Dear Friends, It is with awe and wonder, I look back in review and look forward in hope. I have experienced your tremendous appreciation, generosity and wholehearted support to all aspects of our parish life, namely, spiritual, financial, parish administration and above all your assistance in various ministries in the parish. Without your support and co-operation, this parish would not flourish as it does. I want to thank each and every one of you for your hard-work, skills, talents and time you invest in our parish. In a special way, I acknowledge the commitment and support given to me and to the parish by the very efficient and selfless staff, volunteers and all who have contributed in making the atmosphere for our Advent and Christmas celebrations very beautiful and meaningful. Thank you to all who participated in our ‘Advent Giving Tree this year for Joyfull Socks’. Your donations of toiletries & personal care items, etc. have brought Christmas Cheer to many. Your generosity is very much appreciated! Many thanks also to those who helped organize the Christmas Cheer Depot, and the Christmas Around the World Concert. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who came out to decorate the church. It looks amazing! I also am very grateful to all our choir members, extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist, greeters, ushers, lectors, altar servers, and sacristans who assisted in the various celebrations and I look forward to your continuous support and assistance. May the blessing and joy of God’s greatest gift be yours this Christmas and throughout the New Year! Father Alex

The Donation Envelopes for 2020 will be available to pick up. Envelopes have been labelled with your name, address and phone number. If this information is not correct, please contact the office to fix it as it will be used for your income tax receipt as well. This is also a good time to use the Pre-Authorized Donation (PAD) system. If you do not have a box of envelopes and would like one, then please contact the office to receive your envelopes. Do not use 2020 envelopes before the New Year. Thank-you for your support and generous donations!

2020 CWL memberships are being accepted now. Envelopes available on back pew shelves. New members welcome!

There will be 2 Evergreen Trees situated in the sanctuary after Christmas bearing a special significance. The tree decorated with white doves will hold the names of the children Baptized in this Parish during 2019. The tree displayed with angels will hold the names of loved ones whose funerals were celebrated in our parish during 2019.

Please send an email to gmajella@shaw.ca So we can have your email address on file. If you would like to receive the bulletin through email, please include that in your email.

We have raised the necessary $60,000 to pay for the new roof. Thank you very much for your support!!

St. Gerard Majella has purchased a GIFT for YOU!! Enjoy a free subscription to formed.org - an incredible online gateway to the best Catholic content, all in one place! With FORMED, you can: • Prepare for Sunday Mass by watching an insightful five-minute video by renowned Catholic teachers • Enjoy a movie with your family that is both nourishing and entertaining • Enrich your marriage with the award winning video series Beloved: Finding Happiness in Marriage Help your children grow in character and embrace the beauty and wonder of the Faith FORMED provides amazing content 24/7 for you to grow in your faith. It’s FREE and EASY to Register! Here is what you need to do….. CLICK HERE

Offering a votive candle in memoriam, as a sign of gratitude, or as a request for saintly intercession has been an integral part of religious rituals within almost every faith of the world. The burning light of the vigil candle stand is a symbol of hope, faith, gratitude, and a tangible reminder of the connection with our departed family members and friends. Lighting a candle in memory of a loved one is a great gesture of our love for them. In the month of November, we pray especially for the holy souls who have died and gone before us. We encourage everyone to consider purchasing a memorial candle in honor of your loved ones. Each candle costs $150.00. Your memorial candle will be lit for 6 months. There is also an option of memorial labels where the names of your loved ones can be printed. If you are interested in purchasing a memorial candle in honor of your loved one, please call the parish office as soon as possible.

We invite all parishioners to consider “St. Gerard Majella Church” when choosing a charitable institution for Memorial Donations in the death announcement in the local media to honor a loved one who has passed. This form of financial support and heartfelt gesture would truly bless and enrich the life of St. Gerard Majella Church. Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated!

Registration is for children 4 years(for JK) and 5 years (SK) before December 31, 2019. Both Kindergarten classes are full day programs. There is also on-site before and after school daycare. Call the School at (705)945-5533. Call us … we would be pleased to give you a tour of our school.

It is so heart-warming and a special joy to see young families taking part in the Holy Mass and engaged in the life of the parish. We welcome crying babies! It is a sign that the church is young and alive. We have a committed, caring and energetic team organizing the Children’s Liturgy Program every Sunday. We encourage parents to bring your children to participate in the Liturgy of the Word with children during our Sunday 11:00 a.m. Mass.

Are you visiting or interested in joining St. Gerard? Welcome!!! If this is your spiritual home we invite you to register with the parish. If you live outside the parish boundaries the only way we are able to assist you is if you are registered with St. Gerard and this is the parish you attend on Sundays. If you are new to the parish please introduce yourself to our pastor.

See what's happening for young people in Sault Ste. Marie! The following programs are open to all young people in the city: Students in Grade 6, 7, and 8: All students in this age range regardless of school or parish are invited to take part in EDGE - a Catholic Youth Night, every Thursday Night at 7:00pm at St. Jerome's Church (26 Carmel Road). Every evening is full of games, Catholic teachings, socials and food! Young Adults age 18-25: All Young Adults aged 18-25 are invited to take part in Elevate - our Catholic Young Adults Group - that meets every Friday night at 7:00 pm at St. Jerome's Church (26 Carmel Road). Come meet young adults your age who discuss a variety of topics, build friendships, pray and socialize together. For more information on any of these groups, please visit www.stjeromeparishssm.com

We invite you all to join us for an hour of celebration. It will be held on Tuesday, January 7th, 2020. The Eucharistic Adoration will begin at 7:00 pm and concluding with the celebration of Mass and Anointing.