The Solemnity of Christ the King

November 25, 2012

CHRIST: PRIEST, PROPHET, KING

As our liturgical year draws to a close, we welcome Jesus as King: the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, the ruler of the kings of the earth. Yet this title of king is one Jesus accepted only with great reluctance. Whenever people want to turn Jesus into some kind of political Messiah, he escapes as far away as possible. Before Pilate, Jesus neither explicitly refuses the title, nor claims it: but his kingdom is not of this world. So just what kind of king is Jesus? Jesus is the servant-king. He teaches that those who would be great must become the servants of all. He models this by kneeling before his disciples and washing their feet, by embracing his passion and death out of love for all of humanity. Religious iconography often depicts Christ as Ruler of the Universe, enthroned in glory. However, the most enduring and central icon of Christ the King remains the Crucifix. Jesus only crown is a crown of thorns; his only power, his fidelity to the mission entrusted to him by his Father: to bear witness to the truth. And what is this truth? It is that authority is not about power, control, and self-interest, but about loving service of others. The way of self-giving, suffering love is the way of God. In bearing witness to this central truth, Jesus sets us free from the lie that binds us. What kind of a world would it be if our leaders political, economic, but also religious really embraced this call? What kind of a world would it be if we put this into practice, in our families, our workplaces, our neighbourhood, our parish? It can be easy to point the finger at corrupt politicians and crooked contractors, but the change needs to happen in us also. For in baptism, each of us is configured to Christ, partaking in his priestly, prophetic, and royal mission. Our world desperately needs the influence of the peace, integrity, forgiveness, justice, and freedom to which Jesus bore witness. It needs us. As we prepare to begin a new liturgical year, as we enter into our Advent preparations, let us renew our commitment to share in the mission of Jesus, who came to proclaim that the Kingdom of God is among us and within us.

CHRISTMAS CAROLING AND CONCERT PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS! A special invitation is extended to all young people to participate in a very special evening of caroling that will take place on Sunday December 9th. At 5:00 pm, young people and their families will be invited to sing Christmas carols in St. Monicas neighborhood and collect non-perishable food donations for the Food Pantry. Following the caroling, hot-dogs and hot chocolate will be provided in the church hall. Everyone is then invited to come to the church at 7:00 pm. We will all participate in a beautiful Christmas concert with groups as well as solo performances, and end with a selection of popular Christmas carols all can participate in. This is a wonderful way to truly celebrate the joy of the Christmas season with one another, and to give thanks for all that God has given and continues to bless us with. You are all cordially invited to attend! For more information, please contact Odette through the parish office.

ST. MONICAS TOY DRIVE Our annual toy drive will begin next weekend and will run until December 16th. We are looking for new, unwrapped toys for children ages 0 months to 12 years old. Please place the toys either under the tree on the altar or in the baskets at the front entrance of the church. All toys will be distributed with the Christmas food baskets on Tuesday, December 18th. For further information, please contact Deacon Dennis or Jennie Parsons-Armstrong at the rectory. Advent Prayer Booklets and Candles The 2012 Advent Prayer Booklets and Advent candles are available for you to purchase at the cost of $2.00 for each booklet, and $5.00 for each set of candles. You will find these items at the main entrance of the church. Please put your payment in the Missalette and Newspaper Payment Box. RANEE LEE CONCERT This Saturday November 24th, 7:30 pm in the Church Hall. Tickets are still available. $35 in advance and $40 at the door. Hope to see many of you there!

Mass Intentions November 25-December 2, 2012

November 24, 2012 4:00 Angelo Caucci Vincenzo Saluzzi Guerrino & Luigia Ciambella November 25, 2012 8:30 Antonio Bei Agnese & Guglielmo Teodori Valerio Michetti Aida & Vincenzo Polisena 11:00 Joseph Onesi Fioravante Rotiroti Aniello D'Addio Paul Friedrich November 26, 2012 8:00 Giuseppe Fiori Lorretta D'Amico & Nicola LaPosta November 27, 2012 8:00 Giovanna & Pasquale Albanesi Sanda Onesi November 28, 2012 8:00 The Deceased Members of the Palucci & Santache Families November 29, 2012 Linus Doyle Robert DiGiacomo November 30, 2012 8:00 The Souls in Purgatory Robert DiGiacomo December 1, 2012 4:00 Maria Meiorin The Loving Memory Society December 2, 2012 8:30
Maria, Giovanni & Elena Piccolino The First Sunday of Advent Saturday, St. Andrew Dung-Lac & Companions

Wardens Elections
On Sunday December 2, 2012, following the 11 AM mass there will be a meeting open to all parishioners for the purpose of electing two (2) new wardens. The wardens are the body who, along with the Pastor, are responsible for the fiscal and physical management of the parish. It is important to have as many people who live within the parish boundaries (from Walkey to Beaconsfield and from Cote St. Luc Road to St. Jacques) attend in order to have a legal representation. To stand for election one must reside within the parish boundaries. If you wish to nominate someone, please contact the office or speak to Fr. Ray after you secure their permission. The procedure is the same if you wish to offer your own name: either speak to Fr. Ray or call the office. ADULT FAITH ENRICHMENT Upcoming events
Contemplative Prayer Workshop Fr. Gerry Westphals Contemplative Prayer workshop continues this coming Tuesday, November 27, from 7 to 9 pm in the parish rectory. All are welcomed to attend. Video Divina Fr. Raymond will present the movie The Nativity Story on Friday, December 7 at 7 p.m. in the parish rectory. Join him for this very special movie. Coffee and Conversation Join us on Sunday, December 2, from 10-10:50 a.m., in the rectory dining room. We will learn about one of the best ways to create belonging and significance in our relationships. Please refer to www.stmonica.ca and the posters at the Church entrances for additional information.

Teresa Caucci

Maddalena Saluzzi & Family Their Daughter Rosa CHRIST THE KING Gabriella Bei Vivian Teodori Jordan Piccolino Their Daughter & Family Ida Onesi & Family The Rotiroti Family Ernesta Ciampini The Friedrich-Villanueva Family Monday, Weekday Ignazio Mattei Restituta LaPosta Tuesday, Weekday Emedia & Family Settimia Onesi & Family Wednesday, Weekday Maria Teresa Palucci Thursday, Weekday His Wife Marion Franca D'Addio
Friday, St. Andrew, Apostle

8:00

Christine Brunet The Family

Our Lady's Saturday Her Niece

The Piccolino Family Concetta LaPosta Their Nephew Virginia Lanni & Family Their daughter Anna DiIoia
Mike & Michelle Giancaspero

Vincenzo & Antonietta LaPosta The Koziol Family 11:00 Ettore Lanni Larry Ascoli Antonio & Carmela DiIoia

Thank you for supporting your parish Last weeks collection was: $3,707.15