Dear Parishioners of St. Patrick’s and St. Vincent de Paul Parishes: I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of myself and all our parish staff to wish you and all your families a very Merry Christmas. May God and our Saviour Lord Jesus bless you abundantly now and throughout the coming year 2010. May Mary, our Blessed Mother surround you with her mantle of love and her prayers every day.

Fr. Paul Nicholson

 

 

Please take note that the parish office will be closed on December 24, 25, 28, 31 & Jan. 1

 

Our prayers and sympathy are extended to the family of Sister Jrejoria, who passed away in Holland. She was the sister of John Luyten of Mitchell.  Our prayers are with you at this time of loss.

 

We are quickly approaching the end of 2009. Any parishioner from our four parishes who may have expenses owing to them re: music ministry or decorating supplies etc. is urged to please submit your bill as soon as possible. If they are not paid out by year-end, it prevents the office from preparing an accurate year-end statement. ALSO: Please remember to have any charitable donations to your particular parish paid by Sunday, December 27, 2009 if you wish to have it included on your 2009 tax receipt.

 

 

 

 

St. Vincent de Paul Parish requires more ushers. If interested, please contact Rob Sawyer. This is a great opportunity for students to obtain community service hours.

 

New Year’s Eve: 5:00 p.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Church.

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (New Year’s Day) Holy Day of Obligation: 8:30 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul and 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church.

 

This year has been my first year back into official youth ministry in quite awhile. I thought it appropriate to share a few reflections of the year being the last Sunday of Advent. Firstly thank you for such an overwhelming response from youth and adults alike. I remember one night, a youth leader was so excited of the number of high schoolers in attendance. I joined in his excitement but shared with him how exciting it is to see us come together as adults and growing as well. This past Tuesday we had an evangelization ministry meeting and Fr. Chris and I were sharing the miracle that this ministry is and how it is growing so much more through God’s grace. It surely is grace rooted in prayer. So thank you once again for your prayers and support in whatever ways you have given. I pray with an expectant faith that this coming year will bear just as much if not greater fruit. May God be glorified. Merry Christmas. Sincerely In Christ, Karen Doyle - CYM

“The Pure Life” Retreat will be held on the following dates: Jan. 1 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.,

Jan. 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Jan. 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This will be held at Mother Teresa Catholic Secondary School, 1065 Sunningdale Rd. E. in London. $50 per person (includes meals and resource package). This is for high school, college and university students and young adults. Pope John Paul II devoted 5 years to praying, teaching, and writing about the topic of love and sexuality, which is now a book called “Theology of the Body”. We invite you to unpack JPII’s message of love with “the pure life”. We will address modern challenges we face as youth in today’s world and how we can live God’s call to live in our everyday lives. Please contact Connie Vanderheyden at 519-455-3217 ext. 29 or you can email her at lifeteenmi@rcec.london.on.ca

 

The Mother Teresa Faith In Action Award, established by the Catholic Education Team of the Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board, recognizes individuals who:

·      Witness their faith

·      Create nurturing, Christ centered learning environments

·      Promote social justice, awareness and action

·      Nurture and celebrate the gifts, self-worth and potential of each student.

Awards will be presented during the System Catholic Education Week Mass at St. Patrick’s Church, Dublin on Monday, May 3, 2010 at 5:00 p.m.  Please consider nominating someone for this award.  Criteria and nomination forms are at the back of the church. The Nomination deadline is Jan. 22.