Our Parish Bulletin
A Letter from the Bishop Daniel Miehm
Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough
April 10, 2025
Dear Parishioners of Our Lady of Mercy in Honey Harbour and St. John the Baptist in Port Severn,
As Holy Week dawns, I extend to you my prayerful best wishes as we celebrate the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
On my recent visit to the parish on Sunday, April 6, I shared with you the decision that was recently made to twin the two parishes of Our Lady of Mercy in Honey Harbour and St. James the Great in MacTier. Such twinning arrangements exist elsewhere in the Diocese of Peterborough, and they work well for small communities, reducing the financial burden on individual parishes and allowing for their longer-term stability.
In view of this, these two parishes will henceforth be served by one priest. I shared with you the plan that the rectory in Honey Harbour would be sold, while the new pastor would live at St. James in MacTier. Since Our Lady of Mercy Church is closed for over half the year and the Honey Harbour community is very tiny in the winter, MacTier presented as the better location for the pastor to reside.
To be clear, this is not a case of one parish being reduced to a mission of the other, but rather a linking of two individual parishes. The assets from the sale of the rectory will remain with Our Lady of Mercy Parish. Those proceeds will be of great help in meeting the future capital needs of the churches in both Honey Harbour and Port Severn.
I shared with you my decision that a new pastor should be assigned for this new parish arrangement, rather than appointing either Father Charles Orchard from Honey Harbour or Father Collins Okafor from MacTier. I understand your disappointment at losing Father Charles, who has led Our Lady of Mercy Parish very ably in his brief tenure. Nonetheless I believe that new leadership is called for to launch this new pastoral arrangement, and I am confident that the priest I have assigned will be well-suited to this task. I will announce his name along with the other clergy assignments for the Diocese of Peterborough in the next few weeks. He will arrive at the end of June.
As I said last weekend, there will be some impact on the Sunday Mass schedule in both parishes as the pastor will be called on to serve four congregations in the busy summer season. I know there will be some inconvenience for parishioners, but I trust that people will work together and strive to adapt to the new situation with patience and goodwill.
Be assured of my commitment to work together with the new pastor and both communities to ensure that this twinning arrangement proceeds as smoothly as possible. I am convinced that this new configuration presents the most secure path forward for both parishes. May God continue to guide, strengthen and pour out abundant blessings on all those who cherish these parishes as places of spiritual nourishment and Christian community.
Yours in Christ,
†Most Reverend Daniel J. Miehm
Bishop of Peterborough
4th Sunday of Easter, May 11, 2025
Parish Masses & Schedule
4th Sunday of Easter
Saturday, May 10, 5pm – For the repose of the soul of Gloria Cousineau by Louis and the family
Sunday, May 11, 9am –- For the repose of the souls of
Cheryl Voisin and Lucy Gendron by Joan Dupuis
Weekday Masses
Thursday, May 15, 12:10pm – For the People of the Parish
Friday, May 16, 12:10pm
Holy Hour/Confessions – Friday, May 15, 11:00am-12:00pm
Friday Faith Study – Understanding the Mass! – Friday, May 16, 1-2:30pm
5th Sunday of Easter
Saturday, May 17, 5pm – For the repose of the soul Grant Cadeau
by Don Cadeau and family
Sunday, May 18, 9am –- For the repose of the soul of Martin Quenneville
by Bev Quenneville
Offertory Collections – $1015.00 - Thank you for your generous support!
Bishop Miehm has named Fr. Jithin Jose, CMI as the Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy, Honey Harbour/St. John the Baptist, Port Severn and St. James the Great Parish, Mactier/St. Anne’s, Fenn’s Point.
As the Bishop announced, the two parishes will be served by one priest, who will live in Mactier. Fr. Jithin is a Carmelite priest and is currently the Associate pastor of St. Alphonsus Parish, Peterborough.
The Bishop has assigned me - Fr. Charles Orchard, as Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Port Hope, ON. I continue under Mother Mary’s care as I serve!
My parents live in Cobourg, ON – a 10 minute drive from this parish.
These pastoral assignments begin on June 25, 2025. A list of all of the Diocesan Priest Appointments can be seen on the Bulletin Board.
A time of transition in our Parish
In the summer we all look forward to having time to share meals with family and friends. I normally like to visit families in the summer but due to my upcoming move and the time required to prepare the Rectory for sale, moving the parish office to Mactier, meeting with your new pastor and my new parish, I am sorry that I will not be able to accept meal invitations this year, but will continue to be blessed to visit with you before and after Masses. Fr. Charles
From Our Bishop
“PEACE BE WITH ALL OF YOU.” POPE LEO XIV stepped out on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome yesterday and echoed the words of Jesus on Easter night. It took the Cardinals just four ballots to achieve this historic result, the election of Cardinal Robert Prevost as the first-ever American pope. Hailing from Chicago, Pope Leo will also bring a broad international perspective to his ministry as the Vicar of Christ, based on his years of service in Peru, Rome, and as the worldwide Superior of the Augustinian Order. Bishop William McGrattan, President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued a statement on the CCCCB website, which includes some helpful background on our new Holy Father. Let us pray for Pope Leo XIV, that the Holy Spirit may guide him as he shepherds the Universal Church!
“ABOUND IN HOPE!” is the theme for this year’s National Family and Life Week, being celebrated in dioceses and parishes across Canada from May 11 to 18. The theme is a powerful message drawn from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans and aligns with this Jubilee Year of Hope. You can see all the material and resources on the Canadian Bishops’ website. Family and life are intricately linked: it is in our family that we first experience love and learn how to love – love is what gives hope, so celebrate the importance of family in the coming week. And how appropriate that it begins on Mothers’ Day, as we thank God for all the loving care of our mothers.
+Bishop Daniel
Liturgy Notes - Vestments and Visuals: All things in the liturgy have a sacramental character. They help point us to the heavenly realities which surround us in our worship. The church building itself is a sign of the Church, pointing us to the beauty of heaven, surrounding us with heavenly light flowing through the stained-glass windows, and safely gathering us in its rock-solid walls; and moving us forward, a great ship at sea, like the Ark of Noah. The sanctuary in particular reflects the heavenly reality of the Eucharist which unfolds there throughout the Mass, being the place where the most beautiful materials and images will be seen. It is a little elevated so that we can all see the sacred action of bringing ordinary bread and wine to the altar, participate in the great Eucharistic prayer in which the gifts are offered up to God on high and become the Body and Blood of Christ, and then join in procession to the altar to partake of the heavenly banquet. The priest, who is ordained to be the head of the assembly of believers, is specially vested for his role as the one who will preside over the prayer of the people gathered in the church. His outer garment, called the chasuble, is intentionally broad to express the fullness of the Church, composed of innumerable members of the mystical Body of Christ. The chasuble is only worn for the Eucharist, and not for any other sacraments. Under the chasuble he wears a stole, also worn by the Deacon, which is a sign that their ordination permits them to preach on behalf of the Church. The stole is a reminder that they may not teach simply what they think or what they like, but have a duty to the people of God to teach what the Church teaches. And in solidarity with all the baptized, the Priest and Deacon wear the white alb underneath, as do the servers, a sign of the white garment of baptism in which we are all united as members of the Christ’s holy Church. Someone once mused that we should all wear white baptismal robes when we attend Mass. Not practical, perhaps, but we should strive for the purity of heart granted to us in our baptism, when all stain of original sin was washed away, and we should always long to be clothed in love as we participate in the Sacred Mysteries at every Holy Mass. (©Padre Piccolo)
Fr. John Mark Missio - Archdiocese of Toronto
St. Patrick’s Church, Kearney, ON - Northern Jubilee Pilgrimage Site
From May 1 to October 31, welcoming pilgrims daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM with Special Pilgrimage Programs – July 1 to 15. In preparation for our grand Jubilee celebration, we invite the faithful to deepen their devotion through: Holy Hour with Eucharistic Adoration & Confessions
Parish Jubilee Mass – Wednesday, July 16, 11am with Bishop Daniel Miehm
Pastor - Fr. Charles Orchard
Bookkeeper - Kristen Penfold
Organist - Sharon MacNeice
Finance/Property Council
Wally Berko
Nestor Baryliuk
Ray Bergie
Gerry Scholz
Mark Vanlangenhove
Screening Committee
Pam Berko
Jenny Leduc
“FORMED”- ONLINE CATHOLIC VIDEOS
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4. Search for Our Lady of Mercy Parish Honey Harbour, ON and select this parish.
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3rd Sunday of Easter, May 4, 2025
Parish Masses & Schedule
3rd Sunday of Easter
Saturday, May 3, 5pm – For the repose of the soul of Eileen Cadeau
by Don Cadeau
Sunday, May 4, 9am –- For the repose of the soul of Marian Woronko
by Maria Woronko
Weekday Masses
Thursday, May 8, 12:10pm – For the People of the Parish
Friday, May 9, 12:10pm – For the retired priests
of the Diocese of Peterborough.
Holy Hour/Confessions – Friday, May 9, 11:00am-12:00pm
Friday Faith Study – Understanding the Mass! – Friday, May 9, 1-2:30pm
4th Sunday of Easter
Saturday, May 10, 5pm – For the repose of the soul of Gloria Cousineau
by Louis and the family
Sunday, May 11, 9am –- For the repose of the souls of Cheryl Voisin
and Lucy Gendron by Joan Dupuis
Offertory Collections – $720.00 - Thank you for your generous support!
From Our Bishop
Bishop Miehm has named Fr. Jithin Jose, CMI as the Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy, Honey Harbour/St. John the Baptist, Port Severn and St. James the Great Parish, Mactier/St. Anne’s, Fenn’s Point.
As the Bishop announced, the two parishes will be served by one priest, who will live in Mactier. Fr. Jithin is a Carmelite priest and is currently the Associate pastor of St. Alphonsus Parish, Peterborough
The Bishop has assigned me - Fr. Charles Orchard, as Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Port Hope, ON. I continue under Mother Mary’s care as I serve!
My parents live in Cobourg, ON – a 10 minute drive from this parish.
These pastoral assignments begin on June 25, 2025.
AFTER THE FUNERAL MASS FOR POPE FRANCIS, the Cardinals are now gathered in Rome for the general congregations in advance of the papal conclave. This will be a time of meeting, discussing and discerning the needs of the Church and who will be best equipped to meet them as the new pontiff. The papal conclave begins on Wednesday, May 7, and faithful around the world will be praying for the Cardinal-electors entrusted with this vital task. This Prayer for the Election of a New Pope is one that we should offer in the coming days.→
O God, eternal shepherd,
who govern your flock with unfailing care,
grant in your boundless fatherly love
a pastor for your Church
who will please you by his holiness
and to us show watchful care.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
+ Bishop Daniel Miehm
Liturgy Notes - Lord, have mercy!
This heartfelt cry to the merciful Saviour concludes our penitential preparation for each holy Mass. It forms and expresses our proper stance before the Saviour: he is Lord of all things, and we are the humble, sinful creatures he has so mercifully redeemed and saved. We do not merit forgiveness in any way, having rejected him with any embrace of sin, but he loves us so much that he reaches out to us in mercy and longs for us to be saved. While “Lord, have mercy” sounds like a plea, it is at the same time an acclamation of how profoundly merciful and loving our Saviour Jesus Christ is. This is something that it seems difficult to capture in the English translation of “Kyrie eleison”. The phrase was originally a cry of the people to the Roman emperor (in the vernacular Greek), therefore the early Christian use of “Kyrie” in reference to Jesus Christ would certainly have ruffled the feathers of the great and powerful in the early days of the Church. Roman emperors would persecute the Church quite unmercifully for several generations, until their worldly power would come to an end. Today, we sing it to acclaim the mercy of the one true Lord Jesus Christ, before whom we have just called to mind our sins and our unworthiness and now bask in his divine mercy. Although the language of the liturgy shifted to Latin at a very early date, this little remnant of the very early use of Greek for liturgical prayer adds to our appreciation of the timelessness of the Mass, in which we are united through all ages and in whatever language we pray. When we sing, “Lord, have mercy” or “Kyrie eleison”, let us be mindful of Jesus, the King of Kings before whom we stand together, and think of his magnificent gift of mercy for those he lovingly redeemed by his most precious blood, poured out in sacrifice to save you me. Thus, standing humbly before the Lord of mercy, we are ready to hear his word with hearts made pure, and prepared to enter deeply into the rest of the Holy Mass that now follows. (©Padre Piccolo)
Fr. John Mark Missio - Archdiocese of Toronto
PRAYER FOR THE REPOSE OF THE SOUL OF POPE FRANCIS
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.
R: And let perpetual light shine upon him.
O God, faithful rewarder of souls, grant that your departed servant, Francis,
whom you made successor Peter and shepherd of your Church,
may happily enjoy forever in your presence in heaven
the mysteries of your grace and compassion, which he faithfully ministered on earth.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son,
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever.
R: Amen.
Pastor - Fr. Charles Orchard
Bookkeeper - Kristen Penfold
Organist - Sharon MacNeice
Finance/Property Council
Wally Berko
Nestor Baryliuk
Ray Bergie
Gerry Scholz
Mark Vanlangenhove
Screening Committee
Pam Berko
Jenny Leduc
2nd Sunday of Easter- Divine Mercy Sunday
Parish Masses & Schedule
2nd Sunday of Easter- Divine Mercy Sunday,
Saturday, April 26, 5pm – In memory of Frances Gibson and for the health of the family by the Belanger family
Sunday, April 27, 9am –- For the repose of the soul Martin Quenneville by Bev and Family
Weekday Masses
Thursday, May 1, 12:10pm – For the People of the Parish
Friday, May 2, 12:10pm- The repose of the soul of Pope Francis
Holy Hour/Confessions – Friday, May 2, 11:00am-12:00pm
Friday Faith Study – Understanding the Mass! – Friday, May 2, 1-2:30pm
Saturday, May 3, 11am- Internment- Frances Scott-
Legion Cemetery, Waubashene
Saturday, May 3, 2pm - Marriage of Adam Debowski and Laura Persi
St. John the Baptist
3rd Sunday of Easter
Saturday, May 3, 5pm – For the repose of the soul of Eileen Cadeau by Don Cadeau
Sunday, May 4, 9am –For the repose of the soul of Marian Woronko by Maria Woronko
Offertory Collections – Holy Land - $685.00, Easter - $1260.00
Thank you for your generous support!
Liturgy Notes - Amen
Athletes aim for excellence by isolating groups of muscles to exercise and strengthen. Musicians isolate musical passages and finger movements to practice and perfect their technique. Is there some part of the Mass we could isolate and “rehearse” as we “practice” our faith? Yes, many. But to begin with the humblest word (and humility is always a good place to start), give your “Amen” a workout. If you get used to putting your heart into this word, giving it all the weight it deserves, it will make room for the Holy Spirit to seal the word in your soul. We have all heard intellectual explanations of what “Amen” literally means: “so be it” or “it is true” are often given as English equivalents. More important, however, is the meaning for saying it: “Amen” is your way of assenting in your heart and soul to the prayer that has evoked a response. Many prayers are said by the priest on behalf of all present, and rather than concluding the prayer himself, the priest listens while the Body of Christ assents to what was expressed in the prayer, as many voices become one in saying or singing “Amen” in response. The unity of voices bears witness to all present of the unity of faith which is expressed throughout the Mass, and is a sign to us of Jesus’ prayer for unity becoming a reality. The “Great Amen” is said by all the people at the end of the Eucharistic Prayer at the heart of the Mass, often repeated three times. In concluding the priest’s words, “all glory and honour is yours, forever and ever,” the Amen of all present multiplies the glory given to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit; it hurls our prayers glorifying God towards the heavens, joining it to the voices of the Church around the world and the saints above. It is so much more than simply a concluding formula; “Amen” itself is praise. To practice the “Amen muscle”, listen careful to the prayer that precedes it, consider the praise which is offered to Almighty God, or the thanksgiving reverently articulated, or the sublime truths of the faith poetically and joyfully expressed as you listen attentively to the prayer; then say “Amen” to this with your heart as well as your voice; with a joyful voice, a voice full of conviction and gratitude; and hear the voices of your brothers and sisters joined with yours in a unity of faith and praise. And be glad that God has invited us all into this Mystical Body which is the Church, a body united in heart and voice, to be a living sacrifice of praise in all that we say and do. (©Padre Piccolo)
Fr. John Mark Missio - Archdiocese of Toronto
2nd Sunday of Easter- Divine Mercy Sunday
Parish Masses & Schedule
2nd Sunday of Easter- Divine Mercy Sunday,
Saturday, April 26, 5pm – In memory of Frances Gibson and for the health of the family by the Belanger family
Sunday, April 27, 9am –- For the repose of the soul Martin Quenneville
by Bev and Family
Weekday Masses
Thursday, May 1, 12:10pm – For the People of the Parish
Friday, May 2, 12:10pm- The repose of the soul of Pope Francis
Holy Hour/Confessions – Friday, May 2, 11:00am-12:00pm
Friday Faith Study – Understanding the Mass! – Friday, May 2, 1-2:30pm
Saturday, May 3, 11am- Internment- Frances Scott-
Legion Cemetery, Waubashene
Saturday, May 3, 2pm - Marriage of Adam Debowski and Laura Persi
St. John the Baptist
3rd Sunday of Easter
Saturday, May 3, 5pm – For the repose of the soul of Eileen Cadeau
by Don Cadeau
Sunday, May 4, 9am –For the repose of the soul of Marian Woronko
by Maria Woronko
Offertory Collections – Holy Land - $685.00, Easter - $1260.00
Thank you for your generous support!
Closing Celebration of the Year of the Sacred Heart
The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Friday June 27, 2025, at 3:30 pm, please join His Excellency Bishop Miehm and the parishioners of our northern parishes at Sacred Heart Parish, Trout Creek, for the closing Mass celebration of the 350th Anniversary Year of the messages of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Program begins with Adoration and confessions 11-3, Holy Mass 3:30 pm and reception to follow.
Liturgy Notes - Amen
Athletes aim for excellence by isolating groups of muscles to exercise and strengthen. Musicians isolate musical passages and finger movements to practice and perfect their technique. Is there some part of the Mass we could isolate and “rehearse” as we “practice” our faith? Yes, many. But to begin with the humblest word (and humility is always a good place to start), give your “Amen” a workout. If you get used to putting your heart into this word, giving it all the weight it deserves, it will make room for the Holy Spirit to seal the word in your soul. We have all heard intellectual explanations of what “Amen” literally means: “so be it” or “it is true” are often given as English equivalents. More important, however, is the meaning for saying it: “Amen” is your way of assenting in your heart and soul to the prayer that has evoked a response. Many prayers are said by the priest on behalf of all present, and rather than concluding the prayer himself, the priest listens while the Body of Christ assents to what was expressed in the prayer, as many voices become one in saying or singing “Amen” in response. The unity of voices bears witness to all present of the unity of faith which is expressed throughout the Mass, and is a sign to us of Jesus’ prayer for unity becoming a reality. The “Great Amen” is said by all the people at the end of the Eucharistic Prayer at the heart of the Mass, often repeated three times. In concluding the priest’s words, “all glory and honour is yours, forever and ever,” the Amen of all present multiplies the glory given to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit; it hurls our prayers glorifying God towards the heavens, joining it to the voices of the Church around the world and the saints above. It is so much more than simply a concluding formula; “Amen” itself is praise. To practice the “Amen muscle”, listen careful to the prayer that precedes it, consider the praise which is offered to Almighty God, or the thanksgiving reverently articulated, or the sublime truths of the faith poetically and joyfully expressed as you listen attentively to the prayer; then say “Amen” to this with your heart as well as your voice; with a joyful voice, a voice full of conviction and gratitude; and hear the voices of your brothers and sisters joined with yours in a unity of faith and praise. And be glad that God has invited us all into this Mystical Body which is the Church, a body united in heart and voice, to be a living sacrifice of praise in all that we say and do. (©Padre Piccolo)
Fr. John Mark Missio - Archdiocese of Toronto
the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Friday June 27, 2025, at 3:30 pm, please join His Excellency Bishop Miehm and the parishioners of our northern parishes at Sacred Heart Parish, Trout Creek, for the closing Mass celebration of the 350th Anniversary Year of the messages of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Program begins with Adoration and confessions 11-3, Holy Mass 3:30 pm and reception to follow.
From Our Bishop
THE CHURCH AND THE WORLD MOURN THE PASSING OF POPE FRANCIS, who died on Easter Monday morning. Although he had been in ill health recently, he seemed to be recovering and so his death came as something of a surprise. Many tributes have been pouring in, recognizing both Pope Francis and the impact of his twelve-year papacy. You may view a very good page about Pope Francis, his life and papacy, on the CCCB website. + Bishop Daniel Miehm
PRAYER FOR THE REPOSE OF THE SOUL OF POPE FRANCIS
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.
R: And let perpetual light shine upon him.
O God, faithful rewarder of souls, grant that your departed servant, Francis,
whom you made successor Peter and shepherd of your Church,
may happily enjoy forever in your presence in heaven
the mysteries of your grace and compassion, which he faithfully ministered on earth.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son,
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever.
R: Amen.
Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord - April 20, 2025
Parish Masses & Schedule
Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord
Saturday, April 19 - 7pm – For the People of the Parish
Sunday, April 20 - 9 am – For the People of the Parish
10 am- Baptism – Maeve Campbell
Weekday Masses
Thursday, April 24, 12:10pm
Friday, April 25, 12:10pm- The repose of the soul of Teresa Woronko
by Maria Woronko
Holy Hour/Confessions – Friday, April 25, 11:00am-12:00pm
Friday Faith Study – Understanding the Mass! – Friday, April 25, 1-2:30pm
2nd Sunday of Easter- Divine Mercy Sunday,
Saturday, April 26, 5pm – In memory of Frances Gibson and for the health of the family by the Belanger family
Sunday, April 27, 9am –- For the repose of the soul Martin Quenneville
by Bev and Family
Offertory Collections - April 13 - $795.00, Share Lent - $50.00
Liturgy Notes - Word and Sacrament:
There are two principal parts of every Mass: The Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. They are preceded and followed by short opening and closing rites that spiritually lead us to and away from this two-fold essence of the Mass. In the Liturgy of the Word, we believe that God is speaking to us afresh every time we hear the scriptures proclaimed, most especially when the words of Jesus sound again in the ears of the Church with every Gospel; then, in the Liturgy of the Eucharist, we believe that it is the very same Lord who has spoken to us through his Word who becomes really and substantially present in the Eucharist we receive. One way to think about the relationship between the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist is that these particular holy scriptures that I am hearing today are preparing me to receive the Lord at this particular Mass. There is always a tight relationship between word and sacrament in the Church’s understanding of the sacred mysteries. This is all the more reason to pay attention and even cherish every word of the scriptures proclaimed, knowing that you are being prepared to receive the very Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus, being disposed to all the graces that you might be able to receive on this day of your life. Then receive the Lord with an ever-deeper sense of awe and wonder that you are partaking of the body of Jesus who hung on the Cross for you, was raised from the dead,
and is now seated at the right hand of the Father. Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour: this is whom you receive in Holy Communion, and it is an awesome thing beyond mere human comprehension. After Communion, be sure to
say prayers of thanksgiving that God has blessed us with this awesome way to be filled with every grace and heavenly blessing. Then go forth and bring this good news to all those God brings into your life. (©Padre Piccolo)
Fr. John Mark Missio - Archdiocese of Toronto
From Our Bishop
Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Diocese of Peterborough,
The celebrations of Holy Week and Easter, when we commemorate the passion, death and resurrection of the Lord, are the high point of the Christian year. This is always true, and even more so in this Jubilee Year with its theme that calls us to be “Pilgrims of Hope.”
A pilgrim is someone who journeys to a holy place and hope is the virtue that keeps us focused on the final goal of our lives. As Christians, we are people who journey in this life, treasuring every blessing, contending with challenges, all the while keeping our eyes fixed beyond, to the life that does not end. In his letter announcing the Jubilee Year, Pope Francis wrote, “The death and resurrection of Jesus is the heart of our faith and the basis of our hope.” The reality of death is a painful one yet, because of the grace of the risen Christ, shared with us in baptism, we trust that “life is changed not ended.”
There are many things that distract us on our journey through life and we face challenges that may weaken our hope. No one is immune to the realties of sickness, death, economic uncertainty or family strife. Yet the great Easter mystery of the risen Christ instills in us a hope that can never be extinguished. As the Holy Father notes, it is this hope that “makes us rise above our trials and difficulties, and inspires us to keep pressing forward, never losing sight of the grandeur of the heavenly goal to which we have been called.”
May the celebrations of this holy season instill in us the grace of God which enables us to journey as Pilgrims of Hope and share that hope with others. I pray that God may bless you and your loved ones richly throughout this Jubilee Year.
Yours in Christ,
+ Most Reverend Daniel Miehm
Bishop of Peterborough
Easter Thanks
As we give thanks to our Risen Lord Jesus Christ this Sunday I wanted to say thank you to all of you for your faith, devotion, support and service!
A big thanks to everyone who helps decorate the Church and serve us in music, reading, ushering and giving communion. You all help to make our Church beautiful, welcoming and prayerful. I pray for God’s richest Easter blessings on you and your families! Fr. Charles
Pastor - Fr. Charles Orchard
Bookkeeper - Kristen Penfold
Organist - Sharon MacNeice
Finance/Property Council
Wally Berko
Nestor Baryliuk
Ray Bergie
Gerry Scholz
Mark Vanlangenhove
Screening Committee
Pam Berko
Jenny Leduc
“FORMED”- ONLINE CATHOLIC VIDEOS
To gain access to all of FORMED’s content, follow these simple steps:
1. Go to https://signup.formed.org/
2. Click the "Sign Up" button at the top of the page
3. Select the "Sign up as a parishioner" option.
4. Search for Our Lady of Mercy Parish Honey Harbour, ON and select this parish.
5. Type your name and e-mail. You're now registered!
You will receive a welcome email, which provides you with the option of watching some intro videos that can help you navigate the platform with more ease. Formed can also be viewed/listened to on your smartphone!
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, April 13, 2025
Parish Masses & Schedule
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
Saturday, April 12, 5pm – For the People of the Parish
Sunday, April 13, 9am –- For the repose of the soul of Irene Everingham
by Aunt Rosemary Wallace and family.
Holy Week Schedule
All Masses will be at St. John the Baptist Church,
16 Port Severn Road North, Port Severn
Holy Thursday -Mass of the Lord’s Supper, April 17 - 7pm
Good Friday-The Passion of the Lord - April 18- 3pm
Solemn Way of the Cross - 2:30pm
Easter Vigil Mass- Saturday, April 19 - 7pm
Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord- April 20 - 9 am
Weekday Masses
Thursday, April 24, 12:10pm
Friday, April 25, 12:10pm
Holy Hour/Confessions – Friday, April 25, 11:00am-12:00pm
Friday Faith Study – Understanding the Mass! – Friday, April 25, 1-2:30pm
2nd Sunday of Easter- Divine Mercy Sunday,
Saturday, April 26, 5pm – For the People of the Parish
Sunday, April 27, 9am –- For the repose of the soul Martin Quenneville
by Bev and Family
Offertory Collections - March 30- $100.00, April 6 - $1595.00,
Share Lent- $260.00
A Parish Meeting with Our Bishop.
Last Sunday, April 6, Bishop Daniel Miehm, Bishop of Peterborough, presided at the 9 am Sunday Mass and spoke to us after Mass about future plans in our part of the Diocese and our Parish. Thank you to so many parishioners for attending the parish meeting. I include a letter from Bishop Miehm in the bulletin today that contains his message to us last week. Be assured of my prayers and the prayers of your former pastors Fr. Jim Sercely and Fr. Martin Dalida during this time of transition. Fr. Charles
Liturgy Notes - The Nicene Creed
Part 3: AND ROSE AGAIN ON THE THIRD DAY!! When we recite these words in our Profession of Faith, we should feel the joy of the first Christians when they learned that Jesus was not dead but was alive! Alleluia! As you proclaim this marvellous truth, at the same time, you hear your brothers and sisters around you proclaiming it to all present. Our hearts should soar upward. Our bodies should want too as well. Physically jumping in the air would best express what we should feel when we proclaim the Resurrection of Jesus Christ in the Creed. Although jumping in the pews is not recommended, we are encouraged to do the opposite gesture of bowing when we say, “and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary and became man.” The profound bow made during these words is a timeless and universal religious gesture of dying before the Holy One, for we are not worthy even to stand in the presence of the mighty Creator of all things. But the Divine Son humbled himself to be born of a virgin, and in awesome recollection of the mystery of Christ’s incarnation, we say these words while humbly bowed before God. On two special days – Christmas and the Annunciation (March 25), we replace the bow with a genuflection, recognizing that the Son of God so humbled himself for our sake that he came to earth as one of us. We pray with our bodies when we pray the Nicene Creed, a good expression that the Christian faith is an incarnate faith, not merely spiritual, redeeming the entire human person, body and soul. (©Padre Piccolo) Fr. John Mark Missio - Archdiocese of Toronto
From Our Bishop
TWO LONG-SERVING PRIESTS OF OUR DIOCESE HAVE PASSED AWAY recently.
Father Leo Coughlin died on March 29 after a brief illness. His funeral Mass was held on Monday at his home parish of St. Paul’s in Norwood, where a full church gathered to pray for him and recall his ministry. Monsignor John Pearson passed away on Wednesday this week in Toronto where he had resided in recent years. His funeral Mass will be celebrated at our Cathedral (where he was once rector) on Tuesday next week at 10:00 a.m. Father Coughlin and Monsignor Pearson were ordained together on May 31, 1958, and served with dedication in various parishes and ministries over sixty-seven years of priesthood. Please remember them in your prayers.
THE ANNUAL CHRISM MASS will be celebrated this Monday at 2:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Peter-in Chains, Peterborough. All are welcome to this solemn celebration in which the sacred oils are blessed for the coming year and when priests serving in the diocese renew their priestly promises.
AS WE EMBARK UPON THE CELEBRATION OF HOLY WEEK, may the Church’s annual commemoration of the passion, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus be a special time of grace for us all. +Bishop Daniel →
The Word of God this Sunday
St. Luke’s Passion account highlights how much Jesus loved life. His struggle to say yes to his Father’s will (“take this cup away from me”) was so intense that he sweat blood. He also intensely loved others and their lives: he healed the man with the severed ear, comforted the women of Jerusalem, forgave his executioners, promised Paradise to the repentant thief. For the sake of others’ life he was willing to give over his own life (“not my will but yours be done”). Jesus’ struggle and self-giving is to be ours. While intensely loving the life given us, we also are to give it over for others.
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4. Search for Our Lady of Mercy Parish Honey Harbour, ON and select this parish.
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5th Sunday of Lent - April 6, 2025
A Parish Meeting with Our Bishop.
This Sunday, April 6, Bishop Daniel Miehm, Bishop of Peterborough, will be presiding at the 9 am Sunday Mass and will be speaking to us after Mass-10am about future plans in our part of the Diocese and our Parish.
I encourage as many parishioners as possible to attend this important parish meeting. Thank you, Fr. Charles
Parish Masses & Schedule
5th Sunday of Lent
Saturday, April 5, 5pm - For the repose of the soul of Gloria Cousineau by Louis and family.
Sunday, April 6, 9am –For the People of the Parish
Sunday, April 6, 10 am - Parish Meeting with Bishop Miehm
Weekday Masses
Thursday, April 10, 12:10pm
Friday, April 11, 12:10pm
Holy Hour/Confessions – Friday, April 11, 10:30am-11:30am
Way of the Cross – Friday, April 11, 11:30am- 12pm
Friday Faith Study – Understanding the Mass! – Friday, April 11, 1-2:30pm
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
Saturday, April 12, 5pm – For the People of the Parish
Sunday, April 13, 9am –- For the repose of the soul of Irene Everingham
by Aunt Rosemary Wallace and family.
Lenten Confessions in our Parish - St. John the Baptist Church, Port Severn
Fridays: 10:30- 11:20
Saturdays 4:15pm- 4:45pm
Offertory Collections - March 9 - $1475.00, Mar 16- $580.00, Mar 23 –$660.00
March 30- TBA
April 6 - Share Lent Collection
This Solidarity Sunday, Development and Peace ― Caritas Canada’s “Turn Debt into Hope” campaign invites you to give generously and thanks you warmly for your generosity. Your donation transforms the lives of some of our most vulnerable sisters and brothers across the world.
“As we work together toward a better world, your support strengthens not only our efforts, but the shared hope that we can bring about lasting change through solidarity and love. Your generosity is a testament to the boundless compassion that unites us all as one human family. May we continue to walk together in faith and action, creating a brighter future for all.”
-The Most Rev. Jorge Izaguirre, Bishop of Chosica, outgoing president of CEAS, a partner in Peru.
Help create hope for and fulfil the dreams of the communities we support in the Global South by giving to your Share Lent parish collection or online at devp.org/give. Thank you for your solidarity!
Information brochures, prayer cards and envelopes can be picked up in the Church entrance today.
Share Lent Petition
Knowing that 3.3 billion people live in countries that spend more on foreign debt repayment than on health or education, we must act!
Sign the global petition calling for:
1. Canceling unjust and unsustainable debts
2. Reforming the global financial system to prioritize people
and the planet
3. Establishing a binding and comprehensive debt framework
within the United Nations
Please sign the petition in church or online at devp.org/debt.
Liturgy Notes - The Nicene Creed - Part 2: The Poetry of the Nicene Creed.
Continuing our meditation on the Nicene Creed, we consider the beauty of the words and phrases that are expansions of the truths of our faith already found in the more terse Apostles’ Creed. “God from God, light from light, true God from true God”. Such liturgical repetition takes us from a mere statement of these truths to a lyrical savouring of the unity of Father and Son, which is a truth beyond words, but savouring each repetition gives us a little more time to dwell on the mystery and take something of it in. You might think that the poetry goes “clunk” when we encounter the word “consubstantial”, but the word itself carries both deep meaning and history. In the fourth century, as Christians struggled to put words to these eternal mysteries so that they could be professed and celebrated, it was hard to find agreement a word to describe the unity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit that did not have subtle implications -that would lead to error. Even in English, when we try something that sounds close, like the former translation “of one substance”, it does not do justice to the nuances of the Greek word homoousios, that indicates a unity that would lead to error. Even in English, when we try something that sounds close, like the former translation “of one substance”, it does not do justice to the nuances of the Greek word homoousios, that indicates a unity at the level of being. The Latin equivalent is consubstantialem. Attempts to translate this word into English lose the robustness of the original, so it was decided in the most recent translation to keep it as close to the Latin as possible. Now when we profess that the Son is “consubstantial” with the Father, it recognizes the importance of this word, and the solution to the theological disagreements it provided at the greatest of the early Ecumenical Councils of the Christian Church. The unity at the level of being of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is a precious dogma of the Christian faith, celebrated when we recite the Nicene Creed. (©Padre Piccolo)
Fr. John Mark Missio- Archdiocese of Toronto
Holy Week Schedule
All Masses will be at St. John the Baptist Church,
16 Port Severn Road North, Port Severn
Palm Sunday-Saturday, April 12 - 5pm & Sunday April 13 - 9am
Holy Thursday - April 17 - 7pm
Good Friday- April 18- 3pm (Way of the Cross 2:30pm)
Easter Vigil- April 19 - 7pm
Easter Sunday- April 20 - 9 am
JOURNEY THROUGH LENT: Bishop Gary Franken of the Diocese of St. Paul, Alberta, offers a weekly reflection on the Scriptures, beginning on Ash Wednesday and continuing on each Sunday of Lent. You may access the videos from the CCCB Utube channel.
“FORMED”- ONLINE CATHOLIC VIDEOS
To gain access to all of FORMED’s content, follow these simple steps:
1. Go to https://signup.formed.org/
2. Click the "Sign Up" button at the top of the page
3. Select the "Sign up as a parishioner" option.
4. Search for Our Lady of Mercy Parish Honey Harbour, ON and select this parish.
5. Type your name and e-mail. You're now registered!
You will receive a welcome email, which provides you with the option of watching some intro videos that can help you navigate the platform with more ease. Formed can also be viewed/listened to on your smartphone!
4th Sunday of Lent, March 30, 2025
A Parish Meeting with Our Bishop- Rescheduled due to the weather.
On Sunday, April 6, Bishop Daniel Miehm, Bishop of Peterborough, will be presiding at the 9 am Sunday Mass and will be speaking to us after Mass-10am about future plans in our part of the Diocese and our Parish.
I encourage as many parishioners as possible to attend this important parish meeting. Thank you, Fr. Charles
Parish Masses & Schedule
4th Sunday of Lent
Saturday, March 29, 5pm - For the repose of the souls of Wilbert and Mary Cascanette by Don Cadeau.
Sunday, March 30, 9am – For the repose of the soul of Martin Quenneville
by Bev and family.
Weekday Masses
Thursday, April 3, 12:10pm
Friday, April 4, 12:10pm
Holy Hour/Confessions – Friday, April 4, 10:30am-11:30am
Way of the Cross – Friday, April 4, 11:30am- 12pm
Friday Faith Study – Understanding the Mass! – Friday, April 4, 1-2:30pm
Jubilee Day of Grace Confessions - Saturday, April 5 - 2pm- 4:45pm
5th Sunday of Lent
Saturday, April 5, 5pm - For the repose of the soul of
Gloria Cousineau by Louis and family.
Sunday, April 6, 9am –- For the People of the Parish
Sunday, April 6, 10 am - Parish Meeting with Bishop Miehm
Lenten Confessions in our Parish - St. John the Baptist Church, Port Severn
Fridays: 10:30- 11:20
Saturdays 4:15pm- 4:45pm
Jubilee Day of Grace Confessions
Saturday, April 5 - 2pm- 4:45pm
Offertory Collections- March 9 - $1475.00, Mar 16- $580.00, Mar 23 –$660.00
The Word of God this Sunday
The Gospel that we hear today is a familiar one and is often referred to as the parable of the prodigal son. On the one hand, the younger son is prodigal when he prodigiously squanders his inheritance. On the other hand, the real prodigality of the son lay in that he loved his life enough to swallow his pride, return home, and throw himself on the mercy of his father. The father, too, is prodigal: he welcomes him as son (not hired worker), clothes him in the best array, and throws a lavish feast. He gave him new life. This is the most prodigal act possible: to give new life.
Liturgy notes - The Nicene Creed - Part 1: The Two Creeds of the Liturgy.
The Nicene Creed boldly and joyfully proclaims our faith when we are gathered for Sunday Masses and Solemnities throughout the year. The shorter Apostles’ Creed is an older and more succinct statement of faith and is recommended for Lent and the Easter season because of its connection with the rite of Baptism. In the seasons of Lent and Easter, we renew the promises of our Baptism, and so the use of the Apostle’s Creed is encouraged in the Mass in those seasons. In Lent, we are preparing to honestly say that we renew our commitment to living holy lives, as people who have been baptized into the death and Resurrection of Christ. In Easter, for 50 days, we continue to celebrate with great joy that souls were reborn in the waters of baptism at Easter and live out the joy of our own baptism which all of us renewed in the Easter celebrations. Therefore, the Apostles’ Creed ties the seasons of Lent and Easter together. But in the other seasons of the year, the Nicene Creed is given pride of place in the liturgy. It has a rather long official name: The Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed, because it is the fruit of intense theological debate in the 4th-century Church, when big questions were being worked out about who the nature of the Holy Trinity. As was typical in the early Church, there were erroneous views about the nature of Jesus (was he fully divine, or an exalted human?, etc.), and about the Holy Spirit (was this a “face” or “mode” of God, or a fully divine person?, etc.). So, in the two great Ecumenical Councils of the early Church, Nicaea in 325 AD, and Constantinople in 381, this great formulation of the Christian faith was forged at these meetings of the universal Church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. (Next week we will look at details of the Creed.) (©Padre Piccolo)
Fr. John Mark Missio - Archdiocese of Toronto
From our Bishop
A DAY OF GRACE will be held in our diocese on Saturday, April 5, a chance for people to celebrate God’s mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I have asked priests to provide extended hours of confession in every parish church, so that Lent in this Jubilee year may truly be a time of grace, mercy and peace. Check with your local parishes for their schedule of times and be assured of God’s invitation to you to experience His forgiveness in this sacrament.
THE SHARE LENT COLLECTION next Sunday supports this year’s theme of Development and Peace – Caritas Canada: Turn Debt into Hope. Pope Francis in “The Joy of the Gospel,” reminds us that “Each individual Christian and every community is called to be an instrument of God for the liberation and promotion of the poor and for enabling them to be fully part of society.” Please consider signing the debt petition and contributing generously to the Share Lent Collection this year. More information is available on the Development and Peace website.
+Bishop Daniel
Share Lent Petition
Knowing that 3.3 billion people live in countries that spend more on foreign debt repayment than on health or education, we must act!
Sign the global petition calling for:
1. Canceling unjust and unsustainable debts
2. Reforming the global financial system to prioritize people
and the planet
3. Establishing a binding and comprehensive debt framework
within the United Nations
Please sign the petition in church or online at devp.org/debt.
JOURNEY THROUGH LENT: Bishop Gary Franken of the Diocese of St. Paul, Alberta, offers a weekly reflection on the Scriptures, beginning on Ash Wednesday and continuing on each Sunday of Lent. You may access the videos from the CCCB Utube channel.
“FORMED”- ONLINE CATHOLIC VIDEOS
To gain access to all of FORMED’s content, follow these simple steps:
1. Go to https://signup.formed.org/
2. Click the "Sign Up" button at the top of the page
3. Select the "Sign up as a parishioner" option.
4. Search for Our Lady of Mercy Parish Honey Harbour, ON and select this parish.
5. Type your name and e-mail. You're now registered!
You will receive a welcome email, which provides you with the option of watching some intro videos that can help you navigate the platform with more ease. Formed can also be viewed/listened to on your smartphone!
3rd Sunday of Lent, March 23, 2025
A Parish Meeting with Our Bishop
On Sunday, March 30, Bishop Daniel Miehm, Bishop of Peterborough, will be presiding at the 9 am Sunday Mass and will be speaking to us
after Mass-10am about future plans in our part of the Diocese and our Parish.
I encourage as many parishioners as possible to attend this important parish meeting.
Thank you, Fr. Charles
Parish Masses & Schedule
3rd Sunday of Lent
Saturday, March 22, 5pm - For the repose of the souls of
Joe and Florence Cadeau by Don Cadeau.
Sunday, March 23, 9am –- For the repose of the soul of Mark Vessair
by Hilda Mary Rose and family.
Weekday Masses
No Mass on Thursday, March 27
Friday, March 28, 12:10pm
Holy Hour/Confessions – Friday, March 28, 10:30am-11:30am
Way of the Cross – Friday, March 28, 11:30am- 12pm
Friday Faith Study – Understanding the Mass! – Friday, March 28, 1-2:30pm
4th Sunday of Lent
Saturday, March 29, 5pm - For the repose of the souls of Wilbert and Mary Cascanette by Don Cadeau.
Sunday, March 30, 9am – For the repose of the soul of Martin Quenneville
by Bev and family.
Sunday, March 30, 10 am - Parish Meeting with Bishop Miehm
Lenten Confessions in our Parish - St. John the Baptist Church, Port Severn
Fridays: 10:30- 11:20
Saturdays 4:15pm- 4:45pm
Jubilee Day of Confessions
Saturday, April 5 - 2pm- 4:45pm
The Word of God this Sunday
St. Paul, like Jesus, offers examples from Israel’s history as a “warning to us” not to stray from God’s guidance. God offered every means for coming to new life to the people of Israel; so, too, Jesus offers us every means for coming to new and fruitful life. In the Gospel the owner of the fig tree only cares about whether the tree bears fruit—he has no regard for the tree and its life. The gardener, on the other hand, cares about the fig tree, sees the life still there, and wants to give it every chance (“I shall cultivate … and fertilize it”) to produce. He understands that as long as there’s life, there’s potential to bear fruit. What wastes away life within us and prevents us from bearing fruit is sin. Repentance, then, means choosing to nurture new life and all the fullness it can bring.
Liturgy notes - The Holy Word of God
After the Penitential Act and (often) the Gloria, our hearts have been opened to hear the holy scriptures. Everything up to this point – our gathering, expressing our unity of heart in singing, being drawn toward to altar by the entrance procession, greeting the priest, acknowledging our unworthiness, and praising God – all these are preparatory acts to make room for the Holy Spirit to dispose our hearts for a particularly intense encounter in the Mass: hearing the holy Word of God proclaimed. The Mass has two principal parts: The Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The Mass is a progression from various preparatory acts to a living encounter with the Word proclaimed, then to a transforming encounter with the divine Word of God in Holy Communion. In theory, we could just walk into church and start with the readings from the holy scriptures. But would we really be at our best without allowing the Holy Spirit to draw us from all the cares and concerns of the world to something beyond our imagining? Without acknowledging our sins, would we be best prepared to hear the challenge to repentance and holiness the scriptures confront us with? The more we can abandon ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit before we hear the Word of God proclaimed, the greater the impact of the reading of the holy scriptures can be on our hearts. The preparatory rites should foster a hunger to hear the Word. The Liturgy of the Word will lead us further into a sacramental encounter with God in the Liturgy of the Eucharist. These are the two great parts of the Mass, each with profound ways of encountering Christ. The Holy Spirit is very busy working on our hearts at all points, so let us treasure all the moments of encounter given to us in the Mass and seek to enter into all of them more deeply with the Spirit’s assistance. (©Padre Piccolo)
Fr. John Mark Missio - Archdiocese of Toronto
From our Bishop
THINGS ARE GEARING UP FOR THE “NINE SHIPS CELEBRATION” which marks the 200th anniversary of the Peter Robinson Emigration. This was the historic founding of Peterborough and many surrounding communities. We will be doing our part as a Catholic community to contribute to this bicentennial celebration – with historic cemetery tours, the celebration of Mass in the churches of the founding communities and hosting the Heritage Fair and Welcome Center at Bishop Doyle Hall for the main August 1st to 10th festivities. If you visit “Nine Ships” website, you will see that it’s a full program of cultural, historic and religious events to mark this milestone anniversary!
+Bishop Daniel
“FORMED”- ONLINE CATHOLIC VIDEOS
To gain access to all of FORMED’s content, follow these simple steps:
1. Go to https://signup.formed.org/
2. Click the "Sign Up" button at the top of the page
3. Select the "Sign up as a parishioner" option.
4. Search for Our Lady of Mercy Parish Honey Harbour, ON and select this parish.
5. Type your name and e-mail. You're now registered!
You will receive a welcome email, which provides you with the option of watching some intro videos that can help you navigate the platform with more ease. Formed can also be viewed/listened to on your smartphone!
2nd Sunday of Lent, March 16, 2025
Parish Masses & Schedule
2nd Sunday of Lent
Saturday, March 15, 5pm - For the repose of the soul of Irene Everingham by Claude King
Sunday, March 16, 9am –- For the repose of the soul of Martin Quenneville by Bev and family.
Weekday Masses
Thursday, March 20, 12:10pm
Friday, March 21, 12:10pm
Holy Hour/Confessions – Friday, March 21, 10:30am-11:30am
Way of the Cross – Friday, March 21, 11:30am- 12pm
Friday Faith Study – Understanding the Mass! – Friday, March 21, 1-2pm
3rd Sunday of Lent
Saturday, March 22, 5pm - For the repose of the souls of
Joe and Florence Cadeau by Don Cadeau.
Sunday, March 23, 9am –- For the repose of the soul of Mark Vessair by Hilda Mary Rose and family.
From our Bishop
“MONDAY IS ST. PATRICK’S DAY, a saint we celebrate with special recognition in Peterborough, as he is the secondary patron of our diocese (after our principal patron, St. Peter.) Just a couple of days later, we celebrate St. Joseph on March 19, patron of the Universal Church and principal patron saint of Canada. St. Patrick and St. Joseph, pray for us!
THE CANADIAN CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS sent two important letters to the federal government this week. The first was addressed to the Minster of Finance and dealt with worrying recommendations in pre-Budget consultations that charitable status no longer be applied to “anti-abortion” organizations and to remove the “privileged status of the advancement of religion as a charitable purpose.” Clearly, such moves would have far-ranging and negative implications in Canadian society. A second letter to the Minister of Health addresses the inadequacy of a recent online survey that the government conducted about Medical Assistance in Dying: the survey was written in a way that presumed agreement on issues with which the Catholic Church and many other people disagree. CCCB President Bishop William McGrattan reiterated our view that the government should seek compassionate alternatives to MAID, especially by improving access to good palliative care.” +Bishop Daniel
The Word of God this Sunday
On the mountain of transfiguration the disciples witnessed the glory of Jesus’ identity as the “chosen Son.” We, too, are destined for glory when Christ will “change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body.” Phillippians 3:21
During prayer Jesus’ “face changed.” This phrase is biblical language indicating that Jesus himself changed. The transfiguration is a fleeting glimpse of the glory of his risen life. To come to this glory, however, Jesus could not remain on the mountain but had to continue his journey to Jerusalem and the Cross. During prayer we, too, encounter God in such a way that we are invited to change. We, too, are emboldened to follow our life journey and embrace the Cross. And we, too, will be glorified. Now and forever.
Liturgy notes - Nourished by the Word
How well do you listen to the word of God when the readings are read at Mass? If we wish to mine every opportunity for encounter with God that the Mass provides for us, we should examine from time to time how well we listen. Some people find it spiritually enriching to read over the scriptures in their personal Missal before the Mass. Others prefer to encounter them with no preparation other than an opening of the heart towards God’s presence.
If we have allowed our hearts to be opened by the actions of gathering as a living body of believers, and seeking forgiveness, and praising God for what he has done, then we can be assured that the Holy Spirit has now disposed us to hear anew the sacred scriptures. The Holy Spirit continues his work as we listen to the Old Testament, and as he moves our hearts to respond to God’s history of saving a fallen race. We hear of covenants of love, and how to live them by right relationship with God, and we ourselves are moved when we recognize our own fallen condition. We recognize that we repeat the sins of our ancestors, and we see our need for the conversion of heart that the Spirit stirs up in us as the holy scriptures are read. Then, turning to the New Testament, we hear the name of Jesus again and again, and listen to the glorious telling of his saving sacrifice for us. In the New Testament, we savour every word Jesus spoke and is speaking again to us as we listen. It could be said that, as we listen to the Gospel proclaimed at the Mass, where the Mystical Body of Christ is assembled, it is the closest that we will ever get in this life to hearing Jesus himself speaking to us. Let us listen and rejoice. (©Padre Piccolo) - Fr. John Mark Missio - Archdiocese of Toronto
New Friday Faith Study – Understanding the Mass (6 week duration)
Starting Friday, March 21, 1pm- 2:30pm – Video, Discussion, Good Company!
Acclaimed author and teacher Dr. Brant Pitre digs down to the biblical roots of the Eucharist, through its foreshadowing in the miraculous events of the Old Testament, the Gospels, and Apostolic teaching."
The Lamb of God," "The Bread of Life," "The Body and the Blood of Christ"... these are phrases we know from the Mass. But do we understand what they mean in the greater and deeper context of Scripture and Church teaching?
We'll discover firsthand how Christ's Body and Blood are an integral and wondrous part of God's plan for our salvation. Sign-up sheet in the Church entrance area. Workbooks can be purchased for $35.00
Jubilee 2025 Hymn - Pilgrims of Hope
Like a flame my hope is burning,
may my song arise to you:
Source of life that has no ending,
on life’s path I trust in you.
Original text: Pierangelo Sequeri
English translation: Andrew Wadsworth
JOURNEY THROUGH LENT: Bishop Gary Franken of the Diocese of St. Paul, Alberta, offers a weekly reflection on the Scriptures, beginning on Ash Wednesday and continuing on each Sunday of Lent. You may access the videos from the CCCB Utube channel.
“FORMED”- ONLINE CATHOLIC VIDEOS
To gain access to all of FORMED’s content, follow these simple steps:
1. Go to https://signup.formed.org/
2. Click the "Sign Up" button at the top of the page
3. Select the "Sign up as a parishioner" option.
4. Search for Our Lady of Mercy Parish Honey Harbour, ON and select this parish.
5. Type your name and e-mail. You're now registered!
You will receive a welcome email, which provides you with the option of watching some intro videos that can help you navigate the platform with more ease. Formed can also be viewed/listened to on your smartphone!
1st Sunday of Lent, March 9, 2025
The Word of God this Sunday
Twice the devil entices Jesus to give into temptation by saying, “If you are the Son of God..” True, Jesus is divine, but he is also fully human. Jesus resists the devil's temptation to put aside his humanity and act like God, thus remaining true to himself and to why he came. But Jesus' resisting the temptations has implications for us, too. By fully embracing his humanity Jesus lifts us up to be who we are in our relationship with God. Only from this relationship do we have the inner strength and conviction to make right choices in the face of the temptations that are an inevitable part of being human.
Parish Masses & Schedule
1st Sunday of Lent
Saturday, March 8, 5pm - For the repose of the soul of Gloria Cousineau by Louis and family.
Sunday, March 9, 9am – For the repose of the soul of Mark Vessair
by Freda Nicholson and family.
Weekday Masses
Thursday, March 13, 12:10pm
Friday, March 14, 12:10pm
Holy Hour/Confessions – Friday, March 14, 10:30am-11:30am
Way of the Cross – Friday, March 14, 11:30am- 12pm
Friday Faith Study – Hope does not Disappoint! – Friday, March 14, 1-2pm
2nd Sunday of Lent
Saturday, March 15, 5pm - For the repose of the soul of Irene Everingham. by Claude King
Sunday, March 16, 9am –- For the repose of the soul of Martin Quenneville
by Bev and family.
From our Bishop
“POPE FRANCIS CONTINUES TO FACE A CRITICAL ILLNESS as he now marks three weeks in the hospital. Yesterday, he released an audio message in which he said, “I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health from the square and I accompany you from here. May God bless you and the Virgin protect you. Thank you.” We continue our prayers for the Holy Father, beseeching God’s strength and healing grace at this time.”
+Bishop Daniel
Liturgy Notes – Source and Summit, part 2:
Earlier, we noted that when we come to church on Sunday (or any weekday Mass), we are entering into worship which is taking place already in heaven, and which we will join for a time, then leave and return to our homes, while the celebration in heaven carries on. But we will have been touched in a unique way by our encounter with God, and having had this brush with holiness, we are returning to the world to change it just a little bit more into the Kingdom of God. And so the life of every baptized person is this very rhythm: back and forth from encountering God in worship, to being his presence in the world, and to bring that encounter back again in offering, thanksgiving and worship. It is the rhythm of Source and Summit (which we also explored in an earlier bulletin). When we cross the threshold of the church building, we are entering into a microcosm of the Kingdom of God, so that by spending a little time here, we will be sent forth into the world to transform it bit by bit, person by person, into the Kingdom of God as much as it can be realized on earth. You and I are to be agents of that transformation. This is our mission as Christians, a mission of every baptized person, to change the world by the divine love of God shown forth in all that we say and do. And so when we come to church, we should desire to be changed. We should hold our lives up to God, and say, “Not my will, but yours, be done. Forgive us our trespasses so that we can be seen to be holy as you are holy. And give us our daily bread, your precious Body and Blood to transform us into the Body of Christ”. Consider how the Lord’s Prayer is such a perfect prayer to open yourself to being drawn into the holiness of God and say it and say it with every fibre of desire that you can summon up within your heart.
© Padre Piccolo - Fr. John Mark Missio - Archdiocese of Toronto
New Friday Faith Study – Understanding the Mass
Starting Friday, March 21, 1pm- 2:30pm
Acclaimed author and teacher Dr. Brant Pitre digs down to the biblical roots of the Eucharist, through its foreshadowing in the miraculous events of the Old Testament, the Gospels, and Apostolic teaching."The Lamb of God," "The Bread of Life," "The Body and the Blood of Christ"... these are phrases we know from the Mass. But do we understand what they mean in the greater and deeper context of Scripture and Church teaching? We'll discover firsthand how Christ's Body and Blood are an integral and wondrous part of God's plan for our salvation. Sign up sheet in Church entrance area. Workbooks can be purchased for $35.00
JOURNEY THROUGH LENT: Bishop Gary Franken of the Diocese of St. Paul, Alberta, offers a weekly reflection on the Scriptures, beginning on Ash Wednesday and continuing on each Sunday of Lent. You may access the videos from the CCCB Utube channel.
“FORMED”- ONLINE CATHOLIC VIDEOS
To gain access to all of FORMED’s content, follow these simple steps:
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2. Click the "Sign Up" button at the top of the page
3. Select the "Sign up as a parishioner" option.
4. Search for Our Lady of Mercy Parish Honey Harbour, ON and select this parish.
5. Type your name and e-mail. You're now registered!
You will receive a welcome email, which provides you with the option of watching some intro videos that can help you navigate the platform with more ease. Formed can also be viewed/listened to on your smartphone!
8th Sunday of Ordinary Time, March 2, 2025
Parish Masses & Schedule
8th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Saturday, March 1, 5pm - For the repose of the soul of Jeff Cadeau Jr. by Don Cadeau.
Sunday, March 2, 9am – For the repose of the soul of Martin Quenneville
by Bev and family.
Weekday Masses
Ash Wednesday, March 5, 12:10pm and 7pm
Thursday, March 6, 12:10pm
Friday, March 7, 12:10pm
Holy Hour/Confessions – Friday, March 7, 10:30am-11:30am
Way of the Cross – Friday, March 7, 11:30am- 12pm
Friday Faith Study – Hope does not Disappoint! – Friday, March 7, 1-2pm
1st Sunday of Lent
Saturday, March 8, 5pm - For the repose of the soul of Gloria Cousineau by Louis and family.
Sunday, March 9, 9am –- For the repose of the soul of Mark Vessair
by Freda Nicholson and family.
LENT at St. John the Baptist Church!
Ash Wednesday - March 5
(Day of fasting and abstinence from meat.)
Masses - 12:10 pm & 7pm
Stations of the Cross – Fridays at 11:30am
Lenten Holy Hour - Fridays 10:30am-11:30am
Lenten Confessions
Fridays 10:45am-11:30am
Saturdays 4:15-4:45
Friday Faith Study – 1pm- 2pm
The Word of God this Sunday
First Reading (Sir 27:4–7)
The need for being prudent in words and actions is among the various
counsels assembled by Sirach.
Second Reading (1 Cor 15:54–58)
After the apostle Paul explains to the community of Corinth the reality of
resurrection, he concludes it with a triumphant song. Death no longer
has effect to those who believe in the resurrection of Christ.
Gospel (Luke 6:39-45)
Jesus reminds his disciples about the right conduct toward
recognizing the faults of others. Jesus does not prohibit correcting those who err or are in a sinful state. The governing thought of Jesus is that passing
judgment should be done in the spirit of prayer, great humility, compassion, and love. Hypocrites are concerned only with the splinter of another person’s eye and do not recognize their own self-blinding plank.
Do we humbly recognize our sins and errors? Do we pass judgment with arrogance and pride?
Liturgy Notes - Source and Summit, part 1:
Drawn from the current “Catechism of the Catholic Church” (CCC 1324), this is the best image to consider over and over again as we aim for a deeper grasp of what is going on as we come to Mass on the Lord’s Day (be that Saturday evening or Sunday morning). You come to the “Source and Summit of the Christian Life”. What do you bring? What do you take away? These are two key questions to consider, as you approach the summit of Christian worship, and as you leave the Mass and return to everyday life. When you come, you bring your life with you, not parking it at the door of the Church, but bringing your experiences, your cares, your dreams, your sacrifices and your deep gratitude for every good gift: this is a small sampling of your life that you bring to Mass when you pass through the doors of the Church. You bring it to God, to offer it, by offering yourself; you bring your cares to the One who cares more deeply for you than you do for yourself; you bring your dreams of happiness and love between all people, hoping for a Kingdom to appear on earth; you bring the labour you have done in a week of work and prayer and suffering and rejoicing, and you lay down all these things before the Lord in sacrifice. Step back for a moment, and consider what you bring with you when you place yourself before the Lord at the Sunday Mass. Re-read the sentence above about what you bring; make a mental list; and next Sunday, intentionally place all these things you bring before the Lord in a quiet moment before the Mass. © Padre Piccolo
Fr. John Mark Missio - Archdiocese of Toronto
7th Sunday of Ordinary Time, February 23, 2025
Parish Masses & Schedule
7th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Saturday, February 22, 5pm - For the repose of the soul of Irene Everingham by Geraldine Gorbutt
Sunday, February 23, 9am – For the repose of the soul of Mary Ruth Pilon by Peter and family.
Weekday Masses
No Mass on Wednesday, February 26
Thursday, February 27, 12:10pm
Friday, February 28, 12:10pm
8th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Saturday, March 1, 5pm - For the repose of the soul of Jeff Cadeau Jr. by Don Cadeau.
Sunday, March 2, 9am –For the repose of the soul of Martin Quenneville
by Bev and family.
Holy Hour/Confessions – Friday, February 28, 11am-12:00pm
Friday Faith Study – Hope does not Disappoint! – Friday February 28, 1-2pm
LENT at St. John the Baptist Church!
Ash Wednesday - March 5
(Day of fasting and abstinence from meat.)
Masses - 12:10 pm & 7pm
Stations of the Cross – Fridays at 11:30am
Lenten Holy Hour - Fridays 11am-11:30am
Lenten Confessions
Fridays 11am-11:30am
Saturdays 4:15-4:45
Friday Faith Study – 1pm- 2pm
2024 Income Tax Receipts
Are available in the entrance are of the Church for our winter parishioners! Others have been mailed or emailed. Those who have requested January & February 2025 income tax receipts will receive them in March.
The Word of God this Sunday
First Reading: It was perfectly permissible and encoded in the Old Testament Law to exact an “eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” Saul’s attempts on David’s life justify Abishai’s desire to kill Saul whom, after all, “the Lord delivered” into David’s hands. David’s sparing Saul’s life was a gesture of mercy which superseded the Law.
Jesus makes our call to live as “children of the Most high” concrete and practical. The norms of behavior he lays down move us from the already high standard “do to others as you would have them do to you” to the even higher standard “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” We are given grace daily to act in this way because of the extravagant good measure with which God continually acts toward us.
Liturgy Notes
Eternal, Cosmic, Glorious Beyond Imagining: What is the liturgy?
You would think that this would be the first question in the Catechism’s section on the Mass. You would expect an orderly definition, and a point-by-point description. But this is not how the Catechism begins its section on our worship. It does begin with questions, but rather different ones, such as: Who celebrates the liturgy? (1135) Why start here? It starts with “who”, not “why”, because the Mass does not begin with us. It begins in God himself, wherein the eternal worship of the Father by the Son in the Holy Spirit is the primordial act of worship that is eternal, cosmic, and glorious beyond imagining. It does not begin when we make the Sign of the Cross; it has been going on in the heart of God before creation ever was, and this cosmic worship has been attended to by all the angels and saints since creation began. We glimpse this divine worship briefly when we come to Mass; but we are entering into something heavenly that was begun long before we arrived, and will continue long after we are gone. So, the Catechism does not begin with dry definitions, but with a realization that worship of God is a mystery greater than our understanding; yet God invites us to enter into the mystery. Next time you look at the windows of all the saints around the church, remember that they are not simply reminders of people who lived in the past. They are signs of those who are worshipping in heaven with us, praising God with cries of joy, and we echo their voices on earth, giving voice to every creature under heaven through our human voices, when we pray and sing at the Mass. We might leave at the end of Mass, but their worship carries on unceasingly (©Padre Piccolo) Fr. John Mark Missio - Archdiocese of Toronto
I was sorry to cancel last Sunday’s Mass- February 16, due to the snow storm.
I send emails to parishioners announcing storm cancelations – so be sure to provide me with your email address and check emails on stormy weekends!
Fr. Charles
“FORMED”- ONLINE CATHOLIC VIDEOS
To gain access to all of FORMED’s content, follow these simple steps:
1. Go to https://signup.formed.org/
2. Click the "Sign Up" button at the top of the page
3. Select the "Sign up as a parishioner" option.
4. Search for Our Lady of Mercy Parish Honey Harbour, ON and select this parish.
5. Type your name and e-mail. You're now registered!
You will receive a welcome email, which provides you with the option of watching some intro videos that can help you navigate the platform with more ease. Formed can also be viewed/listened to on your smartphone!
6th Sunday of Ordinary Time, February 16, 2025
Parish Masses & Schedule
6th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Saturday, February 15, 5pm - For the repose of the soul of Mark Vessair by Hilda Mary Rose and family.
Sunday, February 16, 9am –- For the repose of the soul of Mary Ruth Pilon
by Peter and family.
Weekday Masses
No Mass on Wednesday, February 19
Thursday, February 20, 12:10pm- For the repose of the souls of Octavio and Adelaide Simao & Maria Medeiros by Jose Simao
Friday, February 21, 12:10pm
Holy Hour/Confessions – Friday, February 21, 11am-12:00pm
Friday Faith Study – Hope does not Disappoint! – Friday February 21, 1-2pm
7th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Saturday, February 22, 5pm - For the repose of the soul of Irene Everingham by Geraldine Gorbutt
Sunday, February 23, 9am – For the people of the parish
Offertory Collections
February 9 –$ 680.00. Port Severn Parking lot repair - $3000.00
Thank you for your generous giving!
From our Bishop
OUR PROVINCE GOES TO THE POLLS ON FEBRUARY 27, our first winter election in Ontario in many years. The Archdiocese of Toronto has some helpful resources available for Catholics as we form our consciences and decide how to vote. Both the guide by “Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Toronto” and the resource by “Catholic Conscience” help us to consider various issues through the lens of Catholic social and moral teaching. You can view them through the Archdiocese of Toronto website.
LENT IS JUST TWO AND A HALF WEEKS AWAY! Even though it starts late this year, it still kind of snuck up. If you haven’t yet dipped your toe into “FORMED,” the library of great Catholic online videos, this is a wonderful time to start – or a time to start watching again. They have a great four-part series “How to Lent,” which is a fine lead-up as we prepare for this season of penance, prayer, charity and spiritual renewal. It is a real blessing to have these resources free for our use, especially with Lent soon upon us.”
(sign up details at the bottom of this page!)
+Bishop Daniel Miehm
The Word of God this Sunday
Blessedness, by its very nature, bears good things because it is of God.
For Jeremiah, blessedness brings the lushness that water can bring to a desert. For Jesus, blessedness brings the unimaginable reward of belonging to God. Although we in our society are proud that we do not have classes or castes that separate, in fact we do have distinctions that separate, not least among them being the rich and the poor, the have and the have-nots. We discover the presence of God’s kingdom when people come together across what divides and share both gifts and needs, so that everyone is on “level ground.”
Diocese of Peterborough Pastoral Pan
Goal #3- 2025- Offer well prepared liturgies that
promote prayer and participation
“Liturgy Notes - Hungering for God: As we contemplate each part of the Mass in this column, let us not simply look for information, but seek to deepen our spiritual encounter with the Lord in the many ways he is present to us. “Liturgy” refers to all the worship which the Church does as the Mystical Body of Christ. The liturgies we celebrate include all the sacraments, various rites and ceremonies, and at its apex, the celebration of the Holy Eucharist or the Mass. Since our worship of God is critical to our relationship to God himself, these rites of the Church are considered sacred actions. How the Church worships actually expresses what we believe, and forms us in the relationship with God established when we worship. By doing a close reading of our rites, we aim for a deeper experience of worshipping our great and Mighty God, the Holy Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The liturgy of the Church is so important, since it speaks of what we believe and forms us in belief, it was the first order of business at the Second Vatican Council. In the first major document of the Council, the liturgy is described as “the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows”. Often shortened to “source and summit”, what happens in the sacred liturgy deeply affects us as Christians. We will be dipping into this source and summit of grace as this column continues in the coming weeks.” (©Padre Piccolo)
Fr. John Mark Missio - Archdiocese of Toronto
2024 Income tax receipt for parish donations…Coming soon!
The Canada Revenue Agency has informed us that due to the 2024 Canada Post strike that they will accept charitable donations given until February 28, 2025 on the 2024 tax return if donors choose. If you would like tax receipts for January and February 2025 to utilize in 2024 let me know by email or phone. Receipts for these two months can be used in either 2024 or 2025.
“FORMED”- ONLINE CATHOLIC VIDEOS
To gain access to all of FORMED’s content, follow these simple steps:
1. Go to https://signup.formed.org/
2. Click the "Sign Up" button at the top of the page
3. Select the "Sign up as a parishioner" option.
4. Search for Our Lady of Mercy Parish Honey Harbour, ON and select this parish.
5. Type your name and e-mail. You're now registered!
You will receive a welcome email, which provides you with the option of watching some intro videos that can help you navigate the platform with more ease. Formed can also be viewed/listened to on your smartphone!
5th Sunday of Ordinary Time - February 9, 2025
Parish Masses & Schedule
5th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Saturday, February 8, 5pm - For the repose of the soul of Joseph Moreau by Ann and David
Sunday, February 9, 9am – For the people of the parish
We will have the Blessing of Throats
before and after weekend Masses this weekend.
Weekday Masses
No Mass on Wednesday, February 12
Thursday, February 13, 12:10pm- For the repose of the souls of Octavio and Adelaide Simao & Maria Medeiros by Jose Simao
Friday, February 14, 12:10pm
Holy Hour/Confessions – Friday, February 14, 11am-12:00pm
Friday Faith Study – Hope does not Disappoint! – Friday February 14, 1-2pm
6th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Saturday, February 15, 5pm - For the repose of the soul of Mark Vessair
by Hilda Mary Rose and family.
Sunday, February 16, 9am –- For the repose of the soul of Mary Ruth Pilon
by Peter and family.
Offertory Collections
February 2 –$ 1525.00. Thank you for your generous giving!
33rd World Day of the Sick - February 11, 2025
In this year’s message, Pope Francis offers a reflection on the theme, “‘Hope does not disappoint’ (Rm5:5) but strengthens us in times of trial,” emphasising the profound role the Christian tradition accords to the theological virtue of hope in moments of illness and suffering. Pope Francis reminds the faithful that physical illness can have emotional and spiritual effects. The Holy Father calls for our renewed commitment to caring for the sick with love, compassion, and faith, recognising that hope is a gift that sustains both those who suffer and those who accompany them.
February 3- Feast of St Blaise —the Blessing of Throats
St Blaise was a 3rd-century Armenian bishop known for his deep faith, fervent love for God and his people, and a reputation for working miracles even during his lifetime. St Blaise is the patron saint for those afflicted
with throat injuries and diseases.
Diocese of Peterborough Pastoral Pan
Goal #3- 2025- "Offer well prepared liturgies that promote prayer and participation."
“Praying Intentionally: This bulletin column will gaze upon the Mass step-by-step over many weeks. And why? What might you gain from reading each reflection, and thinking about it, and maybe even acting on it? The short answer is that by praying through the Mass more intentionally, by seeking a deeper appreciation of what is happening at each point, and how each moment relates to the whole, some spiritual renewal will come of it. A heart open to the Holy Spirit will always be enriched by prayer, and the Mass is the greatest prayer of the Church, with depths that we can spend our whole lives exploring, yielding more and more fruit. With this column, I invite everyone to say all the prayers more deliberately, meaning what you say, putting your heart into the beautiful words of prayer that constitute this apex of Christian worship which we call the Mass. It is the worship of heaven made present to us for a brief time while we are together in the church. When we say words of praise, find it in your heart to joyfully sing or say the words that cry out in worship of God. When we say words of contrition and sorrow, again, say them from the heart, knowing that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and need forgiveness and healing grace. When we say prayers of petition, asking God to help us and to help those in danger and in need, find it in your heart to implore your Creator with real longing for God’s assistance. Prayers which might be new to you, or prayers which you have said since childhood, will draw you closer to God the more you lift up your heart to him, and put your heart into the words we say and the songs we sing. Think of every moment of the Mass as an opportunity to grow in relationship to God, for if you grant him that opportunity, he will take you up on it.
Can you do this at this Mass today?”
Fr. John Mark Missio - Archdiocese of Toronto
(©Padre Piccolo)
2024 Income tax receipt for parish donations…Coming soon!
The Canada Revenue Agency has informed us that due to the 2024 Canada Post strike that they will accept charitable donations given until February 28, 2025 on the 2024 tax return if donors choose. If you would like tax receipts for January and February 2025 to utilize in 2024 please put your name on the sign up list in the Church foyer or let me know by email or phone. Receipts for these two months can be used in either 2024 or 2025.
Presentation of the Lord - February 2, 2025
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
Mary and Joseph were faithful to the law when they came to present their forty-day-old Son in the temple and offer the prescribed sacrifice. Simeon and Anna show us, however, that more is necessary than obedience to the law in order to recognize the presence of the Son-Messiah. Filled with expectation, they were actively waiting and looking for “the Christ of the Lord” and the “redemption of Jerusalem.” Their very expectation and waiting was the work of the Holy Spirit within them. As with Simeon and Anna, our own lives must be filled with the expectation and waiting that is truly the work of the Holy Spirit within us. Only then will we see and recognize the Messiah in our midst.
Parish Masses & Schedule
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
Saturday, February 1, 5pm - For the people of the parish
Sunday, February 2, 9am - For the repose of Martin Quenneville
by Bev and family
Weekday Masses
No Mass on Wednesday, February 5
Thursday, February 6, 12:10pm
Friday, February 7, 12:10pm
5th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Saturday, February 8, 5pm - For the people of the parish
Sunday, February 9, 9am - For the repose of the soul of Joseph Moreau by Ann and David
We will have the Blessing of Throats before and after weekend Masses on this weekend.
Holy Hour/Confessions – Friday, February 7, 11am-12:00pm
Friday Faith Study – Hope does not Disappoint! – Friday February 7, 1pm-2pm
Offertory Collections
January 26 –$ 505.00. Thank you for your generous giving!
From our Bishop
THE JUBILEE OF CONSECRATED LIFE will take place at St. Mary’s Church in Lindsay this Sunday, February 2 at the 11:00 a.m. Mass. This Feast of the Presentation of the Lord is annually the World Day for Consecrated Life, established by Pope St. John Paul II in 1997. It happens to fall on a Sunday this year which adds to the festivity! We have invited to this Mass priests and sisters from religious orders who serve with great faithfulness in the Diocese of Peterborough – and we will host them at the celebratory luncheon afterwards. This Mass for Consecrated Life is one of our first major Diocesan events for the Jubilee year, and I am delighted that it will also be livestreamed on St Mary's YouTube channel. You can look ahead to other planned events for the Jubilee on our Diocesan website.
I HEARD THE OFFICIAL HYMN FOR THE JUBILEE YEAR for the first time this week and both the words and the music are quite beautiful. You can listen to “Pilgrims of Hope” (and read the lyrics) on YouTube. Our Office for Spiritual Affairs has created a bookmark with the lyrics that has been sent to parishes so they can insert it in their hymnals for this year. I know many people dread learning new hymns, but I think this one will be a hit!
+Bishop Daniel
Hymn for the Jubilee Year 2025 - Pilgrims of Hope
Refrain: Like a flame my hope is burning,
may my song arise to you:
Source of life that has no ending,
on life’s path I trust in you.
1.Ev’ry nation, tongue, and people
find a light within your Word.
Scattered fragile sons and daughters
find a home in your dear Son.
2.God, so tender and so patient,
dawn of hope, you care for all.
Heav’n and earth are recreated
by the Spirit of Life set free.
3. Raise your eyes, the wind is blowing,
for our God is born in time.
Son made man for you and many
who will find the way in him.
Original text: Pierangelo Sequeri
English translation: Andrew Wadsworth
Music: Francesco Meneghello
3rd Sunday or Ordinary Time - January 26,2025
Jubilee Year Message
From the Canadian Bishops’ Development & Peace Organization
As we begin our journey for the 2025 Jubilee, Pope Francis reminds us that “hope should be granted to the billions of the poor who often lack the essentials of life and that “the goods of the Earth are not destined for a privileged few but for everyone.” (Spes Non Confundit, 15-16) Inspired by this call to justice, we are joining Caritas Internationalis’ campaign “Turn Debt into Hope” along with many other faith-based and civil society organizations.
Together, we urge decision-makers to prioritise people and planet over mere profit and demand debt justice for communities crushed by unjust and unpayable debts. As the Holy Father writes, “if we really wish to prepare a path to peace in our world, we must commit ourselves to remedying the remote causes of injustice, settling unjust and unpayable debts” (Spes Non Confundit, 16). This Jubilee year 2025, under the theme “Pilgrims of Hope,” Pope Francis invites Catholics to renew their hope and adopt a vision that can “restore access to the fruits of the earth to everyone.”
Parish Masses & Schedule
3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time
Saturday, January 25, 5pm - For the people of the parish
Sunday, January 26, 9am - For the repose of Claude Nicholson and
Lois McDermott by Freda and Family
Sunday, January 26- We will have the Baptism of Ashlynn Jordan during
our 9 am Mass this week. Let us keep her and her family in prayer!
Weekday Masses
No Mass on Wednesday, January 29
Thursday, January 30, 12:10pm
Friday, January 31, 12:10pm
4th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Saturday, February 1, 5pm - For the people of the parish
Sunday, February 2, 9am - For the repose of Martin Quenneville by Bev
and family
Holy Hour/Confessions – Cancelled -January 31
Friday Faith Study – Hope does not Disappoint! – Cancelled January 31
Offertory Collections
January 19 –$ 1230.00. Thank you for your generous giving!
Our Parish Friday Faith Study - Fridays, 1pm-2pm at St. John the Baptist
Topic:
Jubilee 2025 – Hope Does Not Disappoint!
Exploring Pope Francis’ reflection for the Jubilee Year with a six week Bible study prepared by our Canadian Bishops.
The themes are:
1. A Universal Call to Jubilee: to be celebrated in Rome and worldwide
2. Hope: Rooted in Baptism and enlivened by the Holy Spirit, faith, hope, love, and patience sustain us.
3. A Journey of Hope: we are a pilgrim people.
4. Signs of Hope: the desire for peace and justice and the call to be signs of hope for the poor, imprisoned, sick and dying.
5. Appeals for Hope: ensuring the fruits of the earth are available to everyone, the forgiveness of debt, and celebrating the 1700th Anniversary of the Council of Nicea emphasizing our call to be synodal and to evangelize.
6. Anchored in Hope: the death and resurrection of Jesus, the witness of the Mother of God, the saints and martyrs, the gift of indulgences and their importance.
You will find a sign up sheet in the entrance area of the Church for this study.
From our Bishop
OUR INDIGENOUS RECONCILIATION FUND will soon open its third round of applications for projects. We are grateful to all those who have donated to his important cause and to the members of our IRF Committee who carefully screen the submissions, seeking projects that will promote the cause of Truth and Reconciliation in our Diocese. You can see more about the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund on our Peterborough Diocese website, including a list of those worthy projects that were supported in rounds one and two.
BLESSED CARLO ACUTIS AND BLESSED PIER GIORGIO FRASSATTI will both be canonized in this Jubilee Year of Hope: Bl. Carlo at the Jubilee for Teenagers on April 27, and Bl. Pier Giorgio as part of the Jubilee for Youth on August 3. Although the Diocese is not sponsoring pilgrimages to these events, parishes may wish to mark the canonization of these two remarkable young men! Blessed Carlo, who passed away in 2006 at the age of fifteen, is often referred to as “the first millennial saint.”
+Bishop Daniel
2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time
Saturday, January 18, 5pm- For the repose of the soul of Frances Scott
by Fred and Elaine Cousineau
Sunday, January 19, 9am -- For the people of the parish
Weekday Masses
No Mass on Wednesday, January 22
Thursday, January 23, 12:10pm
Friday, January 24, 12:10pm
3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time
Saturday, January 25, 5pm--- For the people of the parish
Sunday, January 26, 9am - For the repose of Claude Nicholson and
Lois McDermott by Freda and Family
Sunday, January 26- We will have the Baptism of Ashlynn Jordan during our 9 am Mass this week. Let us keep her and her family in prayer!
Holy Hour/Confessions – Friday, January 24, 11am-12:00pm
Offertory Collections
Baptism of the Lord Sunday, January 12 –$ 1222.50
DIOCESAN MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSE/CHANGE OF DATE
Just a reminder that our diocesan Marriage Preparation Course
will take place online on Saturday May 10, 2025 with presentations on video being sent out for three weeks previous. Any couples preparing for marriage, should go to the link on the Peterborough Diocese website to register.
POPE’S INTENTION FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY
For the right to an education: Let us pray for migrants, refugees, and those affected by war, that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a better world, might always be respected.
First Communion!
We are pleased that Macy and Jadyn of our parish started their preparation for 1st Confession and 1st Communion this week with Pam Berko. Let us keep them and their families in prayer during this special time as we look forward to them celebrating these sacraments in our parish.
Friday, January 24- 1pm-2pm at St. John the Baptist
Jubilee 2025 – Hope Does Not Disappoint!
Exploring Pope Francis’ reflection for the Jubilee Year with a six week Bible study prepared by our Canadian Bishops.
The themes are:
1. A Universal Call to JubileeOur next parish Friday Faith Study begins this Week!
: to be celebrated in Rome and worldwide
2. Hope: Rooted in Baptism and enlivened by the Holy Spirit, faith, hope, love, and patience sustain us.
3. A Journey of Hope: we are a pilgrim people.
4. Signs of Hope: the desire for peace and justice and the call to be signs of hope for the poor, imprisoned, sick and dying.
5. Appeals for Hope: ensuring the fruits of the earth are available to everyone, the forgiveness of debt, and celebrating the 1700th Anniversary of the Council of Nicea emphasizing our call to be synodal and to evangelize.
6. Anchored in Hope: the death and resurrection of Jesus, the witness of the Mother of God, the saints and martyrs, the gift of indulgences and their importance.
You will find a sign up sheet in the entrance area of the Church for this study.
From our Bishop
THE WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY takes place this year from January 18 to 25.This year’s theme, inspired by the 1700th anniversary of
the Council of Nicaea, is “Do you believe this?” (Jn 11:26).
During this annual observance, Christians are encouraged to pray that the desire of the Lord, that “all may be one,” might be fulfilled. The theme for this year focuses on the 1700th Anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, which produced the Nicene Creed that we often profess at Mass. The resources for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity are produced jointly by the Vatican and the World Council of Churches, as noted on the Canadian Bishops’ website.
BECAUSE OF THIS MAJOR ANNIVERSARY OF THE NICENE CREED, I have asked that priests of the diocese to prioritize its use during this Jubilee Year. In Canada, we often incline to the use of the Apostles’ Creed, which is shorter and echoes the Baptismal Promises. Professing our faith with the Nicene Creed more often will help us to appreciate its richness and more developed theology of the Trinity.
+Bishop Daniel
