Saturday December 6th - 5:00 pm...Special Intention Mary Rousseau
Sunday December 7th - 11:00 a.m...For all our parishioners
Sunday December 7th - 5:00 p.m...Deceased members of the Shortt and
Coyle family
Monday December 8th - 9:30 am...Late Catherine Jackman
Tuesday December 9th - 9:30 am...Late Marie Kennedy
Wednesday December 10th - 9:30am...Special Intention for Robert Griffin.
Thursday December 11th - 9:30 am...Late Jim Wilcott
Friday December 12h - 9:30 am...* McCarthy and Scanlon family
Saturday December 13th - 5:00 pm...Late George Boljkovac
WHAT IS AN ADVENT WREATH?
An Advent wreath is a longstanding Catholic radition, originally adopted in the Middle Ages as part of spiritual preparation for Christmas. An Advent wreath is typically made of evergreen branches which signify continuous life and holds four candles. - three purple and one pink - each representing one of the four Sundays of Advent. The wreath and candles are full of symbolism tied to the Christmas season. The circle of the wreath,
which has no beginning or end, symbolizes the eternity of God, the immortality of the soul, and the everlasting life we find in Christ. The wreath as a whole is meant to remind us of both the immortality of our souls and God’s promise of everlasting life to us through Christ. The second candle, which we light this weekend, represents peace and preparation, reflecting Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem and the peace that
Christ’s birth brings.
IN SYMPATHY:
Sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Joan Wiseman who died this week. Let us remember her at prayer.
CHRISTMAS FLOWERS:
If you wish to donate for Christmas Flowers for the altar in memory of a loved one, please put donation in an envelope with your name on it and also the name of your loved ones and drop it in the Sunday Collection or at the Parish Office.
HOLY FATHERS INTENTIONS FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER:
For Christians in areas of conflict - let us pray that Christians living in areas of war or conflict, especially in the Middle East, might be seeds of peace, reconciliation and hope.
SSVP POOR BOX COLLECTION:
At last weekend’s masses at the Cathedral, a total of $666.00 was collected. Many thanks and appreciation once again for your generosity.
CWL ADVENT RETREAT:
The CWL will be holding an Advent Retreat on Saturday, December 6th from 10:00 a.m to noon in the lower level of the Cathedral.
MASS OF IMMACULATE CONCEPTION:
There will be a Mass on Monday, December 8th at 7:00 pm at the Cathedral to give due honour to one of our namesakes of our Cathedral. Morning Mass at 9:30 am will go ahead as usual.
BAPTISM PREPARATION:
The next baptism preparation session will be held Tuesday , December 9th at 6:30 pm at the
Cathedral. Please contact the parish office at 709-634-5161 to register. This is for parents and God-parents.
DECORATING THE CATHEDRAL:
We will be decorating the Cathedral on Thursday, December 11th after the morning Mass. We ask the men and women of the parish to help out by giving a few hours of their time. Many hands make light work. Come along and join us.
ADVENT RECONCILIATION SERVICE:
In addition to the regular confession times at the Cathedral on Saturday from 1 to 2 pm, there will be an Advent Reconciliation Service at the Cathedral on Wednesday, December 17th at 7 p.m. We encourage everyone to come and celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to Christmas.
BLUE CHRISTMAS:
The Cathedral is hosting our annual inter-parish (All Hallows/Cathedral/St. Brendan’s) Blue Christmas celebration on Wednesday, December 10th at 7 p.m.
“DECEMBER 12TH:
The Feast of Our Lad of Guadalupe is the National Day for Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples”. As Catholics, we continue to reflect on the life and legacy of Pope Francis, remembering his call to be “pilgrims of hope” in this year of Jubilee. It has been a time for reconciliation, pilgrimage and “coming home”. For Christians , it his “Reconciliation” is the accomplishment of Jesus Christ, whose death and resurrection reconciles humanity to God. Responding to the Lord’s call to be reconciled to one another in love, Catholic Canadians have set on a journey towards reconciliation with First Nations, Metis and Inuit Peoples, one born out of a painful and difficult history. That history included the Indian residential schools, administered by Catholic and Christian churches alike. Accounts of prejudice, discrimination and abuse came out of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which concluded ten years ago. For many people impacted by this history, healing may well require generations to realize. We have started this journey in several ways, including the Pope’s apology and penitential pilgrimage to Canada in 2022, and a financial commitment of 30 million that promotes healing, cultural and language revitalization, and other Indigenous-led projects. These efforts complement work happening at diocesan and parish levels, as well. Bur much remains to be done, and there might be setbacks and disappointment as we continue the journey together with the First Peoples of this land. As Catholics, we need to share Pope Francis’ vision of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people walking together in prayerful and respectful ways towards a stronger, shared future.
As pilgrims-and communities - of hope, each of us has an important role to play in Reconciliation. This is both a Church endeavour and a personal one. We need to learn about our shared history, define lessons learned and take steps to promote equity, opportunity and fairness, regardless of one’s background. St Peter, in his first letter, reminds us that, as Christians, we are called upon to give the reason for our hope. Our commitment to Reconciliation - backed by action - is what will build and sustain both real hope and good will among all peoples on Turtle Island.
“Today we pray with our ancestors who brought us where we are today. They took care of our lives and embraced Christian faith in our camps and communities. We pray that our families will continue to be strong in their faith and that the elders and the young will work closely together to create a better future.”
|Questions for Reflection and Discussion:
1. What does Reconciliation mean to you - and what are your hopes for it?
- What do you know about Reconciliation - and what will it look like when we have
achieved it?
2. What challenges might we face in pursuing Reconciliation?
- What have you learned through the Church, media or other sources about current issues facing Indigenous communities?
- What issues does the Church face in coming to terms with Reconciliation?
3. What gives you reason for hope in Reconciliation?
- What does “hope” mean to you? How do you nurture it within yourself and your parish?
4. What can we bring as Catholics to a renewed relationship with Indigenous peoples?
- What can we do within each of our parishes to support Reconciliation?
- What can we do collectively as Canadian/ Catholics to come to a renewed
relationship with Indigenous people?
FAMILY AND LIFE MINISTRY GATHERING:
You and your family are invited to come downstairs December 14th after the 11:00 am Mass to meet other families, build community, and connect with fellow parishioners! A small snack with coffee and tea will be provided. This will be an ongoing monthly event, taking place on the second Sunday of each month. We look forward to seeing you.
MASS OF THANKSGIVING:
Will be Monday, December 15th at 11:00 am at Maria Regina Parish in Port au Port East for the life of Sister Regina Quigley. Following the Mass there will be a reception at THE GALE, the former Presentation Convent next to the Church.
SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL:
Christmas Hampers will be delivered on Saturday, December 20th between 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Hamper recipients from the North Shore can pick up their hampers on Saturday, December 20th from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at All Hallows Parish Church basement.
DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST, PILGRIMS OF HOPE:
You are cordially invited to celebrate the conclusion of the 2025 Year of Jubilee - to praise God for all the blessings received, on Sunday, December 28th at 11:00 a.m, the Feast of the Holy Family, in the Cathedral of the Most Holy Redeemer and Immaculate Conception. We look forward to welcoming you as brothers and sisters in Christ, pilgrims of hope, as we continue to journey together as members of God’s Holy Family. A reception will be held after the Mass for all those in attendance. The Closing Mass will be live-streamed for those who are unable to attend in person.
WEEKLY EX POSITION AND ADORATION:
Held after morning Mass on Wednesdays and also on Friday at 7:00 pm.
ADULT CONFIRMATION:
if there are any adults wishing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation or any other acraments, please contact the parish office. We hope to offer a course in the new year for interested individuals.
ADVENT ENVELOPES CAN BE FOUND ON THE TABLES AT THE ENTRANCES OF THE CATHEDRAL.
