Regular Devotions

Holy Rosary

20 minutes before daily Mass

Divine Mercy Tuesday after the 7 PM Mass

Our Lady of Fatima 3rd Monday of the month 6:30-7 PM

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Saturday after the 9 AM Mass

First Friday After the 8 AM Mass -

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament 12:00 noon Benediction

6:25 PM—Holy Rosary

Sunday, December 15, 2019

PARISH OFFICE

Rev. Tien Tran, Pastor ttran@rcav.org; frtran@hotmail.com

Rev. Lucio Choi, Asst. Pastor lchoi@rcav.org

604-589-2083 Rectory

Office Hours: Tuesday to Friday 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Saturday 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM

604-589-2448 office@saintmatthews.ca

Parish Admin: Ms. Caroline P. Mrazek Mrs. Stephanie Chessell Mrs. Anna G. De Leon Bookkeeper: Mrs. Melanie A. Narvaez P.R.E.P.: Mrs. Trish Van Vliet prep@saintmatthews.ca Maintenance: Mr. Lorne Ward lorne@saintmatthews.ca

Elementary School: 604-589-7545 www.stmatthewselementary.ca Preschool: 604-589-1222

REGULAR MASS TIMES SUNDAY: English Masses - 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 7:30 PM; Vietnamese Mass 5 PM; African: Last Sunday 12:30 PM (Mass in English with African Choir)

SATURDAY: 9:00 AM / Anticipated Mass at 5:30 PM

WEEKDAYS: Monday to Friday (except TUESDAY) 8:00 AM Tuesday 7:00 PM Friday Night—Mass at 7:00 PM (Vietnamese) ***except First Friday (in English)

CONFESSIONS Weekend & Daily Masses: half an hour before each Mass

UPCOMING EVENTS Sun. Dec. 15 Simbang Gabi begins Fri. Dec. 20 St. Matthew’s Elem. School Mass Sat. Dec. 21 Altar Server Workshop and Get-together

(see details inside)

St. Matthew’s R.C. Parish 16079 88 Avenue, Surrey, B.C. V4N 1G3 Tel: (604) 589-2448 Fax: (604) 589-2344

Website: www.saintmatthews.ca

APPEAL TO OUR PARISHIONERS:

Please be mindful that the hymn books in the pews are not toys.

Please take a minute to restore them in the right order in the pews.

Garbage should be disposed of in receptacles provided.

ATTENTION NEWCOMERS AND NON-REGISTERED PARISHIONERS: Please take the time to fill out our Parish Registration Form found behind the coun-ter by the Parish Office, if you have not done so yet. Thank you.

Project Advance Notice: If you want your Project Advance Donation to be counted for 2019 tax receipt, your donations must be received on or before the end of this year.

2020 Sunday Envelopes are now available for pick-up at the Fireside Room. They are all arranged alphabetically by last name.

By appointment with a minimum of 2 months’ notice (during pregnan-cy) so that instructions can be given to parents and godparents about the duties and responsibilities assumed in this Sacrament.

A minimum of 6 months’ notice with one of the parties registered in the parish and practicing his/her faith. The Marriage Preparation course is mandatory. Please ask for “Guidelines for the Celebration of Marriage”.

Please call the parish office before making arrangements.

BAPTISM:

MARRIAGE:

FUNERALS:

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Stewardship Reflection

Leading the Way

There are many examples of false prophets in history. Some of these gifted charlatans have led people away from family and friends. They have led people to do evil things, like stealing, torture, or even murder. It is amazing how those gifted with charisma can lead others down such a de-structive path. In today’s modern world filled

with so much technology and sophisticated com-munication platforms, one must be careful not to

buy into a lie or scam so easily.

John the Baptist didn’t have any modern technol-ogy in his toolbox as he was preparing the way for the Messiah, Jesus. He moved people with a profound message and by the way he lived his

life. People questioned whether he was the One who was to come, but he assured them that he was not the One. Instead, all he did was to pre-

pare people for Jesus’ coming.

You and I can either lead people to Jesus by our words and actions, or we can lead them away from Him. Our stewardship can be a powerful

witness to how Jesus has changed our lives. Un-fortunately, if we are not changed and instead act in ways that are contrary to a mature disci-ple, we can lead people down the wrong path. During the Advent season, there is much to be done in our homes and with our families to get

ready for the celebration of Christmas. However, this is not about a day; it is about Jesus. May our actions and words bear witness to the transform-

ative power of Jesus Christ in our lives, not just during this season, but all year long.

-Tracy Earl Welliver, MTS

Who did you come to see? A version of this question is posed by Jesus many times in the Gospels. He asks it of Andrew and John when they begin to follow Him. He asks it of Mary Magdalene in the garden of the resurrection. He asks it in today’s Gospel. “What did you go out to the desert to see?” There is something innately human about “seeing.” Animals have eyes — some with much more powerful vision than our own — but that’s not the kind of see-ing Jesus is talking about. We could phrase the question several other ways. “What are you looking for?” “What are you longing for?” “Whom do you seek?” It is in seeing for ourselves that our suspicions or hypotheses are confirmed, that our desires

discover their fulfillment, and that we can rest for a moment in certainty. John the Baptist sought certainty of Jesus’ identity. “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” Jesus sends word to him based on the testimony of sight, observations of the mighty deeds Jesus has begun to work. “Go and tell John what you hear and see.” God recognizes our desire to see. In the Incarnation, the Word is made flesh. The invisible is made visible. The supernatural is made manifest in an infant who can do little more than the most natural of movements as he feeds, cries, sleeps. We don’t need to wait for Christmas to see God. The work of God is all around us. Those blinded by sin “regain their sight.” People overcome backgrounds of po-verty and violence to make world-changing contributions. Addicts grow and heal. Truth is spoken, and people listen. Let’s pray for the grace to see God’s move-ment in our lives this week. How have you seen the work of God?

PREP (Parish Religious Education Program) Christmas Pageant: If you are interested in participating in the Christmas Children’s Mass Pageant on Christmas Eve December 24th @ 5:00 please contact the PREP office for more information and practice schedule. We are still looking for some Wisemen, shepherds and angels. Next practice will be held on Saturday December 21st from 10:00 – 12:00 (dress rehearsal) NO Prep Classes Dec. 18, 25 and January 1st. Classes resume on 8th Gr. 2 & CIC2 Parent, Student and Teacher meeting – at 6:30 – meet in the church. PREP & SME Many Christmas Blessings to all my Catechists, Assistants students and all their families!

Trish Van Vliet—prep@saintmatthews.ca or call 604-589-2448 ext. 233

50+ Seniors Seniors!!!!! Please come and join us. We are a group of retirees who enjoy good company, play cards and board games. We meet every Tuesday from 1 to 4pm in the Jubilee Hall where we share laughs while enjoying coffee/tea and some goodies. Don’t stay at home alone ————- come and meet new friends!

LIVE THE LITURGY Do you ever feel inwardly dry and parched? Where do you turn to gain a refreshed sense of being and purpose? Just as we often do not refresh our physical bodies with what is healthiest, we make the same mistake with our soul. We do not always reach for the healthiest spiritual food. We confuse our inner dryness with something else and reach out for the wrong thing. It is no wonder why so many people are lost and confused. We will never be completely satisfied or whole this side of our journey. A good meas-ure of patience and waiting is needed as we hope for the rain water of God’s presence to fall upon us. When are we going to finally realize that Jesus is the One who has come to refresh us, and we no longer have to search for another? Our souls will find refresh-ment and rest only when they rest in God.

Holy land with Egypt and Jordan - 4 Countries Feb. 10, 2020 $3900 CAD per person all inclusive with tips. Beautiful East Europe with Oberammergau Add on …. 7 countries (17 days) Sept 8, 2020. Cost is $5300 CAD per person excluding tips + 600 Euros for Oberammergau. Western Europe. Visit the Shrines of Our Lady of Lourdes and Fatima with Oberammergau addon …. 8 countries (17 days) Aug 18, 2020. Cost $5,400 CAD per person excluding tips + 600 Euros for Oberammergau Holyland with Egypt and Jordan and Petra…. 4 Countries Feb. 10, March 9, April 20, May 4, Oct 19, Nov 23, 2020 $4300 CAD per person all inclusive with tips. The tours include your return flights to Vancouver, accommo-dation, transportation, taxes, sightseeing, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Contact Brian or Deon Tel: Vancouver 1-778-999-4599 / 1-778-866-8118 Email: Royaleorchid@shaw.ca and Website: www.Royaleorchidtours.com

CWL Corner Voices of Angels! Thank you to all of the choirs that bring the sounds of Christ-mas to us this weekend for the good benefit of St. Vincent de Paul and for us! We are grateful for all of our members that dedicate their time to these minis-tries of service to our community.

SCHEDULE OF SIMBANG GABI MASSES

Sunday December 15 7:30PM Friday December 20 7:00PM Monday December 16 7:00PM Saturday December 21 5:30PM Tuesday December 17 7:00PM Sunday December 22 7:30PM Wednesday December 18 7:00PM Monday December 23 7:00PM Thursday December 19 7:00PM Come celebrate with us Simbang Gabi or Christmas Novena masses at St. Matthew's Pa-rish! Now on its 12th year, celebrate the Simbang Gabi Novena this Advent Season from Dec 15-23, and bring the true spirit of Christmas upon us. Each night during the novena, parishioners are encouraged to bring food, snacks or re-freshments to share with Mass attendees. Different parish groups have been requested to bring soup, noodles or a plate of finger food (baked, fruits, veggies, appies, etc) after each mass to make the meal special. Also, if you want to participate in the Parol-making contest in the Archdiocese or want to decorate the Fireside with your Parol, you are wel-come to do so. For more information pls call Chito or Mary Ann Marfori at 778-8616418.

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Legacy Brick Campaign Be a part of building our “Parish Centre” and leave a legacy donation that will live on past your lifetime, in memory of your support. We have a Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze Brick board where your contri-butions will be placed. Platinum is worth $2,000 and up, Gold is $1,200.00;

Silver is $600.00; and Bronze is $300.00. A donation can be a one-time donation or monthly payments through Pre-Authorized Offering Payment e.g. 12 monthly payments of $25.00 is a $300.00 Bronze Donation. When you make a donation, you will receive a “brick” to go onto one of 4 Brick Legacy boards. When the building is complete, these Brick Legacy boards will be placed along the wall so you can see who the builders are. The “brick” can be “in memory of” a loved one or simply a contribution from your fami-ly, organization or ministry. All donations stay in the Parish. Contact the Parish Office to make your Legacy Brick Donation and be part of the church builders. A Tax Receipt will be given for 2019 for all donations made before Dec 31st.

Pro-Life Ministry If you know anyone going through illness, loneliness, loss of a loved one, who would benefit from the comfort of a visit from our ministry & a prayer shawl please contact. Neil Penalosa profnotes@yahoo.ca December 28th – Archbishop’s Annual Mass for Life – Feast of the Holy Inno-

cents. 12:10 pm, Holy Rosary Cathedral. January 4th, 2020 - First Saturday Pro-Life Mass at St. Joseph’s in Langley, 9 a.m.

St. Vincent De Paul Society Christmas Hamper Drive The SSVP is now closed for hamper requests. We have had 76 requests, an all time record. Thank you for your generosity in picking tags from our Jesse tree and filling the request listed on the tags. Please note, that we

try to include a gift for each child identified on a tag. Feel free to pur-chase a gift and return the tagged gift to the office. Our group of volun-teers are now filling the hampers and will deliver then all the week of December 16th. The deadline of December 17th is crucial as we have a limited time to deliver. Thank you again and we wish you all a Blessed Christmas.

All parishioners are welcome to join us for our last school Mass of the year on Friday, December 20, 2019 at 9:00 am

NEW APPLICANTS: Any family wishing for their child to attend St. Matthew's Elemen-tary School for the 2020-2021 school year can pick up an application form at the school office starting Tuesday, January 7, 2019. If you have any questions please contact our school office at office@stmatthewselementary.ca or 604-589-7545. Thank you.

Altar Servers There will be an Altar server workshop and get-together on December 21, 2019, 12: 00 to 2:00pm, to be conducted by Fr. Lucio. Lunch will be served before the training proper. Email Teodora Suzuki (teodora.suzuki@gmail.com) or call 604-589-8139 to register. Deadline to register is December 18.

Going Greener Update! Saint Matthew’s Elementary School is supporting the Going Greener program with special bins for refundable drink bottles/juice boxes! Please place your single use water bottles etc in the marked cardboard containers and the stu-

dents will benefit from the funds generated!

Catholic Young Adults of Surrey

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR MASS SCHEDULE

Christmas Eve (Tue., Dec. 24) Christmas Day (Wed., Dec. 25) 5:00pm Children’s Mass and Youth Pageant 8:30am English Mass 7:30pm English Mass 10:30am English Mass 9:45pm Vietnamese Mass 12:30pm English Mass 12:00mn English Mass 5:00pm Vietnamese Mass NO 7:30pm Mass New Year’s Eve (Tue., Dec. 31) New Year’s Day (Wed., Jan. 1)

5:30pm English Mass 8:30am English Mass 10:30am English Mass 12:30pm English Mass 5:00pm Vietnamese Mass NO 7:30pm Mass

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Desiree Pino; Ryker Slaney; Veronica Wong; Carol Ward; Liz Da Costa; Anne-marie Belgardt; Tommy Contreras; Cathie Gasler; Amelia Real; Dominic Celio; Ester Maceda; Walter Slaney; Pinky Castillo; Victor Miller; Gerry Della Mattia; Maria Jean Pereira; Daisy Rodriguez; Thea Luyten; Raymond Wittrock; Mrs. Clavero; Margaret Irvine; Sueann Zore; Basil Paigan; Ste-phen Letourneau; Erwin Belgardt; Juanito & Jovita Lim; Nora Bawasanta;

Judy Ibao; Virgilio Pino; Julie Cunningham; Helen Stote; Rosa Villarama; Elmer Kachur; Horst & Elsa Seliger; Teresa Kelly; Romualdo Nicdao; Claire Looi; Ivan Gervasio; Filemon Duna; Josefina & Teodulfo Hosain; Nenita Cabilan; Dr. Demetrio Tamparia; Loida Tobias; Angelita Correa; Edgardo Olivares; Alex Priority on this list is given to parishioners, as space permits. Names will be removed from time to time. If you submit a name to the Prayer List, it is your responsibility to inform the office should his/her circumstances change.

CONTACT LIST—ST. MATTHEW’S PARISH MINISTRIES African Community Ms. Tina Obiwumma aneledom@hotmail.ca Altar Servers Mrs. Teodora Suzuki teodora.suzuki@gmail.com Altar Women Ms. Marcella Garneau marcellagarneau@gmail.com BLD Community M/M Lito & Lulu Imperial jimperial324@live.com Bible Study Mrs. Gail Estrada bible_study@live.com Catholic Women’s League Mrs. Louise Klaponski klaponsk@telus.net Catholic Young Adults of Surrey (CYAS) Fr. Lucio Choi lchoi@rcav.org Choirs: Fri 7 PM Mr. Hahn Nguyen henryq.nguyen@yahoo.ca Sat 5:30 PM Mr. Danilo Bernabe dannybernabe9@gmail.com Sun 8:30 AM Mrs. Kathleen Grosjean grosjean@shaw.ca 10:30 AM Mr. Peter Luongo sluongo@telus.net 12:30 PM Mr. Homer Garcia askmymusic@rocketmail.com (last Sunday) 12:30 PM Ms. Tina Obiwuma aneledom@hotmail.ca 5 PM Mr. Vincent Nguyen vien4cdsurrey@gmail.com 7:30 PM Ms. Nannette Lenoue-Guze nannettelg@gmail.com Couples for Christ M/M Cris & Ophel Quidasol cris_quidasol@icloud.com Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Mrs. Deborah Joel djoel@positec.com Fifty Plus Group Mr. Andre Maris anne_andre_maris@telus.net Greeters & Gift Bearers Mrs. Stella Lemos stella.lemos15@gmail.com Hospitality Committee Mrs. Maureen Fadum mgfadum@shaw.ca Knights of Columbus Mr. Richard Thompson grandknight@shaw.ca Lectors Mr. Jon Javier jon2ejavier@yahoo.com Legion of Mary Mrs. Carmen Caballero 604-589-2448 Liturgy of the Word for Children Mrs. Nenita Capili capilin@shaw.ca Our Lady of Fatima Mrs. Germana Brotto grbrotto@gmail.com Pro Life Ministry Mrs. Teresa Gares tgares@live.com Parish Education Committee Mrs. Katrina Bellosillo katrina.amurao@gmail.com Parish Pastoral Council Mr. Bill Bouwman bouwbill@gmail.com R.C.I.A. Fr. Lucio Choi lchoi@rcav.org St. Matthew’s Prayer Group Ms. Christie Castro christie1225@hotmail.com St. Matthew’s Soup Kitchen Mrs. Belle Carson bellecarson@hotmail.com St. Vincent de Paul Society Mr. Eric Andres 604-589-2448 Sports Ministry (Basketball) Mr. Marlowe Billedo marlowe25@hotmail.com Sports Ministry (Volleyball) Mr. Tot Phan totphan@gmail.com Ushers Mr. Doug Thomas dougjamesthomas@hotmail.com Vietnamese Community Mr. Hoang Minh Nguyen nhoang682@gmail.com Youth Ministry Mr. Matthew Furtado matthewfurtado@hotmail.ca

Were you married outside the Catholic Church? If you are married, but were not married in the Catholic church, we would like to offer you an opportunity to have your marriage regularized with the Church. Please make an appoint-ment with our priest to discuss having your marriage convalidated. Sacrament of the Sick. What was referred to as “Last Rites” is now called “Anointing of the Sick” administered by a priest when one is “in danger” due to sickness or old age. Please call the Parish Office to arrange. Hospital/Care Home Communion Visits. Please remember to let the Parish Office know

whenever you or a loved one is hospitalized or moved into a Fleetwood area care home.

The Parish has a dedicated group of people who will bring Holy Communion weekly to you

or yours. Please phone Deacon Raul Abella 778-512-9163 for a visit and to receive Holy

Communion.

Devotions to Our Lady of Fatima: Every third Monday of the month @ 6:30 PM. Please join us to

recite the Holy Rosary.

Please include in your prayers +Sheila Bashnik who has gone home to the Lord. May her soul rest in eternal peace.