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CHRISTMAS GREETING!CHRISTMAS GREETING!

In our December edition of Discipleship, Archbishop Mancini, off ered his 2017

Christmas message.

WELCOME THE NEW YEAR WITH ARCHBISHOP MANCINIWELCOME THE NEW YEAR WITH ARCHBISHOP MANCINIoin Archbishop Anthony Mancini for his annual New Year’s Day Levee at Saint Mary’s

Cathedral Basilica. Following the 10am Mass for the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of

God all are invited to gather with our Archbishop in the hall 11am to welcome in the new year and enjoy some light refreshments and fellowship.May Mary, the Star of the New Evangelization, intercede for all our needs this coming year as we seek to renew our local Church.

CONSCIENCE PROTECTION CAMPAIGNCONSCIENCE PROTECTION CAMPAIGN

Over recent months, it has become increasingly clear that the conscience rights

of Nova Scotia doctors are not being adequately protected.

A leading Nova Scotia medical regulator recently told doctors they must participate in euthanasia by making an “eff ective referral” even if this would require them to violate their conscience. It was made clear that the penalty for refusing to comply could be discipline for “unprofessional conduct”. Performing or referring for assisted suicide and euthanasia involve killing a patient. This is directly opposed to the teachings of many faiths and the traditional Hippocratic oath. Most health care professionals embarked on their careers to heal people, not kill them. No Nova Scotian should be required to be involved against their will.Other provinces have found ways to provide access without forcing people to act against their moral convictions. We need to let the Minister of Health of Nova Scotia know that we need legislation to protect conscience rights in our province. To add your voice to this important issue for Nova Scotians of all faiths, take part in this campaign by going to: www.canadiansforconscience.ca/nova_scotiaThis is a project of the Coalition for HealthCARE and Conscience.

197 Windmill Road, Dartmouth, NS B3A 1G1• Phone: 902-463-5897

PARISH DIRECTORYPARISH DIRECTORY

THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD December 25th December 25th December 25 , 2017th, 2017th

MASS SCHEDULE:Sundays at 10amSundays at 10am

REGULAR WEEKDAY MASSES:REGULAR WEEKDAY MASSES:• Tuesdays – 6:30pm• Thursdays – 6:30pm• 1st Friday of the month – 9am

SACRAMENTS:RECONCILIATION: RECONCILIATION: Prior to Sunday and weekday MassesBAPTISMS: BAPTISMS: At least one month noticeMARRIAGES: MARRIAGES: Please call the offi ceMASS INTENTIONS: MASS INTENTIONS: Please call the offi ceROSARY: ROSARY: Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm

“Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you.”

(Luke 1:28)

PARISH ADMINISTRATOR: • • Rev. Mr. Robert Doyle; deaconrobert@eastlink.ca

.......902-463-5897, ext. 3 CLERGY: • • Fr. Tom Mabey – Sunday Mass• • Fr. Charles Burke – Weekday Masses• • Deacon Robert Doyle • • Deacon Bernard YoungSECRETARY/BOOKKEEPER: Kerry Daley; stpaulsoffi ce@eastlink.ca

.......902-463-5897, ext. 2BULLETIN: Paula Yochoff ................ yochoff bill@ns.sympatico.caFAITH FORMATION DIRECTOR: Trish Sapp ................ 902-461-4835KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS GRAND KNIGHT: Bill Yochoff .......... Bill Yochoff .......... Bill Yochoff 902-464-0334PASTORAL COUNCIL CHAIR: Bill Yochoff ................ 902-464-0334MEN’S ASSOCIATION CONTACTS: Paul Clark ................ 902-463-5962 Bill Yochoff ................ 902-464-0334WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT: Jan Clark ................ 902-463-5962 WEBMASTER: Pauline Hingston ... pauline.hingston@bellaliant.net

MISSION STATEMENT:

Saint Paul Parish is a faith community rooted in the Gospels and the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Gratefully accepting our gifts from God and sharing those for the common good, in a spirit of joy, through collaborative ministries, we strive to live out the Good

News of Jesus Christ.

VISION STATEMENT:

Our vision is to impact and renew North-end Dartmouth

and beyond with the transforming message of

Jesus Christ through words and actions.

Visit our websitesaintpauldartmouth.weebly.com

@stpauldartmouth

SCRIPTURE PASSAGES FOR DECEMBER 31ST

HOLY FAMILY FEAST

Sirach 3.2-6, 12-14Colossians 3.12-21

Luke 2.22-40

FAITH FORMATION

CELEBRATING THE CHRISTMAS

✩ Canada’s two Holy Days of ObligationCanada’s two Holy Days of Obligation (December 25th and January 1 ) are observed during the Christmas season. ✩ The Christmas treeThe Christmas tree probably originated from popular mediaeval religious plays. It was introduced to Canada around the end of the 18th century. Primarily a tradition for the home (although it is often used in the decoration of churches) it has a deep Christological signifi cance: Christ is the true tree of life, born of human stock, of the Virgin Mary, the tree which is always green and productive. ✩ The Christ Child in the mangerThe Christ Child in the manger and other pictures of the story of Bethlehem has been used in church services from the fi rst centuries. But the crib in its present form and its use outside the church originated with St. Francis of Assisi (+1226). It is a favourite part of home Christmas decoration. The crib unites the gospel stories of Luke (angels and shepherds) and Matthew (magi) along with images from the Old Testament (manger and animals). Aspects of national and family traditions are often included in the design of the manger scene. In the parish church, the crib is ideally set up outside the sanctuary area. It is never placed under or near the altar but may provide an important focus for the decoration of the building. ✩ From the end of Advent through the Baptism of the Lord, From the end of Advent through the Baptism of the Lord, houses and Christmas trees are usually illuminated.houses and Christmas trees are usually illuminated. From its Roman origin in the northern hemisphere of the earth during a season in which the days’ light is becoming longer, Christmas also is a festival of light: “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it” (Jn 1.5). Following the rising star, from East to Jerusalem, magi were guided to the newly-born Jesus, “the Light of the world”; whoever follows him “will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (Jn 8.12).(taken from the CCCB – National Liturgy Offi ce)(taken from the CCCB – National Liturgy Offi ce)

ARCHDIOCESAN INFORMATION

“Christmas is joy, religious joy and “Christmas is joy, religious joy and inner joy of light and peace.” inner joy of light and peace.”

(Pope Francis)

WELCOMEWelcome to all who are celebrating Christmas mass with us! May

your experience be fi lled with peace and joy!

� �FROM THE PARISH OFFICEWe are blessed to be serving at Saint Paul Parish and want to thank you, the parishioners, for your support to us and to one another. May your time with family and friends be fi lled with peace and joy! Blessed Christmas!Deacon Robert and Kerry.

To you is born this day a Saviour, who is the Christ.(Luke 2.11)

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SAINT PAUL CHURCH FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT:Month: December 2017������������������December 2017������������������

December 17, 2017

Monthly average operating costs – $11,254.17Monthly average operating costs – $11,254.17

WE ARE “GIFT” TO ONE ANOTHERToday is the fourth Sunday of Advent. It is also Christmas eve and so the Gospel

readings that we are exposed to within the small space of 24 hours take us from the Annunciation to the Nativity of Jesus. Another way of looking at it is that we have the promise of a Saviour fi rst given in the Book of Genesis (Gen 3:15) and the fulfi llment of that promise in the Gospels collapsing the time and space between the Old Testament and the New.

Today, the promise. Today, the fulfi llment. Today, what we faithfully waited for has happened. God has visited His people, cloaked in human form, not in the majesty of the Almighty. God is come to save us from fi nal death and to open the doors to eternal life. God has saved us, not due to any merit of ours, but out of His own loving care for the people He created to be His own.May you and your families be richly blessed this Christmas. May you feel the embrace of God and know that you are loved.

DEACON’S CORNER

PARISH OFFICE CLOSURE & MASS CANCELLATION:

The Parish offi ce will be closed until Wednesday, January 3rd. The offi ce will reopen again on

Thursday, January 4th. For emergencies, please call 902.499.3386. As well, there will be no weekday mass between Christmas and New Years as Father Charlie will be away. Rosary will still take place on Wednesday evening.

THANK YOU:

Caren and I would like to express our thanks for the overwhelming kindness and support the

parishioners at St. Paul showed to us following my mother’s death. God bless, Deacon Bernie

CHRISTMAS LOONIE�TOONIECHRISTMAS LOONIE�TOONIECHRISTMAS LOONIE�TOONIECHRISTMAS LOONIE�TOONIECHRISTMAS LOONIE�TOONIE:

The Christmas Loonie/Toonie took place on Wednesday, December 20th with a wonderful

turnout. Thank you to all who made the Loonie/Toonie evening such a fun-fi lled event. Special thanks to The Sham-Rocks, the I-Chix and to the multitude of entertainers; those who prepared the treats and beverages; those who cleaned up; and to all who came out to enjoy the event. 50/50 was won by Barb O’Neill’s sister - Elizabeth Chambers ($130). The door prizes were won by Veronica Fitzgerald, Paul Clark & Bonnie Lilley. Our next event, weather-permitting, will be Wednesday, January 31st.

CONTCONTCONTAINERSAINERSCONTAINERSCONTCONTAINERSCONTAINERSCONTAINERSCONT

Containers left following our cookie-square platter sale are available for collection in the center of the hall.

LIVING FAITH BOOKLETSLIVING FAITH BOOKLETS::January Living Faith are now available.

TAKE�OUT MEALTAKE�OUT MEALSS::

Take-out meals – $5 ea. (All meals include a roll.)December 24th – No Meal

December 31 – Baked Ham Dinner

PRAYER INTENTIONS(We are called to pray for one another.)

Delphim Amaral Dorothy Briggs Josephine Day Brian Doherty Julie Heffl er Mitchell Tufts

Bill & Nancy WithersSaint Paul Parish “Three-Year Pastoral Plan”

During this time of year, this time of giving gifts and receiving gifts, it is appropriate to refl ect on the gift we are to one another as a faith-fi lled parish community. The “gift to one another” in a parish community comes in many forms and it

can be risky to attempt to identify those gifts for fear of forgetting one or two. But the attempt in itself is a “gift” and may cause you to add your own in your family and friends.The parish offi ce has a very capable fi nance/secretary in Kerry Daley. Although Kerry is contracted to give two days a week to Saint Paul Parish, she gives more. Kerry has given her time at dinners and other events held in the parish, together with all she accomplishes during the two days a week.A parish is lead by a group of parishioners tasked with setting a vision and mission for the parish. In the past several years, the members of Pastoral Council have successfully completed the “Three-Year Pastoral Plan” for Saint Paul Parish, which is in line with the “Parish Mission and Vision” statements. The Pastoral Council consists of Chairperson Bill Yochoff , Mary Lynne Doiron, Janet Tufts, Sandra Confi ant, Antoine Colombet and Cavita Persad. Barrie and Linda Franklin were instrumental in the preparation and report of the “Three-Year Pastoral Plan to the Parish Council.It takes money to operate any organization and a team to review and ensure proper handling of all donations and It takes money to operate any organization and a team to review and ensure proper handling of all donations and expenditures. The Finance Committee of Saint Paul Parish includes Denise Messervey and Darryl Babin. Recently, Debra Baker resigned her position on fi nance committee for personal reasons.We come to give thanks and praise to God at mass, during Adoration, and other liturgical events. The responsibility to organize the many liturgies at Saint Paul Parish is given to the members of the Liturgy Committee consisting of Janet Tufts, Denise Messervey, Bill Yochoff , Kellie Evers and Agnes Anstey. Recently, Brian and Mabel Doherty resigned from the committee. Kellie Evers prepares the ministry schedule for weekend mass and special celebrations (Christmas and Easter).committee. Kellie Evers prepares the ministry schedule for weekend mass and special celebrations (Christmas and Easter).The facilities require continued review and upkeep, which is the responsibility of the Maintenance Committee led by Bill Yochoff with Paul Clark, John Anderson and Tim Evers.Communicating to all parishioners is completed with the use of the bulletin, newsletter, website and twitter. Paula Yochoff prepares the bulletin every week and Jan Clark prepares the newsletter several times during the year. The website was setup and maintained by Pauline Hingston and she established the “Twitter” account. Priscilla Kennedy and Justine Amero fold the bulletin every Sunday morning before mass.Saint Paul Parish is gifted with the clergy who serve the parish. Fr. Tom Mabey presides at the Sunday celebrations, as well as Christmas and Easter. Fr. Charlie presides at the weekday mass times and for all funerals held at Saint Paul Church. Deacon Bernie Young leads the rosary every Wednesday evening and preaches once a month. When Deacon Bernie is unable to lead the rosary, Dorothy Wincey leads all in prayer. I round out the clergy list.Trish Sapp and Cindy Doherty, who prepare information for parents to teach their children, form our young people in the faith. Trish also leads the “Children’s Liturgy of the Word”, along with John Anderson.Our celebrations are greatly enhanced by the members of the choir, led by Ern Reti with Jim Stokes. The members of the choir spend hours in preparation and serve at funerals, as well as our Sunday liturgy; for which we are so grateful. There are many who serve in the many ministries at mass and special liturgies as well. There are too many to list, but you see them in their ministries. We are grateful to Tim Evers for his dedication as server at the Sunday liturgy and assisting our young parishioners when they serve; also to Dorothy Wincey who serves at the weekday liturgy.There are other organizations and committees, whose membership includes too many to list, but are to be acknowledged. The Women’s Association, led by Jan Clark, has supported the parish in more ways than one can list, most notably their fi nancial contributions. The newly-formed Men’s Association led by Bill Yochoff and Paul Clark has already made a mark in their support to the parish. The Knitting Group gathers every Wednesday afternoon. For the past ten years these women,, led by Dorothy Wincey, have prepared warm woolens for the “Backpack program” and the “Mental Health and Addiction program”, as well as other charities.There are many who serve in the many ministries at mass and special liturgies as well. Again too many to list but you see them in their ministries.Saint Paul Parish is truly blessed with the many gifts of parishioners’ time and commitment. We give thanks to God!

FR. CHARLIE’S MESSAGE:

I wish all my former parishioners of St. Paul Parish, Deacon Robert, Kerry, Women’s Association, KOC,

Men’s Association, Choir, and all others, a Merry Christmas and Joyful New Year. With the Lord’s help, I hope to continue my ministry at my “home” parish on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. As Dickens’ Tiny Tim says: “God bless us, everyone!” - Fr. Charlie

A TAX REMINDERA TAX REMINDER::

In accordance with tax regulations, only cheques dated and received ON or BEFORE December 31, 2017, as well as all

other donations, can be included in the 2017 tax return.

(All meals include a roll.)