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Our Lady of Peace Parish
Also Serving Our Lady of the Smile parish, Waterhen Lake and St. Jude’s Parish, Green Lake Office Hours For Parish Secretary: Monday - Friday: 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm Office Hours For Fr. Doug: Tuesday - Friday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Office Phone: 306-236-5122 Cell Phone: 306-304-7271 Parish Email: [email protected] Pastor Email: [email protected] Facebook: Catholic Church Meadow Lake Website: https://www.meadowlakecatholicchurch.com/ Address: 504-3rd Ave. East, Meadow Lake, SK S9X 1H5 “Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.” - Psalm 80 Refrain December 19, 2021 - 4th 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: Lorraine Thibeault Pastoral Council Chair: Doris Beaubien In Saskatchewan, the nurses and doctors in our hospitals and Intensive Care Units continue to serve the sick. Our case counts are going down. Let us make whatever efforts we can to keep our brothers and sisters safe. Getting vaccinated is the best thing we can do to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. Please encourage one another to get vaccinated and encourage your children to get vaccinated. Wearing masks, sanitizing, social distancing and limiting the size of gatherings also help. Let us be safe and care for one another. Please be aware that if you HAVE NOT been vaccinated and you choose to join us for liturgy, you are EXPOSING YOURSELF TO SERIOUS RISK because of the COVID-19 virus. THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH
When there is a funeral, the daily mass will be cancelled. Check Facebook for the most up-to-date information. Tuesday to Friday and Sunday the masses will be livestreamed on Facebook. Mon., Dec. 20 – No mass - Personal Intention Tues., Dec. 21 – 6:30 am (Our Lady of Peace Church, Meadow Lake & Facebook) - +Louis Germain Raymond Wilfing by Nick & Elaine Charney Wed., Dec. 22 – 9:30 am (Our Lady of Peace Church, Meadow Lake & Facebook) - +Dave Lavallee by Theresa Tourand Thurs., Dec. 23 – 9:30 am (Our Lady of Peace Church, Meadow Lake & Facebook) - +Louis Germain Raymond Wilfing by Nick & Elaine Charney Fri., Dec. 24 – 5:00 pm (Our Lady of the Smile, Waterhen Lake) - People of God Fri. Dec. 24 – 8:00 pm (St. Jude’s, Green Lake) - People of God Fri. Dec. 24 – 10:00 pm (Our Lady of Peace Church, Meadow Lake & Facebook) - People of God Sat., Dec. 25 – 10:00 am (Our Lady of Peace Church, Meadow Lake & Facebook) - Anonymous Sun., Dec. 26 – 10 am (Our Lady of Peace Church, Meadow Lake & Facebook) - People of God Sun., Dec 26 – 12:30 pm (St Jude Parish, Green Lake) - People of God Meadow Lake Council Knights of Columbus is sponsoring a “Keep Christ in Christmas” Coloring Contest. The contest is open to children in 3 age categories: ages 5-7, 8-10, and 11-14 with cash prizes in each category. Information sheets will be available at the back of the church for parents or grandparents after Saturday and Sunday Masses on Dec. 11, 12 and 18, 19. Entries are due on January 10th. For more information contact Chris at (306) 240-8872 or Kevin at (306) 240-6661. Coats for Children – The Knights of Columbus have received a request for coats for children. The Knights have purchased some coats and are asking if anyone has clean coats in good repair that could be donated. Please bring them to the Parish. The Knights will give the coats to children from Green Lake on January 10th. Thanks for your help! Christmas to New Year’s Parish Office Hours: Please note that the Parish Office will be closed Dec. 27 to Dec. 31, 2021. There will be no bulletin for Jan. 2, 2022. The office will reopen on January 3, 2022. Have a joyful Christmas season. For emergencies such as serious illness and death, please call Fr. Doug at 306-304-7271 Sunday Collection – Sunday, Dec 12th: Our Lady of Peace Parish: $1,180.85; St. Jude’s Parish: $122.00 Our Lady of Peace Parish Reverse Collection – Not too late to bring your contributions to the Parish! We will be taking our non-perishable food to the Door of Hope on December 19th! Thank you for your generosity! Furnishing a Room in the Northwest Community Lodge. As a Catholic Parish, it is important that we are engaged in the life of the community. Many of our Elders (family and friends) are residents of The Lodge. Our parish, we will donate $12,00.00 to furnish a room which will include new beds with many functions to support each resident’s needs, new mattresses, bed side tables, chairs, built-in desk, private washroom and closets in each suite. Parishioners can donate (cheques made payable to “Our Lady of Peace Parish” indicating it is for “Furnishing a Room at NCL”. To date, we have collected $9,355.00. When we reach $12,000.00, the parish will pass this on to the Northwest Community Lodge Association. Donations will be added to your envelope total. Your donation will be receipted as per usual. Questions - contact Fr. Doug or Pat Bencharski! THE BISHOP’S ANNUAL APPEAL: “To Serve and Give His Life”: The Bishop’s Annual Appeal budgets money in the area of Social Justice to feed the hungry. Your gift goes a long way in this Corporal Work of Mercy. Thank you for your generosity. The Appeal Office would like to have all pledges before Dec. 31, 2021. How are we doing? The goal for Our Lady of Peace Parish is $16,417. As of November 29, 2021, we have received pledges amounting to $13,694.00. The goal for St. Jude’s Parish is $1,228.00, and we have received pledges amounting to $700.00. The Diocesan goal is $450,000, and it has received pledges in the amount of $336,312.19 with 1011 donors. Evangelizing the Parish Through the Season: Source Book for Sundays, Seasons and Weekdays 2022: The Almanac for Pastoral Liturgy, LTP Liturgy Training Publications Copyright 2020, 3949 South Racine Avenue, Chicago, IL 60609, pg. 4. If Lent is often boiled down to a season of “emptying,” then Advent, in contrast, is a season of “filling up.” Every year, candle by candle, we get excited for the end of the season and the coming of our Saviour in that all too familiar manger in Bethlehem, but by fixing our eyes merely on the end of the season and the fulfilment that will come as had been told by prophets of old, we miss the filling that can happen in the weeks that lead to the baby in the manger. Take the time during Advent to fill yourself and your community. In this season of “hurry up and wait,” fill the waiting with growth, relationships, and readiness and be formed by the season. Advent is about waiting and getting comfortable in that feeling—it isn’t about rushing it by. Treat yourself and your community by taking an Advent “chill pill” and slip into the ebb and flow of this short and powerful season. As Christian disciples, it’s our mission and our responsibility to rediscover the joy, love, hope, and peace of Advent. Like John the Baptist, we have to see how God is already in our midst. Advent reminds us that God never abandons his people. He is with us in our struggles. He is there to give us the strength and courage to persevere. Scripture reveals many prophets and witnesses to God’s salvation this season. Isaiah testifies to this truth of God’s enduring presence. He saw the power of God leading his people out of captivity to rebuild their nation. Mary is a witness to the truth of God’s presence as she watched her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, work miracles and all sorts of wonders for the poor and lowly. Paul is a witness to this as he went about the Mediterranean world evangelizing others about the power of Christ to set people free from their sins. John the Baptist is a witness to this as he cried out in the desert to prepare the way of the Lord. And so, can we add our names, or the name of our parish, to this list of witnesses? Are you willing to testify to what God has done in your life and share your story of discipleship rooted in joy, peace, hope, and love? We must add our voices to theirs by proclaiming the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ to others. And the best way to do that is by sharing with other people the wonderful things God has done for us. John admitted he was just a voice crying in the wilderness; his message was simply that the people should make straight the way of the Lord. As Isaiah tells us, we have been anointed and appointed for a special mission, and the spirit of the Lord fills this holy place. We are called to be like John the Baptist and prepare the way of the Lord. Paul says we must “rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4). Rejoice always, for the Lord is coming! Are you ready? Have you prepared the path to your heart? Are you willing to praise him without ceasing? Like Isaiah, do you believe that God can set us free and make things new? Like Mary, can you see God at work in every moment of your life? Like Paul, do you know that God can do the impossible? And like John the Baptist, are you ready to prepare a way for the Lord in this world? Rejoice and be glad; rejoice and be glad, for our Saviour is coming—and he’s coming soon! Take the time this Advent to fill up! Scripture Insights – Fourth Sunday of Advent – Source Book for Sundays, Seasons and Weekdays 2022: The Almanac for Pastoral Liturgy, LTP Liturgy Training Publications Copyright 2020, 3949 South Racine Avenue, Chicago, IL 60609, pg. 26. As the Church’s celebration of Christ’s coming in history draws near, our Scriptures once again speak in the voice of a prophet, who speaks God’s Word. The prophet and his message are especially appropriate in relation to Luke, whose account of the Good News we read this liturgical year. Luke, a Greek, wrote for a Gentile Christian community from the nations, a group the Old Testament commonly assumed to lie outside the realm of God’s saving activity. This Gentile evangelist therefore presents Christ as Saviour for all people, especially those normally viewed and treated as marginalized or outcast, including the poor and the sick, women, sinners, and Gentiles. It is appropriate, then, that the first reading comes from Micah, described as one of the minor prophets. Micah looks forward to a future king who will be true to the Israelite ideal of leadership: one who rules like God, in the power of God. Further, Micah envisions this true shepherd’s work as bringing peace to all, reaching “to the ends of the earth” (5:3). Strangely, this great ruler’s origin will lie in a tiny town and insignificant clan. Micah, well aware that Israelite tradition considered Bethlehem the home of King David, offers a theme common in the Old Testament: God can, and often does, use the smallest, even the most despised, to fulfill the divine plan for salvation. Luke presents a similar motif: his two major figures are women, who enjoyed little power or status in the patriarchal culture of the first century. Even more unlikely, a young woman pregnant by far-from-normal means meets an old woman pregnant in similarly “impossible” fashion (Lk 1:37). Yet both rejoice in God’s Spirit at work in them for the salvation of all.
Synod 2021 - 2023 – Please pray for the success of our Synod. The Synod Committee of Our Lady of Peace Parish is continuing to meet and develop a plan as to how the Synod will unfold in our parish. On Sunday, January 9th Fr. Doug will give a presentation at mass on the Synod. Please mark your calendars. You can follow the diocesan Synod plans at https://www.padiocese.ca/synod2023 where you can view Bishop Hero's presentation about the Synod given on October 30 and the opening Mass for the diocesan synodal journey on November 8, 2020. This page will be updated as more of the diocesan plans unfold. Advent/Christmas Schedule (This schedule is subject to change depending on Covid-19 regulations.) Reconciliation: Opportunities for confessions as follows: December 21 - from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm in Meadow Lake December 22 - from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm in Meadow Lake This year during the Christmas Season, the Eucharist will be celebrated in our faith communities as follows: Friday, December 24 - at 5:00 pm in Waterhen Lake Friday, December 24 - at 8:00 pm in Green Lake Friday, December 24 - at 10:00 pm in Meadow Lake (Live-streamed Facebook) Saturday, December 25 - at 10:00 am in Meadow Lake (Live-streamed Facebook) During the week after Christmas Tuesday, December 28, 6:30 pm in Meadow Lake Church (Live-streamed Facebook) Wednesday, December 29, 6:30 pm in Meadow Lake Church (Live-streamed Facebook) Thursday, December 30, 6:30 pm in Meadow Lake Church (Live-streamed Facebook) Friday, December 31, 6:30 pm in Meadow Lake Church with Holy Hour (Live-streamed Facebook) Saturday, January 1, 10:00 am in Meadow Lake Church (Live-streamed Facebook) DIOCESAN NEWS & BEYOND Canadian Bishops, Assembly of First Nations, Métis National Council, and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami provide an update on Delegation to Rome – Dec. 7, 2021 English - Joint Statement - Delegation Update Advent Resources for Adults: There are many options for adults who wish to enter more deeply into their Advent journey. Our challenge is making the time. Some of the suggestions on the Advent Resources for Adults page will take as little as 15 minutes a day to read and reflect upon; whereas others like the Pray More Advent Retreat will take a bit more time. Have a look and make choices that will help you! Advent Resources for Young Adults: Though the message is the same, all the generations speak a different language and have a different way of understanding things. The resources on the Advent Resources for Young Adults page have been selected to speak to those of the millennial and Gen Z generations ... those between the ages of 19 and 39. The video at the top of our page is from Fr. Mike Schmitz. Clicking and watching this video on YouTube will lead you to many more by Fr. Mike. Other items on the page include an Advent calendar and articles drawn from Busted Halo and a retreat by Mike Patin. Advent Resources for Families: There are many resources available to families to support them in bringing the Advent journey to life in their home. This 8-minute presentation, Great Family Activities for Advent, from Ascension Presents offers parents the best advice. Pick one or two. There are numerous resources for families from calendars, to videos, to activities, and Catholic traditions such as the Jesse Tree. We have also reposted last year`s weekly Advent activities done by catechists throughout our Diocese because of the many positive comments we had received. To find links to these resources, go to the Advent Resources for Families page. What’s your Catholic IQ? Last bulletin’s question and answer: Mary wrapped Jesus in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because (c) there was no room in the inn. Bethlehem was crowded because the emperor had ordered people to register in their hometowns. There wasn’t any room in the inn, so Mary and Joseph stayed in a stable and laid Jesus in a manger, a food box for animals. That’s how humble the birthplace o0f Jesus was. This week’s question: Jesus was born in (a) Bethlehem (b) Jerusalem (c) Damascus (d) Corinth. [pg. 5; #11] 12/10/2021 0 Comments December 10th, 2021Our Lady of Peace Parish
Also Serving Our Lady of the Smile parish, Waterhen Lake and St. Jude’s Parish, Green Lake Office Hours For Parish Secretary: Monday - Friday: 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm Office Hours For Fr. Doug: Tuesday - Friday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Office Phone: 306-236-5122 Cell Phone: 306-304-7271 Parish Email: [email protected] Pastor Email: [email protected] Facebook: Catholic Church Meadow Lake Website: https://www.meadowlakecatholicchurch.com/ Address: 504-3rd Ave. East, Meadow Lake, SK S9X 1H5 “Shout aloud and sing for joy: great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.” Psalm Refrain from Isaiah 12 December 12, 2021 - 3rd 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: Lorraine Thibeault Pastoral Council Chair: Doris Beaubien In Saskatchewan, the nurses and doctors in our hospitals and Intensive Care Units continue to serve the sick. Our case counts are going down. Let us make whatever efforts we can to keep our brothers and sisters safe. Getting vaccinated is the best thing we can do to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. Please encourage one another to get vaccinated and encourage your children to get vaccinated. Wearing masks, sanitizing, social distancing and limiting the size of gatherings also help. Let us be safe and care for one another. Please be aware that if you HAVE NOT been vaccinated and you choose to join us for liturgy, you are EXPOSING YOURSELF TO SERIOUS RISK because of the COVID-19 virus. THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH
Mass Intentions When there is a funeral, the daily mass will be cancelled. Check Facebook for the most up-to-date information. Tuesday to Friday and Sunday the masses will be livestreamed on Facebook. Mon., Dec. 13 – No mass - Personal Intention Tues., Dec. 14 – 6:30 pm (Our Lady of Peace Church, Meadow Lake & Facebook) - Souls in Purgatory by Josette Couillonneau Wed., Dec. 15 – 9:30 am (Our Lady of Peace Church, Meadow Lake & Facebook) - +Parents, Siblings & Friends by Josette Couillonneau Thurs., Dec. 16 – 9:30 am (Our Lady of Peace Church, Meadow Lake & Facebook) - +Louis, Germaine & Raymond Wilfing by Nick & Eileen Charney Fri., Dec. 17 – 9:30 am (Our Lady of Peace Church, Meadow Lake & Facebook) - +Louis, Germaine, Raymond Wilfing by Nick & Eileen Charney Sat., Dec. 18 – 7:00 pm (Our Lady of Peace Church, ML) - Anonymous Sun., Dec. 19 – 10 am (Our Lady of Peace Church, Meadow Lake & Facebook) - People of God Sun., Dec. 19 – 12:30 pm (St. Jude’s Church, Green Lake) - People of God December 15 – Bishop Stephen Hero has asked for a Clergy Zoom Meeting (2:00 pm-4:30 pm) on the afternoon of the 15th. Fr. Doug will travel to Goodsoil and take in the meeting with Fr. Kendrick. Following the meeting, Fr. Doug will join Fr. Kendrick in providing an opportunity for the people of Goodsoil to celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation. Fr. Doug will be away from the Parish Office in the afternoon and evening. Meadow Lake Council Knights of Columbus is sponsoring a “Keep Christ in Christmas” Coloring Contest. The contest is open to children in 3 age categories: ages 5-7, 8-10, and 11-14 with cash prizes in each category. Information sheets will be available at the back of the church for parents or grandparents after Saturday and Sunday Masses on Dec. 11, 12 and 17, 18. Entries are due on January 10th. For more information contact Chris at (306) 240-8872 or Kevin at (306) 240-6661. Pope Francis Intention for December: This month, the Pope invites us to pray for catechists, summoned to announce the Word of God: may they be witnesses, with courage and creativity and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Sunday Collection – Sunday, Dec 5th: Our Lady of Peace Parish: $1,900.00; St. Jude’s Parish: $172.30 Our Lady of Peace Parish Reverse Collection held in our parish each Advent is taking place again this year. Please bring your items to the Church when you come to mass or to the Parish Office during the week (2 – 4:30 p.m.) on or before December 19th! Thank you for all you are doing! Furnishing a Room in the Northwest Community Lodge. As a Catholic Parish, it is important that we are engaged in the life of the community. Many of our Elders (Family and Friends) are residents of The Lodge. As a parish, we will donate $12,00.00 to furnish a room at The Lodge. Our donation will provide the following: new beds with many functions to support each resident’s needs, new mattresses, bed side tables, chairs, built-in desk and closets in each suite. Each resident will have their own private washroom as well. Parishioners can donate with a cheque payable to, “Our Lady of Peace Parish” indicating it is for “Furnishing a Room at NCL”. To date, we have collected $6995.00. When we reach $12,000.00, the parish will pass this on to the Northwest Community Lodge Association. Your donation will be added to your envelope total and your envelope will be receipted as per usual. If you have any questions, please contact Fr. Doug or Pat Bencharski! THE BISHOP’S ANNUAL APPEAL: “To Serve and Give His Life”: The Diocesan Resource Center is a hidden treasure of the Diocese with items for children, youth and adults to grow and deepen faith. Money from the Bishop’s Appeal allows the Diocese to bring in new programs to support the parishes. Over the last few years, it was able to purchase DVD’s, CD’s and books available for all in the Diocese to borrow FREE OF CHARGE. Adult Faith Formation Resources for use in parishes include Symbolon, A Quick Journey through the Bible and The Chosen (recently ordered). It also supports other programs within our Diocesan Centre. The Gift Shop is unique to Prince Albert with beautiful gifts of faith to purchase. It will also “special order” bibles, medals, statues, crosses, cards for special events such as Ordination, Confirmation and First Eucharist, children’s religious books and items for Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter. All of this is possible because of your generosity in supporting the Bishop’s Annual Appeal each year. If you have already sent in your donation/pledge, thank you for your generosity. If you haven’t done so yet, the Appeal Office would like to have all pledges received on or before December 31, 2021. If you have lost or misplaced your Appeal information or didn’t receive the information, additional pledge cards are available from the Parish Office. How are we doing? The goal for Our Lady of Peace Parish is $16,417. As of November 29, 2021, we have received pledges amounting to $12,814.00. The goal for St. Jude’s Parish is $1,228.00, and we have received pledges amounting to $700.00. The Diocesan goal is $450,000, and it has received pledges in the amount of $303,153.15 with 918 donors. Scripture Insights – Third Sunday of Advent – Source Book for Sundays, Seasons and Weekdays 2022: The Almanac for Pastoral Liturgy, LTP Liturgy Training Publications Copyright 2020, 3949 South Racine Avenue, Chicago, IL 60609, pg. 20. Today’s Scriptures repeatedly echo with sounds of joy and gladness in the divine presence, in rescue and redemption accomplished. The prophet Zephaniah proclaims to Judah that despite her many infidelities, God will “renew [her] in his love” (3:17). In the responsorial psalm, Isaiah announces that Judah can live “confident and unafraid” (12:2) because God remains always in her midst. St. Paul calls the Philippian community to “Rejoice in the Lord” (4:4) because the Gospel, the Good News of salvation in Christ, continues to spread. In the Gospel, however, Luke brings a note of repentance into this symphony of joy. By the time Luke wrote his Gospel account, fifty or more years after the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, Christians no longer expected Christ’s imminent return. Hence Luke reminds his hearers that while Christ has begun God’s final rule on earth, they must live each day fully aware of this reality, looking forward to the unknown day of its completion. Thus, Luke often emphasizes the demands of daily Christian living. A few verses before today’s Gospel, Luke presents John the Baptist preaching a baptism of repentance. In the Bible, repentance means a radical conversion of one’s entire way of life. It demands turning away from sin and all that leads to it, while turning toward God in heart and action. Therefore, the Baptist calls tax collectors and soldiers to cease their common acts of dishonesty and oppression. Rejoicing in salvation that has already come in Christ is praiseworthy, Luke seems to say. But, he adds, the powerful presence of our saving God in Christ calls for response in daily life and action. Such response is true repentance, made possible because our saving God is already with us in Christ. For this we can truly rejoice!
Synod 2021 - 2023 – Please pray for the success of our Synod. The Synod Committee of Our Lady of Peace Parish is continuing to meet and develop a plan as to how the Synod will unfold in our parish. You can follow the diocesan Synod plans at https://www.padiocese.ca/synod2023 where you can view Bishop Hero's presentation about the Synod given on October 30 and the opening Mass for the diocesan synodal journey on November 8, 2020. This page will be updated as more of the diocesan plans unfold. Advent/Christmas Schedule (This schedule is subject to change depending on Covid-19 regulations.) Reconciliation: This year during the Advent Season, we will be celebrating Reconciliation in our faith communities as follows: December 12 - after the Sunday mass in Waterhen Lake December 19 - after the Sunday mass in Green Lake December 21 - from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm in Meadow Lake December 22 - from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm in Meadow Lake *Please note! If these times do not work for you, call the Parish Office to schedule an appointment with Fr. Doug! This year during the Christmas Season the Eucharist will be celebrated in our faith communities as follows: Friday, December 24 - at 5:00 pm in Waterhen Lake Friday, December 24 - at 8:00 pm in Green Lake Friday, December 24 - at 10:00 pm in Meadow Lake (Live-streamed Facebook) Saturday, December 25 - at 10:00 am in Meadow Lake (Live-streamed Facebook) During the week after Christmas Tuesday, December 28, 6:30 pm in Meadow Lake Church (Live-streamed Facebook) Wednesday, December 29, 6:30 pm in Meadow Lake Church (Live-streamed Facebook) Thursday, December 30, 6:30 pm in Meadow Lake Church (Live-streamed Facebook) Friday, December 31, 6:30 pm in Meadow Lake Church with Holy Hour (Live-streamed Facebook) Saturday, January 1, 10:00 am in Meadow Lake Church (Live-streamed Facebook) CWL NEWS: Thank you to all who have participated in our projects. Please continue your support of our “Baby Shower Project”. Donation of new baby items (blankets, baby books, clothing, quilts, etc.). Jesus said: “Whatsoever you do for the least of my brothers (and sisters), that you do unto me.” We give Jesus gifts through the young mothers, fathers and babies of Meadow Lake & area who need help (distributed by the local Kids First organization.) Deadline for donations to our Christmas 2021 Baby Shower is Dec. 15, 2021. DIOCESAN NEWS & BEYOND 5-Week Advent Virtual Bible Study continues on Wednesdays, Dec. 15 & 22 at 7:00 p.m. The bible study content will be the Advent Sunday and Christmas Eve Gospels using Lectio Divina and small group sharing. Lectio Divina (Latin for "Divine Reading") is a traditional monastic practice of scriptural reading, meditation, and prayer intended to promote communion with God and to increase the knowledge of God's word. To take part in this program from your home, please click on the following link to REGISTER. What’s your Catholic IQ? Last bulletin’s question and answer: The word Christmas comes from (a) Christ’s mass, an Old English phrase. This week’s question: Mary wrapped Jesus in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because (a) mangers were fancier in those days (b) sleeping on hay was thought to be good for a person’s health (c) there was no room in the inn (d) none of these. [Pg. 5, #2] ADULT FAITH JOURNEY: Here are some links to resources to support your Advent journey. Advent Resources for Adults: There are many options for adults who wish to enter more deeply into their Advent journey. Our challenge is making the time. Some of the suggestions on the Advent Resources for Adults page will take as little as 15 minutes a day to read and reflect upon; whereas others like the Pray More Advent Retreat will take a bit more time. Have a look at the Advent Resources for Adults page and discern which Advent resource will fit your journey this year as you grow your faith. Advent Resources for Young Adults: Though the message is the same, all the generations speak a different language and have a different way of understanding things. The resources on the Advent Resources for Young Adults page have been selected to speak to those of the millennial and Gen Z generations ... those between the ages of 19 and 39. The video at the top of our page is from Fr. Mike Schmitz. Clicking and watching this video on YouTube will lead you to many more by Fr. Mike. Other items on the page include an Advent calendar and articles drawn from Busted Halo and a retreat by Mike Patin. There are many ideas on the Advent Resources for Young Adults. Advent Resources for Families: There are so many resources available to families to support them in bringing the Advent journey to life in their home. This 8-minute presentation, Great Family Activities for Advent, from Ascension Presents offers parents the best advice. Pick one maybe two but not all. To help parents, we have gathered a few of the many resources available online on the Advent Resources for Families page. The first offering gives a link to the Adult and Young Adult pages because parents need resources for themselves, too. Then there are numerous resources for families from calendars, to videos, to activities, and Catholic traditions such as the Jesse Tree. We have also reposted last year`s weekly Advent activities done by catechists throughout our Diocese because of the many positive comments we had received. To find links to these resources and others, go to the Advent Resources for Families page. National Day of Prayer: The National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples will be celebrated this Sunday, December 12, 2021, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas. The 2021 Message for the National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples, is entitled “We are called to Healing, Forgiveness, Reconciliation.” The text will be published in the December 2021 issue of Living with Christ and will be posted on the CCCB website. The English and French versions can be found on our Diocesan website at https://www.padiocese.ca/indigenous-relations A special section has been added to the CCCB website in order to highlight the Indigenous Delegation which had planned to meet with Pope Francis from 17 to 20 of December 2021. The meeting has been postponed due to the pandemic. Included in this section are this year’s Advent video series, educational resources, and information for journalists. All of these resources, and more to come, can be accessed via the following link: https://bit.ly/healingandreconciliation In addition, on behalf of His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins, Archbishop of Toronto, there is a video featuring Bishops from across the country reading the “Apology by the Bishops of Canada to the Indigenous Peoples of this Land.” The video (bilingual) can be accessed via the following link: https://youtu.be/M6BazS2PEN0 Both video and resources are available on the CCCB website: https://www.cccb.ca/indigenous-peoples/indigenous-delegation-17-20-december-2021-vatican-city/educational-resources/ Our Lady of Peace Parish
Also Serving Our Lady of the Smile parish, Waterhen Lake and St. Jude’s Parish, Green Lake Office Hours For Parish Secretary: Monday - Friday: 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm Office Hours For Fr. Doug: Tuesday - Friday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Office Phone: 306-236-5122 Cell Phone: 306-304-7271 Parish Email: [email protected] Pastor Email: [email protected] Facebook: Catholic Church Meadow Lake Website: https://www.meadowlakecatholicchurch.com/ Address: 504-3rd Ave. East, Meadow Lake, SK S9X 1H5 “The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.” Psalm 126 Refrain December 5, 2021 - 2nd 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: Lorraine Thibeault Pastoral Council Chair: Doris Beaubien In Saskatchewan, the nurses and doctors in our hospitals and Intensive Care Units continue to serve the sick. Our case counts are going down. Let us make whatever efforts we can to keep our brothers and sisters safe. Getting vaccinated is the best thing we can do to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. Please encourage one another to get vaccinated and encourage your children to get vaccinated. Wearing masks, sanitizing, social distancing and limiting the size of gatherings also help. Let us be safe and care for one another. Please be aware that if you HAVE NOT been vaccinated and you choose to join us for liturgy, you are EXPOSING YOURSELF TO SERIOUS RISK because of the COVID-19 virus. THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH
When there is a funeral, the daily mass will be cancelled. Check Facebook for the most up-to-date information. Tuesday to Friday and Sunday the masses will be livestreamed on Facebook. Mon., Dec. 6 – No mass - Personal Intention Tues., Dec. 7 – 6:30 pm (Our Lady of Peace Church, Meadow Lake & Facebook) - +Placido & Maria Malana Sr. by Helen & Placido Malana Wed., Dec. 8 – 9:30 am (Our Lady of Peace Church, Meadow Lake & Facebook) [Please note time change!] +Ernesto & Bernardina Manding by Helen & Placido Malana Thurs., Dec. 9 – 9:30 am (Our Lady of Peace Church, Meadow Lake & Facebook) - +Souls in Purgatory by Carmelita Cameron Fri., Dec. 10 – 9:30 am (Our Lady of Peace Church, Meadow Lake & Facebook) - +Eleanor Wegwitz by Carmelita Cameron Sat., Dec. 11 – 7:00 pm (Our Lady of Peace Church, ML) - Anonymous Sun., Dec. 12 – 10 am (Our Lady of Peace Church, Meadow Lake & Facebook) - People of God Sun., Dec. 12 – 12:30 pm (St. Jude’s Church, Green Lake) - People of God Sun., Dec. 12 – 3:00 pm (Our Lady of the Smile Church, Waterhen Lake) - People of God Please remember +Josette Laliberte and her family from Green Lake. Josette has been a long-time member of the parish and assisted in the life of the parish in so many ways. Josette passed away this week, and her funeral will be celebrated on Saturday morning at the Community Hall in Green Lake. She will be remembered especially for her singing. Every Sunday, Josette chose hymns and led the singing at the masses. Thanks Josette! We will remember you every time we sing! December 8 – Feast of the Immaculate Conception – On Wednesday, December 8th, we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. This feast reminds us that Mary was conceived without the mark of Original Sin. As such Mary holds a privileged place in the Story of Salvation. The fact of Mary’s Immaculate Conception was announced to the Church in 1854 by Pope Pius IX and has become a dogma – an essential element of our faith story. The fact of Mary’s Immaculate Conception was made known to Bernadette Soubirous in 1858 at the age of 14 when she appeared to Bernadette near Lourdes, France. Mary asked that a chapel be built at the cave at Massabielle. The apparitions were approved by the Church in 1862. This feast is an important moment for the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. It is for all Oblates a holy day, a holiday, a day of celebration. After the morning mass, those who come are invited to enjoy a cup of tea and a donut if you so choose! Year of St. Joseph – On December 8th, the Year of St. Joseph officially comes to an end. At that time, we will remove the statue of St. Joseph from its present place in the sanctuary and return it to its usual place in the Church. As the year concludes we give thanks for the opportunities we have had to deepen our appreciation of Joseph and his influence on our Christian Journey. YEAR OF ST. JOSEPH – CONCLUDING MASS: Please join Bishop Stephen Hero on Wed., Dec. 8, 2021 at St. Joseph Parish in Prince Albert (260 – 25th St. E) at 7 p.m. For those not able to attend this celebration in person, the celebration can be found live on the Diocesan Facebook page. Pope Francis Intention for December: This month, the Pope invites us to pray for catechists, summoned to announce the Word of God: may they be witnesses, with courage and creativity and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Sunday Collection – Sunday Nov. 28th: Our Lady of Peace Parish: $520.00; St. Jude’s Parish: $125.05 Our Lady of Peace Parish Reverse Collection held in our parish each Advent is taking place again this year. For those who gather physically, the basket containing slips of paper with needed items will be available as you enter the church, and you will be given as many slips of paper as you would like. If you are not attending mass in-person, you can phone the parish office, and the secretary will draw the slips with the name of the items and let you know what you can purchase, or you can just purchase whatever you think is helpful (non-perishable.) In either case, please bring your items to the Church when you come to mass or to the Parish Office during the week (2 – 4:30 p.m.). Please bring items on or before December 19th! Thank you! Furnishing a Room in the Northwest Community Lodge. As a Catholic Parish, it is important that we are engaged in the life of the community. Many of our Elders (Family and Friends) are residents of The Lodge. As a parish, we will donate $12,00.00 to furnish a room at The Lodge. Our donation will provide the following: new beds with many functions to support each resident’s needs, new mattresses, bed side tables, chairs, built-in desk and closets in each suite. Each resident will have their own private washroom as well. Parishioners can donate with a cheque payable to, “Our Lady of Peace Parish” indicating it is for “Furnishing a Room at NCL”. To date, we have collected $5,245.00. When we reach $12,000.00, the parish will pass this on to the Northwest Community Lodge Association. Your donation will be added to your envelope total and your envelope will be receipted as per usual. If you have any questions, please contact Fr. Doug or Pat Bencharski! THE BISHOP’S ANNUAL APPEAL: “To Serve and Give His Life”: Offering a safe environment for our children and vulnerable adults is the right thing to do. Thanks to your contributions to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal, the Office of Responsible Ministry supports parishes with screening of Ministry Personnel, making and distributing of training videos, and training sessions for Parish Responsible Ministry Committees (PRMC’s). Your donation helps to make a difference in the lives of many people across our Diocese. Consider giving to this year’s campaign. If you have already sent in your donation/pledge, thank you for your generosity. If you haven’t done so yet and are planning to do so, the Appeal Office would like to have all pledges received on or before December 31, 2021. If you have lost or misplaced your Appeal information or didn’t receive the information, additional pledge cards are available from the Parish Office. How are we doing? The goal for Our Lady of Peace Parish is $16,417. As of November 29, 2021, we have received pledges amounting to $12,814.00. The goal for St. Jude’s Parish is $1,228.00, and we have received pledges amounting to $700.00. The Diocesan goal is $450,000 and it has received pledges in the amount of $257,242.15 with 806 donors. OUR LITURGY – You will notice that our Covid-19 numbers are continuing to decline. At our parishes in the Meadow Lake Cluster, we will once again sing at the mass. Because people are moving at Communion time at Our Lady of Peace, it is hard to maintain appropriate distance. Therefore, we will not be singing during the Communion procession, but we will have instrumental music. We will continue to exercise caution in our gatherings so that our parish members remain safe. Thank you for your concern for your brothers and sisters. Scripture Insights – Second Sunday of Advent – Source Book for Sundays, Seasons and Weekdays 2022: The Almanac for Pastoral Liturgy, LTP Liturgy Training Publications Copyright 2020, 3949 South Racine Avenue, Chicago, IL 60609, pg. 12. Last Sunday’s Old Testament reading called for hope in God in the face of the looming destruction and exile of Judah (the southern Kingdom of Israel). Today we hear the joyful message of Baruch, proclaiming that divine rescue and restoration will soon be accomplished. Though Jeremiah names Baruch as the prophet’s secretary, the Book of Baruch collects several different writings, most likely composed after Judah’s exile. While Baruch anticipates the end of captivity, Psalm 126 looks back on God’s deliverance as an accomplished fact: “When the Lord brought back the captives of Zion…. our mouth was filled with laughter.” The book of Baruch as a whole is instructive. Its unknown editor gathered various compositions reflecting the experience of captivity itself, the people’s liberation, and reasons leading to Judah’s downfall. Principal among such reasons were repeated lapses into idolatry. When God seemed unresponsive to the people’s wishes or demands, they looked elsewhere for meaning and liberation from life’s difficulties. Baruch reminds those already rescued from exile that they must not return to their former ways of unfaithfulness. Similarly, St. Paul speaks to Christians who know that God has already brought final salvation in Christ. He reminds them that in their day-to-day lives they must grow in the “good work” Christ has begun in them. As they remember Christ’s coming in history, their love “must increase ever more and more” in the present, so that they may rejoice in the final completion of God’s work of salvation on the future “day of Christ” (1;9, 10). We too know that Christ has already come, bringing God’s presence and power into our world. We too must live today in that divine presence, looking forward to its fullness.
Advent/Christmas Schedule (This schedule is subject to change depending on Covid-19 regulations.) Reconciliation: This year during the Advent Season, we will be celebrating Reconciliation in our faith communities as follows: December 12 - after the Sunday mass in Waterhen Lake December 19 - after the Sunday mass in Green Lake December 21 - from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm in Meadow Lake December 22 - from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm in Meadow Lake *Please note! If these times do not work for you, call the Parish Office to schedule an appointment with Fr. Doug! This year during the Christmas Season the Eucharist will be celebrated in our faith communities as follows: Friday, December 24 - at 5:00 pm in Waterhen Lake Friday, December 24 - at 8:00 pm in Green Lake Friday, December 24 - at 10:00 pm in Meadow Lake (Live-streamed Facebook) Saturday, December 25 - at 10:00 am in Meadow Lake (Live-streamed Facebook) CWL NEWS: Thank you to all who have participated in our projects. Please continue your support.
DIOCESAN NEWS & BEYOND 5-Week Advent Virtual Bible Study has started –Thursday, Dec. 9 and Wednesdays, Dec. 15 & 22 at 7:00 p.m. The bible study content will be the Advent Sunday and Christmas Eve Gospels and our method will be Lectio Divina and small group sharing. Lectio Divina (Latin for "Divine Reading") is a traditional monastic practice of scriptural reading, meditation, and prayer intended to promote communion with God and to increase the knowledge of God's word. To take part in this program from the comfort of your home, please click on the following link to REGISTER. What’s your Catholic IQ? Last bulletin’s question and answer: When the angel came to tell Mary that she would bear a son named Jesus, Mary was engaged to a man named (b) Joseph. He was a carpenter. This week’s question: The word Christmas comes from (a) Christ’s mass (b) Emmanuel (c) Yule (d) Hosanna. [Pg. 5; #1] ADULT FAITH JOURNEY: Here are some links to resources to support your Advent journey. Advent Resources for Adults: There are many options for adults who wish to enter more deeply into their Advent journey. Our challenge is making the time. Some of the suggestions on the Advent Resources for Adults page will take as little as 15 minutes a day to read and reflect upon; whereas others like the Pray More Advent Retreat will take a bit more time. Have a look at the Advent Resources for Adults page and discern which Advent resource will fit your journey this year as you grow your faith. Advent Resources for Young Adults: Though the message is the same, all the generations speak a different language and have a different way of understanding things. The resources on the Advent Resources for Young Adults page have been selected to speak to those of the millennial and Gen Z generations ... those between the ages of 19 and 39. The video at the top of our page is from Fr. Mike Schmitz. Clicking and watching this video on YouTube will lead you to many more by Fr. Mike. Other items on the page include an Advent calendar and articles drawn from Busted Halo and a retreat by Mike Patin. There are many ideas on the Advent Resources for Young Adults. Advent Resources for Families: There are so many resources available to families to support them in bringing the Advent journey to life in their home. This 8-minute presentation, Great Family Activities for Advent, from Ascension Presents offers parents the best advice. Pick one maybe two but not all. To help parents, we have gathered a few of the many resources available online on the Advent Resources for Families page. The first offering gives a link to the Adult and Young Adult pages because parents need resources for themselves, too. Then there are numerous resources for families from calendars, to videos, to activities, and Catholic traditions such as the Jesse Tree. We have also reposted last year`s weekly Advent activities done by catechists throughout our Diocese because of the many positive comments we had received. To find links to these resources and others, go to the Advent Resources for Families page. |
Parish BulletinThis bulletin is prepared by the Parish Secretary and the Pastor Archives
September 2024
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