WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S FLOCKNOTE
Today’s readings beautifully capture the themes of renewal, reconciliation, and God’s boundless mercy.
In Joshua 5:9-12, God tells the Israelites, “Today I have rolled away the disgrace of Egypt from you.” After years of wandering, they enter the Promised Land and celebrate the Passover. The manna that sustained them in the desert ceases, as they now eat from the land’s abundance. This marks a transition from dependence on miracles to living in God’s fulfilled promise. It reminds us that God’s grace provides for us in different ways throughout life, always leading us forward.
In 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Paul proclaims that “if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation.” Our past sins do not define us; rather, in Christ, we are reconciled to God and called to be His ambassadors of reconciliation. Just as the Israelites left their past behind, we too are invited to embrace new life in Christ, sharing His mercy with others.
The Gospel parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:1-3, 11-32) powerfully illustrates God’s love. The younger son squanders everything but is welcomed home with joy by his father. The older son struggles with jealousy, unable to understand such mercy. This parable challenges us: Are we ready to return to God, trusting in His forgiveness? Or are we like the older son, hesitant to extend that same mercy to others?
In this week of Lent, God calls us to return, be renewed, and share His mercy. No matter how far we have strayed, He stands ready to embrace us. Let us seek reconciliation with God and one another, so that we may truly live as new creations in Christ. The Father’s arms are always open. May we, like the prodigal son, rise and return to the love that awaits us. Amen.
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.
LENT 2025
This year, join me as we read a chapter each day of the GOSPEL OF JOHN - ONLY 21 CHAPTERS.
Stations of the Cross
Join us every Friday throughout Lent at St. John’s Church & Sacred Heart Church at 7pm.
Join us at St. Bridget’s Church each Sunday throughout Lent at 10:30am!
Journey Through Lent – Video Series
This year’s spiritual reflections are available on the CCCB Website:
In English: www.cccb.ca/lent
In French: www.cecc.ca/careme
Holy Adoration & Benediction On all Friday’s during Lent, please join us at St. John’s Church for extended Holy Eucharistic Adoration, Divine Mercy prayers & Benediction from 9:30am until 3pm. We still have unclaimed hours, please sign up for your hour on one of the sign-up sheets at the side entrance or in the Narthex, or by calling the Parish office.
Lent is the yearly celebration by the Church of its corporate conversion in Jesus Christ. During Lent, the Liturgy prepares the Catechumens to celebrate the Paschal Mystery by the various stages of Christian Initiation. It also prepares the faithful for Easter as they recall their baptism and enter into penance in preparation for the greatest Feast of the year.
Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of Fast & Abstinence. All Catholics ages 18-59 are to observe fasting and those 14 and older are to abstain from meat on those days.
Penitential Discipline: Penance is an important requirement of the Christian life. Fulfillment of this duty involves prayer, works of piety and charity, self denial and fulfilling our obligations more faithfully. Every Friday of the year, especially during Lent, is a penitential day.
LENTEN CONFESSIONS
St. Francis de Sales Church, Smiths Falls – Sunday, April 6th @ 3:00pm
St. Edward’s Church, Westport – Sunday, April 6th @ 3:30pm
St. John the Baptist Church, Perth – Sunday, April 13th @ 3:00pm
EUCHARISTIC MIRACLES PRESENTATION:
Is the Eucharist a symbol or a true miracle in our midst? Have you ever struggled with this question? Have you wondered why it's such a mystery? Join us to explore these questions, and to learn about the scientific evidence that God is showing us his true presence. Travel back to Italy and Argentina with Andy and Krystyna Williamson as they share their experiences - seeing is believing! Join us at St. John’s Church on Thursday, April 3rd, at 7pm, as part of your Lenten journey - invite your family and friends who have questions regarding our faith.
THIS WEEK: (See Upcoming Events for more details)
REMINDER: Please do not wear any Fragrance to church, we have parishioners who are highly allergic.
St. John Catholic Elementary School ‘Welcome to Kindergarten’ Event: Wednesday, April 2nd, 5-6:30 pm.
Eucharistic Miracles Presentation: Join us at St. John’s Church on Thursday, April 3rd, at 7pm, as part of your Lenten journey.
St. John’s Social Sunday: Please join us next weekend after each Sunday Massfor the monthly St. John’s Church Social!
St. John's lifeMATTERS Group: Will be hosting a small group forum based on the 'Dying to Meet You' Project. Tuesday, April 8th, 3:00pm, 15 Church St
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
Friday March 28
SJ 9:30am to 3 pm - Holy Adoration & Benediction
SJ 7:00pm Stations of the Cross
SHP 7:00pm Stations of the CrossSaturday March 29
SJ 5:00pm - Dave White ~ Mary White
Sunday March 30 - Fourth Sunday of Lent
SJ 9:00am - For the People of the Parish
SHP 9:00am - Dan Keaney ~ Doris Quinn
SB 10:30 am - Stations of the Cross
SB 11:00am - Paul McShane ~ Jean McShane
SJ 11:00am - Brian Houlahan ~ Lorraine Houlahan & Family
Monday March 31
SJ 8:30am - Prayer for the Sick & Suffering
Tuesday April 1
SB 9:00am - Bob Schonauer ~ Jean McShane
SJ 4:30pm - Mary Theresa Nagle ~ A Friend
Wednesday April 2SJ 4:30pm - Mary Theresa Nagle ~ A Friend
SJ 9:00am - Poulin Family ~ Jacques Poulin
Thursday April 3
SHP 9:00am - For the living & deceased parishioners of Sacred Heart Church ~ Sacred Heart CWL
SJ 12:00pm - Dave Fournier ~ Marilyn Hagan
(First) Friday April 4
SJ 8:30am - Prayer for the Sick & Suffering
SJ 9:00am - Raymond Lalonde ~ Maureen Cotten
SJ 9:30am to 3 pm - Holy Adoration & Benediction
SJ 7:00pm Stations of the Cross
SHP 7:00pm Stations of the Cross(First) Saturday April 5
SJ 9:00am - Marie Fritz ~ Elaine Cavalier & Family
SJ 5:00pm - Harold Valliquette ~ Mary Elizabeth Valliquette
Sunday April 6 - Fifth Sunday of Lent
SJ 9:00am - Walter John Moroz ~ Richard & Valerie Delaney
SHP 9:00am - Alice T. Noonan ~ Don & Dianne Adam
SB 10:30 am - Stations of the Cross
SB 11:00am - Francis & Pat Mackler ~ Brenda & John Noonan
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 *** When sending an etransfer, please make a note which church the donation is for and your envelope number, if applicable ***
PRAYERS
Please remember the sick in your prayers, including Pope Francis, Jeannette Olivier, Maureen Cordick, Maureen Czop, Thomas Smallwood, Demetrie Laming, Eric Adam, Marjorie Facette, Georgia Scissons, David Kevan, Deborah LaRiccia, & Paul Nagle.
Please remember those who have recently died in your prayers, especially Bob Schonauer, Geraldine Conlon, & Ian MacDonald..
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, April 13th 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 May 25th and will begin with the 11am mass, followed by class in the Narthex. (No April class due to Easter weekend conflict).
Reconciliation Dates:
First Communion candidates will have their First Reconciliation on Friday, May 2nd @ 7pm.
Confirmation candidates will have Reconciliation on Friday, June 6th @ 7pm.
Ceremony Dates:
The First Communion ceremony will be held on Sunday, May 4th @ 1pm.
The Confirmation ceremony will be held on Saturday, June 7th @ 1pm.
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 use the parish website to sign up or contact the parish office for details. (For Marriage at least 6 months in advance notice is required.)
ANNOUCEMENTS:
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:
✞ St. John Catholic Elementary School ‘Welcome to Kindergarten’ Event: Please join us at our ‘Welcome to Kindergarten’ night, open to all families who have a child entering Junior Kindergarten in September. It is a chance to explore the classrooms, meet the staff, and learn all about what St. John has to offer. Wednesday, April 2nd, from 5-6:30 pm. For more information, please call the school at 267-2865. Also, look at our school's FB page.
St. John’s Social Sunday: Please join us next weekend after each Sunday Massfor the monthly St. John’s Church Social! Snacks and drinks provided for everyone’s enjoyment!
What if ...HOPE & LOVE had the last word?
As a follow-up to last month's documentary presentation, 'MAID in CANADA', St. John's lifeMATTERS Group will be hosting a small group forum based on the 'Dying to Meet You' Project. Through short video stories and testimonies, along with personal sharing, we will journey together to a place where suffering and death can be transformed into tangible hope and genuine love ... without euthanasia. Please join us Tuesday, April 8th, 3:00pm at 15 Church Street. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, please call Evelyn @ 613-267-9737.
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 APRIL Newsletter CLICK HERE
ARCHDIOCESE OF KINGSTON (ADK)
For More Information on Upcoming Events in the ADK CLICK HERE
Jubilee of Hope – Information on Parish events: CLICK HERE
Spiritual Reflections with Archbishop Mulhall
Wednesdays; 7:00 pm
We will be reflecting 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.
7th Annual Rideau Canal Men’s Retreat by canoe and kayak
Tuesday, August 5- Thursday, August 7
Theme: Jubilee 2025 - Pilgrims of Hope
Planning is underway for the 7th Annual Rideau Canal Men's Retreat 2025 for Catholic men (18 years and older, and fathers with teenage sons) will be from August 5-7, 2025.
As in previous years, the goal is to gather Catholic men in an outdoor adventure/retreat where we can share our faith and enjoy a little male camaraderie. We hope that all who are interested in participating in this enjoyable event can work their schedules and join us for this time of prayer, daily Mass, opportunities for Confession, and lots of fun, fraternity, exercise, and adventure. If you know other men who may be interested and are not on our distribution list, please feel free to forward an invitation to them. We anticipate being fully registered, so this is your chance to let us know if you are interested. Thank you for your consideration.
Invitation attached. For more details including the registration and waiver form, please visit the event page here.
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