Author: St_Monica_Admin

ST. MONICA PARISH
12011 Woodhead Road, Richmond, BC V6V 1G2
Tel. 604.278.0844 Fax. 604.279.0334
Website: stmonicaparish.ca Email: parish.smon@rcav.org

PASTOR: Rev. Robert Wong, SJ
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PARISH OFFICE HOURS
Monday – Friday
9:30 am – 1 pm / 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
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MASS SCHEDULES
WEEKDAYS: 9:00 am
SATURDAYS: 9:30 am & 5:00 pm
SUNDAYS: 9:00 am & 11:00 am
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CONFESSION SCHEDULE
SATURDAYS: 4:30 pm – 4:55 pm
CONFESSIONS: 10 MINUTES BEFORE DAILY
MASS OR BY REQUEST AT OTHER TIMES
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NOVENA TO
OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP
WEDNESDAYS: 7:00 pm
MASS FOLLOWED BY NOVENA
& BENEDICTION
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BAPTISM COURSE
EVERY 2ND TUESDAY OF THE MONTH AT 6 pm
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BAPTISMS
4th SATURDAY AFTER 9:30 am MASS
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HOUSE BLESSINGS
PLEASE CALL THE PARISH OFFICE

April 15, 2018
3rd Sunday of Easter
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The risen Christ made himself known to his disciples. He encouraged the disciples in Jerusalem to look and to touch his wounds. He reminded them of what Scripture had foretold, just as Peter reminded the community the Good News of Jesus’ resurrection.
LITURGY OF THE WORD
In the first reading, Peter called his listeners to repentance and salvation. In the second reading, John encourages believers to trust Jesus, their Advocate, and show their love for God by keeping his commandments. After having revealed himself in Emmaus in the breaking of the bread, the risen Christ manifested himself again to his disciples.
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Today’s Readings:
1st: Acts 3.13-15, 17-19
Psalm: 4
2nd: 1 John 2.1-5
Gospel: Luke 24.35-48

LED LIGHTING – Pope Francis’ encyclical on Laudato Si, Care for Our Common Home, promotes better stewardship of our natural resources. We are taking a small step by replacing the lighting in the balcony from conventional florescent lighting to LED lighting. An electrician from Good Shepherd Parish will replace the light fixtures in the next two weeks.

PARISH UPDATES
PROJECT ADVANCE 2018 – “Support the Faith - Continue the Legacy” is the theme for this year’s Appeal. The Archdiocese has increased its total goal by $250,000 to $3.25 Millions. Our share is $25,000.00, an increase of $5,000. We would keep our total goal the same as previous year, $75,000.00. Please pray with open hearts and minds as good Christian stewards whose desires are to live gratefully and give generously. Thank you for your previous generosities!
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Parish Pastoral Council Meeting—Tuesday, April 24th, 7:45 pm is our next meeting. Representatives of our parish groups, please make this meeting a priority.
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Tree of Gratitude – A few new inscriptions of Dove and Leaf plaques have been added to the beautiful sculpture on the wall. Thanks to our generous parishioners and friends. May the Lord bless you with his love and grace!
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“How Sweet to Be Loved” Dinner Dance Gala
Join us for an evening of Fun, Glamour and Elegance on Saturday, April 21st at 6:30 pm at the St. Monica Parish Hall, 12011 Woodhead Rd, Richmond. Attire: Retro.
CWL Fundraiser to benefit St. Monica Parish Project for the Poor: The Door Is Open and Development and Peace’s program for poor women from Global South. For Tickets ($30), contact Rose Capitulo at (604) 618-0036 or rosecapitulo@hotmail.com
Music for Voice and Organ – Holy Rosary Cathedral’s lead soprano Sarah McGrath and organist Denis Bedard in concert. Works by Bach, Pergolesi (from Stabat Mater), Mozart (Laudate Dominum and Alleluia), Saint-Saens (Ave Maria), Bedard and others. Friday, April 27 at 8 p.m. at Holy Rosary Cathedral. To register, visit http://rcav.org/event/music-for-voice-and-organ

Marriage Encounter Weekend at the John Paul II Pastoral Centre on Saturday and Sunday, April 28 - 29, 2018. This enrichment is for all married couples and for couples civilly married for more than 5 years, now preparing for marriage in the Church. Registration is online on RCAV website: http://rcav.org/worldwide-marriage-encounter-non-residential-weekend/ Spaces are limited.

Project Advance Stewardship Prayer
O God, the Father of every gift,
all that we are and have comes from your hand.
In Jesus Christ, your Son,
you have given us the greatest of all gifts.
Fill our hearts with his love,
so that we may be parish communities
of faithful, caring people.
Grant us the grace to be good stewards
who, in the name and spirit of Jesus,
Share our gifts of time, talent and treasure
for the building up of your Kingdom
in our Archdiocese and throughout the world.
May we see Project Advance as our way
to live gratefully and give generously
for your honour and glory.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Celebrate your Milestone Anniversary with us! Join us for a special Mass celebrated by Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, honouring couples celebrating their milestone anniversaries: 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th, 35th, 40th, 45th, 50th, 55th & 60th+ years of marriage. Mass will be on Sunday, May 13 at 2 p.m. at St. Matthew Parish, Surrey. Reception to follow in the parish gym with exhibitors present in Jubilee Hall. Register your milestone anniversary here: http://rcav.org/marriage-anniversary/ All are welcome to witness and celebrate the milestone anniversaries of others this Mother’s Day!

ARCHDIOCESAN EVENTS
Estate & Memorial Planning Workshop
These presentations by the Archdiocese of Vancouver Catholic Cemeteries deal with matters you may not have thought about before but will help you gather your thoughts before you write your first will or prepare to update your will. Learn about the beauty and dignity of the funeral rite and how to formulate pre-need arrangements. Receive FREE guides and loads of practical advice. Also by attending the workshop you will receive 10% off your burial arrangements. These workshops will present facts and information. No investment services or insurance will be promoted or sold. Tuesday, April 17, at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph's Parish, Langley. For more info, please contact Catholic Cemeteries by email at info@gethsemani.bc.ca or call 604-531-2141. You can also register online at www.rccav.org/events
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Men's Discernment Night
Do you have questions about discerning God’s call for your life? Vocations in Progress for single men, aged 17 and up, is an opportunity to meet priests, ask questions, and learn about their life and spirituality. The informal event will include prayer, dinner, and discussion at St. Patrick's, Vancouver, on Wednesday, April 25, at 7 - 10 p.m.
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One Million Rosaries for Unborn Babies
The 2018 One Million Rosaries for Unborn Babies global pro-life prayer event is scheduled for May 4, 5 and 6. Persons participating will pray at least one Rosary for the protection of unborn babies. For details and to register go to: http://www.saintmichaelthearchangelorganization.org/
Jesus’ resurrection points beyond history but has left a footprint within history.—Pope Benedict XVI

Stewardship Reflection
3rd Sunday of Easter
The disciples in today’s Gospel came to know Jesus in the breaking of the bread. When we share what we have with those who are in need, we, too, will discover Jesus in our midst.
Stewardship by the book – Sharon Hueckel

LED LIGHTING – Pope Francis’ encyclical on Laudato Si, Care for Our Common Home, promotes better stewardship of our natural resources. We are taking a small step by replacing the lighting in the balcony from conventional florescent lighting to LED lighting. An electrician from Good Shepherd Parish will replace the light fixtures in the next two weeks.

Last Sunday’s Collection
April 8, 2018
Envelopes 2nd & Special Collections
Regular $ 2,842.00 Others $160.00
Loose 574.30
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$ 3,416.30 $ 160.00
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Total # of regular envelopes received:223
Average Donation: 12.74
PAD received in March 2018: 15
Total Donation: $1,270.00

Mass Intentions
April 15-21, 2018
Mon, Apr 16— Stephen Law (RIP)
Tue, Apt 17— Fred Dias (RIP)
Wed, Apr 18 — 9am, Lourdes Varona (RIP)
7pm, Maria Hortencia Dias (RIP)
Thu, Apr 19— Anselmo Lo
Fri, Apr 20— Jose Martinez (RIP)
Sat, Apr 21— 9:30am, Daniel Reyes (RIP) 5pm, M Quitzon

Our new website, stmonicaparish.ca
is now live. Also, visit and like us on Facebook: ‘Smon Monica’.

The Spirituality of Stewardship – Dan Conway (A good friend whom I, Fr. Robert, have known for 20 + years.)
The American bishops’ pastoral letter, Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response, describes a Christian steward as “one who receives God’s gifts gratefully, cherishes and tends them in a responsible and accountable manner, and returns them with increase to the Lord.” Thus, there are four characteristics of a Christian steward.
The first characteristic is gratitude. A Christian steward is “one who receives God’s gifts gratefully.” Gratitude assumes that we acknowledge God as the true owner of all that we have and all that we are. Gratitude to God, and to those who have shared themselves with us, helps us maintain a true sense of identity as Christ’s disciples.
The second characteristic is accountability. A good steward is “one who cherishes and tends God’s gifts in a responsible and accountable manner.” Accountability reminds us that we are responsible for what we do (or fail to do) with our time, our talent, and our money. As Christ’s disciples, we are responsible for building up God’s kingdom, and on the Last Day, we will be held accountable.
The third characteristic is generosity. A Christian steward is “one who shares God’s gifts with others out of justice and love.” Generosity propels us outside of ourselves – often in ways that contradict our own interests. The lives of the saints give us countless examples of individuals whose generosity won them true freedom and joy. Giving is good for us; it is also right and just to share what we have been given with others.
The final characteristic is the willingness to give back to the Lord with increase. God wants us to take his gifts and develop them. A Christian steward is called to be productive, to make a difference in the world. Traditional Christian spirituality teaches us to give back to the Lord by means of the ascetical principles of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. In prayer, we give back to God our time (and our hearts). By fasting, we deny ourselves the good things that we want and need; the more genuine our self-denial is, the more we flourish and grow. Through almsgiving, we share what God has given us with others; if we give from the heart, we gain infinitely more than we have given away. Prayer, self-denial, and sacrificial giving are the essence of what Christian stewardship is all about!

ST. MONICA PARISH GROUPS & ORGANIZATIONS
Altar Servers …………..….. Jun Lastica/Sonny Magno
Bible Study ………...…...…Teresa Santos/Tel Decena
Bulletin Publication & Advertising
….. Parish Office
CWL ………………………….……. Cynthia Diangkinay
Cenacle Prayer Group ……………... Elizabeth Tanase
Choir ……………..……….....…...….M McVicker (5pm)
.. …… Neil Macoy (9am)
……….Michael Goco (11am)
Counters … .. Mila & Luis Acosta
Couples for Christ ……………... John & Anne Ramos
Development & Peace ……………..... Evelyn Victoria
Extraordinary Ministers ……………..… Teresa Santos
Financial Committee …………….…. Marienne Festejo
Fundraising Committee …………...………… Patrick Li
Funeral Music St. Monica ……………….. M McVicker
Interfaith Alliance …………………….... Edward Wong
Hall Maintenance ………………………… Cezar Dalde
Hall Rental …………..…………………….Parish Office
Knights of Columbus ……………………. Teody Parejo
Lectors …………………….………….. Marlytel Decena
Legion of Mary ………………… Fe Arias/Pat Diamzon
Outreach Ministry ……………………….…. Edith Perez
P.R.E.P ………………………….....…… Teresa Santos
Parish Council Chairperson ………….… Pete Capitulo
Parish Office. ……………….……..…...….. J Mendoza
Project Advance ……………..…. Ed & Baby San Jose
Religious Goods ….… Baby Santos, Lala R., Linda Z.
R.C.I.A. ………...……….…………….... Wilbur Victoria
Sacristy …………………………………...… Lala Revita
Ushers …………………………. L. Navasca, R Sullivan
Youth for Christ ….... Adrian Boquiren/Camille Barcita
Website…………………………..…...…….… Patrick Li

M E E T I N G S
LEGION OF MARY
Handmaid of the Lord
Sat: 10:30 am – 12 nn
Mary Mother of the Redeemer
Mon: 10 am – 12 nn
CATHOLIC WOMEN’S LEAGUE
3rd Sat. of the month after 9:30 am mass
MARIAN MOVEMENT OF PRIEST
CENACLE PRAYER GROUP
Thurs: 9:30 am (at the Crying Room)
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
Executive: 3rd Sat. of the month, 10:15 am
General: 4th Sat. of the month, 10:15 am
(except Summer)
PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
2nd Tuesday, 7:45 pm-9:00 pm
(except in December)
COUPLES FOR CHRIST
General Assembly every 1st Saturday
Teaching Night every 3rd Saturday
ST. MONICA PARISH YOUTH MIN.
Regular Meeting every 1st Saturday
12 nn – 4 pm
BIBLE STUDY
Monday & Thursday 7 pm – 9 pm
RCIA
Thursday 7pm—9 pm

Project Advance Pledges – THANK YOU FOR YOUR GIFTS – Parish total GOAL: $75,000
As of December 31, 2016 As of December 31, 2017
Total payment Received $ 74,689.16 $ 63,403.00
No. of Donors 167 (454 Households) 168 (458 Households)
Participation 36.8% 36.7%
Our 21 semi-circle windows in the church and the foyer need extensive repairs or replacements as you can see from a distance. 2017 Project Advance’s rebates will be used for the necessary work. Thank you for your support.

December 24, 2017
4th Sunday of Advent
First World Day of the Poor

A Lifeline for Marriages: Work on your relationship during a weekend at Barnabas Landing Retreat Centre, Keats Island
Retrouvaille helps married couples get back to a loving relationship, providing the tools you need to get your marriage back on track. You will rediscover each other and examine your lives together in a new and positive way. This program has helped thousands of couples rekindle romance, reaffirm their commitment, and stay married, regardless of how far apart they may have drifted. For confidential information or to register for the program at the beautiful Barnabas Landing on Keats Island on the weekend of April 13 - 15, 2018, call Marc and Candice at 604-530-6710, email us vancouverbc@retrouvaille.org or visit our website www.retrouvaillevancouver.com For more information about the venue, please visit www.barnabasfm.org

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS 2018 PENNIES(COINS) FOR HEAVEN CAMPAIGN
The St Monica Knights of Columbus 12861 request your support and donations for our 2018 Pennies for Heaven campaign for our Vocation Programs, Live in Seminar at the Westminster Abbey for our PREP Students, and St Monica parish seminarian Alexis Boquiren. Your loose coins (including pennies) and loose change will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your support.Collection wheel borrow will be at the church foyer for these 2 consecutive weekends.