Cathedral Church of the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton 10044 – 113 St. Edmonton, Alberta, T5K 1N8 Tel: 780-488-7295 Fax: 780-488-1530 Most Rev. Richard Smith – Pastor Rev. Paul Kavanagh – Rector Rev. Simmy Joseph, CMI – Associate Pastor Rev. Benjamin Obetta, CFIC – Associate Pastor

Holy Family of , Mary and Joseph

December 27, 2020 “The Lord is our God, mindful of his covenant forever.” Teaching from our Holy Father ALPHA & OMEGA: SOUNDS OF AT ST JOSEPH’S BASILICA The Pope, as Bishop of Rome and successor of Peter, is the visible and perpetual foundation of unity among the bishops Alpha & Omega is what we all need after this and among Christ's faithful. It is the Pope's role as Vicar of extraordinary year. This of sacred music for Christ and Pastor of the entire Church to guide the Christmastide aims to be a soothing balm at the end of community of Christ's faithful, to safeguard them in the a turbulent year. To support this project, please visit truth, and to confirm his brothers and sisters in the faith. www.basilicastore.ca to purchase your copy: CD $20;

Download $15. Special offer: 3 CDs for $50 (use Dear Brothers and Sisters, discount code 3FOR50) As Christmas approaches, we prepare to hear once more the joyful message of the angels to the shepherds ******************************************************** of : “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you View our and Christmas schedule of good news of a great joy… for to you is born this day times here. For Church hours during the Christmas a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord” (Lk 2:10-12). Like Season view here. the shepherds, we too are called to make a spiritual Link here for livestream masses: Dec. 24th at 4:30pm journey to Bethlehem to seek and find Jesus, God’s and Midnight; Dec. 25th at 10:30am. eternal light shining in the world. Christmas invites us ******************************************************** to overcome a certain worldly mentality that blinds us CHRISTMAS SEASON to the core of our faith: the Word made flesh who RECEPTION DESK HOURS dwells among us. It reminds us that God’s eternal plan intersects with our history and opens the way to a Dec 24: 9:00am – 12:00pm (Noon) better future. This year, amid the global health crisis, Dec 25 – Dec 28: CLOSED Christmas can help us look ahead and embrace the Dec 29 - 31: 9:00am – 12:00pm (Noon) hope that the newborn Jesus offers us. As we reflect Jan 1 – 3: CLOSED and pray before the Christmas crèche may we become January 4 and onwards: 9:00am to 12:00pm (Noon,) more aware of the closeness and tender love of God, Mondays through Fridays who took flesh for our salvation. This Christmas, may Jesus be born anew in each of us, so that by our lives ******************************************* we may bring joy and new hope to all. View here for Are you new to the parish? We welcome you and full catechesis. invite you to fill out a new parishioner registration General Audience, Saint Peter’s Square, form. View form here Wednesday, December 23, 2020 ********************************************

Next Sunday’s Readings – of the Lord First Reading: Isaiah 60.1-6 Second Reading: Ephesians 3.2-3a, 5-6; : Matthew 2.1-12

From the Rector’s Desk Archbishop Richard Smith’s 2020 Christmas Message to Parishioners Dear Friends, This year has been rife with uncertainty, anxiety and Merry Christmas, everyone! division. Archbishop Smith reflects on why Christmas is exactly what we need in this historic moment. View On behalf of Archbishop Smith, Fr. Simmy, Fr. His Grace’s Christmas video message here. Benjamin, and our Parish Team we warmly welcome all of you, even virtually, to St. Joseph’s Cathedral- ******************************************** Basilica this Christmas. Over the past several months YEAR-END AND CHRISTMAS GIVING I have received emails, notes, and cards from around As you consider making year-end and Christmas the world, as friends have shared that they join every donations to your favourite Charities, we hope that you week for our live-streamed mass. These good people will also consider making a gift to your favourite have become parishioners in the real sense of the word Parish – St Joseph’s Basilica. This year has been a as they have prayed with us and for us. We cannot particularly challenging time to reach our revenue forget to keep one another in prayer, especially this goals, which fund the mission of our parish including Christmas that will be unique in so many ways. As the upkeep of our beautiful Church. In order for your most will be here virtually this Christmas, please know donations to be credited towards your 2020 tax receipt, of our prayers for each of you and your families. The they need to be received in the office or collection by past ten months have been extraordinary to say the December 31, 2020. least. They have challenged each of us deeply, and for many, these past months have placed a tremendous  Donations made at the Masses on Dec 31 will strain on them. be considered 2020 donations; however, any cheque dated 2021 will be recorded in 2021. It is without a doubt, with our faith and hope in God  Donations made at the New Year’s Day and our prayers and support for one another, that we Masses will be considered 2021 donations. are in this altogether. We continue to be called  Donations may be dropped off in the mailbox disciples, as each one of us in called, invited, by God to be in service to our brother and sisters. beside the rectory door until 9:00 pm on Dec 31. Our Christmas gatherings will probably entail some  Donations may be mailed, but be virtual visits. As different as all of this will be, we are postmarked Dec 31 or earlier to be counted as a here for one another. We come together to celebrate 2020 donation. the birth of our Saviour. The days of Christmas are  Donations may be made by credit card over the filled with light and hope. This is what it’s all about. phone - call the office anytime on Monday and We remember that we are God’s people – guided by mornings only on Tuesday through Friday the Light of the World. May our lives be guided by (except on holidays). Jesus, the Messiah. ELECTRONIC GIVING I wish you and your family a blessed Christmas!  Canada Helps – open 24 hours a day! Go to God bless, Fr. Paul www.stjosephbasilica.com, follow the Donate Now link and make your donation prior to ******************************************** midnight on December 31. The funds will come to the parish and you will receive your Online Zoom programs: Bonnie Kirk, tax receipt instantly from Canada Helps. Sacramental Coordinator  E-transfers – open 24 hours a day! Make Our Zoom online programming will take a pause st rd your donation prior to midnight on Dec 31 beginning December 21 through January 3 . using the following email address: Wishing you a very Blessed Christmas! [email protected] See you on Zoom in the New Year. 2020 tax receipts will be sent out in February 2021. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

St. Joseph’s Basilica Cathedral Parish Annual Appeal

We invite all parishioners of the archdiocese to donate to our Cathedral Parish Annual Appeal. Your support is essential to us, as we continue our mission of worship, witness and service to the people of Edmonton, Alberta and beyond. Archbishop Smith: Mary, our Mother, is Donate NOW Here. Be at Peace.

Archbishop Smith writes that he had the great privilege and blessing of celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe with representatives of the First Nations Peoples of the Merry Christmas CWL Members Archdiocese. We wish you all a Merry Christmas Her appearance in 1531 to St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin demonstrated with the utmost clarity the Blessed Mother’s Stay Extra Safe & Healthy. special love for the original peoples of the Western While we cannot be together Hemisphere. We are united in Christ.

Mary, the mother of our Lord and God, Jesus Christ, is the mother of the Church and, therefore, our mother.

She is saying to us now what she said nearly 500 years ago to St. Juan Diego: “Am I not here, who am your mother?” Let’s not forget to turn to her, and take comfort from her loving presence and the unfailing power of her prayers. We are safe in the shadow of her protection. Read the story

Fawcett: With all these restrictions, it may well be that God is challenging our ideas of Christmas

Columnist Brett Fawcett writes that the recent restrictions No Room in the Inn campaign raising funds on social, commercial, and religious assembly in western Canada have been predictably unpopular, even fiercely to support women’s shelters rejected by some. 'This year’s No Room in the Inn campaign hopes to raise However, for the sake of others, and perhaps to grudgingly money to support two Catholic Social Services women’s obey the civil authorities, we are giving up our comfort, our shelters in Edmonton — at a time when domestic time with our families, and our celebrations with friends. violence incidents are on the rise.

Do we still fail to see how much our situation is like the one No Room in the Inn is an annual Christmas season into which Jesus Christ was born? If we give all this up ecumenical appeal by the Edmonton and District Council prayerfully, asking God to reveal Himself to us in this cold of Churches, based on the biblical story of Mary and Joseph on the night Christ was born. wilderness and be born in our hearts in a new way, then we will not ultimately have missed Mass. We will have truly Over 20 years No Room in the Inn has raised more than celebrated Christmas. Read the story $1 million to help those who lack adequate and safe housing. Read the story or donate

Christmas Season Light up the Basilica is back Mass Schedule & Church Hours Join us in lighting devotional candles during Pre-registration for mass is recommended. Advent and Christmas Walk-ins are discouraged. : Thursday, December 24th Beginning on November 29th through to January 10th, Masses: 4:30pm, 7:00pm, 9:30pm and Midnight parishioners are invited to have a devotional candle lit The church will be open from 4:00pm – 1:00am. for their special intention or deceased loved one. By Christmas Day: Friday, December 25th making a minimum $5.00 online donation, a candle Masses: 8:30am, 10:30am & 12:30pm will be lit for your intention at one of the 10:30am The church will be open from 8:00am – 1:30pm. livestreamed Sunday Masses. Saturday, December 26th Mass: 5:00pm; Confessions: 4:30pm We thought it would be a good idea to offer this Personal Prayer: 2:00pm – 4:00pm activity especially for parishioners who are missing The church will be open from 2:00pm – 6:00pm. their regular Sunday candle devotions. Candles are Sunday, December 27th still available during the week for anyone stopping by of Jesus, Mary & Joseph for personal prayer time. All donations received from Masses: 8:30am, 10:30am, 12:30pm, 5:00pm this activity will be used to offset the costs of running Personal Prayer: 1:30pm – 4:00pm the church. The church will be opened from 8:00am – 6:00pm. Monday, December 28th To participate, click here and you will come to the The church will be closed. parish donation’s page. Then follow these Tuesday, December 29th instructions: Weekday Mass: 5:30pm; Confession 4:00pm Select the fund, #4 Advent and Christmas Devotional The church will be opened from 4:00pm – 6:30pm. Candles, in drop down menu; Wednesday, December 30th  Enter donation $ amount (minimum $5.00;) Weekday Mass: 5:30pm; Confessions: 4:00pm  Include your Special Intention in message box; Personal Prayer: Noon – 4:00pm The church will be opened from Noon – 6:30pm.  Fill in your personal information and payment details; New Year’s Eve: Thursday, December 31st  Complete donation. Once completed, you will Mass: 5:00pm; Confession 4:00pm automatically receive a charitable donation receipt Personal Prayer: Noon – 4:00pm in your email inbox. The church will be opened from Noon – 6:00pm. New Year’s Day: Friday, January 1st Regular Parish office hours: Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God Masses: 10:30am, 12:30pm, 5:00pm Personal Prayer: Noon – 4:00pm The parish office is closed to in-person visits due to The church will be opened from 10:00am – 6:00pm. COVID 19. The Reception Desk is staffed Monday through Friday from 9:00am to Noon to receive Mass Saturday, January 2nd pre-registration requests by phone and email inquiries. Mass: 5:00pm; Confession 4:30pm Please phone 780-488-7295 ext 0 or email Personal Prayer: Noon – 4:00pm [email protected] to reach the The church will be opened from Noon – 6:00pm. Reception Desk. During all other hours, please call Sunday, January 3rd 780-488-7295 ext 0 and leave a message, or email Epiphany [email protected]. A staff member will get Mass: 8:30am, 10:30am, 12:30pm, 5:00pm back to you within the next business day. For Personal Prayer: 1:30pm– 4:00pm emergency assistance, please phone 780-984-0633. The church will be opened from 8:00am – 6:00pm.

Contact Information PRE-REGISTRATION Parishioners can pre-register for mass on our website;

by email; or by phone 780-488-7295 Ext 0. Office: 780-488-7295; [email protected] Parish staff are available to assist you on weekdays Website: www.stjosephbasilica.com from 9am to Noon.

Most Rev. Archbishop Richard Smith ...... Pastor For regular Mass and Confession times, Pastoral Team and Church hours view here Fr. Paul Kavanagh ...... Rector [email protected] ; ext. 222 Fr. Simmy Joseph, CMI ...... Associate Pastor

[email protected] ; ext. 228 Fr. Benjamin Obetta, CFIC ...... Associate Pastor [email protected] ; ext. 223 Live-Stream & Online Events at a Glance Parish Staff Live Stream Masses; Mary-Ann Provencal… ...... ……………Manager [email protected] ; ext. 224 Every Sunday – 10:30am with Archbishop Smith All livestream Masses and celebrations can Bernie Fitzsimmons ...... Accountant [email protected] ; ext. 226 be found on the Archdiocese of Edmonton Facebook page - Facebook@archedmonton Bonnie Kirk ...... Sacramental Coordinator [email protected] A Facebook account is not required for viewing.

Carolyn Preshing……………Administrative Assistant Live-stream of the Mass can also be viewed [email protected] from the Grandin Media website at Roderick Bryce ...... Director of Music https://grandinmedia.ca/livestream/ [email protected] Edwin Rivera...... Custodian The Sunday 10:30am Mass livestream can also [email protected] be viewed on Telus Optik TV Channel 876.

st rd th nd Online Events: Paused Dec 21 through Jan 3 Mass Intentions: Dec. 27 to Jan. 2 All events below are offered by Bonnie via Zoom. Sunday: Please email [email protected] if you would SI. Blessings of the Yeung family like to receive the link to join each group. † Christina Kapp – Paused until further notice. † Nihal Dharmaratne Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6:00pm Monday:

† Helen Doris Hawkins Bible Study – Thursday Evenings at 7:00pm Tuesday: † Jack Yeung Devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help – Wednesday: Tuesdays at 7:00pm † Jo Berglund Thursday: Children’s Liturgy – Sundays at 10:00am SI. Pro Populo Friday: What Catholics Think About… – last Wednesday SI. Pro Populo of the month at 7:30pm Saturday:

† = Repose of the Soul SI. = Special Intention