Daily readings:
12/04 Monday: [1] Acts 4.23-31 [Gospel] John 3.1-8
13/04 Tuesday: [1] Acts 4.32-37 [Gospel] John 3.7b-15
14/04 Wednesday: [1] Acts 5.17-26 [Gospel] John 3.16-21
15/04 Thursday: [1] Acts 5.27-33 [Gospel] John 3.31-36
16/04 Friday: [1] Acts 5.34-42 [Gospel] John 6.1-15
17/04 Saturday: ST. KATERI TEKAKWITHA, PROTECTRESS OF CANADA [1] Acts 6.1-7 [Gospel] John 6.16-21
18/04 Sunday: THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER [1] Acts 4.32-35 [2] 1 John 5.1-6 [Gospel] John 20.19-31
REFLECTION ON THE READINGS OF EASTER
- First Reading Acts 4.32-35 As a community renewed in the joy of the resurrection, how do we compare with “the whole group of those who believed”? Are we “one in heart and soul”? Is great grace upon us all? Is it manifest in us individually and as a community? How does it show? Do we give powerful testimony to the resurrection of the Lord? How possessive am I about what I own? Do I share freely with others? Do I place my time, talents and possessions at the service of the parish and the Church? Could I be more generous?
Psalm 118: “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever.”
2. Second Reading 1 John 5.1-6 Do I love God? Do I love all God’s children? How is my love of God expressed through obeying the commandments? How does the world prevent me from loving as I should? Does faith in God and in his Son, Jesus Christ, help me to love? Do I love as Christ did, in blood as well as water? Is the Holy Spirit leading me to deeper understanding and more courageous witness of my faith?
“Alleluia! You believed, Thomas, because you have seen me; blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”
3. Gospel Reading John 20.19-31 Jesus is risen! Do I rejoice? What are my fears? What doors have I locked to protect myself from the risks of being a Christian in today’s world? What turmoils disturb my peace? Am I waiting to “see” Christ? Do I have expectations for what I need in order to believe, or in order to take the next step as a disciple? Am I willing to search Christ out? Am I willing to let him transform my life and send me out? Am I ready to bring the peace of Christ to my world?
PRAY FOR THE SICK: May Chu, Caroline Bayle, Camilo Romero, Adela Lim, Mary Martin, Ky Truong, Gina Tabul, Olivera Lambeta, Ngan Thi Trinh, Thuong Van Tran, Francesca Cabrales, Maria Garcia, Pho Ho, Danita Chow, Hong Van Le, Tuyen Thi Nguyen, Phu Thi Truong, Bernard Boos, Hanh Huynh, Mary Magdalene H, Thanh Thi Dao, Sa Thi Dang, Phuong Van Nguyen, Hoa Xuan Thi Le, Estrella Rodriguez, Felipe Sobredo, Long Van Nguyen, Tuyen Van Nguyen, Patricia Rudolph, Shirley De La Cruz, Dinh Thi Luyen, Fr. Vincent Thao Dinh, Fr. Joseph Thuy Le.
PRAYER FOR THE MONTH (April)
Fundamental Rights: We pray for those who risk their lives while fighting for fundamental rights under dictatorships, authoritarian regimes and even in democracies in crisis.
PARISH NEWS
Second collection: for building fund. Donations can be made online, or dropped off at our Parish office. Thank you for your generosity and ongoing financial support. Prayer Service for the Feast of the Divine Mercy (April 11) at 3pm will be “Live- Streamed” and available for viewing on the Parish Facebook page or through the Parish website. We hope you can join us online for this special event.
Effective Monday April 12, “In- Person” Masses will have an ongoing schedule as follows:
- Monday to Friday at 8am
- Saturday at 9am
- Saturday Anticipated Mass at 5pm
- Sunday at 8am and 11:30am, with Live-Streaming for the 11:30am Mass Please note that all these services will be held outdoors and are limited to 50 people. You must register online.
- Also, these events are subject to changes with short notice. For the most updated information, please visit the Parish website. We thank you for your patience and understanding.
A NOTE OF CAUTION about attending any of the below in-person outdoor Masses to individuals listed below, because of their higher risk of suffering from serious complications of COVID- 19:
- a person 70 years of age or older, even if they have been immunized against COVID-19;
- a person who is living with another person who is infected with COVID- 19, or who has upper respiratory or influenza-like symptoms;
- a person with an underlying medical condition or a compromised immune system.
Tax Receipts: Please pick up your tax receipts for 2020 donations to the parish, school and Project Advance at the parish office. They are in numerical order by your envelope number or alphabetical order by family name for donors who do not have envelope numbers.
The project “All Were Filled” will be coming to an end. The last chance to order meals will be on Monday, May 3rd. We thank everyone who participated and volunteered to make this program a success in helping those in need during this difficult time. 2020 Tax receipts: have been mailed out – please expect them to arrive in the next week or two. Please visit our Parish website for the weekly bulletin and for more information regarding events in our Parish and in the Archdiocese.
“In-Person” outdoor Masses will be resumed as follows:
Weekdays: Monday to Friday: 8am, Saturday at 9am
Weekends: Saturday Anticipated Mass at 5pm, Sunday at 11:30am and 5pm, with Live-Streaming for the 11:30am Mass
All Were Filled: Do you know anyone struggling to have enough food to eat? Maybe you lost your job due to Covid-19 and are having trouble making ends meet. The All Were Filled Project offers free frozen food packets of hearty soups and/or entrées to put over rice, pasta or potatoes. There is no qualifying requirement to receive the food, and your order is confidential. Every week, you can order your box of food by Friday at 5 pm and pick it up or have it delivered on Friday afternoon the following week. Just call 604-876-7826 or email [email protected] to order a box that has 6 different dishes (7 servings each). We are in this together. Help us get the word out or call to place your order today. No one we know should go hungry!
Weekly Collection Envelopes: for 2021 can be picked up at the church entrance.
PARISH INFORMATION
The Church is open for private prayer: from Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Hand sanitizer, supplies to clean the pews, and marking guides to ensure distancing are available. Please help lower the risk of spreading infection at church by trying to minimize your contacts and staying home when ill, wearing a mask in the church, hand washing/sanitizing, cleaning the pew when you leave and giving other people space to stay safe. Thank you very much!
Stay in Touch: We welcome emails or phone calls to the parish office (604-876-7826 / [email protected]) if you have suggestions or need assistance. Please keep your contact information (address, phone, email) up to date.
Donations: To donate online go to www.rcav.org/sunday-offering and select St. Joseph, Van Offering.
ARCHDIOCESAN NEWS
Gifted to Give - 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines: Join the Filipino Community in celebrating the 500th Anniversary of Christianity in the Philippines on Friday, April 16 at 6:00 pm. For more info, please visit filipinoministry.ca or email [email protected]. This event takes place. Register online at filipinoministry.ca
Pilgrimage to Holy Rosary Cathedral: will continue to meet outside the Cathedral each Sunday to pray for the restoration of the public celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as long as restrictions on public worship persist.
Advance Planning for Catholics - FREE Webinar Series: This free webinar series offers a Catholic perspective on advance care planning, estates, wills, legacy, and memorialization. Register online for free at https://planning.rcav.org/
The Gospel of John: Signs and Glory: Among all the Gospels, the Gospel of John holds a unique place because of its message and extraordinary structure. Join us as we investigate the genius of the Gospel of John and the way it invites us to consider Jesus’ suffering and our own in a new light. Join us on Saturday, April 17 at 7:00 pm. Register online at https://beholdvancouver.org/events/the- gospel-of-john-signs-and-glory
Drug or Alcohol Addiction Recovery: If you, a loved one, or someone you know, wants to be free from an addiction to drugs or alcohol, consider Sancta Maria House. We offer a structured and supportive Catholic Christian 12-Step recovery program, in a pleasant, loving, family-like setting. We accept women of all faith backgrounds. For more information, visit: agapestreetministry.org/healing- homes/sancta-maria-house-1st-stage- recovery-house/ or call 604-731-5550.
Who Am I? Workshop: A 4-day workshop to help you find your inner strengths and live your best. This is an opportunity for an experience of self- discovery and development that explores the essential aspects of yourself. This workshop takes place from Friday, April 23 to Monday, April 26 from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. Learn more and register at https://beholdvancouver.org/events/who- am-i-workshop
Spirit Day 2021 “Connected as One”: Join us for the 17 th annual Spirit Day on Saturday April 24 th ! This event is designed to celebrate Grade Seven youth of our Archdiocese. The event has grown tremendously since the inaugural event in February 2005. It helps participants encounter the love of Christ, gets them excited about receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, and awakens the Holy Spirit in young and old alike.
The Things We Carry - Healthy Relationships Series: Behold Vancouver is offering a three-part online series on Healthy Relationships, with an opportunity for Q&A following a formal presentation by various presenters. Join us on Thursday, April 29 from 7:30 - 9:30 pm. Regsiter for free at beholdvancouver.org/events.
Into the Deep: 'Laudato Si' Five Years Later: Join us for an evening online with Sister Damien Marie Savino, FSE, the Dean of Science and Sustainability at Aquinas College in Michigan, as she reflects on the Special Anniversary Year of Laudato Si’ (On Care for Our Common Home) on Friday, April 30 from 7:00 - 8:30 pm on Zoom. Register for free at beholdvancouver.org/events BEHOLD: Be sure to sign up and check this new archdiocesan portal for spiritual writing, workshops, events and other links! https://beholdvancouver.org/
