Our Parish Family S t . Chr i s topher ’ s

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5 1 9 - 7 8 6 - 5 2 4 3

O u r L a d y H e l p

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A welcoming Catholic faith community who gathers to celebrate the Word of God as a Eucharistic People.

Pastoral Team

Pastor: Father Tom Donohue

tdonohue@dol.ca

Forest Office: Connie Burns

stchrisfor@dol.ca

Watford Office: Martha Moons

olhcwat@dol.ca

Deacons: John Lammers 519-490-3832

jlammers@dol.ca

Tony Hogervorst 519-670-0891

thogervorst@dol.ca

Sunday Eucharist

Saturday 4:30 pm Forest 7:00 pm Watford

Sunday 9:00 am Watford 11:00 am Forest

Reconciliations:

After weekday church Masses Or by appointment

Office Hours: St. Christopher 9:00—4:00

Monday through Friday

OLHC 9:00—4:00 Tuesday and Wednesday

www.lambtoncatholic.ca

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 2, 2018

Humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you

and is able to save your souls.— James 1:21b

Please Pray each day for:

Dcn. Arthur Bondy Most Rev. Eugene LaRocque Rev. Mohanathas Kamalathasan Rev. Maurice Restivo Rev. James Conlon Mr. Michael McPherson Catholic Elementary Teachers

Tuesday, September 4, at OLHC, 7:00 pm Living and deceased CWL members and the unborn +Frank & Anna Leyten & family – Pete & Reinelda Leyten

Wednesday, September 5, at OLHC, 9:00 am + Ted Van Dreumel – Frank & Joanne Nemcek

Thursday, September 6, at St. Christopher, 7:00 pm Special Intention Sr. Paulette—Marie Poole

Friday, September 7, at St. Christopher, 9:00 am +Barb Ade—Marie Poole +Teresa Stokes-Kelly— Gene & Gail Stokes (14th anniversary) Please note that St. Christopher’s office will be closed September 12—13 for staff PD.

Check out our NEW website: www.lambtoncatholic.ca

Cemetery Sunday will be celebrated as follows:

Watford Cemetery, September 9, at 2:00 pm

St. Matthew’s, Alvinston Cemetery, September 16, at 2:00 pm

All Saints Cemetery, Strathroy, September 16, 2:00 pm

Resurrection Cemetery and Crematorium and Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery, September 9,

at 2:00 pm at Our lady of Mercy Cemetery, Celebrant will be Fr. Matthew Bedard

Why did the M & M go to school? ...Because he wanted to be a Smartie!

September Meetings: Tuesday, Sept 4, 7:30 pm CWL, OLHC Wednesday, Sept 5, 7:30 pm Knights, OLHC Tuesday, Sept 11, 7:00 pm Missions, SC

Tuesday, Sept 25, 7:30 pm Cluster Pastoral Council at OLHC Thursday, Sept 27, 8:00 pm Alhambra

If you wish to have an item printed in the bulletin or posted on our website, please send a request directly

to Connie at stchrisfor@dol.ca or call the St. Christopher office, 519-786-5243.

St. Christopher Nursery - The Church Nursery continues to be available to children up to 3 years of age Sunday mornings for our 11am Mass. An opportunity to play, interact with others and enjoy a short story from the Children's Bible. The Nursery is located in the meeting room at the back of the hall. Please feel free to bring your child prior to Mass, or have them come back with the Sunday school children. Children return to Mass after the Homily.

“Lord God look down upon us! Look upon our families.

Lord, you were not without a job, you were a carpenter, you were happy.

Lord Jesus, you were never out of work, give us work and teach us to be

diligent and happy in our work and bless us all. In the name of the Father, of

the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” MEETING WITH WORKERS, ADDRESS OF HOLY FATHER FRANCIS

Thinking About Becoming Catholic? The RCIA program – or Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults - is for people who would like to take a closer look at the Catholic faith. We meet weekly in a group setting with sponsors (arranged by the parish or in partnership with the RCIA candidates them-selves) and members of our parish leadership teams. Different presenters each week on a variety of topics. The RCIA program is a combined initiative of the parishes of the Sarnia deanery. The RCIA program is divided into four stages or periods. The first period or “Inquiry Stage” takes us through the fall. The “Inquiry Stage” is open to anyone who wishes to take a closer look at the Catholic faith and there is absolutely no obligation to continue in the RCIA journey. Hosted at St. Benedict Parish on Wednesday evenings from 6:30—8:30p.m. beginning on October 11. Please register with your parish office.

Wood Sign Workshop with The Wooden Shoes—Wednesday, October 10, 6:30pm—St. Christopher's Hall Please join us for a night of fun and painting. $40 reserves your spot. You will all have the opportunity to create a wooden sign to take home with you at the end of the night. This is for all craft skill levels, we do all of the dirty work before hand, and you do all the fun work! The night will typically take approximately 2-3 hours to complete. 20+ sign templates, and 9 stain choices for you to choose from! Invite family or friends to join you for fun night out! Reserve your spot by September 24, or ask any questions by contacting Trish Anderson at 519-333-7878 or anderson.trish3@gmail.com

A History of the CWL in the Diocese of London – A MUST for All — Monday, September 17, at 7p.m. Very interesting guest speaker, Debra Majer Fraser, Diocesan Archivist in the Sacred Heart Church meeting room, 1465 Lecaron Ave., Sarnia. Sponsored by the Sacred Heart Catholic Women’s League who will be serving refreshments including gluten free and diabetic treats. Free will donation with proceeds to Pathways pool refurbishments. For more information please call 519-541-0188 or 519-542-3720 .

Are you in your 20s or 30s, married or single, with or without children? If so, i.d.9:16 might be just what you are looking for. It is a wonderful way to meet other adults in the same stage of life. September we will be beginning a new initiative in the diocese called i.d.9:16 through Renewal Ministries. Monthly gatherings called “Disciples’ Nights” held on the first Thursday of each month starting September 6, at St. Michael’s Parish, 511 Cheapside St, London, are intended to help you grow in faith and be active members in your parish. Each evening will begin with Mass at 6:15, followed by the sharing of a meal at 7:00, and a live streamed talk and small group discussions at 8:00. The evening will end at 9:30. Check us out on FB at i.d.9:16 London. Nursing babies are most welcome! The cost of dinner and talk is $10 with an RSVP, $12 without an RSVP, $5 if coming for talk only. Please RSVP no later than Sunday, September 2, via FB event or email, id916london@gmail.com. If you do not RSVP by Sunday, September 2, you will not be on the RSVP list. There will also be alcoholic beverages sold for $2 each. September will feature a talk by Fr. Burke Masters. chaplain for the Chicago Cubs professional baseball team and the Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Joliet. His story of coming to faith will help us examine our own goals and priorities as we try to grow as disciples.

International Order of Alhambra, a Catholic charitable organization assisting the intellectually challenged in our communities, hold an annual Labour Day appeal. Members will be at the doors of the church after all masses this weekend to accept your donation to help them further their work. Please support this worthy organization and the work they do. New members are always welcome. Meetings are the last Thursday evening of the month, 8:00 pm, at the Algarva Clubhouse, 10080 Klondyke Road, Grand Bend. Website, www.algarva168.org, or go to Facebook- Alhambra Grand Bend -to view current events. Refugee Committee Update — 2nd Family Refugee Announcement

We have heard from Mustafa Khalifeh and family in Lebanon. They had their interview with Canadian officials yesterday and they told us they are accepted. They do not yet have a travel or arrival date and are still waiting for that announcement. We are asking both parishes for a few more volunteers interested in joining our refugee group- especially at the initial arrival time when there are many tasks that will need doing. After experience from the first family, we know the initial two months are very busy with settlement. Some of the group have had to discontinue participation and now we need more hands. If you can help please contact Liz Boere or Norio Vanderheyden.

Life Chain is an Annual day of public witness for children killed by abortion. Life Chain is held simultaneously in more than 200 locations across Canada each year. Life Chain is an easy way to get involved in pro-life activism. Just show up for one hour, stand on the side walk with others who are not ashamed to be a public witness, and pray for an end to abortion and for those affected by it. Sunday, September 30, at the following locations:

FOREST Main St at King St 2:30-3:30 pm WATFORD Main St (Hwy 79/Nauvoo Rd) at Victoria St 10:15-11:30 am

Welcome back to all our school children, may they have a Blessed and safe school year.

~ 1st School Mass ~ St. Peter Canisius, Watford, Tuesday, September 11, at 9:00 am

St. John Fisher, Forest, Thursday, September 20, at 9:00 am

Year to Date Finance Operating Report as of August 31: St. Christopher’s—Income: $175,709.70; Expenses: $195,954.12; Deficit: ($20,244.42)

Our Lady Help of Christians—Income: $63,886.15; Expenses: $81,148.60; Deficit: ($17,262.45)

OLHC CWL News—On Wednesday, November 7, OLHC Catholic Women's League will be celebrating our 60th Anniversary. Save this date; more info to come. We will present our members "Years of Service Pins" at this celebration and do not want to miss anyone- if you know You have been a member for a number of years (5,10, 15 +....60) and are due for a pin please contact Bev Weiler, 519-205-0670.

Rayjon Golf Scramble: Sunday, September 23, at St. Clair Parkway Golf Course, 1pm shot gun start For $50 enjoy 9 holes of golf with cart, prizes and steak dinner to held at the St. Joseph Parish Centre, Corunna. (Dinner only $20). For further info or to register contact Gisele 519-384-8594 or Fr. Dan 519-868-7757, dvere@dol.ca. Proceeds to Rayjon Share Care

Closing Mass & Celebration of Sacred Heart Church, Delaware—An outdoor Final Mass and Closing Celebration for Sacred Heart Church building, Sunday, September 9, 3:00 pm outdoors, on the church grounds. Join Bishop Ronald Fabbro, Rev. Thomas Blondin and Rev. Robert Weaver as we celebrate one final Mass at this Delaware location. The Mass will be followed by a BBQ and Potluck. Please bring a lawn chair and your favourite salad or dessert to share, and join us for this celebration!

ST CHRIS FOREST AND OLHC THE CONNECTION