“WE WELCOME, WE WORSHIP, WE WITNESS”

November 5th, 2017 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Holy Family Office (902) 667-2523

Father Craig Christenson—Parish Priest/Moderator of Cumberland County

Glenna O’Quinn Parish Coordinator Evelyn Currie Office/Finance Manager OPEN - Caretaker Deacon Howard Gotell

WELCOME AND BLESSINGS

If you are not of Catholic faith, we welcome you to our Family. Please feel free to come up at Communion, cross your arms and receive a

blessing from Fr Craig or Deacon Howard.

Please Park in Holy Family parish spots, not the

PRIVATE parking for apartments. Thank You!

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

1st three Saturdays of each Month from 2:30—

3:30 pm, as well as Wednesdays after Adoration

(3—6:20pm/ Mass at 6:30pm)

Office Hours

Monday—

Friday

9—12 pm

Office Closed

at NOON

November 2nd : All Souls Day

All Souls Day November 2nd is a solemn celebration in the Roman Catholic Church commemorating all those who have died and now in Purgatory, being cleansed of their venial sins and the

temporal punishments for the mortal sins that they have con-fessed, and being made pure before entering into the presence of GOD in Heaven. Today, All Souls Day is paired with All Saints Day on November 1st, which celebrates all the faithful who are in Heaven. Every community usually has their own tradition of remembering decease family members or friends. Here at Holy Family, we put out the “The Book of Life” for the entire month of November, where the names of family and friends who have passed away are written, and included in special prayers each weekend at Mass. In other communities, November is the time of the year that many visit graves of the deceased loved ones to recognize their presence in our lives, and the hope and blessing of going home with GOD.

What can we do to help us in remembering loved ones?

1—Plant a Tree in Honor of a life loved.

2—Have a Mass said for the loved one in memory of them

3—Have children draw pictures of a loved one and then have a “special collection show” of the loved one and show the pic-tures that were drawn, sharing stories and memories.

4—Make special “picture” with special mementos of loved one.

5—Make a pillow of a favorite shirt of a loved one.

Most importantly let us remember them in daily prayer…..

Office Hours

Monday—

Friday

9—12 pm

Office Closed

at NOON

WE ARE ALMOST THERE!!!

1,900,280 The number of Hail Mary’s prayed in all seven Cumberland County Parishes since Dec 5, 2016

GOAL: 2,000,000 by Dec 5.

November is upon us and it seems there has been so much that has happened in the 11 months of 2017, and yet sometimes it is hard

to remember it all. It seems really hard to stop and “be grate-ful” when time passes so quickly and it feels like all our time is spent just catching up. Once when I used the excuse (I used regularly at that time of life),“ I am too busy” or “ I am just so busy”, my Dad caught me and responded “You’re only as busy as you book yourself!!” Like so much of the great wisdom I have received from my parents, (and have paid much more attention too as I have children getting older), it really seemed like a reve-lation to me that day, that I was booking myself into using that excuse for everything. Everything….getting together with friends, being more active with other important things in my life, family time, taking time to pray each day, getting the house-cleaning done, listening to my heart whispers, and so on. I know many of us have this same “I’m too busy” condition and it can be a “mild case” or a serious “infection” in our lives.

November is great time to take stock of what is truly our “busy” situation, and what can we do to make it less of an “infection” and make it a way to truly en-joy and love the things we are part of each day.

Many years ago I was not volunteering in anything….my job had me traveling a lot and was extremely stressful, my children were only little babies and one with seri-ous medical concerns and my husband Sean’s job took him away a lot on the road and so on…..I can only tell you my experience and what it taught me….I was asked to help with two projects. I was asked to be on the board of the L’Arche Community in Wolfville and I was also asked to come and help at the Nursing Home next door to where I lived. I knew I could sing a few songs with the residents, and could go to a few meetings on the board. I thought that could be my “contribution” to volunteering and “doing my part” in helping others. And more importantly, it looked good on my resume. (I really thought this!! ) And so eve-ry Thursday night I walked over to the Nursing Home and sang for an hour and attended monthly Board meetings.

Without the whole story, I can promise you that what happened in that 1st year of “doing my part” I realized that the residents of both the Nursing Home and the L’Arche Community were doing their part to tell me about “living a life” to be proud of, versus a life that looked good on my resume. Both experiences changed my life, my career and my family and set the path for us to be here in Amherst. This month take some time out of the business and spend time with someone who doesn’t have the ability to pay you back , be busy in love with the beauty of life and be busy with loved ones. Give thanks, be grateful and be busy in God’s work— for those rewards are eternal! Xo glenna

Congratulations To You!

Could you be the newest member of the CWL sis-terhood and life-long friendships? Drop into the Ministry Fair and find out more, or contact Fran-cine Robichaud at 902-667-3623 for more information.

Marguerite Burns Bursary The Marguerite Burns Bursary applications for students of CWL

members available in gathering area. Deadline: Nov. 15, 2107

Holy Family CWL Bursary

Holy Family’s CWL will be awarding a number of bursaries to post-secondary students. Applications are available in gathering area.

Deadline:

Nov. 30, 2017

In SERVICE, In MINISTRY, In UNION TOGETHER

Knights of Columbus #2916 Bingo takes place each Sunday and Monday at 6:45 pm at Knight’s hall—5 Robie St. Eve-ryone is welcomed to join in the BINGO fun.

KNIGHTS BREAKFAST November 18th, 8-11 am

due to Remembrance Day please note the change of date!

Regular Meeting—4th Thursday of Month (Nov. 23rd, 7pm)

4th Degree Meetings—1st Thursday of Month (Dec. 7th, 7pm)

Find out more about the Knights by contacting; David Gould, Grand Knight, 902-694-4418 or Deputy Grand Knight Rick d’Entremont, 902-664-8610

Food Donations”

We will be asking for specific food

items on our schedule to fill each

week. Pick up a schedule in gather-

ing area, and we ask that you place it

on your refrigerator for reference to assist in our Christmas

Cheer effort.

Nov 4/5th: 48 oz CANNED APPLE JUICE/ SODA CRACKERS.

Nov 18/19th: TEA AND CEREAL (Rice Krispies or Corn Flakes)

*For people who choose to make a monetary donation, please

consider: (1) The cost of a box including the turkey is $95. (2) The

cost of a turkey or a ham is $20. Parishioners who choose to

donate either of these, will receive a charitable

tax receipt (at year end). Please place your

donation in the collection with your envelope

#, name and write “Christmas Turkey/Ham/

Cheer Box Donation” on the front.

Faith Development : YOUTH

“Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for

to such belongs the kingdom of heaven?”

Is your YOUTH interested in trying a new way to enjoy their faith experience? Why not come and try out a practice night with us? Open to Youth (and those of Youthful Hearts!) 4—104 of age and we would love to have some guitars join our music!! Our

practises are every SUNDAY evening at 6pm, unless is it Family Mass Sunday or a Holiday Weekend. Next Practise is November 5th at 6pm.

FAMILY SESSION—Holy Family Feud

The Family Sessions for September/October hosted a brand new way to learn the bible, test our skills and have a great amount of fun at the same time. Father Craig, gracious-

ly, became “Steve Harvey” for our Holy Family Feud. Our September Session, families learned about SERVICE through PRAYER and the October Session was perfectly timed with our Ministry Fair, as we learned about SERVICE in ACTION.

CONFIRMATION RETREAT:

Nov. 11th, 2—4 pm

Something New This Year for our Confirma-

tion Students to come and enjoy! Any past Confirmation Stu-

dents are invited to join this RETREAT—Confirmation in Faith.

Register or to ask any questions about this retreat, please con-

tact Glenna at glenna@holyfamilyamherst.ca

Tuesday Luncheon

Every week is our Tuesday Luncheon here in the Hall from 11:30—12:30 pm. Come enjoy a

delicious lunch with old friends and make some new friends too. Thank you to ALL of our friends at the Lunch and a huge thank you to the volunteers that make it GREAT!! :)

God, Lord of Mercies, Grant to the souls of Your servants and

handmaids, the place of refreshment, the bliss of eternal rest and

the splendor of Your Light. AMEN

In Our Parish Life, In Our “Family” Life Coats for Cumberland—SSVP

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul with Empowering Beyond Barriers, have begun their winter apparel appeal for Cumberland County. Place any gently used outerwear in the boxes in gathering area. Items available for FREE at :

Amherst: Center Mall: Friday Nov 17th 11:00am-2:00 pm.

Parrsboro: St. George’s Anglican Church Nov 10

Springhill at NSCC on Nov 23.

Locations in Oxford, Pugwash and Wentworth to be confirmed. Check out Empowering Beyond Barriers Facebook page for up-dates.

Heating Assistance Rebate Program

Individuals may apply from October 16 to March 31, 2018. To qualify: you must pay for your own heat and meet 1 of the following criteria: have a net income of $29,000 or less and live alone with no dependents; have a combined net income of $44,000 or less and live with children, or other dependents or adults; receive income assis-tance from the Department of Community Services; Receive the Guaranteed income Supplement or Allowance from Service Canada. Application forms available in gathering area. For more information go to: http://novascotia.ca/programs/heating-assistance-rebate-program

“Homelessness Awareness

Walk” Nov. 26 10:00 am

Joining with the many groups here

at Holy Family, Saint Vincent de Paul

will be taking us on a walk around

the community, focusing on KEY

AREAS of awareness for those who

are homeless or facing the prospect

of being homeless. This walk will

focus on key items about homelessness, to bring a deeper and

personal awareness of the struggles of those in need. Getting

closer in awareness, to those who do not go home to a warm,

safe, clean place is how this can change.. There is a lack of quali-

ty, quantity and affordable accommodations in our town and

surrounding area and there are people living in extremely poor

conditions. How can we as a community recognize this and then

start to find ways to be of service in this type of need from God’s

children. PLEDGE SHEETS on the Bulletin Board in the Gathering

Area. Pick one up, put on your sneakers and join us Sunday,

November 26th at 10:00 am.

Thank you to all who set up the Fabulous Displays

for the MINISTRY FAIR WEEKEND

YES CARDS—November 4/5th and 11/12th

Last weekend was our Ministry Fair, showcasing the gifts of our Holy Family family that serve our community and anyone in need. We had hoped to have more of a turnout at the Fair, however we passed out the YES Cards, to show ways that help you to help us! Some have YES Cards already returned, and we ask you to drop them in the collection baskets or bring to the office when you have completed yours.

On the next two weekends, we will have the YES cards available for those who have not completed one, or have not seen the new list of jobs that we are in need of volunteers. Is there any reason why you couldn’t find 1 hour/week to assist the commu-nity? Volunteers of all ages are needed. (Vacation Bible Camp “oldest camper” is 92 and makes a HUGE difference.)

These are a few of the Amazing Displays from our Ministry Fair Weekend! “Come on Board. Join us today in Holy Service!”

Tuesday Luncheon

Stewardship Committee

Building Grounds Team

Liturgy Committee

Choir: 6:00 & 11:15 am

YOUTH Programs

The A.R.K. of Service (Acts of Random Kindness)

Saint Vincent de Paul

Mary, Mother of Mercy Prayer Group

Audio Visual Team

Ministry of Care & Compassion: Seniors Outreach and more..

CWL Catholic Wom-en’s League

Fundraising/Finance Committees

Hosted by your Steward-ship Council

Meetings and Happenings— NOVEMBER 2017 Nov. 5th 6:00 pm M&M Choir Practice Church

6:45 pm Knights BINGO Knights Hall, 5 Robie St.

Nov 6th 6:45 pm Knights BINGO Knights Hall, 5 Robie St.

Nov. 7th 11:30 am Tuesday Luncheon MacIntyre Hall

Nov. 8th 3—6:20 pm ADORATION Church

6:30 pm Evening Mass Church

7:00 pm CWL Regular Meeting MacIntyre Hall

Nov. 9th 7:00 pm Life in the Spirit #5 MacIntyre Hall

7—8:30 pm Junior/Senior Youth Groups Landry / Board Room

Nov.10th 10:30 am Liturgy Meeting Driscoll Room

2:00 pm Stewardship Meeting Driscoll Room

7—9 pm Chase the Ace MacIntyre Hall

Nov. 11th 10:45 am TOWN REMEMBERANCE SERVICE

Nov. 12th 10:00 am YOUTH Classes Classrooms

Nov. 12th 6:45 pm Knights BINGO Knights Hall, 5 Robie St.

Nov. 12th 6:00 pm M&M Choir Practice Church

Nov. 13th Holiday—OFFICE CLOSED / Counters on Tuesday

Nov. 14th 11:30 am Tuesday Luncheon MacIntrye Hall

7:00 pm Cemetery Meeting MacIntyre Hall

Nov. 15th 1—3 pm FRIENDSHIP CLUB MacIntyre Hall

Nov. 15th 3—6:20pm ADORATION Church

6:30 pm Evening Mass Church

7:00 pm R.C.I.A. Landry Room

7:00 pm Pastoral Parish Council St. Charles/ Nativity Room

Nov. 16th 7:00 pm Life in the Spirit # 6 MacIntyre Hall

Being Good Stewards of Time, Talent and Treasure

Collection Weekly Update

Weekend of Oct 28/29th

Envelopes $2,569.34

Loose $182.65

Pre-Authorized $1364.00

Children $24.80

TOTAL $4,140.79

MISSION :Donation to Fr. Collin’s

$2,689.31

SV de Paul $297.20

Chase The Ace - On Oct 27 SHARON DUFFY won $195.00 Congratulations to Sharon! Thank you for being a part of our Chase the Ace.

Next Draw - NOVEMBER 10th

JACKPOT ESTIMATED at +$ 3400.00

Entertainment Line-Up

Nov 10 Steve Wells

Nov 17 Ken Enman, Rocky Ripley and Friends

Nov 24 Drew Moore

Holy Family Parish LOONIE DRAW Oct 29th Winning #30 for $162.50 was WON by Gail Bourgeois

NEXT DRAW November 12th, 2017 -Numbers are sold before/after Sat/Sun

Mass. Your number can be played weekly at the office. -Pay each week, prepay for a few weeks or pay to the end Au-gust 2018. Numbers removed, if not played for 6 months. House rules are available.

FUNDRAISING, FUN and FELLOWSHIP

Friendship Club Nov. 15th 1—3pm

open to people of all ages. Everyone is wel-

comed to come as you are! Light Snack,

Tea/Coffee, Music, Games and changing

themes throughout the year.

Do you find it lonely at home, then come

join in the fun? Want to get out to new things?

November Friendship Club - Try your hand at learning how

to make a Christmas Craft or find out more about how to play

our Dutch Shuffleboards. Come and see how to play Dutch

Shuffleboard, and have a game on the 2 that we have. We have

Cards/ Crib Boards/ Board Games/ Dice and other fun things to

try too.

We all know that sometimes, just having

someone to talk to, laugh with and

share a memory can be the best medi-

cine for us. Hope to see you on Novem-

ber 15th, 1-3pm!

A Funny Thought: Timmy didn’t want to put his money in the offering plate Sunday morning, so his mother decided to use some hurried creative reasoning with him.

“You don’t want that money, honey,” she whispered in his ear. “Quick! Drop it in the plate. It’s tainted!”

Horrified, the little boy obeyed.

After a few seconds he whispered, “But, mommy, why was the money tainted? Was it dirty?

“Oh, no dear,” she replied. “It’s not really dirty. It just ‘taint yours, and it ‘taint mine,” she replied.

“It’s God’s.”

Our Deep and Sincere Condolences

...To all Parishioners who have experienced the loss of a loved

one and to the friends and family of:

CLARA HARTNETT

Wife of Deacon Rick and mother of Denise.

“Eternal life grant onto them O Lord, and let per-

petual light shine upon them.”

As a prayerful reminder of a loved one, light a candle for 75c

and support the youth activities here at Holy Family.

30th Sunday of Ordinary Time Weekday Masses WED’S 3—6:20 pm ADORATION HOLY FAMILY CHURCH

Nov. 8th 6:30 pm Holy Family, Amherst Evening Mass

Nov 10th 9:00 am Holy Family, Amherst Mass

31st Sunday of Ordinary Time Masses and Lay Led Services Nov. 4 4:00 pm St. Thomas Aquinas, Joggins Lay Led Service

Nov 4 4:00 pm St. Cornelius, Streets Ridge Mass ** Anointing of the Sick at Mass

Nov 4 6:00 pm Holy Family, Amherst Mass for Jeanne Bourque by Louitta Gaudet **Anointing of the Sick & Mass

Nov 5 9:00 am St. Brigid, Parrsboro Mass ** Anointing of the Sick & Mass

Nov 5 9:0 am St. Thomas More, Pugwash Lay Led Service

Nov 5 11:00 am St. John The Baptist, Springhill Lay Led Service

Nov 5 11:15 am Holy Family, Amherst, Mass for Philip Burke by Peter and Debbie Frenette ** Anointing of the Sick at Mass

32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time Masses and Lay Led Services Nov. 11th 4:00 pm St. Thomas Aquinas, Joggins Mass ** Anointing of the Sick & Mass

Nov. 11th 6:30 pm St. Cornelius, Streets Ridge Lay Led Service

Nov. 11th 6:00 pm Holy Family, Amherst Mass for Charles Comeau by Mary Comeau

Nov. 12th 9:00 am St. Brigid, Parrsboro Lay Led Service

Nov. 12th 9:00am St. Thomas More, Pugwash Mass ** Anointing of the Sick & Mass

Nov. 12th 9:00 am St. John The Baptist, Springhill Lay Led Service

Nov. 12th 11:15 am Holy Family, Amherst, Mass for Leonide & Rita Gautreau by Joann Morrissey

Prayer Line Call:

902-597-8313

Prayers for Those In Need

Please keep these individuals and their families in

your prayers:

PHIL LEBLANC LUCILLE GILLIS

May these individuals and others in our families who are ill, be

able to find healing, peace and comfort from the Lord. Please let

us know if there is someone who is seriously ill, in the hospital or

homebound and would like a visit, receive Communion or

Anointing of Sick, by calling the office at 902-667-2523.

Prayer Line Call:

902-597-8313

Next Weeks Reading for Discernment

November 12th, 2017 Readings 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

1st Reading: Wisd om 6:12—16

2nd Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13

Prayers, Worship, Blessings and Love

PRAYER LINE—In need of prayer support?

Call to start a prayer chain of love and support for a loved one

or for prayers for yourself 902-597-8313 or Post your intentions

on the Prayer Wall or in Prayer Box in gathering area. Special

prayers can be included in the Prayers of the Faithful at Mass,

please contact the office.

ADORATION: What is Adoration?

"The time you spend with Jesus in the

Blessed Sacrament is the best time you will

spend on earth. Each moment that you

spend with Jesus will deepen your union

with Him and make your soul everlastingly

more glorious and beautiful in Heaven, and will help bring

about everlasting peace on earth," - Blessed Mother Teresa of

Calcutta ADORATION Wednesday’s from 3—6:20 pm followed

by an Evening Mass at 6:30 pm. Come Be With the Lord.

Have a Mass said for someone you love who has passed?

- See Evelyn in the office and make the arrangements. A dona-

tion of $10 for intentions is made and a card is provided for you.

In Our Archdiocese Family www.halifaxyarmouth.org

A Message From Pope Francis

Come Welcome Saint Francis Xavier to the Archdiocese January 7th, 2018

As we continue to seek ways to equip the saints for the renewal of our local Church we will receive a once in a lifetime visit from a saint! On January 7th, the Feast of Epiphany, Archbishop Mancini will welcome the relic of Saint Francis Zavier to Saint Mary ‘s Cathedral Basilica. Catholic Christian Outreach, in part-nership with Archdiocese of Ottawa and the Jesuits are working together to deliver this rare opportunity to Canadians so that we may encounter Jesus, and be inspired to work together for the renewal of the world. Find out more on the Archdiocese website at www.halifaxyarmouth.org

Leadership Program: CWL Foundation:

The Catholic Women’s Leadership Foundation offers a year- long Certificate Program in lead-ership for women, specifically designed to inte-grate faith and life, and personal and professional leadership development. Spirituality and a Catholic faith perspective are the foundations of all courses. Any Canadian Catholic woman who may be interested in this dynamic new initiative is invited to visit our website: www.cwlfcanada.ca where the candidate criteria and application form are available.

Applications Due: November 15th, 2017 Get Form Online!

In Our Cumberland County Family Cumberland County Pastoral Council

Meeting: November 21st, 2017

starting with POTLUCK. Arrive for

5:45 pm for eating. Meeting starting

at 7pm. See you then!

Article by Junno Arocho Esteves: Vatican City: Reporting on Pope Francis on October 15th, 2017

Like the Catholic Church’s newest saints, Christians are called to live their faith as a love story with

GOD who wants a relationship that is “more than that of devoted subjects with their King,” Pope

Francis said. Without a loving relationship with GOD, Christian life can become empty and “an impos-

sible ethic, a collection of rules and laws to obey for no good reason,” the Pope said during Mass

Oct.15 in St Peter’s Square. “This is the danger: a Christian life that becomes routine, content with

‘normality’, without drive or enthusiasm and with a short memory,” he said. At the beginning of the

Mass, Pope Francis proclaimed 35 new saints, including the “martyrs of Natal” in Brazil, a group of 30

priests, laymen, women and children who were killed in 1645 during a wave of anti-Catholic persecu-

tion; and the “Child Martyrs of Tlaxcala,’ three children who were among Mexico’s first native con-

verts and were killed for refusing to renounce the faith. Tapestries hung from the facade of St. Pe-

ter’s Basilica bearing images of the martyrs as well as pictures of Sts Angel 0da Acri, an Italian Capu-

chin priest known for his defense of the poor, and Faustino Miguez, a Spanish priest who started an

advanced school for girls at a time when such education was limited almost exclusively to boys. An

estimated 35,000 pilgrims– many of them from the new saints’ countries of origin– attended the

Mass. In his homily, Pope Francis reflected on the day’s Gospel reading from St. Matthew in which

Jesus recounts the parable of the wedding feast. Noting Jesus’ emphasis on the wedding guests, the Pope said that God “wants us,

He goes out to seek us and He invites us” to celebrate with Him. “For Him, it is not enough that we should do our duty and obey

His Laws,” Pope Francis said. “He desires a true communion of life with us, a relationship based on dialogue, trust and for-

giveness.” Despite constant rejection and indifference, GOD does not cancel the wedding feast but continues to invite Christians

to overcome “the whims of our peevish and lazy selves” and to imitate the

Church’s new saints who, he said, not only said YES to GOD’s invitation, but

wore “the wedding garment” of GOD’s Love. “The saints who were canonized

today, and especially the many martyrs, point the way, “ the Pope said. “The

robe they wore daily was the love of Jesus, the ‘mad’ love that loved us to the

end and offered His forgiveness and His robe to those who crucified Him.”

The Catholic Register:

October 22nd, 2017

“Prayers play role in

Olympic preparation”

“War, climate change at

root of hunger: Pope”

“Moral leadership of

Laudato Si’ becoming

more evident”

“Youth looking for more

from their church”

Get your copy in the

Gathering Area.

Cumberland County Finance Council

Meeting: November 28th, 2017 at

6:30 pm at Holy Family Parish. An email has

been sent to the Finance Contact for each

church. See you on the 28th!