Bulletin January 3, 2010

              Epiphany of the Lord

 “We have come from the East to pay homage to the king.”

       Readings for the solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord  ~ Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010

            Isaiah 42.1 – 4, 6 – 7;  Acts 10.34 – 38;   Matthew 3.15 – 16, 21 – 22   

A Note of Thanks  Dear brethren in Christ:  It is with heartfelt loving feelings that I share these few words with you.  I hope that they will find you well and bring you the peace and the Divine Blessing. The celebration of Christmas, the feast of the Incarnation of the Son of God, has filled our hearts with great joy and renewed our faith and hope in God who brought us together through faith and love. “How very good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters live in unity, faith and love”. May the spirit of unity and faith and love for God and for one

another lead us in the New Year and help us to run its course without fear. I pray and wish that the Year 2010 be a year filled with abundant grace for all of you.  “There is a time to come and a time to go’’ but the community of Christ’s faithful stands and grows, and God in his infinite love will care and continue watching over you. As He never abandons his flock, He would not abandon you. Hold on to Him at all times. I am sure God will continue showing you His loving presence and care through the Holy Eucharist by which we enjoy the perpetual presence of Jesus among us. You just need to rely on Him and be faithful and thankful to Him at all times.  I would sincerely like to thank Bishop Jean-Louis Plouffe who sent me to you, and Fr. Jim Hutton who welcomed and wisely prepared the groundwork to make my stay a happy one. I wish him God’s blessings and a happy return among you.  It was so wonderful having shared with you faith and love in Christ and Mary as we did throughout my loving stay among you. Thank so much for your helpful cooperation and patience at daily and weekly Eucharistic celebrations into which we met and discovered more and more the loving presence of Jesus among us. My stay among you was really enriching in many ways for which I am grateful to God. I hope and pray that God grants me the favor to always meet people like you on my missionary journey in the service of the Church in this beautiful part of the world. Whatever may be, you will always be in my heart and prayers.  If you forget me you have lost nothing, but if you forget to praise and adore and worship Jesus that we met in the Eucharist we celebrated together, you lose everything. God loves you and so do I. Remember me in your prayers as I will do for you. Thank you and may God bless you all.    Fr. François GNONHOSSOU, sma

Attention of Parents of Children in Grade 3  Registrations for 1^st Reconciliation (to be celebrated in the Lenten Season 2010) and 1^st Communion (to be celebrated in the Easter Season of 2010) will take place at our Parent Faith Enrichment Evenings. Mark your calendars now to attend either January 20^th or 21^st from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.  Choose one date to attend. If you child was NOT baptized at St. Patrick’s you need to bring a photocopy (no originals) of your child’s Baptismal Certificate.

Parish Pastoral Advisory Council is a group of parishioners who oversee matters of pastoral concern and provide lay leadership in matters that concern the parish.  They also promote parish involvement

with other charitable organizations throughout our community.  They will be meeting for the first time of the new year Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.  These meetings are open to anyone who may wish to attend.

Mark Your Calendars:  The next Christian Unity Supper will be held in our parish hall on Sunday, January 24^th.  This yearly event is organized by representative from St. James Anglican, St. Mark’s United, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox and St. Patrick’s Catholic Churches.  It will be a pot luck supper and parishioners of St. Patrick’s are responsible for the main dishes.  Cost for tickets is $2 and only 80 will be sold to parishioners of St. Patrick’s.  They will be available after Masses in January as long as they last.  So get in there quickly to assure a spot. 

Heavenly Ham Supper  St. James Church will be holding their “Heavenly Ham Supper” on Sat., Jan. 23^rd 2010 at 6:15 p.m.  Tickets are $15, children under 10 $7.50.  Please call 524-1175 for information or for tickets.  Tickets are also available in the parish office.

Infant Baptism  The next Baptism Preparation Session will be held on Wed. January 6^th at 7:00 p.m.  This is mandatory for all couples who have a child to be baptized here at St. Patrick’s.  Baptisms will be held at the 9:30 a.m. Mass and at 2:00 p.m. January 10^th.

Quip for the week: Smith climbs to the top of Mt. Sinai to get close enough to talk to God.  Looking up, he asks the Lord….” God, what does a million years mean to you?”  The Lord replies, “A minute.”  Smith asks, “And what does a million dollars mean to you?”  The Lord replies, “A penny.”  Smith asks, “Can I have a penny?”  The Lord replies, “In a minute.”

Christmas Concert/Sing Along/Fundraiser Friday January 8^th @ 7:30pm:    Our 3 parish choirs and solo performances by parishioners who have given so much of their time to serving our community through music ministry will be showcased.  Sing along seasonal songs to end the Christmas season will be lead by Daniel Currie and friends.  Tickets are $5.00 and children 10 and under are free. Funds raised will continue to help support parish youth ministry efforts like World Youth Days 2011and the 3 young

parishioners who have officially registered with Free the Children to head off to Africa July 3^rd 2010 to help build a school and a well in Kenya.  They are Alex Catalano, Arthur Cavallin and Alina Tassone.  Thank you for continuing to support their Pennies From Heaven campaign and remind you that we are now accepting Canadian Tire money as well. 

Church P.A. System Improved  A new ‘sound mixer’ was recently purchased to replace the old and slowly deteriorating one that has been causing many problems over the years.  Thanks to Mike Madigan for arranging this purchase and to Ken Burns and Brenda Cavallin who installed it.  The cost of the board was $874.  One parishioner donated $200 to defray this expense.  Is there anyone else who might be willing to help out?  This item was not in our 2009 budget but became a necessity.

Parish Health Council News:  Our parish nurse, Zenaida Odense will be holding a blood pressure clinic in her office in the lower hall before and after all Masses of Jan. 9 & 10.  The next meeting of the Parish Health Council will be held on Thurs., Jan. 7^th at 7:00 p.m.

The Week Ahead:

Tuesday, January 5^th  ~  Parish Pastoral Advisory Council meets at 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, January 6^th  ~ Baptism Preparation Session at 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, January 7^th  ~  Choir practices:  Children 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. / Adults 5:15 – 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, January 7^th  ~  Parish Health Council meeting at 7:00 p.m.

Friday, January 8^th  ~  Bridge at 1:00 p.m.

Friday, January 8^th  ~  Christmas Concert / Sing Along Fundraising Event ~ 7:30 p.m.

Blank Pink CWL Annual Membership Envelopes for members who have opted to make their donations through the Pre-Authorized Donation Program or who don’t use regular donation envelopes, are available at the entrances to the church.  Please ensure to put your name, address and phone number on the front of one of those envelopes, or put the same information on a blank one specifying its purpose.  The cost for membership is $15.00.

A Beautiful Christmas in Song!!  The Season of Christmas began with the Christmas Eve liturgies.  A special word of commendation goes to all of our music personnel – choirs, musicians, cantors and especially to Brenda Cavallin (Parish Music Co-ordinator).  Well done everyone!!

Responsibility:  During the month of January, our Catholic Schools are celebrating the value of responsibility.  Work will be done with the students to develop models that enable them to make good and conscientious decisions based on scriptural values.  Emphasis will be on the importance of making decisions

that do not harm themselves, others or the environment.  Students will be reminded of the importance of being able to say ‘sorry’ when they make mistakes and to make good choices, as Jesus would have, in these situations.  Please pray for the staff and students as they explore this important value.

Community Events  ► Niagara Falls Getaway ~ 4 days and 3 nights from Sept. 20^th to 23^rd  ~  $590 per couple ~ Sponsored by Knights of Columbus Council 1387 ~ Call 983-4347 by March 31^st to reserve your spot  . 

Mass Intention Schedule Jan. 4 to Jan 10  Tues. 10 a.m. [┼ Agnese Alegi];  Wed. 10 a.m.  [┼ Pasquale  Padovan ];  Thurs., 10 a.m.  [ ┼ Getulio Filippini];  Fri. 10 a.m.   [┼ Erminio Cozzarini];  Sat. 5:15 p.m. [ ┼ Antonio Mazzuchin  / ┼ Maria Nosich / ┼ Marilyn Markle ];  Sun. 9:30 a.m. [for the parishioners of St. Patrick’s];  Sun. 11:30 a.m. . [┼ Hélène Laliberté  / to find an alternative to abortions].

Offering Envelopes for 2010 Please pick up your 2010 offering envelope box located at the back of the church.  The ones issued are for those who have been using them in 2009.  Please carefully look for a box with your name on it.  Using these envelopes enables to issue you a receipt at year end which may be used for income tax purposes.  Blank sets

are also available for those who wish to start using them in 2010.  Please print your name and address on the first few OR join the growing number of parishioners using the convenient Pre-Authorized Donation Program which enables your donations to be directly withdrawn from your bank account whether you are there or not.  Forms are also available.  We thank all of you for your continued support.

Food for thought:  Without GOD our week would be: Sinday, Mournday, Tearsday, Wasteday, Thirstday, Fightday and Shatterday. Remember seven days WITHOUT GOD makes one WEAK.