WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S FLOCKNOTE
The feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple offers a reflection on Jesus as the Messiah, the light and hope the world.
In Malachi's prophecy, we see a prelude to the coming of the Lord. He speaks of a messenger who will prepare the way before the Lord’s arrival. This scripture points to the purification process that will happen when the Lord comes, emphasizing holiness and the need for renewal. The imagery of a refining fire suggests that the coming of Jesus will not only be a moment of joy but also a call to transformation and deeper faithfulness.
The psalmist invites us to rejoice in the coming of the King of Glory. The call to "lift up your heads" emphasizes readiness and anticipation for God’s presence. In the context of Jesus’s presentation in the Temple, the psalm is prophetic, inviting us into an awareness of Jesus as the Divine King entering the world. These verses beckon us to welcome Jesus, recognizing Him not just as the baby presented by Mary and Joseph, but as the divine Son of God who holds supreme authority.
The second reading, from the letter of St. Paul to the Hebrews, speaks directly to the humanity of Christ. By sharing in our flesh and blood, Jesus becomes fully human, allowing Him to experience our struggles and suffering. His identification with our condition underscores the depth of God’s love and His desire to redeem humanity. The reminder that Jesus is both fully divine and fully human reassures us of His empathy and capability as our High Priest. Through this, we learn that our struggles are not faced alone, but rather with God's understanding and support.
In the Gospel reading, we witness the presentation of Jesus as a child in the temple. Simeon’s prophecy about Jesus being a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of Israel shows the fulfillment of God’s promises. It shows that Jesus’s mission extends beyond the boundaries of Israel to embrace all people. Anna, the prophetess, confirms this truth, emphasizing the theme of hope for redemption. This highlights the inclusive nature of Christ’s ministry and calls us to reflect on how we share this light in our lives.
Dear friends, these readings collectively invite us to recognize and celebrate the multifaceted identity and mission of Jesus. As we reflect on His Presentation in the Temple, we are called to ponder how Jesus fulfills the prophecies, how He refines our hearts, and how He reflects God’s presence among us. The summary of these messages encourages us to prepare ourselves for His presence in our lives, to cleanse our hearts, and to extend His light and hope to others.
Your Priest,
Father Anthony
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.
WELCOME HOME, FR. CHARLES!
We hope that you’ve enjoyed a wonderful and rejuvenating time with friends & family back home in Nigeria. With grateful hearts, we warmly welcome you back home to (chilly) Canada!
THANK YOU, FR. FRANCIS!
On behalf of St. John, Sacred Heart, and St. Bridget’s parishes, it has been a blessing to have you join us the past 6 weeks. Thank you so much for sharing the gifts of your time and ministry with us!
THIS WEEK: (See Upcoming Events for more details)
Don’t forget to pick up your 2025 Donation Envelopes in the Narthex!
St. John’s 2024 Income Tax Statements are now available in the Narthex!
Community Dinner: Saturday, February 8th, 4:30-5:30pm, or until they run out of food to serve. St. James Anglican Church,
Calling all Lectors & Eucharistic Ministers for St. John’s, Sacred Heart, & St. Bridget’s Churches!: Sat., Feb. 15th, for a workshop, register by Feb. 9th
First Communion & Reconciliation Candidates: The next class will be next Sunday, February 9th, begining with 11am mass, followed by class in the Narthex.
St. John’s CWL: Come join us for our CWL meeting Monday, February 10th at 7pm. New Members welcome!
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
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 Parish
SHP - Sacred Heart Parish
SB - St. Bridget's Parish
SVDP - St. Vincent de Paul
CCt. - Carolina Court Retirement Residence
L.Lif - Lanark Lifestyles Retirement Residence
PCCC - Perth Community Care Centre
LL - Lanark Lodge
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
(First) Saturday February 1
SJ 9:00am - Ross Cotten ~ Paul Fenner
SHP 5:00pm - ~ No Intention Booked~SJ 5:00pm - Helen Downie O’Connor ~ A Friend
Sunday February 2 - The Presentation of the Lord
SJ 9:00am - Ron & Marg Lee ~ Fred & Joan
SHP 9:00am - Dianne Charette ~ Claude Charette
SB 11:00am - Wilbur & Marie Merkley ~ Merkley Family
SJ 11:00am - For the People of the Parish
Monday February 3
SJ 8:30am - Prayer for the Sick & Suffering
Tuesday February 4
SB 9:00am - Int. of Evelyn Goodfellow, on her Birthday ~ Carole Forsyth
SJ 4:30pm - Dave Nitschmann ~ Allan & Shirley Chaplin
Wednesday February 5 - St. AgathaSJ 4:30pm - Dave Nitschmann ~ Allan & Shirley Chaplin
SJ 9:00am -Mary Theresa Nagle ~ A Friend
Thursday February 6 - St. Paul Miki & Companions
SHP 9:00am - Dan Keaney ~ Don & Dianne Adam
SJ 12:00pm - Jayden Dowdall ~ Jason, Julie, & Justin Dowdall
(First) Friday February 7
SJ 8:30am - Prayer for the Sick & Suffering
SJ 9:00am - Provost Family ~ Jacques Poulin
SJ 9:30am - Holy Adoration & Benediction
Saturday February 8
SJ 5:00pm - Irene Ervin ~ Ann Buchanan
Sunday February 9
SJ 9:00am - Ross Cotten ~ Reg & Gail Gamble
SHP 9:00am - Joan Comfort ~ Gail & Fred Shepherd
SB 11:00am - Ken Kerr ~ KoC 4th Degree Assembly #2783
SJ 11:00am - For the People of the Parish
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 Jeannette Olivier, Sylvia Peter, Maureen Cordick, Father Michael McCarthy, Father Don Cummings, Father Leo Byrne, Noreen Coulter, Phoenix Hogan, Father Mac Burke, Maureen Czop, Thomas Smallwood, Lynne Newman, Demetrie Laming, Doris Quinn, Eric Adam, Marjorie Facette, Georgia Scissons, Ian MacDonald, Helen O’Connor, David Kevan, and Pat Bauder.
Please remember those who have recently died in your prayers, especially
Fr. Dan Ryan.
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:
Baptismal Congratulations!
We welcome Charlotte Creighton Hinton into the Catholic Church through Baptism. We congratulate her parents and commend them for their commitment to raising their child in the Catholic faith. May God abundantly bless their family!
Sacramental Preparation Classes!
First Communion & Reconciliation Candidates:
Classes to be held on the 2nd Sunday of each month. The next class will be Sunday, February 9th 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 Sunday, February 16th, 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:
St. John’s CWL
Come join us for our CWL meeting Monday February 10th. New members welcome!
Don’t forget to pick up your 2025 Donation Envelopes in the Narthex!
For the first several weeks of the new year, kindly place your name and address on the envelopes. This helps the office to ensure that all envelopes were picked up by their intended owners. Thank you!
2024 Income Tax Statements
2024 Income Tax Statements have now been sent out to those who signed up to receive them by email. If you signed up, but haven’t received yours, please check your junk email folder. Still can’t find it? Connect with the Parish office, and we’ll try sending it again!
St. John’s 2024 Income Tax Statements are now available in the Narthex!
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).
✞ Dine-in meals on the second Saturday of each month (excluding July & August) 4:30-5:30pm @ St. James Church (54 Beckwith St. East).
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.
Contact the Parish Office (613-267-1043) (stjohn.perth@archkingston.ca).
Our Life Matters Core Group will offer the 9am Mass on third Wednesday 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), 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:
Calling all Lectors & Eucharistic Ministers for St. John’s, Sacred Heart, & St. Bridget’s Churches!:
Please join us on Saturday, February 15th, for a workshop offered to us by the Archdiocese of Kingston! This workshop is for all current Lectors & Eucharistic Ministers in our churches, and will take place at 15 Church St., Perth, beginning at 9am. End time traditionally before 3pm, but subject to change. We hope to see you there! Register with the parish office before February 9th.
You are Not Alone: Embarrassed, angry, fearful, anxious, hurt, frustrated or shameful? You’re Not Alone. Join Wayne Burke, every Wednesday in February from 6:30-8:30pm for a powerful 4-part workshop helping you cope with your loved one’s addiction. Join us in the parish hall: 6:30-8:30pm every Wednesday in February. Location: St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 28 Hawthorne St. in Carleton Place.
Sign up by email or phone: office@stmarysparishcp.com or 613-257-1284.
o February 5 - The Family Roles
o February 12- Change, Acceptance, Letting Go
o February 19- Family of Origin
o February 26- Relationships – Developing a Personal Plan
Sign up today – You’re not alone!
COMMITTEES, MINISTRIES & GROUP
UPCOMING MEETINGS
CWL Monthly Meeting - 2nd Monday of each Month @ 7pm, next one, February 10th
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 - Thursday, February 20th @ 1pm
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 January Newsletter CLICK HERE
ARCHDIOCESE OF KINGSTON (ADK)
For More Information on Upcoming Events in the ADK CLICK HERE
Spiritual Reflections with Archbishop Mulhall
Wednesdays; 7:00 pm
St. Mary’s Cathedral (279 Johnson Street, Kingston)
I look forward to our time together of spiritual reflection in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Throughout my priesthood and especially in the past several years, these moments of prayer and reflection together have been deeply rewarding for me.
I propose to reflect with you on the Beatitudes of St. Matthew’s Gospel Chapter 5 as well as a series of Psalms of the Old Testament which we pray each day at Mass. As usual, we will also give time to the liturgical celebrations of Lent/Easter as we pass through the year.
It is good to remember that there is no starting point or end point as in a series of lectures or an academic course. Though we refer to previous reflections, we repeat our thoughts frequently so that anyone can join at any stage or miss weeks without losing any necessary points or developments. I like to think of our reflections as one long continuous series of reflections on a mystery from countless starting points. All these reflections I pray will be beneficial for us at whatever time of life or stage of our spiritual pilgrimage. The Lord, in whose presence we will pray together will always provide the grace, consolation, and strength that we need to make steady progress in our life of faith.
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. Paul Miki & Companions
St. John's Parish Website: CLICK HERE
St. John's Facebook: CLICK HERE
Sacred Heart/St Bridget Facebook: CLICK HERE