Second Sunday of Advent, December 5, 2021
COVID-19 Update
Masks & Capacity changes
On Wednesday, December 1st 2021 BC’s Provincial and Regional COVID-19 restrictions made the following amendments in regards to Worship Services.
- If all participants are vaccinated as determined by the worship service leader, there are no capacity restrictions on worship services and choirs.
- If participants are not all vaccinated, worship services and choirs are limited to 50% seated capacity.
- Masks are required but can be temporarily removed for ceremonial eating and drinking, and by officiants, readers or for singing a solo where physical distancing is observed.
The Archbishop, along with Father Matthew and Parish Staff do not want to create division and as such will move forward at this time with 50% seated capacity. For us this is 200 people seated in the Church.
Our 9 am and 11:15 am Masses tend to be just a few people over 200 at the moment, while the 5:30 pm on Saturday and 4:30 pm on Sunday are less populated. If you are a single or couple that normally attends 9 am or 11:15 am Mass, but has a flexible schedule, we ask you to please consider attending one of the evening services at this time to help all to be able to have the chance to attend Mass.
**Details regarding how this affects Christmas Masses will be coming with the Schedule of Masses in Next week’s bulletin.**
Archbishop’s Statement on the changes
News from St. Pat’s Ministry Updates & Upcoming Events Youth Advent/Christmas Gathering Saturday, December 4th @ 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Join us in the School Gym! Games. Talk & Reflection. Prayer. and a Gingerbread House decorating competition! Christmas sweaters are encouraged. Confession Times Additional Confession times have been made available to you for December 1 – 24th, 2021. Please see the amended schedule below. ALL Tuesdays // 5 PM – 6:30 PM ALL Thursdays // 5 PM – 6:15 PM Fridays, December 3, 10 & 17 // 8:15 – 9:15 AM Friday, December 24th // 9:15 – 10:15 AM ALL Saturdays // 4 – 5 PM Penitential Service Multiple priests will be here to hear your confessions at this service. Friday, December 17th 7 – 9 PM Rorate Mass Join us for candelit Mass on Monday at 7 AM A peaceful way to prepare your heart for Christmas COVID friendly breakfast is served in Holy Grounds following each Mass! | ||
Healing Mass Celebration of the Sacrament of the Infirm. These celebrations will take place on Tuesday, December 7 at 6:30 pm and Friday, December 10 at 9:15 am. Confession is available before these Masses. All are invited to receive the healing touch of Jesus. For those who are weakened by age and different ailments, the Lord wants to ensure you are not suffering alone. He wants to use this Sacrament to support you in this time of difficulty. Anyone who is going through life-threatening surgeries should receive this sacrament. With Jesus on our side, it is consoling to know that we can fight a good fight. Coffee will be served in Holy Grounds following these Masses. “The special grace of the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick has as its effects: the uniting of the sick person to the passion of Christ, for his own good and that of the whole Church; the strengthening, peace, and courage to endure in a Christian manner the sufferings of illness or old age; the forgiveness of sins, if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the sacrament of penance; the restoration of health, if it is conducive to the salvation of his soul; the preparation for passing over to eternal life” (CCC 1532). St. Pat’s Giving Tree Initiative If you would like to donate to the Giving Tree and help support a family in need, you can drop off your gifts cards by placing them on the tree, anytime during Advent when the parish office is open! We are asking on behalf of the families this year for gift cards from grocery stores, gift stores and pharmacies. That way they can shop for their needs! If you need a little bit or a lot of help this year, do not hesitate to ask. We are a family, and we want to support you. Click the button below to fill out a request form. All information will be kept confidential. I need support this Christmas The Giving Tree Initiative will run until December 10th. Please have all gift cards turned in by then! If you are able to donate/purchase coats and boots for families in need, please email [email protected] Prayer Partners needed for Sacramental Families We would like to invite you to take part in a parish-wide branch of St Patrick’s Prayer Ministry- Prayer Sponsorship for Sacramental Preparation – for our students and their families who will be receiving their Sacraments (First Reconciliation, First Communion or Confirmation) this year. Please take a moment to read the following letter. Prayer Partners – parishioners.pdf |
Bookstore Updates Weekly Feature & New Stock New Fresh Roasted Coffee New coffee is in, and our prices have changed! kDirectly Sourced from Lorena & Rolyen Garcias farm in Matagalpa, Nicaragua Medium Roast $15! Comes in whole bean, but if you need it ground we can grind it for you 🙂 | ||