Parish Schedule

• Saturday Liturdy: 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday Liturgy: 9 & 11 a.m.
• Weekdays:

Tues. & Wed.: 7:00 p.m.
Thurs. & Fri.: 8:00 a.m.
• Reconciliation: Sat. 4:15 p.m.

Or by appointment
• Office Hours: Mon. - Fri.

9:00 a.m. - noon., 1 - 4 p.m.
• Contact the office to arrange for Baptisms, 

Marriages and Funerals
• Hall rentals:  789-7800
• Gerein Centre Use: 757-1325

Our reading from Isaiah has those remarkable words: "The people that walked in darkness has seen a great light; on those who live in a land of deep shadow a light has shone." We can become attached to our darkness. We all know how difficult it is for people who are addicted to alcohol, or drugs.  Some of them try for years and years to become free of their addictions, and yet fail. When they try to do without their crutch, they experience such great discomfort that they go back to their darkness. The same thing can happen to us as we try to break free of our own dark attachments. We often try to free ourselves from one thing but fail to move towards something else.

In his early life St. Augustine was trapped by its pleasures. Listen closely to what he says. "I loved the happy life, but I feared to find it in your abode, and I fled from it, even as I sought it... Caught fast in a disease of the flesh with its deadly sweetness, I dragged along my chains and was fearful of being loosed from them...O tortuous ways! Woe to my proud soul, which hoped that if it fell away from you, it would have something better!  It turned and turned again upon its back and sides and belly, but all places were hard to it, for you alone are rest...and you console us, and you say to us, "Run forward! I will bear you up, and I will bring you to the end, and there also will I bear you up!"

Augustine's tortured struggle became both death and birth for him. What had before proved sweet began to fail in its power to satisfy him. Following Christ involves, then, both a leaving from and a going towards. Following Jesus, then, means moving from darkness into light. It involves a conscious decision to allow every last part of our life to be touched by Jesus Christ.

BIRTHRIGHT SHOWER – The CWL has begun collecting for hampers for the Birthright Shower.  Boxes can be found at both entrances.  All parishioners are invited to participate.  Specific items needed for hampers are:  Baby food, receiving blankets, diapers, clothes – mostly newborn. (new and used will be greatly accepted.) 

“SUNDAY NIGHT LIVE”  - Holy Cross’ Hinz-Bradel Folk Group has been asked to put on a concert at Rosemont United Church, (5000 8th Ave., at McIntosh St.) Feb. 3, at 7:00 p.m. (Free-will offering) Come out for an evening of great music and support one of our parish choirs! 

CHILDREN’S LITURGY – Sufficient volunteers have stepped forward to lead Children’s Liturgy at the 9:00 a.m. Mass on Sundays.  Children’s Liturgy will resume at the 9:00 a.m. Masses on Feb. 3.  Thank You  to all volunteers!

MUSIC MINISTRY – We would like to have leaders of song at all of our Masses.  At this time we have vacancies at  the 5 p.m. Mass, the 1st and 2nd Sunday of the month and at the 9 a.m. Mass, the 1st Sunday of the month. We especially need accompanists as some singers have indicated that they would lead if they had an accompanist.  This would not have to be a large commitment.  It could involve as little as one Sunday a month.  Please call the office: 757-1325 if you are able to help. 

ADORATION – of the Blessed Sacrament after   the 8:00 a.m. Mass on Feb. 1 until 4:00 p.m. Sign-up sheet is posted at the back of the church.

COUNTDOWN FOR LENT – Ash Wednesday is coming!  Lent begins on Feb. 13.  The ashes that will be used to mark the beginning of Lent come from the palm branches blessed and distributed last Passion Sunday.  You are invited to return the branches you received last year so they can be burned and used in the Ash Wednesday liturgy.  Baskets are set at both entrances for this.