Fr. John MacPherson, Pastor Fr. Keith Billard, Associate Pastor Fr. Raymond Odumoku, Associate Pastor
Bulletin for the Third Sunday in Advent
WINDSOR Sunday 11:45 am
December 12, 2021
KENTVILLE Saturday 4 pm Sunday 8:30 & 11:45 am
MIDDLETON Sunday 10:00 am BRIDGETOWN
BERWICK Sunday 8:30 am
Sunday 8:30 am ANNAPOLIS ROYAL Sunday 9 am
WOLFVILLE Sunday 10 am
DIGBY Saturday 4 pm WEYMOUTH
Sunday 11:30 am
Vision Prayer 1st Reading
Heavenly Father, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, we the faithful of Corpus Christi Parish, ask that You bless and sanctify us as we work together to implement our Vision. We ask that You guide us as we strive to love bravely, to serve radically and to meet all whom we encounter with humility and compassion. Help us to unite joyfully and lovingly as followers of your Son, Jesus, to take His message with us wherever we go. We know that by Your grace, we can make this Vision a reality. We ask this in the name of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Sun, Dec 12 Mon, Dec 13 Tue, Dec 14 Wed, Dec 15 Thu, Dec 16 Fri, Dec 10 Sat, Dec 11
ZEPH3:14-18 NUM 24:2-7, 15-17 ZEPH 3:1-2, 9-13 IS 45:6-8, 18, 21-25 IS 54:1-10 GEN 49:2, 8-10 JEREMIAH 23:5-8
Gospel
LUKE 3:10-18 MATT 21:23-27 MATT 21:28-32 LUKE 7:18-23 LUKE 7:24-30 MATT 1:1-17 MATT 1:18-25 TO REQUEST A MASS INTENTION OR MASS CARD CONTACT YOUR NEAREST PARISH OFFICE
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11 Kentville 4:00 PM Digby 4:00 PM SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12 Bridgetown 8:30 AM Berwick 8:30 AM Kentville 8:30 AM Annapolis Royal 9:00 AM Middleton 10:00 AM Wolfville 10:00 AM Weymouth 11:30 AM Kentville 11:45 AM Windsor 11:45 AM MONDAY, DECEMBER 13 Online 8:30 AM TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14 Online 8:30 AM Digby 6:30 PM WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15 Online 8:30 AM Weymouth 6:30 PM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16 Online 8:30 AM Weymouth 10:30 AM FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17 Online 8:30 AM Digby 9:00 AM SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18 Kentville 4:00 PM Digby 4:00 PM SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19 Bridgetown 8:30 AM Berwick 8:30 AM Kentville 8:30 AM Annapolis Royal 9:00 AM Middleton 10:00 AM Wolfville 10:00 AM Weymouth 11:30 AM Kentville 11:45 AM Windsor 11:45 AM
Augustine Surette by Bertha Ptacek Not available at press time Boyd Dexter by Patsy Sabean
Liturgy of the Word with Communion Mike Ryan by Theresa Coffey Not available at press time Jake Stephen by Gordon & Helen MacDonald Michael Walsh by Helen Not available at press time Lisa Walzak by Taya Shields
Liturgy of the Word with Communion Gaston d'Entremont by Mary & Family Henri Langlois by Paul DuMesnil No Mass Germaine Hallé by Paul DuMesnil No Mass
Bertha Risteen by St Monica's CWL No Mass Alexis Grant by Russell & Carolyn Turner No Mass Tommy Boutilier by Gerald & Sharon Long Jack & Marion Randall by Marion & Family
Liturgy of the Word with Communion Graeme King by Bruce & Sybil Redden Janis Pottier by Pat Fitzgerald Leah Theriault by Marilyn Harry Yogi Muise by Mary Gilbert Helena & Stainslaw Szyndlar by Bogdan & Voiletta Hadlaw Richard, Alfreda & Ian Cromwell by Paulette Cromwell
Liturgy of the Word with Communion Phyllis Grant by Alice Pereira
www.corpuschristins.ca YouTube: www.youtube.com/corpuschristins Facebook: www.facebook.com/corpuschristins Instagram: @corpuschristins
We are now in Phase 5. Our Archdiocese has provided Covid Guidelines and our Pastor has put in place certain guidelines for us to follow: MASKS MUST BE WORN
There will be no entrance procession at Mass.
You are encouraged to use the hand sanitizers
Collection baskets will remain at the entrances/exits
provided at the entrance to the church
for weekly offerings. Consider making your offering
Holy Water fonts will remain empty for now
via e-transfer or PAR.
Limit washroom use as much as possible
Communion may only be received in the hand
You must stay home and participate online
Daily Mass attendance fmust follow these protocols
if you have any Covid symptoms
Social distancing is not required, but generally
Proof of vaccination is not required to attend Mass,
speaking, maintaining a safe distance around people
however everyone is encouraged to get vaccinated
you do not know is recommended to help stop the
Advance registration is not required
spread of Covid
Answering a Covid questionnaire is no longer
You can read the full text of the Archbishop’s Phase 5 Letter and review all the
required You can arrange Confession by appointment. Call or email your nearest Parish Office.
recommendations at the Archdiocese website.
Call your nearest Parish Office to arrange a Baptism. If you are planning on getting married at a Corpus Christi church, contact the Parish Office nearest you. To register in the next First Communion or Confirmation class, or to get more information about Children’s Faith Formation, contact
Jennifer Moore familylifeandyouth@ corpuschristins.ca
902-799-1250
Exploring becoming Catholic? Contact the Kentville Parish Office.
Pr ayer to St. Jo seph Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To you God entrusted his only Son; in you Mary placed her trust; with you Christ became man. Blessed Joseph, to us too, show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage, and defend us from every evil. Amen. Prayer: © Libreria Editrice Vaticana
Corpus Christi St. Louis Annapolis Royal CWL Members are reminded that it is that time of year again. Time to finish stuffing the "Little Socks".
Please return them to Blanche Therrio on or before December 26.
Corpus Christi St. Louis Annapolis Royal Fundraiser Two handmade quilts have been donated to Corpus Christi St Louis Church to help raise funds. One is the "Flower Basket" size 72" X 82" price $300.00 and the other one is "Around The World" size 72" X 90" price $500.00. The Quilts are on display as you enter the church. If you are interested in purchasing them please call Eloise 902-532-2205. Chalice, a Catholic Charity, invites you to share the blessings of Christmas with children in the developing world. Our Christmas Gift Catalogue allows you to purchase a gift for someone in need in honour of a friend or a loved one. To order gifts, please call 1-800-776-6855 or visit chalice.ca
Corpus Christi St. Louis Annapolis Royal The Memorial Tree will be part of the Christmas décor again this year. Make a donation in memory of a loved one to be given to the Annapolis Royal Food Bank. Include your donation, the name of your loved one and your envelope number together in an envelope and drop your donation in the collection basket at the back of the church. The name of your loved one will be added to the Memorial Tree. All
donations should be received by December 19.
Decorating our Churches for Christmas It is time again to think about decorating our churches for Christmas. You can donate to the flower fund for your church by dropping an envelope in the collection basket marked “Flowers” and add the name of your church. Include your envelope number as well so that you receive your tax receipt. Or send your flowers donation to finance@corpuschristins.ca via e-transfer and include Flowers, the name of your church and your envelope number in the comment box. Questions? Email or call the Kentville Parish Office.
Corpus Christi St. John Windsor The Gifting Tree has made its annual appearance at St. John in Windsor. The ornaments represent gifts for families in need.
If you pick an ornament, please return the present, gift wrapped, by Sunday, December 12 with the ornament taped to the gift. Thank you in advance for helping!! Corpus Christi St. Anthony Berwick It's time to think about our Social Action helping ten needy families in our community. Due to Covid-19, things will be a little different this year. We need a few shoppers to watch the weekly flyers for specials. Contact Elaine Mailman at 902-847-0480 and she will give a short list of things to shop for. Keep receipts for reimbursement. If you prefer you could make a donation in a separate envelope marked Berwick Christmas Food Hamper and with your envelope number noted on the outside.
Corpus Christi St. Francis Wolfville Corpus Christi St. Francis parishioners are asked to come to the Parish Centre after Mass on December 12th to help pack potatoes in five (5) lb bags for Christmas food hampers. This is our church community’s yearly Christmas donation to the Wolfville and Area Inter Church Council’s Christmas Hampers program. Note: parishioners are required to be fully vaccinated to help in this project.
Many hands make light work.
Unwrapping Advent
is a Family Faith Journey that began on the First Sunday of Advent. Jennifer Moore, our Director of Family Life and Youth is leading families in this program as they experience the hope, faith, joy and peace of the Season through stories, activities and adventures. There is still time to join with other families as we prepare for the coming of our Saviour. All families in the Parish are invited to participate in this Advent series. Sessions take place online on Sunday evenings. You can still participate: contact Jennifer Moore.
Resources will be emailed and also posted on Facebook for participants. There will be a weekly Zoom session and a fun activity for families to complete together each week.
familylifeandyouth@corpuschri stins.ca
Advent is the perfect time to share our faith with children. The wonder and excitement of the season points to the true meaning of Christmas! Register and join the journey! Register for Unwrapping Advent A Rosary is a meaningful Christmas Gift as it guides us throughout the year to reflect on the wonder of the Incarnation and Resurrection of Christ, beginning with the Joyful Mysteries and the birth of Jesus. We have a variety of affordable rosaries for men, women, youth, and children, including wooden rosaries from Bethlehem and a January birthstone rosary.
Please contact Mary Crooks at 902-825-6495 for more information.
DECEMBER 24 4 pm Bridgetown 4 pm Kentville 4 pm Weymouth 6 pm Digby 6 pm Wolfville 6 pm Middleton 8 pm Annapolis Royal 8 pm Windsor 8 pm Berwick 10 pm Kentville DECEMBER 25 10 am Kentville DECEMBER 26 8:30 am Bridgetown 8:30 am Berwick 8:30 am Kentville 9 am
Annapolis Royal
10 am Middleton 10 am Wolfville 11:30 am Weymouth
Deacon led Liturgy of the Word with Communion Deacon led Liturgy of the Word with Communion
Deacon led Liturgy of the Word with Communion
11:45 am Kentville 11:45 am Windsor DECEMBER 31 4 pm Weymouth 4 pm Kentville 4 pm Windsor 6 pm Digby 6 pm Middleton 6 pm Berwick JANUARY 1 10 am Bridgetown 10 am Wolfville 4 pm Digby JANUARY 2 9 am
Annapolis Royal
11:30 am Weymouth More information to follow for other churches in the parish
Jennifer Moore, our Director of Family Life and Youth, is excited to bring EMPOWER AND EMPOWERED BY THE SACRAMENTS to all the children of Corpus
Christi Parish!! There is still time to register for Empowered by the Sacraments for the 2021/22 year! Empowered by the Sacraments is for children in Grade 3.
Children will prepare together to receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion. Children from across the parish will meet in a series of interactive Zoom sessions as they grow in faith together. Special in-person sessions will take place throughout the year and children will receive their Sacraments in their own church communities. REGISTER ON THE WEBSITE
New Confirmation Class
The 2022 Confirmation class began November 26. We are still seeking prayer sponsors for our 30 candidates from all across our Parish. If you would like to become a prayer sponsor for a candidate please contact Jennifer Moore.
In-person Confirmation sessions will take place in Kentville and Digby and we need your help to FEED THE TEENS. Help stock the pantries with snacks for the candidates. Drop off donations (non-perishable snacks, drinks or your financial contribution) at either church office. Or, if you drop a donation in the collection basket / send an e-transfer with the note “Feed the Teens”, your support will get to the right place.
Advent with the Development and Peace Young Adult Group
This Advent, join D&P's Halifax area young adult group for a series of Thursday night reflections and a Saturday Day of Service. Each week will focus on a principle of Catholic Social Teaching along with a specific current social issue. The schedule will be:
•
• •
December 9 at 7pm: A Preference for the Poor: Homelessness at Home and Abroad December 11 (Service Saturday): Location and Time TBD Based on Group Preference December 16 at 7pm: The Common Good: Care for Creation and Resisting a "Throwaway Culture"
If you are interested in joining us, please email Adah Ogbe at aogbe@devp.org for location and reading selections. To join in person, you will need to be double vaccinated, but we can set up a zoom link for those who wish to call in remotely.
Dear friends, Nova Scotia is currently experiencing a housing crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the challenge of finding safe, affordable housing. Many people across the province are facing the prospect of spending the winter living in a tent. Corporal acts of mercy, including sheltering those who go without, are central to our Christian faith and teachings. These are not optional projects – we are called to love “not in word or speech, but in truth and action” (1 John 3:18). I invite you to help construct 15-20 temporary emergency crisis shelters, each one housing a single occupant. These are not long-term solutions, but they are a way to immediately provide support and dignity to some of our brothers and sisters who are without shelter. These shelters will be located on parish property around the diocese. We currently have eight potential sites identified, with each site accommodating one to five shelters. We are working with government and nongovernment service organizations to help us find people who are currently seeking shelter. These shelters have been professionally designed in accordance with safety and municipal standards. Each temporary shelter will cost $11,500. The total cost of 20 of these emergency shelters is expected to be $230 000 – all of which we need to raise, as soon as possible, through donations and private grants. This is a major undertaking that will require generosity of time, talent, and treasure from our entire community. But this is who we are called to be as Catholics – this is how we are called to live the Gospel in our present time and place.
Please give generously by making a donation through our website, calling (902) 429-9800 ext. 312, or putting an envelope labelled "Emergency Shelters Project" in your parish collection basket this weekend . Sincerely in Christ, +Brian Joseph Dunn Archbishop of Halifax-Yarmouth
Our first emergency shelter has been built!
The shelter is located AT Saint Anthony’s Church, part of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Dartmouth. It will be occupied shortly and several more shelters in other parts of the city will be built this week. We are pleased to be able to partner with the people in our communities and city officials to make this project a reality. In a little over a week over $50,000 of our $230,000 goal has been reached. The plan is to build 20 temporary emergency shelters by Christmas Eve to give those who need it a safe space as the weather gets colder. As Catholics, the corporal acts of mercy are a part of our faith that call us to action; action that will help those who are in need. One of those acts is to shelter the homeless. This year we are able to make this happen – with your help. Maybe you, your family, your business, or the organization that you work for is looking for a way to give a meaningful
gift this Christmas. We invite you to consider giving the gift that will help create a space to call home – even if it’s temporary. To donate and to keep up-todate on the progress of this project see: www.halifaxyarmouth/shelters. In this season of Advent, where we await the Light of Christ to dispel the darkness, let us all find ways to be that Light to all who need it.
Corpus Christi St. Monica CWL President is Bernadette Burns
Knights of Columbus - Greenwood and Middleton
bernadetteburns54@gmail.com
Hughie Bagnell is the Grand Knight for Bishop Gallagher Council 6297 (902) 680-5238 hughie.bagnell@gmail.com
(902) 765-8643 Corpus Christi St Louis Contact person is Eloise Mailman.
The contact for St Anthony Berwick is Leon Zwicker. He is the representative for the Greenwood/ Middleton Knights of Columbus. e_zwicker@yahoo.ca (902) 847-5746
eloise.mailman@gmail.com (902) 532-2205
Corpus Christi St. Joseph Contact Pat Crossman: pcrossman@eastlink.ca
Knights of Columbus - Windsor/St. John Gary Brown garydbrown2003@yahoo.ca
902-385-6760
Throughout the year, St. Monica's Catholic Women's League collects used postage stamps and sends them to Development & Peace for their fundraising. Please leave a margin around the stamps and place them in the CWL box at the entrance of St. Monica's Church. These little ways make a real contribution! Thank you and God bless you!
Knights of Columbus Council 5030 meet at St. Joseph, Kentville Meetings are on the first Wednesday of each month in the Multi-Purpose Room at Corpus Christi St. Joseph Kentville at 7 pm. The next meeting is November 3. For more info contact John Boulter johnboulter7@gmail.com
Knights of Columbus Greenwood and Middleton Spread the word. As the weather starts to get cold, the Knights of Columbus in Greenwood/Middleton heat up their commitment to the community with free winter coat distribution for children! Today, fourteen percent of Canadian children live in poverty. As a result, many families cannot afford to provide even the basic necessity of a warm winter coat. Putting their faith into action, Knights of Columbus councils have handed out more than 500,000 coats to children throughout Canada and the United States through the Coats for Kids program. The Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids' are being distributed in the elementary schools in Middleton and Greenwood to boys and girls ranging from size 4 all the way up to 6x. Who knows better than teachers which students need warm winter clothing? Fundraising is ongoing for more coats in larger sizes. In addition to coats the local Council will (continued on next page)
donate hats, mitts and winter boots. The Knights are accepting gently used coats and boots to distribute to those in need. Due to the pandemic and loss of jobs this year there are going to be even larger numbers looking for help. Bishop Gallagher Council 6297 in Greenwood/ Middleton is one of 17,000 Knights of Columbus councils that make up the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in 1882 to assist working-class and immigrant Catholics in the United States, today the approximately two million worldwide members of the Knights put their faith into action through a broad range of charitable causes locally, nationally and internationally with financial contributions and hands-on service. If you can donate money, gift cards, new or gently used coats, boots, hats and mitts please contact Roger Lirette Coats for Kids Committee Chairman 902-765-3086
If anyone is interested in knitting hats and mittens for the Coats for Kids campaign, please drop off your donations at any parish office or you can leave your donation at Corpus Christi St. Monica Middleton in the entrance of the church or Church hall. Thank you for your contributions in this important ministry in helping those in need.
Each week, beginning on Sunday, 21 November 2021, the Solemnity of Christ the King, and for the four Sundays of Advent, the CCCB will release a video recording of a Bishop reflecting on the Gospel Reading for each Sunday. This year’s reflections were inspired by the Indigenous Delegation travelling to Rome to meet with Pope Francis from 17-20 December 2021. We hope that these reflections will be useful to you. In English: www.cccb.ca/ evangelization-catechesiscatholic-education/videoresources/journey-throughadvent/ In French: www.cccb.ca/fr/ evangelisation-catecheseet-education/ressourcesvideo/cheminer-ensemble-durant-lavent/
From December 17-20, 2021 a delegation of 2530 people that include First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Elders, knowledge keepers, residential school survivors, and youth will meet with Pope Francis at the Vatican. They will be accompanied by a small group of Canadian Bishops. This trip has been planned over several years through ongoing dialogue with the Assembly of First Nations, the Métis National Council, and the Inuit Tapiriit Knatami and other Indigenous leaders. Vatican representatives have confirmed that the Holy Father will meet privately with the delegation members to hear their personal stories of the lasting legacy of residential schools. The delegates will also have an opportunity to speak with the Pope about their hopes and expectation for his eventual visit to Canada.
Corpus Christi St. Anthony Berwick
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has developed a webpage containing information and resources that focus on the delegation. You can find this page at by clicking here or going to www.cccb.ca. December 12, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, has for several years been
Breaking Open the Word - join Deacon Don Boudreau on Tuesday mornings at 10am in the church hall ... to look at the readings of the upcoming Sunday. Please bring your Sunday Missals.
designated a National Day of Prayer and Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples. As this day approaches, let us keep this delegation, the local Mi’kmaw communities of our Archdiocese, and all Indigenous people in our prayers. May the Spirit guide us all to a path of true healing and reconciliation.
Our Children in India Twelve years ago, Fr. Abhi, an Indian Catholic Priest, came to our Parish for several months and made many friends here. Back home in Veranasi on the Ganges, a sacred city in India (like Jerusalem is to us), he and an Indian nun, Sr. Manju, set up a Safe House for lost or abandoned children found living in the city on their own as ‘street kids’. It has rescued many. Support has come from residents (many Hindu) of Veranasi, and three other clusters of supporters: in Belgium, in Spain and in Nova Scotia. In Nova Scotia we set up a N.S. non-profit Society to legally transfer funds to India for the children. Eight of the thirteen Directors of that Society are members of Corpus Christi parish! Many parishes in Antigonish Diocese are also deeply involved, with Archbishop Dunn’s enthusiastic approval. Last year our Society sent $36,600 to Fr. Abhi & Sr. Manju to help get the 24 children now living in the House thru the pandemic (which has killed millions in India). Thankfully, all children & staff are still safe! Once each year, during Advent, we reach out. If you like would more information on this project, and/or would like to help us financially, please contact our Treasurer, Joe Foy (Hantsport), 902-684-9082 (foycan@bellaliant.net) or speak with Fr. John, who has been involved in this project since its beginning.
Note: We have no overhead costs; every penny you donate goes to India for the children.
The Kentville Parish Office is open Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 9 am to Noon
The Digby Parish Office is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:30 am to 5 pm
Box 486 48 Belcher St Kentville, NS B4N 3X3 902-678-3303
Box 190 110 Queen St. Digby, NS B0V 1A0 902-245-2115
Jennifer Hilborn ParishOffice_Kentville@CorpusChristiNS.ca
Pam Cosman ParishOffice_Digby@CorpusChristiNS.ca
Thank you for your donations to Corpus Christi. Your Parish Administrative Team, that includes many volunteers, manages the counting of collections each week, making bank deposits, doing the bookkeeping, issuing annual tax receipts, and many other aspects of Parish Giving. You can donate through: • Weekly offering envelopes • Cash donations in the collection basket at Mass • E-transfers directly to Corpus Christi's bank account: finance@corpuschristins.ca • PAR - pre-authorized remittances from your bank account to Corpus Christi's bank account • Mailing a cheque to the Kentville Parish Office.
Thank you for all your generous donations to Corpus Christi.
www.corpuschristins.ca YouTube: www.youtube.com/corpuschristins Facebook: www.facebook.com/corpuschristins Instagram: @corpuschristins
Next Sunday, December 19, will be the last bulletin until after Christmas. The Bulletin Editor will be on a break. The first bulletin of 2022 will be on January 16.