The 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

St. Monicas Parish

October 12/13, 2013

THANKSGIVING: AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

As we celebrate Thanksgiving this weekend, it is easy to focus on the externals: turkey, pumpkin pie, football, fall colours, the last long weekend before a cold Canadian winter! Beyond its secular overtones, however, our celebration of Thanksgiving has profoundly Christian roots. Each of us is called to cultivate an attitude of gratitude for all of Gods gifts: the gifts of creation, the produce of the earth, the fruits of human labour, and most of all, our families and friends and neighbours, in whom we meet Gods image and likeness. All we have received comes from a God who will not be outdone in generosity. As we committed ourselves to serve in various ministries last week, we realized that we too are called to be generous in sharing our time, talent, and treasure, building up the reign of God that Jesus came to inaugurate. Let us be grateful for all those at St. Monicas who share their gifts generously, making of our parish a place of welcome and outreach, of faith and fellowship, of praise and thanks. We gather to celebrate Eucharist: the Greek word for Thanksgiving. It is harvest-time: a time of gratitude to God, our Creator and Provider, whose guidance and care go before us, and whose love is with us forever. As days shorten, as weather cools, as leaves change to red and gold and begin to fall, we reflect on changes, remembering that we too grow and change from one season of life to another. The Thanksgiving altar display, the apple we receive as we leave church today, are designed to inspire grateful hearts for the bounty of Gods creation. As this weekend we collect food and donations for our food pantry, as we prepare for our parish bazaar in two weeks in support of our twin parish in Zamoran, may the spirit of gratitude echo in our hearts and lead us to greater generosity. Happy Thanksgiving to you all! ****************************************************************** Mass of the Anointing of the Sick: Annual Mass - Anointing of the Sick - Saturday, October 19
at 4:00 p.m. This sacrament is intended for the elderly and those suffering from chronic disease or any type of long-term health challenge. Those wishing to receive this sacrament are strongly urged to signup ahead of time. Sign-up sheets have been placed at the back of the church. Alternately, please call the parish office (514-481-0267) to sign-up. Transportation will be provided, if needed. Volunteer Drivers Needed for the Mass of the Anointing: Volunteers are needed to drive parishioners who will be attending the Mass of Anointing on October 19 at 4:00 p.m. If you are able to perform this service, please sign up at the back of the church or call the parish office (514-481-0267).

Development & Peace - Fall Campaign:

This Fall, the D&P campaign will focus on ethical mining. The action will be the signing of a petition asking the House of Commons to create a Legislation Ombudsman Mechanism for Responsible Mining. In order to have a better understanding of the campaign, there will be reading material inserted in the bulletin for the next few weeks. Bazaar Saturday, October 26, 2013: From 10:00am to 4:00pm at St. Monica's Church Hall. New items, Baked goods, Crafts, Children's toys, White elephant table. Proceeds go to projects in our twin parish in Zamoran, El Salvador. (No admission charge) Snacks and lunch will be served. Sponsored by Faith and Justice Committee. For more info, contact Sharon 514-481-2981.

Saturday, Oct. 12 Our Ladys Saturday 4:00 Alfonzo, Eufemia & Luisa & Angelo Falcone Italo Falcone Sunday, Oct. 13 28th Sunday in Ord. Time 8:30 In Loving Memory: Elena Casale Zilli, Isa Mazzella, Luigi & Rosa Mammone, Joseph Onesi, Lucille Wong, Viola McDonald, Jean Pratte 11:00 Joseph Onesi Ida & Family Ettore Lanni-6th Ann. The Family Monday, Oct. 14 Thanksgiving Day 8:00 Giustina & Giuseppe The Ambrosio Family Micone Tuesday, Oct. 15 St. Teresa of Jesus 8:00 In Thanks to the Saints Madonna Della Libera Santo Antonio, & Padre Pio Mass requested by Giuseppina Wed., Oct. 16 St. Marguerite DYouville 8:00 Michele & Concetta Daughter Giuseppina Lalla Thursday, Oct. 17 St. Ignatius of Antioch 8:00 Ermando Giuseppe Wife Elvira Nudo Nudo Friday, Oct. 18 St. Luke 8:00 Concetina DiLeonardo Agnese Zilli Saturday, Oct. 19 Our Ladys Saturday 4:00 Aniello DAddio Wife Franca Sunday, Oct. 20 29th Sunday Ordinary Time 8:30 Vincenzo Saluzzi Maddalena Saluzzi & Family 11:00 In Loving Memory: Deceased members of the Cullen family, Leona Clarke, Joan Dickson Your Generosity
Thank you for your on-going support of our parish Last weekends collection was $3,726.00 and the Maintenance Collection totalled $1,795.50

Do you have questions about the Bible? Maybe we can find the answers together! Please register by October 7. Wisdom Years: The Human and Spiritual Journey of Aging We often associate the aging process with diminishment and letting go. What opportunities for growth and deepening psychological, spiritual, and human do the wisdom years open up for us? Dr. Thomas Francoeur, Ed.D. and Sr. Mary-Ellen Francoeur, Ph.D. will explore these vital questions with us on Tuesday, October 15 from 1:30 to 3:15 pm in the parish hall. Please register by October 11. Boundaries with Kids How Healthy Choices Grow Healthy Children In this first of nine sessions of the Coffee and Conversation series, we will give you a brief overview of the curriculum we will be following for this course. The subsequent sessions will equip you with key concepts needed to raise your children to take responsibility for their own actions, attitudes and emotions so that they learn to take ownership of their lives. Join us on Sunday, October 20, from 10 to10:50 am, in the rectory dining room. Please register by October 17. Please refer to our website and the posters at the Church entrances for additional information. If registration is required, kindly use the appropriate sign-up sheets at the main church entrance or contact Anna at the office 514-481-0267.

Adult Faith Enrichment Discovering the Bible: A User Friendly Guide

Why do we have a Bible? Do we need it? How did it take shape? Who are the people who wrote it down? Dr. Margaret Million, Ph.D will guide us through a 6week Bible study that will make The Word of God ever more accessible and meaningful to us. Join us on Wednesday evenings, October 9, 16, 23 & 30, and November 6 & 13 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the parish hall.

WHO ARE YOU? Are you using donation box #360? Are you using donation box #367? If so, please call the parish office at 514-481-0267 and give us your name and address so that when the time comes, we will be able to issue a tax receipt to you. Thank you.