Father, let your hope arise in our hearts! Lift our eyes up to see that you alone are where our hope comes from. Help us to shake off the anxiety, discouragements, and distractions that have filled this year. May we pause to remember that we have hope in you. Grant this for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. www.crosswalk.com
** Sunday Missals for the new Church year are available at the back of the church for $5 each. There are also complimentary bookmarks available with the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel printed on them. **
**Christmas Confessions** Sunday, December 5/21 Athens: 3:30-4:30pm Toledo: 5-6pm
It will be “walk in” and other priests are invited to come and assist Father Ben with this special sacramental opportunity.
Journey with St. Joseph – Loyola Press – Free Adult Faith Formation Resource Spend a few moments each day of Advent on a Journey with St. Joseph. This special e-mail series will explore Joseph as a man of courage, love, and acceptance. The messages also include suggestions for further exploration of Advent themes through additional online articles and prayers. Link for additional information: Journey with St. Joseph | Loyola Press Message from Françoise Crosby:
Litany for the Souls in Purgatory
O Jesus, Thou suffered and died that all mankind might be saved and brought to eternal happiness. Hear our pleas for further mercy on the souls of:
My dear parents and grandparents, my Jesus mercy! My brothers and sisters and other near relatives, my Jesus mercy! My godparents and sponsors of confirmation, my Jesus mercy! My spiritual and temporal benefactors, my Jesus mercy! My friends and neighbors, my Jesus mercy! All for whom love or duty bids me pray, my Jesus mercy!
Those who have offended me, my Jesus mercy! Those who have suffered disadvantage or harm through me, my Jesus mercy! Those who are especially beloved by Thee, my Jesus mercy! Those whose release is near at hand, my Jesus mercy! Those who desire most to be united to Thee, my Jesus mercy! Those who endure the greatest sufferings, my Jesus mercy! Those whose release is most remote, my Jesus mercy! Those who are least remembered, my Jesus mercy! Those who are most deserving on account of their services to the Church, my Jesus mercy!
The rich, who now are the most destitute, my Jesus mercy! The mighty, who now are powerless, my Jesus mercy! The once spiritually blind, who now see their folly, my Jesus mercy! The frivolous, who spent their time in idleness, my Jesus mercy! The poor, who did not seek the treasures of heaven, my Jesus mercy! The tepid, who devoted little time to prayer, my Jesus mercy! The indolent, who neglected to perform good works, my Jesus mercy! Those of little faith, who neglected the frequent reception of the Sacraments, my Jesus mercy! The habitual sinners, who owe their salvation to a miracle of grace, my Jesus mercy!
Parents who failed to watch over their children, my Jesus mercy! Superiors who were not solicitous for the salvation of those entrusted to them, my Jesus mercy! Those who strove for worldly riches and pleasures, my Jesus mercy! The worldly-minded, who failed to use their wealth and talents in the service of God, my Jesus mercy! Those who witnessed the death of others, but would not think of their own, my Jesus mercy! Those who did not provide for the life hereafter, my Jesus mercy! Those whose sentence is severe because of the great things entrusted to them, my Jesus mercy!
The popes, kings and rulers, my Jesus mercy! The bishops and their counselors, my Jesus mercy! My teachers and spiritual advisors, my Jesus mercy! The deceased priests of this diocese, my Jesus mercy! The priests and religious of the Catholic Church, my Jesus mercy! The defenders of the holy faith, my Jesus mercy!
Those who died on the battlefield, my Jesus mercy! Those who fought for their country, my Jesus mercy! Those who were buried in the sea, my Jesus mercy! Those who died of apoplexy, my Jesus mercy! Those who died of heart attacks, my Jesus mercy! Those who suffered and died of cancer, my Jesus mercy! Those who died suddenly in accidents, my Jesus mercy! Those who died without the last rites of the Church, my Jesus mercy! Those who shall die within the next twenty-four hours, my Jesus mercy! My own poor soul when I shall have to appear before Thy judgment seat, my Jesus mercy!
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them: For evermore with Thy saints, because Thou art gracious.
May the prayer of Thy suppliant people, we beseech Thee, O Lord, benefit the souls of Thy departed servants and handmaids: that Thou mayest both deliver them from all their sins, and make them to be partakers of Thy redemption. Amen.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let the perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. * * * Mary's Circle of Friends - if you know of anyone who needs prayer and could benefit from the comfort and peace of a prayer shawl/lap quilt (Mary's Mantle), please let me know. I can be reached at 613-936-2844, fcrosby1@hotmail.com or see me after Mass.
*For sacramental preparation, please contact Francoise Crosby at fcrosby1@hotmail.com or 613-936-2844.
NEWS: To help build the church community, we are adding this section to share happy and not-so-happy occasions for example births, anniversaries, deaths, etc. Please forward any such events to Wendy at wen.armstrong5@gmail.com ”Hear ye! Hear ye!” What time of day was Adam created?
If you wish to purchase a poinsettia (for our Christmas decorating) in honour of, or in memory of, someone special, please place an envelope in the collection basket - $25 for large and $15 for the smaller ones.
The St. Philip Neri CWL will have a box at the back of the church to collect items for the Food Bank and another box to collect warm clothing items for those in need this Christmas. Please feel free to drop off your items prior to December 19th, after which date, we will deliver donations to the Athens Food Bank. Thank you for your support.
St. Andrew’s United Church (Toledo) is holding a Bake Sale on Dec 10th from 10am to Noon. All are welcome to attend!
Connecting with St. Joseph Catholic School: Our “Growth Mindset” bulletin board is growing day by day. Here is some more of our fabulous Gr. 6/7 artwork:
Plans are underway for a virtual St. Joe’s Christmas Concert. Stay tuned!
Next week, the School Council will have raffle baskets ready for their fundraiser (to support science workshops, class purchases, class trips, technology, etc.) Photos of several prize baskets will be posted on our school Face Book page. If you are interested in buying tickets for a chance to win, the prices are $2 per ticket, or 3/$5, or 7/$10. Contact Wendy at 613-275-2189 if you are interested in purchasing tickets.
SUSTAINING OUR PARISH Offerings from last Sunday:
Envelopes: St. Denis St. Philip $ 1088 $ 2570 The parishioners of St. Philip and St. Denis Parish are indeed very generous. This pandemic has been a real challenge for all of us. While it is critical that we re-engage ourselves and invite others to join us, we must also sustain our financial commitments. Four ways in which you can continue to support our Parish: Drop off your weekly offering at Mass Drop it off at the Rectory Mail it to the Parish (Box 88, Toledo, ON K0E 1Y0) Make a direct Interac deposit at: 2020pneric@gmail.com Thank you very much and God bless. St. Denis Reader Schedule Nov 28 - John McAllister Dec 5 – Kathryn Hudson 12 – Margaret Leeder 19 – Janice Howard 24 – Mary Dancy 26 – Gary Mensen 31 - TBA Jan 2 – TBA St. Philip Reader Schedule Nov 28 – Peter Peckham Dec 5 – Dan Downey 12 – Maggie Peckham 19 – Linda Bisonette 24 – Wendy Turnbull-Armstrong 25 - TBA 26 – Cathie Garvin Jan 1 – Peter Peckham 2 – Dan Downey 9 – Maggie Peckham St. Philip Usher List Nov 28 – Peter & Michael Dec 5 – Chris & David 12 – Gerard & Dan 19 – Terry & Gary 24 – Luke & Raymond 25 - David 26 – Kevin & Nick Jan 1 – Dan 2 – Peter & Michael 9 – Dan & Gerard St. Denis Usher List Saturday evenings: Bob Flood Sunday mornings: Janice Howard, Francoise Crosby and John McAllister
** Volunteers welcome ** Parish Contacts St. Philip Neri Church: Parish Council Chair - Dan Downey 613-275-1460 CWL – Linda Bisonette – 613-275-2167 Cemetery – Luke Healey – 613-275-2200 St. Denis Church: Parish Council Chair - TBA CWL – Susie Mensen 613-928-2555 Nurse – Helena Julien 613-924-9516 Funerals – Mary Dancy 613-924-9027 Cemetery - Gary Mensen 613-928-2555 St. James Minor – Cemetery Helen Deir 613-345-2928 Danny Flood 613-382-9631 Weekday Services: Wednesdays & Fridays 9 am Toledo; Thursdays 9:15 am Athens Confessions: 4:15 PM before Saturday Mass or by appointment Baptisms and Weddings: Contact Parish Office (*6 months in advance for weddings)
* * * * * CHRISTMAS SEASON MASS SCHEDULE 2021
Parish Name: St Philip Neri (Toledo) / St. Denis (Athens) In-Person Attendance: Christmas Eve mass time(s): St. Denis Athens = 5 pm St. Philip Toledo = 7 pm Christmas Day mass time(s): St Philip Toledo = 10 am NO SATURDAY EVENING MASS TODAY Sunday December 26th. Feast of the Holy Family = 9 AM St Denis Athens = 11AM St. Philip Toledo New Years Eve mass time: St. Denis Athens = 5 pm New Years Day mass time: St. Philip Toledo = 10 am
NO SATURDAY EVENING MASS TODAY
Sunday January 2nd Feast of the Epiphany. : 9 AM St. Philip Toledo 11AM St Denis Athens
Livestreamed Mass (If any) only on Sundays on Facebook : Angel Uba (The Toledo masses only) Maximum number of people that can attend mass with the current* COVID-19 restrictions: St. Philip Neri Toledo = 350 St. Denis Athens = 250 ** No Seating Reservations Needed **
* * * St Francis Xavier (Brockville) is having a 40 Hour Devotion Nov.28th to 30th.
FORTY HOURS DEVOTION this year will be held Sunday Nov 28, Monday Nov 29 and Tuesday Nov 30. There will be exposition of the Blessed Sacrament each day from 12 noon until evening devotions begin. There will be a penance celebration on Sunday evening at 7:30 pm and Mass on Monday and Tuesday evening at 7:30 pm. The penance celebration will serve as the Advent penance celebration.
A Prophetic Voice A little-known episode can shed light on how to help the souls in Purgatory. Maria-Anna Lindmayr (1657-1726) was a mystic from Munich who made headlines in her time with her prophetic expression and her experiences with the souls in Purgatory. She was 27 years old when the Lord began to teach her how to effectively help souls in Purgatory. He asked her to choose every week a certain virtue and to offer the efforts she makes to acquire it for the benefit of the souls in Purgatory. She had to do it through the hands of the Blessed Virgin or her guardian Angel. For instance, she could choose practicing humility for souls that suffer in Purgatory because of their pride, because they did not practice this virtue much... It is precisely through humility that we can help the souls in Purgatory a great deal, much more than through other practices of hard penance... Jesus also asked her to invoke the souls in Purgatory to help her, so that through their guardian angel, they may warn her when she was lacking in this virtue, so that she could help them...