Upcoming Events at St. Francis de Sales - Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time - January 31
First Communion Enrolment Mass
This weekend during the 9:00 am Mass we will acknowledge our grade 2 students who are preparing to receive their First Holy Communion this April. Please keep them and their families in your prayers.
CWL Membership Drive
CWL representatives will be available after all Mass’s this weekend January 30th and 31st. We are asking members to renew their memberships and are inviting all ladies of the parish to join us. The annual membership fee is $20 and can be paid by cash or cheque. Cheques are preferable and can be made payable to St. Francis de Sales Parish CWL. Please do not put dues into the collection basket. For more information, contact our membership coordinator Ruth Baillet at 604 -520-3121.
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
February 2nd Blessing of Candles Also called Candlemas, or the ‘Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary.’ In accordance with Mosaic Law, Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple for circumcision and to be offered to God. Jesus is the light of the world, so this day is a feast of light. It is a custom that candles for use in the Church throughout the year are solemnly blessed. Often a procession of the faithful carries the wondrous light of newly blessed candles to every corner of the church. The gospel reading from Luke describes how Jesus is recognized as the long awaited Messiah by the prophets Simeon and Anna. Simeon calls Jesus a ‘light for all nations’ that will bring ‘honor to your people Israel”. You may bring you own candles from home to be blessed on Tuesday at the 8:15 am or 7:30 pm Masses.
Feast of St. Blaise, February 3rd
St. Blaise was a doctor as well as a bishop in Armenia during the fourth century. It is believed that Blaise once healed a boy who was choking on a fish bone. Because of that, he is the patron of the sick, especially people with illnesses of the throat. It is an ancient custom to pray for good health with a blessing of throats on his feast day. We will have a blessing of throats on February 3rd at the 8:15 Mass. All are welcome to attend.
Healing Mass
On February 11th at 2:00 pm we will be having our annual healing Mass for our elderly parishioners and those who are ill. All are welcome.
For more information about events happening at our parish please read our Sunday Bulletin
Upcoming Events at St. Francis de Sales - Third Sunday of Ordinary Time - January 24
Earthquake Relief Efforts
For those looking to give, a diocesan wide collection for CCODP’s relief efforts will be taken this Sunday, January 24th. If you wish to receive a tax receipt please place your donation in an envelope marked clearly with your Name, address and envelope number if applicable. Donations can also be made directly to Development and Peace for the Haiti crisis either by phone: 1-888 664-3387), on CCODP’s website: http://www.devp.org, or by sending a cheque marked D and P Emergency Haiti to: 1425 René-Lévesque Blvd. W, 3rd Floor, Montreal QC H3G 1T7.
CWL Membership Drive
CWL representatives will be available after all Mass’s January 23rd, 24th, 30th and 31st. We are asking members to renew their memberships and are inviting all ladies of the parish to join us. The annual membership fee is $20 and can be paid by cash or cheque. Cheques are preferable and can be made payable to St. Francis de Sales Parish CWL. Please do not put dues into the collection basket. For more information, contact our membership coordinator Ruth Baillet at 604 -520-3121.
Special Collection in Support of the Catholic Press (BC Catholic)
February 7th, is the Special Collection in Support of the Catholic Press. Your contribution to this collection helps parishes to send The B.C. Catholic to about 20,000 homes every week. Thank you for your generous support.
Let’s Cruise to Alaska together!
Information evening on January 25th at 7:00 pm in the SFDS Church Basement. All Welcome – including Singles. Door Prizes to win. Contact Marilyn at 604-430-1865.
Bagging Candy for Agape Street Ministries
Friday, February 5th Come out and join Youth Ministry in charity work! We will be bagging candies for Agape Street Ministries. Agape then hands out the bagged candies to those living on the streets. Each bag of candy includes a prayer card. All youth from grades 6 – 12 are invited to help. Location is in the church basement from 5:30 – 7:00 pm. Hope to see you there!
Volunteers Needed For Our Annual ThinkFast
March 13th & 14th Youth Ministry is looking for senior youth from grades 9 – 12, young adults, and chaperones to help with this year’s ThinkFast. Our ThinkFast during Lent is a 21 hour fast-a-thon which helps raise funds and awareness of economical and environmental challenges faced by impoverished countries in the Global South. Senior youth and young adults would choose fun and educational activities prepared by CCODP and implement these activities with direction from your Youth Ministry Coordinator. Spiritual activities to be lead are a living rosary and Stations of the Cross. We would also be collecting donations from parishioners at two Mass times, 5:00 pm and 9:00 am. At the end of the fast, we will partake in a solidarity meal with our families and friends. We are looking for at least 20 senior youth & young adults to lead these activities. Chaperones are needed as well. If you are interested or would like more information about this fundraising event please contact Mylene at the church office or by email at youth@sfds.ca.
For more information about event happening at our parish please read our Sunday Bulletin
Upcoming Events at St. Francis de Sales - Second Sunday of Ordinary Time - January 17
Earthquake Relief Efforts
The tragedy of a large earthquake in Haiti – the western hemisphere’s poorest nation – has caused the Archdiocese of Vancouver to raise funds for the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (CCODP) to assist the earthquake victims of Haiti. Early news stories report devastation and widespread loss of life. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by the by the earthquakes in Haiti, especially to the families of those who have lost loved ones,” said Most Rev. Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, Archbishop of Vancouver. “This is a tragedy of cataclysmic proportions and I encourage all who are able to give generously through reliable agencies such as CCODP. I myself have visited Haiti in the past and can witness to the enormous need.” All donations received by CCODP will be sent directly to their partners in Haiti, mainly Caritas Haiti. CCODP has already committed a first pledge of $50,000 to Caritas Haiti, which runs 200 medical clinics in the country, and is in urgent need of funding to meet the needs of those affected by this disaster. Some 80 percent of the population lives below the poverty line. This disaster will increase the already difficult situation for the people of Haiti. The earthquake registered 7.0 on the Richter scale and was centered approximately 14 miles west of the capital city, Port-au-Prince. FOR THOSE LOOKING TO GIVE, a diocesan wide second collection for CCODP’s relief efforts will be taken up next Sunday, January 24th. If you wish to receive a tax receipt please place your donation in an envelope marked clearly with your Name, address and envelope number if applicable. Donations can also be made directly to Development and Peace for the Haiti crisis either by phone: 1-888 664-3387), on CCODP’s website: http://www.devp.org, or by sending a cheque marked D and P Emergency Haiti to: 1425 René-Lévesque Blvd. W, 3rd Floor, Montreal QC H3G 1T7.
Youth Events
Skate Night
Friday, January 22nd we’ll be skating at 8 Rinks in Burnaby from 8:00 – 9:15 pm. Come join us! Everyone welcome to attend. Group registration with Youth Ministry has passed however if your son or daughter would like to attend and is not registered with us, please accompany him/her as we can not guarantee chaperoning for youth not registered with our group. We suggest you get there at least half an hour before skating starts since there’s a line up to pay the fees and it gives you time to put your gear on. Cost is $4.50 for skate time, $3.00 for skate rental, and $2.00 for helmet rental.
Snack & 5 Pin Bowling Night
Friday, January 29th all junior youth in grades 6 – 8 are invited to our snack and bowling night at Lucky Strike Lanes. Deadline for registration is THIS Friday, January 22nd. All information is on the registration forms which can be found on the bulletin board at the entrance of the church. Cost is $5 per youth. We have a limited amount of registration spots and it will be first come, first served. No last minute registrations forms will be accepted on the day of the event since we cannot guarantee a spot. We pre-book the lanes in advance.
Bagging Candy for Agape Street Ministries
Friday, February 5th come out and join Youth Ministry in charity work! We will be bagging candies for Agape Street Ministries. Agape then hands out the bagged candies to those living on the streets with drug addictions. Each bag of candies also include a prayer card. All youth from grades 6 – 12 are invited to help. Location is in the church basement from 5:30 – 7:00 pm.
For more information about events happening at our parish please read our Sunday Bulletin
Upcoming Events at St. Francis de Sales - The Baptism of the Lord - January 10
CWL Meeting
The CWL monthly meeting will be on Thursday, January 14th at 7:30 pm in the church hall meeting room. All members are welcome. Installation of new CWL officers and conveners will be held at the 9:00 am Mass on Saturday January 9th.
Guest Speaker
On January 16th & 17th, please welcome Deacon Ron Jenkins who will speak about CHALICE – a Canadian, Catholic sponsorship program. He will explain how you can help a destitute child at one of 48 mission sites in 15 developing countries. The website is www.chalice.ca
Ready, Set, Learn Workshop
This workshop will be offered to the parents of 3 and 4 year olds. January 19th in the church basement from 12:45 pm – 3:00 pm. Child minding will be available from 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm. Please register by calling 604-435-5311. Registration ends January 14th.
Let’s Cruise to Alaska together!
Information evening on January 25th at 7:00 pm in the SFDS Church Basement. All Welcome - including Singles. Contact Marilyn at 604-430-1865.
For more information about events happening at our parish please read our Sunday Bulletin
Upcoming Events at St. Francis de Sales - Epiphany- January 3
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
Gym Roof Fundraiser
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to our fundraiser for our new gym roof. We still have a ways to go. I encourage everyone to unite as a parish and make this a successful fundraiser. The envelopes are at the back of the church. Please fill out the label clearly so that we can give you an income tax receipt which will now be for 2010 taxation year.
Youth Events
Our Youth Ministry Bottle Drive is this weekend on January 2nd & 3rd, fifteen minutes before and half an hour after all Masses. We are only accepting recyclable bottles and aluminum cans that can be cashed to help support our events for the year. Please no milk cartons or dairy product containers.
Open Gym
Jr. & Sr. Youth Open Gym, Friday, January 16th in the school gym. Jr. Youth from 6:00 – 7:30 pm and Sr. Youth from 7:30 – 9:00 pm. Please bring a tooney donation to cover the cost of snacks.
Ready, Set, Learn Workshop
This workshop will be offered to the parents of 3 and 4 year olds. January 19th in the church basement from 12:45 pm – 3:00 pm. Child minding will be available from 12:30 pm – 3:00 pm. Please register by calling 604-435-5311. Registration ends January 14th.
For more information about events happening in our parish please read our Sunday Bulletin also please read our January Calendar