The First Sunday of Advent

December 2, 2012

Seeking Faith in a Changing World

As we begin a new liturgical year, our Advent theme dovetails nicely with our overall theme for the pastoral year, Pilgrims on the Journey. For that journey is a journey of faith. In a world where broken promises from politicians, business leaders, spouses, ministers can lead us to despair or cynicism, we are invited to trust in the faithfulness of a God who keeps his word. All around us, the world is in crisis environmental crisis, economic crisis, families in crisis, church in crisis, values in crisis. So often, we are disappointed by the institutions in society to which we look for stability, well-being, and security. There is, in fact, nothing new about this. The people to whom Luke wrote his Gospel at the end of the 1st century had witnessed the destruction of their cherished Temple, and were experiencing persecutions. To our world searching for meaning and purpose, Jesus words in the Gospel encourage us not to lose hope, but to be prepared for his coming. We are called to hear and respond to Jesus call to conversion. How? By paying attention to what is going on around us; by doing what Vatican II called reading the signs of the times. Foremost among these signs is the reality of change. Ultimately, conversion to a deeper faith is an invitation to embrace change. In general, we humans resist change. We establish routines and become comfortable with them. And yet, are not our entire lives about change? We pass through infancy to childhood to adolescence to adulthood to old age. We live in a rapidly-changing world. Even the Church, the so-called bulwark of stability, has gone through many changes and will go through more yet! Will change, then, never end? Im afraid not, at least in this life. Its simply part of human existence. We seek stability; the world gives us change. The crucial question is: How can we find inner stability, in the midst of a changing world? The answer lies in our faith in Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, whose ways are steadfast love and faithfulness. We trust in his Word, and we await the fulfillment of his promise. May his Advent find us watchful and ready.

CHRISTMAS CAROLING AND CONCERT All young and young at heart are invited to join us at 5:00 pm on Sunday December 9th for an evening of Christmas carols in St. Monicas neighborhood. While sharing our gift of song, we will also be collecting nonperishable food donations for the Food Pantry. Following the caroling, everyone is invited in the church hall for hot-dogs and hot chocolate. This will be followed by a Christmas concert in the church at 7:00 pm all are invited to attend! If you would like to share your talent, please contact Odette through the parish office. But please, mark your calendars and plan to attend.

ST. MONICAS TOY DRIVE Our annual Toy Drive is now on and will continue until December 16th. Please bring an unwrapped toy and place it either under the Christmas tree on the sanctuary or in the baskets at the entrance of the church. All the toys will be distributed with our Christmas food baskets on December 18th. For further information please contact Deacon Dennis or Jennie Parsons-Armstrong at the rectory. RANEE LEE CONCERT What a wonderful evening it was! I sincerely would like to thank all who made this evening a success. Special thanks and gratitude to Ranee Lee, Richard and the very talented musicians that performed what a concert! To all those who volunteered in ticket sales, coordination, set-up, clean-up and throughout the evening thank you! And to all of you who came out to support not only this event, but mostly to support St. Monicas Hall Renovations, your generosity means so much. May God continue to bless us all.

Weekly Reflection Question:

What in your life is weighing you down or keeping you from experiencing Gods love more fully? What might need to change within you so that this can happen?

Mass Intentions December 2-9, 2012

8:30 December 2, 2012 Maria, Giovanni & Elena Piccolino Vincenzo & Antonietta LaPosta The Koziol Family Ettore Lanni Larry Ascoli Antonio & Carmela DiIoia December 3, 2012 The Intentions of Blaise & Anita Brabhu & Family Theresa, Kevin & Julian Rooney December 4, 2012 Lorenzo & Anna Forlini Marianna Mattachione & Antonio LaPosta December 5, 2012 Anna Maria Fiori Bernadette Boudreau December 6, 2012 Giuseppe Fiori Roberto Ugarte December 7, 2012 Pat Shaw Lazaro Britanico Belgica December 8, 2012 Isa Mazzella Vinzenzo & Antonietta LaPosta Walter (Mickie) Laughlin Ferdinando Caporicci Lucille Wong December 9, 2012 Violante Camaiani Luigina Cicciarelli Sr. Ann Murphy SNJM Vincenzo Saluzzi Walter (Mickie) Laughlin Bernardino Mastrogiovanni The First Sunday of Advent The Piccolino Family Concetta LaPosta Their Nephew Virginia Lanni & Family Mike & Michelle Giancaspero Their daughter Anna DiIoia Monday, St. Francis Xavier The Saldanha Family The Family Tuesday, St. John Damascene The Family Restituta LaPosta
Wednesday, Advent Weekday

IMPORTANT!

Wardens Elections
This weekend following the 11 AM mass It is important to have as many people who live within the parish boundaries (from Walkey to Beaconsfield and from Cote St. Luc Road to St. Jacques) attend in order to have a legal representation. To stand for election one must reside within the parish boundaries. If you wish to nominate someone, please contact the office or speak to Fr. Ray after you secure their permission. The procedure is the same if you wish to offer your own name: speak to Fr. Ray. ADULT FAITH ENRICHMENT Upcoming events
Contemplative Prayer Workshop Fr. Gerry Westphals Contemplative Prayer workshop continues this coming Tuesday, December 4, from 7 to 9 pm in the parish rectory. All are welcomed to attend. Video Divina Fr. Raymond will present the movie The Nativity Story on Friday, December 7 at 7 p.m. in the parish rectory. Join him for this very special movie. Please refer to www.stmonica.ca and the posters at the Church entrances for additional information. Advent Prayer Booklets and Candles The 2012 Advent Prayer Booklets and Advent candles are available for you to purchase at the cost of $2.00 for each booklet, and $5.00 for each set of candles. You will find these items at the main entrance of the church. Please put your payment in the Missalette and Newspaper Payment Box.

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11:00 4:00

Livio & Family Brenda Robillard Thursday, St. Nicholas His Wife & Family The Family First Friday, St. Ambrose The Brabant Family Elena & Family The Immaculate Conception The Family Concetta LaPosta Helen DesRoches Angelo & Luisa Falcone Pauline & George Wong & Family The Second Sunday of Advent The Piccolino Family The Poce Family Rosa Salvati Maddalena Saluzzi & Family Emily Ryan His wife Concetta & Family

8:30

11:00

Thank you for supporting your parish

Last weeks collection was: $3,711.02 The Hall Renovation Fund received $5,680.00 The Ranee Lee Concert raised $3,086.61

The Christmas Story in Glorious Music: Come to a wonderful free concert by the 42 voices of the TMR Singers, directed by Manuel Blais, at St. Malachy Parish (5330 Clanranald Ave., Mtl.) on Friday, December 14 at 7:30 pm. Our Christmas gift to you! Contact Milda at 514-738-3998