ROMAN CATHOLIC PARISH OF ST. PIUS X

PICTORIAL DIRECTORY FOR OUR 50TH ANNIVERSARY:-

We are now making arrangements for the family photographs to be taken for the Directory.  We are asking for volunteers to help with the recording of the appointment times, for phone calling, and for times to attend the actual photo sessions.  The week of January 13^th to the 16^th the time for picture taking is 2:30 to 8:30 pm. On Sat. the 17^th the time is 9:30am to 3:00pm. The sign-up times for picture appointments will take place before and after all the Masses on the weekend of Dec. 13^th and 14^th. If you are able to help out in any way you may contact the Parish center at (250) 762‑2587 or call Bev Smith at (250) 869‑4183.

ADVENT RECONCILIATION:- Our Reconciliation service will take place on Tuesday, Dec 9^th at 6:30 pm.

CWL LADIES:- Our final gathering of the year will be a "Year End Luncheon" at 12:00 noon on Dec.9^th in the hall.  Guest speaker: Fr. Bart.  Bring an unwrapped gift for Mental Health and your MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS FOR 2009. Hope to see you at this free luncheon.

ADVENT ADORATION:- The Serra Club is promoting a Friday evening hour of Adoration at St. Pius X^th Parish.  It begins at 7 pm and will take place each Friday during Advent.  We will continue to have adoration on Friday morning.

Our Pilgrimage of faith:- Thank you for helping us reach our diocesan goal.  All donations made from here on will go towards maintenance projects for next year.  We are now at 30% of our parish goal.

50^TH ANNIVERSARY UPDATE:- a suggestion has been made that we celebrate our 50^th Anniversary Banquet on Fri, Aug 21^st on the Feast of St. Pius X^th.  The weekend will conclude with an Anniversary Mass on Sunday, Aug 23^rd.  Please mark your calendars early.

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL:- We are looking for 2 or 3 good people who are willing to help set the direction for our parish as a Parish Council Member. Please consider stepping forward to add new ideas and new energy to our parish family.

MASS ON VISION TV:-  A big thank you to all who supported our lunch to sponsor a mass on Vision TV.  We made $1,112; our goal is $2400.  You may drop off any donations to the parish office.  If we have not met our goal by January, we will have another lunch.

ANNUAL CWL COOKIE SALE:-  Will be held on Sunday, Dec 14th at the K of C Breakfast.  All ladies of the parish are asked to bring 6 dozen cookies to the parish hall on Fri Dec 12th between 9am and noon and then bring your friends on Sunday and do your Christmas cookie shopping.  Cookies may be frozen if you wish to make them ahead of time.  Proceeds will be going to the “Bishop Fund for Life” (Pro‑life).  For more information please call Rita Fairhurst (250) 762‑7346 or Jo Stewart (250) 762‑3990

YOUNG ADULTS RETREAT:- Young adults ages 18 – 35 are invited to a retreat Dec 12 – 14 at Seton House of Prayer.  Cost is $90/person or $60/student (some subsidies available). To register call (250) 863‑9899 or email kevinkishor@shaw.ca.

Rosary for peace & for families:- The rosary will be  prayed every Friday at 2:40 until approx 4 pm in ICC church.  One mystery will be prayed at 2:40, Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3 pm and another two mysteries after the chaplet, ending with the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the consecration to the two Hearts.  Feel free to come for any or all of it.

FOOD HAMPERS:- We are continuing to give Christmas hampers by way of food vouchers to our clients and are asking that your consider giving us your donation in cash or by cheque. We are given a volume discount by the grocery store thus your money goes further.  We thank you for your generosity throughout the year and ask for your continued help. God Bless and Thank You!!!

SALT+LIGHT TELEVISION:- Your Catholic Channel of Hope available to all Canadians and around the world.  It is Canada’s Catholic Network bringing people closer to Christ and the Catholic faith.  Available through Bell TV (channel 654).  For more information and Live online streaming visit www.saltandlighttv.org.

RIGHT TO LIFE:- Our Lady of Quadalupe is credited with defeating the culture of death in Aztec times and sparking a mass conversion to Christianity. Before her miraculous appearance in 1531, brutal human sacrifice - including child sacrifice - was commonplace in Mexico. In 1999, Pope John Paul II visited the site where she originally appeared and called on her to once again defeat the culture of death, this time having manifested itself in the form of legalized abortion. On Sunday December 14^th, Kelowna Right to Life will be hosting our annual one-hour prayer vigil at KGH beginning at 2:00 pm. Please join us in praying for the end to abortion in our time.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION FEAST DAY CELEBRATION:- Monday, Dec 8, 7 pm at St. Theresa’s Church. The Militia Immaculata Okanagan will host a mass in honour of Mary. Everyone welcome and especially families. Optional consecration to Mary and / or enrolment in the local Marian MI group for those interested. If unable to attend, but you wish to complete the consecration in your own parish please phone us for details. Coffee / refreshments following.  For information phone Annette (250) 762‑0350 or (250) 496‑5654 or June (250) 765‑7977.

CATHOLIC SINGLES:- invites 50-75 years young to fun weekly breakfasts at 10:00 a.m. at the following: Dec. 7 ‑ I.C.C.; Dec. 14 ‑ St. Pius; Dec 21 ‑ Christmas breakfast at Bohemian Cafe - 524 Bernard Ave.; Dec 28 ‑ Haven Restaurant.  For further info contact Patti (250) 868‑9133 or Tony (250) 861‑7148.

NEW MISSALS:- Those who use the new missals will notice a slight difference in wording with the readings proclaimed at mass. This is because the new missals are using the changes that were to be implemented on the first Sunday of Advent, but that have been delayed until Pentecost when the new lectionary will be available.  We have been asked to stick to the old text until then.

PERPETUAL ADORATION:- As we pray before the Blessed Sacrament, our souls are fed by the person of the Saviour in the two faculties of spirit that need to be constantly fed.  They are the mind and the will.  In the mind we need light; in the will we need strength.  And both needs are met in an extraordinary way through earnest prayer before the Eucharist. (Father John Hardon, S.J.).  Jesus is inviting you to spend a weekly hour with Him in the Blessed Sacrament.  Phone (250) 860‑6444 for a scheduled hour.

IMMACULATA REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL NEWS:- Parishioners and parents are invited to attend the “A Christmas Celebration” at the Mary Irwin Theatre featuring the Immaculata High School Concert and Jazz Bands, and the Grade 10 Drama class.  The performance will start at 7:00pm on Wed Dec 10.  Tickets are available at (250) 717‑5304 or at the Mary Erwin Theatre box office.  General admission cost is $5 for students and $9.05 for adults.  Come out for an enjoyable evening and thanks for your support.

OZANAM HOUSE NEWS:- Ozanam House is filled to capacity and we have a waiting list.  We, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Central Okanagan, would like to give you a monthly update about how things are going at Ozanam House.

Four residents are employed currently, three are upgrading their education and five are volunteering in different areas around Kelowna.

Two residents are ready to move out on their own; one has gained employment as a line cook and the other has accepted a full time position with Mental Health.  Our longest staying resident (14 months) moved out in Sept and has a full time position as a first aid attendant in Alberta.

We thank God for these blessings and ask for your continued prayers and support.

 People of Faith Charismatic prayer meeting Tuesdays in Charity Hall at 7 pm. Everyone is welcome to join us in prayer of praise, thanksgiving, and intercession. For more information call Madeleine at (250) 452‑6898.

Advent Reflections

 Advent is a time of waiting, a time for reflection, a time of listening, a time for conversion.  Many Christians are trying to recapture this sense of hope, peace, joy and love in their lives.  They have learned that to keep one’s attention on Christ means making significant room for Him in our lives during this season.

 This week we celebrate His gift of peace.  The Sacrament of Reconciliation is at the forefront of our community’s life.  May we learn to celebrate it well and reflect on our belief that forgiveness is always mediated through another person, as it is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 Anyone wanting to spend some time with God’s promises during the Season of Advent may want to look up some of these passages: