Upcoming Events at St. Francis de Sales - Christmas- December 25
Christmas Mass Schedule
Christmas Eve Thursday, December 24th
6 pm, 9 pm and midnight
Carol singing will begin ½ hour before all Masses
Christmas Day Friday, December 25th
9 am & 11 am
New Year’s Mass Schedule
The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Holy Day of Obligation
New Year’s Eve
Thursday, December 31st at 5 pm
Holy Hour from 11 pm – midnight
New Year’s Day
Friday, January 1st
9 am, 11 am & 7 pm
Christ Is Here!
Today and throughout the Christmas Season we celebrate the presence of Christ amongst us, not as a foreign being but as one of us. Christ’s coming changes everything! We are now united to his family. The family of man and the family of God are united in an everlasting bond. Within this little Child is the union of the divine and human natures. When we unite ourselves to him we share in all the benefits that our union with God entails that is all the promises of Christ. As we celebrate with joy this momentous event let us ponder what it entails for mankind and how this great gift of love from God impacts our personal life. Both Fr. Barreto and I wish you all the love Christ wants to pour into your life this season and throughout the year. Know that you will be remembered in our Christmas Masses and in our prayers. We would also like to thank you for the love you have given to us through your cards, gifts and wishes of a happy Christmas. May Christ bless you and your families. Merry Christmas from Fr. Smith and Fr. Barreto!
Charismatic Renewal to Host Event
World Traveled Evangelist Maria Vadia will speak at a Service for Prayers for Healing at St. Francis de Sales Parish 6610 Balmoral St. Burnaby, BC. Saturday, January 9th from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. All Welcome – Contact Lennie at 604-597-8227.
For more information about events happening at our parish please read our Sunday Bulletin
Upcoming Events at St. Francis de Sales - Fourth Sunday of Advent - December 20
Pancake Breakfast
Please join us this weekend December 20th after the 9:00 and 11:00 am Masses for the last pancake breakfast of 2009. Everyone is welcome.
Immediate Job Opening
Our school is in need of a playground supervisor Monday – Friday from Noon – 1:00 pm. This position will start right away. If you are interested please contact Mrs. McLaren, the school Principal at 604-435-5311.
Fundraiser for Our New Gym Roof is on Its Way
Special envelopes for this fundraising are at the back of the church and can be placed in the regular collection. Join in with the whole parish as we come together to complete this project. Our gym roof over the past year has begun to leak requiring repairs several times. The roof is past its life expectance and needs to be replaced before the gym floor is damaged or other water damage occurs. Our gym is not only used by our students, but is also used for our larger parish events. We obtained three estimates and have obtained permission from the Archbishop to go ahead with the project, which will begin in February 2010. The replacement cost will be approximately $50,000 dollars. We do have moneys from our capital expenditure fund from the school which will be used for the project, but this will only cover a small part of the cost. The balance will have to be paid by the parish.
St Vincent de Paul – Christmas Hampers 2009
Last weekend we took your Spirit of Christmas to 48 needy families who expressed heartfelt gratitude and joy for their Hampers and Gifts. The St Vincent de Paul executive would like to acknowledge the following:
Core Hamper Team – for their dedication and commitment
Many Parishioners – for donating funds, food and gift cards
Volunteers – for sorting and assembling the hampers
Knights of Columbus and others- for delivering the hampers
Father Smith and St Francis Office Staff – for all of their support
God Bless you all and Merry Christmas.
Ready, Set, Learn Workshop
This workshop will be offered to the parents of 3 year olds and also 4 year olds (since last year’s event was cancelled). The workshop will be held on January 19th in the church basement from 12:45 pm – 3:00 pm. Child minding will be available in the school Activity Room from 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm and Pre-school will open early at 12:30 pm that day ONLY. Please register asap to reserve your spot by calling 604-435-5311. Registration ends January 14th.
For more information about events happening at our parish please read our Sunday Bulletin
Upcoming Events at St. Francis de Sales - Third Sunday of Advent - December 13
Installation of Our Pastor
This Sunday, Archbishop Miller will be officially installing Rev. Thomas Smith as our new pastor during the 11:00 am Mass. There will be a reception following Mass in the church hall. Please join us.
A Season of Rejoicing – Special Invitation
The staff and students of St. Francis de Sales School would like to extend a special invitation to our community of parishioners! You are invited to our rehearsal performance of this year’s Christmas Concert. Wednesday, December 16th at 10:45 am in the church.
Christmas Eve Pageant
The evening Mass at 6:00 pm Christmas Eve is a special liturgy for families. The Children’s Choir sings and other children of our parish are invited to take part in a dramatization of the Gospel. The children will take part in non-speaking roles as Joseph, Mary, Angel Gabriel, Angels, Shepherds, Innkeepers and Wise Men. Older children will be narrators and lectors. If your child would like to participate in the Gospel dramatization on Christmas Eve at 6:00, please pick up a form on the bulletin board fill in the form below and return it either to the school office or the parish office. The form has been sent home with the school children and PREP children. Please return the form no later than December 15th.
Fundraiser for Our New Gym Roof –Begins Today
Our gym roof over the past year has begun to leak requiring repairs several times. The roof is past its life expectance and needs to be replaced before the gym floor is damaged or other water damage occurs. Our gym is not only used by our students, but is also used for our larger parish events. We obtained three estimates and have obtained permission from the Archbishop to go ahead with the project, which will begin in February 2010. The replacement cost will be approximately $50,000 dollars. We do have moneys from our capital expenditure fund from the school which will be used for the project, but this will only cover a small part of the cost. The balance will have to be paid by the parish. As was announced last weekend special envelopes are in the pews and at the back of the church, they can be placed in the regular collection. There are 1800 families in our parish community and we are looking forward to everyone coming together to be a part of our parish gym roof replacement project.
For more events happening in our parish please read our Sunday Bulletin
Upcoming Events at St. Francis de Sales - Second Sunday of Advent - December 6
CWL Christmas Dinner
The annual CWL Christmas party will be held on Thursday, December 10th. Tickets will be sold at the breakfast and at all Masses December 5th & 6th, the cost is $12. All women are welcome to attend.
Installation of Our Pastor
Archbishop J. Michael Miller will be officially installing Fr. Smith as our pastor on December 13th at the 11:00 am Mass.
Advent Penitential Services
Our Parish Penitential Service will take place on December 18th at 7:00 pm. If you are unable to attend please feel free to attend another service in our Deanery.
For more information about events happening in our parish please read our Sunday Bulletin and our December Calendar