*If you know of any upcoming events you'd like to see on our website, please contact Marc & Carmelle Robichaud via email at marccarm@nb.sympatico.ca.
Scroll down to see current events and community information:
Scroll down to see current events and community information:
DECEMBER 2/3, 2023 WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS:
OFFICE HOURS – The office will be closed from Thursday, December 14th to Friday, December 29th.
2023- 2024 SUNDAY MISSALS (blue) – The new Missals have arrived! They are available at St. Anthony’s, St. Alphonsus and St. Bridget’s. Cost: $5.00.
PARISH ENVELOPES – For those parishioners that use parish envelopes, for the next little while, please write your name and correct mailing address on the envelope. We are not far from the end of our fiscal year. Having the correct mailing information etc. will make it so much easier to prepare income tax receipts.
Also, the 2024 envelopes have arrived and are available for pick up in the lobby of St. Alphonsus Church. Father will deliver the envelopes for St. Anthony’s. Please do not use them until the New Year. Everyone has a new number. This change is cost-saving for the parish. Thank you for your understanding.
COMMUNITY ADVENT CAROL SERVICE – Sunday, December 3rd at 7:00 p.m. at Hampton United Church. This fundraiser is in support of the Hampton Food Basket. Donations of non-perishable food items and cash will be happily received. Tax receipts are available for cash donations, if contact information is provided. See poster at St. Alphonsus.
WINTER WONDERLAND FOOD DRIVE – TOWN SQUARE, HAMPTON – Saturday, December 1 (inclement weather, the event will be Dec. 3rd), Hampton’s Winter Wonderland food drive is in support of the Hampton Food Basket. There will be horse and wagon rides at Spooner Island; a gingerbread auction and live music in the Visitor Information Centre. Help support our Food Basket.
HAMPTON FOOD BASKET CHRISTMAS APPEAL - Want to help? The HFB is looking for cash, gift cards, and cans! Your monetary donation is most welcome. They have buying power, and use the money for their monthly grocery bills. They have no paid staff; it is run by volunteers. A tax receipt will be issued in January.
PC gift cards are used to help pay for the turkeys; canned meat and fish, canned vegetables, beans, soup are some of the staples they stock their pantry with. Anything you can give will make a difference and is appreciated.
Drop off days as follows:
Sat., Dec 2nd at “Winter Wonderland”, Town Square, Hampton from 5:30 until 8 pm;
Sat., Dec 9th from 10:00 a.m. until noon, St. Alphonsus back parking lot; and
Thurs., Dec. 14th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., St. Alphonsus back parking lot.
All donations requested by December 15th, please. See poster in foyer of St. Alphonsus.
ROTARY ANNUAL BARREL OF SOCKS CAMPAIGN - The campaign has started! The goal is to fill a barrel with NEW socks, mitts, scarfs, toques etc. for the homeless and less fortunate before December 22. You can donate at St. Alphonsus Church (lobby), the Hampton Pharmasave, and the Seniors Resource Centre.
Your donations will go to the Hampton Food Basket (first “dibs”) and then to the Hampton schools for children in need. The remaining items are delivered to: Outflow (men’s shelter);
Coverdale Centre for Women; Romero House; Hestia House; and Joshua Group (for youth).
For more information contact Duncan at (506) 647-7510 (until Dec. 14th) or Lisa at (506) 832-4840 (after Dec. 14th).
WANTED – Catholic family to host international student (Hampton): We received this request from Chris Rendell, Coordinator of International Students for Hampton High School. They are looking for a Catholic family to host a female student from Brazil arriving at the end of January, 2024 staying until June. This young student is active in her Catholic church at home and is asking for a family that is also active in the church. Would you be interested in hosting?
The ideal family would have a student or students at home, but that is not a requirement. The core issue is that they are NOT looking for room and board; they are looking for an environment where the international student becomes part of the family.
If you are interested, please contact the office and I will forward your information to Chris.
JOHN PETERS HUMPHREY FOUNDATION - 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS – Everyone is invited to attend two, free-admission, events in celebration of this 75th anniversary:
December 8th @ 7:00 p.m. – Hampton High Theatre, 34 Elizabeth Ave:
Tareq Hadhad, the main subject of the Peace by Chocolate story, will give a public presentation about the challenges his family had to overcome as refugees in putting down roots in a foreign land. What one must leave behind and what one must move forward with. Tareq has become a much sought after speaker and the Foundation is fortunate to have been able to engage him.
Although there is no fee to attend either event, the Foundation asks that you reserve your theatre seat for Dec. 8th via Eventbrite, online. If you wish a “hard copy ticket”, there are a number of them available at the Kings County Museum.
KNOWLEDGE CAFE – Hampton Resource Centre (Fridays starting at 11:00 a.m.):
Everyone is welcome. Refreshments are provided. If schools are cancelled due to the weather, the Knowledge Café is also cancelled.
December 8th – Advance Care Planning for your future health care needs based on your personal values is important. You have the power to choose the type of care you want and who will speak on your behalf if you are unable to express your wishes. Presenter: Jan Grant – Horizon Health.
EVENING PRAYER – CARMEL CHAPEL (note new date and time): Sunday, December 5th at 6:00 p.m., 103 Burpee Avenue, behind Chateau Saint John. Parking: Both sides of Burpee Ave. and Park St. area behind Rocmaura. “Enter in silence together”.
THE LITTLE WAY OF MISSIONARY DISCIPLESHIP - an initiative of the diocese: The Little Way of Missionary Discipleship Series will proved an opportunity to encounter Doctor of the Church through a directed study of the spirituality and missionary genius of St. Therese, a model for discipleship in a missionary Church. All participants are asked to bring this study edition of Story of a Soul (with commentary): Story of a soul study edition, St. Therese of Lisieux, translated by John Clarke, prepared by Mark Foley, OCD, ICS Publications. ISBN: 978-0935216387 (available on Amazon.ca). Where: In person, Villa Madonna Retreat House.
When: Mondays 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Dec. 4th & 18th, Jan. 15th & 29th and Feb. 12th & 26th.
For more information or to register, contact Jim Anderson at (506) 653-6809 or janderson@dioceseofsaintjohn.org. See poster on bulletin board.
VILLA MADONNA RETREAT HOUSE FISH CHOWDER/CHILI LUNCH OR SUPPER – Tuesday, December 12, sittings 11:30, 12:45, 4:00 and 5:30. Cost: $15.00 per person. Includes fish chowder or chili, delicious homemade biscuits, dessert and beverage. Please call the Villa at (506) 849-5125 to reserve. See poster at St. Alphonsus.
ANNUAL CATECHIST RETREAT – VILLA MADONNA: The 2024 Catechist Retreat is open for registrations. In the past, some have attempted to register late and have been disappointed. This retreat is offered as an opportunity to parish coordinators and catechists as a time for personal and spirituality renewal. Retreat will run from Friday, January 26th to Sunday, January 28th, 2024. Weekend registration fee: $260.00; Commuter fee: $120.00. Facilitator: Jim Anderson. To register: https://forms.office.com/r/qMfUY9BzAq. See poster on bulletin board for more information.
REJOICE IN HOPE – A Young Adult initiative in the diocese: In today’s difficult times, the Church wishes to rekindle hope in the world. To do this, she relies especially on young people (18 to 35 years) who “… are the leading figures of history and missionaries of joy”. Pope Francis invites young people to deepen their understanding of Christian hope and to witness joyfully that Christ is alive!
In person meetings are at the Cathedral Rectory, Mondays 6:30 – 9:00 p.m., Dec. 11th, Jan. 8th & 22nd and Feb. 5th & 19th. Gatherings will begin with a simple meal, in fellowship.
MEET other young Catholic adults; SHARE your experiences; LISTEN to a word of faith; RENEW your commitment to Jesus and BECOME the difference the world needs! To register or for more information, contact Jim Anderson at janderson@dioceseofsaintjohn.org. See poster on bulletin board.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
**HEATING – Our four new heat pumps are operational. Until we are accustomed to how they work, given our unusual requirements, please do not use the wall mounted thermostats that operate our oil fed furnace. The oil fed furnace is now our “back up” system, if needed. If we were to loose power for an extended period of time, the oil furnace can be operated with the help of a generator. For your information, the lowest temperature possible with our units is 16 degrees. We will be experimenting to find out what temperature is a happy medium for all. Please bear with us.
*DIAL-A-RIDE, FUNDY REGION - The purpose of this program is to help residents with barriers to transportation get to their needed services, such as medical appointments and food banks or grocery shopping. Since the program is volunteer-driven they rely on volunteers to make this possible. Currently, they have a number of clients who need help with affordable transportation in the KV - Hampton areas. This seems to be one of the hardest areas to find volunteers. COVID protocols (masks) are enforced for both the client and driver – no exceptions.
Clients that use this service pay a minimal fee ($0.41/km) and drivers are reimbursed for their km's at $0.45/km. For shorter distances, a flat fee of $5.00, one way or $10.00 round trip, may be charged. This is a relatively new service. They are finding it difficult to recruit suitable volunteers and are often not able to fulfill all of their ride requests. This past month alone, over 100 ride requests were denied due to no volunteer being available. If you can volunteer to be a driver, contact Annie Dunn, Regional Transportation Director, Fundy Region Community Network Inc. at (506) 609-7433. Additional information about this group can be found on their website: www.nbcommunitytransit.com. If you know of someone who may need to use this service, call Charlotte (dispatch) at (506) 349-8551 to book a ride.
DECEMBER 2/3, 2023 WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS:
OFFICE HOURS – The office will be closed from Thursday, December 14th to Friday, December 29th.
2023- 2024 SUNDAY MISSALS (blue) – The new Missals have arrived! They are available at St. Anthony’s, St. Alphonsus and St. Bridget’s. Cost: $5.00.
PARISH ENVELOPES – For those parishioners that use parish envelopes, for the next little while, please write your name and correct mailing address on the envelope. We are not far from the end of our fiscal year. Having the correct mailing information etc. will make it so much easier to prepare income tax receipts.
Also, the 2024 envelopes have arrived and are available for pick up in the lobby of St. Alphonsus Church. Father will deliver the envelopes for St. Anthony’s. Please do not use them until the New Year. Everyone has a new number. This change is cost-saving for the parish. Thank you for your understanding.
COMMUNITY ADVENT CAROL SERVICE – Sunday, December 3rd at 7:00 p.m. at Hampton United Church. This fundraiser is in support of the Hampton Food Basket. Donations of non-perishable food items and cash will be happily received. Tax receipts are available for cash donations, if contact information is provided. See poster at St. Alphonsus.
WINTER WONDERLAND FOOD DRIVE – TOWN SQUARE, HAMPTON – Saturday, December 1 (inclement weather, the event will be Dec. 3rd), Hampton’s Winter Wonderland food drive is in support of the Hampton Food Basket. There will be horse and wagon rides at Spooner Island; a gingerbread auction and live music in the Visitor Information Centre. Help support our Food Basket.
HAMPTON FOOD BASKET CHRISTMAS APPEAL - Want to help? The HFB is looking for cash, gift cards, and cans! Your monetary donation is most welcome. They have buying power, and use the money for their monthly grocery bills. They have no paid staff; it is run by volunteers. A tax receipt will be issued in January.
PC gift cards are used to help pay for the turkeys; canned meat and fish, canned vegetables, beans, soup are some of the staples they stock their pantry with. Anything you can give will make a difference and is appreciated.
Drop off days as follows:
Sat., Dec 2nd at “Winter Wonderland”, Town Square, Hampton from 5:30 until 8 pm;
Sat., Dec 9th from 10:00 a.m. until noon, St. Alphonsus back parking lot; and
Thurs., Dec. 14th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., St. Alphonsus back parking lot.
All donations requested by December 15th, please. See poster in foyer of St. Alphonsus.
ROTARY ANNUAL BARREL OF SOCKS CAMPAIGN - The campaign has started! The goal is to fill a barrel with NEW socks, mitts, scarfs, toques etc. for the homeless and less fortunate before December 22. You can donate at St. Alphonsus Church (lobby), the Hampton Pharmasave, and the Seniors Resource Centre.
Your donations will go to the Hampton Food Basket (first “dibs”) and then to the Hampton schools for children in need. The remaining items are delivered to: Outflow (men’s shelter);
Coverdale Centre for Women; Romero House; Hestia House; and Joshua Group (for youth).
For more information contact Duncan at (506) 647-7510 (until Dec. 14th) or Lisa at (506) 832-4840 (after Dec. 14th).
WANTED – Catholic family to host international student (Hampton): We received this request from Chris Rendell, Coordinator of International Students for Hampton High School. They are looking for a Catholic family to host a female student from Brazil arriving at the end of January, 2024 staying until June. This young student is active in her Catholic church at home and is asking for a family that is also active in the church. Would you be interested in hosting?
The ideal family would have a student or students at home, but that is not a requirement. The core issue is that they are NOT looking for room and board; they are looking for an environment where the international student becomes part of the family.
If you are interested, please contact the office and I will forward your information to Chris.
JOHN PETERS HUMPHREY FOUNDATION - 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS – Everyone is invited to attend two, free-admission, events in celebration of this 75th anniversary:
December 8th @ 7:00 p.m. – Hampton High Theatre, 34 Elizabeth Ave:
Tareq Hadhad, the main subject of the Peace by Chocolate story, will give a public presentation about the challenges his family had to overcome as refugees in putting down roots in a foreign land. What one must leave behind and what one must move forward with. Tareq has become a much sought after speaker and the Foundation is fortunate to have been able to engage him.
Although there is no fee to attend either event, the Foundation asks that you reserve your theatre seat for Dec. 8th via Eventbrite, online. If you wish a “hard copy ticket”, there are a number of them available at the Kings County Museum.
KNOWLEDGE CAFE – Hampton Resource Centre (Fridays starting at 11:00 a.m.):
Everyone is welcome. Refreshments are provided. If schools are cancelled due to the weather, the Knowledge Café is also cancelled.
December 8th – Advance Care Planning for your future health care needs based on your personal values is important. You have the power to choose the type of care you want and who will speak on your behalf if you are unable to express your wishes. Presenter: Jan Grant – Horizon Health.
EVENING PRAYER – CARMEL CHAPEL (note new date and time): Sunday, December 5th at 6:00 p.m., 103 Burpee Avenue, behind Chateau Saint John. Parking: Both sides of Burpee Ave. and Park St. area behind Rocmaura. “Enter in silence together”.
THE LITTLE WAY OF MISSIONARY DISCIPLESHIP - an initiative of the diocese: The Little Way of Missionary Discipleship Series will proved an opportunity to encounter Doctor of the Church through a directed study of the spirituality and missionary genius of St. Therese, a model for discipleship in a missionary Church. All participants are asked to bring this study edition of Story of a Soul (with commentary): Story of a soul study edition, St. Therese of Lisieux, translated by John Clarke, prepared by Mark Foley, OCD, ICS Publications. ISBN: 978-0935216387 (available on Amazon.ca). Where: In person, Villa Madonna Retreat House.
When: Mondays 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Dec. 4th & 18th, Jan. 15th & 29th and Feb. 12th & 26th.
For more information or to register, contact Jim Anderson at (506) 653-6809 or janderson@dioceseofsaintjohn.org. See poster on bulletin board.
VILLA MADONNA RETREAT HOUSE FISH CHOWDER/CHILI LUNCH OR SUPPER – Tuesday, December 12, sittings 11:30, 12:45, 4:00 and 5:30. Cost: $15.00 per person. Includes fish chowder or chili, delicious homemade biscuits, dessert and beverage. Please call the Villa at (506) 849-5125 to reserve. See poster at St. Alphonsus.
ANNUAL CATECHIST RETREAT – VILLA MADONNA: The 2024 Catechist Retreat is open for registrations. In the past, some have attempted to register late and have been disappointed. This retreat is offered as an opportunity to parish coordinators and catechists as a time for personal and spirituality renewal. Retreat will run from Friday, January 26th to Sunday, January 28th, 2024. Weekend registration fee: $260.00; Commuter fee: $120.00. Facilitator: Jim Anderson. To register: https://forms.office.com/r/qMfUY9BzAq. See poster on bulletin board for more information.
REJOICE IN HOPE – A Young Adult initiative in the diocese: In today’s difficult times, the Church wishes to rekindle hope in the world. To do this, she relies especially on young people (18 to 35 years) who “… are the leading figures of history and missionaries of joy”. Pope Francis invites young people to deepen their understanding of Christian hope and to witness joyfully that Christ is alive!
In person meetings are at the Cathedral Rectory, Mondays 6:30 – 9:00 p.m., Dec. 11th, Jan. 8th & 22nd and Feb. 5th & 19th. Gatherings will begin with a simple meal, in fellowship.
MEET other young Catholic adults; SHARE your experiences; LISTEN to a word of faith; RENEW your commitment to Jesus and BECOME the difference the world needs! To register or for more information, contact Jim Anderson at janderson@dioceseofsaintjohn.org. See poster on bulletin board.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
**HEATING – Our four new heat pumps are operational. Until we are accustomed to how they work, given our unusual requirements, please do not use the wall mounted thermostats that operate our oil fed furnace. The oil fed furnace is now our “back up” system, if needed. If we were to loose power for an extended period of time, the oil furnace can be operated with the help of a generator. For your information, the lowest temperature possible with our units is 16 degrees. We will be experimenting to find out what temperature is a happy medium for all. Please bear with us.
*DIAL-A-RIDE, FUNDY REGION - The purpose of this program is to help residents with barriers to transportation get to their needed services, such as medical appointments and food banks or grocery shopping. Since the program is volunteer-driven they rely on volunteers to make this possible. Currently, they have a number of clients who need help with affordable transportation in the KV - Hampton areas. This seems to be one of the hardest areas to find volunteers. COVID protocols (masks) are enforced for both the client and driver – no exceptions.
Clients that use this service pay a minimal fee ($0.41/km) and drivers are reimbursed for their km's at $0.45/km. For shorter distances, a flat fee of $5.00, one way or $10.00 round trip, may be charged. This is a relatively new service. They are finding it difficult to recruit suitable volunteers and are often not able to fulfill all of their ride requests. This past month alone, over 100 ride requests were denied due to no volunteer being available. If you can volunteer to be a driver, contact Annie Dunn, Regional Transportation Director, Fundy Region Community Network Inc. at (506) 609-7433. Additional information about this group can be found on their website: www.nbcommunitytransit.com. If you know of someone who may need to use this service, call Charlotte (dispatch) at (506) 349-8551 to book a ride.
