Pastoral Staff Pastor: FR. LUCIANO CORTOPASSI Luciano.cortopassi@calgarydiocese.ca *Appts to be arranged through the parish office Religious Education: LEANNE PLAMONDON religiousedu@stjamesparishrc.com Youth Ministry Coordinator: AMY HEGGENSTALLER-BOON youth@stjamesparishrc.com Administrative Asst: CHRISTINA SPRINKHUYSEN Submissions for the bulletin go to: bulletin@stjamesparishrc.com DEADLINE IS THURSDAY 10:00am Custodian St. James Church: CHRISTINE GEERS Custodian St. Michaels & Rectory: CATHERINE KLUG St. James Church 338060 32 nd St. East (Street Address only) Okotoks Parish Mailing Address St. James Parish, Site 7, Box 41, RR#2 Okotoks, AB T1S 1A2 Phone: 403-938-3122 Fax: 403-938-0524 Email: office@stjamesparishrc.com Parish Website: http:// stjamesparishokotoks.wordpress.com OFFICE HOURS: Monday - Friday 9:00-12:30 & 1:00-3:00pm *Closed 12:30-1pm for Lunch* *Closed 3 rd Friday of the Month SCHEDULE FOR ST. MICHAEL S CHURCH: Mass Times: Sun: 9:00am Wed: 9:00am Fri: 9:00am Reconciliation Schedule: After weekday Mass Friday only. Solemn Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Friday following 9:00am Mass St. Michael s Church 402 Government Road (Street address only) Black Diamond SCHEDULE FOR ST. JAMES CHURCH (for the week of Nov 26 - Dec 2): Mass Times: Sun: 11:00am & 5:30pm Tues: 7:00pm Thurs 9:30am Sat: 5:30pm Reconciliation Schedule: Tuesday after Mass, 7:30-8:30pm, Wednesday 7:30-8:30pm (during Advent) Saturday 4-5pm Sunday Eve 4-5pm Solemn Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Tuesday following Mass 7:30-8:30pm Weekday Adoration: *6-9am & 5-7pm*, sign up sheet is in the chapel
Upcoming Events and Activities CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE 2017/18 ST. JAMES CHURCH, 338060 Avenue and 32nd St. East, Okotoks ST. MICHAEL S CHURCH, 402 Government Rd, Black Diamond Christmas Eve December 24th 5:00pm & 8:00pm Christmas Eve December 24th 10:00 pm Christmas Day December 25th 10:00 am Christmas Day December 25th 9:00 am New Year s Eve December 31st 5:00 pm New Year s Day January 1, 2017 9:00 am New Year s Day January 1, 2018 11:00 am Parish Office Closed - Dec 22nd, 2017 - Jan 2nd, 2018 Parish Reconciliation Date: Tuesday, Dec 19, 2017 @ 6:30pm. Reconciliation is also available on Tuesdays following 7pm Mass and all Wednesdays during Advent 7:30-8:30 pm. Sign up for FORMED today, for free! Enter Parish code TPWN47. Complete the registration form to create your own username and password. Access is free! Link: https://formed.org/ MARK YOUR CALENDARS LIVING NATIVITY The next Christian Women s Fellowship Breakfast is Thurs, Jan 11th, 9-11am at St. Michael s Church All parishioners are invited to join in the prayer of the Divine Mercy Chaplet on the First Sunday of the month prior to mass, and the 2nd Friday of the Month during adoration following 9am Mass at St. Michael s church. Living Nativity Coming to our Parish December 16th Senior s Christmas Potluck Lunch STORAGE SPACE NEEDED We are in need of a clean, dry, weatherproof space to store the structures that have been built for our Living Nativity. If you or someone you know has a space (minimum 600900 sqft) that would be available for a long term please call the parish office at 403-938-3122. All Seniors Invited! Bring a lunch item to share Christmas song sing-a-long too! Bring a wrapped $15 gift for a Pirate gift exchange Thursday, Dec 7th following 9:30am Mass
St. James Parish Page 3 THIS WEEK IN OUR PARISH Mass Times & Mass Intentions Sunday - Dec 3 9:00am - St. Michael s Kim Heinrichs 11:00am - St. James Sandra Galenza 5:30pm - St. James People of the Parish Monday - Dec 4 NO MASS Tuesday - Dec 5 7:00pm - St. James Agnes Parry Wednesday - Dec 6 9:00am - St. Michael s Anonymous Intention Thursday - Dec 7 9:30am - St. James Gloria Lundberg Friday - Dec 8 9:00am - St. Michael s Timothy Quinlan Saturday - Dec 9 5:30pm - St. James Ron Bennett Sunday - Dec 10 9:00am - St. Michael s Shawn Bews 11:00am - St. James Bishop Eugene Cooney 5:30pm - St. James People of the Parish Activities For The Week Gift Cards available after Mass, St. James Church Divine Mercy Chaplet prior to Mass, St. Michael s Church 1st Sunday Treats & Fellowship following 9am Mass, St. Michael s Church Reconciliation prior to Mass 4-5pm, St. James Church Sr. High Youth Night after 5:30pm Mass, St. James Church, St Joseph Room Coffee Sunday following 11am Mass, St. James Parish Hall Reconciliation after Mass 7:30-8:30pm Adoration following 7pm Mass K of C Meeting 7-9pm, St. James Church, St. Raphael Room RCIA 7-9pm, St. James Church, St. Br. Andre Room RCIT 7-9pm, St. James Church, St. Joseph Room Acoustic Choir Practice 10-11:00am, St. James Church Confirmation Registration Night 3-8pm, St. James Parish Office Christian Yoga Ministry 6-7pm, St. James Church, St. Kateri Room Reconciliation 7:30-8:30pm, St. James Church (During Advent) Senior s Group Christmas Potluck 10:30am-12:00pm, St. James Church Hall 2nd Sunday Choir Practice 7-8pm, St. Michael s Church Rivers of Living Water Prayer Group 7pm, St. James Church, St. Br. Andre Room. Come join us in songs of praise, talks & prayer time. Stay for coffee & fellowship. HIS Choir Practice 7:30-10pm, St. James Church Women s C&C 7-9pm, St. James Church, St. Raphael Room Divine Mercy Chaplet and Adoration following 9am Mass Youth Music Practice 3:30-5pm, St. James Church * Low Gluten Eucharist is available at every Mass Located Center aisle behind the Priest Coffee Sunday following 9am Mass, St. Michael s Church St. James KofC Pancake Breakfast following 11am Mass, St. James Parish Hall Reconciliation prior to Mass 4-5pm, St. James Church Jr. High Youth Night after 5:30pm Mass, St. James Church, St Joseph Room ST. JAMES PARISH OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED FROM DECEMBER 22 ND TO JANUARY 2 ND, 2018
Page 4 St. James Parish - Sacramental Preparation 2017-2018 *Please Note: if your child has not received any sacraments at St. James or St. Michael s Church a copy of their baptismal certificate must be given at time of registration. CONFIRMATION 2018 For students in Grades 6,7,8 and up. ALL CLASSES WILL BE MONDAYS 6:30pm- 8pm. Parent & student to attend each session. Cost $40. *Registration Night Dec 6th, 3-8pm @ St. James Parish Office.* Monday, January 15 @ 6:30pm Commitment Mass Jan 20 & 21 Please attend one of the following Commitment Masses: Sat 5:30pm or Sun 11am or 7pm at St. James or 9am at St. Michael s Monday, January 29 @ 6:30pm Monday, February 12 @ 6:30pm Monday, March 5 @ 6:30pm Monday, March 19 @ 6:30pm Monday, April 9 @ 6:30pm Monday, April 23 @ 6:30pm Retreat & Rehearsal: Saturday, April 28 @ 9am-1pm Celebration of Confirmation with Bishop William McGrattan - Friday May 4 @ 7pm FIRST COMMUNION 2018 For students in Grades 2 & up. ALL CLASSES WILL BE MONDAYS 6:30pm-8pm. Parent and student are to attend each session. Cost $30. Monday, March 26 @ 6:30pm Commitment Mass Apr 14 & 15 Please attend one of the following Commitment Masses: Sat 5:30pm or Sun 11am or 7pm at St. James or 9am at St. Michael s Monday, April 16 @ 6:30pm Monday, April 30 @ 6:30pm Monday, May 14 @ 6:30pm Retreat & Rehearsal: Saturday, May 26 @ 9am-12pm 1st Communion Sacramental Mass: Saturday & Sunday, June 2 & 3, 2018 (at all Masses) *Contact Leanne Plamondon, our Religious Education Coordinator, at the Parish Office for more information about the sacraments. By Phone: 403-938-3122 or by email: religiousedu@stjamesparishrc.com Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (RCIC) 2017-2018 This program is designed for all children from grades 2-6 who desire to receive the Catholic Sacraments they have missed and for any children who wish to be fully initiated into the Catholic Church. ALL CLASSES WILL BE WEDNESDAYS FROM 6:30-8pm. At St. James Church. Wednesday, Nov 29 @ 6:30pm Wednesday, Dec 13 @ 6:30pm Wednesday, Jan 17 @ 6:30pm Wednesday, Jan 31 @ 6:30pm Baptism Date: Saturday, Feb 10, 2018 @ 5:30pm Rite of Christian Initiation of Teens (RCIT) 2017-2018 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 the 2 nd & 4 th Tuesdays, starting Sept 26 th, from 7-9pm at St. James Church. Please contact the Parish Office for more information at 403-938-3122. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) 2017-2018 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 Tuesdays from 7-9pm at St. James Church. For more information please call the Parish Office at 403-938-3122. Starting Oct. 10th. 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. *Saturday @ 5:30pm also available. ) Cost is $20.00. Next Sessions : Wednesday, December 6, 2017 @ 7pm Saturday, January 20, 2018 @ 1pm Wednesday, February 28, 2018 @ 7pm (If your child is older than seven years and in need of baptism, please contact the parish office at 403-938-3122.) *NEW* As per Diocesan guidelines, the following documents are now required when requesting baptism: Birth Certificate of child Baptismal Certificate of parent(s) Annotated Baptismal Certificate of Godparents 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 Friday @ 7-9pm and continue Saturday @ 9am-4pm on the following dates: Next Session : February 2 & 3, 2018 Includes follow up meetings with Sponsor couples. Cost is $150.00 per couple. PARISH ADVENT RECONCILIATION All parishioners of St. James & St. Michael s are invited to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation which will be at St. James Church on Tuesday, Dec 19th, 6:30-8:00pm.
2018 Sunday Missals Sunday missals are available for sale, they are $4.00 each and can be found on the table in the Narthex. *Missals for Young Catholics: $8.00 DECEMBER 3, ADVENT I It is easy to become complacent, doing things the way we have always done them and making excuses for the things we do not want to change. Life is hard and we can become rigid and obstinate out of self-defence. Yet, in the loving creative hand of God, we are to be like clay is to the potter. The sacrament of Reconciliation is a safe place to put aside the armour of our stubbornness and be strengthened by the grace of God given in Christ Jesus. Action Item: Each evening this week identify three ways God has shown you kindness and gentleness. House Blessings will take place during Advent and Lent. Please email religiousedu@stjamesparishrc.com or call the Parish Office at 403-9383122 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 (1hr minimum). Two people must be in the chapel at all times. The Sign-up sheet is in the Chapel. L IVING N ATIVITY Saturday, December 16th, 2017 4:00pm - 9:00pm at St. James Church Please join us for a moment of spiritual reflection in preparation for the birth of Jesus. St. James Parish in Okotoks is building the Town of Bethlehem in the field next to the church. There, you will see real people interacting in elements of that time; a bakery, a pottery booth, a wine shop, a spice shop, a wool shop, an inn, a prison, a Roman Solider hut (with real horses), a carpenter s workshop, a blacksmith, a tax collector s office, a candle shop, shepherds, and a stable with the Holy Family. There will also be choirs singing carols to add to the festivities. Food and beverages will be available for a small price, and donations will be accepted to help cover the costs of the event. Mass will be celebrated at 5:30pm. Invite your family & friends, and follow the signs to the Town of Bethlehem to join us for an evening of fellowship and spirituality.
Page 6 PARISH ADVENT MISSION RETREAT Where: Mount St. Francis, Cochrane When: January 12 14, 2018 Theme: Encountering the Sacred: Intimacy with God Focus: Creating a place of stillness and peace within; encountering the sacred in our relationships reflecting God s desire to share life and love with us. The rooms are ready, the food is delicious, the retreat team is inspiring and eager to share --- let s fill the facility this year!!! This is an open invitation to all Vincentians, family, parishioners, and friends. You do not have to be a Vincentian to attend. Do not let finances be a factor in your decision as everyone is welcome; donations from others help cover costs. For more information please access the website at www.mountstfrancis.ca. To register contact Marilyn Meek at marilyn-m1@shaw.ca or 403-254-9726. Ministry Adoration Bereavement Ministry Children s Liturgy Coffee Sunday 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 Parish Pastoral Council Pastoral Care Prayer Chain RCIA Rivers of Living Water Prayer Group Senior s Group 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 Youth Music Ministry Youth Ministry Contact Information Renee Fietz rfietz@telus.net 403-995-2029, Cell 403-880-5937 Barbara Zimmer zimmb@shaw.ca NEW LEADER NEEDED Dana Wiens coffeesunday@shaw.ca Julius Strachan 403-630-5291 julius_strachanjr@yahoo.com Dave Wilson 403-995-2201 NEW LEADER NEEDED Elie Plamondon weatherfordman@hotmail.com Ernie Bird birdnest2011@hotmail.com Stefan Schwarz 403-850-2057 stefrschwarz@gmail.com Leanne Plamondon 403-938-3122 Mary McGinness 403-995-0202 Vi Lake vilake@telus.net Leanne Plamondon religiousedu@stjamesparishrc.com 403-938-3122 rolwinfo@shaw.ca religiousedu@stjamesparishrc.com NEW LEADER NEEDED Shirley Mutschler bsmutsch@telus.net Virginia Battiste 403-933-2947 virginiabattiste@hotmail.com Julie Ann Heggenstaller 403-938-0562 jheggenstaller@gmail.com John Walsh 403-933-4955 Colleen Mortimer colleenmortimer6@gmail.com Jasmine Siqueira jasminensq@gmail.com 403-999-1321 Amy Heggenstaller-Boon youth@stjamesparishrc.com
ST. JAMES FINANCIAL CORNER Sunday Collections *Numbers have not been updated for this week* Nov 12, 2017 Nov 19, 2017 Collections: $5,867.74 Collections: $7,739.35 Preauthorized: $1,662.46 Preauthorized: $1,662.46 Total: $7,530.20 Total: $9,401.81 Goal: $8,269.00 Goal: $8,269.00 FINANCIAL FACTS Your 2018 Donation Envelopes are ready to be picked up in the Narthex. Don t start using them until Jan 18 Building Fund Nov 19, 2017 $532.00 Month to date: $3,716.00 Monthly Payment: $3,184.00 Together in Action Weekly Goal: $1,016.00 Collections: $160.00 TIA 2017 Goal $48,764.00 Mortgage Balance: $548,478.00 Over/(Short): $(856.00) $22,154.70 Children s Collection Week: $93.55 Year to date: $4,126.33 To be donated the morning of Saturday Dec 23rd, 2017 FINANCIAL STATEMENT JAN - OCT 2017 Safeway/Sobeys & Save- On Gift Cards Oct 1 to Oct 31, 2017 $4,850.00 Year to date Sold $40,000.00 Proceeds to the Parish $3,000.00 Stewardship Reflection: INCOME YTD 2017 YTD 2016 BUDGET 2017 Total/Income 433,801.00 438,236.00 448,415.00 Expenses: Salaries 169,414.00 204,226.00 202,130.00 Operating 209,012.00 180,423.00 179,682.00 Programs 44,299.00 33,899.00 33,642.00 Total Expense 422,725.00 418,548.00 415,454.00 Net Income 11,076.00 19,688.00 32,961.00 Dec 3, 2017-1st Sunday of Advent Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time will come. - MARK 13:33 We all take things for granted. In particular, we take time for granted. Our lives are so busy, many of us are planning our time - our days, weeks, months, even years in advance. Remember, our time on earth is a gift. None of us knows how long we will be here. Start today and begin thanking God for each and every day. Take time in silence, every day, and listen to what God is saying to you. http://archstl.org/stewardship/page/bulletin-inserts
Heavenly Pies Meat & Fruit Variety Proceeds support Knights of Columbus Charitable Projects. For varieties of Meat & Fruit Pies call 660-2949 "Orders delivered after most Sunday morning masses" THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS will be doing visits again this year in the Foothills Region. Our visit date is December 16th. If you would like to nominate a family or individual who you think would benefit from a visit or volunteer to help please contact Donna Cameron @ 403-938-5800 or Angie Steciw @ 403-803-3085. If you would like to make a donation drop boxes are located at Village Lane Dental, Monkey Mountain Toys, Fountain Tire and ATB. Thank you for your support. The Holy Rosary Leonie Lyttle is offering Guitar Lessons for Seniors, starting January 2018, during the Seniors group, which meets on Thursdays following the 9:30am Mass. To Register, call Leonie at 403-558-3638. Come Pray the Rosary at St. Michael s Church. Join us every week for the Holy Rosary before 9am Mass on Sundays, and after Mass on Wednesdays & Fridays Join us in the CHAPEL at St. James Church 30 min before every Mass Please support these Advertisers, who have supported us!