Second Sunday of Advent - December 5, 2021

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

1. UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, MASKS ARE REQUIRED WHEN YOU ENTER THE CHURCH & the PARISH OFFICE!
2. The next Songs at Seven will take place on December 9 at 7:00 pm.
3. Catholic TRC Healing Response Appeal in English and French  https://www.padiocese.ca/news-articles
4. Have you made your contribution to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal? See information below.
5. 2021 - 2022 Sunday Missals are available on the table at the back of the church for $5.00 each.  A box is available at the back of the church for recycling of the old missals.  Thanks for being conscious of our environmental stewardship responsibilities.
6. Blessing of Crib and Lights: On Saturday, November 27th, after the 7:00 pm mass, we blessed the Crib and the Lights that Rhys & Pat Beaulieu so generously installed for our Advent/Christmas season, and we enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate and some camaraderie. Thank you, Rhys & Pat, for your great work for the parish! 
7. 2022 Donation Envelopes: The primary source of funding for our parish and our parish activities is the monies given at our Sunday Liturgies. Have you been helping our parish during the pandemic? The 2022 Donation Envelopes will be available at the end of December. Be sure to pick up yours! If you do not have an envelope you can contact the Parish Office to register and receive a set! Thanks for your help! It is needed and appreciated!

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. 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.

• The people of Jerusalem lived under foreign rule for centuries.  The future seemed dark and hopeless.  But the scribe Baruch summoned the people to put on their mitres, a symbol of their shared priesthood.  Preach the new life to come from the mountaintop for all to hear.  What is the call of our common priesthood today, a priesthood rooted in baptism?
• Some biblical scholars suggest a comma is missing from modern translations of the words of Isaiah, arguing the famed passage should read:  “A voice of one crying out, ‘In the desert prepare the way of the Lord’” (40;3).  Might we all be called to join John in the desert?  What is the value of a place of silence and solitude?
• For what and for whom does our love “increase ever more and more” (Phil 1;9)?  We may expect the love shared between partners or the love of a favourite activity like writing or cycling to grow as the years go on.  But what about the people or needs we find hard to love?

Synod 2021 - 2023 – 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)
 
CWL NEWS:  Thank you to all who have participated in our projects.  Please continue your support.

1. “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.) 
2. Christmas Card Project – Donations of Christmas cards and the submission of the names of people who are shut in within the community who would appreciate a Christmas card? We are grateful for your help!  Deadline for card donations and submission of names is December 8.
3. 2022 Catholic Women’s League Membership Fees of $30 are now due.  Contact Lorraine at the Parish Office Monday to Friday, 2:00 – 4:30 p.m.

 
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.