ST. MICHAEL’S PARISH

P.O. BOX 610 - BELL ISLAND, NF - A0A 4H0
PHONE: 488-2525 – FAX: 488-3399

Focus: Advent focuses our attention on the coming of Christ. We live between two comings of Christ - his first coming in humility and weakness at Bethlehem, and his second coming in majesty and power at the end of time. St. Paul says that with each passing year ‘our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.’ Let us reflect for a moment on how much we need the Lord’s salvation in our lives and in the world.
First Reading: Jeremiah 33.14-16 ....The prophet says that a time will come when God will be true to his promise. The son of David (that is, The Messiah) will stand among his people. His reign will be marked by wisdom, justice and integrity.
Second Reading: 1 Thess 3.12-4.2.....Paul prays that the Lord may deepen the love the Thessalonians have for each other, a love that will then reach out to all people. Thus they will be ready for the second coming of Christ.
Gospel: Luke 21.25-28, 34-36.....In language borrowed from the Old Testament Luke describes the final coming of Christ. Christians should not fear this. Rather, they should look forward to it and prepare for it through prayer and right living.
Scripture Note:
The Advent liturgy relives in a microcosmic way the history of Israel, viewing it through the eyes of Christian faith. It shows that all of that history was pointing and leading towards Jesus. He was the one who fulfilled the messianic prophecies.
Advent takes us back in time so that we may appreciate the greatness to which Christ has made us heirs. We are the heirs to the promises God made to the prophets. Advent helps us to appreciate the great blessings God has given us in Christ.
Today’s First Reading points to the first coming of Christ. It says that the Messiah will be descended from the stock of David, and his reign will be marked by wisdom, justice and integrity.
The Gospel deals with the Second Coming of Christ. The early Christians believed that the Second Coming was near, and would be preceded by cosmic signs. The disciples are urged to await the Lord’s coming with confidence, vigilance and prayer. How to prepare for the Second Coming of Christ is also the topic of the Second Reading.

Wednesday Dec. 6th 9:30 a.m. Francis (Franko) Hammond; Hannah Sweeney; Cyril
Cahill; Michael McLean; Martin Butler

Thursday Dec. 7th 7:00 p.m. Sarah Sheppard; Lillian Power; Edward Brown; Annie
Lahey; Luke Roberts

Friday Dec. 8th 7:00 p.m. Richard, Veronica & Sr. Paschal Dwyer; Dan, Vera &
Colleen Dwyer; Gloria Noseworthy; Gordon Stoyles Sr.; Ann Tremblett

Saturday Dec. 9th 4:00 p.m. Sacrament of Penance
5:00 p.m. Brendon Stone; Molly & William Stone; Richard O’Brien; Clyde Ryan; William Purcell; Philip Delaney; Craig Dobbin; Edward Cole & Justin Johnson; Norma & Henry Crane; Diane (Jones) Bickford

Sunday Dec. 10th 10:30 a.m. Vocations to the Priesthood & Religious Life
2:30 p.m. Eccumenical Service (Dr. W. Templeman Health Centre)
SANCTUARY CANDLE: In Loving Memory of John Reid

Collections for Nov. 24th & Nov. 25th, 2006
Offertory - 122 envelopes............................................................................ $1,233.50
Dues - 41 envelopes...................................................................................... 35.00
Donation in Memory of Diane (Jones) Bickford............................................ 35.00
Christmas Flowers in Memory of Loved Ones............................................... 195.00

MASS INTENTIONS
We have received a large number of requests for Mass intentions for your loved ones. Any new Masses requested will have to be put on hold for a couple of months to accommodate those that are already requested. You may however, request that the bulletin be published in memory of your loved one for a small fee of $10.00 or the Sanctuary Candle for $5.00. If you requested a Mass intention, we ask that you please be patient as we are trying our best to treat all people fairly and we will acknowledge your request accordingly. Notification of the Mass will be published in the bulletin.

Liturgical Ministers
Saturday 5:00 p.m. Readers: Ashley Curnew & Pat Craig
Dec. 9th Eucharistic Ministers: Loretta Byrne; Jocelyn Murphy; Fred Carroll; Brenda Sweeney; Ros Hurley
Presentation of Gifts: Betty & Kevin Quigley
Ushers: Tom Cole; Rick Whelan; Alex Newell; Kevin Delahunty; Charlie O’Brien; Ray Kennedy

Sunday 10:30 a.m. Readers: Jean Williams & Patricia King
Dec. 10th Eucharistic Ministers: Sister Phyllis Corbett; Bonnie Spracklin; Tom Spracklin; Geraldine Fitzgerald; Joseph Somerton
Presentation of Gifts: Tom Cole Family
Children’s Liturgy: Teresita McCarthy
Ushers: George Jackman; Christopher Delaney; Bill Hammond; Peter Power; Keith Pitts

Church Cleaning Team - 1 - for week of Dec 4th - Dec. 8t
Ray Whalen Jr.; Joey Kent; Amanda Curnew; Jasmine Brazil; Tasha Brazil

Installation of Knights of Columbus
On Friday, Dec. 8th, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. The Knights of Columbus will hold its installation of Officers at St. Michael’s Parish Hall. All members, family and friends are invited to attend and a Social will follow.

Flowers in Memory
Christmas will soon be upon us, anyone wishing to donate flowers in memory of loved ones please place your donation in an envelope with the name of your loved ones and your envelope number for income tax purposes. THANK -YOU

Ecumenical Service
On Sunday, December 10th, at 2:30 p.m. you are invited to attend our annual Ecumenical Service at the hospital. Please join the residents and staff and help celebrate the blessings of the season and to warm the hearts of the residents by your words of love and your smile.

Advent Penance Celebration
On Sunday, December 17th, at 6:30 p.m. we will gather to reflect on our need to experience God’s forgiveness in preparation for the joyful birth of Christ. All are invited to gather and pray for God’s mercy.

Saint Joseph Sunday Missal
The new Saint Joseph Sunday missals for 2007 are now available for a cost of $4.00.

Church Envelopes for 2007
Church envelopes for 2007 are now available on a table outside the Sacristy. If your name is not there, just let Father know or call the Parish office and we will correct the matter.

Jessie Tree
During Advent we will have a Jessie Tree. The Food bank is in need of food items and this will be our way of doing something special during Christmas. You may pick the tags from the Jessie Tree with the name of the food item needed. Thank you for your support.

FUNERAL MASSES
In Canada, a Funeral Mass may be celebrated any day except Sundays, Holy Days of Obligation, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Sunday. During the Christmas Season no Funeral Masses are permitted on Christmas Day & New Year’s Day which are Holy Days of Obligation.

175th Anniversay of Sisters of Mercy
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12TH - The Sisters Of Mercy invited you to join them at the Basilica at 7:30 p.m. to celebrate the life of the Congregation. The Eucharistic Liturgy will be celebrated by Archbishop Brendan M. O’Brien. Refreshments will be served after Mass in the Aula Maxima, St. Bonaventure’s College.
Advent Folder
You are invited to take an advent Folder that is available at all entrances of the church.

    Top of Page