WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S FLOCKNOTE
The Third Sunday of Advent, also known as Gaudete Sunday, invites us to rejoice as we draw closer to the celebration of Christ’s coming. The readings highlight joy, hope, and the assurance of God’s presence in our lives.
In the first reading from Zephaniah, the prophet proclaims, “Rejoice and exult with all your heart!” This joy comes from the promise that the Lord is in our midst, removing judgment and bringing salvation. God’s presence transforms fear into confidence, sorrow into gladness. It reminds us that no matter our struggles, we can rejoice because God is with us.
The second reading from Philippians echoes this message: “Rejoice in the Lord always.” Paul encourages us to let our gentleness be evident and not to be anxious, trusting in God’s peace. This peace, rooted in God’s love, guards our hearts as we wait for Christ.
In the Gospel, John the Baptist calls people to prepare for the Lord by living justly and generously. He emphasizes that true joy comes from a life of integrity and service to others. When we share with those in need, act honestly, and avoid selfishness, we reflect the joy and hope of the coming Savior.
On this Sunday of joy, we are reminded that our hope is not in fleeting things but in Jesus Christ. As we light the rose candle, symbolizing joy, let us embrace lives of gratitude and service, preparing our hearts to welcome the Lord with gladness.
Your Priest,
Father Charles
Please do not hesitate to contact me, Father Charles (frenyinnia@yahoo.com) (613-328-8331), Father Anthony (dimtony3482@gmail.com) (613-200-5357) or the parish office (stjohn.perth@archkingston.ca ) (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.
ADVENT PARISH MISSION
St. John the Baptist Church welcomes Fr. Emmanuel Nwoha to lead this years’ Advent Misson. Join us Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday, December 18th – 20th, during regular Mass times, for this joyous occasion!
St. John the Baptist Church welcomes Fr. Emmanuel Nwoha to lead this years’ Advent Misson. Join us Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday, December 18th – 20th, during regular Mass times, for this joyous occasion!
Welcome to the third Sunday of Advent!
The third candle of Advent symbolizes Joy. As we continue to approach Christmas Day, our joy grows more and more. The third candle takes us back to the joyful anticipation of the shepherds who journeyed to see Jesus in Bethlehem, even before the wise men. On this third Sunday of Advent, which the Church calls “Gaudete Sunday,” meaning rejoice or praise, we light the third candle and rejoice like the shepherds. For this reason, the third candle of Advent is called the “Shepherd’s Candle,” and its color is pink, the liturgical color for joy.
Advent Candles and Advent Wreaths: The History and Meaning, Colors, Symbolism, Themes, and More. (Hallow.com)
Prepare your heart for Christmas… 24-day Gospel of Luke challenge.
A beautiful Advent tradition for you and your family! Simply read one chapter per day from the book of Luke. There are 24 chapters. On Christmas Eve, you will have read an entire account of Jesus’ life, and your heart will be ready to joyfully welcome Him on Christmas morning!
Christmas Mass Schedule
Christmas Eve - Tuesday, December 24th
St. John’s Church - 5pm, 7pm, 9pm, & Midnight
Sacred Heart Church – 5pm
St. Bridget’s Church – 5pm
Christmas Day – Wednesday, December 25th
St. John’s Church – 10am
Sacred Heart Church – 10am
ADVENT CONFESSIONS
Sunday, December 15th @ 3:00pm: St. Francis de Sales Church, Smiths Falls
Saturday, December 21st @ 3:00pm: St. Ann Church, Merrickville
Sunday, December 22nd @ 3:00pm: St. John the Baptist Church, Perth
THIS WEEK: (See Upcoming Events for more details)
Christmas gift cards are now being collected, to assist those who are struggling within our community. There is a box in the Narthex to collect your donations.
Community Dinner: Saturday, December 14th, 4:30-5:30pm, or until they run out of food to serve. St. James Anglican Church, 54 Beckwith St. East, Perth.
Confirmation Candidates: The next class will be this Sunday, December 15th, begining with 11am mass, followed by class in the Narthex.
CWL Christmas Dinner Rescheduled: It’s time for our annual CWL Christmas dinner, at 6:00pm on December 16th at Rocky River Cafe, confirm by Dec. 13th.
Our Life Matters Core Group will offer the 9am Mass on Wednesday December 18
for the Protection of All Human Life. Afterwards a Rosary in Reverence for Life.
St. John's Holy Face Group will be holding their December monthly gathering (early) on Thursday, December 19th, following the noon Mass. All are welcome!
2024 donation envelopes will be available in your church soon!
Thank you to the talented and dedicated parishioners who made this possible!
Confessions are available 30 minutes before each regular Daily & Weekend Mass.
PASTORAL CARE: Any parishioner or family member unable to attend Mass and would like a home visit please call Parish Office at 613-267-1043.
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
Office hours:
Mondays (closed),
Tues., Wed., Fri., (9:30am - Noon & 1:00 - 3:30pm)
Thurs. 1:00- 3:30pm
(613-267-1043) ( stjohn.perth@archkingston.ca )
SUBMISSIONS FOR WEEKLY BULLETIN & FLOCKNOTE
Please submit your information for the weekly bulletin & Flocknote no later than 9am Thursday’s. If submitted after this deadline, the information will be entered the following week. Thank you!
MASS SCHEDULE -
SJ - St. John the Baptist Parish
SHP - Sacred Heart Parish
SB - St. Bridget's ParishSVDP - St. Vincent de Paul
CCt. - Carolina Court Retirement Residence
L.Lif - Lanark Lifestyles Retirement Residence
PCCC - Perth Community Care Centre
LL - Lanark Lodge
SHP - Sacred Heart Parish
SB - St. Bridget's ParishSVDP - St. Vincent de Paul
CCt. - Carolina Court Retirement Residence
L.Lif - Lanark Lifestyles Retirement Residence
PCCC - Perth Community Care Centre
LL - Lanark Lodge
SJES - St. John Elementary School
SJHS - St. John High School
ADVENT CONFESSIONS
Sunday, December 15th @ 3:00pm: St. Francis de Sales Church, Smiths Falls
Saturday, December 21st @ 3:00pm: St. Ann Church, Merrickville
Sunday, December 22nd @ 3:00pm: St. John the Baptist Church, Perth
Christmas Mass Schedule
Christmas Eve - Tuesday, December 24th
St. John’s Church - 5pm, 7pm, 9pm, & Midnight
Sacred Heart Church – 5pm
St. Bridget’s Church – 5pm
Christmas Day – Wednesday, December 25th
St. John’s Church – 10am
Sacred Heart Church – 10am
Saturday December 14 - St. John of the Cross
SJ 5:00pm - In Thanks to St. Jude ~ Bonnie Switzer
Sunday December 15 - Third Sunday of Advent
SJ 9:00am - Lee Family ~ Gerald Lee
SHP 9:00am - Rose & Louis Weatherdon ~ Gail & Fred Shepherd
SB 11:00am - Jamie Christie ~ Mary & Doug Rorwick
SJ 11:00am - Mass for the People
Monday December 16
SJ 8:30am - Prayer for the Sick & Suffering
Tuesday December 17
SB 9:00am - Charles & Bridget McShane and Family ~ Doreen Kerr
SJ 4:30pm - Ross Cotton ~ Cathy Merkley
Wednesday December 18SJ 9:00am - For the protection of all human life ~ LifeMatters Core Group
SJ 10:00am - St. John’s Elementary School Mass
Dennis Brady ~ Nina Stewart
Thursday December 19
SHP 10:15am - Combined Daily/Sacred Heart Elementary School Mass
Marie Gayda ~ Her Daughters, Kathleen & VickySJ 12:00pm - Ed & Evelyn Pennett ~ Pennett Family
PCCC 2:00pm - Perth Community Care Centre Mass
Friday December 20
SJ 8:30am - Prayer for the Sick & Suffering
SJ 9:00am - Ida Hogan ~ Her Family
SJ 9:30am - Holy Adoration & Benediction
Saturday December 21
SJ 5:00pm - Brenda (McNamee) Neville ~ Stephen McNamee
Sunday December 22 - Fourth Sunday of Advent
SJ 9:00am - Camille & Marie Poulin ~ Jacques Poulin
SHP 9:00am - Jean & Fred Shepherd ~ Gail & Fred Shepherd
SB 11:00am - Gordon, Catherine, & Paul McShane ~ Doreen Kerr
SJ 11:00am - Mass for the People
MASS REQUESTS
If you have a mass request, please clearly print who the mass is for, who it is requested by, and in which church it is to be said. You can call the Parish Office (613-267-1043), mail, or email your request to stjohn.perth@archkingston.ca . Please note, unless there is a special circumstance that has been cleared with the Parish Office, we cannot accommodate requests for specific dates due to the high volume of mass requests. Please watch your Flock Notes. Leave the stipend in the offertory plate, in an envelope clearly marked “Mass Intentions” with who the mass is for and who it is from (inside with your money), or you can mail/drop off directly at the Parish Office. Stipend: Announced ($20); Unannounced ($10) which are sent away to a mission. Thank you!
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
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
PRAYERS
Please remember the sick in your prayers Annalisa Clarke, Jeannette Olivier, Sylvia Peter, Maureen Cordick, Father Michael McCarthy, Father Don Cummings, Noreen Coulter, Phoenix Hogan, Fr. Mac Burke, Maureen Czop, Stephen Tysick, Thomas Smallwood, Lynne Newman, Dan Keaney, Barb & Roger Beadle, Ken Kerr, Demetrie Laming, Doris Quinn, Eric Adam, and Marjorie Facette.
Please remember those who have recently died in your prayers, especially Thomas Brownell.
Jesus, I trust in You.
Need a prayer?
Are you or someone you love in need of prayer? Contact me, Father Charles (frenyinnia@yahoo.com) (613-328-8331), Father Anthony (dimtony3482@gmail.com)
(613-200-5357) or the Parish Office (stjohn.perth@archkingston.ca) 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: Lianne Kevan 613-200-1242
- St John’s CWL Prayer group; Parish Office 613-267-1043
- St John’s KOC Prayer group; Parish Office 613-267-1043
SACRAMENTS:
Sacramental Preparation Classes!
First Communion & Reconciliation Candidates:
Classes to be held on the 2nd Sunday of each month. The next class will be Sunday, January 12th and will begin with the 11am mass, followed by class in the Narthex.
Confirmation Candidates:
Classes to be held on the 3rd Sunday of each month. The next class will be this December 15th, and will begin with the 11am mass, followed by class in the Narthex.
Volunteers are needed to help provide a light snack for the children and families during sacramental preparation classes. Please call Annette at 613-264-8649 if you can help.
Baptism, Funeral and Marriage
Please contact the Parish Office directly (613-267-1043)(stjohn.perth@archkingston.ca). Please do not use the parish website to sign up. (For Marriage at least 6 months in advance notice is required.)
ANNOUCEMENTS:
Christmas gift cards are now being collected. Please consider donating gift cards, of any amount, to assist those who are struggling within our community. There is a box in the Narthex to collect your donations.
May God Bless you For your generosity!
Journey Through Advent 2024 – Video Series to Introduce and Reflect on the Season
This Journey Through Advent video series is a joint project between three CCCB offices (the Office national de liturgie, the National Liturgy Office, and the Office for
Evangelization and Catechesis), and includes reflections on the readings for each Sunday in Advent. This year’s spiritual reflections are delivered by the Most Reverend Frank Leo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto (in English), and the Most Reverend René Guay, Bishop of Chicoutimi (in French). The videos are available on the CCCB Website: https://www.cccb.ca/
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Volunteers are needed to help provide a light snack for the children and families
during sacramental preparation classes. Please call Annette at 613-264- 8649 if you can help. .
FOOD BANK
Please consider donating food items to our local Food Bank. There is a bin to receive your donations located in the front entrances of both St. John’s and Sacred Heart Churches. Thank you for your generosity!
COMMUNITY MEALS
✞ Dine-in meals every Monday, Wednesday, & Friday 4:30-6:00pm @ The Table (190 Gore St. East).
✞Community Dinner: Saturday, December 14th, 4:30-5:30pm, or until they run out of food to serve. St. James Anglican Church, 54 Beckwith St. East, Perth.
Menu: Turkey, mashed potatoes, carrots, peas, dressing, gravy, cranberry sauce and for dessert, cookies and squares. A goodwill offering is appreciated.
Thinking of Becoming Catholic?
The Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) will be offered for persons wishing to explore the Catholic Faith, its beliefs and practices. Both Catholics and non-Catholics are welcome to attend a series of video presentations with discussions/sharing afterwards.
Our Life Matters Core Group will offer the 9am Mass on third Wednesday (December 18th) of the month for the Protection of All Human Life. Mass to be followed by a Rosary in Reverence for Life. Everyone is welcome!
St. John's Holy Face Group:
St. John's Holy Face Group (meets on the last Thursday of the month)
St. John's Holy Face Group will be holding their gathering early this month because of the Christmas season. It will be held a week early, on Thursday, December 19th, following the noon Mass. Our monthly gatherings will last no longer than one hour and will provide an opportunity to pray, share and learn about this powerful, Church-approved Holy Face devotion of reparation. All are welcome to join us whenever you are able. Bring a friend and help rekindle this centuries-old devotion meant for these times! For more information, please call Elaine, 613-267-1023.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Rescheduled! CWL Christmas Dinner: We have rescheduled our dinner to Monday, December 16th at 6:00pm at Rocky River Cafe. Please confirm if you can attend by December 13th. See you soon!
Announcements for Candlelight Procession and Donations: At 3:30PM on Saturday, Dec. 28th (the Feast of the Holy Innocents), the Life Matters Group will hold a candlelight procession from 15 Church Street to the Crystal Palace. Enroute we will recite the Rosary’s Joyful mysteries then once there we will pray over the Knights of Columbus Nativity scene. On our return we will be singing well-loved Christmas Carols. Come join us for this family friendly event.
As part of our celebration of the Feast of the Holy Innocents the St. Johns Life Matters group will be collecting donations for the pregnancy resource center, Birthright, from Dec. 23rd - 29th. There will be a playpen in the Narthex for your donations. Most needed items are diapers (size Newborn, 4,5,6), Baby shampoo, Baby lotion, Baby soap, Baby wash, Diaper rash cream, Sleep sacks, Crib sheets, Baby towels, wash cloths and new or used maternity clothing.
COMMITTEES, MINISTRIES & GROUP
UPCOMING MEETINGS
CWL Monthly Meeting - 2nd Monday of each Month @ 7pm
Monday Bible Study Group @ 10am – Contact Jenny Salte for details. Parish Council Monthly Meeting - 2nd Tuesday of each month @ 6:30pm
Life Matters Monthly Meeting - 3rd Wednesday of each month @ 10:30am
Knights of Columbus Monthly Meeting - 2nd Wednesday of each month @ 7pm
Pastoral Care Committee Meeting - TBD
Wednesday Bible Study Group – Contact Jenny Salte for details. Wednesdays @ 7pm
St. John's Holy Face Group Monthly Meeting: Last Thursday of the month, after noon Mass
Thursday Bible Study Group @ 1 pm – Contact Evelyn Goodfellow for details.
Sunday Mass 11am Choir - Thursdays @ 7pm & Sundays @ 10:15am
St. John’s Movie Club - TBD
Life Matters Men’s Group Monthly Meeting – Contact Dave Lapointe - 3rd Saturday
Saturday Mass 5:00pm Choir - Saturdays @ 4:45pm
Parish Volunteers Needed
Mass Helpers ~ Contact: Ushers (Marie White), Choir members, Readers/Communion (Mark Kennedy), Altar Server/Volunteer Screening (Brian Brosso) or Parish Office. Also, Weekend Mass Choir Members.
Collection Counter ~ We are looking for volunteers to help count the collection or to be a spare collection counter. The commitment is approximately once/month after the Sunday 11am Mass for 30-35 minutes. If interested, please contact the Parish office.
St. John's Life Matters Group: CLICK HERE
Resource Websites: Real Life Catholic: CLICK HERE Need more: CLICK HERE
FAITH FORMATION RESOURCES
Interested In Catholicism?
Those who are interested in finding out more about the Catholic faith with a view to possibly becoming a Catholic are asked to contact the parish office (613-267-1043).
Fr Charles would be pleased to meet with you.
FORMED.org Our Free Catholic Resource! Visit FORMED.org, login and access this parish-sponsored “Catholic Netflix” and its numerous resources for every age.
First time user? Visit FORMED. org, click Sign Up, select Belong to a Parish or Organization, find St John the Baptist Parish, Perth, ON (or Parish postal code K7H 1L6, or Parish code: 7WB8TT), enter your email & check it out!
Youth Ministry Virtual Outreach News - CLICK HERE
Check out the latest in Archdiocesan Youth news, including many faith resources for families and youth of all ages. This page is updated and added regularly.
Family Ministries and Outreach Office December Newsletter CLICK HERE
ARCHDIOCESE OF KINGSTON (ADK)
For More Information on Upcoming Events in the ADK CLICK HERE
Pilgrims of Hope – Visiting Rome: Spiritual and cultural tour, accompanied by Msgr. Joseph Muldoon, of Holy Spirit Parish (Stittsville), for the Jubilee Holy Year April 21 – May 5, 2025. The tour will visit Rome, St. Peter’s, Dublin and Irish countryside, and London. Dennis Kam of JBC Travel Ottawa is the coordinator. Dennis@jbctravel.ca (613-569-3888)
Office of Family Ministries and Outreach - CLICK HERE
St. John's Parish Website: CLICK HERE
St. John's Facebook: CLICK HERE
Sacred Heart/St Bridget Facebook: CLICK HERE