To all Parishioners and the faithful, please note that the Parish office will be closed on Wednesday, July 1st, for the Canada Day holiday. The office will be back to regular hours on July 2nd. Thank you for understanding.

PRAYER GROUP – We will meet online this Thursday, July 2nd at 7:30 pm. Virtual Prayer Meeting with songs, Praise & Worship, prayers. Everyone is welcome. For more info, contact Alfred Ho: 604-987-5265

FIREWOOD NEEDED – For an elderly couple – If you or anyone you know has firewood to spare, green or dry, around 1.5 feet in length, please contact the parish office – 604-985-1962. Thank you!

Your prayers are requested for Jim Alden, Meliton Carolino, Tony Ceraldi, Marjorie Corcoran, Gaetana Di Francesco, Maria Dos Santos, Anne Edwards, Thelma Fairleigh, Margaret Geraghty, Mark Hamilton, Frank Kilian, Cecilia Lam, John Magee, Cecily McLarnin, Ariel Nonan, Diego Nunez, Leo O’Neill, Jeff Patterson, Philip Sakhrani, Desi Santos, John Toljanich & Jarrod Wiesner.

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Mr Virgil Billesberger of our parish, husband of Mary, who died on Monday, June 22, 2020. Please keep the family in your prayers too.

STA NEWS – The staff hosted a BBQ lunch for the grade 12 students on Friday, June 12. It was not the graduation dinner & dance that is the status quo but it was heartwarming to allow them to break bread together to signify their last day of class in high school. The graduates and their family members attended a diploma presentation at the school on Monday, June 15, small groups through the gym in 15 minute intervals. The event was well orchestrated and parents were very thankful to witness in person their graduate receiving their diploma. On Monday, June 22 at 11 am, Archbishop Michael Miller will celebrate the Graduation Mass in the STA convent chapel. The Mass will be broadcast on the STA Youtube channel which is accessed through the STA website: http://www.aquinas.org The link is: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmNOHo5I_h7f-cfKD2dnwbg

The same evening, at 7:00 pm, the Convocation ceremony will be broadcast, access is through the same link. We hope you will join us in celebrating the successes and achievements of this very special graduation class of 2020.

Your prayers are requested for Jim Alden, Virgil Billesberger, Meliton Carolino, Tony Ceraldi, Marjorie Corcoran, Gaetana Di Francesco, Maria Dos Santos, Anne Edwards, Thelma Fairleigh, Margaret Geraghty, Mark Hamilton, Frank Kilian, Cecilia Lam, John Magee, Cecily McLarnin, Ariel Nonan, Diego Nunez, Leo O’Neill, Jeff Patterson, Philip Sakhrani, Desi Santos, John Toljanich & Jarrod Wiesner.

RE-OPENING OF MASSES WITH A CONGREGATION – Guidelines for the Reopening of Masses with a Congregation have been sent out to all parishioners, along with a letter from Father Mark. In order to determine the 50 people maximum at each Mass, parishioners are requested to contact the parish office by phone or email, at least 24 hours prior, to make a booking. This number will include the lector and ushers assigned at each Mass. Please call or email the parish office each week to reserve your seat. No Altar servers and no choir for congregational singing at this time, until further notice. Masses are presently being held in the parish hall due to church renovations. The washrooms will remain closed. Please ensure physical distancing is strictly observed everywhere on the premises. Please bring your own mask if you wish to use one. Collection baskets will not be passed around. These will be placed in the entrance for everyone to deposit their offering envelopes. The ushers will hand out individual bulletins, and they will observe the necessary guidelines for all to be safe.

Office: 604-985-1962

ARCHDIOCESAN NEWS – All the faithful in the Archdiocese of Vancouver remain dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass during this initial reopening phase. Furthermore, you are not required to attend a weekday Mass in place of the Sunday Liturgy. For the list of parishes streaming Masses in the Archdiocese of Vancouver, you may visit http://www.rcav.org

How to Thrive in Marriage Amidst the Busyness of Raising Children – This one evening session, led by Denis Boyd, will discuss some of the challenges parents have in keeping their marriages strong and healthy. Practical suggestions will be given to help parents improve their connection with each other in the midst of the turmoil of everyday life. The importance of conversation and collaborative decision making will be discussed, along with creative ways to keep a marriage Great! Join us over Zoom on Monday, June 15 from 7:03 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Register online at beholdvancouver.org/events/2211.

FIREWOOD NEEDED – For an elderly couple – If you or anyone you know has firewood to spare, green or dry, around 1.5 feet in length, please contact the parish office – 604-985-1962. Thank you for your generous consideration!

PROJECT ADVANCE 2020 – has some key changes this year. Archdiocesan funding priorities from this year’s appeal will be directed to a newly established Crisis Response Fund, to help vulnerable individuals and families during this time of a pandemic, alongside other ministries of evangelization and outreach. The Archdiocesan goal has been reduced to $ 1.625 million and St. Stephen’s target has been reduced from $ 35,000 to $ 17,500. The Appeal will officially launch in early June when past supporters can expect to receive a letter from the Archbishop. Thank you for your donation & support.

STA NEWS – The majority of STA teachers were back to the school last week, performing virtual teaching from their classrooms. It was wonderful to see them arrive in the morning but after that they remained in their rooms the entire day. It was a beginning. We also welcomed back our Grade 12 students, 76 in total were present at the school, the remaining 45 participated on-line. Attendance in person is optional not mandatory. Today our grade 11 students were invited back, tomorrow, grade 10 students, Thursday, grade 9 students, Friday, grade 8 students. We are off to a great start.

The Domestic Abuse Services’ 9th Annual Walk to Keep the Dream Alive will be held June 20-28th. This year is a fantasy walkathon so we can practice safe social-distancing and still raise proceeds towards Eva’s House and our Society programs to help all victims of abuse to NOT LIVE IN FEAR. We hope you will join us! Visit http://www.DomesticAbuseServices.ca or call our office for more details 604.585.6688.

The Angelic Spirits: Adorers, Messengers, Guardians – by Father John Horgan. The world of the Angels in relationship to the Holy Trinity and the Mission of the Church: What does the presence of the Angels reveal to us in the pages of Scripture and the Tradition of the Church? How can they assist me in my own spiritual journey? In this talk, Fr. Horgan will introduce participants to the “deeper importance” of the angels in the life of the Church and in our individual life of faith. June 19, 7 to 8:30 pm, will  be a Zoom webinar. Questions? Please contact Frederena at fho@rcav.org for registration inquiries. Sponsored by Catholic Cemeteries  Archdiocese of Vancouver. Please register here.

PROJECT ADVANCE 2020 – has some key changes this year. Archdiocesan funding priorities from this year’s appeal will be directed to a newly established Crisis Response Fund, to help vulnerable individuals and families during this time of pandemic, alongside other ministries of evangelization and outreach. The Archdiocesan goal has been reduced to $ 1.625 million and St. Stephen’s target has been reduced from $ 35,000 to $ 17,500. The Appeal will officially launch in early June when past supporters can expect to receive a letter from the Archbishop.  Thank you for your donation & support.