If you are new to Holy Family Parish Please fill out a “Census Form” available at the desk. Or if you have moved or changed your phone number please keep the Parish up to date! Stop by the office or call and we can email you forms to fill out as well.

If you would like direct donations from your bank or credit card, there are forms at the front desk.

Filling Emptiness

Once a young boy fell in love with a girl in his class however, he was afraid to express his feeling with her. One fine day he was getting

out of the school, he saw standing at the bus station and thought it would be nice opportunity to express his feeling. The conversation

began as he approached her. “Do you have a boyfriend” he asked. “No” the answer came. “Would you like to be my girlfriend” he asked

reluctantly. “I don’t have any interest as I am concerned about studies however, we can be friends to see if it will work” the girl replied.

The conversation ended. For him she backed inspiration and he started writing short stories and before posting online, the first copy he

sent her. The time came when both have to move to different colleges to pursue their dreams, but he continued to write the stories for

her. After the graduated with a degree of engineering, he got a chance to move to another country with a big salary, an apartment & an

expensive car. His job made him to forget her as he thought love & feelings have nothing to do with a good job and a big salary. One

day as he was sitting in a park watching children play soccer, he heard a very familiar voice; “Hello”. He looked around and saw a

middle-aged man with a beard. “Did you recognize me?” asked the man. “Unfortunately, no” he answered. But later on he was filled

with joy and shocked to know that he was the fiancé of the girl he loved. The old memories just ran like a movie as he remembered

her eyes, smell and smile. His friend asked him to attend the birthday party of his fiancée next day. He didn’t want to go, but he said

yes. The next morning he got the most expensive gift for her to impress her and the best champagne available in the town for his friend

and drove the most expensive car to impress them and the neighbours. As the girl opened door for him she was surprised to see him

and gave him a hug. As he was chatting with them and seeing how much love they had for each other, he felt emptiness within and left

their place thinking there is nothing which could fill that emptiness. He resigned from his job.

The same way the Gospel shows that people are coming to St. John the Baptist,

to fill that emptiness even when they had everything; money, power and status.

“ What should we do” they asked him. The Prophet Zephaniah &

St. John the Baptist are helping to fill that emptiness.

The trust in the Lord & humility can help us to fill that emptiness

and we can rejoice over the birthday of Our Saviour as St. Paul

says “Rejoice, Rejoice and again I say rejoice in the Lord”

Come Lord Jesus and fill the hearts of your faithful with love.

1451 Strachan Road SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1B-4V3 ~ Phone: 403-527-6933

Email: contact@holyfamilymh.ca ~ Website: www.holyfamilymh.ca ~ Facebook: Medicine Hat Holy Family Parish

Welcome to

Sunday Mass Times: Saturday - 5:00 pm, Sunday - 8:30am, 10:30am & 6:00pm Reconciliation: Friday 9:30-10:30am & Saturday 3:30-4:45pm

Office Hrs. Monday to Friday - 8:30am – 12:00pm & 1:00pm to 4:30pm - Closed on Holidays

PARISH UPCOMING EVENTS & INTENTIONS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2018

3RD SUNDAY OF ADVENT - YEAR C

Simbang Gabi 5:30am

Shannon’s Choir Practise @ 8:00am

Mass 8:30am (Intention: Lambert Streifel †)

Parish Breakfast 9:30am HFP Hall

Mass 10:30am (Intention: Holy Family Parish)

Parish Breakfast 11:30am HFP Hall

CHILDREN’S CHOIR PRACTICE 2:00-3:00pm

Maria Choir 5:00pm

Mass 6:00pm (Intention: Elizabeth & Adam

Schneider †)

MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2018

Simbang Gabi 5:30am

Mass 9:00am (Intention: Tony Weinberger †)

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2018

Simbang Gabi 5:30am

SSVP Meeting 4:00pm Hope St. Patrick’s Parish

Mass 6:30pm (Intention: Jessica Izquirdo †)

followed by Adoration to 8:00pm

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2018

Simbang Gabi 5:30am

Mass 9:00am (Intention: Alex Scherger †)

Chinook Village 10:00am Communion Service

Sunnyside 1:30pm Mass

Masterpiece 3:00pm Mass

Good Sam’s 3:30pm Communion Service

Maria Choir Practise 5:00pm Choir Room

Light Weigh 7:00pm Charity Room

Penitential Service 7:00pm at St. Patrick’s Parish

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2018

Simbang Gabi 5:30am

Men Pray 6:30am Charity Room

Mass 9:00am (Intention: Jerome & Lorraine Berger &

Family)

Breakfast following Mass HFP Hall

Children’s Choir Practice 4:30pm

Sally’s Choir Practice 6:00pm Hall

Penitential Service 7:00pm Holy Family Parish

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018

Simbang Gabi 5:30am

Mass 9:00am (Intention: Charles Martin †) followed

by Reconciliation & Adoration to10:30am

Breakfast following Mass HFP Hall

Wellington 10:00am Communion

Meadowlands 10:30am Mass

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2018

Simbang Gabi 5:30 am

Reconciliation 3:30pm – 4:45pm

Jeanne Choir Practice 4:00pm

4th SUNDAY OF ADVENT - YEAR C

Mass 5:00pm (Intention: Angelo & Dorothy Giacobbo

†)

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2018

4th SUNDAY OF ADVENT - YEAR C

Simbang Gabi 5:30am

Shannon’s Choir Practise @ 8:00am

Mass 8:30am (Intention: Frank Gutfriend †)

Mass 10:30am (Intention: JP, Jill & Jake Izguierdo)

CHILDREN’S CHOIR PRACTICE 1:00-3:00pm

Maria Choir 5:00pm

Mass 6:00pm (Intention: Keira Schlenker)

Parish Office Staff Contacts Pastor - Rev. Iqbal Khurshid – pastor@holyfamilymh.ca Assoc. Pastor – Fr. Vijaya Bathineni– assoc.pastor@holyfamilymh.ca Deacon: Rev. Mr. Robert Risling - Robert.Risling@calgarydiocese.ca, Care of the Sick – Fr. Francis Tran 403-977-4656, Youth Ministry, Ellen Pelletier – medhatcatholicyouth@gmail.com Sacramental Prep Coordinator – Sally Myers– sac.prep@holyfamilymh.ca,

Christmas & New Year Mass Times

Simbang Gabi December 16th to 24th at 5:30am

Penitential Service Thursday December 20th at 7:00pm

The Nativity of the Lord Monday Dec. 24 at 5:00pm, 8:00pm & 10:30pm Tuesday Dec. 25 at 9:30am

Solemnity of Mary Monday Dec. 31 at 5:00pm Tuesday Jan. 1 at 9:30am

ATTENTION There will be

Incense burned

at all the Masses

at Christmas and

New Years

OPERATING FINANCES

DECEMBER 6 to 12, 2018

Operating Budget 2018 $ 14,846

General Collection $ 13,328

Loose Collections $ 879

Future Development $ 2,698

Exceed or (Shortfall) $ 2,059

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

Together in Action (TIA) $ 2,947

World Mission $ 46

St Vincent de Paul $ 1,089

Youth Ministry $ 480

Mission Mexico $ 1,405

Seminary Fund $ 55

CARO $ 15

Clergy Retirement Fund $ 90

JP II School Donations $ 25

Food Bank & Gift Sharing $ 3,597

Cath. Education $ 20

Year to Date TIA Goal - $66,682 89% $ 58,774

Thank You for your Generous Contributions

PARISH INFORMATION

SPIRITUAL ADOPTION

Please consider adopting one of the youth in our Medicine Hat parishes to pray for. There are cards with names at the office or by the youth bulletin board. Any donations are appreciated to cover the costs of the cards as well as for Masses for the youth and those involved in their spiritual formation. For more information, please see youth bulletin board or call Ellen 403-527-6933 ex 106.

For Information call Sally Myers at 403-527-6933 Sacrament Classes will resume on the January 12th / 13th weekend. Parent Meetings for Confirmation Jan 17th at 7:00pm at Holy Family Parish.

HAVE A VERY JOYFUL CHRISTMAS!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THOSE WHO RECEIVED SACRAMENTS…

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SOULS OF OUR DEARLY DEPARTED

PHILIP WEINBERGER PATRICK VOLK

EQUIP AND UNCHAINED ARE TAKING A BREAK UNTIL JANUARY.

WATCH THE BULLETIN FOR MORE DETAILS.

PENITENTIAL SERVICE: DEC. 19 7PM AT ST. PATRICK’S; DEC.

20 7PM AT HOLY FAMILY – PREPARE YOUR HEARTS THROUGH

THE SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION.

CHRISTMAS CAROLING: DEC. 27 6:30-8:30PM AT HOLY

FAMILY PARISH – EVERYONE WELCOME! DRESS WARMLY!

TOBOGGAN PARTY: JAN. 3 2-4PM AT KIN COULEE TOBOGGAN

HILL – FAMILIES WELCOME! HOT CHOCOLATE AND A FIRE WILL

BE PROVIDED. PRAY THAT WE GET SNOW!

FOR OUR SICK… CATHERINE MILLER

Saturday Jan 12, 2019

8:30-9:30 am

St. Patrick’s Hall

Theme: The Three Foods THE OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED…

DECEMBER 22-26 &

DECEMBER 29-JANUARY 1

TOGETHER IN ACTION – TIME IS RUNNING OUT WE are coming to the end of the year and we still need more money. Our Goal is $66,682 and we are at $58,774. That is only 89%. So we need to raise another $7,908 by the end of this month. If you have already given thank you so much for your generosity and if you haven’t, please consider helping us out.

BUSSING TO CHURCH There will be no bus service to church on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. There will be regular bus service on December 23rd and December 30th.

CHRISTMAS CAROLING Dec. 27 6:30-8:30pm We will meet at Holy Family Parish then carol around the neighbourhood before returning to the church for cookies and hot chocolate. Everyone welcome!

SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL We wish to thank all of you for your

generosity throughout the year. Thanks to your donations, our

volunteers are able to assist people who are going through a difficult time in their

lives. Recently, a client commented after receiving assistance they felt hopeful for the future and they felt like someone cared about them. This is why we do the work we do in our community. This time of the year can be even more difficult for families as they do their best to celebrate Christmas for their children’s sake. Please help us to help those in need by continuing to donate to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. God bless you all. You remain in our prayers and we are so grateful to you.

SIGN-UP SHEETS ARE UP Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Altar Servers & Hospitality Greeters…The sign-up sheets for all the Christmas and New Year’s Masses are up on the Bulletin Board in front of the Vestment Room. Please make sure to get your name & phone number on for the Mass you are coming to. Thank you in advance for all you do to help the church run smoothly!!!

5 LOVE LANGUAGES Love plays a vital role in the marriage and to understand it in a better way John & Jocelyne (a couple from Calgary) will be in our Parish on January 18th, 2019 at 7:00PM to speak about 5 Love Languages. All married couples are invited to attend this beautiful session. This will help to prepare

couples to attend the Marriage Vows Renewal celebration which will be held on February 9th, 2019 at 6:30 followed by refreshments. SHARING YOUR LOVE TOGETHER The renewal of marriage vows is symbolic. If a marriage is valid, it can’t be made more valid. However, renewing one’s marriage vows can be a very effective reminder to the couple and all those present of the

Christmas Eve 5:00pm Mass Children’s / Youth Choir at Holy Family

We will be having another children’s / youth choir again this year for the Christmas Eve 5:00pm

mass. Grade 2 and up are children’s choir. Grade 7 and up are youth choir. Practice times will be as

follows:

Sunday Dec. 16th 2:00pm to 3:00pm

Thursday Dec. 20th 4:30pm to 5:30pm

Sunday Dec. 23rd

1:00pm to 3:00pm

Please call Sally at 403-527-6933 Ext 105 for more information or email: sac.prep@holyfamilymh.ca

CHILDREN’S LITURGY REGISTRATION Children's Liturgy is about breaking open

the Word of God for children in ways that

they can understand more fully. The

program is designed for:

Children 4 to 7 years of age or until

they have received their 1st Communion

Preschoolers must be attended with

their parents or sibling 14 yrs. or older.

significance of the Sacrament of Marriage and how the power of God has brought the couple to such a milestone. It is so very powerful, seeing a couple standing on the same exact spot before the altar after many years making their children realize that they only exist as the result of them living that sacrament. To make this happen Holy Family Parish is hosting a Marriage Vows Renewal Event for both Parishes on February 9th, 2019 at 6:30 pm in the Church beginning with the Liturgy of the Word followed by wine & cheese in the Parish Hall with entertainment. Tickets will go on sale from January 5/6 to February 2/3 after all the weekend masses however tickets could be purchased from the both Parish offices as well. Each ticket will be $20 per couple. All married couples are encouraged to join this wonderful event.

PARISH PENITENTIAL SERVICE On December 20th at 7:00 PM there will be several priests to help us with our Parish Penitential Service. Come to receive God’s mercy & love through the sacrament of Reconciliation.

WHY DO LECTORS BOW BEFORE THE HOLY

ALTAR?

The lector is “one who proclaims the Good News, they should lead a life that reflects their belief in this ”Good News". We convey our attitudes toward scripture by the way we read it. People sense you believe what you read. The most effective sign of a good reader is a person reading with life, energy, intelligence, and enthusiasm. The lectors are not performers trying to captivate an audience but servants of God and God's people. Both reader and the assembly are ministers of the word. Why lectors bow before the Holy Altar? The General Instruction is specific: “If there is a tabernacle with the Blessed Sacrament in the sanctuary, the priest, deacon and other ministers genuflect to it when they approach or leave the altar, but not during the celebration of Mass itself” (GIRM, 274). During the celebration of the Holy Mass, there are two tables: Table of the Word and a Table of the Eucharist; and both deserve our due respect and reverence. Furthermore, the General Instruction does make many provisions for a more sacred and reverent liturgy. For example, admonishing that the Liturgy of the Word “must be celebrated in such a way as to promote meditation,” the Instruction cautions against “any kind of haste which impedes recollection” and recommends brief moments of silence throughout the liturgy, especially after the readings and the homily so that the word of God may be “taken into the heart by the fostering of the Holy Spirit” (GIRM, 56).

Lastly by bowing before the Holy Altar before & after the reading, the lectors not only show their due respect & reverence to the Word of God but making people realize that the Word of God is more than any ordinary text book or novel. Their role is also to make it more visible what they do for the Lord & his people.

CWL

We are once again closing out another year

to open a new year. With that in mind,

registration for 2019 is now due. The cost for

registration is $25.00. We will be available for you to pay

after the Sunday, 8:30am & 10:30am Masses in the front

entrance.

If anyone has moved, changed their phone numbers or

email addresses; we need to know before we send

registrations to National.

We are always looking for new members. It’s a good way

to meet the ladies of your parish and make some lifelong

friends. Any questions or information regarding changes to

be made to your status; you may call Marjorie Bowlby at

403-527-2739 or Anne Marie Clark at 403-487-1327.

Thank You for Your Continued Support!

~~~

CWL Circle 3 wants to thank everyone who made the Pot

Luck Christmas Party so Successful.

~~~

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS

To all Knights of Columbus members you will

be receiving via mail, dues owing for the 2019

year. If you have already paid, thank you for

your prompt payment, it is important to our local Council. If

paying by cheque please make cheque payable to Knights

of Columbus and not Holy Family Parish. If you have paid

your dues and not received a membership card, pls contact

me. A current membership card is required to obtain

admittance to a meeting. If you have questions regarding

your bill please contact your Financial Secretary Pat Ries

at 403-527-8915 or pjries@memlane.com, I would be

more than happy to deal with your concern. A special

thanks to all parishioners who were able to support the

Eucharistic Adoration and Novena For Life celebrations.

Khristos Rodevsha

(Christ is born – Merry Christmas)

UKRAINIAN CHRISTMAS SOCIAL

St. Patrick's Social Committee invites you to share in a

traditional Ukrainian Christmas dinner and associated

traditions on Friday, January 11th in St. Patrick's Church

Hall. We will be hosting a potluck striving for 12 meatless

dishes, symbolic of the twelve Apostles who gathered at

the Last Supper. John Cherwonogrodzky will be the MC

and will share many of the Ukrainian traditions celebrated

on Ukrainian Christmas. Free tickets to reserve your spot

will be available beginning December 17th. Contact Karen

Anne at 403-952-8991 msg or text.

321 6 Ave SE, Medicine Hat… We are sending out

an appeal for some items for our clients as we are

running short of the following: USED OR NEW:

Boys

- track pants sizes 18 mos., 24 mos., sizes 2, 3 and 4 - Onesies sizes 9 mos., 12 mos., 18 mos., and 24 mos. - Socks - Coats/snowsuits sizes newborn, 3mos., 24 mos., and

sizes 2, 3, 4, we have lots of snow pants without jackets.

- Jeans sizes 24 mos., 2, 3, and 4 - Boots - Mitts - Scarves

Girls

- Leggings sizes 24 mos., 2, 3, and 4 - Onesies sizes 9 mos., 12 mos., and 24 mos. - Socks - Snowsuits sizes newborn - Coats sizes 12 mos., 24 mos., 2, 3, and 4 - Boots - Mitts - Scarves

NEW ITEMS

For our layette room we could use the following:

- Receiving blankets - Baby towels, wash cloths, shampoos, washes, soaps,

rash creams, and soothers - Sizes newborn through size 12 mos. – Infant

sleepers, outfits, onesies and socks - Toys for infants - Gift items for moms e.g. bath sets, candle sets, etc.

We are also running extremely low on sizes 5 and 6

diapers.

We thank you so very much for your generous

donations. Blessings.

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THE CALMING ROOM

The Calming Room now has a large TV

Screen for your convenience. You can still

watch and listen to Mass even if you feel

you have to leave the congregation.

The Calming Room is located across the

hall from the main washrooms.