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

Third Sunday of Advent

December 13, 2020 “My soul shall exult in my God.” Teaching from our Holy Father ALPHA & OMEGA: SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS AT ST JOSEPH’S BASILICA The Pope, as Bishop of Rome and successor of Peter, is the Copies of our new CD make great Christmas gifts. Be visible and perpetual foundation of unity among the bishops and among Christ's faithful. It is the Pope's role as Vicar of sure to order yours in time for Christmas. Last local Christ and Pastor of the entire Church to guide the mailing date is Dec 18. community of Christ's faithful, to safeguard them in the This sequence of sacred music for Christmastide aims to truth, and to confirm his brothers and sisters in the faith. be a soothing balm at the end of a turbulent year. To support this project, please visit www.basilicastore.ca to Dear Brothers and Sisters, purchase your copy: CD $20; Download $15. Special offer: 3 CDs for $50 (use discount code 3FOR50) In our continuing catechesis on Christian prayer, we Copies will be available to purchase before Sunday now turn to the prayer of petition. The Catechism morning Masses (8:30, 10:30, 12:30) THS WEEKEND explains that in every prayer we ask for the coming of God’s Kingdom in our lives and in our world. Jesus ******************************************************** taught us to pray to our heavenly Father, View our Revised Advent and Christmas acknowledging our total dependence on him and schedule here. Registrations for Christmas Eve trusting entirely in his providential care, even at the and Christmas Day Masses will begin on darkest moments in our lives. Prayer of petition arises Wednesday, December 16th. naturally in human hearts. In the Bible we see Register online here. countless prayers to God to intervene in the face of our helplessness before situations of sickness, injustice, ******************************************************** betrayal and despair. Even the simple cry, “Lord, help Parish Office Hours me!” is itself a powerful prayer. God always hears the cry of those who call upon him. Saint Paul tells us that The parish office is closed to in-person visits due to COVID 19. The Reception Desk is staffed Monday our prayers echo the yearning of all creation for the through Friday from 9:00am to Noon to receive Mass coming of the Kingdom (cf. Rom 8:22-24) and the pre-registration requests by phone and email inquiries. fulfilment of God’s saving plan. We make our prayers Please phone 780-488-7295 ext 0 or email of petition with confidence in him who has triumphed [email protected] to reach the Reception over all evil through the cross and resurrection of his Desk. During all other hours, please call 780-488-7295 Son and the sending of the Holy Spirit, who intercedes ext 0 and leave a message, or email on our behalf and quietly works to transform all things. [email protected]. A staff member will get back View here for full catechesis. to you within the next business day. For emergency General Audience, Saint Peter’s Square, assistance, please phone 780-984-0633. Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Next Sunday’s Readings – 4thFrom Sunday the of Rector’sAdvent Desk

First Reading: 2 Samuel 7.1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 Second Reading: Romans 16.25-27 Gospel: Luke 1.26-38

Dear Friends, May God continue to bless each of you, and please be assured of the prayers of Fr. Simmy, Fr. Ben and I. This Sunday the Church celebrates the Third Sunday of Advent, known as Gaudete Sunday. We light the God bless, Fr. Paul rose candle of our advent wreaths, which symbolizes the time of joy, as we joyfully anticipate the birth of YEAR-END AND CHRISTMAS GIVING Jesus. May we continue to pray for one another, especially during this time of pandemic, and support As you consider making year-end and Christmas one another as Christmas draws near. donations to your favourite Charities, we hope that you will also consider making a gift to your favourite This past week we learned of new restrictions and Parish – St Joseph’s Basilica. This year has been a protocols mandated by the province of Alberta in particularly challenging time to reach our revenue response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These new goals, which fund the mission of our parish including restrictions will affect the Basilica, especially our the upkeep of our beautiful Church. In order for your parish staff who will be working primarily from donations to be credited towards your 2020 tax receipt, home. The parish office will remain closed until they need to be received in the office or collection by January 8th at the very least. We will check for phone December 31, 2020. messages and emails regularly.  Donations made at the Masses on Dec 31 will

The 5:30pm weekday evening Mass and Sunday be considered 2020 donations; however, any Masses will proceed as usual. Please continue to cheque dated 2021 will be recorded in 2021. register for Mass online through the Basilica website at  Donations made at the New Year’s Day https://www.stjosephbasilica.com/ or by phoning the Masses will be considered 2021 donations. parish office at 780-488-7295. We will keep to our  Donations may be dropped off in the mailbox present numbers of participants at each mass. I thank beside the rectory door until 9:00 pm on Dec you for your patience, especially as we have many 31. people who want to come to Mass, but some are turned  Donations may be mailed, but MUST be away due to limited seating. postmarked Dec 31 or earlier to be counted as a The parish is making good progress with our Annual 2020 donation. year-end Financial Appeal. With the goal of raising  Donations may be made by credit card over the $95,000, to reduce the deficit as of Sept. 30th, we have phone - call the office anytime on Monday and so far received $55,846 in donations towards this mornings only on Tuesday through Friday request. Support so far is fantastic! If we are to (except on holidays). eliminate the deficit by year-end, it will take the support of all parishioners and I know that for some of ELECTRONIC GIVING you this as asking a lot. Be assured that whatever size sacrificial gift you offer, large or small, it will make a  Canada Helps – open 24 hours a day! Go to difference. If you have not yet made your contribution www.stjosephbasilica.com, follow the Donate to the appeal, please do by December 31st. Now link and make your donation prior to midnight on December 31. The funds will Pre-registration for Mass on Christmas Eve and come to the parish and you will receive your Christmas Day will begin on December 16th. Please tax receipt instantly from Canada Helps. use the online registration calendar on the Basilica website. For those without internet, the office will  E-transfers – open 24 hours a day! Make take phone-in registrations. Walk-ins are discouraged. your donation prior to midnight on Dec 31 We have added additional masses on Christmas Eve using the following email address: and Christmas Day. We will also livestream the [email protected] 4:30pm mass on Christmas Eve, Midnight Mass, and 2020 tax receipts will be sent out in February 2021. 10:30am Christmas Day Mass. The 5pm mass on New Thank you in advance for your generosity. Year’s Eve and the 10:30am mass on New Year’s Day will be livestreamed.

Family Ministry: Bonnie Kirk, Sacramental Coordinator

WORDS OF CONGRATULATIONS

Last Monday evening we enjoyed our Family Bible Scavenger Hunt. Here is a shout out to Bella and mom, Dawn for their enthusiastic and successful hunt.

WORDS OF THANKS Archbishop Smith: The Necessary Perspective Each Sunday you will find our Advent wreath with a weekly prayer on our Facebook page. Thank you to Archbishop Smith writes it is helpful now and again to take those of you who have shared pictures of your wreath a break simply to ponder the beauty of God and His works. there. Certainly, the immediate horizon is looking a little brighter lately than it has been, due to announcements of vaccine AN INVITATION approvals and the imminent start of distribution. The

th needed horizontal breadth, however, is given when we This Monday, December 14 , we will gather via consider not our own human accomplishments but the ZOOM for our final Advent Family evening. At that mighty deeds of God, who is with us in the power of His time, we will explore and celebrate the Jesse Tree. love. Have you begun yours? Do you need directions? Ask ([email protected]) for directions to make one It is good — very good — to step back from what is and suggested prayer for your family. In many ways, it immediately pressing upon us and ponder the love of God is Jesus’ family tree. By adding symbols to a tree and what He is able to achieve. For our loving God, nothing (branch, drawing or your Christmas tree) we reflect on is impossible. Read the story how the promise of a Saviour made to Adam and Eve was fulfilled in Jesus. Be sure and send us your pictures. Here is the link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82539803260?pwd=MVRL VWJTaWtjVjk2RWdLYmlPR05YZz09 Meeting ID: 825 3980 3260 Passcode: 540223 The children will continue to meet for the Children’s Liturgy of the Word each Sunday from 10:00am to 10:25am on ZOOM. During Advent, we will be using the Brother Francis Advent video series. Please contact Bonnie to register and so ensure you have the log in link. This series includes a family activity each week. Rolheiser: From St. Tarcisius to 'People' magazine, an evolution in admiration and imitation

Columnist Ron Rolheiser writes that in his young imagination, St.Tarcisius was the ultimate hero whom he Merry Christmas CWL Members wanted to be like.

We wish you all a Merry Christmas Rolheiser writes that we’ve come a long way from there, Stay Extra Safe & Healthy. both in our culture and in our churches. We’re no longer moved much by either the saints of old or the While we cannot be together saints of today. We are united in Christ. More than ever, we need inspiring stories about women and men, young and old, who have lived out heroic virtue. Without such ideals to emulate, we too quickly identify moral virtue with human grace and deprive ourselves of higher spiritual ideals. Read the story

Light up the Basilica is back Join us in lighting devotional candles during Advent and Christmas

Beginning on November 29th through to January 10th, parishioners are invited to have a devotional candle lit for their special intention or deceased loved one. By making a minimum $5.00 online donation, a candle will be lit for your intention at one of the 10:30am livestreamed Sunday Masses.

We thought it would be a good idea to offer this activity especially for parishioners who are missing their regular Sunday candle devotions. Candles are still available during the week for anyone stopping by for personal prayer time. All donations received from this activity will be used to offset the costs of running Alpha & Omega: Sounds of Christmas at St. the church. Joseph's Basilica To participate, click here and you will come to the Alpha & Omega is what we all need after this extraordinary parish donation’s page. Then follow these year. Listen to the debut Christmas of the Schola instructions: Cantorum of St Joseph’s Basilica. You may want to purchase their recording for yourself or for others. Read Select the fund, #4 Advent and Christmas Devotional story and Watch the video Candles, in drop down menu;  Enter donation $ amount (minimum $5.00;)  Include your Special Intention in message box;  Fill in your personal information and payment details;  Complete donation. Once completed, you will automatically receive a charitable donation receipt in your email inbox.

St. Joseph’s Basilica New yegSpark project hopes to ignite spirit of Cathedral Parish Annual Appeal volunteering We invite all parishioners of the archdiocese to Can you record a Christmas story for kids? Sew aprons for a women’s shelter kitchen? Can you build a snowman? donate to our Cathedral Parish Annual Appeal. Your support is essential to us, as we continue our These may seem like simple tasks, but yegSpark — a new mission of worship, witness and service to the micro-volunteering (quick volunteering) recruitment project people of Edmonton, Alberta and beyond. — hopes to match individuals and groups who have a desire Donate NOW to help with those who need help, via various charities, non- profit organizations, and health, education and social service agencies in Edmonton. Read the story

Certificate in Catholic Studies - Online Devotions in 140 Faith Formation – NTC Benedict XVI A bite-size reflection for the week, based on the Archbishop’s Institute selected readings for Dec. 6, Second Sunday of Advent:

This a comprehensive selection of courses on various John the Baptist and his followers felt an overwhelming desire aspects of the Catholic faith, all offered online, which to see the Messiah, and the fulfillment of God's promises. What can be taken individually for interest, or applied do we desire? toward a specialized Certificate in Catholic Studies. This user-friendly format has grown rapidly and is ******************************************* being accessed by hundreds of people across the Are you new to the parish? We welcome you world. The next cycle starts Jan. 11, 2021. and invite you to fill out a new parishioner Visit Newman Theological College website HERE registration form. View form here

******************************************** Living in the Word of God

Hear the Word of God and Do It'

Living in the Word — Central to the disciple's Church Hours rhythm of life is the Word proclaimed on Sunday at mass. By means of the homily, the priest or deacon Mass Times helps us understand the message of Sacred Scripture and apply it to our daily living. Weekdays: 5:30pm; Saturday: 5:00pm Sunday: 8:30am, 10:30am, 12:30pm, By what means do we carry that message forward into 5:00pm the events of our week? One way to do so is to make Pre-registration for Mass is required: time as a family to discuss what was heard at mass www.stjosephbasilica.com and share together how each one will allow God's

Word to direct their thoughts and behaviours throughout the week. Confessions: Monday: 5:00pm to 5:30pm (Archbishop Smith, Pastoral Letter, September 14, for those attending Mass. 2017) caedm.ca/letter Watch Video Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 4:00pm to 4:30pm. Grace this Week Saturday: 4:30pm to 5:00pm

A way to experience Scripture with every meal ... new for those attending Mass. prayers and lines are posted each week at caedm.ca/grace. Personal Prayer: Weekdays: 12:00pm (Noon) to 4:00pm Grace with lines inspired by the Readings for Dec. Saturday: 12:00pm (Noon) to 4:00pm 13, Third Sunday of Advent Sunday: 1:30pm to 4:30pm Leader: Lord Jesus, we thank you for your Word. You are the light foretold by John the Baptist. (John 1:8) For any updates please check our website All: Lord, enlighten our world. www.stjosephbasilica.com Leader: Lord Jesus, we thank you for your Word. You alone are the Messiah. (John 1:20) All: We are your people, Lord

Contact Information MASS PRE-REGISTRATION Parishioners can pre-register for mass on our website; Office: 780-488-7295; [email protected] by email; or by phone 780-488-7295 Ext 221. Website: www.stjosephbasilica.com Parish staff are available to assist you on weekdays

Most Rev. Archbishop Richard Smith ...... Pastor from 9am to 12:30pm

Pastoral Team For Mass and Confession times, Fr. Paul Kavanagh ...... Rector and Church hours view here [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 Every Sunday – 10:30am with Archbishop Smith [email protected] ; ext. 224 All livestream Masses and celebrations can Bernie Fitzsimmons ...... Accountant be found on the Archdiocese of Edmonton [email protected] ; ext. 226 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.

Mass Intentions: December 13th to 19th Online Events;

All events below are offered by Bonnie via Zoom. Sunday: Please email [email protected] if you would † Sylvester Mc Goey like to receive the link to join each group. † Edwardo, Virginia, and Maria Rivera Rosary – Paused until further notice. † Raymund P. Torres Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6:00pm Monday:

SI. Linda Ann Sterling Bible Study – Thursday Evenings at 7:00pm SI. Hedi Schiestl Tuesday: Devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help – † Padraig Fagan Tuesdays at 7:00pm † Posteraro and Ziccarelli family members Wednesday: Children’s Liturgy – Sundays at 10:00am † Vivienne Dharmaratne Thursday: What Catholics Think About… – last Wednesday † Barbara Szynkowski of the month at 7:30pm † Raphael Kloc and Kris Kuras Friday:

† Emilia Dias

Saturday:

† Gina and Lorie Sambu

† = Repose of the Soul SI. = Special Intention