St. Anthony s St. Stephen s Our Lady of Fatima Didsbury Olds Sundre Father Adam Daniluk, Pastor 4302 57 TH Avenue, Olds AB T4H 1C5 Office: 403-556-3084 Fax: 403-791-3084 E-mail:ststephen102@gmail.com Pastoral Assistant D Litwin ststephenpa@outlook.com Parish Secretary M MacDonald Youth Minister S Valencia 403-415-5223 Website: www.ststephens-olds.net Deacon Jim Scott 403-556-3433 Deacon Charles Johnston- 403-518-7179 BULLETIN FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 4 TH, 2016 Tuesday Dec 6 th, 2016 9:00 AM Holy Mass T Bulanger Family Olds Wednesday Dec 7 th, 2016 Saint Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor of Church 9:00 AM 7 :00 PM Holy Mass T Louis Siwak Advent Reconciliation Service Olds Trochu Thursday Dec 8 th, 2016 The Immaculate Conception Of The Blessed Virgin Mary 10:00 AM Holy Mass T Nicholas Nykiforuk Trochu Hospital Friday, Dec 9 th, 2016 9:00 AM Holy Mass Olds Saturday Dec 10 th, 2016 5:00 PM Holy Mass Olds Sunday Dec 11 th, 2016 Third Sunday in Advent 9:00 AM 11:15 AM Holy Mass Holy Mass Olds Trochu Monday Dec 5 th, 2016 WEEKLY EVENT SCHEDULE 1:00PM 6-8:00 PM 7:00 PM Marian Cenacle Youth Group PPC Didsbury Sundre Olds Didsbury Wednesday Dec 7 th, 2016 7:30 PM SFO Meeting Olds Thursday Dec 8 th, 2016 6:30 PM CWL Christmas Party (Didsbury) Didsbury Friday Dec 9 th, 2016 10:00AM 6:00 PM 6-8:00 PM Divine Mercy Chaplet & Rosary CWL Christmas Party (Olds) Youth Group Sundre Olds Upper Room Sunday Dec 11 th, 2016 10:00 Catechism Olds 2nd Sunday of Advent PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD St. Mathew begins his Gospel with the figure of St. John the Baptist roaring like a lion in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord! John s words are meant for us during this sacred season. Christmas is always at risk of being reduced to a secular holiday, a time for good will and cheer but little else. Being deliberate in our prayer and devotion during these weeks before the feast will open our hearts to experience the deeper meaning of Christmas. We will better sense how the Lord continues to enter our world, even in our day and age.
Holiday advice The holiday season is an exciting time but it can also be a time when money worries, family worries, and every kind of worry intrudes. Instead, try to follow this advice from St. Paul, Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things (Philippians 4:8). Make it last Since the Church s real Christmas season doesn t even start until Christmas Day, you can actually celebrate the whole season and make your Christmas joy last. Feast of the Holy Family, December 30th. Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, January 1st. The Epiphany, January 8th. And the last day is The Baptism of Our Lord, January 9th. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21) I would like to remind you that our ADVENT RECONCILIATION SERVICE will be held on Thursday, December 15 at 7 p.m. in the Church. God Bless. SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Confessions are heard on the 1 st, 3 rd, and 5 th Saturdays of the Month at St. Stephen s (OLDS) 11:00 AM Noon. On the 2 nd Saturday of the Month in St. Anne s Church (Trochu) 11:00 AM Noon NOTE: on the 4 th SATURDAY OF THE MONTH there is NO SCHEDULED CONFESSION To make an appointment for confession outside of the scheduled times please contact Fr. Ad Confirmation 2017 Feb 13 th 6-8 PM Please see Selena Valencia at 403-415-5223 if you have any questions. March 6 th 6-8 PM Confirmation in our Parish is scheduled for May 21 st, 2017. April 29/30 Weekend retreat. CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS MINISTRIES Signup sheets are now on the bulletin board for the Christmas and New Year s Ministries. If you are available to assist with theses ministries during the holidays, please sign up. Thank you for helping to make our Holiday Services beautiful. ANGEL TREE Advent has just begun and thus, Christmas, which is supposed to be a time of hope and happiness is only a mere four weeks away. However, for many families in this parish the current economic situation will be putting a damper on their celebration of Christmas. Those of us working in the Parish Office are aware of more than one family who would probably appr eciate help with making sure that their children have a little something under the Christmas tree come December 25 th. So, in lieu of that St.Stephen Parish will be launching its inaugural Angel Tree Campaign. Details to follow. In the meantime, if you know of a family who might also need some help, please contact Donna in the Parish office (403)556-3084 Ext #4 CWL St. Stephen's CWL invite all ladies of the parish to their Christmas party, Friday, December 9 (in the upper room). Cost is $10.00. Party starts at 6:00 p.m. with supper to be served at 6:30 p.m. R.S.V.P. with Joanne (403-791-1186) or Judy (403-556-3661). A collection of toiletries will be taken for refugee bags being distributed in Edmonton. 2017 memberships can be purchased for $25.00. "SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN" Join us downstairs for a visit with a very special guest after the Christmas pageant which will be performed after 9:00 A.M. Mass December 11th. There will be hot dogs, goodie bags, and a Cookie Walk put on by the Franciscans to support Appease Hunger. You can buy some delicious Christmas baking and support a good cause at the same time. Enjoy a beautiful display of Nativities as well - please feel free to bring your favorite ones to add to the display. For more info please contact Cindy Boffey...403-556-5084
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Christmas Hams Once again, the K of C will be selling Christmas Hams. These delicious hams will be available following mass at the back of the church on the following weekends; Dec 10 th /11 th and Dec 17 th /18 th. All proceeds from the sale go towards various Knights of Columbus sponsored activities and events within the Church. YOUTH NEWS FOR DECEMBER 2016 * The Youth Ministry is offering FREE childcare for the evening of December 9 from 6-8pm! Drop off your children ages 2-10 for an evening of crafts, games, and a movie! Moms, use this opportunity to attend the CWL Christmas Dinner which will be held upstairs, or get some Christmas shopping done! We require for you to bring any food for your child if they have allergies as we will be having some snacks that may not be allergy friendly. *December 12 - we will be doing some Christmas baking at Holy Trinity school! 6-8pm. *The Youth Ministry would like to sincerely thank all of those who have offered their support, gifts, and time! Your kindness has been very encouraging and shows our youth that they do matter! *Youth Group is for all youth in grades 5-12. Please check out our calendar in the youth room (Our Lady of Fatima) downstairs, or you can email or call Selina for more info: st.stephensoldsyouth@gmail.com or call/ text 403-415-5223 Volunteer Opportunity Youth Member A Recording Secretary is needed for Parish Council monthly meetings. We would like to offer this volunteer position to three or four youth (teens) in our parish who could benefit from the volunteer experience. They would take turns attending the Monthly Parish Council meeting on the 3 rd Tuesday of every month. They would be trained on how to take minutes during the meeting and would provide a summary report following the meeting. If you are interested, please contact Donna Litwin (Pastoral Assistant) 403-556-3084 or Larry Bruder (Parish Council Chair). SYRIAN FAMILY PROJECT The Syrian Family Project is an ongoing effort as we wait for details regarding the Family that will be assigned to our community. The support and efforts of all who have been involved, whether it be through volunteering your time and service or through the monetary contributions that have come in throughout the past months reflect the heart and generosity of our St. Stephen s community. We will continue to provide extra envelopes in the foyer and donations are welcome in the weekend Mass Collections. If you have any questions contact Tara Bruder at 403-507-1793 ANNUAL GARAGE SALE Once again our Annual Gigantic Garage Sale is fast approaching. It will be held Friday January 27 th and Saturday January 28 th. Please mark your calendars and SAVE YOUR ITEMS. Please note: We DO NOT accept the following items shoes, undergarments, swimsuits, magazines, encyclopedias, old outdated TV s, used mattresses or stuffed animals. Electric appliances must work. Watch the bulletin for further details in January. For further information contact Murray and Diane Arbuckle (403) 556-3003. We appreciate and rely on the donated items and goodwill of our parishioners and the many volunteer hours that go into preparing and organizing for this tremendous sale. We ask that you do not drop off anything that isn t suitable for selling as this means extra time for the volunteers in addition to the cost involved in disposing of these items. GARAGE SALE RAFFLE TABLE We are starting to collect items that will be included on our Raffle table during the Garage sale. If you have any new items that you would like to donate, please contact Irene Mock 403-556-8776 or Debbie Hilts 403-638-2286. Start by doing what s necessary, then do what s possible, and suddenly, you are doing the impossible. - Saint Francis of Assisi
Weekly Nov 27 th, 2016 Budget Over/Under Year to Date Year to Date Over/Under Report Collection* Budget Collections Budget Budget $3195.60 $5653.85 - $2458.25 $246,645.54 $271,383.95 -$24738.41 *It does not include special money collected for events, projects, refugee projects or Together We Serve Important Notice Re: Communion Visits Due to current Privacy laws, we, as a church, are no longer able to ask hospital staff for a list of those patients who are Catholic and who might wish to receive a Pastoral visit and/or receive communion during their hospital stay. Thus, we now appeal to family and friends to let us know if you are aware of anyone who has need of either of the above mentioned services. Please contact Theresa Coupal (403) 556-6566 or the Parish Office (403)556-3084. EUTHANASIA AWARENESS THE EUTHANASIA DECEPTION For all parishioners Mark your calendars!! On January 8 th, 2017 at 2:00 pm in St. Stephen s Parish Hall, the CWL will be showing a documentary - The Euthanasia Deception. This is information we should be aware of in light of the Canadian Assisted Dying Bill. All are encouraged to attend and bring a friend. ADVENT PENITENTIAL SERVICE Please mark your calendar for Thursday, December 15 at 7:00 p.m. All parishioners are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity when several priests will be available to hear confessions 2017 Envelopes are out. If you need to sign up or want to make changes for the upcoming New year, or wish to change to automatic withdrawal, please pop into the office or email Mia ststephen102@gmail.com SUNDAY MISSALS (Adult and Children s Sunday Missals Sunday Missals for 2017 are now available at the back of the church. You can leave payment ($4.00) in the tin provided. We recommend putting your name in the front cover Please note that the Sunday Missals for Young Catholics are $11.00 ea. LITURGY SCHEDULE: December DATE GREETERS ADULT SERVER LECTOR OFFERTORY Dec 10 James & Ali Reichenbacher & Vincent Daly Nathalie manuel & Debbie Hilts Burke & Shirley Masse Family Dec 11 Ernie & Marion Kasawal Cindy Boffey Jacqueline & Avery Trotter Erick & Selina Valencia and Family Dec 17 Florence Buckley & Lisette Berry Vincent Daly Tony Vonesch & Ted Rokosh Jerry & Tish Lamboo Dec 18 Robert & Theresa Coupal Eden Lalani Barry & Rebecca Bontilao Beat & Maria Zumbuehl & family ST. ANTHONY S 2030 24 th Ave Didsbury, AB Monday Dec 5 th Parish Council Meeting - 7:00 PM Thursday Dec 8 th CWL Meeting 6:30 PM Monday Dec 19 th, 2017 Adoration 9-2:00 PM OUR LADY OF FATIMA 123 2 nd Street SW Sundre, AB Monday Afternoons Marian Cenacle Hour - 1:00 PM Friday Mornings Divine Mercy Chaplet & Rosary - 10:00AM
HOME VISITATIONS Are you new to the parish or a seasoned veteran of St. Stephen s and perhaps, would be interested in receiving a visit from our Pastoral Assistant. All you are asked for is to share with Donna your thoughts, needs, concerns, etc. regarding the parish. All comments will remain confidential. She will not be recruiting for parish positions nor will she be asking for donations. To set up a time and date you can contact Donna between 8:30 and 3:30, Monday thru Friday at 403-556-3084 or leave a message and she will get back to you. O my God, help these children to prepare to make a good confession. Mary, my dearest Mother, pray to Jesus for them. Help them to examine their conscience, enable them to obtain true sorrow for their sins, and beg for them the grace rather to die than to offend God again. Lord Jesus, light of our souls, who enlightens every man coming into this world, enlighten their conscience and their hearts by Thy Holy Spirit, so that they may perceive all that is displeasing to Thy divine majesty and may share it by humble confession, true contrition, and sincere repentance