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The First Sunday of Advent December 2, 2012

As we begin a new liturgical year, our Advent theme dovetails nicely with our overall theme for the pastoral yea

Pilgrims on the Journey. For that journey is a journey offaith. In a world where broken promises from politician

business leaders, spouses, ministers can lead us to despair or cynicism, we are invited to trust in the faithfulnes

of a God who keeps his word. All around us, the world is in crisis environmental crisis, economic crisis, familie

in crisis, church in crisis, values in crisis. So often, we are disappointed by the institutions in society to which we loofor stability, well-being, and security.

There is, in fact, nothing new about this. The people to whom Luke wrote his Gospel at the end of the 1 st centu

had witnessed the destruction of their cherished Temple, and were experiencing persecutions. To our wor

searching for meaning and purpose, Jesus words in the Gospel encourage us not to lose hope, but to be prepare

for his coming. We are called to hear and respond to Jesus call to conversion. How? By paying attention to what

going on around us; by doing what Vatican II called reading the signs of the times. Foremost among these signs

the reality ofchange.

Ultimately, conversion to a deeper faith is an invitation to embrace change. In general, we humans resist chang

We establish routines and become comfortable with them. And yet, are not our entire lives about change? We pathrough infancy to childhood to adolescence to adulthood to old age. We live in a rapidly-changing world. Even th

Church, the so-called bulwark of stability, has gone through many changes and will go through more yet! W

change, then, never end? Im afraid not, at least in this life. Its simply part of human existence. We seek stability

the world gives us change. The crucial question is: How can we find inner stability, in the midst of a changin

world? The answer lies in our faith in Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, whose way

are steadfast love and faithfulness. We trust in his Word, and we await the fulfillment of his promise. May h

Advent find us watchful and ready.

All young and young at heart are invited to join us at

5:00 pm onSunday December 9th for an evening of

Christmas carols in St. Monicas neighborhood. While

sharing our gift of song, we will also be collecting non-

perishable food donations for the Food Pantry.

Following the caroling, everyone is invited in the

church hall for hot-dogs and hot chocolate. This will be

followed by a Christmas concert in the church at 7:00

pm all are invited to attend! If you would like to

share your talent, please contact Odette through theparish office. But please, mark your calendars and plan

to attend.

Weekly Reflection Question:

What in your life is weighing you down or keeping you

from experiencing Gods love more fully? What might

need to change within you so that this can happen?

ST. MONICAS TOY DRIVE

Our annual Toy Drive is now on and will continue unDecember 16th. Please bring an unwrapped toy anplace it either under the Christmas tree on thsanctuary or in the baskets at the entrance of th

church. All the toys will be distributed with oChristmas food baskets on December 18th. For furthinformation please contact Deacon Dennis or JennParsons-Armstrong at the rectory.

RANEE LEE CONCERT

What a wonderful evening it was! I sincerely would lik

to thank all who made this evening a success. Spec

thanks and gratitude to Ranee Lee, Richard and th

very talented musicians that performed what

concert! To all those who volunteered in ticket sale

coordination, set-up, clean-up and throughout th

evening thank you! And to all of you who came o

to support not only this event, but mostly to suppo

St. Monicas Hall Renovations, your generosity mean

so much. May God continue to bless us all.

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Mass Intentions December 2-9, 2012

December 2, 2012 The First Sunday of Advent

8:30 Maria, Giovanni & ElenaPiccolino

The Piccolino Family

Vincenzo & AntoniettaLaPosta

Concetta LaPosta

The Koziol Family Their Nephew

11:00 Ettore Lanni Virginia Lanni & FamilyLarry Ascoli Mike & Michelle Giancaspero

Antonio & Carmela

DiIoia

Their daughter Anna DiIoia

December 3, 2012 Monday, St. Francis Xavier

8:00 The Intentions of Blaise& Anita Brabhu &

Family

The Saldanha Family

Theresa, Kevin & JulianRooney

The Family

December 4, 2012 Tuesday, St. John Damascene

8:00 Lorenzo & Anna Forlini The Family

Marianna Mattachione &Antonio LaPosta

Restituta LaPosta

December 5, 2012 Wednesday, Advent Weekday

8:00 Anna Maria Fiori Livio & Family

Bernadette Boudreau Brenda Robillard

December 6, 2012 Thursday, St. Nicholas

8:00 Giuseppe Fiori His Wife & Family

Roberto Ugarte The Family

December 7, 2012 First Friday, St. Ambrose

8:00 Pat Shaw The Brabant Family

Lazaro Britanico Belgica Elena & FamilyDecember 8, 2012 The Immaculate Conception

11:00 Isa Mazzella The Family

4:00 Vinzenzo & AntoniettaLaPosta

Concetta LaPosta

Walter (Mickie) Laughlin Helen DesRoches

Ferdinando Caporicci Angelo & Luisa Falcone

Lucille Wong Pauline & George Wong &Family

December 9, 2012 The Second Sunday of Advent

8:30 Violante Camaiani The Piccolino Family

Luigina Cicciarelli The Poce FamilySr. Ann Murphy SNJM Rosa Salvati

11:00 Vincenzo Saluzzi Maddalena Saluzzi & Family

Walter (Mickie) Laughlin Emily Ryan

BernardinoMastrogiovanni

His wife Concetta & Family

The Christmas Story in Glorious Music:

Come to a wonderful free concert by the 42 voices of the TMRSingers, directed by Manuel Blais, at St. Malachy Parish (5330Clanranald Ave., Mtl.) on Friday, December 14 at 7:30 pm. OurChristmas gift to you! Contact Milda at 514-738-3998

IMPORTANT! Wardens ElectionsThis weekend following the 11 AM mass

It is important to have as many people whlive within the parish boundaries (from Walke

to Beaconsfield and from Cote St. Luc Roato St. Jacques) attend in order to have a legrepresentation.

To stand for election one must reside withthe parish boundaries. If you wish nominate someone, please contact the officor speak to Fr. Ray after you secure thepermission. The procedure is the same if yowish to offer your own name: speak to FRay.

ADULT FAITH ENRICHMENT

Upcoming events

Contemplative Prayer Workshop

Fr. Gerry Westphals Contemplative Pray

workshop continues this coming TuesdaDecember 4, from 7 to 9 pm in the paris

rectory. All are welcomed to attend.

Video Divina

Fr. Raymond will present the movie The Nativi

Story on Friday, December 7 at 7 p.m. in thparish rectory. Join him for this very specmovie.

Please refer to www.stmonica.ca and th

posters at the Church entrances for addition

information.

Advent Prayer Booklets and Candles

The 2012 Advent Prayer Booklets and Advecandles are available for you to purchase at thcost of $2.00 for each booklet, and $5.00 f

each set of candles. You will find these items the main entrance of the church. Please put yopayment in the Missalette and Newspap

Payment Box.

Thank you for supporting your parishLast weeks collection was: $3,711.02

The Hall Renovation Fund received $5,680.00The Ranee Lee Concert raised $3,086.61

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