7/27/2019 The 1st Sunday of Advent (A) St. Monica’s Parish November 30-December 1, 2013 Nothing Lasts Forever?

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-1st-sunday-of-advent-a-st-monicas-parish-november-30-december-1 1/2

The 1st Sunday of Advent (A) St. Monica’s Parish November 30-December 1, 2013

N othing Lasts ForeverWell, December 21, 2012 came and went, and what did it prove? It proved that the Mayans

need a new calendar! The film 2012 was a box office boom because it spoke to a fear that manypeople have; the fear of the end of the world. This weekend’s Gospel speaks of the end of the world,and in spite of the seemingly ominous predictions of “one will be taken…” it is not about fear; it is

really all about the choices we make.Jesus tells us to “keep awake”. It sounds like a command to be vigilant about the coming end

of the world, but that is not really so. He tells us that it will be like the day of Noah. In the parable ofthe flood, the people of the Earth didn’t know that anything was coming until the rain began. Sostaying awake and standing on guard in the usual sense is useless. What Jesus is calling us to be isa way of life; a way of making choices that follow his teaching. This Gospel is not a call to be afraid ofthe coming judgment. It is a call to a joy-filled life that leads to eternity with him. This Gospel is apromise of the great things to come if we choose to follow Jesus’ way.

This is why we celebrate Advent. Advent is a time to shake off the effects of our failures to followJesus of the year gone by. When we enter fully into the blessing of Advent, we seek to be reborn aswe experience the eternal incarnation of the Son of God at Christmas. Advent, as a time of joy-filled

preparation, is meant as a time for us to rediscover the goodness of our nature as God made us.Scripture tells us that God looked on his creation and saw that it was very good. But our nature

does not stop there. Through the incarnation, the Son of God joined divinity to our humanity. In thisGod took our nature “up a notch”. Through the Word made Flesh, we have been given the possibilityof being one with God, if we choose to accept that greatest of gifts.

This is why we celebrate Advent. This is why we celebrate “joyfully” this season of preparationThe birth of Jesus is the beginning of rebirth of all humankind. It begins with a call to keep awake, notto fend off a fear-filled apocalypse; but rather to welcome a full and abundant life that leads to endlessday. “Awake form sleep” to the great joy of God-with-Us, the greatest joy that lasts beyond forever.

EVENING OF CAROLLING & CHRISTMAS SING-A-LONG An evening of caroling and Christmas sing-a-long will be held on Sunday December 15, 2013 at St

Monica’s parish from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The evening will begin at 5:00 p.m. with carolingthroughout the neighborhood, followed by hot dogs & chocolates in the parish hall, and culminating inan evening of community Christmas sing-a-long. Everyone is invited! PLEASE MARK YOURCALENDARS AND SPREAD THE WORD! If you or someone you know would like to participateplease contact Odette through the parish office.

ANNUAL TOY AND FOOD DRIVE:  Please take an “ornament” from our Christmas trees

which are situated at the front entrance of the church; and either buy a toy, food, or both for our

Christmas baskets. All items must be received by Sunday, December 15. For further information

please contact Deacon Dennis or Jennie Armstrong at the rectory.

"GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PARISHIONERS”

On Sunday, December 8, 2013, after the 11:00 a.m. Mass, there will be a general meeting of allparishioners for the purpose of electing two new churchwardens for a three-year term. Speciathanks to Angela Onesi and George Wong, who are completing their mandates. Together with thepastor, the wardens form the Fabrique of St. Monica’s Parish: as such, they serve as stewards of thechurch’s temporal and financial needs. It is important that we can call on wise and generousparishioners to assume this essential function. If you live within the church boundaries (east side ofWalkley to west side of Beaconsfield; from St. Jacques to south side of Cote St. Luc Rd.), please prayabout allowing your name to stand for election. You may speak to Fr. Raymond or any of the currenwardens (names listed on the front page of the church bulletin) for more information.

7/27/2019 The 1st Sunday of Advent (A) St. Monica’s Parish November 30-December 1, 2013 Nothing Lasts Forever?

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-1st-sunday-of-advent-a-st-monicas-parish-november-30-december-1 2/2

  Saturday, Nov. 30 St. Andrew

4: In Lov ing Memory: Mike Kilbertus, Deceased members

of the Charles McDonald Family, Luigina Cicciarelli,

Pietro Mattei, Edgardo Poce, Constanzia, Rosa, & Irma

Sparapani, Leonard Winslade, Deceased members of the

Palladini Family, Deceased members of the Agnessi Family

Sunday, Dec. 1 1st Sunday of Advent8:3 Vincenzo Saluzzi Maddalena Saluzzi & Family

11:  Joseph Onesi Ida & Family

Monday, Dec. 2 Weekday

8: Maria Brocca Her Niece

 Tuesday, Dec . 3 St. Francis Xavier

8: Giovanni, Maria &

Elena Piccolino

The Piccolino Family

Wed., Dec. 4 Weekday

8: Italo Falcone Lina Spinelli Thursday, Dec. 5 Weekday

8:  Anna Fiori Husband & Family

Friday, Dec. 6 Weekday

8: Giuseppe Fiori Wife & Family

Saturday, Dec. 7 St. Ambrose

4:  Antonietta & Vincenzo Stasi Bruno Fiori

Sunday, Dec. 8 2nd Sunday of Advent

8:3 In Lov ing Memory: Joseph Onesi, Elena Casale Zilli,

Luigi & Rosa Mammone, Viola McDonald, Jean Pratte,Isa Mazzella, Marisa Paliotti.

11: Giacomo Fiori Wife Bernardina & Family

 Your Generosity… Thank you for your on-going support of our parish…

Last weekend’s collection was $2,589.85 and the Special

Collection for Aid to the Philippines totalled $5,544.00

CHRISTMAS EVE CHILDREN’S PAGEANT: Needed--Mary, Joseph, Wisemen, Innkeepers and

 Angels for our annual Christmas pageant taking place atthe Christmas Eve Mass at 7:30 pm. Registration forms

are available at the front entrance of the church and in

the church hall. Please note the rehearsal dates. For

further information, please contact Odette Quenneville or

Jennie Parsons-Armstrong at the rectory.

SPECIAL COLLECTION THIS WEEKEND FOR

MAINTENANCE Nov.30/Dec.1)

Adult Faith Enrichment

Video Divina

Fr. Raymond will present E.T. - The

Extra – Terrestrial,  the third movie ofhis “Meeting Jesus at the Movies” filmseries, on Friday, December 6 at 7

p.m.  in the parish rectory. Admissionand popcorn are free, and stimulatingdiscussion will follow the movie! All arewelcome!Please refer to our website and the

posters at the Church entrances for

additional information. If registration is

required, kindly use the appropriate

sign-up sheets at the main church

entrance or contact Anna at the office

514-481-0267.

ADVENT PRAYER BOOKLETSAND CANDLES

The Advent prayer booklets & candlesare now available for you to purchaseThe booklets are priced at $1.00 or$2.00 for each, and the candles arepriced at $5.00 for each set.

FOR SALE THIS WEEKEND

2014 SUNDAY MASS BOOKSThe Sunday Mass Books for 2014beginning with the 1st  Sunday of

 Advent, Dec. 1, are now on sale for $5each. You can pick up your copy at themain entrance of the church. You will find all the above listeditems at the main entrance of thechurch. Please place your paymentin the Missalette and NewspaperPayment Box.

NEW 2014 SUNDAY DONATIONBOXES

This weekend, owners of DonationBoxes  can now pick up their new boxfor 2014 at the main entrance. Be sureto pick up only the box that has yourname and number on it. Those whowish to have a box, please fill out arequest form for submission.