Prepare the Manger
Our Advent prayer initiative
It can be easy to get caught up in the busyness of the Christmas season...so easy that we often overlook Advent. This Advent, let us spend time in prayerful anticipation of the baby Jesus.
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Pick up an Advent prayer card from the Welcome Centre to remind you what you want to ask Jesus for this Advent and who else you want to experience the joy of this season. Then, make an effort to stop by the church on your way to Park Royal, at school pickup, or for a special visit leading up to Christmas. When you do, place a piece of hay (provided in the church) in the manger in front of the altar as a sign of your prayer. Let's watch the manger fill with our prayers in preparation for baby Jesus!
Water in the Desert
An evening of adoration, testimony, and music
Saturday, December 16 at 7:00 pm
Come experience rest and restoration at Water in the Desert, our monthly adoration event. Adoration, music, and testimony happens from 7:00 - 8:00 pm and is followed by a social in Lost & Found Coffeehouse. This month, in addition to prayer ministry, we'll also have an opportunity for confession. All are welcome!
Confession Times
Come experience Jesus' mercy
Prepare your heart for Christmas by encountering Jesus in the sacrament of reconciliation. Our biggest opportunity for confession during Advent is at our penitential service on Tuesday, December 19 at 7:00 pm.
We are also offering confession on Wednesday mornings during Advent (December 6, 13, and 20) before Mass from 8:20 to 8:50 am.​
Other opportunities for confession this Advent:​
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Friday, December 15 at 7:00 pm | St. Edmund's Parish
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Saturday, December 16 from 7:00 to 8:00 pm at Water in the Desert
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Wednesday, December 20 at 10:30 am | St. Stephen's Parish
You can use our Guide to the Sacrament of Confession to help you prepare.
Service Opportunities
Check back for more service opportunities being added through Advent.
Men's Shelter Meal
Thursday, December 14 from 1:15 - 2:15 pm
Support the Archdiocesan Men's Shelter by making individually-wrapped baked goods and sandwiches and bringing them to CTR on Thursday, December 29. Your generous donations help feed hundreds of men who find a warm place to sleep at the Men's Shelter.
Support Harvest Project
We're supporting The Harvest Project this Advent to help those in need. Please bring donations of any of the following items and place them in the boxes in the foyer of the church:
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Canned Fruit and Fruit Cups
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Peanut Butter & Spreads
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Cookies, Crackers, Granola Bars
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Coffee (1lb pack ground)
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Flour, Sugar, Salt, Pepper (All 1-2lb packs maximum)
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Oil, Vinegar (500ml)
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Breakfast Cereals
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Soup Broth / Bouillon
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Rice (1lb bags)
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Toothbrushes (individually packed)
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Toothpaste (regular size)
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Soap, Shampoo, Conditioner
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Disposable Razors
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Dish Soap
Family Resources
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Drawing Closer to God – in these six episodes, art teacher Ms. Kim teaches kids how to draw scenes from the Nativity story. As children follow along, they learn to see the connections between the big picture of God's story and their place within it. View it by signing up for a free account on Formed.org.
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Kids Bulletin – a fun weekly printout for kids to learn about the Gospel message each week. Grab one at the Welcome Centre each week, or print one off at thekidsbulletin.com.
Mass Times: Dec. 24 to Jan. 1
Because Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday this year, it can be difficult to determine how to fulfill the Sunday obligation and Christmas obligation! There are four holy days of obligation between December 24 and January 1. To make it easier for you, pick one Mass from each box, and you'll have fulfilled all Holy Days of Obligation!
4th Sunday of Advent
December 24: 9:00 am
December 24: 11:00 am
NOTE: an evening Mass on Saturday, December 23 also fulfills the Sunday obligation for the 4th Sunday of Advent. CTR does not have a Saturday evening Mass.
Holy Family Sunday
December 31: 9:00 am
December 31: 11:00 am
NOTE: an evening Mass on Saturday, December 30 also fulfills the Sunday obligation for New Year's Day. CTR does not have a Saturday evening Mass.
Christmas Masses
December 24: 5:00 pm
December 24: 9:30 pm
(carols at 9:00pm)
December 25: 9:00 am
December 25: 11:00 am
No 5:00 pm Mass on Dec. 25
Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God
December 31: 5:00 pm
January 1: 10:00 am*
January 1: 5:00 pm
*NOTE: There is only one morning Mass on Monday, January 1.
New Year's Day
A note about confessions: there will be no confession on December 25 or December 31.