that 2010 will be the year for the famous Oberammergau Passion Play in Germany? Every 10 years, since 1633, a small village in Germany portrays the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord in keeping with a promise to Our Lord to be spared from a plague. This year marks the 41st time for Oberammergau. I will be leading a pilgrimage to this special event from June 12th-June 20th. It is also the 50th anniversary of the release of ‘The Sound of Music’ so we will visit the many beautiful places made famous by that memorable movie – Vienna, Salzburg and Munich. Brochures are available in both churches for interested pilgrims.

DID YOU ALSO HEAR… that 2010 marks the 1950th anniversary of the shipwreck of St. Paul on the island of Malta. I will be attending the ordination of a former altar boy from June 21st-June 30th in Malta and will be leading a pilgrimage of young men. We will stay in the diocesan seminary. If you are an interested man (16-30 years of age) and would like to see the last remaining Catholic country in the world and all its beautiful Churches, speak to me , or e-mail me at info@tctf.ca.

      Fr. Paul Nicholson

 

 

Our prayers and sympathy are extended to the family of Joe Murray whose funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Patrick’s Parish this week. “May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace, Amen.” May the Murray family find comfort in God’s love and peace in His faithfulness.

 

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.

 

Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.  Mitchell will include a special blessing and activity: three boxes will include a) a title of Our Blessed Lady b) a mystery of Our Faith c) and a patron saint to help you in the coming year. Please join us for this fun little activity and start the new year with a big boost!

    

The Mother of God - of all the Marian feasts of the Church, this day dedicated to Mary, Mother of God, is the greatest. Drawing on scriptural and patristic sources, it celebrates Mary’s role in the incarnation and in redemption. In this role, her special relationship with her son is emphasized and she is acknowledged as a model of the Church.

 

 

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.

 

“The Mitchell Christmas Community Care wishes to express our deepest gratitude for your participation in the Angel Tree program. Almost 100 families will enjoy a merrier Christmas because of your generosity. Every year our numbers increase and our reserves are now at the point of depletion. Maybe employment opportunities will improve in 2010 and ease the burden. Again, our deepest Thanks and May you share the joy of this Season with those you love, both now and in 2010.”  Regards, Carol Siemon

 

As of January 1, 2010, the rental fee for the hall will be $100.00. All individuals/groups booking the hall (whether exempt of paying or not) must sign a “Hall rental Agreement.” This is necessary for office record keeping and liability purposes. Everyone’s co-operation is appreciated.

“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.