"... you also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect."

View this email in your browser In preparation for this weekend's reading... IN THIS ISSUE: Advent • 8pm Mass • Vocation Seeds • Exam Drop-in • To Our Benefactors • CWL • Good Shepherd • From the Diocese • Did You Know? • Mass Intentions • Liturgy Schedule The season of Advent is upon us! This time of year, we prepare and wait in joyful anticipation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. You'll see Father Markus in purple vestments throughout this season, as it is the liturgical color of Advent, representing penance. You may wonder, "Why a focus on penance during this season of hope?", but it's penance that prepares us for the coming of our Saviour. Advent is a time to think about your spiritual house, and if it may need a good cleaning. What might you need to do to make yourself ready for the coming of the Son of Man? Read on for some information about the Advent wreath, its many symbologies and meanings, and how to incorporate Advent into your daily life! December 1 is the first Sunday of the Advent season, 2019. Is your Advent Wreath all ready to go?  For more on the Advent Wreath, from the meaning behind all the elements that comprise it, to how to use it, check out our post here. Sunday mornings can be hard... we get it. That's why, starting December 1, we're having 8 pm Mass! So, we'll see you on Sunday at 8! Hamilton's Last Chance Mass. Don't miss it! The McMaster Fall final exam period is from Friday, December 6 to Thursday, December 19. The McMaster Chaplaincy, of which we are a member, offers the students somewhere to decompress and load up on carbs in order to refuel during the challenge of the exam period. We welcome donations of baked goods. Store-bought cookies are welcome at any time. Fresh baked goods need to be labeled with clear ingredient lists and we’ll accept them starting the week of December 2nd. Donations can be dropped off at the Church Office trailer, or at the Chaplaincy office in room 231 of the Student Centre at McMaster. THANK YOU! To the benefactors of our Faith community, we'd like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support of our Church and its endeavours. Friday, December 6, the 12:30 mass will be offered for your intentions. The C.W.L. wishes to thank everyone who contributed to and visited our Christmas Fair last weekend. It was a happy occasion! Congratulations to our raffle winners! Gift basket: B. Mendolia  Quilt- M. Barrett  50/50 Draw: L. Ljuljdjuraj  Thank you for your support of our work! C.W.L members are invited to attend the C.W.L Christmas potluck!  December 3  from 6 to 8 pm in the church meeting room. 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. First Sunday of Advent – December 1, 2019 “They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.”  If God is calling you to the priesthood, contact Fr. Michael King, Vocation Director, Diocese of Hamilton at 905-528-7988 or  vocations@hamiltondiocese.com  THE ST. JOSEPH’S HEALTH CENTRE IN GUELPH was recently designated as a Canadian Compassionate Company (CCC) because of its commitment to support employees who are caring for ill or injured loved ones. The award was presented by the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA). Mr. David Wormald, President of the institution welcomed the award saying, “Accommodating the needs of employees during a difficult time in their lives is one of the ways we live our values of compassion and respect in a tangible way!” The great legacy of the Sisters of St. Joseph lives on! Congratulations!   Catholics rely more on ritual and ceremony than do most other Christian religions. The intent of the rituals is to create an experience in which faith is felt and religion literally comes to life, with God’s presence in the here-and-now world.  “So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter.”  2 Thessalonians 2:15 So now you know!  Anything you're not sure about? Email us at canadianmartyrshamilton@hamiltondiocese.com with your questions, shower-thoughts, and ponderings! 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 03, 2019: For the healing of DJ Anjelly  Wednesday, December 04, 2019:  For the healing of Wolf Anjelly Thursday, December 05, 2019: +Min Soon Choi  Friday, December 06, 2019: Benefactors of the Parish  Saturday, December 07, 2018: *Nick Caravaggio; *Armando Caravaggio 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 (NEW TIME!!) Sacrament of Reconciliation Tuesday — Friday 12:00 pm Adoration Friday 1:00 to 5:00 pm Office Hours Tuesday — Friday 1:30 to 4:30 pm Subscribe to receive the latest information including workshops, upcoming events, and news from the Diocese of Hamilton. *Click on the picture to sign up. Copyright © 2019 Canadian Martyrs Catholic Church & Chaplaincy, All rights reserved. Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.