ADVENT RECONCILIATION SERVICE - Thursday, December 22 - 7:00 p.m. - Star of the Sea Church. All are invited to attend this uplifting and freeing celebration.

REFLECTION ON TODAY’S READINGS - What Shall We Do? - The first part of today’s Gospel describes the result of John the Baptist’s exhortation. Listening, to be fruitful, should lead to doing. And when all the people asked what they should do, the answer is to share with the poor and the needy their possessions. Lord, we realize that John’s call to make ready the way for your coming calls for a genuine conversion of heart. John gave very concrete advice to people from various walks of life as to how to prepare themselves to welcome the Messiah. John advocated a change in the lifestyle that results from a change of heart. Turning away from our sins and returning to God have serious consequences. If and when this conversion truly takes place in us, it should reflect in our actions and attitudes. Honestly, we have to confess the dichotomy that exists in our life - our religious beliefs and practices on one side and our real life on the other. We could be keen on carrying out our religious duties, saying our prayers, performing stipulated religious rites, but in real life, we could be far from the Father’s will. Unless our conversion produces fruits such as honesty, mercy, kindness, justice, integrity, and selfless love in daily life, our heart is not yet ready to receive you our Saviour.

ADVENT: Sunday, November 28 begins the Season of Advent where we prepare for Christmas, when we recall Christ’s first coming among us, and it is also a time when we look forward to his second coming at the end of the ages. Advent is a time of joyful expectation. During Advent, each Sunday’s Gospel reading has a specific focus. The Old Testament readings, especially those taken from Isaiah, are prophecies about the Messiah and messianic times. The selections from the writings of the Apostles present exhortations and instructions on different themes of the season. Let us remember and respond to this expectation in prayer, quiet time and preparation for the celebration of Christmas.

STAR OF THE SEA NEWS

Property and Finance Committee - will meet Tuesday, March 1 at 6:15 p.m. in the meeting room at the Glebe.

Ministries Schedule, December 19

Lector - Mary LeBlanc

Usher - Florence Flemming

Sacristan - Carla Armsworthy

Cleaners - December 12 - 18 - Theresa Casey/Eileen Cohoon

Ways & Means - Christmas Game of Chance - A HUGE thank you to all who supported this event in any way. We realized a profit of $2.030.00! Thanks so very much.

Craft & Bake Sale - A BIG thank you to all who supported this event in any way! Much appreciated. Ticket Sale - on a $300.00 Gift Certificate from Canso Coop. To buy or sell tickets, contact Flo Flemming. Draw Date -December 14.

Memory Trees - Minimum donation will be $5.00 Donations will be deposited to the parish of your choice. For more information contact the parish office or Carla Armsworthy

ST. AGNES PARISH NEWS

Ticket Draw - All tickets have been sold, draw will take place Sunday, December 12. Special thanks for your support and appreciation for the organizers!

NOTES

Mass For Shut-Ins -CHRISTMAS DAY -

We will be airing Christmas Day Mass, Saturday at 11:30am AT. Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick will be the presider for that Mass this year.

SUNDAY COLLECTIONS (from December 4th & 5th):

STAR OF THE SEA (27) $485. Shepherd's Trust (4) $40.

ST. AGNES (3) $50.

ST. JOSEPH (18) $202.

ST. VINCENT de PAUL

SUNDAY MISSALS - are available in the entrance of our churches, cost is $6.00 per missal.

COLLECTION ENVELOPES FOR 2022 - are available in the entrance of our churches. Please note: If you did not use an envelope in 2021, there will NOT be a box of envelopes for you. THERE ARE UNASSIGNED BOXES IN EACH CHURCH FOR YOUR USE. Please include your name with your donation to insure you are credited.

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