SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER PARISH Fr. Peter Proulx, Pastor Sr. Sheila Whelan GSIC Deacon Don Smith 331 Plaunt Street, South; P.O. Box 396 Renfrew, Ontario K7V 4A6 Tel: (613) 432-5825 Fax: (613) 432-6663 E mail:
[email protected]
Web Site: www.sfxrenfrew.blogspot.com
“St. Francis Xavier, a welcoming faith community lovingly sharing the gifts of God.”
EPIPHANY OF THE LORD TH
JANUARY 4 , 2009 PRAYERS: We pray for our loved ones who have died, especially James Dick and Alice Murphy and for all those who have asked for us to pray for them in times of grief and illness.
During the Christmas Season we have been blessed with many willing people who generosity have added much to our liturgies by their generosi ty and commitment. Please know by these few words that “appreciation” is expressed and sincere. THE YEAR OF ST. PAUL “A special year will be dedicated for the Bimillennium Celebrations of the Birth of the
Apostle Paul. This Pauline Year will run from June 28, 2008 to June 29, 2009” Pope Benedict XVI We will celebrate this Pauline Year with a Parish Mission during Lent. It will be facilitated by Father Rick Walsh – a member of the Paulist Community in Toronto. Second Journey Paul’s first objective was to go with Silas to meet the communities he created in Southern Anatoly (in Lystra he met Timothy, who accompanied them during their journey). They continued their travels towards the northwest, up to the Dardanelles, to Troas, from where they departed for Greece; Paul established the Churches in Philippi, Thessalonica, Beroea, Athens and Corinth. Afterwards he went back to Antioch, his main base, passing through Ephesus and Caesarea. In Antioch, for the very first time the believers were called “Christians”. (continued next week)
I take this opportunity to express a word of gratitude to all who were so kind to me at ChristChristmas. Your generosity and thoughtfulness is appreciated. January will be a great month to wear off the calories that were so well well enjoyed. Fr. Proulx Parish Directory: This year and in an ongoing way, we will be seeking your coco-operation in our effort to have a photo record of our parishioners. This will not be of any cost to you – there will be no “sale of pictures”. We will however, provide several opportunities for you to have your picture taken. Eventually, our parish data system will include these photographs. We respect respect your desire for privacy and assure you that they are exclusively a way of identifying with the Parish Family. Please note updates updates in the bulletin later in January. January.
SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD Light of the World Today is a feast of light! Images of light surround us in today’s liturgy. In fact, the meaning of the word epiphany means “revelation” or “illumination.” What was once darkness is now light; what was once hidden is now revealed. Christ, the Light of God, has come into the world and has overpowered the darkness; God, through Christ, has literally transformed the darkness into light! Today’s celebration gives us hope! The darkness that exists in the world is all too real: darkness of war, of terrorism; darkness of an increasing disregard for human life; darkness of oppression and of violence. Sometimes the darkness is strong and it threatens to actually overcome the Light that is Christ, the Light that is his Gospel, the Light that is God’s love. But, we have a promise from God and today we remember that promise: The darkness will never overcome the Light! Today we proclaim that God shines upon us and, in his love, his glory will always appear over us.
LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS Please carefully note the times of the daily Liturgies MON TUE WED THU
Jan. Jan. Jan. Jan.
5 7:00 p.m. 6 9:30 a.m. 7 4:15 p.m. 8 10:30 a.m. 12:10 p.m. FRI Jan. 9 8:00 a.m. SAT Jan. 10 5:00 p.m. SUN Jan. 11 10:30 a.m.
Anna McArthur – Welland & Helen Caldwell Elvina Zavitski – Doris & Brian Long Alice Lee – June & Gilles Gervias Bonnechere Manor: Mr. & Mrs. Art Ross – Marie Windle Dennis Isaiah Enright – Maureen Enright Dan Anderson – Elaine Turner Audrey & Terry Mulvihill – The Estate Joan Kluke (Sparling) - Don & Sheila Letts Intentions of the Parishioners – Father Proulx THIS WEEK AT S.F.X.:
LITURGICAL ROLES Baptism of the Lord January 10th/January 11th, 2009
*Mon.
SATURDAY EVENING MASS - 5:00 p.m. MINISTERS OF THE WORD – J. Lemay; J. Freemark MINISTERS OF HOSPITALITY – H. O’Connell; E. Yantha J. Skebo; L. Lee MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST – D. Lennox; J. Lynch; L. Prince; H. Robinson; E. Coulas SERVERS – T. Sul; H. & M. O’Neill; M. Brumm SUNDAY MORNING MASS - 10:30 a.m. MINISTERS OF THE WORD – S.J.H.S. Students MINISTERS OF HOSPITALITY – S.J.H.S. Students EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS – B. & D. O’Connor; M.L. Rowat; D. Yemen; N. Smith SERVERS – S.J.H.S. Students CHILDREN’S LITURGY: A. Ryan; C. Humphries
Bereavement Group (Rectory Mtg. Rm. 1) * Mon. P.P.C. (Rectory Mtg. Rm. 2) * Tues. Finance & Property (Rectory Mtg. Rm. #2) * Thur. Liturgy Committee (Rectory Mtg. Rm. 2)
7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 3:30 p.m.
CHRISTMAS OFFERING: $8,144.31 SUNDAY OFFERING: (Dec. 27/28) $4,864.80 – Total made up of $4,709.80 [235 postings] + $155 Automatic Withdrawals [9 postings])
CONGRATULATIONS: to Taylor Sul, winner of the Altar Server draw for December.
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS FROM GHANA Dear Parishioners of St. Francis Xavier: at this time of the year my thoughts turn to all those who have gifted me with their support and friendship. I hope that the past year has been good to all of you. Next Sunday, the 7th of December will be election day in Ghana. For the past month we have prayed every Sunday that the elections will be peaceful. Violence is always a looming danger where people lack education and tend to take losing as an affront to their pride. We are also busy preparing towards the celebration of Christmas and our 3 days New Year’s convention that follows. Plenty to do but that’s O.K. It tends to help us to keep our minds off the heat. May God bless you all and may he fill your hearts with joy. Father Kevin HAPPY ANNIVERSARY: pick up your envelopes from the table at the back of the church. If you to all couples of the Parish who wish to receive envelopes please leave the pertinent information on the celebrated a Wedding Anniversary during December. We remember sheets provided and envelopes will be provided for you. you and your intentions at the DIOCESAN WEBSITE: We encourage you to visit 10:30 a.m. Mass this weekend. the new Diocesan website at www.diocesepembroke. May God Bless You All. Among ca. The new site is not only up-to-date with news and those celebrating are: events concerning our diocese, but it also has features Mervyn & Elizabeth McCarthy (66) to nourish your spiritual life such as the daily Mass Dan & Genevieve Deslaurier (60) readings and many other spiritual resources. Hector & SHARE LENT WORKSHOP 2009 – at the Marguerite Centre, Bob & Josie Quinn (48) Pembroke, on Saturday, January 17th from 10 a.m. to noon. Neal & Margaret Moriarity (45)
2009 SUNDAY CONTRIBUTION ENVELOPES: Please
Parishes are pleased asked to send a representative.
RENFREW & DISTRICT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL: Bring your junior or senior Kindergarten aged child to discover learning opportunities at Renfrew & District Christian School. Kindergarten Discovery Days will be held every Monday from 8:45 a.m. – noon. Watch your child blossom in a small class setting. Call 613-432-4340 to register your child for a Discovery Day experience.
DIRECT DEPOSIT SUNDAY OFFERINGS: You will notice that we have begun a program for people to have their Sunday Offerings electronically transferred to the Parish. The weekly or monthly contributions are noted in the bulletin along with our “Sunday Offering” notation. If you have any questions about this program or if you would like to participate at any time, please call Martha Scott at the Parish office or feel free to speak to any of the Parish staff.