For Summer Reading …
The participants at the Gather Us Together Women’s Forum asked Carol Kuzmochka to provide the book titles she had used to gather the material for her presentations. Here is Carol’s list of suggested reading for your summer bookshelf:
“Soul Sisters: Women in Scripture Speak to Women Today” by Edwina Gateley
“Not Counting Women and Children: Neglected Stories from the Bible” by Megan McKenna
“My Monastery is My Minivan” by Denise Roy
“The Holy Longing: the Search for a Christian Spirituality” by Ronald Rolheiser
These books are readily available through your local Christian Bookstore or through online retailiers.
The Year of St. Paul
Will Have Ecumenical Dimension
VATICAN CITY (Zenit.org) - Benedict XVI has declared June 2008-June 2009 the year of St. Paul in celebration of the 2,000th anniversary of the saint’s birth.
The Pope decreed the year in a vespers celebration held today at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.
The Holy Father explained during his homily: “This ‘Pauline Year’ will take place in a special way in Rome, where for 2,000 years under the papal altar of this basilica, lies the tomb that according to experts and undisputed tradition has conserved the remains of the apostle Paul.”
The Pontiff said: “In the papal basilica and Benedictine abbey attached to it, there can take place a series of liturgical, cultural and ecumenical events, as well as various pastoral and social initiatives, all of them inspired by Pauline spirituality.
“Special attention can also be given to pilgrims who from various places will want to go to the tomb of the Apostle in a penitential way in order to find spiritual benefits.
“Meetings for study will be promoted and there will be special publications on Pauline texts, to promote the immense richness of the teaching contained in them, true patrimony of humanity redeemed by Christ.
“Also, in every part of the world, similar initiatives will be organized in dioceses, sanctuaries and places of prayer by religious institutions, institutions of study and assistance, which carry the name of St. Paul or which have been inspired by him and his teaching.”
Benedict XVI explained that this year must have an important “ecumenical dimension.”
“The Apostle of the Gentiles, who dedicated himself to the spreading of the good news to all peoples, spent himself for the unity and harmony of all Christians,” the Pope said.
“May he guide us and protect us in this bimillenary celebration,” he added, “helping us to advance in the humble and sincere search for the full unity of all the members of the mystical body of Christ.”
(This article was retrieved from: http://www.zenit.org/article-20005?l=english )
Solemnity of John the Baptist
The Nativity of John the Baptist is one of the oldest festivals of the Christian church, being listed by the Council of Agde in 506 as one of that region’s principal festivals, where it was a day of rest and, like Christmas, was celebrated with three masses: a vigil, at dawn, and at midday.
The Nativity of John the Baptist on June 24th comes three months after the celebration on 25 March of the Annunciation, when Gabriel said John’s mother Elizabeth was in her sixth month of pregnancy, and six months before the Christmas celebration of the birth of Jesus. The purpose of these festivals is not to commemorate the exact dates of the events, but simply to commemorate them in an interlinking way.
This upcoming Tuesday is the feast day of St John the Baptist, the patron saint of our Church. John has another feast day in the Church Calendar, on the 29th of August we remember his death, his beheading. Both his birth and death are mentioned in the New Testament.
A solemn sung Mass will take place at 7:00 PM in the church to commemorate this day.
Join with us in prayer …
Each evening of the Eucharistic Congress, from Monday June 16th through to Saturday June 21st (with the exception of Thursday) you are invited to join in a special devotional time of prayer and adoration offered at the church here in Perth. 
Beginning at 7:00 PM there will be the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Evening Prayer, a time of silent prayer and Benediction.
Evening Prayer is one of the oldest prayer liturgies of the church. It takes a simple form: singing a hymn, reading of two psalms and a canticle together, listening to a reading and message, then joining together in the Magnificat and prayers. After a period of silent prayer the evening closes with the Benediction, reposition of the Blessed Sacrament and the singing of the Salve Regina. Special booklets are being prepared that will guide participants comfortably through each evening.
This special time of prayer and blessing will take place each evening except for Thursday. On Thursday evening the school will be celebrating its graduation service and ceremonies at that time.
Not all of us can make the journey to Quebec to attend the Eucharistic Congress in person, but through these services we can unite our prayers together with the whole Church as we spend this time in the presence of God’s Gift.
New Administrator Named
On May 31st, Archbishop Brendan O’Brien announced that Rev. Alfred Alilio has been appointed as Administrator of St. John the Baptist, Perth effective July 17, 2008. Fr. Alilio replaces Fr. Don Oberwarth who has been the Temporary Administrator of the parish since July 1, 2007.
Fr. Oberwarth has been appointed Pastor of the parish of St. Laurence O’Toole in Spencerville and the mission of St. Theresa, North Augusta.
As we prepare to welcome Fr. Alilio we also extend our congratulations and prayers to Fr. Oberwarth on his appointment.
Men of the Tay To Perform
Perth’s Men of the Tay Chorus brings its sound to St. John the Baptist Parish on Monday, June 9th at 7:30 PM.
This marks the conclusion of the choir’s sixth season and their fifth year performing at St. Johns. “The acoustics in this historic building are simply the best in Perth, in fact, there are few buildings around Eastern Ontario that rival the sound within the church” said the choir’s musical director and conductor Shelley McLaren. Accompanying the men will be Valarie Leavitt on piano and Nathan McLaren on percussion.
The show, called, “Try to Remember: an hour of music for men’s chorus” is offered free of charge.
Donations may be made at the door to assist the choir and the church. The choir does not receive grants or charge members to sing. The monies from these concerts provide for new music for future seasons. In addition, each choir member makes a contribution towards the music, usually around $30.00 for the entire year.
Featured on the program will be songs such as “They Call The Wind Maria”, “Sixteen Tons”, “Be Thou My Vision”, “Down By The Salley Gardens”, several doo-wop songs including “Goodnight Sweetheart” and a brand new arrangement of “In Flanders Fields.” Frank Morgan and Val Leavitt will team up for a specal presentation of the music and words of Beethoven.
Parish Photo Gallery Starts …
Many parishioners have asked to have access to photos taken during special celebrations at the church.
Using “Picasaweb” (Google based photo gallery) it is now possible to get photos online for easy viewing by any parishioner.
The photo gallery will be linked through sidebar on the left of the website, or you can reach it directly from any browser by surfing to “http://picasaweb.google.com/stjohnperth”
The first collection of pictures to be added to our gallery are photos from the many activities that have taken place this spring including the visit of the Ark of the New Covenant and First Communion. The photos have been taken by Chuck Stewart.
Gather Us Together Women’s Forum
The members of the Catholic Womens League plan for the “Gather Us Together Women’s Forum” a Special Event for all women of St. John the Baptist. A place for women to gather, to learn, to speak, to be listened to and to be nurtured in faith. Facilitated by Carol Kuzmochka, Coordinator of adult faith development and leadership formation for the Archdiocese of Ottawa and lecturer in Religious Education at St. Paul’s University, Saturday June 7th, 2008 from 9 AM to 12:00 noon at St. John Catholic High School. Registration is free. A sign-up sheet is at the back of the Church. For information call Susan Roach at 613-264-0007. Bring a women friend.
St. John’s Annual Youth Retreat
“I Myself will look after and tend my sheep” Ezekial 34:11
St. John’s Annual Youth Retreat will be held on Friday, May 16th (4:00 PM) – Saturday, May 17th (6:30 PM) at St. John Catholic High School. The theme of our retreat is “Under the Gaze” and will focus on Youth knowing and experiencing the Father’s love. Our retreat will feature lots of awesome music, fun, prayer and great food. The retreat is open to all youth. Grade 7-12
Cost: $20.00. Registrations must be in by May 13th. For more information, please contact Elaine Cavalier, 613-267-1023. Hope you can come!!!
Ark of the New Covenant Coming to Perth!
In final preparation for the 49th International Eucharistic Congress which will be held in Quebec City June, 2008, the Ark of the New Covenant will visit the fair town of Perth on Wednesday, 2nd April.
You, your family and friends and anyone else who may interested to see it, are most welcome.
The schedule of time and events surrounding the visit to Perth is:
A Time for Personal Viewing of Ark in the Church of St. John the Baptist: Wednesday, 2nd April. Anytime between 4:00 PM & 7:00 PM
A Time to Attend Holy Mass and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the Church of St. John the Baptist, Wednesday, 2nd April. Mass begins at 7:00 PM. Exposition begins at 7:30 PM and ends at 9:00 PM
A Time for Personal Viewing of Ark in the Church of St. John the Baptist: Thursday, 3rd April, from 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM