Catholic Parish of St. Thomas More

210 Haddow Close, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6R 2P3, Ph: (780) 434-6313, Fax: (780) 438-2088

WEEKLY BULLETIN

LECTORS: You may pick up your Missal in the Sacristy.

LECTORS WORKSHOP: November 19 at 7:30 pm in the nave. All lectors please attend.

ALTAR SERVERS: Your fall/winter schedule is available in the sacristy.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS PANCAKE BREAKFAST: There will not be a breakfast in November or December.

SMC ADVENT RETREAT: Mary, A Model for An Advent people "Waiting in Joyful Hope". A time for reflection, prayer, quiet time and sharing as we move into the Christmas season. When? Tues, Dec. 2 from 1:00-2:30 pm. Please register by Nov. 28 by contacting Sr. Mary Clare at (780) 47-1122 ext. 2531 or sister.maryclare@catholicsocialservices.ab.ca. Cost? Donation.

THE LADIES AUXILIARY is offering a WORKSHOP for YOU …man, woman, youth, child. COME AND LEARN how to sew, knit, crotchet or quilt. You will be taught the basics and will leave with a finished garment! COME AND LEARN Monday, November 24, 6:30 – 8 pm. To register contact Elaine Smith 780 436 8324. Supplies and refreshments will be provided.

SENIORS SOCIAL AT ST THOMAS MORE PARISH HALL: The Knights of Columbus will be hosting their annual Seniors Social on Saturday, December 6. Tickets are available at all masses this weekend. The ticket price is $15 each. If you have any questions call Arnold Lorenz at 780-988-5634.

THE SOCIETY OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL donation envelopes which were attached to last week's bulletin offer an opportunity for all parishioners to directly help their poorer neighbours out of crisis situations. 100% of your contributions will be utilized by our volunteers to help prevent evictions, restore cut-off utilities, provide bus passes, buy fresh fruits, vegetables and groceries and otherwise assist the less fortunate in the example that Jesus lived. Remember, if you need help or know of someone who does, give us a call at 780-471-5577.

CATHOLIC WOMEN’S LEAGUE MEETING – all women of the parish are invited to attend our general meeting following the 7pm mass on Tuesday, November 18th. Join us as we learn more about what can be done to stop the growing acceptance of assisted suicide. Contact Jean at 780-435-1861 for further information.

CATHOLIC GIRLS' LEAGUE - girls ages 10-15 are invited to join the Catholic Girls' League. We usually meet one or two Saturdays each month from 2:30 to 4:30pm. Next meeting is November 22 in the Youth Room. Call Dorothy at 780-989-0663 to register and get more information.

THE GIVING TREE is a St. Thomas More Parish Advent tradition. We take time to share our bounty with the women and children of the Lurana Shelter, a refuge for those fleeing from family violence. The Giving Tree will be in the front gathering place of church the first weekend of Advent, November 29 and 30. The angels and stars hanging on the Giving Tree suggest items that are needed for the Lurana Shelter. Each parish family is encouraged to pick an angel or a star and return a new item during the four weekends of Advent. In 2007 our parish donated over 12,300 new items and $3,450 in gift cards, movie passes, bus tickets, coffee and phone cards. Many families keep the angel or star to hang it on their own Christmas tree as a reminder of a special Advent gift. Please do not wrap the gifts.

CATHOLIC COMPANION CLUB (CCC) Come join The Catholic Companion Club on Tuesday, November 18, from 1:30-3:30 pm. Our topic? "Vocation: God's call to consecrated life and the priesthood. Our guest presenters are Sr. Pat Derbyshire, FCJ, and Dean Dowle, a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Edmonton.

REFUGEE FAMILY UPDATE: The latest news concerning the Refugee Family is that the baby girl is now two years old. Still no word on when the family will be arriving. To those offering household goods, furniture and clothes, could you please keep it until the end of the month. Hopefully there will be something definite by then. Thank you. Maureen Gouveia - 780 438 7060.

ST. STANISLAUS CATHOLIC FRENCH IMMERSION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL is hosting a Grey Cup Games Party and Lounge Event on Sat, Nov 22. The event is our final major initiative in support of building a play ground at the school, and includes a Silent Auction, food and drink, and games. Tickets can be ordered from the school (780-434-0295). Come out and vote for a winner in our chili cook off, have snacks and libations, check out our fabulous Silent Auction items and win bragging rights playing games or one of the many other activities! Tickets are $20 or $30 for two! Alumni, friends and family welcome!!

ST. JOSEPH’S HOSPITAL AUXILIARY invites you to their Annual Christmas Bake Sale-Craft and White Elephant Sale, Friday, November 28 at 11:30 am in the auditorium (10707-29 Ave). Everyone welcome!

CONFIRMATION 2008: 137 young people of our parish continue their journey toward Confirmation. The confirmation candidates attended a workshop in October. They will attend a retreat on November 15. Completed workbooks are to be handed in November 1. Confirmation 2008 will be celebrated by Archbishop Richard Smith on Sunday November 23, 2:00 P.M. All candidates will participate in this one special Mass. Due to limited space, and parking, we request only those families who know the confirmands attend the celebration.

FIRST RECONCILIATION & FIRST HOLY COMMUNION brochures are available in the display stand. Please pick up the 1st Reconciliation brochure and 1st Holy Communion brochure (choose your meeting dates) and call the office to book your child’s sacrament celebration.

BAPTISM for infants to age 7 is one of the Sacraments of Initiation by which children become members of the Body of Christ, the church. Our next Baptism Preparation Sessions for parents will be January 14 & 21. Whether you are expecting or your child has been born, call Monica at 434-6313 ext 227 or email at stm.pastoral.assist@telusplanet.net to register.

MARRIAGE PREPARATION AT STM: Brochures are available in the display stand in the foyer. The next Marriage Preparation course will begin on Fri, March 13, 2009-6:15 pm to 9:30 pm, continues Sat, March 14, 2009–9 am to 4 pm, and concludes on Sun, March 15, 2009–9 am to 1 pm. Please phone Judy at 780-434-6313 or email to stm.secretary@telusplanet.net. for information on registering.

DONATION ENVELOPES FOR 2009 are available for pick up in the foyer. (Please refer to the cross-reference binders on the tables to find your envelope number).

SUNDAY MISSAL 2008-2009 We have 2008-2009 Sunday Missals for sale. You may obtain them from the parish office for $5 each.

ST. THOMAS MORE PICTORIAL DIRECTORIES: We have a few directories for sale for $10. each from the parish office.

SIGN OF HOPE: Because Catholic Social Services believes in and defends the dignity and sanctity of human life from conception, it left the United Way of Edmonton & Area with the admission and funding of Planned Parenthood—an abortion counseling and/or referral agency. This decision by Catholic Social Services in 1984 makes it necessary to recoup the lost funding dollars through its annual Sign of Hope Campaign.

OFFICE OF STEWARDSHIP: “Well done good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 24:36; 25: 14 – 30) Good stewards are like the dependable servants in today’s Gospel who prudently use and multiply their gifts. What kind of return on His investment can God expect back from us?

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE: The annual Celebration of Life Mass at St. Joseph’s Basilica, usually held on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, has been rescheduled this year to Sunday, December 7, in order to accommodate the special Nothing More Beautiful event at the Basilica on Dec. 12. The Celebration of Life Mass will be concelebrated at 5 p.m. by Archbishop Smith and fellow priests. Mass will be followed by an open house in the O’Leary Hall downstairs, where Edmonton and area pro-life groups will have displays and information. Come and learn while you enjoy coffee and treats!

PROVIDENCE RENEWAL CENTRE: Coping with Christmas while Grieving Workshop, Saturday, November 22, 1 pm – 5 pm This half-day workshop is for all who grieve loved ones no matter how long it has been since the loss. Participants will explore coping strategies for the holiday season and have the opportunity for sharing memories and planning remembrance moments. $45/person; $80/family.

In 2008, CATHOLIC MISSIONS IN CANADA is celebrating 100 years of service to missions and missionaries throughout Canada. The weekend of November 23, is Catholic Missions in Canada Awareness weekend. The missions work? To foster and extend the blessings of the Catholic faith in dioceses unable to economically support their local church and its ministry. To find out more, call their toll-free number (1-866-937-2642) or visit their website (www.cmic.info). You will receive a free magazine and a free 2009 Catholic calendar.

CONCERT DATE: The King’s University College Choirs and The University of Alberta Concert Choir invite you to their concert, “Awake Psaltery and Harp!” on Mon, Dec 1 at 8 pm at the Winspear Centre. The concert includes Conrad Susa’s “Carols and Lullabies” plus works by Bernstein, Lauridsen, Liszt, Verdi and others. See poster on the bulletin board for ticket information.

MARY’S VEIL: returns to the Arden Theatre in St. Albert. This moving and inspirational musical recounts the life of Mary the Mother of Jesus. Performances will be on: Sat, March 7, at 7:30 pm; Sun, Mar 8, 2:30 pm & 7:30 pm; Fri, Mar 13, 7:30pm; Sat, March 14, 7:30 pm; and, Sun March 15, 2:30 pm and 7:30pm. Tickets can be purchase from Simonne at 780-458-0908.

EDMONTON CATHOLIC CEMETERIES invites all parishioners to an information session on burial needs in our Archdiocesan Cemeteries on Saturday, November 29 at 10 am at the Holy Cross Mausoleum and Office. For more info call 780-447-2921.

SALT + LIGHT TELEVISION: Canada’s Catholic TV network is coming to Shaw Digital Cable on Channel 160 as of November 19. This makes the network's high-quality programming more accessible to the millions of Catholics of Western Canada. Archbishop Smith says he is delighted by the news. “Salt + Light is a magnificent tool to help our people grow in the love and knowledge of the treasury of faith. We shall benefit greatly from its increased availability.”

ARE YOU REGISTERED WITH THE PARISH OFFICE? Being registered with the parish office is of the utmost importance. It allows us to serve all parishioners by providing a better vision of the active populace so that we may respond to the needs of this growing and dynamic parish. Please do not assume that you are automatically registered if you or your children have received sacraments at STM or if you live within the parish boundaries and attend Mass. The only way we can register you and your family is upon your submission of a registration form. These forms are on the counter at the main entrance. If you live in and attend St. Thomas More Parish and have not yet registered, or if your information is not up to date, please fill out a form and return it to the parish office. If you have moved or are leaving the parish, we ask you to contact the office and advise us of any changes as soon as possible.

NEW PARISHIONERS / CHANGE OF ADDRESS - Please fill out a Parish Registration Form located on the counter below the bulletin board at the church entrance.

INTERESTED IN PRE-AUTHORIZED DONATIONS? – The Pre-Authorized Donation (PAD) Forms are located on the counter below the bulletin board at the church entrance.