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 Receptionist: AILEEN LAMONTAGNE 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 Mar 11 - Mar 17): Mass Times: Sun: 11:00am & 5:30pm Tues: 6:30pm* Thurs: 9:30am Sat: 5:30pm Reconciliation Schedule: Tuesday after Mass, 7-8pm*, Wednesday, 7:30pm-8:30pm 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 Building and Sustaining One Parish FORMED Parish code TPWN47. https://formed.org/
Upcoming Events and Activities A lthough we do not live in a time where the Catholic Faith is threatened as was the Judaism of Esther s generation; we need committed disciples of Jesus Christ. Teenagers and men with conviction who will recognize God has called us to be Catholics for such a time as this because we live in a generation where there are many forces intent on undermining Catholic faith, identity and practice. S t. Peter s: March 16 from 6-9 PM and March 17 from 9 4 PM. Speakers include Fathers Jerome Lavigne, Jonathan Gibson, Cristino Bouvette and Raymond de Souza. I F f you are 14 or over, please join us so that we can discover more how to form the virtues of courage, strength and unity for or more information and to register please go to WWW.GODSQUAD.CA St. James Church Okotoks St. Michael s Church Black Diamond Please join us for our annual Stations of the Cross & Parish Lenten Meal, Fridays during Lent. We invite you and your family to join us each Friday during Lent for the Lenten Devotion of the Stations of the Cross. 6:30pm Stations of the Cross Fri. Mar. 16th Followed by our Lenten Meatless Soup & a bun Fri. Mar. 16th 6:00 pm 6:30 pm Stations of the Cross Soup and a Bun Hosted by: Couples For Christ In Psalm 46 we are given a very clear command, Be still and know that I am God. Quite Frankly, we don t spend enough time allowing our soul to catch up with our body. Our schedules and demand to get as much done as possible, leaves little room for down time. However, it s vital we take time for simple quiet moments, to experience God s love and unique message for you. It might seem hard amidst the chaos of your days, but your heart and soul are begging you to stop everything you are doing and take a moment to be still and know -Greg Wasinski Lenten Parish Penitential Service Tues. March 13th Mass 6:30pm Reconciliation 7-8pm
St. James Parish THIS WEEK IN OUR PARISH Page 3 Mass Times & Mass Intentions Sunday - Mar 11 9:00am - St. Michael s Jasmine 11:00am - St. James Jack Jonker 5:30pm - St. James People of the Parish Monday - Mar 12 NO MASS Activities For The Week Bishop McGrattan Parish Pastoral Visit Coffee Sunday after Mass, St. Michael s Church Pancake Breakfast after Mass, St. James Parish Hall Junior High Youth 6:30pm, St. James Church Senior High Youth Alpha 6:45pm-8:45pm, HTA Acoustic Choir Practice 7-8:30pm, St. James Church Tuesday - Mar 13 6:30pm - St. James Flora & Ted Allison Lenten Penitential Service: Mass 6:30pm, Reconciliation 7pm-8pm, St. James Church CWL Meeting, 7pm-9pm, St. James Church, St. Raphael Room RCIA and RCIT Meetings 7pm-9pm, St. James Church Wednesday - Mar 14 9:00am - St. Michael s George Martin Christian Yoga Ministry 6-7pm, St. James Church, St. Kateri Room KofC Black Diamond Meeting 7:00-9:00pm, St. Michael s Church Reconciliation 7:30-8:30pm, St. James Church Thursday - Mar 15 9:30am - St. James Gerard G. Thom Friday - Mar 16 9:00am - St. Michael s Bishop Emeritus Frederick Henry Saturday - Mar 17 5:30pm - St. James Dale Pfahl Sunday - Mar 18 9:00am - St. Michael s Art Ziebart 11:00am - St. James Colin Stewart 5:30pm - St. James People of the Parish Senior s Group 10:30am-12:00pm, St. James Parish 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 Youth Music Practice 3:30-5pm, St. James Church Stations of the Cross with Lenten Meal 6:00pm @ St. Michael s Church Stations of the Cross with Lenten Meal 6:30pm @ St. James Church Parish Office Closed (3rd Friday) Easter Vigil Choir Practice 11am-12:30pm, St. James Church Knights of Columbus Breakfast after Mass, St. Michael s Church Coffee Sunday after Mass, St. James Parish Hall * Low Gluten Eucharist is available at every Mass Located Center aisle behind the Priest.
Page 4 St. James Parish - Sacramental Preparation *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. 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: 2017-2018 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. Please contact the Parish Office for more information at 403-938-3122. 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, 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. 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, April 4 @ 6:30 8:30pm Wednesday, June 13 @ 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 : April 20 & 21, 2018 Includes follow up meetings with Sponsor couples. Cost is $150.00 per couple. Sandstone Lodge Rosary Every 1st & 3rd Weds of the month at 10:30am. All are welcome to come! The Okotoks Food Bank Association's Annual General Meeting will be held on: Monday, March 19th at 7:00 pm
Rejoice in God s Mercy: A Hug from God is All You Need! March 11: Lent Week 4 Substitute Teachers Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools is a large and fast growing organization providing high The image of the crucifix is itself a prayer for many quality education in a faith-filled Catholics. We are encouraged to rest our eyes upchrist-centered environment. on the Crucifix and see the One, who has created We are currently accepting apall things. As you ponder the meaning of the Cross, plications from teachers wishing above all, consider this: God chose that His only to Substitute Teach at our local Son suffer upon the cross that we might be healed. area schools in Okotoks and High River. To apply, visit the Action: Spend time in quiet in front of a cross or careers section at crucifix. Observe how this contemplation affects www.redeemer.ab.ca or email you. hrcoordinator@redeemer.ab.ca for more information. Donations of Lilies, Hydrangeas, Potted Mums, or fresh cut bouquets of flowers would be greatly appreciated for the Holy Sepulcher. All flowers can be dropped off at the Parish Office between Mon. March 26th & Thurs. March 29th (before noon). Thanks! Food Bank Drive - Can You Help? A collaboration of efforts organized by the Knights of Columbus and St. Vincent de Paul Week 2 (Mar ch 10 & 11) Baby Items - Formula (Enfamil Yellow & Purple top & Nutramigen), Baby Wipes, Baby Food (particularly squeeze pouches). Week 3 (Mar ch 17 & 18): Fresh Food - Carrots, Potatoes, Fruit, Eggs etc. ~ NO milk or yogurt please! Week 4 (Mar ch 24 & 25): Specialized/Household Items - toilet paper, feminine pr oducts, paper towel, laundry soap, cleaning supplies,etc. *Bins will be available for food drop-off in the Narthex.
Page 6 The Irish-Canadian Community of Calgary welcomes all members of Calgary s Interfaith, their families and friends to the 18 th Annual Mass for Peace on St Patrick s Day at 12:00 noon, Saturday, March 17 th, at St. Mary s Cathedral. Following the celebration of Mass, a buffet lunch will be served in the St Mary s Parish Hall, which will also showcase Irish culture. Donations of sandwiches, vegetables, fruits, and squares, gratefully accepted. Please deliver food items before Mass at the Parish Hall. Thank you. St. James Parish will now be collecting old palms to be burned. If you have some palms around your home from previous years, that you would like discarded, please drop them off at the Parish Office or in the basket provided in the Narthex. DAILY ADORATION Lent is here! Enrich your spirit and life by making a commitment to spend quiet time with Jesus. Adoration is offered in our Chapel Monday to Friday from 6 to 9am and 5 to 7pm. All are welcome to come and sit in His Presence even for a few moments. A Petition Book ensures ongoing prayer for your needs. Committed adorers or occasional substitutes are needed for the following hours: Monday to Thursday: 8 to 9am Friday: 7:30 to 8:30 am & 5 to 6pm & 6 to 7pm Please contact Renee: (403) 880-5937 Sunday March 18 1 P.M. Come see the movie Apparition Hill (in the church hall) a movie about Medjugorje where apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary are happening every day. Snacks will be available for purchase. Donations will be accepted to help support Christina Hemens, a previous parishioner, who has entered the Congregation of Sisters of Merciful Jesus in Poland. To make her first vows in two years Christina must be completely debt free. Christina is humbly asking that you prayerfully consider supporting her debt of $16 000.00. Parishioners attending the Easter Vigil are asked to bring a bell to ring during the singing of the Gloria! Stewardship Reflection 4th Sunday of Lent For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son - John 3:16 Of all the wonderful gifts that God has given to us, the gift of His own Son is truly the greatest. How can we ever thank God for a gift like that? God does not ask us to sacrifice our own precious firstborn, but He does ask that we are grateful and generous with our God-given gifts. That we nurture and develop them and return with increase.. http:// archstl.org/stewardship/page/bulletin-inserts Ministry Adoration Bereavement Ministry Children s Liturgy Coffee Sunday Couples for Christ 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 Kelly Heffron kheffron@redeemer.ab.ca Elie Plamondon weatherfordman@hotmail.com Ernie Bird birdnest2011@hotmail.com Stefan Schwarz 403-850-2057 stefrschwarz@gmail.com Maureen MacLennan mmaclennan@redeemer.ab.ca Keith Hartman 403-995-9808 kshartmanranch@gmail.com 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 Feb 25, 2018 Mar 4, 2018 Collections: $7,169.70 Collections: $6,046.40 Preauthorized: $1,678.62 Preauthorized: $1,678.62 Total: $8,848.32 Total: $7,725.02 Goal: $9,538.00 Goal: $9,538.00 St Vincent de Paul Report A total of $5882.01 was spent for the month of January providing assistance to the local people. Ten home visits were done, serving 13 adults and one child with a total of 26.2 volunteer hours. Assistance was given in form of Utilities, food rent, fuel and daily living needs. Month to date Revenue was $11431.85 and month to date Expenses was $5882.01. Thank your for your prayers and continued support! Building Fund Mar 4, 2018 $577.00 Month to date: $577.00 Monthly Payment: $7,289.00 Mortgage Balance: $521,893.63 Together in Action Weekly Goal: $882.00 Collections: $1,256.05 YTD: $4,490.00 2018 Goal $45,854 Children s Collection Alberta s Children s HOSPITAL Safeway/Sobeys & Save-On Foods Gift Cards Week: $120.75 Year to date: $1,231.78 To be donated December 2018. Feb 1 to Feb 28, 2018 $6,650.00 Year to date Sold $11,850.00 Proceeds to the Parish $888.75 FINANCIAL STATEMENT JAN - FEB 2018 INCOME YTD 2018 YTD 2017 BUDGET 2018 Total/Income 81,245.00 83,962.00 99,383.00 Expenses: Salaries 35,614.00 37,194.00 38,066.00 Operating 41,479.00 48,040.00 48,927.00 Programs 16,934.00 1,725.00 10,900.00 Total Expense 94,027.00 86,960.00 97,893.00 Net Income (12,782.00) (2,998.00) 1,490.00 ST. JAMES CATHOLIC WOMEN S LEAGUE Memberships for 2018 can be dropped off at the parish office OR you can also place your envelope in the collection basket. The fee is $25.00. New members are welcomed. Call Vi Lake at 403-938-2369 for more information.
A little child in church for the first time watched as the ushers passed the offering baskets. When they neared the pew where he sat, the youngster piped up so that everyone could hear: Don t pay for me Daddy, I m under five. PILGRIMAGE TO MEDJUGORJE 2018 If you are interested in joining our Pilgrimage to Medjugorje, May 30 - June 14, 2018, or would like more information, PLEASE CONTACT: Angie Steciw - 403-803-3085, 5980 Centre Street SE Calgary, AB T2H 0C1 Catalina Boulton, Advisor B.S.C.S. Tel: 403-991-2622 Fax: 403-262-6609 Catalina.boulton@sunlife.com www.sunlife.ca/catalina.boulton 198 Cimarron Vista Way, Okotoks, AB Chris Clendening Monday to Friday 6am to 6pm Children 8 months to 5 Years of Age Cell: 587.435.1080 momsiesmagicaladventure@yahoo.com www.momsiesmagicaladventure.com or Bernadette Levandosky - 403-938-3727 Do you have a calling to the Permanent Diaconate? The Calgary Diocese is looking for men of prayer and charity who are prepared to enter formation to serve the Church in ordained ministry as permanent deacons. Men must be Roman Catholic, married or single, at least 35 years of age, have a minimum Grade 12 education, and be of sound moral character and mature faith. www.calgarydiocese.ca/about-us/ departments/diaconate.html BOTTLES FOR YOUTH MINISTRY Bring your empties to the church the last weekend of the month to help raise money for St. James Youth. There will be a truck in the NE corner of the parking lot that they can be loaded on to. Thanks so much for your help! A silent retreat for ladies will be held at Mt. St Francis Retreat Centre in Cochrane the weekend of March 2325. The theme is Encountering the Sacred: Intimacy with God. For more information or to register, please contact Teresa at 403 329 8967 or Jane at 403 854 3543. Please support these Advertisers, who have supported us!