EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY -We are hiring for an important position in the Development Office at the Archdiocese. We are looking for a ‘Development or Marketing Professional’ with a heart for the Church and a strong ability to build relationships with many stakeholders. This full-time Development Officer role will coordinate the Project Advance annual appeal and along with the Director of Development, will support other parish fundraising efforts.

If you or someone you know is interested in applying, the full role description along with instructions on how to apply can be found at https://rcav.org/development-officer.

Is Your Marriage in Crisis? – Repair your marriage, rediscover romance and gain the tools you need for healthy, loving communication! Retrouvaille is a Catholic peer ministry which offers a three-phase program for married couples with difficulties of all kinds, including years of misery, infidelity, separation, or even divorce. It is not too late! For confidential information or to register for the program beginning the weekend of April 5 – 7, 2019, call Marc and Candice at 604-530-6710 and leave a message or email us at vancouverbc@retrouvaille.org. More information also available on our websites http://www.retrouvaille.org and http://www.retrouvaillevancouver.com

A NOTE OF THANKS – Joan Billesberger wishes to thank all friends, family and parishioners for their donations. Your contributions of stamps & recyclable bottles, cans, juice cartons etc will help the BC Guide Dogs. With this support, you help blind/visually impaired individuals, children with profound autism and military and RCMP veterans suffering from PTSD. Thank you for your help throughout the year.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY -We are hiring for an important position in the Development Office at the Archdiocese. We are looking for a development or marketing professional with a heart for the Church and a strong ability to build relationships with many stakeholders. This full-time Development Officer role will coordinate the Project Advance annual appeal and along with the Director of Development, will support other parish fundraising efforts.

If you or someone you know is interested in applying, the full role description along with instructions on how to apply can be found at https://rcav.org/development-officer.

STA NEWS – OPEN HOUSE at St. Thomas Aquinas High School – Wednesday, February 13, 2019 – 1:45 pm to 2:45 pm student led tours. The evening will have full staff in attendance 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

PLACEMENT EXAM – Friday, February 22, 2019 @ 8:30 am. All students applying for Grade 8 in September 2019, please contact Barbara Dougan at STA to pre-register 604-987-4431. Registration packages will be handed out to all Grade 7 students in feeder schools and PREP classes.

This coming year’s ENVELOPE BOXES for 2019 are now available at the Church’s entrance. All Boxes are alphabetized for your convenience. We would like to remind you to please pick up your box from the entrance of the church. Kindly do not use envelopes from 2018 in the New Year as box numbers change each year. Thank you for your commitments and contributions.

SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL – We will resume our sandwich making & distribution to the Homeless in downtown Vancouver on Monday, January 7th 2019. Thank you to all the volunteers. Donations of peanut butter & red jam are very welcome. Please contact Rose Morin – 604 -985-9674.

Parishioners, please note that the Parish office is closed on Tuesday & Wednesday, December 25th & 26th, as part of our Christmas celebrations. We will be open again on the 27th. Thank you for your kind understanding and Merry Christmas to all.

STA NEWS – STA Fine Arts evening takes place on Monday, December 17 in the STA gym. Doors open at 6:00 pm, admission is FREE and all parishioners are invited to come and enjoy Christmas spirit, fun, and joy.

Please Note  – There is no Children’s Liturgy between December 24 and January 5. The last Liturgy class for this year will be Sunday, December 23rd and the first class on in the New Year will be January 6, 2019. We look forward to seeing the children in the New Year.

A reminder to all those participating in the pageant that there is practice on Friday, December 21st, from 4-6 pm.

From the SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL – thanks to all those who volunteered to help make & distribute sandwiches to the Homeless in Downtown Vancouver. Your time and effort means a lot to the beneficiaries of the DTES. Donations of peanut butter & red jam are very welcome. Please contact Rose Morin – 604 -985-9674.

Thank you to all those who helped with baking, as well as those who supported us by purchasing raffle tickets and baked goods at the bake sale. Due to your generosity, we were able to raise $ 1207 from raffle ticket sales and $ 930.78 from the bake sale. All proceeds go to charities supported by the CWL. Raffle – 1st prize : Dinner for 2 to the Pinnacle Hotel – Winner – Elena Ilagan. 2nd Prize: Wine Basket – Winner – Helen Baiton. 3rd Prize: Purdy’s chocolates – Winner – Valerie Baiton. Congratulations to all the winners!

In preparation for the Advent Season, there will be PENITENTIAL SERVICES held at the following three parishes on the North Shore:

On Wednesday, December 19th – 10:30 am – St. Stephen’s Parish
On Wednesday, December 19th – 7:00 pm – St. Edmund’s Parish
Friday, December 21st – 7:00 pm – Christ the Redeemer Parish

Father Mark is also available at the confessional thirty minutes before regular Sunday Mass.

The Archdiocese of Vancouver has prepared a good review of the Sacrament here: http://rcav.org/come-to-confession/.