Dear Saint Catherine's Community, 

As we begin our movement toward Advent, I am grateful for the time of quiet reflection. Many of you know that my dear Mom, Ronnie Rae, died this past week. My family and I would really appreciate your prayers as we slowly adjust to her absence. I will be making my way to South Africa to be with family on December 2nd and returning December 13th. 

This Sunday I am delighted that Bishop John will preach and preside, and we will also be joined by Deacon Elizabeth Mathers. The service will begin with 5 confirmations and 1 reaffirmation. Please pray for the confirmands: Elizabeth, Emily, Robbie, Laine, Claire and Vivian as they prepare themselves for Sunday. In addition the Bishop will be blessing the chapel table and art wall with the remembrance display. 

As we celebrate 76 years of mission and ministry at St. Catherine's I am greatly encouraged and strengthened by the growth in this community. Thank you for your part in this community of faith. I offer this prayer as we approach Saint Catherine's Day Feast: 

Ancient Woman, 
you spin out creation 
on the Wheel of Life, 
and our beginning and end
feel the rough skin of your hands. 
When the sun fails 
and the moon goes dark, 
gather your children
from the ends of the earth:
that, redeemed by your compassion, 
all humanity enter the home 
that You have prepared for us; 
Lady of the Four Winds, 
Uniter of Heaven and Earth, 
One Who Brings Us Home. Amen.

From Seasons of the Divine Feminine
by Rev. Mary Kathleen Speegle Schmitt

In faith, hope and love

Rev. Sharon 

_____________

This Sunday, November 24, 2024 we will have a Traditional Sunday Service with Holy Communion at 10 a.m. and we welcome Bishop John among us. 

Our Musician will be Rob Gloor and Choir 

A downloaded bulletin can be found here: Sunday November 24, 2024

And Amica will have several copies 

The service will be livestreamed.

The Service livestream can be found here:

St. Catherine's Website Services Page

Previous livestreamed services, and sermon notes can be found here:

St. Catherine's Website Past Services Page or

St. Catherine's YouTube Channel 

We pray for Brenda M., Liz, Ted, Spencer, Nicole, Richard,  Sandra, Janet Morris, Tony, Mel, Nancy, Monica M, Jean K, Joy, Gary, Mike K, Heather & John, Bonnie and Robert Calder, Paula, Dian, and Nancy Sc., Toni Parsons, Jeff and Ashkon.

We pray for those who have died: For Ronnie Rae and Terry, Andrew and Sharon who mourn her. 

Send non-confidential requests to Natasha: scadmin@shaw.ca

**Please note that for confidential, urgent prayer requests, Natasha will send these to our prayer circle ministry. We ask that you make this clear either by phone or email.

In our prayers this week, Christ the King Sunday before Advent The Anglican Church of South America

We pray for our Companion Diocese: The Episcopal Diocese of Northern Philippines, The Right Rev Benny Lang-akan, Bishop. We pray for our companion cluster parish of St. Catherine of Siena in Cervantes and The Rev. Gladys Pag, Bunga, Tadian.

In Canada, we pray for Archbishop Anne, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada. The members of the Lutheran-Anglican-Moravian Commission in Canada

In our Province, we pray for our Metropolitan, Archbishop Lynne McNaughton.

In our Diocese, Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver, The Very Rev Christopher Pappas, The Rev Areeta Bridgemohan, The Rev Clare Morgan, The Rev Alisdair Smith, The Rev Jeffery Preiss

Presider and Preacher: Bishop John Stephens

Bishop's Chaplain: Ethan Spence

Deacon: Rev. Elizabeth Mathers

Music: Rob Gloor and Choir 

Confirmands: Elizabeth Ross, Emily, Robbie Black, Laine Holland, Claire Louie

Reaffirmation: Vivian McGie

Children's Moment: Ethan Spence and Shaunti Bains

Readers: Sharon Fedorak and Penny Zuk 

Intercessor: Written by Bev London and read by Claire Louie and Laine Holland

Eurcharistic Administrators: Bob Paxton, Marthe Duncombe, Lynn Spence

Livestream: Cody Spence

Coffee Group: Penny Zuk, Marthe Duncombe, Lynn Spence 

Greeters: Bob Paxton and Marion Porter

Altar Guild: Susana Wensley 

We are honoured to invite you to the Saint Catherine's Day Service with a special visit from Bishop John R. Stephens! This blessed event will include 5 confirmations and 1 reaffirmation of baptism of members of the St. Catherine’s Community.

Bishop John will be blessing our new chapel table (made from pew wood) and our Wall of Remembrance.

Tea and cake will follow the service in the chapel.

“Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.” – Psalm 95:2

Let’s gather in worship, fellowship, and celebration of this 76th milestone in our church community. We look forward to seeing you there!

Wondering what is a confirmation or reaffirmation of baptism? Here is a link to a helpful diocesan document.

Saint Catherine’s Anglican Church welcomes you to the Season of Advent.

We are excited to invite you to join us for a sacred journey through the Season of Advent—a time to entrust, let go, release, and open ourselves to be filled with love, meaning, and peace on Saturday, November 30th, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to be held at Saint Stephen’s Anglican Church, 885 - 22nd Street West Vancouver, BC. During this season of waiting, we explore the spiritual practice of kenosis (self-emptying), where we prepare ourselves to be infused with divine grace.

Morning Program Details:

• 9:30 AM – Coffee and Scones in the Lounge 
  Welcome and Intentions
• 9:50 AM – Morning Prayer
• 10:10 AM – Reflective time with icons, images, breath practice, prayer beads, and journaling. In silence, we engage in the sacred process of self-emptying, creating space to trust in God's filling.
• 11:15 AM – Sharing of Experience
• 12:00 PM – Midday Prayer
• 12:15 PM – Brown Bag Lunch
                      Please bring your own lunch

Join us as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ. All are welcome to come and share in this sacred time of self-reflection, renewal, and anticipation.

Please RSVP to  at 604 985 0666 or scadmin@shaw.ca.

We look forward to walking this season of waiting and being filled with you!

November is a season of Remembrance: All Saints, All Souls, Remembrance Day, and St. Catherine’s Day. 

As we enter this season, the Remembrance wall has been prepared by Rhonda Garton. Many thanks. And thanks to all who brought in photos. Lynn Spence's memorial garden water colour looks beautiful on the wall.

The display has been assembled on a wall in the chapel and will be blessed by the Bishop on November 24th, 2024. Photos can be collected in the first week of Advent (December 1st - 7th, 2024).

References: Journey Of A Family, St. Catherine's (Capilano), North Vancouver, A Parish History by Janet Morris

Saint Catherine's Website

November 30th, Saturday, 9:30 am to 1:30 pm
Season of Advent Retreat, Self-emptying - We wait to be filled
at Saint Stephen’s Anglican Church 885 - 22nd Street West Vancouver, BC
More details HERE. Kindly email Natasha at scadmin@shaw.ca to register.

December 1st,  Sunday, 10 am 
Advent 1: Soul Food Sunday - An Advent Feast of Hope
The making and symbolism of Advent Wreaths - light in Dark Times
at Saint Catherine's Anglican Church

December 8th,  Sunday, 10 am
Advent 2: We Ring In Love with the Bells
at Saint Catherine’s Anglican Church

December 11th, Wednesday, 6pm
St. Catherine’s Preschool Christmas Service
at Saint Catherine’s Anglican Church

December 13th, Friday
7 pm Saint Catherine's @ AMICA Carolling and Christmas Service
Contact Bonnie Grundy for more information

December 15th, Sunday
10am Advent 3: Celebrating Joy with the Art of Children
at Saint Catherine’s Anglican Church

5pm to 10pm Young Adults D&D Adventure in the Holy Land
at Saint Agnes Anglican Church, 530 12th St E, North Vancouver, BC V7L 2K4
Kindly contact Ashkon at natsuvahedi1@gmail.com to register.

December 17th,  Tuesday, 7pm to 8pm
A Service of Loss and Light with Highlands United Church
at Saint Catherine’s Anglican Church

December 22nd, Sunday, 10 am
Advent 4: We Breathe In Peace
Before the hubbub of Christmas Eve, we pause to be still and to find peace
at Saint Catherine's Anglican Church

December 24th, Tuesday
3pm Christmas Eve Pantomime for Young Children
5pm Christmas Eve Family Traditional Service
Both services will be held at Saint Catherine’s Anglican Church

December 25th, Wednesday, 10am - 11am
Christmas Day Service 
at Saint Clement's Anglican Church, 3400 Institute Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7K 2K9

December 29th, Sunday, 10 am
Second Sunday in Christmas: Lessons and Carols
at Saint Catherine’s Anglican Church

January 4th, Saturday, 9:30 am to 5pm
An Epiphany Centering Prayer Retreat
at Saint Catherine’s Anglican Church

January 5th, Sunday, 10 am
Epiphany Sunday: A Contemporary Morning Prayer Service
at Saint Catherine’s Anglican Church

On Sunday, November 17, our community members gathered after the servicr to celebrate and express our gratitude for our Rev. Laurel's last day at Saint Catherine's. It was a day filled with heartfelt thanks, fond memories, and well wishes for their journey ahead. Laurel continues to be with us through to November 27th. 

Photos by Lynn Spence and Gillian Holland

This holiday season, we are collecting gift cards for the Christmas Bureau to support those in need. Preferred cards include Walmart, Thrifty’s, Safeway, Save-On Foods, or Community Centre cards, which can be exchanged for activities. Please bring your gift cards to the office no later than Sunday, December 1st.

If you’d like the value of your gift card donation included in your 2024 tax receipt, please:

1. Complete the Christmas Gift Card Form (available at the office).
2. Submit the form, gift cards, and purchase receipts to Alison Watt for recording.

After being recorded, the gift cards will be delivered to the Bureau by Penny Zuk.
Note: Only gift cards processed with the form and receipts will be registered as donations in kind.

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” – Hebrews 13:16

For more information regarding the gift card donation in your 2024 tax receipt, contact Alison at alisonjeanwatt@outlook.com 
If you want to get to more about the Christmas Bureau, contact Penny at pmzuk@telus.net.

The first day of Advent, Sunday, December 1st, we will gather around the breakfast table. Accompanied by the harp, we will sing, pray, share and create Advent Wreaths. Circles, Water, Greenery and Candles, are all meaning laden symbols of Advent. 

Together we will make 4 or 5 wreaths and these will be given to families who need the blessing of light this season.

If you have folliage in your garden, please consider bringing some for the greenery of the wreaths. 
Bonnie and Rhonda will be coordinating the breakfast offerings. Thanks in advance for all who will prepare food.

This Advent, we join the Weary World in rejoicing. 

Sarah has let the office know that Baby Boy has arrived (Name to come) 

We welcome him into the world on Wednesday November 13, 2024 at 8:27am. 

Message from Sarah and Armin 

Everyone is invited to join a special Evensong service to welcome in the Christmas season and wrap up out anniversary celebration at St. John.  Bishop John will be joining us for this special event, so please mark this in your calendars now!