Today we enter into the final celebration of our liturgical year with the Feast of Christ the King. It is particularly appropriate that today's gospel takes us into the heart of the exchange of ideas concerning kingship between Jesus and Pilate, just hours before Jesus is put to death. This exchange brings home to us the revolutionary nature of Jesus' perception of Messiah and his faithfulness to the mission that he bring all followers into the Reign of God.

      For a brief moment, let us look at the past year and the readings taken from Mark's gospel. Mark's focus in writing is both simple and straightforward: Jesus is the servant of God, and discipleship to Jesus involves joining him in suffering. Mark portrays Jesus manifesting himself as the Messiah — gradually, carefully and all the while asking his disciples to keep his identity secret to prevent any misunderstandings. After Peter's profession of faith that Jesus is indeed the Messiah, Mark tells the story of how Jesus gave his own meaning to the role of Messiah by predicting and then enduring suffering and death.

      Right from the very beginning of his public ministry, Jesus proclaimed that the time has come and the kingdom of God is close at hand. This news astonished and surprised his listeners. The Chosen People lived in the expectation that someday God would bring the story of his creation and of his Chosen People to a happy ending. Mark has Jesus proclaiming over and over, in every saying and parable, that the kingdom of God is at hand. Jesus' Abba is a God of mercy who wishes to draw closer to his people. Jesus invited his listeners into the same intimacy with God as Abba so that we, filled with his love, can be as compassionate with one another as he is, This union with us and this communion of ourselves with one another is the beginning of the reign of God. Our word for this reign of God could be grace. The reign of God is grace-unearned, unmerited, unconditional love breaking into our lives and making only one demand: that we spend that love as freely as we have received it.

      The exchange between Pilate and Jesus on the kingship of Jesus must be interpreted through the eyes and ears of faith. A world without belief and untouched by the Good News. a world where hearts are stone rather than flesh, is a world that cannot or will not accept Jesus as Lord. The reign of God, the kingdom of God, is not in such a world, bereft of all grace. Jesus does claim his kingship, but refuses to claim the definition The of kingship that Pilate and even the Jewish leaders are claiming for him. Jesus is the messianic king, but not the conquering hero. He has come to reveal who God is. Knowing Jesus is knowing the Father.

      The reign of God preached by Jesus reveals an intimate Abba with compassion for the poor, sinners, outcasts and little ones. The hearts of his people, all people, so hardened and stony, could and had to be changed into hearts of flesh. Those who hear the Word and live the Word are called into relationship - a relationship that leaves us with a sense of urgency to make a decision to accept the reign and to let ourselves be changed in mind and heart.

      This call to discipleship comes even in his final exchanges with Pilate. The kingdom and the reign are at hand. As we close out one liturgical year, we are preparing to begin again. The echos of the past year will resound in the call to be awake. Be ready. Let us prepare to begin again the journey to Easter and to know our God loves us.

Monday Nov. 24 – St. Andrew Dung-Lac

8:30 a.m. † Mr. and Mrs. Anthony requested by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Anthony

Tuesday Nov. 25 – 2003

8:30 a.m. † Arulandran Joseph requested by Mr. and Mrs. Boniface

Wednesday Nov. 26 – 2003

8:30 a.m. † Francis D'Silver requested by Vivien and Dorothy Johns

Thursday Nov. 27 – 2003

8:30 a.m. † Maria Louisa Palacios requested by Margarita Cruz

Friday Nov. 28 – 2003

8:30 a.m. † Milan GrIj and Vida Grlj requested by Vida Furlan

Saturday Nov. 29 – 2003

9:00 a.m. † Anthony Pallai and Maria Thasan requested by Pius Anthony

PARISH MISSION

      The season of Advent begins next Sunday. This season begins our new liturgical year as we prepare to remember Jesus' birth at Christmas, but, more importantly, we are preparing for his coming again in glory. The watchwords for Advent are Be Ready.

      As Catholics, we have grown up with the idea of Missions as times to prepare. Our mission this year will focus on the mystery of the Incarnation. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.

      Come discover new ways of thinking and preparing - for being ready. Father Ron Mercier will be leading a three-day mission – mark your calendars for the evenings of Sunday, Dec. 7, Monday, Dec. 8 and Tuesday, Dec. 9. Make this Advent a time set aside to really examine what we are preparing for and why. Challenge and awaken your journey of faith.

      The celebration of Parish Reconciliation will take place on the second of this three-day mission. The evening will begin with reflection and culminate in the offering of this sacrament to all who wish to participate. There will be a number of priests available to celebrate this evening with all of us.

LIGHT UP FOR CHRIST

December 2 at 7:30 p.m. at Holy Spirit

St. Vincent de Paul Society

Adopt-a-Family: This is a Holy Spirit Christmas project, providing individuals, families, or groups an opportunity to reach out and share their blessings with those less fortunate within our parish bounded by Hwy 401 to the south, Hwy 404 to the west, Kennedy Road to the east and Huntingwood to the north.

      When we say family, we really mean households, and these may range in size from a single senior living alone, to larger families with children. Sponsors, if they have a preference, may choose the size of family they would like to help. Both the sponsor and family will remain anonymous.

      How it Works: Sponsors can sign up at any mass between now and Dec. 6, or they can call (416) 293-0664 and leave their name and number. We'll follow up to -provide information on your adopted family and a reference number to label your boxes or gifts to identify the right family for delivery.

      Sponsors are asked to drop off their completed care packages to the church basement after any of the weekend masses no later than Dec 14. St. Vincent de Paul will handle the delivery.

      What a Sponsor Provides: A gift (or toy) for each adopted member of the family. A box of non-perishable food adequate for the size of the family (note: a grocery voucher will also be provided by St Vincent de Paul). Food Ideas: Canned meat or fish, peanut butter, pasta and pasta sauce, canned vegetables, juice, cereal and baby food.

Toy Drive: Tags are available at the back of the church. Tags should be returned to the back of the church with a new unwrapped toy by Dec.14.

Food Drive: Donations of non-perishable food items will be collected at the back of the church on Dec. 13 and Dec.14

Volunteers are always welcome: Volunteers are needed to help pack on Dec. 14 after the 10:00 a.m. mass. Sign-up sheets are available for drivers to help deliver on Dec. 20.

Parish Bulletin for Nov. 30, 2003

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Pastor’s Message

      All around us we see the signs of fall. The time of darkness is getting longer and longer, the leaves have not only changed colour, but have also caused many hours of raking as the ground prepares for the first deep frost of winter. The flowers of early fall have died and are but remnants of their former glory in the beds that have not yet been prepared for winter. The air is decidedly chilling and the wind causes many to remain inside. The season is changing and the long dark nights of winter have arrived.

      The church too is changing seasons. For Christians everywhere, this weekend marks the beginning of the season of Advent. Advent ushers in a completely new liturgical year and, if we are observant, we will see the signs of this season all around us. The liturgical colour for this season is purple; not the purple; this colour reminds us that we are a people in waiting, a people preparing. The candles of the advent wreath mark off the passing of the weeks. The altar area is decorated in a different way. The hymns of longing and calling to the Lord echo from past Advent seasons as our churches are filled with the sounds of Come O Divine Messiah and O Come O Come Emmanuel. The readings are filled with images of promises, exhortations, longing, consolations and prophetic urgings to change our hearts, to prepare, to be ready. The gospel this week begins with the terrifying and awe-inspiring end times in the words that Luke ascribes to Jesus himself.

      What is it that we are preparing for and waiting for so eagerly that we need a whole season to remind ourselves-to remember? First of all, we need to remember that Advent needs Christmas. Only after the preparation of Advent can the church ring out with the carols and celebrations of Christmastime. Advent is a time for looking back and looking ahead. We celebrate the coming of the historical Jesus with Luke's very visual depiction of manger and animals, angels and shepherds. We remember that The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. But, we believe in the promise that today's gospel holds. The promise that Jesus will come again in glory and the promise that eternal life, the eternal life fulfilled through Jesus life, death and resurrection, is gift to those who follow. We need to be awake, to be ready, to be prepared. The birth in the manger, the coming of the Messiah, holds meaning for the community of faith in the light of the fulfilment of God's promises. Jesus is that fulfilment. The Advent message is two-fold: Jesus will come again in glory to establish his reign in glory for all eternity and this same Lord Jesus came over two thousand years ago to establish this reign in our hearts and minds. We cannot begin to grasp the meaning of the Christmas season unless and until we remember. Advent, then, is a season of hope and longing. We are filled with the images of the end-times, we are uneasy with the ravings of John in the dessert, we are inspired by the gentle strength of Mary and we cry out with the words of Elizabeth.

      Yes, today's gospel evokes terrifying images. But we must not lose sight of the message here. We are called to be ready, to be alert, lest we miss the signs of the Lord's presence. The Lord Jesus came so that we might have life and have that life abundantly, not only now, but in the promise of eternal life. Let us pray then today for the grace to recognize the face of Jesus and the presence of the Lord all around us. Let us use this season of Advent wisely so that we may remember again that we are a people of the promise, a people filled with hope and a people ready to greet the Lord.

— Rev. Thomas G. Moore

Chirstmas wishes from Dodger

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Parish Bulletin for Nov. 30, 2003

You need to know!

THE NEW LITURGICAL YEAR

      Today we begin a new liturgical year and move to the gospel of Luke for the next twelve months. The author of Luke was probably a Gentile and a companion to the apostle of the Gentiles, Paul. His portrait of Jesus as Saviour of all humankind is revealed in his stories of the cure of the Gentile centurion's servant, the journey into the non-Jewish territory of Samaria, and the gratitude of the Samaritan leper. Only Luke tells the most famous and well-loved parables of the good Samaritan and of the prodigal son, who, as second-born, represents Gentiles.

      Many scripture scholars believe that Luke was both a painter and a physician – a painter because his accounts are beautiful portraits; a physician because his stories are attentive to people who are poor, sick, and in need. More than any other, the gospel of Luke is the gospel of the poor and the outcast-widows, lepers, women and children

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The 40th Anniversary
of The Promulgation Of The Constitution
On The Sacred Liturgy

      Dec. 4, 2003 marks the 40th Anniversary of the Vatican II document on the constitution on the Sacred Liturgy – Sacrosanctum Concilium. At the very heart and core of the celebration of the Liturgy is the Paschal Mystery of Jesus Christ. The mystery of Jesus' life, death and resurrection gained redemption for all humankind once for all. It is through the Paschal Mystery of Christ that the Church was born. Vatican II reminded us that every time we gather to celebrate the Eucharist (Mass), Christ is truly present especially under the Eucharist elements, in the person of the presbyter (Priest), when the scriptures are proclaimed and in the midst of the assembly.

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FIRST FRIDAY

Immediately after Mass,
The Office of The Sacred
Heart will be prayed.

Let us all Pray together.

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MASS INTENTIONS

MONDAY DEC. 1 – ADVENT

8:30 a.m. † Alice Bonnie requested by Patricia

TUESDAY DEC. 2 – ADVENT

8:30 a.m. † Anthony Francis requested by Mary Francis

WEDNESDAY DEC. 3 – ST. FRANCIS XAVIER

8:30 a.m. † Gina Aprile requested by Aprile family

THURSDAY DEC. 4 – ADVENT

8:30 a.m. † Jose Adato Sr. requested by children

FRIDAY DEC. 5 – ADVENT

8:30 a.m. † Anthony Farano requested by wife Mona Farano

SATURDAY DEC. 6 – ADVENT

9:00 a.m. † Joseph Lee Nam Kwong requested by family

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PARISH MISSION

      The season of Advent begins today. This season begins our new liturgical year as we prepare to remember Jesus' birth at Christmas, but, more importantly, we are preparing for his coming again in glory. The watchwords for Advent are Be Ready.

      As Catholics, we have grown up with the idea of Missions as times to prepare. Our mission this year will focus on the mystery of the Incarnation. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.

      Come discover new ways of thinking and preparing - for being ready. Rev. Ron Mercier will be leading a three-day mission – mark your calendars for the evenings of Sunday, Dec. 7, Monday, Dec. 8 and Tuesday, Dec. 9. Make this Advent a time set aside to really examine what we are preparing for and why. Challenge and awaken your journey of faith.

      The celebration of Parish Reconciliation will take place on the second of this three-day mission. The evening will begin with reflection and culminate in the offering of this sacrament to all who wish to participate. There will be a number of priests available to celebrate this evening with all of us.

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Parish Bulletin for Nov. 30, 2003

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A Great Gift Idea

click to enlarge

The Standing Holy Family.
by Timothy P. Schmalz

"Sculpture, to me, is the highest form of communication, and an instrument for one's spirituality. The purpose of my sculpture is to make people more aware of God around them."

- Timothy P. Schmalz, 1999

Approx size 27 cm. tall
$50.00
Those interested please contact the parish office.

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LIGHT UP FOR CHRIST

Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. at Holy Spirit

An annual event to start the Advent lighting of the manger and the sign:

Keep Christ in Christmas.

Carol singing – Come out and join us.

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St. Vincent de Paul Society

Christmas Program

Please get involved – there are many ways to help!

Adopt-a-Family: This is a Holy Spirit Christmas project, providing individuals, families, or groups an opportunity to reach out and share their blessings with those less fortunate within our parish bounded by Hwy 401 to the south, Hwy 404 to the west, Kennedy Road to the east and Huntingwood to the north.

      When we say family, we really mean households, and these may range in size from a single senior living alone, to larger families with children. Sponsors, if they have a preference, may choose the size of family they would like to help. Both the sponsor and family will remain anonymous.

      How it Works: Sponsors can sign up at any mass between now and Dec. 6, or they can call (416) 293-0664 and leave their name and number. We'll follow up to -provide information on your adopted family and a reference number to label your boxes or gifts to identify the right family for delivery.

      Sponsors are asked to drop off their completed care packages to the church basement after any of the weekend masses no later than Dec. 14. St. Vincent de Paul will handle the delivery.

      What a Sponsor Provides: A gift (or toy) for each adopted member of the family. A box of non-perishable food adequate for the size of the family (note: a grocery voucher will also be provided by St Vincent de Paul). Food Ideas: Canned meat or fish, peanut butter, pasta and pasta sauce, canned vegetables, juice, cereal and baby food.

Toy Drive: Tags are available at the back of the church. Tags should be returned to the back of the church with a new unwrapped toy by Dec.14.

Food Drive: Donations of non-perishable food items will be collected at the back of the church on Dec. 13 and Dec.14

Volunteers are always welcome: Volunteers are needed to help pack on Dec. 14 after the 10:00 a.m. mass. Sign-up sheets are available for drivers to help deliver on Dec. 20.

For more information, phone St. Vincent de Paul at 416-293-0664

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