Regular Devotions

Holy Rosary

20 minutes before daily Mass

Divine Mercy Tuesday after the 7 PM Mass

Our Lady of Fatima 3rd Monday of the month 6:30-7 PM

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Saturday after the 9 AM Mass

First Friday After the 8 AM Mass -

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament 12:00 noon Benediction

6:25 PM—Holy Rosary

Sunday, December 8, 2019

PARISH OFFICE

Rev. Tien Tran, Pastor ttran@rcav.org; frtran@hotmail.com

Rev. Lucio Choi, Asst. Pastor lchoi@rcav.org

604-589-2083 Rectory

Office Hours: Tuesday to Friday 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Saturday 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM

604-589-2448 office@saintmatthews.ca

Parish Admin: Ms. Caroline P. Mrazek Mrs. Stephanie Chessell Mrs. Anna G. De Leon Bookkeeper: Mrs. Melanie A. Narvaez P.R.E.P.: Mrs. Trish Van Vliet prep@saintmatthews.ca Maintenance: Mr. Lorne Ward lorne@saintmatthews.ca

Elementary School: 604-589-7545 www.stmatthewselementary.ca Preschool: 604-589-1222

REGULAR MASS TIMES SUNDAY: English Masses - 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 7:30 PM; Vietnamese Mass 5 PM; African: Last Sunday 12:30 PM (Mass in English with African Choir)

SATURDAY: 9:00 AM / Anticipated Mass at 5:30 PM

WEEKDAYS: Monday to Friday (except TUESDAY) 8:00 AM Tuesday 7:00 PM Friday Night—Mass at 7:00 PM (Vietnamese) ***except First Friday (in English)

CONFESSIONS Weekend & Daily Masses: half an hour before each Mass

UPCOMING EVENTS Wed. Dec. 11 St. Matthew’s Advent Penitential Service Thu. Dec. 12 St. Matthew’s Elem. Christmas Concert Sat. Dec. 14 St. Matthew’s Choir Concert

(see details inside)

St. Matthew’s R.C. Parish 16079 88 Avenue, Surrey, B.C. V4N 1G3 Tel: (604) 589-2448 Fax: (604) 589-2344

Website: www.saintmatthews.ca

APPEAL TO OUR PARISHIONERS:

Please be mindful that the hymn books in the pews are not toys.

Please take a minute to restore them in the right order in the pews.

Garbage should be disposed of in receptacles provided.

Going Greener Update! The New Green/Blue/Black stations have arrived! A great start! STOP and READ before you toss in. Note: ALL plastic wrapping is WASTE for the black bin.

ATTENTION NEWCOMERS AND NON-REGISTERED PARISHIONERS: Please take the time to fill out our Parish Registration Form found behind the counter by the Parish Office, if you have not done so yet. Thank you.

St. Matthew’s Dedication Anniversary & Christmas Concert: Saturday, December 14, 2019 Pls. join us in the 5:30pm mass, in celebration of our thanksgiving to God for the 25th Dedication Anniversary of St. Matthew’s Church. At 7pm after the mass, our wonderful choirs are treating us to a delightful evening of Christmas

music. It’s FREE! Voluntary donation will be given to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

By appointment with a minimum of 2 months’ notice (during pregnan-cy) so that instructions can be given to parents and godparents about the duties and responsibilities assumed in this Sacrament.

A minimum of 6 months’ notice with one of the parties registered in the parish and practicing his/her faith. The Marriage Preparation course is mandatory. Please ask for “Guidelines for the Celebration of Marriage”.

Please call the parish office before making arrangements.

BAPTISM:

MARRIAGE:

FUNERALS:

7 2

Stewardship Reflection

Jesus Is Headed Your Way

Sometimes, reminders of our mortality find their way into life. The passing of a

loved one, a car accident, or a health scare can all cause us to reflect on where

we are in our relationship with God. Without those moments, we can find

ourselves living daily without a mindful-ness of where God is in our life and if our actions are pleasing to Him … or if they

drag us further away into the world.

Advent is the time to take inventory of where we are with God. How are we liv-ing as good stewards and mature disci-ples? What do I need to make amends for in the healing power of the sacra-

ment of Penance? A tornado may not be coming, but Jesus will be returning some-

day. Hopefully, you will run outside of your home to meet Him, and He won’t

find you huddled up afraid in your bath-room.

-Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS

What does it mean to be worthy? There are a few different ways to approach this question. Today’s Gospel highlights two: the way of the Pharisees and the way of John the Baptist. Our faith values good works and discipleship. Perhaps then, we “earn” our worth by adhering to the right doc-trines and following the right pious practice. The Pharisees thought they were worthy. Due to their religious pedigree and proper procedures, they were self-satisfied. John the Baptist’s words to them are strong. “Do not resume to say to your-selves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’” Of course, Jesus (and John) don’t omit the responsi-bility for moral behavior. John gives the Pharisees quite a strong warning in that regard. “Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance … eve-ry tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

It’s a question of attitude. Of disposition. It’s a matter of the heart. If anyone would be worthy in this scenario, it’s John the Baptist. Jesus himself will name him the greatest of prophets and a great man. John, however, recognizes his own lowly place in the grand scheme of things. “The one who is coming after me is mightier than I. I am not worthy to carry his sandals.” The Pharisees take pride in being “better” than others. John embraces humility in Christ being “better” than him. We don’t self-generate our own worthiness. We receive it as a gift from God. In a few short weeks, we’ll celebrate the birth of Christ. Bishop Ven. Fulton Sheen wrote about the Nativity in his “Life of Christ”: “Because [Jesus] was born in a cave, all who wish to see Him must stoop. To stoop is the mark of humility. The proud refuse to stoop and, therefore, they miss divinity.” God invites us to prepare our hearts this Ad-vent. When you consider your own life, where are you looking for your worth? This Christmas, are you prepared to stoop?

PREP (Parish Religious Education Program) Classes are in session on December 11th. Christmas Pageant: If you are interested in participating in the Christmas Children’s Mass Pa-geant on Christmas Eve December 24th @ 5:30 please contact the PREP office for more infor-mation and practice schedule. We are looking for approximately 25 actors & actresses from Gr. 2 -7 and some parent helpers from PREP and SME. Gr. 2 & CIC2 Parent, Student and Teacher meeting – at 6:30 – meet in the church. PREP & SME

Many Blessings to you all.

Trish Van Vliet—prep@saintmatthews.ca or call 604-589-2448 ext. 233

50+ Seniors Seniors!!!!! Please come and join us. We are a group of retirees who enjoy good company, play cards and board games. We meet every Tuesday from 1 to 4pm in the Jubilee Hall where we share laughs while enjoying coffee/tea and some goodies. Don’t stay at home alone ——————- come and meet new friends!

LIVE THE LITURGY World, church, and local events continue to challenge our faith. This is all the more reason to continue to come together and find encouragement and hope in God’s word, sacraments, and our faith community. We are people of hope who are called to persevere, even in the midst of confusion and darkness, as we wait for what is to come. We are asked to repent, especial-ly from our tendency to fall into doubt and despair. We are asked to repent and place our trust in Isaiah’s words that God’s world of innocence will be restored. We need to hear John the Baptist’s words today more than ever: “Repent, for the king-dom of heaven is at hand!” Rather than being disappointed by what human beings and world cannot give, let us commit anew to what God can and will provide.

Holy land with Egypt and Jordan - 4 Countries Feb. 10, 2020 $3900 CAD per person all inclusive with tips. Beautiful East Europe with Oberammergau Add on …. 7 countries (17 days) Sept 8, 2020. Cost is $5300 CAD per person excluding tips + 600 Euros for Oberammergau. Western Europe. Visit the Shrines of Our Lady of Lourdes and Fatima with Oberammergau addon …. 8 countries (17 days) Aug 18, 2020. Cost $5,400 CAD per person excluding tips + 600 Euros for Oberammergau Holyland with Egypt and Jordan and Petra…. 4 Countries Feb. 10, March 9, April 20, May 4, Oct 19, Nov 23, 2020 $4300 CAD per person all inclusive with tips. The tours include your return flights to Vancouver, accommo-dation, transportation, taxes, sightseeing, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Contact Brian or Deon Tel: Vancouver 1-778-999-4599 / 1-778-866-8118 Email: Royaleorchid@shaw.ca and Website: www.Royaleorchidtours.com

CWL Corner Advent is a season of preparation. We are now preparing for our membership renewals for 2020. An envelope will soon be in the mail for every member. Please take time to read and complete the membership form before it gets lost in the holiday happenings… and remember to pause and ponder this beautiful

season of hope.

2019 Raffle Draw Winners 1st Prize Georgina Swan $20,000 Ticket #089699 2nd Prize Anita Manlapaz $5,000 Ticket #063870 3rd Prize Manuela Boulton $1,000 Ticket #022450 4th Prize Brent Harris $1,000 Ticket #048144

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS AND THANK YOU TO

EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTED OUR RAFFLE DRAW!!!

Catholic Young Adults of Surrey

3 6

Legacy Brick Campaign Be a part of building our “Parish Centre” and leave a legacy donation that will live on past your lifetime, in memory of your support. We have a Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze Brick board where your contri-butions will be placed. Platinum is worth $2,000 and up, Gold is $1,200.00;

Silver is $600.00; and Bronze is $300.00. A donation can be a one-time donation or monthly payments through Pre-Authorized Offering Payment e.g. 12 monthly payments of $25.00 is a $300.00 Bronze Donation. When you make a donation, you will receive a “brick” to go onto one of 4 Brick Legacy boards. When the building is complete, these Brick Legacy boards will be placed along the wall so you can see who the builders are. The “brick” can be “in memory of” a loved one or simply a contribution from your fami-ly, organization or ministry. All donations stay in the Parish. Contact the Parish Office to make your Legacy Brick Donation and be part of the church builders.

SCHEDULE OF SIMBANG GABI MASSES

Sunday December 15 7:30PM Friday December 20 7:00PM Monday December 16 7:00PM Saturday December 21 5:30PM Tuesday December 17 7:00PM Sunday December 22 7:30PM Wednesday December 18 7:00PM Monday December 23 7:00PM Thursday December 19 7:00PM

Come celebrate with us Simbang Gabi or Christmas Novena masses at St. Matthew's Pa-rish! Now on its 12th year, celebrate the Simbang Gabi Novena this Advent Season from Dec 15-23, and bring the true spirit of Christmas upon us. Each night during the novena, parishioners are encouraged to bring food, snacks or re-freshments to share with Mass attendees. Different parish groups have been requested to bring soup, noodles or a plate of finger food (baked, fruits, veggies, appies, etc) after each mass to make the meal special. Also, if you want to participate in the Parol-making contest in the Archdiocese or want to decorate the Fireside with your Parol, you are welcome to do so. For more information pls call Chito or Mary Ann Marfori at 778-8616418.

Pro-Life Ministry If you know anyone going through illness, loneliness, loss of a loved one, who would benefit from the comfort of a visit from our ministry & a prayer shawl please contact. Neil Penalosa profnotes@yahoo.ca December 28th – Archbishop’s Annual Mass for Life – Feast of the Holy Inno-

cents. 12:10 pm, Holy Rosary Cathedral. January 4th, 2020 - First Saturday Pro-Life Mass at St. Joseph’s in Langley, 9 a.m.

St. Vincent De Paul Society The Society of St. Vincent de Paul thanks you for all your continued support in our mission: “To live the Gospel message by serving Christ in the poor with love, respect, justice and joy.”

Our Jesse tree is now at the front of the church and will be there until the 3rd week of Advent. The attached tags help us to prepare Christ-mas hampers for many families. PLEASE FILL ONE OF THE TAG RE-QUESTS. The absolute deadline to return the items to the office is Tuesday, December 17. Thank you.

CHRISTMAS MUSICAL: All parishioners are most welcome to attend our school's annual Christmas Musical Concert on Thursday, December 12,

2019 in the School Gym. The Legend of the Christmas King will be performed at two showings: a 1:30 pm matinee and a 7:00 pm evening show. Admission is by donation of a non-perishable item for our St. Matthew's St. Vincent de Paul Society. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact our school office at office@stmatthewselementary.ca or 604-589-7545. Thank you. NEW APPLICANTS: Any family wishing for their child to attend St. Matthew's Elemen-tary School for the 2020-2021 school year can pick up an application form at the school office starting Tuesday, January 7, 2019. If you have any questions please con-tact our school office at office@stmatthewselementary.ca or 604-589-7545. Thank you.

ADVENT PENITENTIAL SERVICES

Wednesday December 11 St. Matthew’s Parish 7:00PM Thursday December 12 Immaculate Conception Parish 7:00PM Friday December 13 Precious Blood Parish 7:00PM Tuesday December 17 Good Shepherd Parish 7:00PM Thursday December 19 St. Bernadette Parish 7:00PM

Altar Servers There will be an Altar server workshop and get-together on December 21, 2019, 12: 00 to 2:00pm, to be conducted by Fr. Lucio, . Lunch will be served before the training proper. Email Teodora Suzuki (teodora.suzuki@gmail.com) to register for the training or if you are attending the get-together.

5 4

Desiree Pino; Ryker Slaney; Veronica Wong; Carol Ward; Liz Da Costa; Anne-marie Belgardt; Tommy Contreras; Cathie Gasler; Amelia Real; Dominic Celio; Ester Maceda; Walter Slaney; Pinky Castillo; Victor Miller; Gerry Della Mattia; Maria Jean Pereira; Daisy Rodriguez; Thea Luyten; Raymond Wittrock; Mrs. Clavero; Margaret Irvine; Sueann Zore; Basil Paigan; Stephen Letourneau; Erwin Belgardt; Juanito & Jovita Lim; Nora Bawasanta; Judy Ibao; Virgilio

Pino; Julie Cunningham; Helen Stote; Rosa Villarama; Elmer Kachur; Horst & Elsa Seliger; Teresa Kelly; Romualdo Nicdao; Claire Looi; Ivan Gervasio; Filemon Duna; Josefina & Teodul-fo Hosain; Nenita Cabilan; Dr. Demetrio Tamparia; Loida Tobias; Angelita Correa; Edgardo Olivares Priority on this list is given to parishioners, as space permits. Names will be removed from time to time. If you submit a name to the Prayer List, it is your responsibility to inform the office should his/her circumstances change.

CONTACT LIST—ST. MATTHEW’S PARISH MINISTRIES African Community Ms. Tina Obiwumma aneledom@hotmail.ca Altar Servers Mrs. Teodora Suzuki teodora.suzuki@gmail.com Altar Women Ms. Marcella Garneau marcellagarneau@gmail.com BLD Community M/M Lito & Lulu Imperial jimperial324@live.com Bible Study Mrs. Gail Estrada bible_study@live.com Catholic Women’s League Mrs. Louise Klaponski klaponsk@telus.net Catholic Young Adults of Surrey (CYAS) Fr. Lucio Choi lchoi@rcav.org Choirs: Fri 7 PM Mr. Hahn Nguyen henryq.nguyen@yahoo.ca Sat 5:30 PM Mr. Danilo Bernabe dannybernabe9@gmail.com Sun 8:30 AM Mrs. Kathleen Grosjean grosjean@shaw.ca 10:30 AM Mr. Peter Luongo sluongo@telus.net 12:30 PM Mr. Homer Garcia askmymusic@rocketmail.com (last Sunday) 12:30 PM Ms. Tina Obiwuma aneledom@hotmail.ca 5 PM Mr. Vincent Nguyen vien4cdsurrey@gmail.com 7:30 PM Ms. Nannette Lenoue-Guze nannettelg@gmail.com Couples for Christ M/M Cris & Ophel Quidasol cris_quidasol@icloud.com Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Mrs. Deborah Joel djoel@positec.com Fifty Plus Group Mr. Andre Maris anne_andre_maris@telus.net Greeters & Gift Bearers Mrs. Stella Lemos stella.lemos15@gmail.com Hospitality Committee Mrs. Maureen Fadum mgfadum@shaw.ca Knights of Columbus Mr. Richard Thompson grandknight@shaw.ca Lectors Mr. Jon Javier jon2ejavier@yahoo.com Legion of Mary Mrs. Carmen Caballero 604-589-2448 Liturgy of the Word for Children Mrs. Nenita Capili capilin@shaw.ca Our Lady of Fatima Mrs. Germana Brotto grbrotto@gmail.com Pro Life Ministry Mrs. Teresa Gares tgares@live.com Parish Education Committee Mrs. Katrina Bellosillo katrina.amurao@gmail.com Parish Pastoral Council Mr. Bill Bouwman bouwbill@gmail.com R.C.I.A. Fr. Lucio Choi lchoi@rcav.org St. Matthew’s Prayer Group Ms. Christie Castro christie1225@hotmail.com St. Matthew’s Soup Kitchen Mrs. Belle Carson bellecarson@hotmail.com St. Vincent de Paul Society Mr. Eric Andres 604-589-2448 Sports Ministry (Basketball) Mr. Marlowe Billedo marlowe25@hotmail.com Sports Ministry (Volleyball) Mr. Tot Phan totphan@gmail.com Ushers Mr. Doug Thomas dougjamesthomas@hotmail.com Vietnamese Community Mr. Hoang Minh Nguyen nhoang682@gmail.com Youth Ministry Mr. Matthew Furtado matthewfurtado@hotmail.ca

Were you married outside the Catholic Church? If you are married, but were not married in the Catholic church, we would like to offer you an opportunity to have your marriage regularized with the Church. Please make an appoint-ment with our priest to discuss having your marriage convalidated. Sacrament of the Sick. What was referred to as “Last Rites” is now called “Anointing of the Sick” administered by a priest when one is “in danger” due to sickness or old age. Please call the Parish Office to arrange. Hospital/Care Home Communion Visits. Please remember to let the Parish Office know

whenever you or a loved one is hospitalized or moved into a Fleetwood area care home.

The Parish has a dedicated group of people who will bring Holy Communion weekly to you

or yours. Please phone Deacon Raul Abella 778-512-9163 for a visit and to receive Holy

Communion.

Devotions to Our Lady of Fatima: Every third Monday of the month @ 6:30 PM. Please join us to recite

the Holy Rosary.

Please include in your prayers +Ernesto Solano who has gone home to the Lord. Funeral mass will be held on Dec. 10, 2019 at 11am, at St. Matthew’s Parish. May his soul rest in eternal peace.