Now you can ‘see’ it too!!  Join us for this two hour audio-visual presentation.

New scientific data reveals more than just a flat image embedded in the ancient cloth, but an astonishing, three-dimensional, sculpture-like image.

New technology brings the image to life, unveiling the most accurate representation ever seen of what many believe to be Jesus Christ.

The mysterious ‘power of the Shroud’ has even transformed the lives of some of the scientists through conversion experiences.

Come and ‘see’ for yourself!

Join us!

Wednesday May 26, 2010
7:00pm
St John the Baptist Church
Perth, Ontario

For more information: contact the Church Office at (613) 267-1043

The Forum is free and open to all women, age 16 and over.

Our facilitators: Sr Pauline Lally and Sr Alda Brady from the Sisters of Providence in Kingston. The Forum will address questions of charity and justice.

To register: womensforum@stjohnsperth.com

A one woman play journeying through the Last Supper, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, and Pentecost with a visit from St. Paul.
www.servantatthesupper.com

Wednesday, May 12, 2010
7:00 – 8:30 pm
Performed in the nave of the Church

St. John the Baptist Parish
Wilson Street
Perth, Ontario

For further information contact the Church Office at (613) 267-1043 or stjohnperth@gmail.com.

A free will offering will be collected.

The liturgy on Palm Sunday opens with the blessing of the palms. We hear the account of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and bless palm branches. Just as scripture says that children participated in the celebration, our children join us for the joyful procession. (9:00 AM Mass only)
In the Liturgy of the Word, the focus then shifts to the Passion of our Lord. Passion is a word we often hear in today’s jargon when people speak of things important to them. Passionate love involves sacrifice. Those causes about which we are truly “passionate” are so important to us that we are willing to sacrifice ourselves to achieve them. In his letter to the Philippians, we hear Paul’s hymn of how Christ has “emptied himself” to become human, and how he “humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross.” We then hear the Gospel account of Jesus’ suffering and death (this year from Matthew). The Good News today is that God cared so passionately for us that, in the person of Jesus Christ, God became fully human, even suffering degradation and death at the hands of a broken world.
As Christians, we live out the passion in the celebration of the Eucharist.

THE CHRISM MASS
Tuesday, 30 March 2010
ST. MARY’S CATHEDRAL, KINGSTON - 7:30 PM

In this celebration, people from every parish of the Archdiocese gather at the Archdiocesan Church in Holy Week to bless the three oils that are used in the Sacraments of the church. These are the Oil of Catechumens, Oil for the Sick, and Sacred Chrism. Two of these oils (Oil of the Catechumens, and Sacred Chrism) are used for the initiation of adults at the Easter Vigil. Representatives from each parish receive the Holy Oils from the Archbishop and present them to the parish at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday.

THE EASTER TRIDUUM – THE THREE HOLY DAYS

HOLY THURSDAY
1 April 2010
THE MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER – 7:30 PM

The Passion of the Lord begins on Holy Thursday evening in the stories of the last night Jesus spent with his friends. In the opening rite, the Oils blessed by the Archbishop at the Chrism Mass are carried in procession and are presented to the community. In response, we sing, “Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.” Then, during the singing of the Glory to God, the Oils are placed at the ambry.
In the Old Testament reading, we are reminded that the events of the Triduum occur within the context of the Jewish Passover. Jesus and his disciples had journeyed to Jerusalem in order to celebrate the Passover. In his letter to the Corinthian Church, Paul gives an account of the supper during which our Lord instituted the Eucharist, as he said, “Do this in remembrance of me.”
An important element of this evening is the washing of feet. When supper had ended, Jesus took water in a basin and a towel and began to wash his disciples’ feet. He then commanded his disciples to follow his example by giving such loving service to others. The music of this night speaks of love and service. Following the celebration of the Eucharist, we move in procession to the Altar of Repose. The Holy Eucharist is carried solemnly to the place of reservation.
Participating in the Holy Thursday liturgy prepares us for the events of the next days.

ADORATION

Upon the conclusion of the Eucharist on Holy Thursday, the Blessed Sacrament is reserved in the Altar of Repose. There parishioners keep watch. The custom of spending some time with our Lord on this night arose from the desire to give an affirmative answer to Jesus’ question, “Could you not watch with me one brief hour?” The church will be open for private prayer until midnight.

GOOD FRIDAY
2 April 2010
THE PASCHAL FAST

STATIONS OF THE CROSS - 10:00 AM

This method of observing Good Friday is often called “The Way of the Cross,” for it traces Jesus’ path as he carries his cross to Golgotha. Along the way, certain stops (or stations) are made to remember specific moments in the journey. There are not only words to hear, but hymns to be sung as the group moves along the way. This way of observing Good Friday has become popular among families with young children.

CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S PASSION – 3:00 PM

The main liturgy of this day is extremely simple. The focus is on the Cross. All other decorations have been removed from the church. There is less singing and music. The liturgy consists of readings, including the Passion from John’s Gospel, and solemn prayers of intercession for the church and the world. The central liturgical action is the veneration of the cross by all present. We venerate the one Cross in a variety of ways: by a genuflection or bow, by kissing or touching the cross, by a simple pause. The Eucharist is not celebrated on this day, but communion is made through the Eucharist reserved from the Holy Thursday liturgy.
Throughout the day on Good Friday the church will be open for private prayer.

THE LITURGY OF THE LORD’S PASSION
HOLY SATURDAY
3 April 2010

On Holy Saturday the Church waits at the tomb of Jesus, meditating on his suffering and death and looking forward to the holy night of the Easter Vigil. This day is characterized by fasting, waiting, and alertness in prayer. By this means the community assembles for the Vigil to begin the Easter celebrations with a heightened sense of expectation and joy.

THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD – 8:00 PM

This First Mass of Easter, or the Great Easter Vigil, is the most distinctive liturgy of the Christian year. In several very special ways, we celebrate our life in the risen Christ this night. In the expanded readings, we recount the history of God’s saving actions in the lives of God’s people. We renew our own baptismal vows, and, in the Eucharist, we celebrate our membership in the fellowship of the Church, the continuing Body of the Risen Christ.
The Great Vigil begins in darkness and in silence. A new fire is kindled, and a new Paschal Candle is inscribed and lit as a symbol of Christ, the light of the world. As all process
Into the church toward the altar, “the light of Christ” is shared with all participants, who each hold a candle. The words of the Exultet, or Easter Proclamation, ring out that “This is the night” of the Lord’s Passover from death to new life.
We then listen to readings and sing psalms about God’s wonderful intentions for us. The primary reading is the account of Israel’s deliverance through the Red Sea. The central place of this reading reminds us that Easter is “Paschal,” the celebration of the passage from death into life. Just as the Children of Israel were saved from slavery and death by their safe passage through the sea, we are brought to new life in Christ through the waters of baptism by the power of the Holy Spirit.
So it is that on this night the church has, since her very early days, baptized new Christians. Easter is the primary festival for baptisms. Jesus’ death and resurrection are symbolized by baptismal candidates’ passage to new life in Christ. It is fitting, also, that at this time following Lenten preparation all members renew their baptismal vows. As the altar is vested in its finest array and flowers bedeck it, we all sing. The “alleluia” which had been given up for Lent returns to our songs as we join in a festive celebration of the Eucharist.

EASTER SUNDAY
4 April 2010 – 9:00 & 11:00 AM

Celebration of the Eucharist on Easter Morning includes music and the renewal of baptismal vows.
Our Easter celebration only begins with the Great Vigil and Easter Sunday. Easter, the “Queen of Feasts,” lasts for 50 days, concluding with the baptismal feast of Pentecost (or “fiftieth day”). The celebrations throughout the Great Fifty Days continue the festival of Easter with Easter flowers, hymns, and alleluias.

January 24 – “Open Life Night” All parishioners are welcome to come to the Life Teen Night in Smiths Falls after the 6:30 Mass. Come meet some teens and see what Life Teen is like.

January 30 & 31 – “Volunteer Blitz” Information regarding all types of volunteer opportunities with the NET team will be provided in both parishes!

Gr.9-12 Youth Program: We have also restarted Life Teen – every Sunday night after the 6:30 Mass at St. Francis de Sales Parish in Smiths Falls.

Gr.6-8 Youth Program: We have also just started the Edge every Thursday night from 7-9 at St. John’s High School in Perth.

Any questions, concerns, comments, please call Alyssa or Tom at the NET Office at (613) 283-1784.