NEW YEAR’S MASS TIMES

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR

New Year’s Eve: 5:00 p.m.! New Year’s Day: 9:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. NO 6:00 p.m. MASS

OUR GIFT TO YOUWe all know the things that will make us happy, but we don’t always do them. Why? We’re resistant.Do you ever have the sense that something is missing in your life? We all do from time to time. Most people push it aside fairly quickly, because we are afraid of where it might lead. But we really should pay a little more attention to our dissatisfaction. It’s okay to be dissatisfied. Being dissatisfied and pretending that we are not is the kind of lie that leads to spiritual and physical illness. Our dissatisfaction is trying to lead us to something better, or something different altogether.It is time to start listening to what God is saying to us through our dissatisfaction. I want to encourage you to pay a little more attention to that sense that something is missing

in your life. This quiet discontent is creating restlessness in your for a reason. - excerpt from Chapter 6

THE WITNESS OF THE CANDYMAKERHow can a candy treat be a birth announcement? Legend has it, that, many years ago a candymaker

had an idea. He wanted to show, through the candy he made, that Jesus Christ was born among us, lived and died to save us all. So, through the use of colour and shape, he created a piece of

candy that told the story of Jesus from Christmas to Easter. He created the candy cane!

COLOURThe white stripes on the candy cane stand for the

fact that Jesus was sinless and pure. The three small red stripes stand for the scourging Jesus endured

before he died. The large red stripe stand for Jesus’ blood, shed on the cross.

SHAPEThe cany cane is shaped like a shepherd’s staff,

reminding us that Jesus is the Good Shepherd. Turn it upside down, and it is the letter “J”, the first letter

of Jesus’ name.

We can learn a lot from the candy cane - both to be reminded of Jesus, and, like the candymaker, to

share the story of Jesus in whatever we do.

Office Closed December 24th - January 3rd

Jesus is Born The Angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Christ, the Lord.” Jesus is born.  The shepherds were

awestruck and responded by seeking out the Christ child.  May the message of Jesus’ birth touch your hearts again this Christmas, and may you respond by seeking him out.  May finding him bring you fresh joy, hope, happiness and peace throughout the coming year.Merry Christmas and a Happy New YearFrs Yves and Dennis

Alpha at Annunciation Alpha provides an opportunity to invite your family and friends to come together and chat about some of life’s big questions in an open and friendly environment.

Everyone has questions:

• Why am I here?• What is the purpose of my life?• Where am I heading?• Does it matter what I believe?

Alpha is for EveryoneWeekly sessions include a meal, a video presentation, and a discussion.

Come and See EveningJanuary 17th, 2017 at 6:45 pm in the Parish Hall

RSVP: alpha@annunciation-ottawa.com

¬A Roman Catholic, apostolic and welcoming Community of Missionary Disciples,

Pastor and Associate Pastor! Fr. Yves Marchildon, CC! 613-745-7774! Fr. Dennis Hayes, CC! 613-745-7774Deacons!! Will Read! 613-833-1742! Marc Gauthier! 613-745-7774Administration Office ! 613-745-7774! Liam Malone, Parish Manager !! Lorie O’Reilly, Director of Volunteers! volunteers@annunciation-ottawa.comYouth Coordinator! Marc Moreau! 613-745-7774! youthcoordinator@annunciation-ottawa.comCustodian: Glen KingFinance Council! Maureen Tonon, Chair! 613-744-3618! Dave Angelo, Secretary ! 613-749-3080! Stephen Prosser, Treasurer ! 613-746-0145! Owen Kelly! 613-745-3230! Paul Gauvin! 613-747-7294Pastoral Council

Dean Doucette! 613-742-0607Tracy Brason! 819-962-2303Robert Hayes! 613-744-3129 Kelly-Ann Keays! 613-736-1999Stan McLaurin! 613-837-8682Jackie Cuthill! 613-741-5403Michael Daley! 613-841-2337Cristy Ombac-Orr! 613-749-7628Armando Prini! 613-741-3828

Altar Linen! Patricia Bennett! 613-741-9939! Kathy Stevenson! 613-741-4543Baptismal Preparation! Janine Killoran! 613-265-8711Catechesis of the Good Shepherd! Lilia Villasenor Garcia! ! 613-745-4883Catholic Women’s League! June Thibault! 613-745-6562Charismatic Prayer Group! Joan Wills! 613-744-2132Children’s Liturgy, 10:15 am Mass! Marc Moreau 613-745-7774Counters/Depositors ! Gord Duncan! ! 613-680-3343Cursillo Movement ! Diane Keays! ! 613-837-3542Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion!! Al & Margo Smith! 613-746-7224Flowers for the Altar! Rebecca Meuse! ! 613-700-3266Greeters and Ushers! Knights of Columbus! David Hnatiw! 613-824-6952Lectors! Lynn Lavictoire! 613-833-1742Library! June Thibault, scheduler! 613-745-6562Liturgy Committee! Berard Bennett! 613-741-9939Marian Movement of Priests Cenacle Jeanne Lindblad! 613-744-4613Marriage Preparation! Dick and Louise Fiala! 613-741-0011Mom's Morning Out! Lindsay Delisle! 613-422-8312Music Ministry! 5:00 Connie O’Connor-Duff! 613-747-5522! 8:30 Janet Warren! 613-749-7653! 10:15 Armando Prini.! 613-741-3828! 6:00 pm Andre Doucette! 613-673-4283Outreach and Social Action! Suzanne Milburn! 613-830-0715Pastoral Care! Paul Cuddihy! 613-745-3267Prayer Shawl Ministry !! Sharen Reynaert ! 613-837-0013Pro-Life Suzanne Atkinson! 613-841-4940 Religious Education Program! Donna Verner! 613-830-5015Responsible Ministry! Dean Doucette! 613-742-0607Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults! Al and Margo Smith! 613-746-7224Sacramental Prep T.D. McGee, St. Brother Andre! Maureen Tonon! 613-744-3618Sunday Fellowship Michelle Turner! 613-747-4421Vacation Bible School ! Alex Kelly! 613-322-9195Victoria’s Quilts Ministry! Olivia Thompson! 613-747-4820

P A R I S H S C H O O L SSt. Brother Andre!! Principal Sean Crookshank! 613-741-0100Thomas D’Arcy McGee Catholic! Principal Deborah Langdon! 613-749-2251Lester B. Pearson! Principal William Walsh! 613-741-4525

SACRAMENTSBaptisms: Three-month notice, and attendance at a baptismal preparation course is required. Confessions: Monday to Friday 8:30 - 8:50 and Saturday 4:00 - 4:50 pm or by appointment.Marriages: !Nine-month notice, and attendance at a marriage preparation course is required.

Spiritual Direction: God reaches out to every person in various ways. One way is through spiritual direction. To facilitate your spiritual growth, call Deacon Roger Amyot at 613-837-1610.

SICK AND SHUT-INSHome, hospital visits arranged with a priest or deacon please call the parish office. For a visit by a member of the Pastoral Home Care, call Paul Cuddihy 613-745-3267.

Christmas Mass Intentions

Saturday, December 24th CHRISTMAS EVE

4:00 p.m. ✞ Annette Gauvin by Paul Gauvin & Family

✞ Linda Huard by Margaret St. Toute

✞ Raymond & Joan Lariviere by Charlene

✞ Mary & Gerry McNamee & Gary Stewart by the Family

✞ Tony Houlahan & Jack Wilson by Fran Houlahan & Family

✞ Emile & Laurenza Labelle by Jeannette & Family

The Parsons & Verner Family Tree by the Verner Family

6:00 p.m. ✞ The Lamb Family by the Walker Family

8:00 p.m. ✞ Rita & Arthur Leroux by Sheila Leroux

10:00 p.m. ✞ Cloey Regnier by the Perron Family

Sunday, December 25th CHRISTMAS DAY

11:00 a.m. Int. of the Widow’s Group by Sharen Reynaert

Int. of Ivy Henry by the Quesnel Family

Int. of Karen Brouillard by Vince Meechan & Marie Melvin

✞ Clarice Gubucan by Barbara Leclerc

✞ Linda Huard by Ron & Kathy Thompson

Weekday 9:00 a.m. Mass Intentions

Mon. Dec 26th Int. of Joe & Donna Verner by the Garcia Family

Tues . Dec 27th Int. of Janet Warren by Mary Meuse

Wed . Dec 28th For the Unborn by the Garcia Family

Thurs. Dec 29th Int. of Janet Warren by Paul & Ann Cuddihy

Fri. Dec 30th Int. of Joseph & Marie Stalmach by Gail Goshko

Saturday, December 31st SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD

5:00 p.m. ✞ Mary Higdon by Stu Higdon

✞ Mr. Hector Del Real by the Mandujano’s Family

✞ Bill Roach by Vince Meechan & Marie Melvin

Sunday, January 1st

9:00 a.m. For Our Parishioners

11:00 a.m. ✞ Mary Higdon by the Volunteers of St. Vincent’s Hospital

Weekday 9:00 a.m. Mass Intentions

Mon. Jan 2nd Int. of Maximilian Harper-McLaurin by the Harper-McLaurin Family

Tues . Jan 3rd Int. of Joseph & Marie Stalmach by Mary Meuse

Wed . Jan 4th ✞ Brenda Murphy by Sheila & Jacques Carriere

Thurs. Jan 5th Int. of Heather Dionne by the de Römer-Brisland Family

Fri. Jan 6th ✞ Jack Leydon by the Cuddihy Family

S E Q U O I A C L U Bgrowing in the love and knowledge of God, joyfu l ly car ing for a l l in need.

Youth Group Resumes January 6th, 2017

Children's Liturgy for Juniour kindergarden to grade 2, and Child Care for infants and toddlers will start up again January 8th, 2017 at the 10:15 am mass. Have a very Merry Christmas, and we look forward to seeing all of you in the new year!   

THE NATIVITY presented by the Monday morning Catechesis of the Good Shepherd class.

Archbishop Prendergast’s Christmas Message 2016

Joy to the world, the Lord has come!

The angel reassured the shepherds that the birth of Jesus, our Saviour, means, “great joy for all the people” (Luke 2.10).

Canadians will celebrate with joy the Sesquicentennial of Confederation next year.

Catholics have other reasons to rejoice. Founded on June 25, 1847, the Archdiocese of Ottawa in 2017 will mark its 170thanniversary and the 70th anniversary of the Marian Congress held in our centennial year 1947.

We rejoice at the foundations laid by our forebears—our clergy, religious, and lay people—who have built our wonderful Catholic legacy of churches, institutions, and service.

We rejoice that, from earliest days, the Church of Ottawa has cared for the orphan, the widow, and the stranger.

In joy, Christians see Christ in the marginalized, the captive, and the elderly.

Pope Francis advocates joy, notably in his encyclical “The Joy of the Gospel” (Evangelii gaudium) and his exhortation “The Gladness of Love” (Amoris laetitia).

Following his lead this Pastoral Year, we are continuing our theme “the family: home of love, mercy and joy” basing ourselves on St. Paul’s Letter to the Galatians: “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” (5.22).

The pope calls us to renew our encounter with Jesus. Joy will then flow into our encounters with others at home, at work, and in society generally. We will be “missionary disciples” to the lost, suffering, and broken people in our diocese.

Spontaneously, we rejoice at the sight of a newborn child. Each baby demonstrates God’s creativity and goodness.

How much more joyful is it to contemplate the birth of Jesus Christ! Through it, God shines the light of his love into the darkness of the world.

The true joy of Christmas is the gift of eternal life Jesus has given us through his Cross and Resurrection. We celebrate this miraculous event begun on a dark winter’s night two thousand years ago.

Mary and Joseph experienced the joy and the challenges of family life with the birth of Jesus in humble circumstances. Love and wonderment met in this tiny child. Today, we also meet Christ in our family. In times joyful or difficult, he is brought to birth in our homes and hearts.

This Christmas, may the example and intercession of the Holy Family—Jesus, Mary, and Joseph—enrich your family with the gifts of peace, mercy, and joy!

✠Terrence Prendergast, S.J.

Archbishop of Ottawa

Thank you for your generosity!

A big thank you to everyone who donated new toys, gifts, food, Christmas goodies and your time and talent to add Christmas cheer and blessings to almost 210 children who received beautiful gifts and 50 families whose Christmas meal will truly be a feast because of your generosity!

A Roman Catholic, apostolic and welcoming Community of Missionary Disciples, growing in the love and knowledge of God, joyfully caring for all in need.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our Sponsors