ARCHDIOCESAN NEWS ADVERTISERS

Guardian Angels Parish Pilgrimage to HOLYLAND, EGYPT & JORDAN - including

Petra: (Feb 10 to 22, 2020) December 15, 2019 A 13 days tour with Rev. Fr. Steny Mascarenhas OCD. For details please contact Brian Andrade @ 778-999-4599 or Deon Almeida @ Third Sunday of 778-866-8118 of Royale Orchid Tours & Holidays. Email: royale- [email protected]; www.royalorchidtours.com Tree of Remembrance Service 1161 Broughton Street, Vancouver BC V6G 2B3; Tel: 604-684-5775; Fax: 604-684-5757 You are invited to our Mass & of Remembrance Ser- Email: [email protected]; Website: www.https://guardianangelsvancouver.ca vice at the Gardens of Gethsemani on Sunday, Dec. 15, starting with OFFICE HOURS: Monday to Friday 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM CLOSED on Weekends and Statutory Holidays Mass at 2:30 p.m. in our Evangelist Chapel. The Tree of Remem- brance Service commences at 3:45 p.m. Join us in honouring our dearly departed loved ones as we pray for their souls and for those experiencing loss. Sunday Advent Penitential Services For a list of penitential services across the Archdiocese Microscope Magnified Technology, General/Family Dentistry of Vancouver, visit rcav.org/advent-penitential-services Mercury Free Clinic, Teeth Whitening, Dental Emergencies Dec. 15 to 23, Masses Open the inn of your heart - Morning of Recollection 7:00PM Daily , All Masses in English Madonna House invites you to wait anew for the Christ Child. Jour- DR. GEORGE LO, DENTIST ney with Catherine Doherty’s writings to open the inn of your heart for 604 681-6737 Dec. 21, Children’s Christmas Party the Holy Family. Come to the manger! Free Consultation on Complete & Partial Dentures 5:00 to 7:00 PM, Exclusive for Parishioners When: Saturday, December 21st from 9:30 am to 12 noon Where: St. John the Apostle Parish Hall (5457 Trafalgar St, New Patients Welcome Dec. 24, Masses Vancouver) Office Hours: 11am-7pm Rejoice* in the Lord always.; again I Taize Prayer Service at St. Augustine's Church We Accept Most Dental 6:30 PM Christmas Carols (by Legion of Mary) 909 Davie St., Van., BC V6Z1B9 say, rejoice! Indeed, the Lord is near. Come join us on our monthly Taize prayer service at the beautiful St. Plans, BC Dental & 7:00 PM Children and Youth Mass (NW cor. of Hornby & Davie (Philippians 4: 4-5) Augustine’s Church in Vancouver on Thursday, Dec. 19, 7:45 p.m. to First Nations Plans 9 p.m. For the coming months, our Taize prayer service will take Streets); free parking at rear 11:00 PM place on the 3rd Thursday evening of the month. Come and experi- Prayer for Lighting ence a quiet meditative evening with candles, Scripture, prayers, - Week Two Dec. 25, Christmas Day Masses chant, and silence. All are welcome. 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM & 12:30 PM Pro-Life Mass & Prayer Vigil Lord God, may we, your people, Please join your voice with ours as we pray on the first Saturday of who look forward to the birthday of Dec. 28, Feast of the Holy Innocents each month at a different parish for a new culture of life. Mass will be Christ experience the joy of salva- Saturday, Jan. 4, 9 a.m. at St. Joseph Church in Langley. For upcom- 9:00 AM Mass followed by “Blessing of Infants & Children” tion and celebrate that feast with ing dates, visit rcav.org/pro-life-mass-and-prayer-vigil Dec. 31, 8:00AM Mass Women's Faith Study - St. Catherine of Siena love and thanksgiving. We ask this “Be who you are called to be and you will set the world ablaze! Join through Christ our Lord. AMEN. The Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God us as we gather weekly for 9 weeks for fellowship, encouragement, (Holy Day of Obligation) and to learn more about this great female Doctor of the Church. This Would you like to place a study will run at the John Paul II Pastoral Centre in Vancouver every Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve Friday from Jan. 10 through March 13, with the exception of January in our Christ- 6:30PM Adoration; 7:00PM Mass 24 (no study this night). Register online at rcav.org mas Altar Display to honor a loved one? If so, Jan. 01, New Year’s Day please use the specially marked, 9:00AM, 11:00AM & 12:30PM “My Special Offering - Christ- mas flowers” envelopes along with the donation and the Dr. Anna Dr. Wendell Dr. Jett name (s) of those to whom who Ladrido Obach Martires you wish to acknowledge. Mass P O T L U C K!!! December 21, 2019 5:00 to 7:00 PM will be offered for these inten- Rectory Basement Hall tions on Dec. 25 at 11 AM. Exclusive for Parishioners Only! (Kindly indicate your Registration is Required. Please bring $10 worth of name or envelope num- ber) Thank you! Present for Children’s Exchange Gift. 2 3

Advent Penitential Services Mass Intentions Vancouver West Deanery Day Time Intention Dec. 19: 7:00PM Sts. Peter & Paul Thursday 1430 West 38th Avenue, Vancouver Dear Parishioners, A season which is often marked by excess and over- Sun Dec 15 9:00AM Sp. Int. of Bradley, Apple & Ava Dec. 20:7.00PM St. Augustine We are in the midway of Christmas. On this third Sun- consumption coincides with the poverty and simplicity +Madeleine DuPerron & Ken Friday 2028 West 7th Avenue, Vancouver of the manger. It’s a conundrum for the Christian stew- 11:00AM day of Advent we celebrate Gaudete Sunday. We rejoice Shwery in anticipation of the coming of . ard. Dec. 20: 7:00PM St. John the Apostle We are increasingly aware of Pope Francis’s call to be 12:30PM Sp. Int. of Parishioners Friday 5457 Trafalgar Street, Vancouver I would like to thank all the parishioners who were able stewards of the environment. But let’s face it, how many Mon Dec 16 8:00AM +Jose Oloriz+ Dec. 22: 7:00PM St. Anthony of Padua to spend few moments with the Lord during the 40 of us have felt a twinge of guilt on Christmas morning as Sunday 1345 West 73rd Avenue, Vancouver Hours of Eucharistic adoration. We prayed for those garbage bags full of unrecyclable wrapping paper and Tue Dec 17 7:00PM +Victoria Santos+ who could not make it. protective plastic toy containers are carried to the trash. KIDS & SENIORS CORNER Do our children really need so much? Do we? Wed Dec 18 8:00AM +Miguelito Gamboa+ (Contributed by Nyles Fernandes) When I am writing this message I hope to see a large There’s been a movement afoot in the last few years to number of the people attending parish Lenten reconcilia- cut back on Christmas buying, especially as it pertains to Thu Dec 19 8:00AM +Bettie Anne Thompson+ 1) Which European country is “The ” set? tion. If you could not make it, make it a priority to go for our kids, whom we sometimes overindulge on that spe- (Russia, Germany, Poland, Denmark) confession on other available days in the parish or attend cial day. The easy-to-remember plan is called Fri Dec 20 8:00AM +Bettie Anne Thompson+ 2) Which two reindeer's are mentioned in the song “Here to it elsewhere. In any case please make the sacramental “Something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read.” Following those four point- comes ” (Dancer & Prancer, Vixen & Blix- confession, it is good for the mind, body, soul, family ers, our children can receive four well-thought-out gifts Sat Nov 21 9:00AM +Bettie Anne Thompson+ en, Comet & Cupid) and community. that fulfill both practical and A Stewardship Approach 3) In which country did the real St. Nicholas live? to Christmas Giving fun desires. Think quality. Refrain 4:00PM +Bob Dublanko+ Year end giving: I am blessed so I will bless others. (Denmark, Bulgaria, Turkey, The Netherlands) Give the best kinds of gifts from a space of gratitude. from lots of “stuff,” which we excuse as “stocking stuff- 4) In which Ocean can you find Christmas Island? (Indian, ers” and often are broken or discarded by New Year’s We remember in prayer all who are sick including; Show the joy of giving to others. May our generosity to Day. The plan can work for a spouse or another special Glen Angle, Dana Daruwalla, Letizia Lorello, Maggie, Pacific, Atlantic, Artic) our parish be an expression of gratitude for what God person as well. Doreen DeSousa, Joyce Kisoondath, Pat Williamson, Masoo- has given to us. ma Noorzai, Hassiran Hakim, Elizabeth Walton, Barry 5) Who was the Prophet that foretold that a virgin shall Another important consideration for the Christian stew- give birth to a son called Immanuel? ard is to remember that the Christmas need to give ex- McDermott, Lucille Johnston, Ralph Milbum, Milta Rapa- I like to thank all the volunteers who are helping out at

lo, Ida Brown, Sonja Lawrence, Colleen Mason, Zenaida tends far beyond family. Schools, churches and faith for-

5) 5) 4) Prophet Isaiah Prophet Indian

Nicolas, Doreen Millburn, Helena Glavot, Zeenith Garay, the parish to prepare for Christmas, special mention is to mation programs often promote “giving trees” where we

2 1) be made of Knights of Columbus and Legion of Mary. Turkey Blixen & Vixen Germany 3) 3) Florence Nichols, Joanne Borrys, Soledad dela Cruz, Rosa ) select a person or family in need who may not receive a

Maria Santos, Denise Hogg, Patricia McMahon, Rosa Maria Please find below reflection from Internation- gift without our help. This is a great program for kids

Santos and all the sick/shut-ins of our Parish whom we may ANSWERS: al Catholic Stewardship Council from December who can become totally involved in the selection, and not know by name. ebulletin perhaps with their allowances, even the purchase of a

Reception fol- gift for a stranger. lows after Wishing you happy season of Advent. Shelters collect socks, nursing homes need carolers, the Mass. Please clerk at the busy grocery store needs an extra smile, your bring foods to Fr. John Alex Pinto OCD (Pastor) 7:00 PM Mass share. pastor and your teacher might appreciate a special thank you note. There are scores of ways to give during the Day Mass Intentions Sponsors Third Sunday of Advent Weekend of December Advent and Christmas seasons. If we commit to keeping 14/15, 2019 it a little simpler under the tree on Christmas morning,

Sun Dec 15 Sp. Int. of El Shaddai Charismatic Group El Shaddai Charismatic Prayer Group we’ll have more time and energy for other forms of giv- From the loneliness of his prison cell John the Baptist ing. We’ll do the environment a favor, and we will give asks of Jesus: “Are you the one who is to come, or our kids a lesson in giving rather than getting. And that, Mon Dec 16 +Hortensia Martinez+ Couples for Christ – Missionary Families of Christ should we look for another?” The weeks before Christ- mas offer much to be joyous about, celebrating with of course, is an authentic Christmas message. Tue Dec 17 +Victoria Santos+ Couples for Christ – Missionary Families of Christ family and friends, the glitter of seasonal decorations, the excitement of gift giving and receiving. But in our OFFERTORY ENVELOPES FOR Wed Dec 18 Sp. Int. of El Shaddai Charismatic Group El Shaddai Charismatic Prayer Group midst there are the lonely and neglected, the poor, the 2020: These boxes will be available in the hospitalized, the wayward, the shut-ins. There are those foyer for pick up. They are arranged in Legion of Mary – Immaculate Heart of Mary and who feel that they have no hope. To whom should they Thu Dec 19 Sp. Int. of Jessica Salvani alphabetical order. Please note that your envelope Mother of Our Savior Praesidia look? Discipleship in the Lord includes being good number may have changed from 2019. You are not stewards of others. Are there those in our family, our guaranteed the same envelope number each year, but Fri Dec 20 +Anthony Foley+ Legion of Mary –Mother of Our Savior Praesidium neighborhood, our community to whom we can reach out to show them a sign of Christ’s presence in their you will receive a tax receipt. Kindly call the Office midst? if your address has changed or if you would like a Sat Dec 21 +Anselma Gonzal+ Couples for Christ – Global Mission Foundation Inc. box of envelopes. Please do not use these new enve- A Stewardship Approach to Christmas Giving lopes until the YEAR 2020 and also do not use your Legion of Mary – Immaculate Heart of Mary Prae- Sun Dec 22 +Antonio & Luz Cuyugan+ old 2019 envelopes in the year 2020 (or any other sidium The beautiful season of Advent is upon us, and with it a desire for the simplicity which fosters spiritual depth. year). Otherwise your donation will go to someone else. Mon Nov 23 Sp. Int. of El Shaddai Charismatic Group El Shaddai Charismatic Prayer Group This desire often runs into headwinds during December.