24TH Sunday of Ordinary Time

September 16, 2012

LIVING FAITH: EXPRESSED IN WORKS

In todays second reading, the apostle James challenges us to express our faith through works. He stresses the corporal works of mercy: feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, welcoming the stranger. Without such concrete action, faith by itself, without works, is dead. Strong and uncompromising words, which echo Jesus invitation in the Gospel to take up our cross each day and follow him! Through what works will we make OUR faith real and living? Which actions will give most powerful expression to our fundamental identity? Nearly 25 years ago, St. Monicas Pastoral Council gave birth to this parish mission statement after a long, sometimes painful, but ultimately fruitful labour: We who choose St. Monicas Roman Catholic parish, are challenged by Scripture and inspired by the Holy Spirit: to come together to celebrate in Word and Sacrament our faith in Jesus Christ; to recognize the dignity of each person; to appreciate the gifts each individual brings to our community; to celebrate the diversity that various small communities bring to our parish family; to work for Justice and Peace in our church and in society; to have a particular compassion for young, elderly, poor and disadvantaged people, while affirming the equality of all. As we prepare for the blessing and dedication of our renovated parish hall next Sunday, let us renew our commitment to live our faith through concrete works of love. We move into the future with Christ as the source of our faith and confidence. As baptized Christians, we all form the church, the People of God. Thus, our mission at St. Monicas is not primarily to be a structure, a building, or an institution. We are a people, a community of faith: not a mere social grouping or collection of like-minded individuals. We are a parish: rooted and grounded in the Roman Catholic faith tradition; formed by the Scriptures, the living Word of God; inspired by the Holy Spirit, Gods ongoing presence in the world; marked by our shared faith in Jesus Christ, whom we confess as friend and brother, as Risen Lord and Saviour. In a society marked by religious pluralism and secularism, we choose freely and totally to be such a people. We celebrate our faith: in the variety of gifts and experiences we bring to our shared worship, in our commitment to invest our time, talent and treasure for the building up of our parish community and for the larger work of the Kingdom of God. As we celebrate this new beginning in the life of our parish, we pray that our faith will always be made real, through our shared worship, our communal life, and our work for justice, peace, and human dignity.

St. Monica Community Food Pantry Food Drive

To help us restock the Food Pantry shelves, we will be holding a food drive beginning the weekend of Sept. 2223rd going until the weekend of Oct. 6-7. We are in desperate need of the following items: Pasta, pasta sauce, soup, canned tuna/salmon, peanut butter, canned fruit, bread, canned vegetables. Thank you for your generosity! PASTORAL HOME CARE VISITORS RETREAT Members of the St. Monica Pastoral Home Care Visitors team are invited to attend our annual retreat which will take place on Friday, September 21 from 9 AM-3 PM at St. John Fisher Parish. Please contact Deacon Dennis if you plan to attend. SPECIAL LITURGY AND BLESSING OF THE NEW HALL A special liturgy is being planned for next Sunday, September 23rd at 10:00 am. Please note that there will be NO 8:30 am mass next Sunday. Following the liturgy, we will all proceed to the new hall for a blessing ceremony and a reception in gratitude for all God has done for us. Please mark your calendars for this special event and plan to attend. Bakers are needed as well as helpers for the set-up and cleanup. Your help is greatly appreciated. Please contact Sharon DiFruscia or Odette Quenneville through the parish office (514) 481-0267. ST. MONICAS YOUTH GROUP Strike up a great time with St Monica's Youth Group on Friday, September 28th! Where: Salon des Quilles Rose Bowl, 6510 St Jacques. Meet at Rose Bowl @ 7:00 p.m. Cost: 2 games with shoe rental = $12.05 + tx. RSVP by September 23rd. Contact: stmonicasyouth@gmail.com. We'll head back to St Monica's afterwards for Free Ice Cream in the brand new Hall! Hope you can spare the time!

ADULT FAITH ENRICHMENT

UPCOMING EVENTS September 16 23, 2012
September 15, 2012 4:00 Rossolino Sparapani & Nina Volpone Gary Doherty September 16, 2012 8:30 Alba Paliotti John & Mildred Liston Adolphina & Jan Dabrowski 11:00 Giacomo Fiori Yong Bun Regina Nam September 17, 2012 8:00 Ermando Giuseppe Nudo Emidia Guiani September 18, 2012 8:00 Mario Maioni Sanda Onesi September 19, 2012 8:00 Lorenzo & Anna Forlini Roberto Fugarte (not deceased) September 20, 2012 The Intentions of Mark & Merilyn Rego & Family September 21, 2012 The Intentions of Winnie D'Sousa September 22, 2012 Rosolino Sparapani Montague (Monty) White September 23, 2012 8:30 Mona Montrichard Agnese Camaiani Teodori Luigi & Antonio Onesi Fioravante Rotiroti Anthony Aiello Jacqueline & Peter Nugent Our Lady of Sorrows Teresa Caucci Frances Cartman The 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time The Paliotti Family & Friends The Family Their Son His Wife Berardina & Family Benedict & Rosa Monday, St. Robert Bellarmine His Wife Elvira Arnaldo Guiani Tuesday, Weekday Maria Teresa Palucci Adelaide & Gino Francescangeli Wednesday, St. Januarius The Family His Mother Thursday, St. Andrew Kim Tae-Gon & Companions The Saldanha Family Friday, St. Matthew, Apostle The Saldanha Family Our Lady's Saturday Maria & Family His Wife The 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Anne-Marie Montrichard Vivian Teodori Settimia Onesi & Family The Rotiroti Family Carmello Aiello Their Son Peter

VATICAN II: THE FAITHFUL REVOLUTION What really happened at Vatican II? Why was it so important then? Why is it still important now? Fr. Raymond Lafontaine and Ms. Catherine Cherry will lead us in reflection and discussion on the significance of Vatican II for issues facing the Church and the world today on Wednesday evenings, October 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the parish hall. Please register by September 28. VIDEO DIVINA This year, Fr. Raymonds film series focuses on the theme of pilgrimage, dealing with both the outer and inner journey, and at different stages of life. Join him on Friday, October 5 at 7 p.m. in the parish hall for the first movie of the series, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Free admission and popcorn, and stimulating discussion to follow! All are welcome! REGISTRATION TO JOIN A FAITH SHARING GROUP Registration to join one of our Faith Sharing groups will take place after each Mass on Sept. 29 and 30. Our program this year is, Longing for the Holy, which examines what Christian spirituality means, and how to apply it in our lives. Registration by phone or e-mail will be accepted until September 30.
Please refer to our website and the posters at the Church entrances for additional information. To register, kindly use the appropriate sign-up sheets at the main church entrance or contact Anna at the office.

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Thank you for supporting your parish Last weeks collection was: $2,525.80 Hall Renovation Fund: $1,270.00

RAFFLE IN SUPPORT OF THE HALL RENOVATIONS st 1 Prize is $1,000 cash + many other subsidiary prizes. Draw will be held on Sunday, October 7th following the 11:00 am mass. Tickets are $10 each and are available at the doors of the Church. Would you consider taking a book of 10 tickets to sell to your friends, family, coworkers and neighbors? Your help would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Odette trough the parish office (514) 481-0267 or by email at Odette.Quenneville@stmonica.ca.