Fourth Sunday of Advent
CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST
Our Lady of Victory		St. Malachy
Sunday - 9:00 A.M.		Saturday - 7:00 P.M.

Q U E S T I O N    O F    T H E    W E E K FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT - Welcoming light Reading I Isaiah 7:10-14 (birth of Emmanuel) Reading II Romans 1:1-7 (greetings from Paul) Gospel Matthew 1:18-24 (the birth of Jesus) Key Passage When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did what the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took Mary as his wife. (Matthew 1:24) Adult Whom do you find it difficult to welcome in your life? What can you do to overcome that? Child What could you do this week to make someone feel welcome, as Joseph welcomed Mary?

Pastor	William Marrevee s.c.j.
email	w.marrevee@sympatico.ca
Rectory	490 Charles Street Gatineau, Québec J8L 2K5
Secretary	Monday and Thursday 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Telephone	(819) 986-3763
Fax	(819) 986-9889

A sincere welcome to those who are new among us. We hope you find a warm and welcoming faith-home with us. Please introduce yourself after Mass and call the Rectory to register.

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT (A) DECEMBER 19th, 2004

WED.	22 - 9:00 a.m.	Bill Weir by Justin, Bradley & Julia Maloney
FRI.	24 - 7:00 p.m. 24 - 10:00 p.m.	(OLV) All parishioners/both parishes (St. Malachy) Sick & Shut-ins/both parishes
SAT.	25 - 9:00 a.m.	(OLV) All parishioners/both parishes
SUN.	26 - 9:00 a.m.	(OLV) James Austin, Julia, Marion Martin & Bill Weir by the family Edmond Bedard by Pauline & family Lorraine Cullen by Norah Renwick
WED.	29- 9:00 a.m.	Bill Weir by Jack & Clare Flynn
FRI.	31- 7:00 p.m.	(St. Malachy) All parishioners/both parishes
SAT.	01- 9:00 a.m.	(OLV) Sick & Shut-ins/both parishes
SUN.	02- 9:00 a.m.	(OLV) Bill Weir by Kelly, Gib & family Hugh Berndt by Harold & Joyce Berndt
WED.	05- 9:00 a.m.	Bill Weir by Bill & Linda Cameron
SAT.	08- 7:00 p.m.	Deceased members of Thomas Garvey family by Brother Matt Garvey
SUN.	09- 9:00 a.m.	Philipp Lotz by Marianne & children Bill Weir by J.P. & Evelyn Robitaille

SANCTUARY LAMP - ST. MALACHY:
December-intentions of Virginia Roos.

WE ARE GETTING CLOSE TO THE PURPOSE OF ADVENT:
Advent is a difficult season. As Christians we are encouraged not to jump the gun on Christmas. And yet, all around us we hear Christmas carols, Christmas decorations are up, we even have the nativity scene out already.

Ideally, the Church is not in such a hurry. With the help of Scripture readings, especially from the Old Testament prophets, we are encouraged to reflect on the purpose for which Christ has come and in many ways still needs to come: the realization of God's dream with our world.

The Advent season invites us to re-visit our dependence on God, to re-visit our desire for God and to discover through the night of waiting that God does indeed come. And what a way for God to come: as one of our own!

Hopefully, what we have done in "these weeks of Advent" makes us ready to touch base again with that awesome mystery from which we are privileged to live.

ADVENT PENITENTIAL/RECONCILIATION SERVICE THIS SUNDAY, DEC. 19, 7:00 P.M. :
It is entirely in line with Advent to come together as a parish community to say explicitly that we, personally and as a community, stand in need of what God offers us in Jesus Christ: forgiveness of our sins.

Yes, we are a sinful people. That is not a put-down. It is an acknowledgment that there are dark corners of various kinds in our individual hearts and in us as a community. Only a gracious and forgiving God can handle these dark corners. In "our being out of joint" we confidently yield to that kind of God.

That is what Dec. 19's service is all about. It is a good way of preparing for Christmas, and it is one of the ways in which we can grow in holiness. And that is what we all seek.

INDIVIDUAL CONFESSIONS:
What we celebrate in the communal service can also be celebrated in a more personal way in "individual confession". One form does not cancel out the other. Having God's forgiveness spoken over us in a more personal way can complement significantly the more general communal way of celebrating that same forgiveness.

Some specific time slots are set aside for that in the hope that everyone can be accommodated who wants to celebrate God's forgiveness in the individual confession.

	OLV	Saturday	December 18	11:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
	OLV	Sunday	December 19	immediately following the communal service.
	OLV	Tuesday	December 21	7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Q U E S T I O N    O F    T H E    W E E K CHRISTMAS Reading I Isiah 9:3-6 (the Prince of Peace) Reading II Titus 2:11-14 (transforming of life) Gospel Luke 2:1-14 (the birth of Jesus) Key Passage Isaiah 9:5 (a child is born) Adult When you think of the importance Jesus has in your life, what title of praise would you give him? Child Why do you think Jesus is called the Prince of Peace?

Q U E S T I O N    O F    T H E    W E E K EPIPHANY - A gift for all people Reading I Isiah 60:1-6 (glory of the new Zion) Reading II Ephesians 3:2-3;5-6 (commission to preach God's Gospel Matthew 2:1-12 (the visit of the magi) Key Passage In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." (Matthew 2:1-2) Adult What insights about your own faith have you gained from learning about other faith traditions? Child When has the Holy Spirit helped you treat someone fairly?

WARDENS FOR O.L.V.:
We are looking for two wardens to make our team complete. Please, let us know if you or someone you know could serve our parish in that capacity.

HALL RENTAL COORDINATOR:
We need a contact person for those who want to rent our hall. Fees and contracts are settled by the Wardens, but we need someone to coordinate this. And please don't forget it provides a bit of revenue for our church, something much appreciated and needed.

SUNDAY ENVELOPES-O.L.V. are available at Church entrance. If you wish to become an envelope user, please take a box of envelopes and please write your name on the first envelope that you use.

CHRISTMAS TEA (DECEMBER 4):
Once again this annual event was a great success. Sincere thanks to those who worked, donated or attended the tea, which resulted in a profit of $1642.55!

THE PARISH OFFICE will be closed the week between Christmas & New Year's Day.

Weekly Receipts	O.L.V.	St. Malachy
Regular	$706	$251	THANK YOU!

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