Our dear St. Philip Neri Parishioners, 

Greetings and blessings from Fr. Mike and Fr Bill,

“When, Lord, did we see you hungry or thirsty, naked or in prison?”… “When you did it to the least of my brothers and sisters, you did it to me (Jesus).”

In the world’s plan – of competition – there are winners and losers. In God’s plan – of competition – there are only WINNERS.

Recently some parishioners celebrated a Christmas social, a delightful evening to meet and greet, to enjoy tasty hors-oeuvres, and then a sumptuous supper of turkey and trimmings. During the evening, there were several door prizes and the usual 50/50 winner. As the evening unfolded, a piece of paper was handed out to each table – a quiz concerning various Christmas carols and Christmas traditions of the past. What made the experience “interesting”?

The pastor stopped at one table asking, “Do you need some help?” Rather than a response of cooperation and appreciation, the questionnaire was covered with a napkin and several arms, with the admonition, “Find your own answers at your table!”

Others asked, “Can we google the answers?” with a sharp response, “There will be no cheating!” A third (interesting response) was, “Follow the rules – each to their own table!” When the pastor again wanted to ‘trade answers’ with another table, he was reminded to “follow the rules”!

What seemed “interesting, but strange” about the whole experience was that the dynamics of the questionnaire seemed to be devoid of the Christmas messages and Christmas spirit: Peace on earth, good will to all. Rather, it seemed to be a contest - we win, you lose - even though there was no prize for the table who had the most correct answers. My thought - even if there was a prize (a box of chocolates), it would seem most appropriate for the winning table to share the prize with everyone else.

Was the purpose of the exercise to discover more about Christmas traditions and music – to build community – or was it to “win over” someone else?

If we are truly living as a Parish Family, then it seems that we would always help each other in all circumstances. “Competition”, (in God’s plan) and in the spirit of Christmas and gospel values, then means, not to be better than others but rather to make others better – to learn and grow and discover TOGETHER, so that we are all WINNERS. When we do what is best for each other, we reflect the glory of God; we glimpse the presence and face of Christ in each other’s eyes. Then there is no place in our hearts for winners and losers, only the goodness of the meek and humble birthing of Jesus in our lives and families and Parish.

May the blessings and graces of this Advent Season touch our hearts and transform our souls as we live in the fire and Spirit of Immanuel – God with us, God in us.

Something from the Parish:

PLEASE NOTE: At this Saturday/Sunday liturgies, (Dec. 10-11), there will be a second collection, in response to the Diocese’s support of the healing and reconciliation initiatives for residential survivors and their communities. In the encouraging words of the Bishop William McGratten (Bishop of the Calgary Diocese): “There is no single step that can eliminate the pain felt by residential school survivors, but by listening, seeking relationships, and working collaboratively where we are able, we hope to learn how to walk together in a new path of hope.”

Praise be Jesus Christ … and Mary Immaculate

St. Philip Neri … pray for us

St. Eugene de Mazenod … pray for us

St. Kateri Tekakwitha … pray for us

Wherever you go, go with God … Whenever you go, go make a difference.

Fr. Mike & Fr. Bill

A Prayer for Ukraine

God of peace and justice, we pray for the people of Ukraine today. We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons. We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow, that your spirit of comfort would draw near to them. We pray for those with power over war or peace, for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions. Above all, we pray for all your precious children at risk and in fear that you would hold and protect them. We pray in the name of Jesus the Prince of Peace. Amen.

Hi Everyone!

Wow - what a difference a day makes!  Welcome back, milder temperatures!  And it looks like we are going to be blessed with some single digit temperatures right into next week!  Yay!  It sure makes life a lot easier - and a lot more enjoyable - when we don't have to worry about frostbite setting in within 30 seconds of being outside!  Ah, yes ... good old SK winters!  

Here we are arriving at the Third Sunday of Advent already, which means only two more weeks until we arrive at the Holy day of Christmas. As we light the third Advent candle, the "JOY" candle, we think of the incredible joy we will be experiencing - and the immense gratitude - when God himself joins us here on earth, the Saviour of the world, in the form of a helpless, squirming infant.  O Holy Night, indeed!  We continue on our journey through Advent, preparing and waiting, with great anticipation, for this great Joy to arrive and overwhelm our hearts, with hope, peace, and now, joy.      

Now, let's see what I've got for you in this week's Newsletter: 

• The 2023 Parish Collection Envelopes are now ready for pick-up in the Welcome Area.  Please see some other details, directly below. 
• The Christmas and New Year's Mass Schedule remains directly below, for your reference.   
• Just below that, you will find the remaining East-side Penitential services you could attend in case you couldn't make it to ours. Please note that two new services have been added.  
• The Parish Office will be closed directly before and after Christmas.  Please see the exact dates below. 
• Voluteers are needed to assist with the three upcoming Christmas Masses. Please check out the details below to learn how you can become involved.
• Please check out the update for the St. Mary's Christmas food hamper program just below.  There is still time for you to help out by donating smaller food items.  You may also help by making a cash donation in the Parish Office. 
  
• For the month of December, we will be collecting peanut butter, coffee and tea for the Friendship Inn. More details are below.  
  
• The Bishop's Annual Appeal for 2022 is coming to an end.  Please see a note from our St. Philip Neri Chair, Bev Shivak, below.
• Gift Funds Canada has sent us a wonderful grant!  Read the details below. 
• The next Bereavement Support gathering will be held on Tuesday, Tuesday, Dec. 20.  Anyone can join at any time - we would love to have you.  Please see more details below.  
• Golden Age Card Players - please note that your Christmas Social for all regular players is coming up on Wed. Dec. 14.  More details are below. 
• Check out this week's pre-Christmas Church Chuckle!  We mothers know what you mean, Mary!  
• As far as Diocesan events go, the National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples is coming up on Mon. Dec. 12.  Please scroll down below for all the details.   
• There are a few wonderful Advent oppourtunities to enrich your Advent experience, but please note how soon they are happening!  Advent Lessons and Carols is coming up THIS Sat. Dec. 10, at St. Paul's Co-Cathedral.  Check out the details below for this beautiful evening of stories and songs!
• The CWL Advent Retreat is coming up THIS Tues. Dec. 13 at Queen's House.  You don't have to be a CWL member in order to attend. The rest of details are all below - please note the registration deadline of this Tues. Dec. 6.
• Here's a cool way to bring some needed joy at Chrismtas - check out the Prison Storytime Outreach opportunity below, in green.
• St. Mary's Parish's annual Tea & Bake Sale, is THIS Sat. Dec. 10.  Check out the details below.
• Thankfully there are all sorts of other opportunites to help us make our journey through Advent more meaningful and impactful.  Check out the "Video Reflections;  Journey Through Advent" down below, in purple.
• There is a special collection coming up THIS Sunday, Dec. 11, as part of the Catholic TRC Healing Response.  All the details are below, in blue. 
• Want another way to experience Adoration?  Check out "A Holy Hour for the Feminine Heart", which is held on the first Thursday of every month at Holy Spirit Parish.  See all the details below.  
  
• The CWL Clothing Depot continues to collect items for their Annual Christmas Sale!  The items they are looking for are listed below. Thanks to the parishioners who have already begun to drop items off for this very important event for the Saskatoon community!

That's it for this week!  Just a heads-up - I will be gone on a family ski holiday to Banff all next week, so there will no Parish Newsletter for next weekend, Dec. 17-18.  You may, however, access Fr. Mike's message on the Parish website. The next Parish Newsletter will be sent out on Thursday, December 22 - just in time to catch up and wish you a Merry Christmas!  

Have a great weekend, everyone, enjoy these lovely mild temperatures, and have a wonderful third week of Advent! Talk to you in two weeks from now! 

Warm-er Advent Blessings, 

Marlene

2023 Parish Collection Envelopes

The 2023 Parish Donation Envelopes are now available in the Welcome Area for pick-up.  Please do so as soon as possible.

Please note two other things:  

1) There is a Special Collection Envelope in your current box for a Christmas Offering, that can be made at any of the three Christmas Masses.  

2) We are accepting donations for the 2022 tax year until Sat. Dec 31. All donations must be in to the Parish Office by that date in order to be included in your 2022 tax receipt. Any donations coming in after Dec 31 will be posted to January 2023. 

Thank you so much for your continuous generosity throughout the year!

Christmas & New Year's Mass Schedule

Christmas Eve - Sat. Dec. 24 ~ 5 pm and 8 pm

Christmas Day - Sun. Dec. 25 ~ 10 am

Boxing Day - Mon. Dec. 26 ~ NO MASS

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God:

New Year's Eve - Sat. Dec. 31 ~ 5 pm

New Year's Day - Sun. Jan. 1 ~ 10 am

Mon. Jan. 2 ~ NO MASS

NOTE:  Advent Reconciliation Service - Tues. Dec. 6 at 7 pm, otherwise by appointment only.  

East-Side Advent Penitential Services

Parishes across our Diocese have various opportunities for reconciliation/confessions during Advent. To date, the east-side opportunities are listed below.  You may also check the online Advent-Christmas schedule at: https://rcdos.ca/advent-christmas-schedule/

The remaining dates and times of the east-side parishes that are holding Advent Penitential Services, with confessions, are:

• Tuesday, Dec. 13, at 7 pm ~ Holy Spirit Parish
• Wednesday, Dec. 14, at 7 pm ~ St. Paul Co-Cathedral
• Tuesday Dec. 20, at 7 pm ~ St. Augustine Parish
• Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 5:30 pm ~ St. Francis Xavier 

THANK YOU!

Poinsettia Sale Fundraiser

The Refugee Committee would like to thank everyone for the wonderful support of their Poinsettia plant sale. Your generosity will go a long way in supporting our newcomers, both current and future, and you have a lovely poinsettia to enjoy over the Christmas season!

A reminder also, that the Fair Trade items that were ordered will be available for pick up on Sat. Dec 17, in the Welcome Area.  

Parish Office Closed

Dec. 23, Dec. 26 & Jan. 2

The Parish Office will be closed on Friday, Dec. 23 and Monday, Dec. 26 for Christmas, and Mon. Jan. 2, for New Years.  

Volunteers Needed

The Christmas Masses will be here before we know it!  We will need a number of volunteers to help out with the three Christmas Masses - Saturday, Dec. 24 at 5 pm and 8 pm, and Sunday, Dec. 25 at 10 am.  If you would like to be a lector, EMC or usher for any of the Christmas Masses, please contact Shirley in the Parish Office.  Thank you for serving God and your fellow parishioners in this very special way, and at this very special time of year. 

St. Mary's Christmas Hampers - UPDATE!

Thanks to all who are sponsoring a Christmas hamper!  Everything is running smoothly and according to schedule!

Just a reminder that in the Welcome Area, you will find little Christmas trees with paper decorations listing individual hamper items.  Please take one ( or more) decorations and bring back the listed item(s) to contribute to THREE group hampers!  Little group projects!

Your generosity and Christmas spirit are felt and so appreciated!

Parish Liturgical Ministries

Liturgical Ministries:  There are continuous updates happening with Ministry Lists! Please know that some progress is being made every week. Shirley, who facilitates the coordination, creation and other details concerning the lists, including scheduling, is working hard to keep on top of this.  Changes are being made as necessary, making this an ongoing process. 

Sacrament of Baptism: .The next date for the celebration of Baptism is Sunday, January 29, 2023. Pre-registration is necessary.

December Food Collection

For the Friendship Inn

For the month of December, we are collecting peanut butter, coffee and tea for the Friendship Inn. In addition, there is always a need for other non-perishables. Please be sure to check "best before" dates.  There is a large bin in the Welcome Area to accommodate your donations.  Thank you for your incredible generosity!

Bishop’s Annual Appeal 2022

For Sunday, December 11

As this year’s Bishop’s Annual Appeal is wrapping up, I would like to thank our parishioners for their generous response to the Appeal. Also, I would like to thank the wonderful volunteers who reached out to our fellow parishioners. It is through the generous support of our parishioners that our parish and our church community can stay vibrant and fulfill the Spiritual needs of everyone.

In Serving Others, we are Serving our Saviour.

Bev Shivak (BAA Chairperson)

St. Philip Neri Refugee Committee

Furniture & Household Items Needed

Are you downsizing or just doing some fall house-cleaning and de-cluttering?  We have just the place for the items you no longer want or need.  The Refugee Committee is once again asking for furniture, kitchen and other household items to replenish their stock as they prepare for the future arrival of more refugee families.  Please call Denise Debrau, at (306) 291-1675 if you have any questions or would like to schedule a pick-up of your donated items. Thank you so much for your ongoing support of our refugee familiies!  

St. Philip Neri Parish Bereavement Support

Tuesday, December 20, 1-3 pm

Please know that there is support offered here at the Parish. If you would like a place to gather and talk with others who have lost a loved one, please come out to our next gathering on Tuesday, December 20, from 1 to 3 pm, here in the church's Sunroom. We look forward to walking with you in faith! No registration fee or sign up are required. Please just feel comfortable in coming to join us. For more information, please call Deb, our Parish Nurse, at the Parish.

Golden Age Card Players

The Golden Age Group at St. Philip Neri meets regularly to play cards, every second Wedesday, from 1:30 - 4:00 pm in the Welcome Area. 

Regular card players will be meeting at Smiley's Restaurant for their annual "Christmas Social" THIS Wednesday, December 14. 

Their next card-playing session will be on Wednesday, December 28. The cost is $2 per day.  The group happily welcomes any new players to join them for some fun, friendly competition! The new dates for 2023 will be coming out soon.  For more information, please call the president, Sylvia Godbout, at (306) 374-9085. 

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

Every Monday evening (except for long weekends), from 6 pm to 10 pm, and also every second Thursday of the month, from 9 am to 6 pm, people are invited to pray with the Blessed Sacrament in the main area of the church. 

The upcoming Adoration schedule: 

• Monday evenings, Dec. 12, 19 from 6 pm-10 pm) 
• The next full day Adoration will be on Thursday, Jan. 12, from 9 am - 6 pm.

Diocesan Prayer Intention

As our country prepares to celebrate the National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples (on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Dec. 12), we give thanks for the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples of Canada, and for the blessing of cultures and traditions, as well as for the gifts of creation that we share. Creator God, please walk with us and help us to embrace our mutual journey toward truth and reconciliation. Guide us to healing and peace, and awaken in all a spirit of compassion, justice, community and friendship.

National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples

Monday, December 12

The National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples is marked each year in Canada on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 12. Please find this year’s reflection from the Canadian Indigenous Council on the CCCB website at www.cccb.ca.

Advent Lessons and Carols

THIS Sat. December 10

Advent Lessons and Carols will be presented by the St. Paul’s Children’s Choir THIS Saturday, Dec. 10, at 7:30 pm, at St. Paul Co-Cathedral, 720 Spadina Cres. E. Everyone is welcome to hear the story of salvation in scripture and song and then stay afterwards for a reception in the Welcome Area. Donations for the development of the parish music programs are appreciated.

CWL Advent Retreat

THIS Tuesday, December 13

A CWL Advent Retreat will be held THIS Tuesday, Dec. 13, at Queen's House, beginning with Mass at 4:30 pm in the Chapel at Queen’s House. After Mass and supper, guest speakers for the evening retreat are Brendan and Louise Bitz, who will explore the Catholic Women’s League national theme “Catholic and Living It.” Everyone is welcome -- bring a friend. You do not have to be a CWL member in order to attend. 

Tickets are $35/person (includes supper). Contact Maureen at (306) 374-8476 for tickets before the Dec. 6 deadline. As part of the retreat, the CWL will be collecting donations of new, unwrapped baby gifts or monetary donations for Saskatoon Pregnancy Options Centre.

Prison Storytime Outreach

The Diocesan Office of Restorative Ministry is seeking donations of new children’s pyjamas for ages newborn to six years, as well as crayons, colouring books, and/or gently-used children’s books and small backpacks, as part of a project to help fathers in prison improve parenting skills and stay connected to their families. Men approved for the program are video-taped reading bedtime stories to send to their children with the donated items. Monetary donations to purchase the supplies for the project are also welcome. Please drop off any donations at the Catholic Pastoral Centre, 2nd floor of the Cathedral of the Holy Family, during regular hours of 9 am to noon or 1 - 4:30 pm weekdays (closed over noon hour), or contact Dianne Anderson (306) 659-5845 for more information.

Christmas Tea & Bake Sale!

THIS Saturday, Dec. 10

A Pre-Christmas Tea and Bake Sale will be held THIS Saturday, Dec. 10, from 1 - 3 pm, at St. Mary Parish, 211 Avenue O South, featuring baking, raffles, and a snack lunch for sale! Everyone is welcome! Admission is $3. (Masking is encouraged.)

Video Reflections

"Journey Through Advent"

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has once again produced a Journey through Advent video series, which includes reflections on the Gospel readings of each Sunday in Advent. 

Journey Through Advent is a joint project between the CCCB’s Office national de liturgie, the National Liturgy Office, and the Office for Evangelization and Catechesis. Links to the videos, at www.cccb.ca, will be released each Monday for the upcoming Sunday celebration. 

Thanks to Bishop Joseph Dabrowski and Archbishop Paul-André Durocher for their generosity in preparing and recording these spiritual and pastoral reflections.

Special Collection: Catholic TRC Healing Response

THIS Sunday, December 11

A second collection will be held in parishes across the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon on the Third Sunday of Advent, December 11, as part of our Diocesan contribution to the $30-million national Catholic financial pledge to support healing and reconciliation initiatives for residential school survivors and their communities. For more information about our Diocesan commitment of $250,000 per year over five years, about the vision of our local Diocesan TRC Discernment Circle, or to make a donation online, please see the Diocese of Saskatoon Catholic Foundation website at: https://dscf.ca/trc/.  

Note:  You may also donate by cheque, made payable to the Diocese of Saskatoon Catholic Foundation (or DSCF), and on the memo line - TRC.

Another Adoration Opportunity

A Holy Hour for the Feminine Heart

Take time away to refresh your soul and spend time with new friends. All women are invited to a monthly Holy Hour followed by refreshments and fellowship, held at 7 pm on the first Thursday of every month at Holy Spirit Parish, starting Thursday, Dec. 1. The evening includes adoration, a short Gospel reflection led by Fr. Joseph Salihu, quiet prayer, benediction, and rosary.  It's not too late to join in on this inspirational opportunity! 

CWL Clothing Depot

Annual Christmas Sale Needs

The CWL Clothing Depot is requesting donations of NEW items for its Annual Christmas Sale. Most-needed items include new toys, socks, underwear, gloves, mittens, toques, sheets, towels, jewellery, health and beauty items, household and kitchen items, and individually wrapped candy. Warm coats and jackets are also in high demand. 

Donations help those who are struggling to make ends meet, giving them a joyous opportunity to shop for Christmas gifts for their loved ones. Parents can choose toys and other gifts at an affordable price while enjoying the freedom and dignity of making their own purchases, while children with only a few coins can buy gifts for their loved ones! Donations can be dropped off between 10 am and 2 pm Monday to Friday, at 619-20th Street West (rear entrance of Friendship Inn). Please ring the back doorbell when delivering items. Volunteers are always welcome at the CWL Clothing Depot! Please call Bea for more information, at (306) 242-5042.

Delicious Monthly Pancake Breakfasts!

St. Joseph's Hall on Broadway

Everyone is welcome to join the K of C Chapter #11429 - San Lorenzo Ruiz - for their delicious monthly Sunday morning pancake breakfasts, held in St. Joseph's Parish Hall, on Broadway Ave. & 8th Street. These yummy breakfasts will be served on Sundays, from 10 am to 1 pm, on the following dates:

Jan. 22, Feb. 19, Mar. 19, April 23, and May 28.  

The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children 5-15 years.  Breakfasts consists of pancakes (with syrup or whipped cream & berries!), sausages, scrambled eggs, toast, coffee and juice. Come on over and join us!  Everyone is welcome!

Donate your recycling refund to Catholic TRC Healing Response

Please consider donating your recycling refund to Catholic TRC Healing Response. There are four "drop-and-go" recycling locations in Saskatoon where you are able to donate your returnable deposit proceeds to the Diocesan TRC fund:

1.  350B-103^rd St. East in Sutherland
2.  2327 Faithful Ave.
3.  2900 Jasper Ave.
4.  2305-22^nd St. West

Note:  These locations will have a separate entrance for Drop and Go.  Everything is a touch screen, and when it asks for your account, you can type in TRC or trc.  You will enter the number of tags you need for your bags and stick them on before droping them off.  Thank you for your kind contributions to the Catholic TRC Healing Response!

Filipino Catholic Community of Saskatoon

Next Monthly Mass - Sun. Dec. 18

The Filipino Catholic Community of Saskatoon gathers on the third Sunday of every month to celebrate Mass at St. Paul Co-Cathedral, 720 Spadina Cr. E., with the next celebration to be held on Sunday December 18, at 5:00 pm. The Filipino Catholic community also holds a weekly Novena in English every Friday at 5:30 pm at. St. Paul Co-Cathedral. Everyone is welcome. 

Catholic Saskatoon NEWS

Our Diocese has an online news portal featuring local, national and international Catholic news. Go to “Catholic Saskatoon News” at https://news.rcdos.ca to check out the latest coverage, or to sign up to receive headline updates via e-mail. The Diocese also has a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/saskatoonrcdiocese and can be found on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SaskatoonCath.

Weekly Diocesan Bulletin

Get the latest fall news from around the Saskatoon Diocese!

Find out what's going on around the Diocese, including upcoming events, new learning opportunities to help you grow in your faith,  and other interesting information and announcements.

St. Philip Neri Masses are live-streamed, every Saturday at 5 pm

 If you aren’t able to attend Mass in person, you may watch it LIVE on YouTube.

To find us on YouTube, click on St Philip Neri YouTube Channel or go to our website, stphilipneriparish.ca and get to our channel from there.

NOTE:  If you are hard of hearing or would like to have the Live-Streamed Services "with text", please click the “cc”/ “Closed Caption” icon/button at the bottom right on your computer screen, below the live-streamed service.  You will be able to see the words of the speaker!

We have left past Masses up on our channel for you to watch, or you can tune in to our next upcoming LIVE Masses on the dates and times below:

Upcoming Live-Streams: 

Saturday, December 10 - 5:00 pm (Fr. Mike)

Saturday, December 17 - 5:00 pm (Fr. Mike)