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THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT​
December 13 and 14, 2025
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Saturday - Haliburton 4:30 pm Mary Conway – Aoife Conway and Dan Read
Sunday - Bancroft 10:00 am Missa Pro Populo – Mass for the People
Please pray for the repose of the souls of Luella Madill and Norm Conlin.
Requiescat in Pace
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PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ROSARY IS PRAYED BEFORE MASS AT 8:30 AM
Tuesday - Bancroft 9:00 am Jeanette Wagenaar – St. Anthony of Padua
Wednesday - Haliburton 8:30 am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
9:00 am Rosary
9:30 am Mary and Gordon Pearsell – Deeno and Charlene Pearsell
Thursday - Bancroft 8:30 am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
9:00 am Rosary
9:30 am Louis Resendes, Gilhermina Brazio, Aires Brazio, Joe Brazio, Marcelle Resendes – Maria Resendes
Friday – Bancroft 9:00 am Special Intentions of Sean and Lorraine Callaghan – Charlie Callaghan
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~ FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT ~
December 20 and 21, 2025
Saturday - Haliburton 4:30 pm Missa Pro Populo – Mass for the People
Sunday - Bancroft 10:00 am Special Intentions of Lydia Sheffield – John and Maria Dawson
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THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT: GAUDETE SUNDAY: The third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin word meaning “rejoice.” This Sunday is so named because “Rejoice” is the first word in the entrance antiphon for today's Mass taken from Philippians 4:4,5: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near.” Some people mark this Sunday on their Advent wreath with a pink candle instead of a purple candle. This Sunday is a joyful reminder that our salvation is near.
This week's Gospel Reading continues our Advent reflection on the person and message of John the Baptist. Last week we heard John speak about his relationship to the coming Messiah, Jesus. This week, we hear Jesus' message to John the Baptist, now in prison, about the signs of the kingdom found in Jesus' ministry and Jesus' assessment of John's role in the Kingdom of God.
The Gospel of Matthew tells the story of John's arrest in chapter 14:3-12. In today's Gospel, John sends word to Jesus from prison, asking if Jesus is the Messiah for whom he has been waiting. Jesus responds by pointing to the miracles that he has worked and invites John and the other hearers to make their own determination. In his next breath, however, Jesus praises John for his role in preparing the way for Jesus. Then Jesus says that all of those who work for the Kingdom of God will be as great as John and even greater.
Jesus' message to John about the signs of the kingdom being performed recalls the salvation described by the prophet Isaiah. This passage is a reminder that the beginning of salvation is already mysteriously present to us, but also yet to be fulfilled. Salvation is already in our midst as manifest in the miraculous deeds of Jesus and in the Church. But salvation is also to be fulfilled in the coming reign of God. Even as we observe our world today, we can find glimpses of God's work among us. Even more, we help to prepare the way for God's kingdom by our words and our deeds. This message is indeed a cause for rejoicing.
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS
CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES
CHRISTMAS EVE: Our Lady of Mercy – 5:00 pm
St. Anthony of Padua - 8:00 pm
CHRISTMAS DAY: St. Anthony of Padua - 9:00 am
Our Lady of Mercy - 11:15 am
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OUR LADY OF LOURDES
In Cardiff
5TH ANNUAL ECUMENICAL CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE
Sunday, December 21st
at 3:00 pm
EVERYONE IS INVITED TO ATTEND!
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OUR LADY OF MERCY CHURCH
196 Bridge St. PO Box 879
Bancroft, ON K0L 1C0
ST ANTHONY OF PADUA MISSION
27 Victoria St. PO Box 1200
Haliburton, ON K0M 1S0
ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA
SANCTUARY LAMP:
For the week commencing
Sunday, Dec. 14th - Dec. 20th:
Special Intentions of
Judy and Family
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OUR LADY OF MERCY
SANCTUARY LAMP:
For the week commencing
Sunday, Dec. 14th - Dec. 20th:
Special Intentions of
Sean and Lorraine Callaghan.
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PRAYER CORNER
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Maximillian Sullivan, the Sullivan Family, Evan and Gary Wheeler, Judy,
Katherine Flowers, Matt and Kate Flowers,
Alverna Ross, Paul Lee, Lori Best,
Samantha Spencer, Bill O’Shaughnessy,
Anne Carr, Silas Agina, Bruce Lance,
Rita Stock, Anita Neuman,
Helen Curran, niece of Pauline Burcher,
Julian Joseph Forget, Kathy Willerding,
Thomas Smallwood, Mary Hall,
Gladys Roberts, A.S. Crean,
Shirley Grimshaw, Gerald Diamond,
Brian Dunn, Barb Perog, Sandra Wheeler,
Rita Callaghan, Stacie Burnett,
Gina Mazara, Anthony, Reuben Maughan,
Dennis Purcell, Joan Colligan,
Joyce Allen, Eddie & Daphne Faria,
Clare Kavanagh, Marie Giamblanco,
Mike Flanagan, Annette Giamblanco,
Carolyne Morais, Frank Young, Roger Musclow,
Joanna Kastner, Tom Holly
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ST. ANTHONY’S CWL
SOCKS IN THE BOX CAMPAIGN
To assist those in need in our community, our CWL is looking for donations of socks. If you are able, please place the socks in the blue bin near the entrance of the church. We will deliver all the socks to various charitable agencies in town for distribution. So far we have received at total of 156 pairs of socks to be distributed throughout the community! Thank you so much for all your wonderful generosity! GOD’S LOVE IN ACTION!!
FOOD BANK DONATIONS
There will be a box in the hall near the entrance of the church for donations of non-perishable food items. Members of our CWL will deliver all the items collected to the Haliburton Food Bank just before Christmas.
THANK YOU!
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OUR LADY OF MERCY
CHRISTMAS CONFESSIONS
The Sacrament of Reconciliation
will be offered on Sunday, December 21st
before and after the 10:00 am Mass.
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