Links to Masses up until January 3rd inclusive:

The angel Gabriel had a beautiful message for Mary. She would conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit and give birth to Jesus, who would be the Son of the Most High. God has an invitation for us also. Just as Mary was Jesus’ feet, breath, and shelter during his first nine months, we are invited to give shelter to Jesus by allowing him into our lives and our homes. Just as Mary took Jesus with her everywhere she went during those first nine months, we are invited to take Jesus with us everywhere we go so that it will be Christmas for everyone we encounter.

The angel Gabriel reassured Mary, telling her that nothing is impossible to God, and as a sign, told her that her cousin Elizabeth, though old, was now six months pregnant. Mary responded, “You see before you the Lord’s servant, let it happen to me as you have said.” Mary did not have to do anything; she just let God do the action. It is the same for us. All that is necessary for us is to allow God dwell in us.

Father Robert

MASSES THIS CHRISTMAS: HAVE FILLED!!!

If you were unable to reserve a seat, please watch Mass on television or live stream and pray the Act of Spiritual Communion – see below. DO NOT COME to the parish if you do not have a reservation. DO NOT ADD people to your party. Only people with reserved seating will be permitted to enter. The police will be visiting parishes and handing out fines for non-compliance. We thank you for your understanding.

REASON TO CELEBRATE: Adamo is receiving his First Communion this weekend!

Donations through Paypal: Did you know you could use the Donate button on our website to contribute to the parish? Quite a few parishioners use this option to make monthly contributions. Almost $3,000 have come in for Christmas donations already.

Our Second Collections in November and December are for our Helping Others Fund. All donations received go to local food banks, including Multicaf. Please use the blue envelope included in your box for this purpose or a separate envelope labeled Helping Others. Thank you for your consideration.

If you know of someone who would like to receive our weekly emails, please have them call or email the office to be added to our email list.

OFFICE HOURS: Next week Tuesday, 9 am to 3 pm. The office will be closed from December 23^rd until January 11 or longer, depending on government restrictions during Covid.

We are looking for a parish secretary as well as a parish catechetical leader (PCL). If you or someone you know is interested in either position, please contact Father Robert at 514-738-1080 or fr_robertclark@hotmail.com.

An Act of Spiritual Communion

My Jesus,
I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there
and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.

Amen.

HELP DECORATE THE SANCTUARY by making a donation towards our Christmas flowers in memory of a loved one or for a personal intention. Include your donation in an envelope marked “Christmas flower donations” along with your intention and your name for tax receipt purposes. Drop your envelope in the collection basket along with your regular donation. Names of loved ones and other intentions will be included in upcoming bulletins.

CHECK OUT THE MENU BAR FOR THE CFE BLOG…

Keep checking the CFE BLOG weekly for prayer, music, and activity suggestions to bring Jesus into our daily routine in concrete ways. Linda would love some feedback so that she can tailor her blog to suit our parish family needs.

Revamped Angel tree: Collection Ends: THIS WEEKEND December 20^th at 12 pm. Wayne will be dropping the socks off after Mass on Sunday. The residents of the Father Dowd home have a great need of socks, either non-skid or warm pairs. If you can afford more than one pair, they need warm pairs 2 to 1 over non-skid. Please drop your new pairs of socks in the boxes in front of the Angel tree, near the icon of Mary. Thank you for your generosity.

CONFESSION: Advent is traditionally a time of reconciliation. This year, because of Covid restrictions, the Diocese is advising parishes not to hold reconciliation services. That being said, Father Robert is available before and after Masses for confession. If this schedule does not suit you, please contact the office to schedule an appointment.

2020 Weekly Donation Envelopes: If you used our donation envelopes in 2019, your 2020 box is ready for pick up on the communion rail as you exit the church. Boxes are in alphabetical order. Please note that your number may be different from last year. Need more information about envelope usage? Please feel free to contact the office or speak directly with Father Robert. Tax receipts will be issued in February. Please note that the envelopes will not be available for pick up during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The 2021 calendars are in! Please be sure to take one on your way out of church today!

One per household for now! You will be able to take more in the new year.

Sunday Missal 2021: Copies of the Sunday Missal are on sale for $5 for you to take home, as covid restrictions prevent us from leaving the missals in the pews, as we are accustomed to. You can purchase a copy from Wayne as you enter the church for Mass or call the office to make arrangements. Please write your name on your copy so that we can return it to you if you leave it behind.

A few reminders when attending Mass:

Stay home if you are feeling ill. Quebec recommends you stay home for 14 days from signs of first symptoms unless Covid test is negative,
If parking on Roosevelt, do not park on the construction side of the street, where the blue fences are. People have gotten ticketed.
Cantors have returned to their singing duties, however please do not sing along so as to continue respecting COVID protocols.
Please leave the church by 71 Roosevelt or the parking lot doors. DO NOT leave from the main doors.

GUIDELINES for WEEKEND CELEBRATIONS at Annunciation Parish

during gradual deconfinement

(see below for weekday celebrations)

We have therefore decided to use Eventbrite in order for you to reserve your place for Mass. Reservations must be made by noon on Friday. See links at the top of the page on Tuesdays.

Come to the main doors of the church, using the main pathway, unless you need to use the elevator. Please maintain social distancing norms while waiting to enter.
While you wait, a volunteer will ask if you have you have a reservation, if you have a mask (MANDATORY), and a few health questions.
As you enter the church, another volunteer will check your tickets then assign you a pew number, and make sure you are wearing your mask.
If you would like to make a donation, the collection basket will be placed at the inner doors of the church. There will be no collection during Mass.
You will then be asked to wash your hands before taking your seat, following the arrows down the main aisle. Please use your assigned pew ONLY.

PLEASE NOTE: the doors of the church will open 30 minutes prior to Mass time will be locked once Mass begins.

ONCE IN YOUR PEW, please remain in your pew for the duration of Mass which should not last more than 40 minutes. There is no access to bathrooms, the hall downstairs or the children’s playroom so plan ahead! Bring toys, crayons, etc… for little ones and make sure everyone goes to the bathroom before coming to church. Unfortunately children must remain in their pews.

DURING MASS:

The hymnals, missals, etc… have been removed from the pews.You can access daily readings online at Living with Christ.
Father Robert will not be processing in or recessing out. Mass will begin when he rings the bell as he does for weekday Mass.
There will be no singing. Lavrenti may regale us with some classical interludes but singing is prohibited at all celebrations.
The psalm therefore will be read and not sung.
As previously mentioned, there will be no collection during Mass.
At COMMUNION, Father Robert will be guiding parishioners to come down the main aisle, one side at a time, while respecting social distancing norms. You will go back to your seat using the side aisle.
To avoid speaking in close proximity, Father Robert will not say “the Body of Christ”. Please do not say ‘AMEN’, out loud when he places the host in your hand. Once you have the host in hand, you can remove your mask and consume. Replace your mask before returning to your place using the side aisle.
When Mass is over, use the main aisle and please exit using either the parking lot entrance or 71 Roosevelt. DO NOT EXIT THROUGH THE MAIN ENTRANCE (unless you need to use the elevator). Please do not socialize in the church.

STAY HOME IF:

You or someone you live with is feeling sick;
You or someone you live with is self-isolating;
You or some you live with has traveled outside of the country in the last 14 days.

A volunteer will be asking you these questions as you wait to enter the premises.

GUIDELINES for WEEKDAY CELEBRATIONS at Annunciation Parish

during gradual deconfinement

Wednesdays to Fridays at 8:30 am.

All of the directives for weekend Mass apply to weekday Mass except for the following:

No reservations are required.
Please use the parking lot door to enter. All other doors will be locked.
Doors open at 8:15 am and close at 8:30 am when Mass begins.

How will I offer my donation?

Due to the cancellation of Masses especially on the weakened we face a serious shortfall in revenue without our regular collections. The next few weeks will be tough for our parishioners but you can be assured of the support of your parish through our prayers and commitment to serving the community. We ask that you consider continuing your financial support as our fixed expenses continue at the same level (approximately $15,000/mth).

We invite you to send your contribution in the following ways:

Mail your contribution to the parish office at the address below or drop off in our mailbox at 75 Roosevelt.
Send in a one-time extraordinary donation.
Visit our PayPal page to make a donation through your PayPal account or with a credit card.

Mailing/drop off address: Annunciation Parish, 75 Roosevelt, TMR, QC, H3R 2G9

Thank you for your support.

Our Lady of the Annunciation Parish

75 Years of Faith and Community (1945-2020)

Welcome

An Act of Spiritual Communion