St. Michael s Church 402 Government Road (Street address only) Black Diamond

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1 Pastoral Staff Pastor: FR. LUCIANO CORTOPASSI *Appts to be arranged through the parish office Senior Administrator: DEBORAH QUINLAN Religious Education: LEANNE PLAMONDON Administrative Asst: CHRISTINA SPRINKHUYSEN Submissions for the bulletin go to: DEADLINE IS THURSDAY 12 NOON St. James Church nd St. East (Street Address only) Okotoks Parish Mailing Address St. James Parish, Site 7, Box 41, RR#2 Okotoks, AB T1S 1A2 Phone: Fax: SCHEDULE FOR ST. JAMES CHURCH (for the week of Nov 27 - Dec 3): Mass Times: Sun: 11:00am & 7:00pm Tues: 7:00pm Thurs 9:30am Sat: 9:00am Reconciliation Schedule: Tuesday after 7:00pm Mass, Wednesdays (During Advent)7:30-8:30pm Sunday: 6:15-6:45pm *or by appt. Solemn Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Tuesday following Mass 7:30-8:30pm Parish Website: stjamesparishokotoks.wordpress.com OFFICE HOURS: Monday - Friday 8:30-12:00 & 1:00-3:30pm *Closed for the Noon Hour* *Closed 3rd Friday of the Month Sacrament of the Sick: For Emergencies Call: Fr. Luciano at *Please state your name and Phone number SCHEDULE FOR ST. MICHAEL S CHURCH: Mass Times: Sun: 9:00am Wed: 9:00am Fri: 9:00am Reconciliation Schedule: After weekday Mass or by Appt. Solemn Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Friday following 9:00am Mass *Weekdays 6-9am & 5-7pm, sign up sheet is in the chapel St. Michael s Church 402 Government Road (Street address only) Black Diamond

2 Upcoming Events and Activities 2017 Sunday Missals CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE 2016 ST. JAMES CHURCH, Avenue and 32nd St. East, Okotoks Christmas Eve December 24th 6:00 pm and 9:00 pm Christmas Day December 25th 10:00 am New Year s Eve December 31st 5:00 pm New Year s Day January 1, :00 am ST. MICHAEL S CHURCH, 402 Government Road, Black Diamond Christmas Eve December 24th 11:00 pm Christmas Day December 25th 9:00 am New Year s Day January 1, :00 am Parish Reconciliation Date: Thurs, December 15, Reconciliation is also available on Tuesdays following 7pm Mass and on all Wednesdays during Advent 7:30-8:30 pm. Parish Office Closed - December 24th - January 3rd Sunday missals are available for sale, they are $3.50 each and can be found on the table in the Narthex. *Missals for Young Catholics: $7.50 Let us welcome, into our parish community, all the children who have received the Sacrament of Baptism today. Liam & Nate Doucette GOD BLESS YOU & CONGRATULATIONS! Even with the Extraordinary Year of Mercy behind us, doors across our Diocese remain open for you to experience the peace, love, and joy brought by participating in the sacrament of Reconciliation. In addition to the regular parish schedule, the sacrament of Reconciliation will be available at parishes throughout the Diocese of Calgary all the Wednesdays of Advent, from 7:30-8:30 p.m. November 27th: 1st Sunday of Advent The readings for this first Sunday of Advent remind us that the spiritual life is a journey. Any trip takes preparation and effort. It can be easier to stay where we are but the journey also brings rewards - new experiences, new friends, great photos, and transformation. Our pilgrim journey is no different. The prophet Isaiah compares the spiritual journey to climbing a mountain. It requires wakefulness and effort to reach the summit. The sacrament of Reconciliation might seem like an insurmountable peak especially if we have been coasting on the plains for a while but this effort need not be a burden if we keep in mind the purpose of the journey and what awaits us at the top. The real reward of the spiritual journey is union with God through Jesus Christ, which we experience as a deep peace. So this Advent put on your hiking shoes and take up your response to the Psalmist: Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord! Action: Stay Awake and take note of the call to discipleship in everyday moments. Fundraiser for St. Vincent de Paul Movie - Apparition Hill - Okotoks Cinemas - Sunday, December 4 at 1 p.m. PG13 Presold tickets only - with a limited number of tickets available - $10/ticket. Tickets are available in the Narthex or call Angie To watch a trailer go to Apparition Hill is a documentary film with 7 people chosen to be part of a pilgrimage. Two terminally ill, two atheists, a drug addict, a widower raising his 9 children and a woman who did not understand Mary's role in the Catholic faith, come together to investigate a current paranormal mystery.

3 St. James Parish Page 3 THIS WEEK IN OUR PARISH Mass Times & Mass Intentions Sunday - Nov 27 9:00am - St. Michael s Madge McCaffrey 11:00am - St. James The Duddridge Family 7:00pm - St. James People of the Parish Monday - Nov 28 NO MASS Tuesday - Nov 29 7:00pm - St. James Nettie O`Brien Wednesday - Nov 30 9:00am - St. Michael s Dorothy Sanders Thursday - Dec 1 9:30am - St. James Ken Graham Friday - Dec 2 9:00am - St. Michael s Velma Krott Saturday - Dec 3 9:00am - St. James Fr. Paul O Connor Sunday - Dec 4 9:00am - St. Michael s O Connor Family 11:00am - St. James Amelia Zabroski 7:00pm - St. James People of the Parish Activities For The Week 1st Sunday of Advent & Baptism Sunday Safeway & Sobey s Gift Cards available after Mass, St. James Church CFC Christian Life Program 1-5pm, St. James Church Narthex 2nd Sunday Choir Practice 7-8pm, St. Michael s Church Reconciliation and Adoration following 7pm Mass Men s Prayer Group 8-9pm, St. James Church, St. Br. Andre Room HTA Advent Celebration 10:30-11:30am, St. James Church RCIA Meeting 7-9pm, St. James Church, St. Br. Andre Room Confirmation Registration 5:30-7:30pm, St. James Church Office Youth Advisory Council Meeting 7-9pm, St. James Church Office, Boardroom Reconciliation (Wednesdays During advent) 7:30-8:30pm, St. James Church Rivers of Living Water Prayer Group 7-8:30pm, St. James Church, St. Raphael Room TOPIC: Charisms Join us for songs of praise, group discussion, prayers & fellowship. HIS Choir Practice 8:30-10pm, St. James Church Women s Coffee & Connections 7-9pm, St. James Church, St. Joseph Room EGSS Advent Concert 6-8pm, St. James Church Adoration following 9am Mass Youth Music Ministry 3-4:30pm, St. James Church Divine Mercy Chaplet prior to 9am Mass, St. Michael s Church Coffee Sunday following 9am Mass, St. Michael s Church Proclaimers Training 10-11am, St. Michael s Church CFC Christian Life Program 1-5pm, St. James Church Narthex * Low Gluten Eucharist is available at every Mass If you missed the chance to register for Confirmation classes, a 2nd Confirmation Registration night, will be held on Wednesday, Nov 30 th 5:30-7:30pm in the Parish Office. Please Leanne, at religiousedu@stjamesparishrc.com if you have any questions. If your son or daughter was baptized somewhere other than St. James, please bring in a copy of their Baptism Certificate.

4 Page 4 Sacramental Preparation St. James Parish If your Child has not received the Sacraments at St. James Church or St. Michael s Church, a copy of their certificate of Baptism must be given at time of registration. FIRST RECONCILIATION For Grades 3 and up. Sessions for 2016 have now ended. Registration will begin again in September CONFIRMATION For Grades 8 and up. ALL CLASSES WILL BE 7-9pm, Parents and Students are expected to attend the 11am or 7pm Mass on Sundays. Cost is $ *Additional Registration: Nov 30th 5:30-7:30pm St. James Parish Office* - Monday, January 9 th, 7pm - Sunday, January 22 nd, 2017 Commitment Mass at 11am or 7pm - Monday, January 23 rd, 7pm Student only Session - Monday, February 13 th, 7pm - Monday, March 6 th, 7pm - Monday, March 20 th, 7pm Student only Session - Monday, April 3 rd, 7pm - Monday, April 24 th, 7pm Journal Submission, Student only Session - Saturday, April 29 th, 9am Mass, Retreat & Rehearsal - Sunday, May 7 th, 11am Celebration of Confirmation with Bishop Frederick Henry FIRST COMMUNION ALL CLASSES WILL BE SUNDAYS FROM 2-3:30pm, Parents and Students are expected to attend Mass at 11am or 7pm. Parent and student are to attend each session. Cost is $ *Additional Registration: Wed Feb 8th 5:30-7:30pm St. James Parish Office* - Sunday, March 19 th, 2pm - Sunday, March 26 th, 2pm Commitment Mass at 11am or 7pm - Sunday, April 2 nd, 2pm - Sunday, April 9 th, 2pm - Sunday, April 30 th, 2pm - Saturday, May 6 th, 9am-12:30pm Mass, Retreat & Rehearsal - Saturday, May 13 th, TBD First Communion Sacramental Mass BAPTISM PREPARATION Registration takes place at the Parish Office before the session. A Baptism Preparation session is required for the baptism of your first child. Baptisms take place the 2 nd and 4 th Sundays of each month after the 11am mass in Okotoks, and at the 9am mass in Black Diamond. Cost is $ SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION Session Three: Session Four: Session Five: Session Six: Session Seven: Wednesday, December 7 th, 7pm Saturday, January 21 st, 1pm Wednesday, March 8 th, 7pm Sunday, April 30 th, 1pm Wednesday, June 7 th, 7pm If your child is older than seven years and in need of baptism, please contact the parish office at MARRIAGE PREPARATION Phone the Parish Office at least 6 months before marriage and make an appointment. Marriage preparation sessions are mandatory for those preparing for marriage. Sessions run 7-9pm and continue 9am-4pm on the following dates: Session Two: February 10 th & February 11 th, 2017 Session Three: April 28 th & April 29 th, 2017 Session Four: October 20 th & October 21, 2017 Includes follow up meetings with Sponsor couples. Cost is $ per couple. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Registration is ongoing for all those interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith. Inquirers are instructed in the Catholic Faith and introduced to the life of the Church. The sessions are Wednesdays from 7-9pm at St. James Church. For more information please call the Parish Office at Rite of Christian Initiation of Teens (RCIT) This program is designed for all youth from grades 7-12 who desire to receive the Catholic Sacraments they have missed and for any youth who wish to be fully initiated into the Catholic Church. Sessions will take place bi-weekly on Mondays from 7-9pm at St. James Church. Please contact the Parish Office for more information at If you have an Announcement that you would like added to the Commentary at the end of Mass, please seek approval from Fr. Luciano 2 weeks prior to it being announced. House Blessings will take place during Advent and Lent. Please religiousedu@stjamesparishrc.com or call the Parish Office at to set up a time. See bulletin board or website for a schedule of available times. Please sign up for Adoration. Times are Mon- Fri: 6-9am & 5-7pm (45 min minimum). Two people must be in the chapel at all times. The Sign-up sheet is in the Chapel.

5 Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary Announcements from the Catholic Pastoral Centre For November 27th, st Sunday of Advent WELCOMING REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS: THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION AND ACTION The Canadian Religious Conference is holding a day of reflection on Monday, December 5 on the topic of welcoming refugees and immigrants. This is a timely topic which is open to all interested persons. It will be held at the FCJ Christian Life Centre, Avenue SW Calgary. To register or for more information, please contact Stéphanie Gravel at sgravel@crc-canada.org by November 28, Cost: $20.00 WALKING WITH JESUS IN THE TREES The Christian Pastoral Caregivers Association is proud to offer an Advent Retreat, Walking with Jesus in the Trees, Monday, November 28th, 6:30 pm 9:30 pm at the FCJ Christian Life Centre, Ave SW Calgary. Please join Micheline Pare in the trees to pursue your path of love in your relationship with Jesus this Advent Season. The event is open to everyone, and especially those who provide pastoral care in congregations, hospitals, care facilities, hospice and other contexts of ministry. Cost: $20. For more information and to register, go to ACADIA PLACE - CALL-OUT FOR HELP AND DONATIONS The Diocese supports affordable housing and its tenants through our partnership with the local KAIROS chapter and CUPS. CUPS is organizing a Christmas dinner for the tenants of all the units supported by KAIROS on December 9 from 4:00pm - 8:00pm at McDougall United Church, 8516 Athabasca St. SE. If you can help with the dinner, please contact Marilou at marilou.legeyt@calgarydiocese.ca or We are also looking for donations of Tim's gift cards for the Christmas stockings to be given to each adult at the dinner. PROJECT RACHEL INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING OR WEEKEND RETREAT The ministry offers a journey of healing and reconciliation for women and men who are suffering distress from a past abortion experience. Clients will be referred to professional counselors who are specially trained to deal with the trauma associated with this experience. For more information, call Project Rachel at or toll free at You can also info@projectrachelsa.ca FERTILITYCARE CENTER OF CALGARY The Creighton Model FertilityCare System Practitioner education program will be held in Calgary with Phase I in April 2017 and Phase II in October This allied health profession is not just a natural family planning system; certified Creighton Model practitioners teach women to monitor and maintain their gynecologic and reproductive health. The CrMS provides comprehensive, professional services through individualized follow-up, standardized teaching tools, and ongoing research. The CrMS is the first standardized system of the menstrual and fertility cycle biomarkers, which strongly links and networks the ability to achieve or avoid pregnancy successfully. It is based on 37 years of research by Dr. Thomas Hilgers, Ob/Gyn of the Pope Paul VI Institute for the Study of Human Reproduction. It is versatile and effective at any stage of a woman s reproductive life, and is the foundation in helping women treat various gynecological and infertility issues. Post-secondary program completion is a pre-requisite to train as a FertilityCare Practitioner. For more information on applying and tuition costs, please contact the FertilityCare Center of Calgary at or fertilitycare@shaw.ca. CATHOLIC SPEED DATING EVENT Catholic Speed Dating Event Are you looking for a good Catholic man or woman? Visit or call Rose for more info and to REGISTER for our upcoming Event: Friday, December 2nd Christmas Event at Canadian Martyrs Church in Calgary (Age Range: Women: 33 to 41 & Men: 36 to 44). MARRIAGE PREPARATION "FOR BETTER & FOR EVER" For Better & For Ever Marriage Preparation, accepts all couples preparing for marriage. Due to the small group setting it allows us to focus on couples in one or more of the following circumstances: living together, previously married, beginning marriage with children, couples 45+, or those who wish to have their marriage blessed in the Church. Upcoming Dates: January 16/February 3-4, 13/March 3-4. For more dates, registration or information, contact or lifeandfamily@calgarydiocese.ca. MARRIAGE PREPARATION CATHOLIC FAMILY SERVICE Join us for one of our upcoming weekends January 13-15, For registration, information and more weekends, call CFS at or visit FOOD SAFETY - FEED THE HUNGRY You and your friends can start a Feed the Hungry cook team! As part of our recruitment strategy, we will be holding a food safety training course on May 6th 2017 at the Catholic Pastoral Centre Ave SW. Cook teams have one lead and approximately three to four other volunteers. They are ideally scheduled one Sunday every six weeks. If you are interested, please contact, Sartre Jean-Gilles at feedthehungry@calgarydiocese.ca or

6 Page 6 Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre Retreat Road, Cochrane, AB Women s Twilight Retreat - Biblical Women - Contemporary Faith November 30, 2016 To register, please contact: Jackie Harbidge - jharbidge@shaw.ca or Cindy MacKenzie - cindymackenzie@telus.net or GRECCIO December 4-2:00pm with activities: Live animals, bonfire, caroling, sleigh ride (weather permitting) Chili, hotdogs, hot chocolate, goodies for a free-will offering Outdoor pageant at 4:00pm Non-perishable food or cash for Cochrane Food Bank appreciated Everyone Welcome no registration necessary. Prayer In Our Lives. Tuesday December 6 - Enjoy a silent day away in the beautiful setting of Mount St. Francis Retreat (9:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m.). This year s theme is different aspects of Prayer. Please call or ahead to register. Come at 8:30 to enjoy a coffee or tea and muffins before we begin the program. Suggested contribution is $30.00 or $40.00 with a private room. To register please Phone , or mtfrancis@shaw.ca Men s Weekend January 6-8, 2017 to register contact Paul Valentine - Wk Hm or paul@valentinevolvo.com Bill Locke or billilocke@gmail.com Ministry Bereavement Ministry Children s Liturgy Couples for Christ Program Finance Council Girls T&T K of C - St. James K of C - St. Michael s Men s Prayer Group Music Ministry Contact Information Barbara Zimmer bzimm@telus.net Roxanne Bruketa rrpasternak@hotmail.com Julius Strachan julius_strachanjr@yahoo.com Nicole Joachim nsjoachim@gmail.com Elie Plamondon Ernie Bird birdnest2011@hotmail.com Stefan Schwarz stefrschwarz@gmail.com Leanne Plamondon Beautiful Christmas Ornaments will be available for sale in the Narthex of St. James Church after Mass on Sunday. The small size are $3 each, and the Larger decorations are $10. Come check them out and start preparing for Christmas! All proceeds to go to St. James. SOCKS OF JOY: A beautiful Advent project for you and your family. Please collect much needed items along with a pair of warm socks. Now stuff it with love by adding the spare sock rolled up and then the toiletries. Children s drawings are always appreciated as well as notes wishing the recipient, God s blessings, during the Christmas season. When socks are ready, gather as a family and say a prayer for the person that will receive your Sock of Joy. Then bring the sock to church and deposit in the collection basket. Please contact Allene by at davano@shaw.ca if you have any questions. Most Needed Items (for Men or Women): Travel-sized shampoo Hairbrush or comb Good quality razor Toothbrush Nail care items Lip balm Candy Travel-sized tissue Earplugs Mankind is a great, and immense family... This is proved by what we feel in our hearts at Christmas- Pope John XXIII Parish Pastoral Council Pastoral Care Prayer Chain RCIA Rivers of Living Water Prayer Group Sacramental Preparation St. James Boy s Youth Group St. James Catholic Women s League St. James Women s Coffee & Connections St. Vincent de Paul St. Vincent de Paul - Black Diamond Stewardship Together in Action Youth Music Ministry Youth Ministry Dave Wilson Mary McGinness Vi Lake vilake@telus.net Cheryl Poulin ccfry47@telus.net Kim Jakobowski kimjakobowski@shaw.ca Leanne Plamondon religiousedu@ stjamesparishrc.com Stefan Schwarz stefrschwarz@gmail.com Pamela Mclean pamela_mclean04@yahoo.com Linda Bryson dlbryson@hotmail.com Julie Ann Heggenstaller jheggenstaller@gmail.com John Walsh Colleen Mortimer mortimer@platinum.ca Dave Wilson Jasmine Siqueira jasminensq@gmail.com religiousedu@stjamesparishrc.com

7 The Holy Rosary Come Pray the Rosary at St. Michael s Church. Join us every week as we pray the Holy Rosary before the 9am Mass on Sundays, and after Mass on Wednesdays & Fridays St. James Catholic Women s League This year it was decided that St. James CWL Council will purchase two tickets to attend the "Snowflake Gala" that will be held on Saturday, January 28, Raffle tickets will be available for sale and the draw will take place on November 25th. Tickets are $10.00 each or 3 for $ Please let Vi Lake know ( ) before November 23rd if you will attend. Join us every week in the Chapel at St. James, a half hour before 11:00 AM Sunday Mass and a half hour before each Mass, on Tuesdays,Thursdays & Saturdays. "The Christmas Liturgy Schedule is now available. All ministers are asked to sign their names where they can help. The deadline is December 18th." T All parishioners are invited to join in the prayer of the Divine Mercy Chaplet on the First Sunday of the month prior to mass, at St. Michael s, next one Dec 4th, and the 2nd Friday of the month during adoration following 9am Mass, next one Dec 9th, at St. Michael s. And on the 3rd Sunday of every month at St. James Church, beginning at 10:50am, next one Dec 18th. he catechist asked her class of seven-year- olds, If I sold my house and my car, had a big garage sale and gave all my money to the church, would that get me into heaven? NO! answered all the children. If I cleaned the church every day, mowed the yard and kept everything neat and tidy, would that get me into heaven? Again, they answered, NO! Well, then if I was kind to animals and gave candy to all the children, and loved my husband, would that get me into heaven? Again, they all answered, NO! Perplexed, the woman continued, Then how can I get into heaven? One of the boys shouted out, YOU GOTTA BE DEAD! Stewardship Reflection: For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Matthew 24:42 People who have had health issues or near-death experiences generally have a greater appreciation for each day being a gift from God. The rest of us usually take for granted that we will be around tomorrow. But when you start to look at each day as a gift, you realize all the little miracles that happen daily and grow in gratitude for all that we have been given. archstl.org/stewardship/page/bulletin-inserts

8 ST. JAMES FINANCIAL CORNER Weekly Collection Report 2016 Nov 20, 2016 Collections Over (Under) Year to date Collections Year to date Over (Under) Operating Fund $5,336 $8,860 $(3,524) $388,701 $451,120 $(62,419) Together in Action (TIA) $607 $936 $(329) $40,116 $43,992 $(3,876) Building Fund Loan $505 $1,682 $(1,178) $104,791 $79,054 $25,737 Weekly Collection Report 2016 Nov 13, 2016 Collections Over (Under) Year to date Collections Year to date Over (Under) Operating Fund $10,844 $8,860 $1,984 $383,365 $442,260 $(58,895) Together in Action (TIA) $305 $936 $(631) $39,509 $43,056 $(3,547) Building Fund Loan $2,391 $1,682 $709 $104,287 $77,372 $26,915 Sale of Safeway and Sobeys Gift Cards Safeway and Sobeys gift cards are sold at face value every second Sunday after the 11 am and 7 pm Mass, as well as at the Parish office. Cash, cheque, debit and credit cards can be used for payment. Our goal for 2016 is to sell $9000 per month or $108,000 annually which will contribute $8100 towards the Parish. TIA donations are accepted as well! Actual Oct 1 to Oct 31, 2016 $ 7, Year to date $59, Proceeds to the Parish $ 4, Soon we will provide businesses the opportunity to advertise on the back page of the Parish bulletin. The fee will be $40/mth and we will have room for business card size spaces. Contact the Parish office for details. St. Vincent de Paul - Okotoks, Report A total of $4, was spent for the month of October, providing assistance to local people. Four home visits were done, serving 5 adults and 4 children, with a total of 7 volunteer hours. Year to Date Revenue: $35, Year to Date Expenses: $32, Thank you for your prayers and continued support! The Children s collection, which has been set aside for our Together in Action campaign, will now be collected for the Children s Hospital beginning the 1 st Sunday of Advent, Nov 27 th. Please note: The funds will be collected over the year and delivered to the hospital before Christmas 2017 by the People of St. James Parish. The Knights of Columbus are selling their annual Charity Appeal tickets in the Narthex.