New Mission & Vision Statement Announced
MISSION STATEMENT
As followers of Jesus, we, the family of St. John the Baptist Parish, in union with the Holy Spirit, are dedicated to building a Christian Community by proclaiming God’s word through service and prayer.
VISION STATEMENT
We will reach out and nurture the faith of all parishioners.
We will respond to the needs of the community locally and globally.
We will continue to foster the working together of home, school, parish.
We will encourage active involvement in parish life.
We would like to thank the following people who helped in preparing this statement: Pam Anderson, Jo Bali, Dave Cavalier, Ken and Lucille Crawford, Sister Joey Doiron, SP, Marleen Gomes, Pat Loftus, John McKenty, Greg McNally, Jane and Frank Nitschmann, Peter Noonan, Claudette Truelove and Mike Watters.
There will be a retreat of the Parish Council Members including parish leaders on Saturday, 29 August 2009 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Galilee Center in Arnprior. In this retreat, these mission and vision statements will be reviewed and we hope to develop a parish plan to achieve some goals.
Photo Gallery Online
The official photographer for the Archdiocese of Kingston, Fred Happy, was present at the Mass of Thanksgiving honouring the Sisters of Providence and Sr. Joey Doiron on June 21st.
The photo gallery of his photos is now posted on the Archdiocese website and can be viewed by clicking here.
The parish wishes to extend an expression of deepest gratitude to all who attended or who, in any way, made a contribution to this glorious celebration.
Sisters of Providence to be honoured
On Sunday, June 21st at 10:30 AM., our Parish will celebrate a Thanksgiving Mass for the ministry of the Sisters of Providence here in our community. The departure of Sister Joey Doiron marks the conclusion of over 116 years of apostolic service and selfless labour in education and pastoral care by the Sisters. While we recognize the contributions of Sr. Joey these past seven years, we come together in a Mass of Thanksgiving presided by Archbishop Brendan O’Brien, Archbishop ofKingston, with Archbishop Francis J. Spence, Archbishop Emeritus , and our former pastors concelebrating to honour the humility, simplicity and charity of all the Sisters of Providence.
On Dec. 13, 1861, four Sisters from Montreal arrived in Kingston to found what is now known as the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul. Under the guidance of Sister Mary of the Blessed Sacrament, the French Sisters began the task of building a new congregation. In March 1862 a Kingston milliner, Catherine McKinley, and another Kingstonian, Ann O’Reilly, joined the community. Five years later, when the founding Sisters returned to Montreal, Catherine became Superior as Mother Mary Edward, a wise and compassionate leader for many years. In a letter to her little community she wrote:
“I trust that God in His infinite goodness may guide all hearts and minds and the present standard of our little bark may never be lowered, that from day to day superiors and subjects may continue to have but one aim in life — the good pleasure of God and the maintenance of the spirit of our institute.”
The Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul arrived in Perth on the feast of St. Stephen (December 26th) in 1892. Despite the bitter cold the four sisters were warmly greeted in a church packed with parishioners and others from the town. In 1905 the stone convent beside the parish rectory was built. Over 135 sisters have empowered generations through their attitude and actions for justice and peace. Through their work as teachers in our schools it is impossible to chronicle the lives they have touched and shaped.
Please be reminded that this 10:30 celebration will be the only Mass that day (NO 9:00 AM or 11:00 AM Masses). There will be a few presentations. Our celebration will conclude with a barbecue reception following the service.
A history of the Sisters of Providence may be found by clicking here.
Further information on Catherine McKinley may be found be clicking here.
Gather Us Together!
The Gather Us Together - Women’s Forum returns on Saturday, May 30, 2009 from 9:45 AM to 2 PM at St. John Catholic High School in Perth.
We will explore “Women of Peace and Hope”, both in Scripture and in the world today.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity for women to gather, to speak, to learn, to be listened to and to be nurtured in faith. Our facilitator is Carol Kuzmochka, Director of the Centre for Ministry Formation at Saint Paul University in Ottawa.
The Forum is free, including lunch. Please register this weekend on the registration form at the back of the church or e-mail womensforum@stjohnsperth.com
For more information, call Susan Roach at 264-0007
Reader and Extraordinary Minister Workshop
Each week a team of over forty readers, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, ushers and adult servers assist with the Church’s services. On Saturday, May 9th a workshop is being held from 9:30 AM till noon hour in St. John the Baptist Church to assist existing readers and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion with their ministries. Parishioners who are interested in these ministries, but not currently reading or assisting, are encouraged to attend.
The workshop will start after the Saturday morning Mass is concluded. Coffee and light refreshments will be available.
The workshop is being facilitated by Brent McLaren. Several small changes in how we carry out these ministries will be explained and demonstrated.
The following guidelines have been prepared and are available in PDF format to help with these ministries:
- For all Lay Ministers
- Guidelines for Readers
- Guidelines for Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion
- Summary of these Guidelines
Join with us this Easter
THE TRIDUUM is the high point of the liturgical year and the central Christian mystery of the triumph of life over death. The forty 
days of Lent have been leading us to the three days when Christians gather to celebrate the mystery of the passion, Death and Resurrection. With prayer and dramatic ritual we move into Easter, coming forward to place our hand in the baptismal waters and renew our response to the Lord. The Paschal Triduum is one single liturgical action that continues over three days: Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil. The Triduum is not a part of Lent but, in its entirety, celebrates the Easter event. The spirit of the fast during the three days is not a Lenten Fast but the Paschal Fast. The entire focus of the Triduum is on the Triumph of the Cross and the Resurrection. Therefore every Catholic is greatly encouraged and invited to join in the drama and action of the Three Great Days of Triduum, 9-11 April 2009. For every Catholic this is more than the story of Christ; it is the story of our own life, passion, death and resurrection.
Jesus’ Entry Into Jerusalem manifested the coming of the kingdom that the King-Messiah was going to accomplish by the Passover of his death and Resurrection. It is with the celebration of that entry on Palm Sunday that the Church’s liturgy solemnly opens Holy Week. #560 It is precisely in the Passion, when the mercy of Christ is about to vanquish it, that sin most clearly manifests its violence and its many form; unbelief, murderous hatred, shunning and mockery, by the leaders and the people, Pilate’s cowardice and the cruelty of the soldiers, Judas’ betrayal – so bitter to Jesus, Peter’s denial and the disciples flight. However, at the very hour of darkness, the hour of the prince of this world, the sacrifice of Christ secretly becomes the source from which forgiveness of or sins will pour forth inexhaustibly. Masses are on Saturday, April 4th at 5:15 and Sunday, April 5th at 9:00 and 11:00 AM.
Mass Of Chrism will be celebrated on Tuesday, 7 April 2009, at 7:30 P.M., at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Kingston. This Holy Week gathering has become a significant diocesan event for the people of the various parishes and communities which make up our local Church.
An Ambry is the place where the Holy Oils: Oil of Catechumens, Sacred Chrism and Oil of the Sick are stored. The Holy Oils are blessed and consecrated by the Archbishop at the Cathedral during the Chrism Mass for use throughout the year. “With them the sick will be anointed, those awaiting the waters of rebirth will be strengthened and those who are baptized and confirmed will share the mission of Christ the anointed.” The Ambry in our church was just installed on the wall close to the Marian Altar. Thank you to Don and Gloria Davidson who donated it and to Don Davidson who installed it.
These oils will be presented at the 7:30 P.M. Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Thursday, April 9th.
The Stations of the Cross has been prayed each Friday during Lent. It will take place on Good Friday, April 10th, at 10:00 AM in the church.
Confession being offered on Good Friday from 2-3 P.M. by Father Don Cummings.
Needs Of The Church Holy Land Collection: There will be a special Diocesan collection on Good Friday, 10 April 2009, for the Needs of the Church in the Holy Land. This will be forwarded to the Archdiocese. The Good Friday Service begins at 3:00 PM on April 10th.
Completing the Triduum will be the Easter Vigil beginning at 8:00 PM on Saturday, April 11th. For an understanding of the Holy Saturday Vigil we return to the account of the Exodus of the Jews from Egypt. The sacred writer pictures God as keeping vigil on that eventful night so that he might free his people from the Egyptians.
On this holy night, we celebrate the passover of the Lord, the great reality in the history of our salvation, of which the Jewish passover was only a type And so, on this night when our Lord passed from death to life, we are invited to observe a night-watch in honour of his resurrection; we are invited to observe a vigil spent in prayer and listening to the account of the great things God has done for us.
Finally, we will celebrate the Mass for the Resurrection of the Lord on Sunday, April 12th at 9:00 and 11:00 AM.
Parishioners and visitors are welcome to come and celebrate our living faith throughout this most holy week
Permanent Deacon Candidates Announced
‘He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day.‘ (John 1:39)
Dave Cavalier and Brent McLaren received the Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Ordination as Permanent Deacons at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Kingston on Sunday, January 18, 2009. Accompanied by their wives, Elaine and Shelley, the celebration marked the start of the final two years of formation leading to ordination. The service was presided over by Archbishop O’Brien assisted by Deacon Bill Gervais and Deacon Brian Hanoski and took place as part of the 11:00 AM Mass. The Second Sunday readings from Samuel, Corinthians and the Gospel of John were particularly appropriate for the occasion, which followed over one year of study, preparation, prayer and discernment.
Their formation to become permanent deacons is ongoing and both couples are currently involved not only in monthly study retreats and regular home meetings, but taking courses through the STEP program at Notre Dame University. There are six candidates currently in formation. Along with David, Elaine, Brent and Shelley, there is Robert and Judy Kirk from North Augusta, Bob and Margaret-Ann Wojcik from Kingston, Joe and Debbie Kennedy from Belleville and Paul and Lisa Giroux from Marmora.
The congregation is asked to continue in prayer and support for each couple as they discern God’s call in their life. If anyone is interested in becoming a Permanent Deacon or has questions about the studies they would welcome talking or meeting with you. A pamphlet on the Permanent Diaconate is available at the back of the church. Their phone numbers can be obtained through the church office.
Congratulations to our Permanent Diaconate candidates!
Note the change …
Effective with the New Year, there will be no longer be Mass said on Monday at noon hour. Mass will be held each Tuesday at noon hour. Masses will continue each Wednesday through Saturday at 9:00 AM, with the weekend services remaining Saturday at 5:15 and Sunday at 9:00 and 11:00 AM.
Eucharistic Adoration will now be held on Friday following the 9:00 AM Mass.
An historic Christmas Eve …
Christmas Eve marks the 160th year since the first service was held in St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church. In 1848 the church was barely usable, poorly lit, and even more poorly heated … but on this holy night in 2008 the current parishioners will celebrate a milestone in local history.
The interior was essentially hastily prepared for this service then afterwards construction resumed on the inside of the building. Services were not held again probably until August 15th when the church was consecrated. It was said that there were no interior walls on the evening of the first services just whitewashed stone. There was no decoration anywhere, pews put temporarily in place, and the columns simply 10″x10″ rough cedar posts rising up to the exposed ceiling beams. Four temporary wood heaters provided some protection from the bitter cold. Fr. John Hugh McDonagh presided at the celebrations and no doubt used the occasion to spur on donations needed to complete construction of the building.
The event passed without notice in the local paper “The Bathurst Courier” … not surprising considering the major debate that was going on concerning education at that time. The “School Bill” brought major changes to Perth which had many private schools at the time. Fr. McDonagh was the author of many articles in the Courier, always signed by “J.H.McD”. It is most likely, given the coverage on the Common Schools Act (as well as several other major government initiatives), that anything he wrote could be put in due to space. The lack of written history is ultimately our loss.
And in 1890 …
On the “strange-but-true” side, Fr. Michael O’Donohue was found to have died in his sleep when he did not appear for the 5:00 AM Mass on Christmas Day in 1890. At that time Christmas Day was a normal working day for most of the town, so Masses took place at very early hours to allow people to go to work or to the market.
The Four Memorials …
The church was a smaller building in 1848. The sanctuary and sacristy we see today were added during renovations in 1900 and many changes to the entrance, which originally was lower and had steps going up inside, were completed. The original altar would have been approximately where the second pew is today. Fr. McDonagh (1836-1866), Fr. James Chisolm (1866-1878) and Fr. O’Donohue (1889-1890) were buried in a vault under that altar and their white memorial stones originally placed in the church floor. A fourth stone commemorated Fr. Thomas Davis (1899-1904) who is buried at the church’s cemetery. These memorial stones of the early pastors are now located in the side walls at the front of the church.
While each Christmas Eve holds special significance, this one is just a little more significant in the story of our parish.
Special Service Times …
Christmas Mass Schedule for
Christmas Eve - Wednesday, December 24th at 5:15 PM & 8:00 PM
Please Note: Incense will be used during the 8:00 PM Mass only
Christmas Day - Thursday, December 25th at 10:00 AM
Holy Family Sunday
Saturday, December 27th at 5:15 PM
Sunday, December 28th at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM
New Year’s Mass Schedule
New Year’s Eve - Wednesday, December 31st at 5:15 PM
New Year’s Day - Thursday, January 1st at 10:00 AM
Epiphany Sunday
Saturday, January 3 at 5:15 PM
Sunday, January 4 at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM
More Advent Reconciliation: For those who would like to avail themselves of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the following dates and times will be offered here at St. John’s:
Sunday, December 21 after the 9:00 and 11:00 AM Masses
Monday, December 22 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM
Tuesday, December 23 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM and from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Wednesday, December 24 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM and from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
For the Daily Mass schedule please consult the church bulletin.