Flocknote

WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S FLOCKNOTE

The Gospels teach us that as Christians we should give priority to the poor in the way we administer and dispense our resources. This is what we see in today's gospel reading. Some people see today's gospel as Jesus’ teaching table etiquette and good manners in choosing seats when invited to a dinner.

But when we try to read it through the eyes of the early Christians whose assembly was mainly to share in the feast of the Eucharist, we begin to see that there is much more than etiquette involved here. Jesus is teaching the basic Christian virtues of humility and solidarity with the poor. And he does this in two stages using two parables.

The first parable, on the One Invited to the Wedding Feast (verses 7-11), is addressed to Christians as those who are invited to the feast of the Lord's Supper. Irrespective of social status and importance we come to the Eucharist as brothers and sisters of equal standing before God.

This is the only place where employer and employee relationship, master and servant distinctions dissolve and we recognise one another simply as brothers and sisters in the Lord, as together we call God "Our Father." The Letter of James reports and condemns a situation where Christians "make distinctions" in the Christian assembly: If a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, "Have a seat here, please," while to the one who is poor you say, "Stand there," or, "Sit at my feet," have you not made distinctions among yourselves? (James 2:2-4).

Jesus is challenging his followers to abolish the rich-poor distinction among them and to recognise and treat one another as brothers and sisters of equal standing before God. "For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted" (Luke 14:11)

The second parable, on the One Giving a Great Dinner (verses 12-14), is addressed to Christians as those who invite others to the feast of the Lord's Supper. When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbours, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind(verses 12-13).

In this second part of his teaching Jesus goes beyond levelling out the distinctions and calls for a preferential treatment of the poor and the disabled among us. He calls for affirmative action. Give preference to the poor and the handicapped. It is in the best interest of the Christian community to give priority to the poor and disabled in our distribution of resources.

Does our parish community measure up to the criterion of preferential option for the poor? How can we always reach out to our wider community? We are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. This is what it means to "invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind" (Luke 14:13)

Your Priest,

Rev Charles Enyinnia

Congratulations to Father Christian Ifezue!

Father Christian Ifezue has been appointed Pastor of 2 churches: St. John the Evangelist, Gananoque, ON and St. Philomena (Mission), Howe Island, ON. This new appointment commences on the 20th of September, 2022.

We thank him and we will miss him dearly. We trust that God will continue to keep His hand on Father Christian and direct his path in all of his future ministries and endeavours.

Welcome to Father Oliver Wekesa!

Please join us as we welcome Father Oliver Wekesa who has been appointed Associate Pastor of all of our parishes! This new appointment commences on the 20th of September, 2022. We are excited, eager and praying for his safe arrival and success!

Please do not hesitate to contact me, Father Charles (frenyinnia@yahoo.com) (613-328- 8331) or the parish office (613-267-1043) if we can be of any assistance to you in any way. We are very glad to respond to a request for prayers, the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession, Sick Calls and/or Conversation.

OUR CHURCH IS OPEN FOR MASS & YOU CAN ALSO WATCH THE WEEKEND MASS ONLINE CLICK HERE

(Watch the weekend Mass, anytime beginning Sunday 11am)

CONFESSIONS are available 30 minutes before each regular Daily & Weekend Mass.

Presently – Masks are optional, hand sanitize upon entry into our church. Please self screen and remain home to watch Mass on our live stream if not feeling well.

Reminder: Allergy Alert! Please Avoid Strong Scents when at Church

Please avoid perfume, shaving lotion and scents when at church. Some people have allergies that prevent them from attending or remaining at Mass if the above are present. Thank you for your consideration..

PARISH OFFICE HOURS:

The Parish Office is now open. Tuesday to Friday between 9:30 - 4 pm.

MASS SCHEDULE - ST JOHN

Latest updates CLICK HERE

Sat., AUG 27 ~ St Monica (Click Here)
5:15 pm – Thomas Kerr ~ Charlie Norwood
Sun., AUG 28 ~ Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
9:00 am – Patricia Noonan ~ Brenda Cavanagh
11:00 am – For the People of the Parish

Mon., AUG 29 ~ The Passion of St John the Baptist (Click Here)
Tue., AUG 30
4:30 pm –
Wed., AUG 31
9:00 am – Bill Smith ~ Isabelle & Bob Chamberland
Thu., SEP 1
12:00 pm – Mabel Noonan ~ Pat & Elliott Neumann
Fri., SEP 2 ~ First Friday
9:00 am – Teresa Shafer ~ Shirley Shafer McCaw
9:30 am – Holy Adoration & Benediction

DONATING TO ST. JOHN

To make a donation to St John Church, please remember to add your envelope number, church and what to apply your monies towards.
We gratefully accept donations by:
Cash or cheque: Mail in, Drop In, or Offertory basket
E-transfers: stjohnperthdonations@gmail.com

Pre-Authorized Debit (PAD) program: CLICK HERE

REQUESTING A MASS FOR ST. JOHN:

CLICK HERE (if having difficulty, email St John Church Masses, stjohnperthmass@gmail.com)

MASS SCHEDULE - SACRED HEART & ST BRIDGET

Latest updates CLICK HERE

Sat., AUG 27 ~ St Monica (Click Here)
SVDP 5:00 pm – Pat Noonan ~ Butler Family
SHC 7:00 pm – For the People of the Parish
Sun., AUG 28 ~ Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
SHC 9:00 am – Jean & Fred Shepherd ~ Fred & Gail Shepherd
St B 11:00 am – Tommy Kers ~ Brenda & Al Niittymaa

Mon., AUG 29 ~ The Passion of St John the Baptist (Click Here)
Tue., AUG 30
St B: 9:00 am – Howard Farrell ~ Jean McShane
Wed., AUG 31
NO MASS
Thu., SEP 1
NO MASS
Fri., SEP 2 ~ First Friday
SHC 9:00 am –

DONATING TO SACRED HEART & ST BRIDGET

To make a donation please remember to add your envelope number, church and what to apply your monies towards.

We gratefully accept donations by:

Cash or cheque: Mail in, Drop In, or Offertory basket

E-transfers: sacredheart1903@gmail.com

Pre-Authorized Debit (PAD) program: CLICK HERE

REQUESTING A MASS for SACRED HEART & ST BRIDGET:

CLICK HERE (if having difficulty email shsbmasses@gmail.com )

PRAYERS

In your prayers, please remember the sick. Also, please remember the deceased, especially Jamie Mannion of St. John.

Pray for Ukraine:

Prayer of Invocation to Our Lady of All Nations

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Father, send now Your Spirit over the earth. Let the Holy Spirit live in the hearts of all nations that they may be preserved from degeneration, disasters, and the ravages of war. May Our Lady of all Nations, the Blessed Virgin Mary, be our advocate. Blessed Mother, Queen of Peace, pray for the people of Ukraine.
Amen.

Need a prayer?

Are you or someone you love in need of prayer? Contact Father Charles (frenyinnia@yahoo.com) or the Parish Office to connect with our strong prayer warriors or directly to:

St John’s Pastoral Care Prayer group: Parish Office 613-267-1043
St John’s Divine Mercy Chaplet Prayer group: Deacon Peter or Christian Kelly 613-267-8774
St John’s CWL Prayer group; Parish Office 613-267-1043
St John’s KOC Prayer group; Parish Office 613-267-1043

Jesus I trust in You.

SACRAMENTS:

We welcomed Alicia Marie Primeau, Lydia James Primeau, Lucas James Rintoul, Bryson William Rintoul, and Aaron James Solski into the Church through the sacrament of Baptism at Saint John. We congratulate their parents and commend them for their commitment to the Catholic faith.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Foy Garage Sale Fundraiser ~ This Weekend

Fri, Sat, Sun 10am-2pm

Foy Hall, 91 Princess St., Lanark

Come in and check out the great deals! Hope to see you there!

St John's Uniform Sale (Gently Used)
St John HighSchool, Perth, ON
Mon., Aug. 29th, 9a - 12p
Cash only

Cemetery service at St. Bridget

Sat., Sept. 3rd, 11am @ the cemetery. Bring a chair, but if it is raining, it will be held in the church (same date and time).

The Matter of Life Documentary Presentation
Thu., Sep. 8th 7-9 pm, St Mary Catholic Church, Carleton Place
Register: Narthex Sign up sheets
Contact: St John: David Lapointe, St Bridget: Evelyn Goodfellow, and Sacred Heart: Dianne Adam
Cost: Free
Please come and join us for the presentation of the award-winning documentary “The Matter of Life”, which cuts through the angry rhetoric and divisiveness regarding the issue of abortion.

St Bridget Cemetery Meeting

Thu. Sep 8th 6:30p BVM Hall, Stanleyville

UPCOMING COMMUNITY DINNER TAKE OUT ONLY

Saturday Sept. 10