The parish is looking for volunteers to help decorate this year’s Christmas Tree on Thursday, December 19th at St. Peter’s Church, at 6:30pm. All volunteers who wish to help, please join the fun in the church (use side door entrance, near the archway to get in). Coffee and festive treats will be served. See you there!
Won’t You be My Neighbour!
Over the past few years, there have been a few films made about Fred Rogers and the influence that he made on young people through his television show for young people, entitled “Mister Roger’s Neighbourhood.” I remember speaking to you a few years ago about the documentary that was made about him. It showed how he took young people seriously and very deliberately spoke to them about some of the very political issues that dominated the 1970’s, 1980’s and 1990’s. I can remember watching the documentary and being surprised at how intentionally he was working to form children to respect others and how he had a real ability to feel for them. So for example, while I remember Officer Clemens on the show, I had no idea that he had been purposely placed there during a time of de-segregation in the United States to show an African-American in a position of authority and to de-bunk prejudices that were often held at that time and perhaps still are today. Continue reading
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Bulletin for week of December 15, 2019
Advent Confessions – December 21
Advent confessions will be held in the Church on Saturday, December 21, from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Please plan on joining your fellow parishioners in this time of spiritual healing as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ.
Vocations – Witness Stories
“No one is excluded from the Church’s mission… The Lord is …calling you… The Lord is asking you to be a gift wherever you are, and just as you are, with everyone around you…Rediscover your fruitfulness in the joy of mission!” (Adapted excerpt from Pope Francis’ Homily, October 1, 2019)
Following the parish survey a suggestion was made to have a parish vocation animation committee. The role of the committee is to foster a culture or lived awareness of vocation in the parish. The committee understands “vocation” to mean a call or invitation to service.
As Christians our first experience of this comes at baptism when we become a member of the Christian community.
Then throughout our Christian life we receive other calls or invitations as ways to live or serve.
One of the first activities of the committee has been to invite parishioners to witness to the ways they have experienced a call or invitation to serve in the parish and how this has informed their life in the parish and given them joy and enrichment.
We hope you recognize yourself in their witness stories and realize that you could write a similar piece and share how your service has enriched your life and spiritual journey. The committee hopes to receive many more such witness stories from others in the parish. Continue reading
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Bulletin for week of December 8, 2019
2020 Offertory Envelopes
Offering Envelopes for 2020 are available at the back of the church along with the Pre-Authorized Giving Plan Form (PAG). Instructions are on the form. The boxed sets are organized alphabetically. Please make sure to pick up only the box with your name on it.
PLEASE DO NOT USE THE 2020 ENVELOPES UNTIL THE NEW YEAR BEGINS
Donation for Christmas Flowers
Every year the parish relies on the generosity of parishioners to decorate the church with flowers. If you would like to make a donation to purchase flowers, please make your donation by using the envelope “Flowers for Christmas” marked with your name, address and envelope numbers. Thank you for your generosity.
Are you thinking of purchasing a live Christmas tree?
The live Christmas trees will be on sale beginning the weekend of Nov.30 – Dec. 1 until December 24, the same company as in years past will be selling Christmas trees on the Markham Street lot of our church. Please consider getting your tree (or trees) from them. You would be helping St. Peter’s operating budget by purchasing your live trees from our Markham Street lot. There are many beautiful trees available and your purchase of a Christmas tree helps to financially support the Winter Welcome table’s outreach efforts. The lot will be open every day from 10 AM to 8 PM.
Wisdom from the Church’s Holy Men and Women – December 4
On Wednesday, December 4, at 7:00 pm, our last guest speaker Karen Pascal will give a talk on the holiness of Henri Nouwen in the Church Hall. All are welcome!!!