SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER PARISH

Fr. Peter Proulx, Pastor Sr. Sheila Whelan GSIC Deacon Don Smith
331 Plaunt Street, South; P.O. Box 396
Renfrew, Ontario K7V 4A6
Tel: (613) 432-5825 Fax: (613) 432-6663
E mail: sfx.parish@on.aibn.com Web Site: www.sfxrenfrew.blogspot.com
“St. Francis Xavier, a welcoming faith community lovingly sharing the gifts of God.”

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT

DECEMBER 7TH, 2008
IN OUR PRAYERS: We pray for our loved ones who have died, and for all
those who have asked for us to pray for them in times of grief and illness.

THE YEAR OF ST. PAUL

“A special year will be dedicated for the Bimillennium Celebrations of the Birth of the
Apostle Paul. This Pauline Year will run from June 28, 2008 to June 29, 2009” Pope Benedict XVI

We will celebrate this Pauline Year with a Parish Mission during Lent. It will be
facilitated by Father Rick Walsh – a member of the Paulist Community in Toronto.

Paul is the most well-known figure of the first Christian generation, both for his Letters (seven were undoubtedly recognized
to be authentic in the strict sense of the term) and for the story of his life described by Luke in the Acts of the Apostles. His
letters represent an extraordinary source of information for us. Nonetheless, the figure of Paul remains mysterious. On the
one hand, the Letters cover only fifteen years of his life, while on the other hand, the Acts, which chronicle his journeys, were
written twenty years after his death in the apologetic tone of the day. Therefore, we will give preference to the data contained
in Paul’s Letters and their chronology, which greatly coincide with the duration of his travels (for example, the date of the
“Council of Jerusalem”).
It is very likely that Paul was about ten years younger than Jesus. (continued next week)

A DV E N T P E N I T E N T I A L S E R V I C E S
Our Renfrew Parishes again join in celebration of God’s loving forgiveness. Please
join us for this opportunity to celebrate our Faith.
O U R L A D Y O F F A T I M A – T U E S . , D E C E M B E R 9 TTHH – 2 : 0 0 P . M .
S T . F R A N C I S X A V I E R - T U E S . , D E C E M B E R 9 TTHH – 7 : 0 0 P . M .

TEN WAYS TO GET MORE OUT OF ADVENT

1) Reflect on Advent: as a time of waiting. The idea of waiting is not popular in our culture of instant gratification, but
it creates in us a new kind of self-discipline that helps us to appreciate the present moment and look to the future with
peaceful anticipation
2) Turn your breathing into a prayer: Take a few deep breaths throughout the day and imagine that God’s love is flow-
ing through you to every part of your body. As you exhale, let go of tension, worry and anything else that is not of God.
3) Unite with Mary: Set aside time once a day to join Our Lady in praying the Canticle of Mary (see Lk 1:46-55).
4) Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation: Attend your parish penance service and take advantage of the opportunity
to cleanse your soul in preparation for the coming of Jesus.
5) Long for the Lord: Make it a habit of silently praying, “Come, Lord Jesus.” (to be continued next week)

UP COMING PARISH EVENTS

Monday, December 8th, is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. We will celebrate this Liturgy in very special ways
recalling God’s gift to us in the person of Mary.
Friday, December 12th, is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patron of all Aboriginal – First Nations peoples. Our
morning Mass will recall our responsibility
responsibility to honour the faith expression of our Canadian First Nations people.
We will welcome a guest who will share with us us a special welcome and final blessing.
NOEL, Come and join our Christmas choir. We will have a practice to tune up on Saturday,
SING NOEL, Saturday, Dec. 5th at
3:00 p.m. Also on Saturday Dec 13 at 3:00 p.m. and on December 20 at 3:00 p.m. An additional time will
th th will be
announced before the Christmas Eve services. We look forward to seeing you.
C.W.L. CHRISTMAS POTLUCK SUPPER – on Tues. Dec. 9th at 6:30 p.m. in the Large Hall. Our Lady of Fatima members
will join us. Come and enjoy the evening! Please sign up on
on the sheets at the Church entrances (or phone 613-
613-433-
433-9056 and
leave a message).
 LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS
Please carefully note the times of the daily Liturgies

MON Dec. 8 7:00 p.m. Lois Rusheleau – The Family

TUE Dec. 9 9:30 a.m. Mrs. Lillis Edmonds – Sister Sheila Whelan
WED Dec. 10 4:15 p.m. Jimmy Cybulski – Aileen & Family
THU Dec. 11 10:30 a.m. Bonnechere Manor: Eleanor Coulas – Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Yerech
12:10 p.m. Leo & Irene Latendresse – Sharon Harper
FRI Dec. 12 8:00 a.m. Sanctity of Life – St. Francis Xavier C.W.L.
Dominic Dedo – Wife & Family
SAT Dec. 13 5:00 p.m. Arthur & Rita Leroux – Their Children
SUN Dec. 14 10:30 a.m. Christine Narezny – Mom, Dad & Family
Intentions of the Parishioners – Father Proulx

THIS WEEK AT S.F.X.:

LITURGICAL ROLES *Mon. Bereavement Group 7:30 p.m.
3rd Sunday of Advent (Rectory Mtg. Rm. 1)
December 13th/December 14th, 2008 *Wed. Baptismal Preparation (Church) 7:00 p.m.
Please refer to your schedule or check the bulletin * Thur. Liturgy Committee 3:30 p.m.
boards or the parish website, sfxrenfrew.blogspot. (Rectory Mtg. Rm.2)
com for Ministry Apointments for next weekend. *Thur. Show & Tell (Reconciliation) 7:00 p.m.
(Church)
*Thur. Catholic Discussion Grp. 7:00 p.m.
Let’s Journey Together O COME (Large Hall)
Thursday’s topic will be: How would I O COME * Sat. Celebration of 1st Reconciliation1:00 p.m.
describe my prayer life? Has it
EMMANUEL (Church)
changed over the years? Does it need
to change in any way? When do I find
prayer difficult? How does God answer RENFREW KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS: at 313 Raglan
my prayers? St. will be serving FREE COMMUNITY FRIENDSHIP DINNERS on
Christmas Day from 11 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. We provide free
The group meets Thursday evening at
transportation to and from the hall, free delivery and takeout.
7:00 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Hall
Please feel welcome to join us and Please call Brian Long at 613-432-0887 or Don Coyne at
bring a friend if you wish. 613-433-9298 for dinner requests and info. On Christmas
Day only call 432-6121.

ST. JOSEPHùS HIGH SCHOOL IN RENFREW: is presenting their Annual Christmas Concert on Thursday,
December 18th at 7:00 p.m. The theme is öKEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMASõ. Be prepared to have your hearts
lifted by these talented young people! Free-will donations will be gratefully accepted at the door.

SUNDAY MISSALS: for 2009 are now available at the church entrances. Price: $4. Please write your name on the
inside cover so that if left in the church it is easier for us to return it to you.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS have “KEEP CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS” cards for sale. All proceeds go to charity events. Please call Brian
at 432-0887 or Don at 433-9298 for info.
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, Council 1916 – Renfrew: will hold their Christmas Social on Monday, December 8th in
the Knights of Columbus Hall starting with a brief meeting at 6:30 p.m., followed by a special lunch, euchre tournament and
prizes. All members are invited to attend this evening of fellowship and fraternalism.

RENFREW CHILDREN/YOUTH CHORUS is presenting its much HAPPY ANNIVERSARY:

anticipated Annual Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 7th @ to all couples of the Parish who
2:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Fatima School. See posters.
celebrated a Wedding Anniversary
GO TELL IT!: A Christmas Cantata at Renfrew Presbyterian Church during November. We remember
on Sunday, December 7th at 2 p.m. Freewill offering towards CT Scan- you and your intentions at the
ner for RVH. 10:30 a.m. Mass this weekend.
O’Reilly Funeral Home and Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy are May God Bless You All. Among
pleased to present an Advent Concert: Selections from Handel’s those celebrating are:
Messiah and other choral classics. December 14, @ St. Hedwig Len & Rita Lemenchick (66)
Church, Barry’s Bay, 3 P.M. Advance Tickets at Lorraine’s Pharma-
Save & at the Academy Office. Info: 613-756-3082 www. Marcel & Virginia Proulx (55)
seatofwisdom.org Gary & Lois Murphy (52)
Don & Lore Coyne (48)
SALVATION ARMY: Candlelight service – Sunday, December 21st
21st @
Gerry & Cecilia Kusluski (47)
6:30 p.m.
Richard & Cindy Russell (32)
Mark & Shauna Lemenchick (31)
2009 SUNDAY CONTRIBUTION ENVELOPES: are ready for
Tom & Pat Rousselle (31)
pick up from the tables in the main foyer. If you are not an envelope user
and would like to be, please place your name and full address on the sheets MESSNGERS OF THE SACRED HEART:
provided and envelopes will be put out for you in the near future. ARE READY FOR PICK-UP BY SUB-
SCRIBERS.
CONGRATULATIONS: to Megan Froats, winner of the Altar
SUNDAY OFFERING: $5,988.98
Server draw for November.