Upcoming Events at St. Francis de Sales - March 27 - Third Sunday of Lent
Additional Evening Masses
During Lent, we will be celebrating Mass on Fridays at 7:30 pm.
Stations of the Cross
Fridays at 7:00 pm during Lent. Please feel welcome to join us as we meditate on the Lord’s Passion.
2011 Lenten Penitential Services
All Services Begin at 7:00 pm
April 7th – Our Lady of Mercy (Burnaby)
April 8th – St. Peter’s (New Westminster)
April 11th – St. Joseph’s (Port Moody)
April 12th – Sts. Cyril & Methodius (New Westminster)
April 13th – Holy Spirit (New Westminster) Our Lady of Lourdes (Coquitlam)
April 14th – All Saint’s (Coquitlam)
April 17th – St. Michael’s (Burnaby)
April 18th – St. Francis de Sales
April 19th – Our Lady of Fatima (Coquitlam)
RCIA – The Scrutinies
The Scrutinies are celebrated on the 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays of Lent. They are part of the preparation of our Elect and Candidates for the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist at Easter. The Scrutinies take seriously the profound love of God and the desire of God to bring all people to full freedom and salvation. As one deepens in one’s awareness of the graciousness of the gift of God’s love, one also becomes more sensitive to the barriers that keep this love from transforming and recreating life: the barriers of sin and evil. During the 9 am Mass this Sunday, the first of the three Scrutiny rites is celebrated for the Elect. The Gospel passages from John have been assigned with the Elect in mind, but they contain messages for the rest of us as well. Today, with the Israelites, we are told that God will quench our thirst, whether we realize that we are spiritually dehydrated or not. Today we see that Jesus is the source of ‘living water’. Today Paul tells us that ‘the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” We have not merited these favours. The Israelites were undeserving; the Samaritan woman was undeserving; and we too are undeserving: “While we were still sinners Christ died for us.” What matters is whether or not we know that we are thirsty, and if we are thirsty, where do we find “living water.’ These scrutiny Sundays are wonderful Lenten opportunities to look deeply into our hearts. Have they become hardened like the hearts that take God’s goodness for granted? Do we test God, even though we have seen and experienced God’s marvellous deeds in our lives? Or are we like the Samaritan woman, caught in the complexities of life but open to new insight, to conversion of mind and heart, to opportunities for bringing others to Jesus? How thirsty are we?
Bobs & Lolo Children’s Concert Fundraiser
Saturday, April 16th 3:30-4:30pm. Your children and grandchildren will have a great time and the money will go towards building a portable to house our preschool and before/after school care centre. It will also enable our school to offer full-day kindergarten. Please support this worthy cause by buying tickets after mass or at the Parish Office during weekdays. $15/ticket or $20/ticket after March 31st. We also gratefully accept donations to the SFDS Parish with a request that funds go towards the “Building Our Future” fundraising project.
For more information about events happening at our parish please read our Sunday Bulletin
Upcoming Events at St. Francis de Sales - March 20 - Second Sunday of Lent
Additional Evening Masses
During Lent, we will be celebrating Mass on Fridays at 7:30 pm.
Stations of the Cross
Fridays at 7:00 pm during Lent. Please feel welcome to join us as we meditate on the Lord’s Passion.
Pancake Breakfast
Please join us this weekend following the 9:00 am and 11:00 am Masses for our pancake breakfast.
Bobs & Lolo Children’s Concert Fundraiser
Saturday, April 16th from 3:30 – 4:30 pm. View Bobs & Lolo Poster This is the kick off for the official fundraising campaign “Building Our Future” to build a modular building to house our preschool and a before and after school care facility, this will enable us to offer full day kindergarten. Tickets go on sale March 14th at the parish office and March 19th following all Masses. $15/ticket before March 31st; $20/ticket starting April 1st. Bobs & LoLo are very popular children’s entertainers click here for Bobs & Lolo web link so don’t miss out! Bonus: All ticket purchases made by the end of March 20th will be entered into a draw for a chance to upgrade their seats to FRONT ROW (4 seats max). You can also help by making a donation to the SFDS Parish with a specific request that the donation goes to support “Building Our Future” fundraising efforts.
Bible Study Tuesday Evenings
“Quick Journey through the Bible an Introduction to the Bible” by Jeff Cavins is ended. We will be starting the second program The Bible Timeline, the Story of Salvation on April 5th. This study will continue into the fall with breaks during the summer. If you are interested in this program please contact Marguerite in the Parish Office to register.
SFDS Pre-school
St. Francis de Sales School has openings for Pre-School 4 for September 2011. Please contact the school at 604-435-5311 for more information.
For more information about events happening at our parish please read our Sunday Bulletin
Upcoming Events at St. Francis de Sales - March 13 - First Sunday of Lent
Additional Evening Masses
During Lent, we will be celebrating Mass on Fridays at 7:30 pm.
Stations of the Cross
Fridays at 7:00 pm during Lent. Please feel welcome to join us as we meditate on the Lord’s Passion.
Healing Mass
On March 16th at 1:00 pm we will be having a healing Mass followed by a luncheon in the church hall. Everyone is welcome.
RCIA – Rite of Election
During this time of Lent, we are called to a profound conversion of life. We are called to let God change our hearts and have a greater place in our lives. This Sunday we have among us a sign of conversion to which the Lord calls us. That sign is our Catechumens and Candidates for Full Communion and Confirmation.
They are proclaiming to us that they believe that God has called them into a fuller and deeper relationship with him through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. They are now asking to participate in the Easter Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Eucharist. They are entering into a more intense preparation of purification and enlightenment. Those to be baptized will become our Elect. We, the Church, ratify their choice and send them with our encouragement, prayers and support to celebrate the Rite of Election with Archbishop Michael Miller at Holy Rosary Cathedral. Please keep our elect and candidates in your prayers.
For more information about events happening at our parish please read our Sunday Bulletin
Upcoming Events at St. Francis de Sales - March 6 - Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
This Sunday – Brunch & Chocolates
Fresh Portuguese donuts, soup and buns at the 9 and 11 am Masses Come downstairs to enjoy a delicious treat. Chocolate Almonds $3.00 a box are available in the church entrance after all masses. Thank you for your continuing support. Thank you to all who came out to support us at the Mardi Gras dinner last Saturday. Special thank you to Rose and Richard Hui, Aida Munoz and Save on Foods, Fortuna Bakery and Rosielle Facun from the Cakerie for their donations.
St Patrick’s Day Brunch – Hosted by the De Sales Deaf Catholic Ministry
Sunday, March 13th following the 9:00 & 11:00 am Masses in the church hall. Come join us for a wee bowl of steaming Irish stew, fresh baked soda bread with creamy butter, fruited barmbreck loaf & a variety of fruit jams and for kids of all ages, green jell-o with whipped topping. Adult’s $5, senior’s $4, children over 3 yrs: $3. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance of the church after Mass.
Healing Mass
On March 16th at 1 pm we will be having a healing Mass followed by a luncheon in the church hall. Everyone is welcome.
Fast and Abstain on Upcoming Holy Days
The church prescribes fasting (only one full meal and two smaller meals which together are not greater that a full meal) and abstinence from meat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Catholics aged 18 – 59 are bound to fast; those 14 – 59 to abstinence. Those who are ill are freed from these obligations. Everyone, even those above the age of 59, are encouraged to fast and abstain.
Additional Evening Masses
During Lent, we will be celebrating Mass on Fridays at 7:30 pm.
Stations of the Cross
Fridays at 7:00 pm during Lent. Please feel welcome to join us as we meditate on the Lord’s Passion.
Save the Date!
Sunday, May 1st – Divine Mercy Sunday and the Beatification of John Paul II. Eucharistic Celebration at 2:30 p.m. at the Holy Rosary Cathedral followed by a reception in Rosary Hall. More details soon.
For more information about events happening at our parish please read our Sunday Bulletin
Upcoming Events at St. Francis de Sales - December 25 - Christmas and December 26 - Holy Family
From the Pastor …
St. Augustine in his “Confessions” says that before his conversion he was in a constant search for a god in created things, and Jesus all the time was inside his heart and soul crying out to him to shatter his deafness and fill him with His peace and joy. We are celebrating Christ’s coming amongst us on that first Christmas to always dwell with us. These last four weeks of Advent have been an effort on our side to open our lives to Him by removing everything that hindered us from hearing his promptings and experiencing to the fullest His love and all the gifts He wishes to bestow on us this Christmas and throughout 2011. In a sense, we have been stretching our hearts and emptying them of all that is not of the image of God so that their capacity to hold goodness would increase. This Christmas Fr. D’Silva and I wish that the Christ Child will fill your hearts and souls with a double portion of all the graces you hoped to receive during this Holy Season. You will be remembered in all of our Christmas Masses. We would also like to thank you for your expressions of love to us in your cards and gifts. You are in our prayers and may the Christ Child bless you and your families and keep you close to him.
Christmas & New Year’s Mass Schedule
Friday, December 24th – Christmas Eve
Morning Mass – 8:15 am
Mass at 6:00 pm – Family Mass, 9:00 pm and midnight
Carol singing will begin ½ hour before all Masses
Saturday, December 25th – Christmas Day
9:00 am & 11:00 am NO 5:00 pm Mass
Sunday, December 26th – Feast of the Holy Family
Masses 9:00 am & 11:00 am and 7:00 pm
Friday, December 31st – New Year’s Eve
Morning Mass 8:15 am
Evening Mass 5:00 pm
Holy Hour from 11:00 pm – midnight
Saturday, January 1st, 2011
New Year’s Day the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Holy Day of Obligation
Masses 9:00 am, 11:00 am No 5:00 pm or 7:00 pm Mass
Sunday, January 2nd, 2011 – Feast of the Epiphany
Mass 9:00 am, 11:00 am and 7:00 pm
For more information about events happening at our parish please read our Sunday Bulletin also view the Holly Jolly Thank You Flyer
Upcoming Events at St. Francis de Sales - February 27 - Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Healing Mass
On March 16th at 1:00 pm we will be having a healing Mass followed by a luncheon in the church hall. Everyone is welcome.
Organist Needed
The SFdS 5:00 pm Saturday choir is looking for an organist with good sight-reading and musical capabilities. An audition will be required. This is a voluntary position. More information, contact the parish office at 604-434-1328.
Lunches for the Poor and Homeless of Burnaby
St Francis de Sales provides 50 bagged lunches once a month for the homeless and poor of Burnaby. The lunches for March will be prepared on Wednesday, March 2nd 2011 at 1:00 pm in the church hall and given out the next day Thursday March 3, 2011 at the Southside Community church. . We are looking for both volunteers to help prepare the lunches and for donations. This month we are in need of granola bars, cookies, cheese and juice boxes. If you would like to volunteer or donate contact the Church office at 604 434 1328.
For more information about events happening at our parish please read our Sunday Bulletin