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Guardian Angels Parish

1161 Broughton Street, Vancouver BC V6G 2B3
Tel: 604-684-5775; Fax: 604-684-5757
Email: parish.ga@rcav.org; Website: guardianangelsvancouver.ca
Pastor: Rev. John Alex Pinto, OCD

September 18, 2020
Dear Parishioners,
To me “living is Christ” Phil. 1:21. St. Paul on the road to Damascus had a deep experience of the Risen Christ. From that moment his life was transformed. He himself had said, “it is no longer I, but Christ lives in me.”
“Paul, according to Acts (16, 9-40), established at Philippi the first Christian community in Europe. He came to Philippi, via its harbor town of Neapolis (modern Kavalla), on his second missionary journey, probably in A.D. 49 or 50, accompanied by silas and Timothy (Acts 15, 40; 16, 3; cf Phil1, 1) and Luke, if he is to be included in the “we” references of Acts 16, 10-17. The Acts account tells of the conversion of a business woman Lydia.
This beautiful letter is rich in insights into Paul’s theology and his apostolic love and concern for the gospel and his converts. In Philippians, Paul reveals his human sensitivity and tenderness, his enthusiasm for Christ as the key to life and death (1, 21), and his deep feeling for those in Christ for those who dwell in Philippi. With them he shares his hopes and convictions, his anxieties and fears, revealing the total confidence in Christ that constitutes faith (3, 8-10). the letter incorporates a hymn about the salvation that God has brought about through Christ (2, 6-11), applied by Paul to the relations of Christians with one another (2, 1-5). Philippians has been termed “the letter of Joy” (4, 4.10). It is the rejoicing faith, based on true understanding of Christ’s unique role in the salvation of all who profess his lordship (2, 11; 2, 8-12.14.20-21).” (Extract from The American Bible - page 300-301).
All of us in Christ, have become new creation. Let us live our new life in Christ, renewed everyday as we experience the goodness of the Lord.
Thank you for your generosity towards Project Advance by your contribution. Some people have requested me to have First Friday Mass. If you are interested to attend, please let us know. If there are enough people, we will have Benediction at 6 pm followed by Mass.
Regarding the beginning of PREP, we hope to start it at the 2nd week of October. Details will be furnished at the first week of October.
Prayers and blessings,
Fr. John Alex Pinto OCD
Pastor

Source: https://ocarm.org/en/content/lectio/lectio-divina-matthew-201-16

Gospel Reading - Matthew 20:1-16
Jesus told his disciples this parable: "The Kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. Going out about nine o'clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and he said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard, and I will give you what is just.' So they went off. And he went out again around noon, and around three o'clock, and did likewise. Going out about five o'clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, 'Why do you stand here idle all day?' They answered, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard.' When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Summon the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and ending with the first.' When those who had started about five o'clock came, each received the usual daily wage. So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more, but each of them also got the usual wage. And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying, 'These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day's burden and the heat.' He said to one of them in reply, 'My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?' Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last."
Reflection
• Today’s Gospel presents a parable which is found only in Matthew’s Gospel. It is not in the other Gospels. Like in all parables, Jesus tells a story about daily elements, daily things of the life of the people. He presents a picture of the social situation of His time, in which the listeners recognize themselves. At the same time, in the story of this parable, there are things which never take place in the reality of the life of the people, because speaking about the master, Jesus thinks about God, about His Father. This is why in the story of the parable the master does things which are surprising which never take place in the daily life of the listeners. In this strange approach of the master, it is necessary to find the key to understanding the message of the parable.
• Matthew 20:1-7: The five times that the landowner goes out to look for laborers. “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a landowner going out at daybreak to hire workers for his vineyard. He made an agreement with the workers for one denarius a day and sent them to his vineyard”. This is how the story begins and it speaks for itself and does not need too many comments. In what follows, the landowner goes out four times to call other workers to go and work in his vineyard. Jesus refers to the terrible lack of work at that time. Now some details of the story: (a) the landowner himself goes out personally five times to contract workers. (b) When he contracts the workers, he fixes the salary only for the first group: one denarius a day. To those of nine o’clock in the morning he says: I will give you what is just, fair. With the others, he does not fix anything. He contracted them only to work in the vineyard. (c) At the end of the day, when it was the time to pay the workers,

the landowners orders the administrator to carry out this service.
• Matthew 20:8-10: The strange way of fixing the accounts at the end of the day. When it was evening, the landowner of the vineyard told his administrator: Call the workers and pay them, beginning from the last ones to the first ones. Here, at the time of drawing the accounts, something strange takes place which does not happen in normal life. It seems that things are inverted. The administrator begins to pay those who were contracted just an hour before. The salary is the same for all: one denarius, as it was agreed with the first ones who were contracted at the beginning of the day. When the first came, they expected to get more but they too received one denarius each. Why does the landowner act like that? Would you do the same? It is precisely in this surprising gesture of the landowner that the key to understanding this parable is hidden.
• Matthew 20:11-12: The normal reaction of the workers before the strange ways of the landowner. The last ones also receive their salary as those who were contracted first. The story says that these began to grumble against the landowner and said, “The men who came last have done only one hour and you have treated them the same as us, though we have done a heavy day’s work in all the heat”. This is the normal reaction of a good sense. I think that all of us would have had the same reaction and would have said the same thing to the landowner. Would we not?
• Matthew 20:13-16: The surprising explanation of the landowner which gives the key to the parable. The response of the landowner is the following: “My friend, I am not being unjust to you. Did we not agree on one denarius? Take your earnings and go. I choose to pay the last comer as much as I pay you; have I no right to do what I like with my own? Why should you be envious because I am generous?” These words give the key which explains the attitude of the landowner and indicates the message which Jesus wants to communicate to us: (a) The landowner was not unjust, because he acts according to what he had agreed with the first group of workers: one denarius a day. (b) It is the sovereign decision of the landowner to give to the last ones the same amount that he had agreed upon with those of the first hour. These do not have the right to complain and claim anything. (c) Acting with justice, the landowner has the right to do the good that he wants with the things that belong to him. The worker, on his part, has this same right. (d) The last question touches on the central point: Why should you be envious because I am generous? God is different and His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isa 55:8-9). • The background of the parable is the circumstance of the time, for Jesus as well as for Matthew. The workers of the first hour are the Jewish people, called by God to work in his vineyard. They bear the weight of the day, from Abraham to Moses, for over one thousand years. Now at the eleventh hour, Jesus calls the gentiles to work in his vineyard and they succeed in having the preference in the heart of God. “Thus the first ones will be last and the last will be first”.

Stewardship Reflection - September 20, 2020
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sep 21: Feast: Saint Matthew
Sep 23: Memorial: Saint Pious of Pietrelcina
Sep 26: Feast: Saints John De Brébeuf, Isaac Jogues and Companions - Secondary Patron of Canada
Sep 27: World Tourism Day
Sep 27: World Day of Migrants and Refugees
Sep 27: Needs of the Church in Canada -
Every year, the bishops of Canada appeal for financial assistance. This collection helps each diocese make its annual contribution to the national Episcopal Conference and to the respective regional episcopal assembly. Any additional funds from the collection are at the disposal of the diocese for its own pastoral needs. (Ordo 2019-2020)

PARISH ANNOUNCEMENTS

“So the last will be first and the first last.”
(Matthew 20:16)

You’ve heard the saying “It’s not where you start, but how you finish.” This certainly applies to this Bible passage. We have a responsibility not only for our own lives, but for the lives of others as well. We are called to generously share our gifts with others, not hoard them for our own use. Our sincere gratitude and cheerful generosity will help us live “God-centered” lives and not “self-centered” lives.

Copyright © 2020 Archdiocese of St. Louis

Mass Intentions
Day				Intention
Saturday	Sep	19	4pm	+Joseph Lorello+
			6pm	For the Parishioners
Sunday	Sep	20	9am	+Roger, Joyce & Fred Ingolby+
			11am	+Levi R. Botor+
			12:30pm	Thanksgiving by Gamboa Family
Monday	Sep	21	8am	+Betty Bolaños+
Tuesday	Sep	22	8am	Sp. Int. of Leonida de Leon
Wednesday	Sep	23	8am	Sp. Int. of Jennet B. Burlaza
Thursday	Sep	24	8am	+Milagros Jarcia Daluro+
Friday	Sep	25	8am	Sp. Int. of John & Ma. Carmen Isherwood

Parish Religious Education Program
For inquiries about PREP classes for the year 2020/2021, please email parish.ga@rcav.org or call 604-684-5775; or send your email direct to the PREP Coordinator at carmelacorpuz@hotmail.com

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults
Sessions are for persons inquiring about the Christian faith or wanting to deepen their understanding of the Catholic Faith. Sessions are held Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m., beginning September 8.

As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.
1 Peter 4:10
Peter 4:10
1 Peter 4:10

BAPTISM PREP CLASS
For those preparing their child to get baptize in the Catholic church, we are conducting Baptism Prep Class upon request. Please call or email the parish office for details.

First Friday Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and Holy Mass
Fr. John is planning to reinstate the First Friday Devotion . This will be done if we get 15 or more attendees. The devotion will consist of Benediction at 6 pm followed by Eucharistic Celebration. There will be no Adoration of the blessed Sacrament.
Those who would like to attend this devotion, please send your registration to parish.ga@rcav.org or call the parish office.

PROJECT ADVANCE 2020

For UPDATE (as of September 17, 2020) on the:
Liturgical Guidelines for Masses Celebrated
during the Reopening of Masses with a Congregation
Please go to https://rcav.org/coronavirus/liturgical-guidelines
Preamble
These Liturgical Guidelines are intended to assist priests and faithful in their reverent and joyful celebration of Holy Mass, while maintaining the health and safety precautions counseled by the provincial health authority. Neither the priest nor his parishioners are immune from the COVID-19 virus while celebrating the Eucharist. It is by carefully observing the directives and precautions outlined in this document that the reopening of public Masses can prudently take place, so that we can return safely to the celebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice.

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⚠ Email Fraud Warning
The Archdiocese has received multiple reports from parishioners and priests who have fallen victim to a recent Internet email phishing scam. Imposters, posing as priests and using email addresses that are similar to those of our priests, have been emailing people asking for personal donations, gift cards, and other forms of financial assistance.
World Day of Migrants and Refugees Mass
On Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, at 3:30 pm, the 106th World Day of Migrants and Refugees Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB. The Mass will be live-streamed at holyrosarycathedral.org/live-stream for all who would like to join in prayerful celebration and solidarity with our migrant and refugee brothers and sisters.
Dialogue on Aging’s Fall Virtual Public Presentation Series
Join us on Wednesday, Sept. 23rd at 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm for Dialogue on Aging's first Fall Virtual Public Presentation Session! This session will include mini-presentations from our exhibitors (to be announced), our feature presentation - “Maximizing Your Brain’s Health in Uncertain Times” by Dr. Alex Henri-Bhargava, and opportunities for dialogue and Q&A with faculty. Dialogue on Aging is supported by the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund and the Vancouver Foundation. For more information/resources, please visit publicpresentations.providencehealthcare.org
Ecumenical Faith Break 2 - Together in Thanksgiving
Join us for a morning of community, conversation, and reflection on the Eucharist. Saturday, October 17 from 10:00 am until 11:00 am on Zoom. Hosted by the Archdiocese of Vancouver and the BC Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. Online registration coming soon to beholdvancouver.org/events
Virtual Worldwide Marriage Encounter
The Worldwide Marriage Encounter virtual weekend experience is coming to you this October. If you desire to restore communication & rekindle romance, this weekend is for you; no travel required and from the comfort of your own home! This weekend is presented by a team of 3 couples and a priest who will help you to: learn tools to make your relationship a priority, communicate from the heart and grow in intimacy and renew your commitment to each other and value the precious gift of your marriage.
Join us on Friday, Oct. 16 until Sunday, Oct. 18 online. It sounds intense but it is a weekend guaranteed to transform your marriage (or you can get your old relationship back!). Rest assured, you won’t be staring at your screen the entire time either. The weekend flows nicely between screen presentations and couple work (time off-screen.) Register before Friday, Oct. 9 at beholdvancouver.org/events

In Matthew 20:1–16, Jesus says that any "laborer" who accepts the invitation to the work in the vineyard (said by Jesus to represent the Kingdom of Heaven), no matter how late in the day, will receive an equal reward with those who have been faithful the longest. (Wikipedia.org)

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KIDS & SENIORS CORNER
(Contributed by Nyles Fernandes)

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OFFICE HOURS: Monday to Friday 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM CLOSED on Weekends and Statutory Holidays

Thank you for your GENEROSITY!
Please donate ONLINE.
https://guardianangelsvancouver.ca

International Catholic Stewardship Council December ebulletin

The Knights of Columbus (KoC) is a Catholic service organization that has had an active affiliation to our Guardian Angels Parish and they do a lot more than pancake breakfasts. KoC Council 14723 are currently welcoming new members who are practicing Catholics and interested in making our community stronger.
For information regarding the Knights call John Jane at 604-558-2749, Barry Wingo at 604-767-6496 or visit kofc.org. If you just happen to have shoe-boxes full of old postage stamps, consider donating to our Parish council of KoC. The stamps would be put up for auction and all proceeds will go to the KoC Vocation Fund. There is a stamp box in the vestibule at the back of the church or pass them along to Guardian Angels Sacristy steward Terry O’Neil.

(Picture’s credit to Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver office)

Twenty-Fifh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Weekend of September 19/20, 2020
From an early age, we tend to distort the concept of “fairness”: “I am good. I deserve good things. I am not receiving good things. Something must be wrong. Who’s going to fix it?” We also know the age-old expression: “Who ever said life was fair?” Jesus knew this expression when he offered his parable in today’s Gospel reading. Christian stewards acknowledge, with humility, that they receive good things from the Lord in abundance; even if these gifts are not the ones they think they need when they need them. Consider which servants you identify with most in the Gospel reading, the ones who demand “fairness”, or that final servant who, seemingly, deserves the least.

International Catholic Stewardship Council - September 2020 • e-Bulletin

Please pray for our Parishioners who passed away in the last two months, namely:
✢Adam Ciszewski✢
✢Duncan Joseph Phyper✢
✢Rodolfo Tayag✢
✢Mario Labuda✢

Eternal rest grant unto them,
O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. And, may the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God,
Rest in peace.

PROJECT ADVANCE 2020
In light of the CoVid pandemic, the goals of this year's Project Advance have been altered to reach out to those most in need of our help. A number of parishioners have already made their annual donations, either online or by mail. The Archbishop has been heartened by the generous response of parishes throughout the Archdiocese, including our own parish of Guardian Angels which has already raised $15,250 toward the appeal. Thank you to those parishioners who have already given, and reassurances to those who are not able to donate until later in the year. All of us have been affected by CoVid-19, but we are united in our concern for one another and in our continued gratefulness for blessings received.

Your neighbor as yourself!

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