Daily readings:
19/12 Monday: Our Lady of Guadalupe [1] Judges 13.2-7, 24-25a [Gospel] Luke 1.5-25
20/12 Tuesday: [1] Isaiah 7.10-14; 8.10d [Gospel] Luke 1.26-38
21/12 Wednesday: ST. PETER CANISIUS [1] Zephaniah 3.14-18a or Song of Songs 2.8-14 [Gospel] Luke 1.39-45
22/12 Thursday: [1] 1 Samuel 1.24-28 [Gospel] Luke 1.46-56
23/12 Friday: ST. JOHN OH KANTY [1] Malachi 3.1-4; 4.5-6 [Gospel] Luke 1.57-66
24/12 Saturday: [1] 2 Samuel 7.1-5, 8-12, 16 [Gospel] Luke 1.67-79
25/12 Sunday: NATIVITY OF THE LORD
Mass during the night:[1] Isaiah 9.2-4, 6-7 [2] Titus 2.11-14 [Gospel] Luke 2.1-16
Mass at dawn:[1] Isaiah 62.11-12 [2] Titus 3.4-7 [Gospel] Luke 2.15-20
Mass during the day:[1] Isaiah 52.7-10 [2] Hebrews 1.1-6 [Gospel] John 1.1-18
REFLECTION ON THE READINGS
4th Sunday of Advent
"The Coming of the King..."
1. First Reading - Isaiah 7.10-14
we have the familiar story about the Prophet's confrontation with King Ahaz of Judah. (Circa 735-715 BC approximately) Judah is faced with an invasion by the Assyrians, and Ahaz believes that an alliance with Egypt is better than relying upon God and His promises to save Judah. In frustration, Isaiah gives Ahaz a "sign" that is so unusual it should have caused the king to take notice, but he refuses and plunges Judah into disaster. The essence of this story is that God's plan will triumph in spite of mankind's refusal to cooperate. This is also a veiled warning to us today to be careful about our relationships.
Psalm 24: “May the Lord come in; he is king of glory.”
2. Second Reading Romans 1.1-7
In this opening passage and greeting, Paul lays out the whole purpose of his and our call as Christians, and that is "called to belong to Jesus Christ" and "called to holiness and apostleship" so that he and we might spread the name of Jesus and by doing so, bring others to believe.
“Alleluia! The virgin shall be with child and bear a son; and they shall name in Emmanuel: God is with us.”
3. Gospel Reading – Matthew 11.2-11
we hear the familiar story of how Jesus came into this world "through a woman" in what appears to be a normal birth process. However, as we now know, the story is anything but "normal." It is the fulfillment of the promises made to David and to his successors, such as King Ahaz, and to all mankind, for He, Jesus, is the savior of the world. Without our belief and trust in this truth, we would still be in sin and our faith would be worthless
PRAY FOR THE SICK: May Chu, Camilo Romero, Adela Lim, Mary Martin, Ky Truong, Gina Tabul, Olivera Lambeta, Ngan Thi Trinh, Thuong Van Tran, Francesca Cabrales, Maria Garcia, 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, Patricia Rudolph, Shirley De La Cruz, Vũ Nam,
PRAYER FOR THE MONTH (December)For volunteer not-for-profit organizations: We pray that volunteer non-profit organizations committed to human development find people dedicated to the common good and ceaselessly seek out new paths to international cooperation.
PARISH NEWS
*Our Parish is always looking for volunteers who are willing to donate their time and talents in various areas such as: sacristans, readers, altar servers, choir members, gift bearers, parking lot attendants and so much more. Please speak with the Mass coordinator if you are able to help or would like more information.
PARISH INFORMATION
Stay in Touch: We welcome emails or phone calls to the parish office (604-876-7826 / parish.[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 https://support.rcav.org/parishes/parish-offertory/sunday-offering/and select St. Joseph, Van Offering.
ARCHDIOCESAN NEWS
*Ring in the New Year with the Bells of Benediction
Spend time in adoration in the presence of Jesus to end 2022 and bless the New Year 2023. Come, let us adore Him on Dec. 31, from 9:00 p.m. until midnight at our Lady of Lourdes church. Learn more at beholdvancouver.org/events.
*Making Sense of Adolescence
. This course is designed to be used by parents, grandparents, teachers, administrators, professionals - anyone who desires to make sense of adolescence. Parents of all ages will find this course invaluable as preparation for what lies ahead. The event will be on Zoom weekly from Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, until Mar. 10, 2023. Learn more and register at beholdvancouver.org/events.
Chinese New Year Mass with Archbishop Miller
Join this Chinese New Year's Eucharistic celebration with Archbishop Miller on Jan. 22, 2023 at Our Lady of Fatima parish, Coquitlam at 3:00 p.m. Learn more and register at beholdvancouver.org/events.
