Daily readings:
Octave of Christmas
26/12 Monday: ST. STEPHEN [1] Acts 6.8-10; 7.54-59 [Gospel] Matthew 10.17-22
27/12 Tuesday: [1] ST. JOHN [1] 1 John 1.1-4 [Gospel] John 20.2-8
28/12 Wednesday: THE HOLY INNOCENTS [1] 1 John 1.5-2.2 [Gospel] Matthew 2.13-18
29/12 Thursday: ST. THOMAS BECKET [1] 1 John 2.3-11 [Gospel] Luke 2.22-35
30/12 Friday: ST. THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH [1] Sirach 3.2-6, 12-14 or Colossians 3.12-21 [Gospel] Matthew 2.13-15, 19-23
31/12 Saturday: ST. SYLVESTER I [1] 1 John 2.18-21 [Gospel] John 1.1-18
1/1 Sunday: MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD [1] numbers 6.22-27 [2] Galatians 4.4-7 [Gospel] Luke 2.16-21
NATIVITY OF THE LORD
"Are you ready for Christmas?" is an often heard greeting these days and many of us will immediately think about the gifts we have yet to buy, or the cards we should have sent and didn't or the invitations that we had to turn down because of other conflicts; but are you really ready for the visit of the Christ Child?
Remember:
"C" is for Christ! Without Him there would be no reason to celebrate.
"H" is for Holy! Are we prepared to meet and greet the Holy One of God?
"R" is for Royalty! After all, He is the "King of kings and the Lord of lords."
"I" is for Incarnation! God’s becoming Man to show us the way back home.
“S” is for Savior! The gift He holds out to us is Eternal Salvation.
“T” is for Time! Have you taken the time to see what Gift Jesus wants from you? "M" is for Mary! How could we celebrate a divine birth without a holy Mother?
"A" is for Adoration! Taking time during this season to worship the Son of God.
"S" is for Sacred! Let's keep this day holy, sacred and sane.
Remember, God's gift to you is your life, your very being. Your gift to Him is what you do with it. Just something to think about during your prayer time this week!
Merry Christmas, Everyone!
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.
INTENTION FOR THE WEEK
Saturday December 24 at 9 AM
- For the soul of Victoria Yanga.
Saturday December 24 at 6 PM
- For the souls of Elisa, Thomas, Marlone, Elizabeth Bayle and Remelda Belisario.
Sunday December 25 at 8 AM.
- For the souls of Anthony and Mary.
- Thanksgiving Mass
Sunday December 25 at 6 PM.
- For the soul of Aiden Worswick
Monday December 26 at 8 AM.
- For the souls of Inocente Tamparong.
Tuesday December 27 at 8 AM.
- Kathleen Krol’s birthday.
Thursday December 29 at 8 AM.
- For the soul of Aiden Worswick
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
Second collection: for our “Christmas Offering”. All donations will go towards all the important work our parish does in the community during the Christmas season. Thank you for your generosity and ongoing financial support.
The 2022 Project Advance Campaign: is now coming to a close. To date, our Parish has raised a total of $61, 780.00 – a special “thank you” goes out to all those who donated to the campaign. We would also like to thank all the volunteers who helped with collection of pledges and donations
The Feast Day of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph: Friday, December 30th. 8am Mass will be especially dedicated to families and married couples. All are encouraged to attend and to receive a special certificate from our Holy Father, Pope Francis.
Parish office will be closed: on Dec. 26 and Jan. 02 for the holidays. The regular 8am Mass will be celebrated as usual.
Please note the following Mass schedule:
- On Saturday, December 31st, New Year’s Eve Mass will be celebrated at 5pm.
- On Sunday, January 1st, New Year’s Day Masses will follow the regular Sunday schedule of 8am, 11:30am and 6pm.
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
Archbishop's Annual Mass for Life: Join us for the Archbishop's Annual Mass for Life on Dec. 28, 2022, Feast of the Holy Innocents at Holy Rosary Cathedral. Rosary at 11:30 a.m. Mass at 12:10 p.m. Learn more and register at beholdvancouver.org/events.
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.
Inegritas: A Dialogue on Faith and Mental Health: Join us online or at a host site parish to dialogue about topics of mental health through a Catholic lens, facilitated by a mental health professional equipped to answer your questions.
The four topics that will be covered are as follows:
Session 1: Mental health
Session 2: Mental illness
Session 3: Stigma
Session 4: Self-care
Dates: Wednesdays, Jan. 25th, Feb. 15th, Mar. 22nd, and Apr. 26th. Time: 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Learn more and register at
