"John's baptism, where did it come from?"

The Lord is near, we rejoice and give thanks.

On this Gaudette Sunday, we rejoice as we look forward to the return of Christ. His coming in glory fills us with confidence and prayer - all fear is removed and our hearts sing for joy!

This Sunday is called Gaudete Sunday Rejoice Sunday. This comes from the readings we hear today, and it underlines an important point. In the Gospel, we hear John the Baptist telling different groups what to do - they must repent, and change their lives. We might think of this as a rather joyless thing - something which is hard and unrewarding. The message of this Sunday is that repentance and changing our lives to welcome Jesus is something richly joyful. When we are planning to welcome anyone we love to our homes, we set about cleaning and preparing for their visit with enthusiasm - nothing is too much trouble for someone we care for greatly. Even scrubbing the bath or polishing the furniture can be a happy and joyful thing! The message of this Sunday is that preparing to welcome the Lord - even though it may involve hard work - is something utterly joyful, because of our love for Him, and His love for us.

Mass Schedule December 17th - December 23rd

Monday - NO MASSt

Tuesday - 10:00 am Mass at Yucalta for all Parishioners

Wednesday - 9:00 am Mass for +for Joseph Raymond Malley offered by Sandra Malley

Thursday - 9:00 am Mass for +Michael Orr offered by Lorraine Orr

Friday - 9:00 am for Deacon John & Heather Dawson offered by The Lenz Family

Saturday - 5:00pm +Fr. Bernie Black offered by The Langevin Family

Sunday - 9:00 am +Peter & Natalie Soucy offered by the Family

               11:00 am +Armand Bourgoin offered by the Family

December 24 Christmas Vigil
4:00 pm Christmas Carols
4:30 pm Children’s Mass*
7:00 pm Christmas Carols
7:30 pm Mass*
8:00 pm Mass in Gold River
11:30 pm Christmas Carols
12:00 Midnight Mass

December 25 Christmas Day
10:00 am Mass*

December 26 St. Stephen’s Day
11:00 am Croatian Mass* (*with incense)

Choir Christmas Concert Sunday December 30th at 2:30 pm Come join St. Patrick’s Church Choirs for an afternoon of Christmas Carols and fellowship. There will be a reception in the large hall. following the concert. Choir members, please bring an appetizer to share. Admission is by free-will offering. All donations go to the Building Fund.

St. Patrick’s Parish Youth Ministries Presents The Friendly Beasts A Christmas Pageant Everyone, especially families are invited to join us!
Thurs. Dec. 20th 6:00 - 7:30 in the large hall.
There will be a special visitor in a red suit after the pageant!

St. Patrick’s New Year’s Eve Dinner and Dance Monday December 31st Mass at 5:00 pm Doors open at 6:00 pm Catered Buffet Dinner at 6:45 pm Tickets are $50 and available at the parish office.

Grassroots Society: Thank you to the Knights of Columbus for their help this past Wednesday, especially when they are so busy this time of year! We will be cooking, serving and cleaning up December 19th and 26th. If you can help please call Emily at 250-287-3003 or email emhepburn@gmail.com. We need main dishes, vegetables, salads, desserts and fresh fruit.

St. Patrick’s New Year’s Eve Dinner and Dance Monday December 31st Mass at 5:00 pm Doors open at 6:00 pm Catered Buffet Dinner at 6:45 Tickets will be available next week at the parish office.

A Gathering Place Family Ministry: Drop in Wednesdays after morning Mass. Bring your infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers and home school children to the small hall. Activities, snacks, tea & coffee will be provided. For more information please call Nikki 250-830-4758 or Sharon 250-923-0763

Cremation & Funeral Liturgies: Cremation has been permitted for Catholics for a number of years now. Most recently, in December 2017 the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, acknowledging a pastoral need, granted permission for the “Order of Christian Funerals: Supplement for Celebrations with Cremated Remains” to be used in dioceses across Canada. To read more, please click HERE.

St. Patrick’s Parish Columbarium The forms for the purchase of an inurnment right are available at the Parish Office. Please stop by Tuesday through Friday for more information.

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT: Takes place every Wednesday following 9:00 am Mass until 10:00 pm. Why not come out and spend a quiet hour with the Lord? Devotional reading material is provided for your use at the back of the Church.

.