15th December 2013
A few thoughts from the Pastor:
As we prepare for the Christmas season as Christ comes to us and our homes,
we wait and listen.
The prophetic voice of John the Baptist that heralded Christ’s coming
resounds in our hearts so that we are willing to open ourselves to the
transformation in Christ’s divine presence.
The Pope’s exhortation in His encyclical “joy of the gospel” speaks with the
same power as the voice of John the Baptist. Living our faith by listening to
the direction by which Pope Francis points us will bring the transormation of
true repentence for each and all of us sinners.
Parish Programme – Sacrament of Confirmation
For Public, Private (grade 8) or High School Students
Classes start on January 16 to April 24, 2014
in our Parish Centre from 7-9pm
Please pick up a registration form at the church office.
If you have any questions, please call 905-793-8030 ext. 4
Givers of Care
If you know someone in our community who is ill, lonely or unable
to get out of the house and would benefit from a friendly visit,
please have them or a family member call the church office. A
caregiver will be happy to try to meet their needs. We bring
Communion to the home, the hospital and the nursing home.
FUNDSCRIP
Many thanks to all of you who helped support the youth group by buying
gift cards through us.
Monday, December 16, 2013
Ferial
7:00p.m.
Intentions:
Joe Cardoso
Santina Diana
Caterina & Eugenio Moscon
Rosaria & Nicola Bava
Anthony Camaya & Jaypar
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Ferial
9:00a.m.
Intention:
Archbishop Anthony Meaghar
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Ferial
9:00a.m.
Intention:
Caterina & Eugenio Moscon
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Ferial
9:00a.m.
Intention:
Anna Malke
Friday, December 20, 2013
Ferial
Intention:
9:00a.m.
Caterina & Eugenio Moscon
Saturday, December 21, 2013
St. Peter Canisius
9:00a.m.
Intention:
Aurelio & Estrella Andrade
Wishing you all a Blessed and very Merry Christmas
UNPACKING THE CREED…
“HE WILL COME AGAIN IN GLORY TO JUDGE THE LIVING AND THE DEAD
AND HIS KINGDOM WILL HAVE NO END.”
Throughout the Old Testament up to the time of Jesus there was an ongoing
discussion on what happens to us after we die. In many parts of the Jewish
Scriptures there is considerable ambivalence about the afterlife, probably best
expressed by Wisdom 3.3 “The souls of the virtuous are in the hands of God, no
torment shall touch them.” It does not tell us too much about the state of affairs.
By the time of Jesus it had reached the stage where the Pharisees and
Sadducees both disagreed strongly on the issue of the Resurrection from the
dead. In Matthew 25 Jesus, in one of his so called eschatological discourses,
clarified the discussion which is affirmed by the creedal statement.
The basic Christian belief is that (1) Death is not the end but a transition (2) We
are free and responsible creatures who must make our way in life and choose
between good and evil (3) Christ, who walked among us, was God, and will
come again to judge the living and the dead (4) Our hope is that the promises
made us by Christ about the afterlife will be fulfilled. (5) We are called to take an
active part by acts of sacrifice and suffering in love for the sake of building the
world/kingdom God has in mind.
Pray for the sick….
Darcie Camilleri
Georgeann Thompson
Samantha Hearn
Stefan Kotnjek
Rodrigo Ticar
Rheta Jobes
Sue Armstrong
Anita Aquilina
Mary Hamilton
baby Danyal Juman
Gregory Moore
Beltram Pereira
Manuelpillai Stanislaus Lumbertus Gomes
Theresamma Stanislaus
baby Katrina
Krisan Refugee Camp Mission a Success!
Despite suffering from sunstroke, losing my passport, cell phone and money and
having run-ins with a couple of snakes, I have safely returned home. The mission
trip to the Krisan Refugee Camp was a complete success. We accomplished
everything that we had set out to do and more.
During our “clinic day”, we were blessed to have 3 doctors and 2 nurses. We
worked from early morning until early evening. The number of patients who were
able to receive medical care that day was incredible. We had brought with us
various antibiotics, vitamins, asthma medications, pain relievers and many more
medicines thanks to donations by the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Women’s
League and parishioners. We handed out layettes to mothers with babies or
expectant moms along with hygienic products and vitamins to everyone.
One little girl that really touched me when I heard her story was only 7 years old.
She was hit by a car when she was only 5 years old and suffered frontal lobe
damage to her head. The doctor who examined her recommended that she be
scheduled for an MRI. Of course, the mother had no way of paying for this
expensive test. I am pleased to say that thanks to the money donated by St.
Anthony parishioners, I was able to give the doctor the money for the MRI as well
as their transportation money. Words cannot describe the joy and deep
appreciation of this mother. For the first time in two years, she was given “hope”
that her daughter might recover from this tragic accident because of proper
medical care.
We had a “Play Day” with the school children which included balloons, games
and songs. They were each given a pencil case filled with both school and
hygienic supplies. The laughter and screams of joy filled the air. Balloons were
flying everywhere with the children quickly running after them. Each classroom
stood up in unison and said: “Welcome”, it’s so nice to see you” in their little
accents and then sang little English songs for us. For many of these children they
have only known life in the camp, yet they seemed like children
everywhere…happy, playing and laughing.
On Tuesday, when we found out that the little wooden church was in need of
cleaning and some roof repairs, we asked the Catholic refugees to go clean and
repair their little church because a priest was coming the next morning to celebrate
Mass. The next morning when Fr. Emmanuel arrived to celebrate Mass, the
church was all decorated and completely filled with parishioners. There had not
been a Catholic Mass in the camp for 2 years. What joy! The parishioners were
so thrilled with their church. A few men set the beat of song on their drums and
choir members led us in worship. Everyone came wearing their finest clothes.
One of my favourite parts was the dancing that is done during collection.
Everyone gets up and dances to the front of the church to place whatever money
they can afford into a basket. This process takes a fairly long time, but what a
celebration! After the final blessing, I handed out the rosaries and scapulars that
I’d brought. What a spirit filled celebration! I encouraged them to stay strong and
not lose heart for God does not forget his children. Although an ocean separates
them from their brothers and sisters of St. Anthony’s Parish, they are joined to us
in communion with Christ. We then announced that a container packed with food,
clothing and toys was leaving Canada that very same day and would be coming to
them.
This mission opened my eyes to the inhumane conditions these refugees live each
day. No food, no electricity, limited clean water, lack of education and medical
care. The list is endless. My heart was pulled out of my chest each and every day
as I saw the suffering and pain and listened to their individual stories. God,
however, poured his graces over me each day giving me the strength to support
and encourage these beautiful people.
What a joy it was for me to meet the Kindeke family, our “new” refugee family.
Boniface, the father is a very kind and loving man. When he first heard that I’d
arrived at the camp, he came running over to meet me. Ester, his wife is a very
. . .cont’d
. . . . .beautiful, loving mother. Boris, who is
now 23 years old, helps out the Physician’s
assistant at the clinic as he’s aspiring to be a
doctor. Elvis, who is now 19 years old, is
hoping to be an engineer. Maria, now 13
years old, is in grade 8 and is also hoping to
be a doctor. Beri, on the other hand, is a
typical 11 year old who enjoys sports,
especially soccer and football. Last but not
least, is little Daniel who will be 2 this
month.
I thank God for having called me to do this
mission trip. It was truly a life changing
experience with many, many blessings. I ask
you to keep the Kindeke family and all
refugees in your prayers, especially as we
approach the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Pauline
HELP SAVE A LIFE THIS
CHRISTMAS
‘It’s in you to give’
BLOOD DONOR CLINIC
Monday 16 Dec. 2013
2pm – 8pm
Bramalea Baptist Church
(Dixie/Queen)
Sponsored by:
KNIGHTS of COLUMBUS (9235)
Contact: Frank O’Neill 905-792-1332
Welcome to all new parishioners
Please take a few moments to fill out a
registration card that can be found in the
foyer on the leaflet rack and leave it in
the Church Office. If you have requested
offertory envelopes, they are available in
the church foyer.
2014 Offertory Envelopes
are ready in the church foyer.
Please pick up your box of
offertory envelopes after Mass.
St. Anthony of Padua Parish
launches our new website!!
Please visit us at:
www.stanthonyofpadua.ca