4th Sunday of Advent - December 18, 2022

Our Lady of Peace Parish
Also Serving Our Lady of the Smile parish, Waterhen Lake and St. Jude’s Parish, Green Lake

Office Hours: Closed Monday
Tuesday - Friday 1-4:00 pm
Office Phone:  306-236-5122 
Cell Phone: 306-304-7271

Parish Email: olpsecretary@sasktel.net Pastor Email: olpmlpastor@sasktel.net
Facebook: Catholic Church Meadow Lake
Website: https://www.meadowlakecatholicchurch.com/
Address: 504-3rd Ave. East, Meadow Lake, SK S9X 1H5  
 
May the Lord come in; he is king of glory. Psalm 24 Refrain
 
December 18, 2022 - Fourth Sunday of Advent
 
Our Vision:
A Community of Disciples

Our Mission
We commit to form disciples who joyfully and faithfully
live out the mission of Jesus Christ
by enriching our relationship with God and neighbour
through the intercession of Our Lady of Peace.

Pastor: 
Fr. Doug Jeffrey, OMI

Parish Secretary:
Pat Bencharski

Pastoral Council Chair:
 


Mass Intentions

When there is a funeral, the daily mass will normally be cancelled.  Check Facebook for the most up-to-date information.  On Tuesday to Friday and on Sunday, Our Lady of Peace masses will be livestreamed on Facebook.

Mon., Dec. 19 – 7:00 pm (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook) - Roselyn Almocera by Eliniel Dy

Tues., Dec. 20 – 7:00 am (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook) - +Louis, Germaine & Raymond Wilfing by Nick & Eileen Charney

Wed., Dec. 21 – 7:00 pm (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook) - +David Lavallee by Theresa Tourand

Thurs., Dec. 22 – 6:00 pm (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook) - +Louis, Germaine & Raymond Wilfing by Nick & Eileen Charney

Fri., Dec. 23 – 7:00 pm (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook) Please note that our Simbang Gabi celebrations end. +Louis, Germaine & Raymond Wilfing by Nick & Eileen Charney

Sat., Dec. 24 – 4:00 pm (Our Lady of the Smile, Waterhen) - People of God

Sat., Dec. 24 – 8:00 pm (St. Jude Parish, Green Lake) - People of God

Sat., Dec. 24 – 10:00 pm (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook) - People of God

Sun., Dec. 25 – 10 am (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook) - People of God

THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH

1. Please exercise caution – COVID is still present in our communities. The flu and other respiratory illnesses are on the rise and causing concerns for many people; especially the elderly and those with immune issues.
2. Sung Evening Prayer, Sunday December 18 at 6:30 pm
3. Opportunity for Confession – December 21 from 5:00 to 6:30 pm
4. Christmas Carol Sing a Long – December 22 at 7:00 pm

 
Sunday Collection – December 11:  Meadow Lake $2822.95                      Green Lake – $125.40
 
The Pope’s Prayer Intention for December – For volunteer not-for-profit organizations:  We pray for volunteer non-profit organizations committed to human development; may they find people dedicated to the common good and ceaselessly seek out new paths to international cooperation.
 
Merry Christmas from Bill and Lorraine Thibeault and Family - The Thibeault Family (Bill, Lorraine, Raymond, and Jacqueline) wish the parishioners of Our Lady of Peace Meadow Lake, St. Jude's, Green Lake and Our Lady of the Smile, Waterhen a blessed Christmas.  May the Lord give you love that warms your heart, hope that lights your way, and joy that fills your home this day and through the years.
 
New Envelope Boxes are available - Please pick them up and only begin using them for the New Year! Please note that your income tax receipts will be ready toward the end of January and beginning of February.
 
Opportunities for confession
December 20th beginning at 6:30 pm in St. Walburg
December 21st from 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm here at Our Lady of Peace Parish
***Please feel free to call Fr. Doug for an appointment if these times do not work for you!
 
Reverse Collection – Please bring your items for the reverse collection by this Sunday, December 18. They will be delivered to the Door of Hope midweek.
CWL – This year the CWL members from our Our Lady of Peace Parish will be writing Christmas Cards to the “Residents” at The Lodge and in some of the Senior’s places in Meadow Lake. If you would like to join the CWL in this project, you can: Purchase or make 5 Christmas Cards. Write a thoughtful generic message to a Senior and then sign your name or Our Lady of Peace Parish. Do write your own message rather than leaving the card blank. Drop the cards off in the Sunday Collection or at the Parish Office or bring them with you on December 22 when we have our Christmas Carol Singalong! Last year the Seniors who received cards were so happy to do so! You can make someone’s day by doing this little act of kindness. You don’t have to be a CWL member – just a person with a generous heart.
 
Knights of Columbus News – The Knights of Columbus will host another Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, December 18, in the Parish Hall after the 10:00 am Mass. Enjoy some good food and some visiting with fellow parishioners.
Special thanks to all who supported the Knights of Columbus Turkey and Ham Bingo on December 11th.
Thank you to the Knights who assisted with the Bingo: Greg Stang, Scott Campbell, Harvey Vollman, Chris Bencharski, Wayne Bettcher, Benjamin Nuescu, Raymond Laliberte, and Marcel Sergeant.
Winning a Turkey were Martha Gladue, Joan Maurice, Cheryl Russell, and Rita Lajeunesse.
Winning a Ham were Elizabeth Kirilenko, Yvonne Pambrun, Raymond Laliberte, and Evan Russell.
The black out for a Turkey and Ham was won by Ken Alger.
Winning the 50-50 draws were Marjorie Myette, Joan Maurice and Carmelita Cameron.
Another Bingo will take place later in the winter!

The Meaning of the Season – Christmas, both as a festal day and as an entire liturgical season, continues to mark the culmination of our Advent preparation. Christmas is a celebration of Christ, God-with-us, throughout time. We recall the historical birth of Jesus of Nazareth; we celebrate Jesus Christ’s presence through the Church today; and we imagine the joy of tomorrow, when Christ will come again.
 
Christmas moves us from reflecting on our ancestors of faith specifically to the Holy Family. In the days following the nativity we are invited to reflect on the person of Christ within the Holy Family as well as our own experiences of the domestic Church. Reflect on the signs of family found throughout the season: pray with the creche; your community’s nativity play; or with your own familial traditions of decorating, hosting gatherings, or caroling during the Christmas season. In your prayer, allow these signs to ignite your imagination. If the Holy Family joined your holiday traditions, how would they be received? Which character do you most resonate with in the nativity play (not done during Christmas Masses, of course)? What theological truths does your church’s creche express about the birth of Christ? These practices can aid our imaginative prayer and enliven our Christmas Time spirituality.

Imagery of Christ, our Light, is prevalent during the Christmas season. Advent’s darkness leads to Christmas joy and light. The Christmas Mass at Dawn includes this Entrance Antiphon from Isaiah: “Today a light will shine upon us, for the Lord is born for us;/ and he will be called Wondrous God,/ Prince of peace, Father of future ages:/ and his reign will be without end.” Especially on this Christmas Day, we are bathed in the light of Christ. Each day we live out our baptismal call moves us towards the wondrous kingdom of God, an age of peace. The coming of Christ shatters the darkness of our lives. It may be difficult to hold onto this joy and sense of illumination as the Christmas season is a busy time of year. As a liturgy preparation team, ponder how each liturgy within the Christmas season can radiate the light of Christ and the joy of God’s love. It may start with a new, hearty setting of the Gloria to mark the festive season or investing in one new and unique addition to your Christmas Time environment.
 
Epiphany and the Baptism of the Lord close out the season of Christmas. Our secular tradition of gift-giving stems from the gifts presented to the Holy Family by the magi, celebrated at Epiphany. In fact, this feast used to be an even grater and more festive celebration than Christmas, and in some denominations it remains so. While Christmas celebrates the mystery of the incarnation, Epiphany marks the revelation of God in the flesh to the outside world. Christmas Time is an apt season to welcome the outsider to our liturgies: the young adult coming home from college; those grieving the loss of a loved one; the couple with their newborn child; the family who usually avoids the parish church but are drawn in by celebration of the nativity. We are called to welcome fellow seekers of the Light with great joy and hospitality, and together, fulfill the prophecy of Psalm 72: “Lord, every nation on earth will adore you” (Psalm for the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord). If we heeded Advent’s call to prepare the way of the Lord, welcoming others with joy will be a natural next step for our communities.
 
May this season marked by joy, light, and love produce abundant blessings and new life for those who follow the Son of God.
 
Coats for Kids – Our Knights of Columbus are collecting good used coats which will be given to Green Lake School. If you have good used coats, please drop them off in the box at the back of the church.
 
Sung Advent Evening Prayer – Please join us on Sunday evening for our Sung Evening Prayer. It will take place at 6:30 pm. Our prayer will take about 30 minutes. I invite you to join us as we give thanks and praise to our God.
 
Workshop on Violence – January 14, 2023
Violence in our homes and in our communities is a reality. Unfortunately, it impacts many of us in our daily life. Sometimes we are the ones who receive the violence and sometimes we are the ones who do the violence. Given the levels of violence present in Saskatchewan and in our communities we (Our Lady of Peace Parish and Victim Services – Meadow Lake) are planning a workshop for January 14, 2023. The Workshop, entitled OUR COMMUNITY, OUR VIOLENCE will be held at our Parish Hall from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm. Lunch will be served after the Workshop. Please come early, get a coffee/tea and a snack and be ready for our speaker who will start at 10:00 am.
 
Who should come to this workshop? Anyone (adult) who is interested in helping to protect our communities from violence. Feel free to invite friends and family. Rod McKendrick is the presenter. He has years of experience and is committed to helping people reduce violence in their lives. There is no cost to take part although if you would like to donate to help us cover our costs, your generosity is much appreciated. Should you experience trauma as Rod speaks there will be two people available to talk with you. If you are planning to come, please call the parish office and leave a message (306 236 5122). This will enable us to plan for our refreshment break and lunch.
 
Christmas Carol Sing-along - Everyone loves to sing Christmas Carols. We seldom get the chance to do it. But this year is different!
 
On Thursday, December 22nd from 7-8:00 pm at the Parish Hall in Meadow Lake, we invite you to join us as we sing Christmas carols and enjoy some hot chocolate and squares and the opportunity to visit. When you arrive, you will get a booklet of the song lyrics so you can sing along. Some of the carols have stories attached to them and they help us to celebrate some aspect of our faith. Join us for an hour of conversation, songs, and hot chocolate.
 
 Bishop’s Annual Appeal: “Walking Together in Hope”
October 16, 2022 – December 31, 2022 - Every gift is greatly appreciated!
 
Bishop’s Annual Appeal - “Walking Together in Hope”.
We are now in the last two weeks of the 2022 Bishop’s Annual Appeal.
As of December 12, 2022, parishioners have pledged $335,190.35 towards the goal of $450,000.
If you have already sent in your pledge for the Bishop’s Annual Appeal, thank you for your generosity. If you haven’t done so yet and are planning to, the Appeal Office would like to receive all pledges on or before December 31, 2022. If you have lost or misplaced your Appeal information, additional pledge cards are available from your Parish Office or contact the Appeal Office at 306-922-4747 ext. 234. Please continue to pray for the success of the 2022 Bishop’s Annual Appeal.
 
As of December 12th, the diocese has received 32 pledges from Our Lady of Peace Parish for $10,499.00: 2 pledges from Green Lake for $700.00 and 1018 pledges from the whole diocese for a total of $335,190.35 for the Bishop’s Appeal.
 
Scripture Insights – Fourth Sunday of Advent
Taken from Source Book for Sundays, Seasons and Weekdays 2023:  The Almanac for Pastoral Liturgy, LTP Liturgy Training Publications Copyright 2022, 3949 South Racine Avenue, Chicago, IL 60609, pg. 26.
 

• We know that the promise of the Messiah has been fulfilled, and it continues to be. Throughout the centuries, people have come to know, experience, and be drawn to God’s love through Jesus Christ.
• We too experience the fulfillment of God’s promise of love. Like Joseph, God asks and invites us to participate in bringing the Good News of this promise to others.

 
DIOCESAN NEWS & BEYOND
 
Ecumenical Advent Series: What Are We Waiting For?
As Christmas and the holidays approach, Christians experience the season of Advent as a time of expectant waiting and preparation. This year, there will be a special ecumenical series of Advent meditations and conversations on the question: “What are we waiting for?” with Canadian church leaders, including:

• Rev. Dr. Robert Faris, Moderator, The Presbyterian Church of Canada
• Rev. Susan C. Johnson, National Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada
• Right Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne, Moderator, The United Church of Canada
• Most Rev. Linda Nicholls, Primate, Anglican Church of Canada
• On each Thursday in Advent (Dec. 1, 8, 15, and 22), listeners are invited to join a live discussion at 6:00 pm SK time, via Zoom, with one of the leaders on that week’s Advent theme. Attendees will be able to ask questions during the online conversation.
• Also, each Monday during Advent, the church leaders will release an ecumenical Advent meditation focused on one of the four Advent themes and will address challenges and opportunities facing the Canadian churches. Find out more and register at https://presbyterian.ca/2022/11/08/ecumenical-advent/

Evangelization and Catechesis - A heads up to all parents and grandparents in our parish. Christine Taylor from the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis shared some good news. There is a new link to help families nurture their faith. Here is the link: https://www.padiocese.ca/copy-of-evangelization-and-catechesis
I have looked at it and there is some really good information available. Enjoy!