UPCOMING EVENTS

Masses on Sundays in May

We are now limited to 15 people in attendance at a Mass. It would be a challenge to determine how to make the Sign Up process fair to all Parishioners, given that we were at full capacity, or almost full, at every Mass when we could have 45 people (15% of Fire Code)

But God works in mysterious ways.

We had scheduled First Communion Masses each Sunday this month at 1:30 pm for the 40 children and their families. Now they too cannot gather as planned to celebrate with our new limit. But what we can do is use the regular Mass times to have one or two families celebrate, with a maximum of 15 people in attendance. We are doing this every Sunday in May, which means that other Parishioners cannot attend.

We know it is difficult for you not to receive the Body of Christ as you had hoped, but we also know you understand this sacrament will mean ever so much to these children and their families. Please pray for them, and for your own virtues of hope, love, and faith.

Thank you for your understanding and patience. We'll send out a Sign Up for the Parish in late May once we know what we can do for June Masses.

 

Weekday Masses and Cancellations

The Priest's Retreat is May 18-21, and the week of May 25-28 is a scheduled break.

Fortuitously, these planned breaks coincide with the attendance limits, and will contribute to 'stopping the spike'. 

Weekday morning Masses resume June 1.

 

Fire Panel Update

Some good news! When we are back to 15% of Fire Code, we will be able to have about 70 people at Mass!  The new electrical upgrade and panel work is complete, and we now just need the monitoring and inspection. That will be done this month, so look forward to June!

To my very fine Parishioners, 

It would be my immense delight to share this greeting with you on Sunday, to exclaim ‘Alleluia!’ together, and to learn of all of your good news in person! While this Triduum remains different from the last which was unusual from what preceded we are moving toward what we desire to celebrate again…  

The Easter Vigil and the Mass of Easter Day become the understanding and celebration that despite any challenges or hardships which may come our way - and this past year has held many - we know how Faith, Hope and Love always prevail. For with Easter each year we marvel at the wonderful mystery of life and life eternal and how we are all called to prepare for this eventual moment and glory of our own Resurrection. Through the families and friends with whom we regularly celebrate we sense and see the reality and sacramentality of God’s world – the beautiful essence of what our efforts provide in a collective gathering, the family we know and therefore cherish as the universal Catholic Church.  

In whatever manner we celebrate this year it will likely be small, humble, and genuine. But as we well know, that would be very similar to the first Disciples. They had Faith in one another, Hope for the future, and Love from God to propel them forward: we are no different as we descend from them. As you celebrate with those in your household, may we remember our Families, our fellow Parishioners, and especially our Faith. In everything we have now experienced, let us all the more cherish what is such a blessing: God’s Word, Christ’s Sacraments, and His Catholic Church. May we be reminded of this whenever we come to St. John the Evangelist as most valued members of God’s family. A Blessed Easter Sunday and Season to you all.  

Very sincerely and joyfully yours in Christ,
 Fr. Dean.   

Who are St. John's parishioners?

At this time every year your parish sends information to the Archdiocese about the previous year:

 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)  

Last year we were not able to celebrate the Holy Week Masses (Passion Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, Easter Sunday) or any other Masses with you until June. From June until December 2020 we were able to have up to 70 people attending Mass. Due to current restrictions, we are only able to have up to 45 (which includes 9 volunteers in those numbers, to whom we are very grateful).

Holy Week and Christmas Masses are the most attended Masses within our Church. Before COVID our capacity in the Church and Choir Loft was over 600 people. This means in 2020 a large portion of our financial needs were missing, as they were not brought to the Church through these Masses. This year, 2021, would you consider donating through e-transfers or signing up for Pre-Authorized Donations to bring stability to our financial condition?

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.

With Church attendance restricted, parishes struggle to manage on reduced revenues.

Fire Code and Capacity at Mass

Some good news and some be-patient news: We can have a few more people at Mass! 

This current increase will be seen in the Sign Ups for February Masses. We ask that our Parishioners sign up for Mass through Flocknote. We have allowed a few spaces for Parishioners unable to use Flocknote and for the team of 8-9 Hospitality Volunteers. 

And we have contracted our electrical panel upgrade. (This a requirement along with external monitoring to increase our overall attendance when the Gov't of Alberta/AHS allows the return to 30% of Fire Code capacity.) Of course that still involves physical distancing and mask wearing, but we will eventually be back to pre-Dec.13 numbers. Your patience and support are appreciated.

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