29/04 Monday: ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA [1] Acts 14.5-18 [Gospel] John 14.21-26
30/04 Tuesday: ST. MARIE OF THE INCARNATION [1] Acts 14.19-28 [Gospel] John 14.27-31a
01/05 Wednesday: [1] 15.1-6 [Gospel] John 15.1-8
02/05 Thursday: ST. ATHANASIUS [1] Acts 15.7-21 [Gospel] John 15.9-11
03/05 Friday: ST. PHILIP AND ST. JAMES [1] 1Corinthians 15.1-8 [Gospel] John 14.6-14
04/05 Saturday: [1] Acts 16.1-10 [Gospel] John 15.18-21
05/05 Sunday: 6TH SUNDAY OF EASTER [1] Acts 10.25-26, 34-35, 44-48 [2] 1 John 4.7-10 [Gospel] John 15.9-17
First Reading: Acts 9.26-31
Saul had a dramatic conversion experience and was filled with zeal for his new faith. How does my experience of the faith compare to that of Saul? How can our parish community be like that of the early Church, where people want to come and take part?
Psalm 22: “Lord, from you comes my praise in the great congregation.”
Second Reading: 1 John 3.18-24
“Let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action…” What two essentials does John highlight, that we may be confident that God is with us? What help do I need to live in God’s love?
“Alleluia! Abide in me as I abide in you, says the Lord; my branches bear much fruit.” Alleluia.”
Gospel: John 15.1-8
How close do I feel to Christ, the true vine? Through the years, when or how have I been “pruned” by the Father? What effects have the prunings had on my faith and on my life? What more might be needed?
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, Thái Thị Mỹ.
PRAYER FOR THE MONTH
For the formation of religious and seminarians: We pray that religious women and men, and seminarians, grow in their own vocations through their human, pastoral, spiritual and community formation, leading them to be credible witnesses to the Gospel.
PARISH NEWS
*Marian Out -Door Procession at our parish in May: will take place on the Saturdays May 4 and May 25 at 6.15pm. All are welcome.
*The 2024 Project Advance Campaign: has now begun and volunteers are ready to accept pledges and donations. Please help us reach our Parish goal of $80,000. Thank you for your generosity.
*The First Communion Mass for our school and PREP will be on May 4 at 5 pm.
*Refugee Families Update: Please keep our families in your prayers as they wait to come to Canada. They have protected status now but remain worried about being arrested and deported back to Afghanistan. We are looking for affordable housing to rent in May: a three bedroom apartment for the grandma, one couple and two small children, and a two or three bedroom apartment for the other couple with their three children aged 10, 7 and 18 months. Once housing is secured, household items may be needed. Please contact the parish office if you can help.
*2024 Donation envelope: is ready for pick-up at the church entrance. Please contact the parish office if you have any question.
PARISH INFORMATION
Donations: To donate online go to https://support.rcav.org/parishes/parish-offertory/sunday-offering/and select St. Joseph, Van Offering.
ARCHDIOCESAN NEWS
Apply for Scholarship: Lay Ministry Formation: supports the ongoing formation of people serving in a variety of parish and non-parish ministries within the Archdiocese of Vancouver. The scholarship will cover the full tuition for up to three foundational graduate-level courses at St. Mark's College in Vancouver. Application deadline: Tuesday, April 30. Learn more and apply at rcav.org/scholarship.
Applications Open: Youth Ministry Leadership Bursary: recognizes high school students making a difference in their parishes, schools, communities and homes. Two Grade 12 students will be selected to receive an award of $500 each for their post-secondary schooling. Application deadline: Monday, May 13. Learn more and apply at rcav.org/youth-ministry.
Momentum Single Mothers' Retreat: All Catholic single mothers are invited to attend a two-night retreat, with or without their children. Hosted by the Archdiocese of Vancouver in collaboration with Momentum, the retreat will be held from May 24-26 at Charis Camp in Chilliwack. Cost is $150/family (with or without children). Registration deadline: Monday, May 6. Learn more and register at beholdvancouver.org/events.
Faith Series Lecture & Discussion: STMC is sponsoring a free faith-based series of lectures and discussions at STMC this spring that includes three speakers, Fr. Nick Meisl, Dr. Nick Olkovich, and STMC’s own Mr. Darrell Hall. Events will take place at STMC on Wednesdays at 6:30pm.
Declaration of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith “Dignitas Infinita” on human dignity: for full document, visit:
