...there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he

View this email in your browser In preparation for this weekend's reading... IN THIS ISSUE: Advent • Congratulations • 8pm Mass • Mary's Baby Shower • Envelopes • Alpha • Good Shepherd • Vocation Seeds • From the Diocese • Did You Know? • Mass Intentions • Holiday Schedule • Liturgy Schedule This Sunday is the Third Sunday of Advent. On this evening, we light the rose candle. This is called the "Joy" candle, as we are filled with joy as we anticipate Christ's coming again as King of Kings! You too must be patient. Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another, that you may not be judged. Behold, the Judge is standing before the gates. James 5:8-9 We are halfway through Advent, and today is a day of great joy. But, it may not feel joyful. It may feel stressful and chaotic! How can you redirect yourself over the next 10 days? What is something you can do when you start to complain? The Sunday evening 8 pm Mass has been extended until at least April 5, 2020! We invite you to leave gifts for new moms in need at either of this weekend's Masses. Please leave them at the feet of Mary in the church.  2020 Sunday Offering Envelopes   On December 21 and 22, members of the finance committee will be available to distribute the 2020 offertory envelopes. Please note that they cannot be picked up by anyone other than who is named on the envelopes. The Christmas Gift That Keeps On Giving Honour a friend or a loved one this Christmas season by making an In Honour donation to Good Shepherd. This is the perfect gift to acknowledge the important people in your life. Your gift is truly blessed – it recognizes someone special, it helps someone less fortunate in our community and it benefits you as the donor with a tax receipt. Consider making a meaningful gift for all the wonderful people on your Christmas list. Good Shepherd will send a Christmas card to the person you wish to honour acknowledging your thoughtfulness.  Donations can be made online at www.goodshepherdcentres.ca or by phone at 905.57.ANGEL (26435). We will also have cards available for you to take with you. You will find them on the tables at the entrances to the Church. Third Sunday of Advent – December 15, 2019  “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.”  Are you one to be sent? If God is calling you to be a priest,  contact Fr. Michael King, Vocation Director, Diocese of Hamilton at 905-528-7988 or  vocations@hamiltondiocese.com  The traditional Christmas Midnight Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King will be celebrated by His Excellency, Bishop Douglas Crosby, OMI on December 24th, 2019. Carols will begin at 11:30PM, followed by mass at 12AM. The celebration will be live streamed and telecast on S+L and CHTV. All are welcome to attend or to watch via live stream or television.  In the 1700s, there was a series of penal laws enacted that prohibited any Catholic practice in Ireland. Catholic clergy were ordered to leave the country, or face serious consequences. However, the Catholic Irish did not abandon their faith but would practice in secret. "During Christmas, every faithful Irish Catholic family hoped to have a priest visit their home so that they could receive the sacraments and in return offer him hospitality.  So they would leave their doors unlocked and place candles in the windows to signal a priest that he was welcome and would be safe.  Sometimes, a single candle would appear in several windows, or three candles in one window, one each representing Jesus, Mary and Joseph."  Read more about it here. So now you know!  Anything you're not sure about? Email us at canadianmartyrshamilton@hamiltondiocese.com with your questions, shower-thoughts, and ponderings! Mass Schedule December 24 6:00 pm Christmas Vigil December 25 11:30 am Christmas Day December 26 No Mass December 27 No Mass December 28 6:00 pm December 29 11:30 am and 8:00 pm December 30 No Mass December 31 6:00 pm Vigil Mass: Mary Mother of God January 1 11:30 am Mass: Mary Mother of God January 2 No Mass Office Hours December 24: 8:30 am to 11:30 am December 25, 26, 27: CLOSED December 30: CLOSED December 31: 8:30 - 1:30 pm January 1: CLOSED If you would like to have a Mass celebrated for a special occasion, on behalf of a family member, a friend, or a deceased loved one, please call the office to have that intention put into the calendar. This week's intentions: Tuesday, December 17, 2019     Intentions of Me Young Theresa Choi Wednesday, December 18, 2019     Intentions of Jenner Bae Thursday, December 19, 2019     ✞Father Sardo Friday, December 20, 2019     ✞Deceased members of Antonio Ha's Family Saturday, December 21, 2019     ✞Deceased Members of the Maklo, Pretto and Caravaggio Families ✞Joseph & Louise Maklo Click the image above to see booked mass intentions and all dates that are available to book to pray and remember those who have died or for the needs of our family and friends. All are welcome to come and celebrate with us! Liturgy Schedule Tuesday — Friday 12:30 pm Saturday Vigil 6:00 pm Sunday 11:30 am & 8:00 pm Sacrament of Reconciliation Tuesday — Friday 12:00 pm Adoration Friday 1:00 to 2:00 pm Office Hours Tuesday — Friday 1:30 to 4:30 pm   Copyright © 2019 Canadian Martyrs Catholic Church & Chaplaincy, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? 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