St. Gerard Majella Roman Catholic Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie 211 Pentagon Blvd. Sault Ste. Marie ON P6B 5J4 September 23, 2018 Year B TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME CELEBRATION OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST & RECONCILIATION Weekend Masses: Weekday Masses : Saturday : 5:00 p.m. Sunday : 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. (Children s Liturgy) Reconciliation : Saturday 4:00 pm to 4:30 pm or by appointment Tuesday: 7:00 p.m. Wednesday & Friday: 9:30 am Thursdays in Nursing Homes at 10:30 a.m. 1 st Thursday: Maple View 2 nd Thursday: Davey Home 3 rd Thursday: Great Northern Retirement Home 4 th Thursday: Cedarwood Lodge Eucharistic Adoration & Breaking of Bread Will resume the first Tuesday in October Find us on Facebook! St. Gerard Majella, SSM Parish Mission Statement St. Gerard Majella Parish strives to be a warm, welcoming Catholic community where the faithful gather to celebrate liturgy, to foster faith-sharing and to spread the Good News by word and action. Nourished by Word and Sacrament, the community of St. Gerard s supports the spiritual growth, fellowship and charity of its parishioners. Parish Priest: Father Alex Saurianthadathil C.Ss.R Parish Secretary: Veronica Bahun OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday to Friday: 8:30 am to 12:00 pm T : 705 949 0435 / F : 705 946 8617 We are so happy you came to celebrate with us. If you are new to the Parish and haven t registered, we encourage you to join our family. Visit - www.stgerardssm.ca Food for Thought The secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for what he is sending us every day in his goodness. St. Gianna Beretta Molla
Parish information Phone: 705 949 0435 Parish Ministry Chairs/Co-ordinators Finance Committee: Steve Drinkwater Parish Pastoral Council: Sharon Mulligan Building Committee: Fundraising Committee: Catholic Women s League [C.W.L]: Colleen Murphy Knights of Columbus[Grand Knight]: Steve Summers Liturgy Committee: Susan Cushner Sacristans: Maeve Coccimiglio Parish Alive: Toni Nanne-Little Sacrament Preparation: Baptism: Sandra Rollin Reconciliation & First Holy Communion: Lisa Tomas Confirmation: Sarah Stickels Lectors: Toni Nanne-Little Children s Liturgy: Grace Mitchell Music: Susan Cushner Steve Patterson Teresa Zuppa Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist: Renee Wysynski & Judie Kearns Ushers: Frank Gallo Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults [RCIA]: Steve Summers Hospitality: Mary Davies Prayer Line: Mary VanBoerdonk & Rhea Emond The Lord s Cupboard: Jane McNally Decor Committee: Sheila Beishlag Funeral Luncheon: Sabina Remondi Funeral Team Servers: Ed Martin & Doreen Simard Bereavement Cards: Mary Coventry Communion Service in Nursing Homes: Helena Perera Anna Griswold Steve Drinkwater Assist at Masses in Nursing Homes: Rhea Emond Coffee Hour: Anna Griswold & Gina Drinkwater Parish Social Group: Doreen Simard Social Justice: Nicole Chouinard Parish Website: Isabelle Wheten Mass Intentions September 25, 2018 September 30, 2018 Tuesday, September 25 7:00 pm NO MASS Wednesday, September 26 9:30 am NO MASS Thursday, September 27 10:30 am NO MASS Friday, September 28 9:30 am NO MASS Saturday, September 29 5:00 pm MARIA MARASCO + by Santa Attoniand family MURIEL PAUL + by Sr. Catherine Paul DOMINIC BERLINGIERI + by his wife Clorinda and family Sunday, September 30 9:00 am FOR THE INTENTIONS OF ALL PARISHIONER 11:00 am DOMINIC & ELIA SILVERI + by Anna Tucci and family ROY DRINKWATER + by Toni & Joey Cano Finance Report Sunday, September 16 $1815.00 Sunday, September 16: Electronic Giving $986.00 Other $30.00 New Entrance/Roof Project $497.00 Building Fund/New Entrance Project - To Date $262250.00 Total Income $3328.00 Baptism Preparation Meeting Thank you for your generosity! Our next Baptism preparation session will be on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 beginning with dinner at 6:00 p.m. Please ensure you have registered with the office before attending. Thank you for your consideration!
Parish Information Phone: 705 949 0435 WELCOME TO OUR FAITH COMMUNITY Are you visiting or interested in joining St. Gerard? Welcome!!! If this is your spiritual home we invite you to register with the parish. If you live outside the parish boundaries the only way we are able to assist you is if you are registered with St. Gerard and this is the parish you attend on Sundays. If you are new to the parish please introduce yourself to our pastor. PREPARATION FOR SACRAMENTS INFANT BAPTISM Please call the Parish Office at 705 949 0435 for an appointment. A Baptism Preparation Course is required for all parents and Godparents. A Godparent must be 16 years of age, baptized Catholic and be Confirmed. Please make arrangements at least one month in advance by contacting the Parish office. In grade 2, children may receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. RECONCILIATION At our parish the Sacrament of Reconciliation is celebrated in the first week in March or before the March break. FIRST HOLY COMMUNION Preparation for First Holy Communion begins after March break. First Holy Communion is celebrated in May. CONFIRMATION The sacrament of Confirmation is available to those who have been baptized, received Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. Candidates must be in grade 7 or higher. Confirmation is generally celebrated in November. For more details please call the parish office. CARE OF THE SICK & HOME BOUND To arrange for the Sacrament of the Sick and/or Eucharist for the home-bound, please contact the parish office. Visits to the hospital are made regularly; please call and let us know you would like a visit. MARRIAGE Please make marriage arrangements six (6) months in advance by contacting the Parish Office. CHILDREN S LITURGY It is so heart-warming and a special joy to see young families taking part in the Holy Mass and engaged in the life of the parish. We welcome crying babies! It is a sign that the church is young and alive. We have a committed, caring and energetic team organizing the Children s Liturgy Program every Sunday. We encourage parents to bring your children to participate in the Liturgy of the Word with children during our Sunday 11:00 a.m. Mass. Letus Listen to God s Word Week of September 24 September 30 Monday Prv 3.27-34; Lk 8.16-18 Tuesday Prv 21.1-6, 10-13; Lk 8.19-21 Wednesday Rev 7.9 17; 2 Cor 4.7-15; Lk 9.23-26 Thursday Eccl 1.2-11; Lk. 9.7-9 Friday Eccl 3.1-11; Lk.9.18-22 Saturday Rev 12.7-12a; Jn 1.47-51 TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 1 st Reading: Numbers 11.25-29 2 nd Reading: James 5.1-6 Gospel: Mark 9.38-43, 45, 47-48 WEDNESDAY PARISH SOCIAL GATHERINGS (not just for seniors anymore) The next Social Gathering will take place on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 in St. Gerard Majella parish hall at 9:30 am. There is a shared coffee time, treats and fellowship, followed by card games and/or board games. Everyone is welcome to attend. BLESSING OF PETS Blessing of Pets is a custom conducted in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi s love for all creatures. We invite all pet owners to a Pet Blessing Service on Thursday, October 4, 2018 the Feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, at 6:00 pm. The Prayer Service will be held in the entrance of St. Gerard Majella Church. All pets in carriers or on leashes are welcome to attend this event. For more details please contact the parish office.
Parish/Regional News! FUNERAL CELEBRATIONS If you need any help when preparing for a funeral, please do not hesitate to contact the Parish Office. As Catholics, the best model we can choose is to give sufficient time for grieving by having a visitation and then having a celebration of one s life with the celebration of Holy Mass. MEMORIAL DONATIONS We invite all parishioners to consider St. Gerard Majella Church when choosing a charitable institution for Memorial Donations in the death announcement in the local media to honor a loved one who has passed. This form of financial support and heartfelt gesture would truly bless and enrich the life of St. Gerard Majella Church. Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated! MASS REQUESTS To request a Mass intention, either call the office or come into the office. Place your offering of $15.00 per Mass in the envelope and bring it to the parish office or put in the weekend collection. Cheques can be made payable to St. Gerard Majella Church. FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN BECOMING CATHOLIC We are always ready to begin the process by which an adult or older child becomes a Catholic, either by full initiation in Baptism, or by reception into full communion. We are also happy to prepare you for adult Confirmation. For children aged 7-16, parents may call the Parish Office. HOME SCHOOL PARISH Our parish cherishes an amazing working relationship with three Catholic Schools in the neighbourhood: St. Paul s School St. Basil s School St. Mary s College Feast of St. Gerard Majella October 16 Join us as we celebrate our Patron St. Gerard Majella! St. Gerard Majella, a Redemptorist, was canonized in 1904. He was known for charity, obedience and selfless acts of service and is the patron saint of expectant mothers. Sunday, October 14, 2018 Mass: 5:00 pm Dinner following in Parish Hall. Join our parish family as we celebrate our Patron with a special Mass and a dinner following in the Parish Hall. All are welcome! Invite your friends! DINNER (catered by Grand Gardens ) Menu: chicken cutlets, smashed potatoes, pasta, salad, bread, dessert, coffee/tea and juice. Adults: $20.00 Children: $10.00 (10 yrs + under) Toddlers: free (5 yrs + under) Tickets available before/after all Masses beginning September 22/23 or from the Parish Office. 1 Week until LIFE CHAIN September 30 th is Life Chain. Will you take one hour out of this year to plea for the unborn? In two weeks, people across North America will join in this prayerful witness for life. See LifeChain.net for more information. Join us for the Eucharistic adoration, Mass and Anointing! Tuesday, October 2 7:00 p.m.
Parish/Regional News! Collection for the Needs of the Church in Canada: 75 years of Episcopal collegiality and solidarity at the service of the People of God in Canada At the start of the 75th anniversary year of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), its President Bishop Lionel Gendron, P.S.S., notes how this collection allows all the Catholic faithful to express their solidarity with their diocese/ eparchy, and also provides an opportunity to support the work of their regional Episcopal assembly as well as the national mission of our Conference. Any additional revenues which are raised may be used by the diocese/eparchy for its own pastoral programs or other activities. The Collection for the Needs of the Church in Canada will take place 29 and 30 September 2018. This annual charitable initiative assists the Bishops in their ministry of leading, shepherding, teaching, guiding, sanctifying and caring for the Church in Canada. SHALOM PLACE invites you to consider 3 SpiritualityPrograms this fall: Boundless Compassion: Creating a Way of Life 6 sessions Thursdays, 4:30 6 pm at SHALOM PLACE, starting October 11, 2018 Facilitator: Robin Lelievre, MSW Suggested Offering: $30 + cost of book Echoes of God s Tenderness: Monthly Contemplative Prayer 7 sessions 3 rd Monday of the month, 7 8:30 pm, starting October 15, 2018 Mount St. Joseph Education Centre Chapel Facilitator: Sr. Lea Joanisse, CSJ Suggested Offering: Free-will Men s Program: Aging Gracefully, Living Fruitfully 6 sessions Thursdays, 7 9 pm at SHALOM PLACE, starting October 18, 2017 Facilitator: Burnie Thorp Suggested Offering: $35 PLEASE REGISTER call: 705-254-4690 or email: shalomssm@shaw.ca MORE INFO check Posters (back of church) and website www.shalomplace.ca The Knights of Columbus, Council 932, will host a screening of the documentary Fatal Flaws produced by Kevin Dunn. Alex Schadenberg, Director of Euthanasia Prevention Coalition will visit Sault Ste. Marie to moderate this documentary. How will euthanasia laws affect society over time? The screening will take place on Thursday, September 27 th, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. in the church hall at St. Jerome s Parish. There will be a question and answer period following along with coffee and dessert. Free will offering. Our annual parish golf tournament was a great success! A big THANK YOU to those who played golf and/or came for dinner, donated prizes or helped organize. There were 100 participants. Congratulations to all of the prize winners! See you next year! Bible Study andgetting the most out of Prayer. Join us in a study on Prayer through Scripture. Monday mornings from 9:30am until 12:00 beginning September 17th and ending December 10th. All are Welcome. If interested, please call Franca at (705) 943-7952. Knights of Columbus Council 932 will host a pasta supper on Monday, September 24 th at the Moose Lodge on Trunk Road from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The cost is $10 for adults. Children 6 through 10 pay $3 while those 5 and under eat free. Profits will be donated to local charities including the Soup Kitchen, St. Vincent Place, Christmas Cheer and Special Olympics. FOR YOUNG ADULTS 18-25 Resuming this fall, St. Jerome s Church (26 Carmel Road) Will be hosting ELEVATE a young adult group for University/College students, or those taking a break from school between the ages of 18-25. This student led initiative will take place Friday nights and begins with a free meal at 6:30 pm. There will be socials, prayer evenings, guest speakers and community service nights. This is a great way for students in the Catholic community to stay connected, meet new friends and deepen their faith. Join us October 19, November 2 and December 7.
Parish/Regional News! A CALL TO SERVICE CATHOLIC TRUSTEES: Advocates, Guardians & Stewards of Catholic Education Catholic Schools are faith communities which... engage students in a life-long faith journey rooted in the person of Jesus nurture spirituality through a Gospel-centered approach to learning in all subjects impart knowledge through religious education and family life education programs The perspective of life which Catholic education provides to its graduates is of benefit not only to them, their families and their church, but to the common good of all citizens. Catholic School Boards need trustees who... have a vision of Catholic education that is Christ-centered are committed to educating students in the Roman Catholic tradition are willing to work with all partners within and beyond the Catholic education community are willing to devote time to prayer and reflection, to meetings, to public functions and to addressing concerns of Catholic school voters Catholic Trustees are accountable to Catholic school electors for... establishing the system s mission and goals supporting student achievement in the school community establishing the annual budget developing policies to ensure the efficient operation of the board determining the type, size and location of schools Legal Qualifications To be eligible for election to a four-year term as a Catholic school trustee, you must be: a Roman Catholic a Catholic school supporter a resident within the jurisdiction of the district Catholic school board a Canadian citizen at least 18 years of age The Joy of Service As members of the Catholic community, Catholic trustees share in the joy of providing an education that addresses the spiritual, moral, academic and physical needs of our young people. Trustees are encouraged by the knowledge that the contribution of their skills, experience and time is an investment in the future leadership of our communities, our Catholic schools, our country and our Church.