Christmas Baskets

PLEASE NOTE – due to COVID we will not be accepting applications this year for Christmas Dinners.

We will be accepting donations to help with Dinnersall monies received will be passed on to the Christmas Exchange, and you will be credited for Income Tax purposes by us. The Christmas Exchange, in turn, will distribute these monies to the very few organizations which are willing and able to physically meet with applicants needing help in our area. We would appreciate receiving donations beginning the weekend of October 3/4 – we will have to send our cheque to the Exchange by November 1 as they have to coordinate just how far the money will go.

Please keep in mind there are a lot of families who no longer have jobs due to COVID and we appreciate whatever help we will receive through your donations; through the efforts of the Christmas Exchange and through other organizations handling the many, many families who will be applying.

Anyone who has ever worked with us during this Christmas Dinner season can understand IT IS NOT SAFE for this sort of interaction. Others who have been in the church hall to see how many people are involved and how difficult (sometimes impossible) it is to practice social distancing will also comprehend our reluctance to do something endangering our own health and the health of everyone in attendance.

It saddens us to make this announcement! In years past it has been the ‘beginning’ of our Christmas season and it was always a joyful time of helping those in need. But, unfortunately this is a whole new world we’re living in and ‘staying safe’ is the way we have to go. Please God, by this time next year, we’ll be able to take applications and share with those who need our help.

Votive Candles

You have probably noticed that there are no Votive Candles currently available in the church. Current health restrictions prevent people from gathering in front of the votive stands, and from sharing the wooden tapers used to light the candles. If you would like to have a candle lit in the church, please contact the parish office (653-6830 or holyredeemersj@gmail.com) and a member of our staff would be happy to light a candle on your behalf. The suggested donation for each candle is $4, and money can be placed in the collection basket.

Collection For The Needs Of The Church In Canada

Bishop Riesbeck has asked that we pass along the following message from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB):

This year, the Catholic Church in Canada, along with the rest of society, has been seriously affected by the Coronavirus pandemic: from an inability to gather in worship, through limitations on pastoral and personal interaction, to office closures. Bishops, as shepherds who watch over their flock, felt this disruption very keenly.

As we continue to address the challenges and impact of the Coronavirus upon our families, communities of faith and ecclesial outreach, your prayers, gestures of kindness and generosity are invaluable, heartfelt and true sources of consolation, comfort and renewed encouragement in the pursuit of the Church’s pastoral mission.

The Collection for the Needs of the Church in Canada will take place on September 26 & 27. This annual charitable initiative assists the Bishops in their ministry of accompanying, teaching, guiding, sanctifying and caring for the Church in Canada.