First Sunday of Advent
November is the Month of the Dead
Candle Name: Prophet’s Candle
Candle Symbolizes: Hope
Reminds us: Jesus is coming
“Isaiah says, ‘The root of Jesse shall come, he who rises to rule the Gentiles;
in him shall the Gentiles hope.’” (Romans 15.12)
Dear Friends in Christ,
Advent is the season in which we prepare for the great celebration of our Blessed Lord's birth at Christmas. During these four weeks, we’re invited to contemplate the richness of God’s gift to us in Christ, as we, along with the entire Church:
Wait. We remember humanity waiting for the coming of the Savior. We wait and pray for the Second Coming of Jesus as our Lord and Judge.
Convert. We examine our lives and listen to the call of John the Baptist, to make the ways of our hearts ready for forgiveness and love.
Hope. We remember how God has fulfilled his promises in the grace and salvation through Jesus, and we pray and celebrate in hope for ourselves and for all God has made
One of the best and the simplest ways to tune our spiritual lives to Advent is reading and praying with the Scripture readings for Sunday and daily Mass. The readings for the First Sunday of Advent emphasize waiting. A world lost in sin and darkness waits, hopes, and yearns. We trust in God, for he has promised light — but when will it come? How?
Every one of us has some part of our lives that yearns for light, that is in deep need of reconciliation, or that feels lost. A glance at headlines tells us how great is the need of this broken world. Come, Lord Jesus! will probably be an easy prayer for this week.
Fr. Justin
PS - Next Monday, December 8, we celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception: God prepared Our Lady to be the mother of Jesus by preserving her from original sin. This is a day to celebrate God’s great love for Mary, and for all of us, in his power to save us from sin. I encourage you to prepare for this feast by praying the novena (nine days of special prayers) beginning this Sunday, November 30th and attending a special evening Mass at SHJ at 7pm.
Also, please read this beautiful and short essay.
The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrates the conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the womb of her mother, St. Anne, free from original sin by virtue of the merits of her son Jesus. Monday, 8 December @ 10:30am at St. Mary's Cathedral in Kingston. I encourage and invite all parishioners to attend the Solemnity if possible. Given that this is an Archdiocesan celebration, we have been told to cancel our usual morning Mass (and Holy Hour). A collection will be accepted at the entrance of the cathedral where a monetary gift, food, or toiletry item may be donated to St. Mary’s Drop-In Centre, which serves many vulnerable people each day. Thank you for your kind generosity.
Sacred Heart of Jesus
Weekly Schedule
1st Sunday of Advent
Sat, Nov 29 @ 5pm
Charles O'Neill †
[req. O'Neill Family & Friends]
1st Sunday of Advent
Sun, Nov 30 @ 11am*
Isaura Palma †
[req. Joe & Luisa Palma]
*Jr. Liturgy
Lectors
5pm: Chris Swart
11am: Susan McCauley
Sun, Nov 30 @ 12pm
Children's Christmas Pageant Rehearsal
Mon, Dec 1 @ 9am
My Children
[req. Theresa Chard]
Mon, Dec 1 @ 9:30-10:30am
** Holy Hour! **
"Trust in Jesus" (Yongsung Kim, 2019)
Tues, Dec 2 @ 9am
Intentions of John & Justine Sebok
[req. Willie Kuttschrutter]
"Francis Xavier Landing in China"
(Joseph-Marie Vien, 1753)
St. Francis Xavier, Priest (M)
Wed, Dec 3 @ 9am
Carter Chard
[req. Theresa Chard]
Wed, Dec 3 @ 9:30-10:30am
** Holy Hour! **
Thur, Dec 4 @ 9am
Shirley Kelly
[req. Carol Gillis]
First Friday
Fri, Dec 5 @ 9am
Unannounced Mass
Fri, Dec 5 @ 9:30-10:30am
** Holy Hour! **
Sacred Heart of Mary
Weekly Schedule
1st Sunday of Advent
Sun, Nov 30 @ 9am*
Pro Populo
*Jr. Liturgy
Lector: Don Bailey
Greeters: Charlotte Lahey
St. Francis Xavier, Priest (M)
Wed, Dec 3 @ 9am
John Van Heukelom †
[req. Denis & Debbie Wood]
Wed, Nov 26 @ 9:30-10:30am
** Holy Hour! **
Wed, Dec 3 @ 5pm
Combined SHM & SHJ Choir Practice
Wed, Dec 3 @ 5:30pm
SHM CWL Advent Dinner
O'Neill Parish Hall
Thur, Dec 4 @ 2pm
Women's Discussion Group
Chosen S05E04
O'Neill Parish Hall
Fri, Dec 5 @ 6:15-7:30am
That Man Is You: Worthy of the Call
Week 13: A Sweet Exchange
O'Neill Parish Hall
Sat, Dec 6 @ 11am*
Funeral Mass of Kevin Roy †
*followed by burial at SHM Cemetery & reception at O'Neill Parish Hall
7-Day Votive Candle Offerings
SHJ CHURCH
OUR BLESSED MOTHER
Jim Gray †
[req. Dale & Vicki Clemens]
SACRED HEART OF JESUS
Jim Gray †
[req. Dale & Vicki Clemens]
ST. JOSEPH
[available]
ST. ANNE & OUR LADY
[available]
SHM CHURCH
SACRED HEART OF JESUS
[available]
OUR BLESSED MOTHER
[available]
You can put your $10 7-Day Votive Offering in the filled-in pink envelope.
Any questions? Contact Pauline at the parish office @ 613.472.2220 or sacredheart.mm@archkingston.ca
Requesting Mass Intentions
To arrange to have a Mass celebrated, just contact our secretary Pauline Davis (613.472.2220 or SacredHeart.MM@archkingston.ca) or better yet, use the mass intention envelopes found in the vestibule, fill it out and put in the $20 offering and place it in the collection basket at Mass. We will do our best to have the Mass offered on the date requested.
By using the white Flower Sponsor envelopes (located in the narthex), a one time donation of $40 will provide flowers for the sanctuary and shrines, and you'll also get a Mass intention included in that. So a great deal if you think about it! The churches are beautifully decorated in large part to your flower donations. And when you see in the Flocknotes Masses being offered "For the X Family Intentions" - usually those are from the Family flower sponsor. Thanks to Shirley Gauvreau, Brenda Poirier, Iris Doyle & Joanne Forestell for always doing such a splendid arrangement of the flowers! Thank you for your support.
Season of Giving: This holiday season we thank everyone who has supported SHJ & SHM this past year with their time, talent and financial contributions, and look forward to support from all of our parishioners in the year ahead. If you need a convenient way to make regular offerings or if you plan to make an additional gift before the end of the year, we encourage you to check out our e-transfer option. As the pace of life speeds up, especially around the holidays, you may find electronic giving a most welcome way to make contributions. Giving to the offertory is convenient and easy with e-transfers. As you know, supporting the work of the Church with one’s financial resources is an essential and intrinsic part of Christian discipleship and stewardship. Thank you so much for your continued generosity in keeping SHM & SHJ a vibrant parish in the Archdiocese of Kingston.
shjpayments@gmail.com (SHJ)
shmpayments@gmail.com (SHM)
At the entrance of our churches, you’ll find a box in which you can put non-perishable food items to be donated to the Food Bank. I encourage each family – weekly, if possible – to bring an item (make it part of your normal shopping routine) so we can donate them to those in need. This would be a practical way in which we can engage in almsgiving/charity, recalling our Lord's words from Matthew’s Gospel: “I was hungry and you fed me.” The following items are particularly welcome: baby & infant formula, pasta & sauces, personal hygiene items, whole grain cereals, canned vegetables & fruits, diapers, bathroom tissue, canned goods (beans, soups, stews) & peanut butter. Thank you for your continued generosity.
Confession Schedule this Week
Sat: 4-4:45pm
Sun: 8-8:45am & 10-10:45am
Tues: 8-8:45am
Wed: 8-8:45 & 9:45-10:15am
Thur: 8-8:45am
Fri: 8-8:45 & 9:45-10:15am
Parents: confessions will not be heard at the school so it will be, as a duty flowing from your choice to have your children baptized, your responsibility to bring your children to confession. Please prepare them at home and instill into them a holy reverence for the sacred encounter with Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Anointing of the Sick
Those Catholics confronted with serious illness, chronic illness, or surgery are invited to request the Sacrament of Anointing by calling Fr. Justin for an appointment. We also now have a wonderful Pastoral Care team made up of generous parishioners who can bring Holy Communion to the sick and those confined to their own homes. Again, if you are someone or know of someone who would like to receive Sacraments at their home, please contact the office @ 613.472.2220 for more information.
Don't forget that great online faith resources are available to every member of our parish including books, movies, podcasts and more at Formed.org.To gain access to all of FORMED’s content, follow these simple steps:
Go to https://signup.formed.org/
Enter our parish’s postal code (K0K 2M0)
Enter your name and your email address.
Sacred Heart of Mary CWL invites all parishioners to help us support those less fortunate than ourselves. If you are able, you are encouraged to donate to our collection for Grace Inn Shelter. Grace Inn, located at 315 Church St. Belleville, offers hospitality to the homeless based on the belief of God the Father, Jesus Christ HIs Son and the work of the Holy Spirit. Their wish list of items for both men and women includes:
travel size, shampoos, conditioners or deodorants
razors, toothbrushes or toothpaste (no mouth wash please)
mitts, sock, thermal gloves, toques: hot paws for either hands or feet
This year we will be expanding our collection to include gently used seasonal clothing. Please take a moment to look in your closet for that extra shirt or pair of pants that haven't been worn in awhile. Your generosity will bring hope to those in need. Donations may be placed in a designated box at the entrance of SHM Church. The final day for donations will be Sunday, November 30th. Thank you for your continued generosity!
Links, Recommendations & Random Thoughts
- I found this wonderfully moving homily from Newman centered on worship as preparation for the Advent of God. It deserves a slow, meditative read.
- It is the First Sunday of the liturgical year and that means we start a new year of grace. That means it is a good time to remind everyone of proper etiquette in church, so we can resolve to break bad habits and begin the new year with good ones. When attending Mass it is proper to do the following:
- Arrive to Mass on time.
- Make the sign of the cross with holy water upon entering the Church.
- Men and boys, kindly remove hats or caps before the Lord.
- Genuflect facing the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle before entering your pew or altar. If unable to genuflect, a heartfelt bow is acceptable.
- Please silence all cell phones prior to entering the Church.
- Please be “prayerfully silent”. Refrain from unnecessary talking as it distracts others who are intently praying and reflecting.
- Join in the singing, and sing your praises to the Lord. Give Him thanks.
- Listen to the readings as God speaks to you directly through His words.
- There should be nothing in your mouth prior to receiving Holy Communion.
- Catholics, receive Holy Communion with reverence.
- Please exit the church only after the final hymn and after the celebrant has completed the recessional procession.
- Make Christmas Beautiful at SHM & SHM by Dressing up our Churches: Christmas Flower Memorials:
- SHJ & SHM parishioners are encouraged to participate in helping to decorate our churches for the Christmas liturgies. Each year we set up a Christmas Flower Fund for that purpose. If you wish to honour a loved one, living or deceased, please print your Name & Envelope # on the Christmas Flower Envelopes (which you will find in the pews or at the entrance of the church starting this weekend, Nov 29-30). On the back of the envelope, please print clearly the names of those whom you wish to honour. These names will be printed in the Christmas service leaflet on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The deadline for the Xmas flower envelopes is Sun, Dec 21st. Thank you for your cooperation and support!
- Rorate Mass coming... Get ready to join us for our 4th Rorate Mass on the 2nd Saturday of Advent - Dec 13th @ 6am at SHJ. The Rorate Caeli Mass is a traditional Advent devotion wherein the Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary for Advent is offered just before dawn. The Rorate Mass is lit only by candlelight. Because it is a votive Mass in Our Lady's honour, Marian vestments are worn instead of Advent violet. In the dimly lit setting, priests and faithful prepare to honour the Light of the world, who is soon to be born, and offer praise to God for the gift of Our Lady. As the Mass proceeds and sunrise approaches, the Church becomes progressively brighter, illumined by the sun as our Faith is illumined by Christ. If you may be available to help set up candles in the church on Friday December 12th, please speak with Fr. Justin, Fr. Price or contact the parish office. Come experience the quiet beauty of Advent in the stillness before sunrise
- Wall of Remembrance: In November, our St. Joseph statue and Our Lady of Fatima shrine served as a Requiem honouring our beloved dead. Photos may now be retrieved. Any photos not picked up will be kept safely in the parish office for next year.
- Blessing of Expectant Mothers: On Gaudete Sunday, December 14th, all expectant mothers are invited to receive a special blessing at the Sunday Masses. Everyone should try and wear pink (rose). Please let Fr. Justin know if you'd like this blessing in advance.
- Year End & Christmas Giving: Our Parishes are hoping to undertake renovations to enhance the beauty of our churches. While your contributions have been instrumental to support necessary enhancements, our operational expenses continue to grow. For your donations to be credited towards your 2025 tax receipt, they need to be received by December 31, 2025.
- Donations made at the Mass on December 31 will be considered 2025 donations; however, cheques dated 2026 will be recorded for the 2026 Tax Year.
- Donations made at the New Year’s Day Mass on January 1 will be considered 2026 donations.
- Donations may be made by e-transfer at any time. Make your donation prior to midnight December 31 for it to be counted for the 2025 Tax Year.
- Advent App: Do you have a smartphone? If so, I encourage you to visit the App Store and download the Advent Magnificat Companion 2025 app. It’s only $4.99 and it’s a perfect day-to-day way to live Advent to the full this season. It has the daily Mass and scripture readings, a bunch of prayers, an original meditation on each day’s Gospel, and a variety of blessings and short essays.
- Advent Music: There are thousands of Christmas music offerings available, but Advent music? Not so much. But if you’re looking for glorious music to help keep Advent as Advent, download or stream from your preferred platform Advent at Ephesus by the wonderful Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles – a young, monastic order of traditional Sisters living in rural Missouri whose beautiful singing has surprisingly topped the music charts over the past few years. Also, just out last year is a new Advent album called Rorate Coeli: Marian Sounds of Advent by the Monks of Clear Creek. Also good are the Advent & Christmas Cantanas by Bach or Advent at Merton or The Advent of Christmas by Matt Maher These will help lead you through the sacred season in preparation for Christmas.
- From this Sat, Nov 29 to Feb 2nd, inclusive, the final antiphon of the the Blessed Virgin Mary at Compline (night prayer) is Alma Redemptoris Mater, immediately before going to sleep. The Church prizes devotion to Our Lady so highly, and deems it so necessary, that she requires all her priests and religious to sing a hymn to her as the last thing they do every single day. It is a beautiful prayer of intercession to the Mother of God, focusing on the happy privilege of the Blessed Virgin being chosen to be the mother of God, and how she gave birth to the Redeemer. Because of this privilege, she has become our hope – “star of the sea." Copies of this are available in the narthex, and Fr. Justin & Fr. Price will occasionally sing this as a communion motet.
Loving Mother of the Redeemer,gate of heaven, star of the sea,assist your people who have fallen yet strive to rise again.To the wonderment of nature you bore your Creator,yet remained a virgin after as before.You who received Gabriel's joyful greeting,have pity on us poor sinners.
Check out how pretty this Advent Melody is for “Tantum Ergo” (BENEDICTION of the Blessed Sacrament). We'll be using it from now on throughout Advent.
- A big big thank you to the CWL from SHM for a $2000 donation made to the parish, to be used with the costs of the newly acquired Marian statue as well as the heating costs for the winter. This is incredibly generous and on behalf of the parish, we congratulation the League on their successful bazaar and their tireless work on behalf of the parish.
- Thank you to the Knights for putting up the garlands and creche outside SHJ.
- And a special thanks to Laura Jeffrey for sewing the oversized black funeral pall to make it more manageable!
- We have only had a few people who gave us any photos from parish and family events at SHM & SHJ over the many decades for the 200 anniversary. Please check your albums and submit them as we hope to put together a nice collage, etc.
There will be a funeral Mass for the late Kevin Roy, on (First) Sat, Dec 6 @ 11am at SHM Madoc. Kevin was a long-time parishioner at SHM. Following the burial, there will be a luncheon put on by the CWL at O'Neill Parish Hall
Requiescat in pace
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Kevin Roy (husband of the Gloria) who died recently. We extend our prayers and sympathy to his family and friends.
Prayer For The Faithful Departed
Eternal rest grant unto Kevin, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him.
May his soul, and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
The First Sunday in Advent in 2025 is November 30. Due to the rising costs for our parishes, I encourage parishioners to add an extra $5 to their collection to help offset this considerable expense. Most churches don't have missals in their pews, but it's nice and welcoming to have. If you'd like your own copy, there are a few available for purchase in the narthex, but please do not remove the missals from the pews. As you know, these handy paperback books contain the readings and prayers for all Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation throughout the liturgical year, as well as some hymns, reflections, and more.
LOCAL ADVENT CONFESSION SERVICES
St. Gregory's, Picton
Fri, Dec 12 @ 6pm
St. Mary's, Campbellford
Tues, Dec 16 @ 6:30pm
Holy Name of Mary, Marysville
Wed, Dec 17 @ 6:30pm
SHJ & SHM, Marmora
Thur, Dec 18 @ 6:30pm
St. Michael's, Belleville
Sun, Dec 21 @ 3:30pm
Christmas Eve Carols & Pageant
Wed, Dec 24th @ 4:30pm
(Christmas Eve Mass @ 5pm)
SHJ Parish
- All ages are welcome to participate.
- We need narrators and readers as well as the "Nativity Cast!"
- If you have youth interested in participating please call Diane Smith @ 613.473.4115
- We are so excited to be able to reenact this wonderful Gospel!
- First practice is after the 11am on Sun, Nov 30 @ SHJ.
Fr. Justin's Advent Reading Recommendation:
Fr. Gregory Pine's new book, Your Eucharistic Identity, is a short book but packed with lots of lessons of how to view our identity as the image and likeness of God within the context of the Eucharist. Whether you are new to the Catholic faith, returning, or just need some extra inspiration for your journey this Advent, this book is destined to be a new spiritual classic!
Preparing for 2026 Church Envelopes: Envelopes are being prepared in the parish office at this time. If you have moved recently and/or have not updated your information from the past, please provide our secretary Pauline Davis with your updated info - this is especially important so that you may receive your tax receipts. (613.472.2220 or sacredheart.mm@archkingston.ca If you do not currently use Sunday offertory envelopes, please consider doing so. New parishioners requesting envelopes can speak to Fr. Justin or Pauline
Tomorrow (Sat) our parish catechists (Colleen, Pauline, Kelly & Vincent) and I will be heading to St. Paul's in Kingston to take part in the first of a four-part series on the Kerygma, starting with Creation.
Update: Many thanks to SHM parishioner Debbie Wood for volunteering to polish in Madoc.
As we begin this new Year of Grace, volunteers are still needed from SHJ who would be willing to polish the sacred vessels and brassware and candlesticks in time for the birth of our Saviour. Supplies will be provided. If you're willing to take on this act of love for the things of the Lord, please see Fr. Justin. Thank you in advance for considering volunteering for this important ministry, we couldn’t do this without volunteers like you!
SHM Parish Family Breakfast, Sun, Dec 14 @10am! Everyone is invited to join us after mass for a delicious breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage, hash browns and toast. What a great start to the second week of Advent! Spending time with your parish family and friends with good food, faith and fellowship.
The Economic Development Committee for the Municipality of Marmora and Lake has launched a new program whose purpose is connecting newcomers, prospective residents, and not-so-new folks to resources in the community. They have a team of knowledgeable people who will provide information and help people feel at home here.
- Kudos to the SHJ CWL on their very successful and fun Christmas & Tea Bazaar last Saturday!
- The Archdiocese of Kingston is celebrating its 200th Anniversary, officially beginning on December 8, 2025 on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.
- Beginning the first week of December prayer cards for the personal use of the faithful will be available as well as pew inserts to be kept in our churches with the same prayer, a message from Archbishop Mulhall, and a hymn with lyrics written to commemorate the anniversary.
- Throughout the Archdiocese, the 200th Anniversary Prayer is to be prayed by the congregation after the final blessing and before the recessional hymn throughout the anniversary year, December 8, 2025 to December 6, 2026. (We will do it before the St. Michael prayer).
- In the narthex this weekend there will also be print copies of Jouney, introducing the 200th anniversary them and outlining the program of celebration.
- Letter from the Archbishop to the faithful on the 200th anniversary celebrations
- Historical Timeline - Key Diocesan events
- 200th Anniversary Program Outline
- Lenten Collection Update
- and more!
- There are a limited number of copies available in the narthex but you can also download your copy of Journey today.
May this milestone inspire us all to deepen our faith and strengthen our unity!
Sacred Heart of Mary CWL
Advent Dinner
All ladies of SHJ and SHM CWL's are invited to join us for an evening of good food, faith and fellowship.
Wednesday, December 3th
Social hour: 5:30pm
Meal: 6:15pm
Location: O'Neill Parish Hall, Madoc
Cost: $25 per person
Donna Murphy will be providing a delicious turkey meal with all the trimmings. Please confirm your attendance no later than Nov. 30 to Debbie Wood either by phone/text 613.848.7102 or email debbieawood@yahoo.com
A sign up sheet will be available at the entrance of SHM Church. We hope to see you there!
Sacred Heart of Mary CWL 2026 Membership Drive
Would you like to join women of all ages from across Canada in an organization that can foster and celebrate your Catholic Faith?
We invite you to join or renew your membership in this wonderful organization that promotes faith, service and social justice. Our Mission statement: "The Catholic Women's League of Canada calls its members to grow in faith and to witness to the love of God through ministry and service."
2026 Membership cost remains at $35. Please place your membership in the designated box at the entrance of SHM Church. Come and join us!
"Nine out of ten of what we call new ideas are simply old mistakes. The Catholic Church has for one of her chief duties that of preventing people from making those old mistakes; from making them over and over again forever, as people always do if they are left to themselves."
