St. Andrew the Apostle Roman Catholic Church Welland
4 St Andrews Ave L3B 1E1 Welland, ON, Canada

Just a reminder that Confession is available Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evening this week, from 6:30-8pm Guide for Confession: https://www.ncregister.com/info/confession-guide-for-adults

The Christmas Novena starts tomorrow, December 16 and ends on December 24. "The following novena was composed by an Italian priest, Rev. Charles Vachetta, C.M., in 1721. Most of the material comes from the Old Testament prophecies and the Psalms referring to the promised Redeemer*". Here is a copy of the prayers in the Christmas Novena that you can print into a booklet https://saintchristopherparish.com//Christmas-Novena-Bookl Alternatively, here is an online version * ht...tps://www.catholicculture.org//liturgi/prayers/view.cfm . . . Catholic All Year video: https://www.youtube.com/watch See more

We often pray the beautiful Chaplet of Divine Mercy together at Holy Adoration at St. Andrew church. It is a beautiful way to end the day as a community.

Today is the feast day of St. John of the Cross, a Spanish Carmelite friar, priest and mystic who lived from 1542 - 1591. St. John of the Cross experienced a gr...eat spiritual trial he dubbed the dark night of the soul, in which he experienced no sense of God’s presence. He was only able to carry on by clinging to faith. Today, many around us may be feeling this 'dark night', especially during the holidays were loneliness and isolation in this pandemic will be amplified If this is you, know that you are not alone, and that you are deeply loved by God. If you are feeling blessed, then be the light that breaks through someone's darkness. This week, make it your Advent mission to reach out to someone in a phone call, video chat or driveway visit. Let them know that you’re thinking of them, that you’re praying for them, and offer assistance as best as you can. See more

"It is up to every Canadian to foster a culture of care and love for one another. The answer is not assisted death in its many forms; it is accompanying our fam...ily, our friends and even strangers to assist them in life, recognizing the inherent dignity of every person." Read the full statement from Cardinal Thomas Collins re: Bill C-7 (Medical Assistance in Dying) at https://archtoronto.org/Blog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=238 #catholicTO

Beautiful reflection on the feast day today, the Feast of Christ the King

This Sunday the Church celebrates Christ the King. Families are invited to make this craft as a reminder that Jesus is the King of Kings. PS. This is a good weekend to look for your Advent Wreath. As this liturgical year comes to an end, the new one begins next Sunday with Advent.

Bulletin for this week -Confession is available Wednesday to Friday 6:30pm-8pm -Mass and Adoration Tuesday evening 6:40pm

St. Elizabeth of Hungary, pray for us! #memorial

Infographic: All About the Christmas Tree www.archtoronto.org/advent #adventTO #catholicTO

This weekend we celebrate Gaudete Sunday and the vestments change from violet to rose. The Introit (Entrance Antiphon) for the Mass states: Gaudete in Domino s...emper (Rejoice in the Lord always). On the Third Sunday of Advent we are called to rejoice. The beautiful Readings for this Sunday offer some reasons to rejoice. The Prophet Isaiah reminds us that those who have been anointed have been sent out to proclaim the Good News and for this reason the prophet states, I will greatly rejoice in the Lord. In the Second Reading, Saint Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians reminds us to rejoice and give thanks in all circumstances. If we do this then we will not quench the Spirit within us. Finally, in the Gospel of St. John, we are told that John the Baptist came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. At baptism we were anointed with the Holy Spirit and given a mission to proclaim the good news that heals and restores hope. When we live out this calling we become a light to others. We help to dispel the gloom and doom of hopelessness that we often find in our world. So often we see this at Christmas as people joyfully help others and perform many acts of love and generosity. So let us Rejoice in the Lord always because the feast of Christmas is so near!

Our Lady of Guadalupe, star of the New Evangelization, pray for us!

Mass Intentions and schedule for this week. Note that each evening from Tuesday to Friday we have Mass, rosary and adoration at 6:40pm

Hear me, my littlest one. Let nothing discourage you, nothing depress you. Let nothing alter your heart or your countenanceAm I not your mother? Are you not under the protection of my mantle? - Our Lady to Saint Juan Diego Happy Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe!

The fascinating story of Our Lady of Guadalupe! https://www.vaticannews.va//our-lady-of-guadaloupe-feast-d

Today is the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe The link below shows the image of Our Lady that appeared on St. Juan Diego's tilma. Everything about her image, from her hands to her robes, was spiritually and culturally symbolic to the indigenous people that saw it. It beautifully shows God's love for people of all cultures. Click this link to learn more about the different parts of the image and their meaning: https://www.kofc.org//10575-secrets-of-her-image-poster.pd

You may do the coronavirus self-assessment quiz before you come for Sunday/Christmas Mass. It can provide guidance on potential symptoms and whether to join us in person or watch virtually at home. For the most up to date screening questions please visit the province’s website: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/ Thank you

From today's gospel....words of comfort and hope in challenging times.

#Infographic: How to Go to Confession www.archtoronto.org/confession #dayofconfessionsTO #catholicTO