From Fr. Colin
As we approach the Advent season, we are asked once again to direct our attention to that “great & terrible day of the Lord” (Joel 2:31) which is to come; to the coming of the Son of Man at which even the very powers of Heaven will be shaken. We are asked to contemplate the fulfillment of creation, the consummation of all God’s promises from the beginning, & thus our attention is directed to the end of the world in both meanings of that phrase: the cessation of things as we know them to be, &the goal or purpose for which they were created.
In the midst of all of the awe inspiring & even terrible imagery of destruction a&nd judgement, Jesus brings up another image which seems almost opposed to the previous ones. From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. (Mark 13: 28)
Rather than destruction or fear, here we have the image “of spring awakening; a lyrical, gentle, beautiful image which goes back to the Song of Songs, that great biblical poem of love &courtship which the rabbis interpreted as a love song for the Lord of Israel.”
Commenting on this, Fr. Aidan Nichols writes: “The end of the world, then, however terrible, is more fundamentally a promise, not a threat. It is a promise of supernatural spring, new life, regeneration, betrothal &union with God. We were made for God &the world was made to lead us to God. When it has done so, the world as we know it will have served its purpose…”
St. Paul tells the Romans that, we know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now; and not only that, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. (Romans 8:22-23) When the new creation is complete, then the labour pains will have ceased, & the new spring with its new life will be here. Be watchful, therefore, & attentive so that at its coming we will be prepared to embrace fully the new life that Christ the Son offers to us.
CWL Jacket Racket - This Weekend
Children’s Winter Clothing Drive
November 13, 2021 10 am to 4 pm
St Francis Room
JACKET RACKET is a volunteer organization started by teachers in 1988 who noticed children coming to school without proper winter jackets. There has been an increase in the number of schools placing orders for children’s winter wear.
The St. Bonaventure CWL will be collecting new or clean, gently used children’s winter jackets, snow pants, hats, mitts, gloves & fleece jackets.
If you wish to make a cash donation, the CWL will use it to purchase additional children’s winter clothing. Cheques can be written out to St Bonaventure CWL #72.
All clothing should be packed in strong garbage bags for ease of handling & kindly wear a mask when you drop off your donation.
Contact Lorraine Clark at lmfclark@hotmail.com 403-510-5169 with any questions.
CWL Membership Drive
This weekend Nov 13-14
Would you like to join the St. Bonaventure CWL? A member will be in the St. Francis Room after all masses to collect membership dues ($30- payable by cash or cheque to: St. Bonaventure CWL #72
Questions? Contact Anita Arduini, CWL Acting President at a.arduini@portfire.com 403-616-5416.
Keep Christ in Christmas
Knights of Columbus Christmas Card Sales
November 20-21 after all Masses
The Knights of Columbus will be selling “Keep Christ in Christmas” cards,
beautiful cards with inspiring Christ-centred Christmas messages.
Packs of 5 different cards will sell for $5.
CCCB Justice, Healing & Reconciliation Initiatives
Pope Francis will meet with residential school survivors, elders, knowledge keepers & youth at the Vatican from December 17-20, 2021.
"With this delegation, we hope to walk together in a new way, to listen with humility, & to discern the next steps that the Church can take to support residential school survivors, their families & their communities." Full CCCB news release here
Residential Schools
Apology from the Canadian Bishops, & links to much more information about Residential Schools, including the $30M pledge to support healing initiatives.
Pope Francis' message on the Kamloops Residential Schools.
Bishop William McGrattan's message on Kamloops Residential Schools.
A Catholic Response
Call to Action 48 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Delegation to the Holy See: diverse group of Indigenous people to meet with Pope Francis
Crisis line for Indian Residential School survivors & family:
1-866-925-4419
Catholics for Truth & Reconciliation (Facebook group)
Red Wednesday
Prayer for Persecuted Christians
This year Red Wednesday will be November 17, 2021. This is a day set aside where prayer services are organized throughout the world to raise awareness of religious persecution & to promote respect & tolerance among people of different faith traditions.
Download Prayer here
With over 327 million Christians living in persecution-stricken countries, Aid to the Church in Need Canada, an international Catholic, Pontifical charity invites us to gather with people around the world to celebrate a day of prayer for persecuted Christians.
We are asked to wear red on this day (Nov 17) to show solidarity with our persecuted Christian brothers & sisters. We are demonstrating that they are not forgotten.
To attend, please register at www.miscarriageliturgy.ca or call Sister Mariflor Jacob 403-218-5521
Memorial Liturgy
When families lose a baby in the womb, the cries of birth go unheard; the grasp of tiny fingers slips away.
This profound loss needs articulation.
Join Bishop McGrattan in a prayer gathering to commend our children communally into the embrace of our merciful God & to support those who are grieving the loss of a child
Grey Cup Pool Ticket Sales
The 2021 CFL Grey Cup game will be played in the "donut box", Hamilton's Tim Horton's Field, on Sunday December 12. The Knights of St. Bonaventure Parish are selling grey cup pool tickets in support of Catholic scholarships. Purchase them in the parish office for $2. Please support this Knights' fundraiser.
Faithfully - November 8 Edition
A diocesan faith letter with a new shorter format - emailed every Monday.
Subscribe here to start your week with these nuggets of faith & inspiration.
Sunday Updates from the Diocese
Diocesan Events
Livestream Masses
Livestream of masses from our diocese (scroll to the bottom of the page), around the world & on TELUS Optik TV Ch. 877 (choose Diocese of Calgary tile logo).
Sunday Readings - Reflections
Mass Readings
- Is the End-Time Coming? The liturgical year of 2021 ends in 14 days. These past weeks have kept our focus on living in the Kingdom of God & living for its completion. Who knows when this world will end. None of us! It will come when God is ready. We know it ends here for each of us at death. And then perjures forever in the eternal presence of God. Rather than fret about when the end will come, let us behave rightly now.
- What will I do today to behave as God wants?
- What will I say today that is right & true & just?
- What mercy work will guide my week?
Diocese of Springfield
Our Sunday Mass Times
Saturdays at 5 pm
Sundays at 7:30 am, 9 am, 10:30 am,
12 noon & 7 pm
- You do not need to register to attend mass.
- The dispensation of the faithful from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass continues.
- The sign of peace is to be exchanged with a bow, not by a handshake.
- Collection baskets are in the Narthex to drop off your donations.
- Holy Communion will be distributed by the priest (center aisle)
- There is a limit of 50 attendees for funerals, weddings & baptisms.
- Tuesday & Thursday evening masses at 7 pm.
The dispensation of the faithful from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass continues at this
this time.
Parish Guidelines
- Masks are mandatory at all times.
- Hand sanitizers are located throughout the building for your convenience. We ask that you maintain proper hand hygiene.
- Please exercise charity & kindness in respecting peoples level of comfort regarding physical distancing, physical contact, cohorts.
- There is a limited capacity of 1/3 of fire code capacity.
Anyone who has even the slightest symptoms or feelings of illness must remain at home.
Covid 19 General Directives from the Diocese of Calgary here
Adoration Chapel Hours
Monday - 9:30 am to Midnight
Tuesday - 7:00 am to 11 pm
Wednesday - 7:00 am to
Tuesday - 7:00 am to 11 pm
Wednesday - 7:00 am to
Thursday at 11 pm
Friday - 9:30 am to Midnight
Friday - 9:30 am to Midnight
The Adoration Chapel is still in need of adorers. Current openings here.
If you can spare one hour a week, please contact Heather Burdeyney at heather.burdeyney@outlook.com or 403-278-0394. Thank you.
Parish Office Hours
Monday - Friday: 9 am - noon
Closed on Thursday, November 11 for Remembrance Day.
Parish Office: 403-278-7556 or info@stbonaventureparish.ca
Please know that our parish community is here for you.
If you or your family need spiritual or emotional support, or if you would like a priest or parishioner to call you, please contact the parish at 403-278-7556 or reply to this email. If you require assistance with food hampers from St. Vincent de Paul, you can contact the parish office to connect to the SVDP Society.