The Annual PARISH FORTY HOURS ADORATION starts on Wednesday, December 4th until Friday, December 6th. All parishioners are encouraged to spend some time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament during these days. Adoration begins daily at 9 am. On Wednesday & Thursday, Adoration ends at 12 midnight. On Friday, there will be Benediction and closing Mass at 7 pm. The sign- up sheet is in the entrance of the church. We ask all the parish ministries to help ensure there is someone in the church, especially during the later hours.

CWL News: The CWL Christmas Dinner is on December 11th at 6 pm. We remind our Parishioners that the deadline for signing up is Friday, December 6th. Your payment ($20.00 per person) can be dropped off either at the Rectory or thru the Sunday collection baskets. Please mark your envelope CWL dinner and include your name. We look forward to spending the evening with you.

Thank you to all parishioners who attended our STA Craft Fair last weekend. It was a most successful event and we would like to thank the organizers for their tremendous efforts in putting it all together. Our next event will be our Open House on Saturday, November 23 from 11 am to 4 pm. Come for a student led tour or wander the hallways on your own and discover the newest addition to the North Shore Skyline. We are located at 541 West Keith Road.

POINSETTIA SALE – ST. THOMAS AQUINAS HIGH SCHOOL – Orders due Friday, November 15th. Pick up from school Friday, November 29th (3-4:45 pm), Sat. Nov. 30 (10:30 to 12 noon) at the Convent, 6th & Forbes, North Vancouver. Please take an order form from the entrance of the church. For questions or more information contact Maureen Lum at
604 833 7808.

The 10:30 AM MASS CHOIR invites all Parishioners to join the Choir for this year’s Midnight Mass this Yuletide Season. For information on practice dates and time, please contact: Marius Soska at mari13anus@outlook.com, or (604) 812–2046, or Theresa St-Arnaud at tvs.tupp@telus.net, or (778) 837-8927. We look forward to singing with you!

St. Stephen’s Parish is hosting a SANTA BREAKFAST on Sunday, December 1, 2019 after the 10:30 am Mass in the hall. Tickets go on sale next weekend, November 16 & 17, after all Masses. Tickets are $6 per Adult and $ 3 per child (up to 12 years). Proceeds help cover the breakfast’s costs and will go towards our Parish activities.

“HEART OF THE CHURCH”- The next Soup & Sandwich lunch, followed by the presentation is on Thursday, November 7th, 11:30 am to 1:30 pm in the parish hall. The sign- up sheet is in the Church, if you have not signed up already. If you have, please mark the Thursdays in the next few months, that you will be present at these sessions.

Vancouver Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services: Prayer Breakfast – Our speaker will be Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB. This Prayer Breakfast takes place Saturday, Nov. 9, at 9 am at Immaculate Conception School Gym in Delta. Tickets are $25. For details contact Lennie David at 604-597-8227.

DOMESTIC ABUSE SERVICES announce the 2019 Rhinestones & Angel Wings Gala, on Saturday, Dec. 7th, 6:30pm at St. Matthew’s Hall (16065 88th Ave, Surrey). Whether you attend as a winter social or wish to give your support to victims of domestic abuse, the gala is an exciting night out with silent and live auctions, a special guest speaker, raffle prizes, dinner and live music. Tickets are now available $60 each or tables for $550 (10 seats included) at  DomesticAbuseServices.ca or 604.585.6688 Sponsored by Domestic Abuse Services – Our Lady of Good Counsel Society.

ANNUAL MASS FOR DECEASED BISHOPS, CLERGY AND CONSECRATED MEN AND WOMEN: The annual Mass for deceased bishops, clergy and consecrated men and women will be held at Holy Rosary Cathedral on Wednesday, November 6 at 12:00 noon. All parishioners are most welcome to attend this special Liturgy concelebrated by the priests of the Archdiocese.

ALL SOULS ENVELOPES – A reminder to please return your envelope to Father Mark or to the parish office by October 31st. Masses for “All Souls” will be said in the month of November.
The Book of Remembrance is in the Church. Please include the names of those deceased, loved ones who have died in the past year. The book will be placed at the foot of the altar during the month of November to pray for all the departed souls.

ANNUAL MASS FOR DECEASED BISHOPS, CLERGY AND CONSECRATED MEN AND WOMEN: The annual Mass for deceased bishops, clergy and consecrated men and women will be held at Holy Rosary Cathedral on Wednesday, November 6 at 12:00 noon. All parishioners are most welcome to attend this special Liturgy concelebrated by the priests of the Archdiocese. Remember kindly in your prayers during the month of November those who have laboured for the Church in Vancouver and pray that the Lord will send more dedicated men and women to continue their ministry.

St. Thomas Aquinas Christmas Craft Fair – Expect to see some changes at this year’s STA Christmas Craft Fair! With a new school and gym, organizers have been able to increase their 100+ vendors by 20% which means additional quality choices for shoppers including home décor, jewelry, clothing, gourmet food, and a $1 Bookstore! With a newly upgraded kitchen, the Café is offering delicious warm meals, coffee, and sweets, as well as their famous Hamburger Soup for purchase. And watch for some enticing raffle baskets this year with many high-end items to be won. This event takes place Sunday, Nov. 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in North Vancouver. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for seniors and free for kids.

ARCHDIOCESAN NEWS – FEDERAL ELECTION -The faithful are reminded that Election Day in Canada is Monday, Oct. 21, and in a letter Archbishop Miller reminds Catholics they have a moral obligation to vote, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The full letter can be seen online at rcav.org/election2019.