ 7pm
- Monday, April 24th, 2017 @ 7pm
Journal Submission, Student only Session
- Saturday, April 29th, 2017 @ 9am
Mass, Retreat & Rehearsal
- Sunday, May 7th, 2017 @ 11am
Celebration of Confirmation with Bishop Frederick Henry
FIRST COMMUNION 2017 - ALL CLASSES WILL BE SUNDAYS FROM 2-3:30pm, Parents and
Students are expected to attend Mass at 11am or 7pm. Parent and student
are to attend each session. Cost is $30.00.
*Additional Registration: Wed Feb 8th 5:30-7:30pm
St. James Parish Office*
- Sunday, March 19th, 2017 @ 2pm
- Sunday, March 26th, 2017 @ 2pm
Commitment Mass at 11am or 7pm
- Sunday, April 2nd, 2017 @ 2pm
- Sunday, April 9th, 2017 @ 2pm
- Sunday, April 30th, 2017 @ 2pm
- Saturday, May 6th, 2017 @ 9am-12:30pm
Mass, Retreat & Rehearsal
- Saturday, May 13th, or Sunday, May 14th, 2017
First Communion Sacramental Mass
BAPTISM PREPARATION Registration takes place at the Parish Office before the session. A Baptism Preparation session is required for the baptism of your first child. Baptisms take place the 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month after the 11am mass in Okotoks, and at the 9am mass in Black
Diamond. Cost is $20.00.
Session Four: Saturday, January 21st, 2017 @ 1pm Session Five: Wednesday, March 8th, 2017 @ 7pm Session Six: Sunday, April 30th, 2017 @ 1pm Session Seven: Wednesday, June 7th, 2017 @ 7pm
If your child is older than seven years and in need of baptism, please contact the parish office at 403-938-3122.
MARRIAGE PREPARATION Phone the Parish Office at least 6 months before marriage and make an appointment. Marriage preparation sessions are mandatory for those preparing for marriage. Sessions run Friday @ 7-9pm and continue Saturday @ 9am-4pm on the following dates:
Session Two: February 10th & February 11th, 2017 Session Three: April 28th & April 29th, 2017 Session Four: October 20th & October 21, 2017
Includes follow up meetings with Sponsor couples.
Cost is $150.00 per couple.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Registration is ongoing for all those interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith. Inquirers are instructed in the Catholic Faith and introduced to the life of the Church. The sessions are Wednesdays from 7-9pm at St. James Church. For more information please call the Parish Office at 403-938-3122.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Teens (RCIT) This program is designed for all youth from grades 7-12 who desire to receive the Catholic Sacraments they have missed and for any youth who wish to be fully initiated into the Catholic Church. Sessions will take place bi-weekly on Mondays from 7-9pm at St. James Church. Please contact the Parish Office for more information at 403-938-3122.
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION Page 7
Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC)
For children in grade 2 and up who would like to receive the sacrament of Baptism. These sessions are for parents and children and will enable them to work together in preparation for this sacrament. Sessions will be Wednesday evenings (see dates below), from 6:30-7:30pm at St. James Church in the St. Raphael Room. Baptisms will take place Saturday, February 25th @ 9:00am. Please register at the Parish Office. January 18th and 25th / February 8th and 15th
ST. JAMES FINANCIAL CORNER
We are currently looking for businesses who would like to advertise on the back page of the Parish bulletin beginning in January 2017. Please contact the Parish office at 403-938-3122 for details. Please note: Our Parish Priest has final approval of all ads submitted.
Sale of Safeway and Sobeys Gift
Cards
Safeway and Sobeys gift cards are sold at
face value every second Sunday after the 11
am and 7 pm Mass, as well as at the Parish
office. Cash, cheque, debit and credit cards
can be used for payment. Our goal for 2016
is to sell $9000 per month or $108,000
annually which will contribute $8100 towards
the Parish. TIA donations are accepted as
well!
Actual
Dec 1 to Dec 31, 2016 $ 7,600.00
Year to date $74,100.00
Proceeds to the Parish $ 5,557.50
Weekly Collection
Report 2016
Dec 11, 2016
Collections Budget
Over (Under)
Budget
Year to date
Collections
Year to date
Budget
Over (Under)
Budget
Operating Fund $10,681 $8,860 $1,821 $417,200 $477,700 $(60,500)
Together in Action (TIA) $1,110 $936 $174 $42,522 $46,800 $(4,278)
Building Fund Loan $6,868 $1,682 $5,186 $115,485 $84,100 $31,385
Stewardship Reflection:
December 25, 2016 - The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
“And the Word became flesh” John 1:14
Jesus is God’s ultimate gift of love to us. The countless other
blessings that God showers upon us are nothing compared to the gift
of His only Son. The only appropriate way for us to respond to
such generous love is with our own generous love. When we
dedicate our lives to sharing all the gifts God has placed in our
hands, the peace of Christ truly will control our hearts and we will
know Christmas joy every day.
January 1, 2017 - Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God
“And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.”
Luke 2:19
Mary is the perfect role model for living a stewardship
lifestyle. She listened to God and said “yes” to His invitation to
be the Holy Mother of His son. She also trusted in God’s
providence on a daily basis. As we start a new year, take time
every day to listen to how God is calling you; trust that He has a
better plan for you than you could ever imagine.
http://archstl.org/stewardship/page/bulletin-inserts
St. Vincent de Paul - Okotoks, Report
A total of $10,865.83 was spent for the
month of October, providing assistance
to local people. Four home visits were
done, serving 9 adults and 15 children,
with a total of 12.5 volunteer hours. Assistance was
given in the form of food, fuel, daily living needs, and
Christmas outreach. Year to Date
Revenue: $41,615.90. Year to Date
Expenses: $43,027.26. Thank you for your prayers and
continued support! We wish each of you God’s peace
& blessings as you celebrate Christmas.
Weekly Collection
Report 2016
Dec 18, 2016
Collections Budget
Over (Under)
Budget
Year to date
Collections
Year to date
Budget
Over (Under)
Budget
Operating Fund $9,775 $8,860 $915 $426,975 $486,560 $(59,585)
Together in Action (TIA) $1,919 $936 $983 $44,441 $47,736 $(3,295)
Building Fund Loan $1,010 $1,682 $(672) $116,495 $85,782 $30,713