Hello St Clare,

At this time of the year, there are many ways to help the less fortunate among us. At every mall and public place there is someone accepting donations for the poor. It seems that we all want to make our world a better place. That is wonderful!

I would like to draw your attention to our Advent Tree program as we try to reach many poor children and families in the tri-city area. Your help and participation will bring a smile on someone’s face. Please take one of the tags from the Advent tree in the church.

On the weekend of December 10th, we will have our annual fundraiser for the benefit of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Orphanage in El Salvador. Anna and her family will be serving hot chocolate and cookies, by donation, for such a great and noble cause. We have seen many pictures and shared many stories on how your generosity helps the most vulnerable in El Salvador.

There is one more and a bit different ministry here at St. Clare that literally changes lives of people. It’s about bringing others to safety, helping them to hope for better tomorrow, giving them a chance to see the beauty in humanity: 

The St. Clare of Assisi Parish refugee program continues to help families who are looking to find a stable and safe home in Canada. Since 2016, we have directly sponsored and settled 5 families, with 2 more applications in process.

Our latest family arrived in June from the Middle East and so far they have made great progress integrating and learning about life in Canada. The father is from Syria, the mother is from the Philippines, and they have 3 children who are school-age or younger.  

Because of the difficult rental market, we had to house them in the Surrey area, about 30 minutes’ drive from St Clare’s.  As a result, we have not been able to visit with them on a regular basis. 

We are looking for volunteers who can spend time just talking and occasionally meeting with them to check in. The family all speak English at home, so communication won’t be a problem. If you have just a few hours to spare each month and would like to help make a real difference in a family’s future, please consider joining our refugee program. You will have plenty of support and guidance along the way. If you feel that you can help, please contact our parish office. 

Fr. Maciej

SUNDAY MASSES

Saturday (Mass of Anticipation)  5:00pm

Sunday  8:30am, 11:00am and 5:00pm

        6:30pm (Spanish)

DAILY MASSES 

Monday through Saturday at 9:00am

Morning Office/Breviary at 8:30am from Monday through Saturday. Everyone is welcome to join in.

LIVESTREAMING SCHEDULE

Daily Masses Monday through Friday at 9:00am

Weekend Mass at 5:00pm on Saturdays

All of these are posted on YouTube and can be watched either live or after the livestreaming has ended. If you haven't already, please subscribe to our YouTube page and don't forget to "Like Us". This will make it easier to find us on the internet.

Food for Thought . . . and for the Soul

An English Jesuit Martyr

Parish Office Hours

Monday to Friday

9am to 12pm

1pm to 3pm

The parish office is closed from December 25 to January 1.

Parish mail and donations may be submitted through the parish office mail slot (located on 1320 Johnson Street) or in the drop box located in the church lobby.

Assigning of envelopes is computerized, based on usage in 2023. Envelopes for 2024 were issued automatically to parishioners who frequently used envelopes in 2023. If you were not issued envelopes and would like them, please inform the parish office.

For those donating online through the Archdiocese or pre-authorized payment through the parish, box sets of "second collections only" envelopes are available on request.

Project Advance 2023!

Thank you to everyone who has donated to this year’s Project Advance campaign. Because of your generosity we have received $144,570.72 in pledges from only 323 of our families or 34% of our registered parishioners. While we have met our diocesan commitment of $59,400, we still have a long way to go to meet our parish goal of $220,000. All additional pledges will be used to help pay our mortgage and fund other special projects as required in the parish.

If you have not yet donated, please take a few minutes to prayerfully consider what you and your family would like to donate this year. We would love to have 100% participation from our parishioners. Remember, every gift regardless of its size make a difference. Every gift counts.

You can contribute to Project Advance by completing a pledge form and either leaving it in a collection box or basket at the church, by dropping it off at the office or by mailing it to St. Clare of Assisi Parish, 1320 Johnson Street, Coquitlam, B.C. V3B 4T5. Cheques should be made out to Project Advance. 

You can also go online at projectadvance.ca or call 604-683-0281 ext. 50323.

A special note for anyone who has donated online and has any questions. Please email donations@rcav.org and they will help you. For example, they can tell you when your past pledge expires, how much you have pledged, and they can change your credit card or banking information.

Our way forward begins with your generosity in growing our parish and local Catholic community. We’re grateful for your support. Thank you!

TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR 2023 TAX RECEIPT, DONATION MUST BE RECEIVED BY DECEMBER 31, 2023.

Tax receipts for Project Advance donations are issued by the Archdiocese of Vancouver.

We are all called to live a holy life. We are all called to invite others to live holy lives. Living a stewardship lifestyle, being grateful and generous with our gifts, puts us on the path to holiness and is an example for others to be holy, too. We are responsible not only for our own lives, but for the lives of others as well. How are you helping others get to Heaven?

Copyright © 2022 Archdiocese of St. Louis

THE ADVENT TREE IS UP! 

1. Take one of the Colour Tags or Gift Certificate Envelopes off the tree.

2. Purchase the gift or gift certificate.

3. Place the gift in a Gift Bag & attach the original tag from the tree to the

gift.

   Place the Gift Certificate (or cash/cheque) in the envelope provided and

drop it in the Box under the Tree.

BRING THE GIFT OR GIFT CERTIFICATE TO THE TREE IN CHURCH

BY THE DATE INDICATED ON THE TAG.

This is very important as it will be delivered to the recipient at an event organized by the group to which they belong near the date specified.

OTHER IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER:

1. YOU MUST ATTACH THE TAG TO THE GIFT when you return it to the tree. The information on this tag is our tool to ensure that your gift is delivered to the correct destination.

2. It is imperative that the VALUE of any Gift Card be indicated on the card itself & placed in the Envelope from the Tree.

3. If your donation is cash or cheque, the amount will be included in your parish tax receipt.

4. You are welcome to bring a Christmas tree ornament with each gift you donate. Just before Christmas, we will replace the bare Advent Tree of Need with a beautifully decorated Christmas Tree of Love.

Thank you very much for participating in our Advent Tree. By doing so, you are an answer to the prayers of the poor and needy in our area.

If you have any questions or if you would like to sponsor a family in need, please email Sharon at bzmamma@hotmail.com.

We congratulate Nasim G, Ari Dizayee, Kathy Homeniuk, Kristy Roberts, Mohsen Farmanara, Connie Xie, and one anonymous candidate on their decisions to continue learning about the Catholic faith. We thank the parish community for your prayers and support.

Sale and exhibition of sacred art, original paintings, quality prints, rosaries and other items. We accept cash, cheques and etransfers. Some proceeds go to Mary's Meals, a charity that feeds impoverished children in the community.

Let’s heed the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor and let’s act!

Eight defenders were unjustly imprisoned for over two years, and three people have been murdered since January 2023.

“The Government of Honduras must act diligently and suspend these extractive activities, which are carried out illegally and with total disregard for the environment.”

― Elvin Hernández, human rights investigator, ERIC–Radio Progreso

Act now!

Sign the letter to the Honduran ambassador to Canada at devp.org/act asking her government for protection, justice and reparation for environmental defenders and for Carlos Escaleras National Park.

You are invited to attend a fraternity gathering taking place every last Saturday morning of the month at 10am (Sept - June) in the St. Clare of Assisi Parish Centre. Contact: Carmen Moorhouse at carmenmoorhouse@gmail.com for more info. 

Jesus the Christ invited people to "Come and See"; likewise you are invited to hear, read, and share...if the Spirit moves you..as we slowly journey through the Gospel of John! 

Bring your Bible, receive what is right for you in, and from, the Gospel of John. It's the last Gospel written...in a 'different' style from Matthew, Mark, Luke...but still the SAME message; JESUS IS LORD! 

Why don't you visit, at least once, and afterwards, you decide if you want or need more. 



Email or Call Matthew: 

biblemondaystc@gmail.com

6047542762

Jesus the Christ walked and talked with the Apostles and others for three and a half years, increasingly revealing Himself in 'Signs' (miracles) to the people. 

Likewise, walk with us join us...just 'drop in'...each Tuesday to 'Portage' with us in conversation as the Apostles did with Jesus. The Bible is our guide, and foundation for discussion. Listen or share as the Holy Spirit invites you to.

We are casual, sincere, friendly, and we seek more in Faith so, we invite you, "Come and See", discover more.

Email or Call Matthew:  

bibleportage@gmail.com 

6047542762

Why You Should Join the Legion of Mary...

Christ has no hands but your hands to do His work today.

He has no feet but your feet to lead men in His way.

He has no tongue but your tongue to tell men how He died.

He has no help but your help to bring men to His side.

To join the Legion of Mary, please call:

Ofelia Estrada at (604)240-9101 or Lourdes Cabael at (778)986-7516.

Everyone is invited to join us online daily at 7:30pm

Contact

maria.magnusson-cwl@shaw.ca

If you are interested in joining us or would like to know more about Mothers Prayers, please contact Thelma Rose at (604) 464-3383 or by email at glenthel@shaw.ca

For more information, please visit: www.mothersprayers.org or https://stclare.ca/parish-life/faith-formation/mothers-prayer/

A prayer shawl is a shawl that has been knitted or crocheted within our parish for someone who is facing treatment for cancer. The shawls are meant to serve as mantles of God's gentle love and blessings. Our hope is that, as the recipients wear their shawls, they will be enfolded in warmth, peace, strength and comfort.

Please contact the parish office to make arrangements for

baptisms, weddings, funerals and other Sacraments.

ADORATION CHAPEL

The Adoration Chapel is accessible daily. Entrance to the Adoration Chapel is open between 8am and 6pm.  

Pre-Authorized Payments

We offer a Pre-Authorized Payment (PAP) plan which you can sign up for by completing the form and returning it with a void cheque to the parish office. Pre-authorized payments are withdrawn directly from your bank account on the 1st day of the month. Click the button below to download the form.

Please remember to sign the back as it is invalid without a signature. You may seal the completed form in an envelope marked Pre-Authorized Payment and drop it in the donation box located in the church, mail it or bring it to the parish office. The form must be in the office by the 20th of the month in order for it to be effective on the following 1st of the month.

Donations at Church

Donations may be dropped in the collection basket circulated at Mass or in the box located in the church lobby. If you would like a set of Sunday Offering envelopes, please contact the parish office. Otherwise, Visitors' Envelopes are available on the brochure rack in the church lobby.

Second Collections - When there is a Second Collection, a designated collection box will be available at the back of the church.

If you wish to book a Mass Intention please email the office at stclareofassisi@shaw.ca giving the name of the person, whether it is for a living or deceased person, who it is from and if you have any preferences for the day of the week, a weekend mass or specific date. We will try to book your mass intention as close to the request as possible.  Please note that there may be unforeseen situations when your scheduled date may be changed without notice.

The suggested offering for a mass intention is $10 and can be brought to the office, mailed to 1320 Johnson Street, Coquitlam, V3B 4T5 or dropped in the collection box in the church. Enclose your offering in an envelope clearly marked with the name and date of your Mass intention. Your offering will go to the priest who says the mass, not to the church.

If you are unable to use email, mass intentions may be phoned in at 604-941-4800.

We are able to accept multiple Mass intentions on Fridays. For all other Masses, we can book one intention only.

Please pray for the sick of our Parish

Craig Barton, Marge Hogan, Jamie Willis, Siobhan Vanderkere, Bette Stirling, Helen Dougan, Bernie Perez, Noah Zanatta, Loni Cain, Brendan Pace, Gracienda Ramos, Brian Stewart, Catherine Dunne, Lucy Chase, Doreen Allyen, Tyson Ward, Nora Arroyal, Christopher Brown, Joan McDonald, Annabella Cirko, Frank Matchett, Kelly Durkin, Jason Kendall, Bill Clendinning, Chris Mah, Lydia Guzman, Angelo Visentin, June Cross, Katelyn Boudewyn, Karen Morris, Ramon Montecillo, Janice Caine, Nadine Classen, Leanne Theiss, Sierra Osborne, Sebastien Robillard, Sandra Diersch, Lori Dennis, Mazoe Kaufman, Cindy Mazerolle-Kass, Anna Figura, Ed Garcia, Viray Family, Walter Banke, Elizabeth Teixeira, Reema Ferreira, Terry McDonald, Andrew De Boda, Hari Vijay, Peggy Maas, Chad Galitzky, Al Trotter, Pat Dizy, Brett Lawrence, Norman Schuster, Brenda Haines, John Bergen, Laud Vidal, Rick Empey, Dan Arseneault, Addie Jamieson, Jean-Yves Duret, Valerie Ng and all recipients of St. Clare’s Prayer Shawls.

The Poor Clare sisters are praying for our parish and would be happy to take your personal prayer requests by mail or telephone. For vocation inquiries, send an email to callclaremissbc@telus.net

The goal of “Fiat” Women’s Online Discernment Group is to provide a prayerful environment for young women to discern their vocation, primarily the possible call to Religious Life. These women are given an opportunity to listen to and discuss certain topics about discernment and Religious life in general. Hopefully this Discernment Group will be a good preparation for women who are called to Religious Life to enter the community they are called to with peace and an adequate knowledge of what the Church is asking and desiring for Religious Life.  

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