English Bulletin - Presentation of the Lord

Canadian Martyrs Catholic Church – Church Bulletin

Presentation of the Lord – February 2, 2014

 

Year of Hope

Prayer is a School of Hope.

"The Holy Spirit .... teaches us to pray in hope.  Conversely, the prayer of the Church and personal prayer nourish hope in us."                                      (Catechism of the Catholic Church #2657)

Reflection:    When I can no longer talk to anyone, I can always talk to God.  When there is no longer anyone to help me deal with a need or expectation that goes beyond the human capacity for hope, He can help.  When I have been plunged into complete solitude..; if I pray I am never totally alone. 

         

The B.C. Catholic (Award-winning publication) February is Catholic Press Month in Canada and its 103rd Anniversary.  This Sunday second collection helps to defray the paper cost and donation of $20 and up will guarantee papers at your door.   

 

First Friday Mass & Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament Feb 7 (this Fri).  Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 9:00 am to 7:45 pm. Vocations hour at 6 p.m., Benediction at 7:45 pm followed by Mass in Cantonese at 8:00 p.m.  Please sign up at the Info Counter.

 

Prayers for Priests   Grace that Reigns Society likes to invite everyone to join us for an organized Prayers for our Priests on First Friday at 7:00 p.m., during the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. We will pray for all the priests in Richmond, Surrey and Delta.  For more info, visit www.GracethatReigns.com.

 

Chinese New Year Dinner  will be held on Feb 9 (next Sun) 6:30 p.m. at Continental Seafood Restaurant.  Tickets $38/adult, $28/children are available after Mass.  Join the 350 other in celebration!

 

Neo-catechumenal Way

          Our Archbishop Michael Miller has a particular zeal to spread the Good News in a life-changing way to every person and has a particular sensitivity toward the challenges and sufferings for newcomers from different cultures and languages.  Therefore he has invited our parish to live strongly this reality, to start a journey of faith called Neo-catechumenal Way.

          A team of catechists will give the catechesis twice a week, starting Feb 16 every Sunday and Thursday, both from 7:30 p.m. in the parish hall.  All are invited to attend.  The catechesis will be given in English with translation in Mandarin for those who need it.

A Christian Life Program (CLP)   sponsored by Couples for Christ will be held on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. starting Mar 1 at the Parish Hall.  The CLP is an integrated course intended to lead the program participants into a renewed understanding of and response to God's call to them as Christian couples.  The program has a total of 13 separate sessions conducted once a week.  Please call Jolie / Marilen Catibog at 604-275-2610, Ning / Edith at 604-273-2426.

 

Knights of Columbus         Early bird draw result for Charity Appeal has been posted on the bulletin board.

 

World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life         In 1997, Bl. Pope John Paul II declared Feb 2, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord to be observed as World Day for Consecrated Life.  Mass for the religious priests, nuns, brothers and monks will be held on Feb 2 at Holy Rosary Cathedral at 5 pm. Reception to follow.

 

Pope Francis: An Encyclical, An Exhortation, A Mission  In his encyclical "Lumen Fidei" written with Pope Benedict and in his exhortation "Evangelii Gaudium"  Pope Francis has laid out a blueprint for Church renewal.  The key is "Mission"  Peter Baltutis, Professor of Theology at Corpus Christi College and Fr. Michael Stogre, S.J. will hold a talk on Feb 5 (Wed) 7:00 p.m. at St. Mark's Church.

 

A Man Called John and a Man Called Louie: Pope John XXIII & Thomas Merton  On Feb 7 (Fri) 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. for a talk by Michael W. Higgins (vice president for Mission & Catholic Identity at Sacred Heart University) on Pope John XXIII & Thomas Merton at St. Andrew United Church, North Van.  Both the Pope and the Trappist shared much in common, particularly universal peace, renewal of the monastic life and new pastoral approach to the world.  Call 604-988-8835 or tmsc@telus.net.  Visit www.merton.ca.

 

Day of Prayer for Victims of Human Trafficking On Feb 8, the Church commemorates the life of St. Josephine Bakhita, a Canossian Sister who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in Sudan.  The Archdiocese will observe this Feast day as a Day of Prayer and Fasting for victims of trafficking and for those who work to combat it.  Pope Francis has quoted "Human Trafficking is a crime against humanity."

Silent Live-In Retreat         for women interested in discerning a call to Religious Life on Feb 14 (Fri) 7 pm to Feb 16 (Sun) 3 pm.  Registration contact Sr. Denece at 604-985-4872 or email dbillesberger@shaw.ca.

 

ONE Conference 2014      Featuring world-class speakers Fr. Robert Spitzer SJ, Christopher West, Dr. Josephine Lombardi, and a closing Mass with Archbishop Michael Miller at the Vancouver Convention Centre on Feb 15 (Sat) 9 a.m - 5:30 p.m. Online tickets $40 at http://rcav.org/one/.

 

Two Weekends of Seminar          Fr. Elias Vella (priest and exorcist) from Malta and Diana Mascarenhas, presenter of Set Free retreats will hold a seminar on Feb 22 & 23 at All Saints Parish and Mar 1 & 2 at St. Mary's Parish, Van.