Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time-November 17, 2024
As we come to the conclusion of another Liturgical Year the readings speak of the end times. Today’s Gospel reminds us that no one knows the day or the hour. And this not only applies to the end of the world, but also to the end of each of our lives in this world. We will not know when or how our lives will end.
The somber warning is meant to alert us to the fact that no one and no thing last forever. It shakes us up to face the reality that our life is finite and that the clock is ticking. Every news report typically contains some story about the end, either of human lives or human inventions. This world as we know it is passing away.
The only thing for sure is God. So if God is never-ending and we believe that there is life after death, what is the invitation in today’s scriptures and particularly the Gospel?
Might it be time to take an inventory? Just as we periodically house-clean and purge, why not make application to our spiritual life? What needs to remain and what needs to go? Where do you and I spend our energy needlessly? What is essential as we face the future? How might you and I live more fully? (Sisters of Providence)
We pray for the sick of our parish and for those who care for them. We pray for those who have died recently and those whose anniversaries occur at this time. May they share the fullness of God's life promised by the Good Shepherd, who leads them home.
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CHRISTMAS SOCIAL
On Sunday December 8th after the 10 am mass our parish is hosting a Christmas Social for all parishioners in appreciation for all you do for our parish and to celebrate the Advent season together. To attend the luncheon we ask that you sign up on the sheet at the entrance of the church so we can order the food and prepare the seating in the hall. We hope to see you on Sunday December 8th!
Parish Offerings and Collections: If at all possible, please continue to support St. Margaret's by mailing in your donation or dropping off during office hours or in the rectory mailbox. Thanks to all for your support.
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ST. MARGARET'S CATHOLIC
WOMEN'S LEAGUE NEWS
• November 16/17 and 23/24—Membership Drive— fees payable by cheque, cash or e-transfer to stmargaretscwl@gmail.com
• November 24—Coffee Sunday
. November 26, 1:30 p.m. - Executive Meeting
Mitten Drive for St. Margaret School Children: New or gently used clean mitts will be collected in a basket at the front of the church entrance for children who need them.
We are still collecting used stamps for Development and Peace. Please bring any collected stamps to the church entrance and place them in the Stamp box located on the table on the right at the top of the stairs. Thank you!
Membership is $40 and we welcome and invite all women of the parish, 16 years of age and over, to join or renew their membership to this very worthy organization.
DIOCESE OF THUNDER BAY MONDAY MEMO
For up-to-date information on events and happenings around the diocese, please log into www,dotb.ca.
88 Clayte Street
Thunder Bay, ON
P7A 6S5
Phone: 807-344-9045
Fax: 807-345-8993
Email: stmargaret@tbaytel.net
Pastor: Fr. Ciarán Donnelly
Parish Secretary:
Rose Marie Doliska
Music Ministry:
Maureen McGrath
Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
FRIDAY - 7:00 p.m.
SATURDAY - 5:00 p.m.
SUNDAY - 10:00 a.m.
Mass Intentions
November 1-December 1, 2024
HISTORY OF ST. MARGARET'S CHURCH
St. Margaret's was the third parish to be created in response to the needs of a growing population in the residential area of Brent Park in Port Arthur and as a relief to the increasing demands placed on St. Andrew's Church. The construction and opening of St. Margaret's Roman Catholic School on Clayte Street in 1954 prompted Bishop Jennings to investigate the purchase of property owned by the Sisters of St. Joseph adjacent to the school. "It would make another very fine little Catholic corner of Port Arthur" wrote Bishop Jennings, "considering that there is such a splendid school already there". The Fort William Diocese purchased one acre across from the school and, until a church could be built on the property, Sunday and some weekday masses and services, conducted by the Jesuits at St. Andrew's were held at St. Margaret's School. In March 1957 Bishop Jennings blessed and dedicated a new church on the property to be known as St. Margaret's chapel-of-ease "to provide a convenient centre of worship for the more distant members of the already larger than capacity congregation of St. Andrew's". Four years later, the chapel-of-ease was elevated to the status of a full-fledged parish with Father J.E. Roenicke as its first pastor.
SACRAMENTS
Baptism: Parish Membership, Preparation Class and 3-months notice required.
Attached Baptism Registration PDF
Marriage: Parish Membership, Preparation Class and 1-year notice required.
Reconciliation: Saturdays 4:30-5:00 p.m. on request.
First Reconciliation/First Communion/Confirmation: Information to follow
To become a member of St. Margaret's Parish,
please complete the Registration Form.