25/12 Monday: [1] Isaiah 9.2-4, 6-7 [2] Titus 2.11-14 [Gospel] Luke 2.1-16
26/12 Tuesday: SAINT STEPHEN [1] Acts 6.8-10; 7.54-59 [Gospel] Matthew 10.17-22
27/12 Wednesday: SAINT JOHN [1] 1 John 1.1-4 [Gospel] John 20.2-8
28/12 Thursday: THE HOLY INNOCENTS [1] 1 John 1.5-2.2 [Gospel] Matthew 2.13-18
29/12 Friday: SAINT THOMAS BECKET [1] 1 John 2.3-11 [Gospel] Luke 2.22-35
30/12 Saturday: [1] 1 John 2.12-17 [Gospel] Luke 2.36-40
31/12 Sunday: HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH [1] Genesis 15.1-16; 17.3b-5,15-16; 21.1-7 or Sirach 3.2-6, 12-14 [2] Hebrews 11.8, 11-12,17-19 or Colossians 3.12-21 [Gospel] Luke 2.22-40
“Drop down dew from above, you heavens, and let the clouds rain down the Just One; let the earth be opened and bring forth a Saviour.”
First Reading: 2 Samuel 7.1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16
How do I honour the Lord, in gratitude for all God has done for me? When am I most aware of God? How can I avoid confining God to times or places in my schedule, and rather live always in attentiveness to God’s everlasting plan?
Psalm 89: “Forever I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord.”
Second Reading: Romans 16.25-27
St. Paul praises God for revelation through Jesus Christ, made known to the Gentiles by proclamation of the Gospel, to bring obedience of faith. What is my history of faith? Who should I thank? What will I pass on, and how?
“Alleluia! Here am I, the servant of the Lord: let it be done to me according to your word.” Alleluia.”
Gospel: Luke 1.26-38
How must Mary have felt at the appearance and words of the Angel? What stands out in this account? How has the Annunciation story influenced my life? “Here I am, the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.”
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, Shirley De La Cruz, Nicole Van Humbeck, Caroline Bayle.
PRAYER FOR THE MONTH: (December)
For persons with disabilities: We pray that people living with disabilities may be at the center of attention in society, and that institutions may offer inclusive programs which value their active participation.
INTENTION FOR THE WEEK
Saturday December 23 at 5PM
- For the soul of Giovanni Minicucci
Sunday December 24 at 11:30 AM
- Thanksgiving Mass for Agatha Sit
- For the soul of Benjamin Asuncion, Romea Asuncion, and Nelson Ascunsion, Cesar Gamez, Gregoria Gamez, Dave Roudlan Crisostomo, Victoria Crisostomo and Jason Sit
Tuesday December 26 at 8AM
- For the soul of Rolando and Rosario David
Wednesday December 27 at 7PM
- Petition Mass for recovering health of Jess Carter and successful treatment.
Thursday December 28 at 8AM
- Petition Mass for recovering health of Michelle Pierre.
--------------------------------------------------
Christmas Eve- Sunday Dec 24:
18:00 (carol), 18:30 Mass
Christmas Day – Monday Dec 25:
Mass: 8:00 and 11:30
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31st, 2023
Sunday Mass as usual, and in addition:
- 11:30: INSTALLATION MASS WITH ARCH. MICHAEL MILLER
- 18:00: English Vigil Mass for Mary, Mother of God
- 20:00: Vietnamese Vigil Mass for Mary, Mother of God
NEW YEAR MONDAY, JAN 01st, 2024:
Solemnity and Holy obligation of Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God
Mass: 9:30 (Viet), 11:30(Eng), 14:00 (Viet), 18:00(Eng)
PARISH NEWS
*Project Advance Campaign 2023: the parish has raised $69,320.00. Thank you for your generosity and ongoing support. The parish has set our goal of $80,000.
*St. Joseph’s school: is now accepting registrations for kindergarten 2024-2025. Parishioners will have priority acceptance, applications are due by January 15, 2024. Children must be born in the year 2019 for kindergarten 2024 acceptance.
*Food hamper program:Our next monthly food hamper will be available on Thursday January 11 from 5 and 7pm at St. Mark's Church basement for those who have registered. Call the parish office for more information.
*Poinsettia sale: Thank you for your generosity and ongoing support. The parish has fundraised total $2,845.00.
*2024 Donation envelope: is ready for pick-up at the church entrance
ARCHDIOCESAN NEWS
*FIAT Snowshoe: Come spend quality time with the Religious Sisters of the Archdiocese and have fun outdoors on Saturday, January 6! All women aged 18-35 are welcome! There is no cost. Learn more and register at beholdvancouver.org/events. Registration deadline: Wednesday, January 3.
* Spiritual Care Training Program: The Archdiocese of Vancouver is offering the Spiritual Care Training Program as one way to answer this call. The eight-week course teaches how to make yourself more available to seniors and others who can benefit from your genuine concern and presence in their lives. The training is offered online via Zoom every Thursday, from February 1 to March 21, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Cost is $30. Learn more and register at beholdvancouver.org/events.
*Making Sense of Counterwill: The instinct to resist being controlled or coerced is one of the most perplexing and troublesome dynamics in dealing with children and youth. This video course by Dr. Gordon Neufeld reveals the dynamics controlling this instinct and provides suggestions for how to deal with it. On Tuesdays, from January 23 to February 20, 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., via Zoom. Cost is $25. Learn more and register at beholdvancouver.org/events.*Weekend Getaway Marriage Conference: is a marriage conference uniquely designed to enrich your relationship. For most couples, it’s a chance to reconnect, re-establish the foundation, and rekindle romance. The next getaway is on the weekend of February 16-18, 2024 at the Fairmont Empress in Victoria, BC. Use promo code RCAVVIC to register for $199 instead of $299 as usual. The registration deadline is Wednesday, February 14, 2024. For more information call Joyce 604-683-0281 ext. 223 or visit beholdvancouver.org/events.
