St. Parish 6610 Balmoral Street, Burnaby, BC V5E 1J1 Phone: 604-434-1328 Fax: 604-434-3038 AD Space Email: [email protected] Website: saintfrancisdesales.ca available “Not only is God always in the Pastor: place where you are but God is Father Mario Marin in a very special manner in the

Assistant Pastor: depths of your spirit.” TBA. St. Francis de Sales Religious Education Coordinator Marguerite Goldsmith [email protected]

Office Staff: Mora Kerr Danka Mak

Parish School School Principal: Mrs. Irene Wihak

Ornella Hatzisavva-Secretary Phone: 604-435-5311 Fax: 604-434-4798 [email protected] Pre-School: 604-434-3311

De Sales Ministry for the Deaf Pastoral Worker: Sr. Glenys Symons 604-434-7775 Cell Text 604-838-1206

St. George's Melkite-Greek Catholic Mission Byzantine Rite Mass at 1:30 pm on Sundays

Pastor:

Fr. Edward Ibrahim

778-251-8270 [email protected] Website: http://gm.rcav.org

St. Vincent de Paul Society Help Line: 604-434-1328

Domestic Abuse Help Line: 604-640-7549

AD Space Confessions: DUE TO COVID-19 ALL Holy Communion is available Please call or email PUBLIC MASSES HAVE Distributed every the parish office to NOBEEN School Mass SUSPENDED Friday, January 16 Sunday at 3 pm at schedule an UNTIL FURTHER the Church Entrance appointment NOTICE

AD Space The links to our upcoming Live Stream Masses can be found inside our bulletin. available

Sunday, March 14, John 3:14-21 Vancouver Sun: COVID-19: Novena to St. Feast Day March 19 Patron of God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world. (John 3:17) A list of all the Vaccination In the name of the Father and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Come to my aid, O God. O Lord make haste Do you think of Jesus as a divine accountant? You know, someone who has a Clinics in BC to help me. Almighty God, Father of mercies and ledger and checks to see if you measure up to his exacting, rigorous standards? In https://vancouversun.com/health/local-health/covid-19- giver of all good gifts, I come before you to honour today’s Gospel, St. John reminds us that Jesus was sent into the world not to condemn but to save us. He you in your and ask their help in my many didn’t come to tally up our good deeds and our bad deeds. He came to heal, protect and rescue us. How can heres-a-list-of-all-the-vaccination-clinics-in-b-c needs. You promised those who asked would receive, those who seek would find, those who knock that be? would have doors opened to them. Hear the prayers John 3:14-15 gives us a clue. Yes we do fall short of God’s commands and his vision for our lives. But Wednesday March 17 of your Church, grant my requests and pardon my sins. Amen. St. Joseph just and true, with a father’s rather than justly condemning us, God sent Jesus to be “lifted up” and to give "eternal life” to all who believe care you raised the Child Jesus and with a husband’s in him. That refers to the story in the book of Exodus, when the Israelites were being bitten by poisonous love you shared your life with Mary his mother. I snakes for complaining against God. God directed to make a bronze serpent and mount it on a pole so entrust myself to your care and place in your hands that anyone who looked at it was healed (Numbers 21:4-9). these requests of mine. Personal Intention In quiet Nazareth long ago Like the Israelites, our first step is to acknowledge our need for salvation, even though that may mean the Holy Spirit spoke to your heart and you followed facing all the ways we fall short. After all, what could be more convicting than knowing that Jesus bore our God’s will with wonderful faith. In the quiet of my own sins on the cross of Jesus. days and in the hard choices I must make, help me to follow the Spirit’s guidance and believe when I The salvation Jesus offers us is far greater than the Israelites physical healing from snakebites. He cannot see. heals us spiritually. He forgives us and strengthens us to live differently. He restores us to a right relationship Wishing Everyone a Happy Day 1 O God, guide of those who listen and with God. And he gives us a real hope of heaven. and Safe Spring Break! helper of those who hear your voice, speak to me as you did to St. Joseph and help me to accomplish the So don’t fall into the trap of thinking Jesus as an accountant. He is not in the business of condemning things you give me to do. but of offering salvation. Today, gaze on him, lifted up on the cross. Bring your neediness to him and let him Day 2 O God you love your people and bless the heal and restore you. Stations of the Cross and ordinary lives we quietly live, as you blessed Mass During Lent every St. Joseph. Bless what I do however hidden and “Jesus, help me fix my eyes on you.” Friday until March 26. simple it may be and let all I do be done with love. Stations and Mass will be live Day 3 O God ever faithful you remember us Click Zoom Link to Register for 40 Days For Life always and in time reveal your blessings. Help me streamed. Stations will begin at 6:30 pm trust in you as St. Joseph faithfully trusted and We welcome and congratulate https://rcav.zoom.us/ followed by Mass. never let me loose faith in the wonderful gifts you Mico Luis Casal promise me. Communion will be distributed at 7:45 pm. Sebastian Santiago Pinto Day 4 God of families bless the family that is mine. Keep us safe from harm and never let evil Nikolas Apilado Dayrit (In the Church with proper social distancing) come between us. Let peace remain in our hearts. Baptized in our parish this weekend Also please note Holy Communion is Day 5 O God who loves children be kind to our children today. Give them eyes of faith for seeing distributed every Sunday at 3 pm. far, a loving heart for welcoming life and a place To make it easier for parishioners to (At the Church entrance) always at your side. support their own parish by a weekly or Day 6 God of our heavenly home bless our monthly gift made by credit card or direct home on earth. Let the spirit of Mary and Joseph debit. Donations can be made at: rest at our table, shape our words and actions and www.rcav.org/sunday-offering also please Year of St. Joseph Francis bring blessings to our children. feel free to drop off donations at the parish announced a Year of St. Joseph, beginning Dec. Day 7 God, Our Father, give your fatherly spirit office or at the distribution of Holy 8, 2020 and ending Dec. 8, 2021, in honour of to those who are fathers now. Like St. Joseph give Communion on Sunday’s. them hearts of devoted love for their wives and the 150th anniversary of the saint’s children and strength for forgiveness and patience. proclamation as patron of the Universal Church. Day 8 Give shelter O God to those w ho need it Live Stream Mass/Stations of The Pope established a Year of St. Joseph, who and bring together families divided. Give us enough the Cross Links March 5 & 6 to eat and decent work to earn our bread. Care for with the Canadian is one of Canada’s us O God. Please follow the links below to access patron saints, so that “every member of the Day 9 Bless all families O Lord, especially those our upcoming Masses and Stations of in need. Remembering the life of your Son, we pray faithful, following his example, may strengthen the Cross: for the poor, for those who lack a good home, for Daylight Savings Time March 14 their life of faith daily in the complete fulfillment those in exile, grant them a protector like St. Friday March 5, 6:30 pm https://youtu.be/ Joseph, O God. Move your clocks forward one hour. of God’s will.” Visit rcav.org/stjoseph to learn Saturday March 6, 5 pm https://youtu.be/ Say: Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be daily more. after each petition THOSE WATCHING LIVE STREAM MASS: March 14, 2021 On Sundays at 3:00 pm, we will be distributing Holy Communion. Parishioners coming for Holy Communion Fourth Sunday of Lent in their car will come to the church through the Pre-school parking lot, down the back alley to the church GROW AS A PRAY, STUDY, ENGAGE, SERVE then into the top parking lot in front of the church, then to the front of the church ,they will get out of their car at this point and receive communion, re-enter their car and drive to the Balmoral exit. (This is done so

We all have mementoes that we treasure - a handmade that all the social distancing rules will be observed as each Mother's Day card, a delicate glass sculpture inherited from a household will be in one space, their car.) While in the lineup for relative, perhaps a fine piece of woodwork or beautifully communion the following preparation for communion will be woven quilt. We treasure them because they remind us of said. (Anyone arriving by public transit is also welcome.) someone we love. Now, think about that we are God's Preparation prayers for Reception of Holy Communion "handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that Call to mind your sins –then say the act of contrition: God has prepared in advance"! Our God, rich in mercy, rich in I confess to almighty God love, treasures us so much that he created each of us in his and to you my brothers and sister, image and gives each of us grace - a pure, free gift. As we that I have greatly sinned, look in the mirror, we may be tempted to see only our in my thoughts and in my words, imperfections. But Paul reminds us that if we look at ourselves in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, the way God does and accept the gift of his love and grace, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; and cooperate with it working in us, we can live in Christ in the here and now by extending love and mercy to others, and therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-, in eternity, in God's loving embrace. all the angels and saints, and you my brothers and sisters, GO EVANGELIZE PRAYER, INVITATION, WITNESS, to pray for me to the Lord our God. ACCOMPANIMENT Read the following reading John 6:54-55 Reading the news and social media, the phrase in today's He who feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has life eternal, and I will raise him up on the last day. For Gospel that "people preferred darkness to light" seems as true my flesh is real food and my blood real drink. now as it was in John's time. Sinfulness and evil still cause Say the Our Father great harm in our societies. The good news is that it is also as Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name; thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is true for us as it was then that God sent his only Son, "not ... in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not in to temptation, but deliver us from evil. to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him." Clearly, the world is a work in progress. We are Receive Communion a work in progress. Yet today's readings remind us that we Drive to our larger parking lot or on the way home observe a period of silence then say the ending prayer can choose light over darkness by accepting the gift of faith Final Prayer and grace that our patient and merciful God bestows on us. lt Lord, you have nourished us with one bread from heaven. doesn't mean that we should turn off the news or hide from the world, but instead do our part to bring light to the situations we encounter. We know the kingdom of God won't Here is a classic version of Spiritual Communion: be built in a day, or even a millennium, but we take a step Spiritual Communion Prayer by Saint toward building the Kingdom when we allow God's light to enter our hearts and then share that light with others through My Jesus, I believe that You are in the Blessed Sacrament. I love You our witness, words, and prayer. above all things, and I long for You in my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. As though You GIVE Choose light! Respond to a troubling event in have already come, I embrace You and unite myself entirely to You, never permit me to be separated from You. your community by seeking a concrete way to help, donate to local Catholic Charities or relief organizations. Amen.

Monday March 15 Please remember in your prayers all those in our parish 8:15 AM Janet Lee, INT (Joan & Paschal Agon) who are sick especially, Roger Marquis, RIP (Deacon Patrick Dwan & Lynn Dwan) Marjorie McKee, Chris Kwan, Norman Heuft, Lily Tuesday March 16 Spence, Raul Marcos Gomez, Anderson Johnston, 8:15 AM Lisa Day, INT (Amelia De Vera) Am, Arnold Villanueva, Fr. Tony Aureala, Ruby Lagmay, INT (Ruth Domnigo) Abelardo Aureala, Maggie Valenzuela, Odete

Wednesday March 17 Redondo, Sibylle Ganguin, Garizalde Torres, Cesar 8:15 AM Robert Lowe, RIP (Maureen Heighington) de la Puente, John MacTaggart, Lisa Sadler, Karen

Hovestad, Anderson Johnson Greenaway, Stuart Thursday March 18 8:15 AM Ernesto Gerada, RIP (Luz Gerada) Chia, Mary Chia, Phinlee Hansen and Emilio Sales II, Ryan Urquhart, INT (Josephine Hooi) Jack Campbell, Diane Bjornson, Thi Dao, Connie Detjen, Antonio Pompa, Ruby Lagmay, Rebecca Friday March 19 9:00 AM Jose Miguel Roces, RIP (Marissa Sarmiento) Malasamas, Wayne McCormick, Steven Bednash, K. Coll, Cecilio Sanchez, 7:00 PM Ramon Aquino, RIP (Marissa Sarmiento) Josefina Gaffney Yuk Chu Tan, Consuelo Bermudes, Geoffrey Heiland, Larry Cecilia Apura, RIP (Evangelina Deligero) Denis Jose Calderon, Sr. Glenys Symons, Chiarina Marroni and Claro Katindoy.

Saturday March 20 (Please inform the parish office of any changes) 9:00 AM Pablo Cruz, RIP (Emma Paraiso) 5:00 PM Giuseppe Calandra, RIP (Maria Stokovac) Pauline & Vincent, INT (School Prayer Group) The Holy Father’s Prayer Intention for March 2021 Intention for evangelization-Sacrament of reconciliation. Sunday March 21 8:30 AM Leonor Reyes, RIP (Mulinbayan Family) Let us pray that we may experience the sacrament of reconciliation with renewed depth, Roger Marquis, RIP (H. Connaughton Family) to taste the infinitive mercy of God. 11:00 AM John De Vera, INT (Amelia De Vera) 7:00 PM All Parishioners Stewardship Reflection

March 14, 2021 - 4th Sunday of Lent Please remember in your prayers all those in our parish who are health care workers Please remember in your prayers “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son…” - John 3:16

especially, Christina Pimentel, Jean Trinidad, all those in our parish who have Of all the wonderful gifts that God has given to us, the gift of His own Son is truly the Shara Brotonel Dimalibot, Kathy Armstrong, died especially, Julian Duncan, greatest. How can we ever thank God for a gift like that? God does not ask us to sacrifice our own precious firstborn, but He does ask that we are grateful and generous with our God-given Sara Medhanie, Alicia Iglesias Angela Hank Vantunen, William gifts. That we nurture and develop our gifts, and in gratitude, generously give back with increase Gerardo, Jocelyn Gerardo, Debra Ducusin Labash, Carlos Fernandez, our time in prayer, our talent in charitable works and our treasure to support the mission and ministry of our parish and greater Church. Susan Ywayan, Danielle LaBreche ,Cynthia Secretaria and John De Copyright © 2021 Archdiocese of St. Louis Lim, Joseph Motus,Deloras Elampano, Simone. Joan Villarin, Yordanos Amanzghi and Denise Valdecantos Sayo. was a just man, a tireless worker, the upright guardian of those entrusted to his care. May he always guard, protect and enlighten families. - Pope John Paul II Examination of Conscience in the time of COVID Examination of Conscience in the time of COVID In recent months, the pandemic has made it difficult to access Mass and the Sacraments. Yet it has In times of increased stress, anxiety, fear and uncertainty, we turn to different things to also brought us to recognize how easy it is to take for granted what is most life-giving. As we help us cope. prepare for Easter, many of us experience in a deeper way the need for Sacramental Confession and  Have I coped in unhealthy ways such as excessive food or drink or even medication use? the hunger to receive Jesus in the Eucharist. We long to receive the peace that the Sacraments bring to our lives.  Have I used the internet or television to watch inappropriate or evil films? Are the things I look at on my devices shameful? Have I justified these habits with lies like “It’s not a big deal?” To help prepare our lives for the Sacrament of Confession, the following questions may serve as an “examination of conscience in the time of COVID.” Though not all these points indicate “mortal sins,”  Do I spend more time on my phone than with the people with whom I live? they do help us to see the real spiritual wounds and problems that can emerge in these times. They  Have I allowed these unhealthy supports to become addictions? can encourage us to pause and reflect on our own lives during these months.  Have I allowed myself to become a more unloving person through the choices I have made?

Since the early months of the pandemic, the Church has lifted the obligation of attending Sunday Mass. Yet throughout this time, we are still invited and expected to honour the We are always called to love our neighbour, even when the pandemic restrictions make it Lord’s Day. difficult to actively do so.

 Have I tried to keep the Lord’s Day holy by praying and reading the Scriptures each week?  How have I loved my neighbour during this time?

 Have I made efforts to gather my family in prayer? Have I taken the time to explain to my  Have I made the effort to care for the lonely, the elderly and the poor around me? children what it means not to be able to attend Mass during this time?  Have I only kept my attention on my needs or those of my immediate family?  Have I made the effort to attend live-streamed Masses when available?  If my situation allows for me to attend Mass in-person, have I made the effort to do so to be The pandemic has led many of us to explore different questions such as the importance of close to Jesus and receive Him? (if our specific circumstances indicate that we should continue family and friends and the reality of life and death. avoiding public Masses, then we are not at fault.)  Have I taken the opportunity to reflect on my life and make real and necessary changes?

 Have I tried to live through these tough times by turning to Jesus who alone can take away my Let us consider our prayer life during this time of crisis. Amidst the pandemic restrictions, loneliness? has our relationship with God remained a priority?  Have I kept my faith strong in God, trusting that He remains near to me and always offers me  Have I prayed each day? what is best?  Have I blamed God for this pandemic or used it as an excuse to turn away from Him? The pandemic has been difficult in many ways for all of us. Yet, this time is also a graced opportunity  Have I continued to support my parish according to my means during this time? for us to reflect on our lives, to make significant resolutions and to continue growing in our relationship with God who remains close to us.

In this pandemic, we have spent more time in our homes than we normally would. Naturally this can cause increased anxieties and tensions that affect our most important relationships.

 How have I treated others during this time?

 Have I negatively affected others with my words and gestures, causing wounds and hurts even unintentionally?

 Have I made the effort to treat my family with greater care? With some family members working and learning from home, have I been flexible and generous with personal space and other life St. Francis de Sales Days of Mercy Confession Dates & Times needs? Have I tried to live in service of my home to make life easier for all? Saturday March 20, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

 Have I cared for the spiritual needs of my family? Have I taken the opportunity to talk about Monday March 22, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm things like values, virtues and beliefs to look after the spiritual health of my household? Saturday April 3, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm  Have I reached out to family members who are elderly, isolated or unsupported? Please call the parish office to schedule a time. 604-434-1328 Holy Week Retreat: Prayer and Contemplation with the Holy Scriptures Last year’s Lenten Retreat was attended by over 700 faithful from the Archdiocese of Vancouver and beyond. This year, you and your family are invited to attend a special evening of faith to prepare for the holiest week of the year. Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV is America's preeminent writer on Ignatian spiritual direction and discernment. He will join us virtually from Denver to speak on prayer through meditation and contemplation. His clear and practical approach will invite us into the imaginative scenes of scripture and the characters we encounter throughout Holy Week. We will also hear personal reflections from Sister Mary Sabina DeMuth as well as Lisa and Makani Marquis. Join us on Friday, March 26 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm online. Register for free at beholdvancouver.org/events

National Catholic Women's Conference Exhausting - Busy - Chaotic. How often do you use those words when describing our day? https://watch.formed.org/ joseph-of-nazareth-the- As Catholic women, many of us with kids, spouses, jobs, (and now add homeschool teacher to the list), it is easy to feel like everyone wants a piece of our time and energy. And when that time and energy just isn't there to give, it can leave us feeling guilty. If only we had more time, more energy, more hands! Then we could get it all done. Then we'll have earned the right to some peace. Join us online from March 12-14, 2021. Register online at beholdvancouver.org/events

Shalom Online Retreat In this Lenten Season, Shalom Ministry invites you to a three-day spirit-filled online https://watch.formed.org/videos/ retreat. Celebration of Holy Eucharist and Adoration, spirit-filled Praise and Worship, talks by renowned Speakers - Fr. Jilto George, CMI. The retreat starts on Friday, March 19 and runs until Sunday, March 21, every day from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. For more information and registration, please visit www.shalomworld.org/retreat or call (604-366-4068 / 778-863-9972) to register. This is a free event. Come and experience the liberating power of God's love and see how this retreat can make you a new person in Christ, washed and cleansed with His precious Blood!

Fundscrip Gift Cards Our school has implemented a gift card fundraiser that can be used all year round. https://watch.formed.org/ Fundscrip is user friendly and efficient. There are options for plastic, re-loadable and e-gift st-joseph-patron-of-the- cards. This can be used by friends and families all across Canada. You just send them the invitation code and link below, so they can support our school, too. Follow the link below for easy sign-up. https://www.fundscrip.com/support-a-group/DUP9NN School code: DUP9NN