To my very fine Parishioners and Donors,
We are now in the month of January and so a brand new calendar year. Back in Advent your Parish Envelopes arrived for Church pick-up. Many have obtained their envelopes for the year ahead but many boxes remain at the entrance. If you know those Families yet to pick up, perhaps you could deliver the box as a courtesy, or, better still, you could invite them to come to Mass reassuring them of the safety here and the value of their presence. Your generosity is certainly something which is deeply acknowledged and truly appreciated. As we began last year, we are encouraging our Parishioners to see the value of aligning their giving as they would with their other financial planning. We have been exceedingly pleased and most grateful for the number of Parishioners who have responded to our request to sign up for Pre-Authorized Donation. Thank you! Its many benefits are surely mutual for you and for your Parish in security, efficiency, volunteering, and scheduling. We understand if you have not had the spare moment to complete a Pre-Authorized Donation Form or perhaps have a question or two about the particulars. Linda and I are most able to take your call to know more or seek reassurance about certain details.
The needs of our Parish in particular and the wellbeing of the Catholic Church in general are covered so well by you who care as Parishioners. It is by the sharing of your blessing you assist your Church to bless others. I have found it interesting how God seems to reward in return those generous with His generosity: perhaps such is God’s way of saying ‘thank you’ for fulfilling His requests. Often you may hear that the Catholic Church is ‘rich’: but you should also know that as Catholics we are the largest entity within the entire world who feed, educate, medically care for, and spiritually provide for the needs of our fellow faithful and indeed all of God’s people which means everyone. Its ‘riches’ come from you who give out of love to help and serve others. You are indeed a credit to yourselves and so a reminder of Christ in action to us all.
Last, should you have Children or Grandchildren, I ask you to have the very important conversation with them about what you contribute now and what their own contribution may be for the future. Showing while as little ones or instructing young families about giving is something that will form them on ever so many levels. They will come to understand the benefits of sharing, they will connect genuine generosity with the one who first taught them, and they will become a source of pride for you, your family and so for all of us.
Very sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Dean
DONATIONS for ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST
Please consider PAD or etransfers
SJE.etransfer@caedm.ca
Please include:
- Donation amount:
- Full name, Address and email address.
- Specific Instructions: General Parish Fund or Maintenance or Together We Serve.
We are always grateful for your donations.
Who are St. John's parishioners?
How many people celebrated each of the different 7 sacraments? How many families are active in your parish? Were they donating treasure (money) and/or time (volunteering)? How many families used envelopes and/or donated through other means? How much money is being donated for “Parish Fund” donations?
These funds pay for the everyday needs of our Church: salaries, power, gas, insurance, maintenance of our over-60-year-old building, and most importantly the celebration of Mass itself. How much money is being donated for “Together We Serve? These funds are forwarded to the Archdiocese for disbursement to:
- CSS-Catholic Social Services,
- Development & Peace (Share Lent on Passion Sunday),
- Pope’s Pastoral Works (Good Friday),
- Diocese of MacKenzie-Fort Smith,
- Evangelization of Peoples,
- Needs of the Canadian Church,
- Newman Theological College & St. Joseph’s Seminary (supporting our future priest’s educational needs),
- St. Joseph’s Priests Foundation of Edmonton (ensuring our Priests have a comfortable retirement),
- St. Joseph’s College Ministry (U of A Campus)
Our Parish is a vibrant parish with some Families having two to three generations still able to attend Mass together. Most of our Families bring their children for Baptism. Our Families bring their children here for their First Reconciliation/First Communion/Confirmation Sacraments. Many of our Families have their children returning for Marriage. Our Families bring their loved ones back for their Funerals of Christian Burial. And, most come back to celebrate Easter Holy Week and Christmas. We are asking all who attend SJE to think about how they may help the parish financially. Just $50 per month, which is $600 per year, would help us greatly, but all donations of any size are most appreciated. Remember: there is a tax benefit to all donations, which assists you and assists us.
Another way to contribute to the health and happiness of your Parish is through a donation of time. Do you have a talent or gift that would be very useful for the Parish in the coming months? God gave them that you might share them: we hope you will.
Remember: SJE is not merely our grandparents’ or parents’ Church, it now becomes our Church as well. Your generous donation today guarantees Church that the Church will still be here for you, your children, and grandchildren tomorrow.
Thank you kindly.
Catholic Women's League News
Add yourself to the Catholic Women's League group on Flocknote, and we'll share links for future livestream meetings. To keep up with the Catholic Women’s League on a Diocesan or National level, check out the: Edmonton Diocesan CWL website and CWL National website.
Parish Pictorial Directory Project
If you have not picked up your Parish Pictorial Directory as yet. Please call the Parish office to make arrangements to pick it up.
