DAILY READINGS:
04/01 Monday: [1] 1 John 3.22 - 4.6 [Gospel] Matthew 4.12-17, 23-25
05/01 Tuesday: [1] 1 John 4.7-10 [Gospel] Mark 6.34-44
06/01 Wednesday: [1] 1 John 4.11-18 [Gospel] Mark 6.45-52
07/01 Thursday: ST. ANDRE’ BESSETTE, PATRON OF FAMILY CAREGIVERS [1] 1 John 4.19-5.4 [Gospel] Luke 4.14-22a
08/01 Friday: [1] 1 John 5.5-13 [Gospel] Luke 5.12-16
09/01 Saturday: [1] 1 John 5.14-21 [Gospel] John 3.22-30
10/01 Sunday: BAPTISM OF THE LORD [1] Isaiah 55.1-11 or Isaiah 42.1-4,6-7 [2] 1 John 5.1-9 or Acts 10.34-38 [Gospel] Mark 1.7-11
REFLECTION ON THE READINGS
FEPIPHANY OF THE LORD
- First Reading Isaiah 60.1-6 0
”Arise, shine, for your light has come”. What are the sources of darkness in my life and the lives of those dear to me? How does Isaiah’s message of encouragement speak to that darkness? What signs has God given me to maintain my hope and bring joy?
Psalm 72 “Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.”
- Second Reading Ephesians 3.2-3a, 5-6
As Christians, do we fully recognize the amazing blessing that God gave his Son for all peoples? Without Jesus, what might the religious spectrum of the world look like? What has the amazing gift of faith in Christ, the mystery revealed by the Holy Spirit to the apostles, meant for me?
“Alleluia! We observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay homage to the Lord. Alleluia.”
- Gospel Reading Matthew 2.1-12
When have I been impelled by a conviction, like the wise men had, to undertake a journey into the unknown? Did it bring me to God? To overwhelming joy? Were there Herods on the way? What prompted their attitudes? How does the story of the Magi relate to my life and the life of my family today?
PRAY FOR THE SICK:
May Chu, Caroline Bayle, Camilo Romero, Adela Lim, Mary Martin, Ky Truong, Gina Tabul, Olivera Lambeta, Ngan Thi Trinh, Sam Hong Thi Do, 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, Andrew Gock.
PRAYER FOR THE MONTH (January) Human Fraternity:
May the Lord give us the grace to live in full fellowship with our brothers and sisters of other religions, praying for one another, open to all.
Parish News
Live-streaming Masses will be offered during this holy season as follows:
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!
Volunteers for All Were Filled: Thank you to everyone who has offered to help so far! Volunteers are still welcome. if you would like to help deliver boxes for about 1 hour on Fridays starting between 4:30 and 5 pm, please call the parish office. The schedule will be about once a month and confirmed during that week.
Weekly Collection Envelopes: for 2021 can be picked up at the church entrance.
Prayers of the Faithful: Can you be an instrument of the Holy Spirit in helping to write General Intercessions for Sunday Masses? Guidance and mentoring will be provided. Please let the parish office know if you are interested.
Project Advance 2020: Thank you to everyone who already donated to Project Advance! Our Parishioners have pledged $67,120 and donated $65,160. Our parish goal is $75,000. Final amounts for 2020 will be available in January or February. Your support for Project Advance is a great help for the archdiocese and for our parish.
PARISH INFORMATION
Mass schedules: The suspension of Masses in person has been extended until January 8 by the provincial health officer. Please check the website for further COVID updates.
Livestreamed Masses continue at 11:30 am Sunday in English, and Friday and Saturday evenings, and Sunday at 9:30 am in Vietnamese.
Receiving Holy Eucharist: Our priests are now distributing the Holy Eucharist every Sunday from 1:00 – 2:00 PM. The requirements are to prepare well before receiving the Eucharist, such as being free from all sins, especially mortal sins, and to commit to attending Mass online.
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: Christmas offering is on Dec.25. To donate online go to www.rcav.org/sunday-offering and select St. Joseph, Van Offering.
ARCHDIOCESAN NEWS
Explore life's big questions: try Alpha! Join Alpha to connect with others, hear different perspectives and contribute your own in an honest, friendly and open environment. Starts Jan 06. For info and to register visit: https://beholdvancouver.org/events/207 3
Making Sense if Anxiety in Children and Youth: Wednesdays from Jan. 6-27, 7:30-9:00 pm. Video course by Dr. Gordon Neufeld, facilitated by Kevin Bredeman MA. $10. Info/registration at: https://beholdvancouver.org/events/making-sense-of-anxiety-in-children-and-youth
PRH Workshop: Helping My Children Become Themselves: 4 Saturdays from Jan. 9-30, 9 am-4 pm. Cost scale. Info: Leah Bittante at [email protected]
The Gospel of Matthew: A New Exodus: join us online on Saturday, Jan. 9 from 7:00 - 8:30 pm to investigate the brilliant way in which the Gospel of Matthew describes the person and mission of Jesus.. Register for free at https://beholdvancouver.org/events/the-gospel-of-matthew-a-new-exodus
Fiat - Our Identity and Vocation as a Mother: Join the Fiat Women's Discernment Group for our final meeting in the series on our identity and vocation as women on Saturday, Jan. 9 from 7:00 - 8:30 pm online. Open to single Catholic young women ages 10 Register at: [email protected]
How Can We Hear Christ's Voice More Clearly in Our Lives? Is there a way to know Christ's desire and invitation for my life? Join and explore together with Fr. Elton Fernandes online on Saturday Jan. 9 at 7:30 pm. Register for free at https://beholdvancouver.org/events/st-mary-s-padre-pio-prayer-group-5
Into the Deep: Reading Fratelli Tutti: Pope Francis' Vision of Fraternity and Social Friendship Join this free event on Friday, Jan. 29 from 7:00-8:30 pm on Zoom. Register at https://beholdvancouver.org/events/into -the-deep-fraternity-and-social- friendship
BEHOLD: Be sure to sign up and check this new archdiocesan portal for spiritual writing, workshops, events and other links! https://beholdvancouver.org/
