Parish Schedule
Masses
St. John the Baptist Church,
Saturday 5pm & Sunday 9 am
Thursday & Friday - 12:10pm
At:16 Port Severn Road North, Port Severn
Our Lady of Mercy Church
Sunday 11am
At: 2590 Honey Harbour Road, Honey Harbour
Other Sacraments & Times of Prayer
At: St. John the Baptist Church, Port Severn
Confessions: Fridays - 11:30am - 12pm
Saturdays - 4:15pm - 4:45pm
Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament
with Benediction
Fridays - 11:00am - 12:00pm
Bible Study – Fridays 1pm- 2:30pm
Our Lady of Mercy Parish Office
P.O. Box 126
2596 Honey Harbor
Honey Harbour, ON P0E 1E0
Phone - 705 756-2311
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.ladyofmercyhoneyharbour.ca
From the Pastor's Desk- June2, 2025
Hello brothers and sisters.
As announced by Bishop Daniel Miehm in April:
Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Honey Harbour and St. James the Great Parish, Mactier
will be served by one parish priest starting June 25, 2025.
Fr. Jithin Jose, CMI has been named Pastor of both parishes.
He will begin his ministry June 25, 2025 and will be living at the parish house in Mactier.
In order for one priest to provide Masses for both parishes we need to change our Mass Schedule.
Bishop Miehm met with the present pastors of Our Lady of Mercy and St. James and your new pastor, Fr. Jithin, to create a new summer schedule that will allow both parishes
to have a Saturday Mass and a Sunday Mass every week
with sufficient time for Fr. Jithin to drive between the four churches he will be serving.
Last weekend I announced the following new Summer Mass Schedule:
Parish Summer Schedule - Starting June 27, 2025
Weekend Masses
Saturday 4pm - St. John the Baptist, Port Severn
Sunday 11am - Our Lady of Mercy, Honey Harbour
Weekday Schedule
Fridays
11:30 Eucharistic Adoration & Confessions
12:10 Mass
1:00pm- Bible Study (restarting in September after a summer break)
Saturdays- 3:30pm Confessions
As is our custom we will continue to close Our Lady of Mercy Church in the winter,
and re-open on the May Long weekend.
All Masses will be held as St. John the Baptist Church, Port Severn during that time.
Let us keep Fr. Jithin and each other in prayer as these adjustments are made.
For those in the area next weekend - after the 11 am Mass in Honey Harbour on Sunday, June 8, we will have a parish social with a chance for me to say my farewells to you before I move to my new parish at the end of June.
Be assured of my daily prayers for you and your families,
Fr. Charles
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
Hello brothers and sisters.
As announced by Bishop Daniel Miehm in April:
Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Honey Harbour and St. James the Great Parish, Mactier
will be served by one parish priest starting June 25, 2025.
Fr. Jithin Jose, CMI has been named Pastor of both parishes.
He will begin his ministry June 25, 2025 and will be living at the parish house in Mactier.
In order for one priest to provide Masses for both parishes we need to change our Mass Schedule.
Bishop Miehm met with the present pastors of Our Lady of Mercy and St. James and your new pastor, Fr. Jithin, to create a new summer schedule that will allow both parishes
to have a Saturday Mass and a Sunday Mass every week
with sufficient time for Fr. Jithin to drive between the four churches he will be serving.
Last weekend I announced the following new Summer Mass Schedule:
Parish Summer Schedule - Starting June 27, 2025
Weekend Masses
Saturday 4pm - St. John the Baptist, Port Severn
Sunday 11am - Our Lady of Mercy, Honey Harbour
Weekday Schedule
Fridays
11:30 Eucharistic Adoration & Confessions
12:10 Mass
1:00pm- Bible Study (restarting in September after a summer break)
Saturdays- 3:30pm Confessions
As is our custom we will continue to close Our Lady of Mercy Church in the winter,
and re-open on the May Long weekend.
All Masses will be held as St. John the Baptist Church, Port Severn during that time.
Let us keep Fr. Jithin and each other in prayer as these adjustments are made.
For those in the area next weekend - after the 11 am Mass in Honey Harbour on Sunday, June 8, we will have a parish social with a chance for me to say my farewells to you before I move to my new parish at the end of June.
Be assured of my daily prayers for you and your families,
Fr. Charles
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
Our Parish Bulletin
Ascension of the Lord, June 1, 2025
Parish Masses & Schedule
The Ascension of the Lord
Saturday, May 31, 5pm – For the people of the parish- Port Severn
Sunday, June 1, 9am – For the repose of the soul of Martin Quenneville
by Bev Quenneville - PS
Sunday, June 1, 11 am- For the people of the parish – Honey Harbour
No Weekday Masses/weekday events on June 2-6
as Fr. Charles is away on the Diocesan Priest’s Retreat
Pentecost Sunday
Saturday, June 7, 5pm – For the people of the parish- PS
Sunday, June 8, 9am – For the repose of the soul of Elizabeth Ann Hearn
by the family - PS
Sunday, June 8, 11 am- For the repose of the soul of Claude Nicholson
and Lois McDermott by Freda and family– HH
Sunday, June 8, 12pm- Parish Social & Farewell to Fr. Charles
All are welcome for join for some conversation, food and refreshments after the 11 am Honey Harbour Mass on June 8 and to have a chance to visit
with Fr. Charles before his departure for his new parish on June 25.
Offertory Collections – May 25- $955.00, Pope’s Pastoral Works - $45.00
Summer Building projects!
Over the next month we will be replacing the Oil Furnace in Our Lady of Mercy Church, Honey Harbour, with a new propane Furnace. The sale of the Rectory will help us cover these costs, but donations for this are greatly appreciated! To prepare the Honey Harbour Parish Rectory for sale we are installing a new well for the house as it presently uses the Church well water. This work will begin in June and will also be paid for by the sale of the house.
At St. John the Baptist Church, Port Severn the front entrance canopy and parking lot will undergo repairs. We have raised $13,000.00 for this project already and will let you know if there are additional costs for the project.
The Sale of the Honey Harbour Parish Rectory
Planning is underway for the parish house to be up for sale in June and ready for new owners as early as July 1 after Fr. Charles moves to his new parish.
Changes to the Parish Mass Schedule
Bishop Miehm, Bishop of the Diocese of Peterborough recently met with Fr. Charles Orchard, Fr. Collins Okafor, the pastor of St. James, Mactier and Fr. Jithin Jose CMI, the new pastor of both parishes starting June 25, to determine a new Mass Schedule. Fr. Charles will announce the new Mass schedule soon.
Liturgy Notes - A dialogue of grace
Our singing of the entrance hymn has joined our voices into one, expressing and forming the harmony of souls that sets the stage for our encounter as the Body of Christ. “Wherever two or three are gathered in my name” becomes real; having gathered, we make explicit in whose name we have gathered: in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, acknowledged together in gesture on our bodies, and in dialogue between the priest and people, the first dialogue of the assembled Body of Christ. The people all together respond “Amen”, the ancient Hebrew word for “so be it”, to the first words of the priest, who names the Holy Trinity as the heart of the reason why we have gathered. The priest greets the members of the body with holy words, words chosen from the scriptures, wishing grace, love, and communion to God’s people. One special greeting is reserved for the bishop when he presides for us: “Peace be with you.” These are the words of the Risen Christ and respecting the bishop’s role as one having the fullness of Holy Orders, and as a successor of the apostles, we reserve these words for him. In replying, “and with your spirit,” we recognize the spirit granted to those ordained to stand at the head of the Mystical Body in worship. He is ordained to serve the people of God; he is to be a servant/leader, configured to Christ as priest, prophet, and king. The people of God share in a priesthood of all the faithful, and the ordained minister serves the people by fostering their baptismal priesthood which offers the world to God through their universal call to holiness. As we celebrate the Mass, we allow these signs and symbols to make the Church visible at worship, a Mystical Body of head and members, all with important roles to play as the sacred mysteries transform us in heart, body, and soul. (©Padre Piccolo) Fr. John Mark Missio - Toronto Archdiocese
Responsible Faith Ministry: Volunteer Screening
Since the earliest days of the Church, we have come together to worship to live out our faith. As followers of Jesus, we are called to show love to one another and to the world as well as to share our gifts and resources. We continue that tradition today. We reach out to those in need, we counsel, we help, we teach. Each of us brings unique gifts to share. Volunteers are the lifelines of our parishes. Without the time, effort and gifts of our volunteers, the Church would not be able to fulfill its ministry to help those in need. We recognize and appreciate the invaluable contributions of our many volunteers. Through Responsible Ministry Screening, we can provide support and protection to our volunteers. Our actions as volunteers and as a Church, while performing our ministries, should be guided at all times by our goal: the protection and safety of our vulnerable people, our volunteers and our Church. In the Diocese of Peterborough, many volunteers serve in positions of trust. The screening of volunteers helps to create and maintain a safe environment for all volunteers as well as those to whom they minister. In order to ensure that all concerned are protected, The Catholic Bishops of Ontario have asked that screening be initiated in every diocese in the province. Over the next weeks Fr. Charles, Pam Berko and Jen Leduc will be contacting those who serve in parish ministries to take the next steps in responsible ministry as requested by our Bishop.
5th Sunday of Easter, May 18, 2025
Parish Masses & Schedule
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
Weekday Masses
Thursday, May 22, 12:10pm – For the People of the Parish
Friday, May 23, 12:10pm
Holy Hour/Confessions – Friday, May 23, 11:00am-12:00pm
Friday Faith Study – Understanding the Mass! – Friday, May 23, 1-2:30pm
6th Sunday of Easter
Saturday, May 24, 5pm – For the People of the Parish
Sunday, May 25, 9am –- For the repose of the soul of Martin Quenneville
by Bev Quenneville
Offertory Collections – May 11 - $1705.00 - Thank you for your 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
OUR PRIEST BENEFIT FUND ADVISORY COMMITTEE met this week. Among the various agenda items, we have been preparing for the annual PBF appeal taking place in our parishes on Sunday, June 15. We are always grateful for your generosity in that collection, which enables us to care for our senior priests who have retired from pastoral assignments – but who often remain very active in ministry, helping out here and there!
PRIESTS OF THE DIOCESE WILL ATTEND OUR ANNUAL RETREAT from
June 2 to 6 at Queen of Apostles Renewal Center in Mississauga. We are looking forward to some good days of fraternity and spiritual renewal, led by our retreat leader, Bishop Gerard Bergie of the Diocese of St. Catharine’s. We would appreciate your prayers for us on these annual days of retreat,
that they may be a time of prayerfulness and blessing!
+Bishop Daniel
Liturgy Notes - Holy gestures
Continuing our reflections on the meaning of the Mass, we now look further at the entrance procession as it approaches the sanctuary. Note what the servers, the priest, and the deacon do when the entrance procession arrives at the first step of the sanctuary. Often we will see the tabernacle in or near the sanctuary, which holds the Blessed Sacrament reserved from a previous celebration of the Mass. Jesus Christ is really and truly present in the tabernacle, and if it is located in the sanctuary, we express our reverence for the Lord by genuflecting to him in the tabernacle at the beginning of Mass, and when we leave the sanctuary at the end of the Mass. (The servers carrying the Cross and candles reverence the tabernacle by bowing their heads, as it is difficult to genuflect with these in hand.) From this point forward, our prayer is centred on the altar and the unfolding of the sacrament offered at this Mass, therefore the priest and servers bow to the altar when passing before it while the Mass is in progress. As the priest goes to the altar for the first time at the start of the Mass, he venerates the altar with a kiss. In doing so, the priest embraces Christ with his heart, so that he can greet the people as lovingly as he greeted Christ in his veneration of the altar. Together, we all trace the Cross of Christ on our bodies, acknowledging with our very bodies that we belong to Christ, and we worship the God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Let us cherish this beautiful gesture of tracing the Cross of Christ on our bodies, and remember to whom we belong, and what a great mystery we participate in; for worship at the Mass is nothing less than participation in the inner life of the Holy Trinity, as the Son eternally worships the Father in the Holy Spirit, and we have the privilege of entering into that divine procession of Love through our participation in the great prayer of the Church which we call the Holy Mass. (©Padre Piccolo)Fr. John Mark Missio - Archdiocese of Toronto
Responsible Ministry: Volunteer Screening
Since the earliest days of the Church, we have come together to worship to live out our faith. As followers of Jesus, we are called to show love to one another and to the world as well as to share our gifts and resources. We continue that tradition today. We reach out to those in need, we counsel, we help, we teach. Each of us brings unique gifts to share. Volunteers are the lifelines of our parishes. Without the time, effort and gifts of our volunteers, the Church would not be able to fulfill its ministry to help those in need. We recognize and appreciate the invaluable contributions of our many volunteers. Through Responsible Ministry Screening, we can provide support and protection to our volunteers. Our actions as volunteers and as a Church, while performing our ministries, should be guided at all times by our goal: the protection and safety of our vulnerable people, our volunteers and our Church. In the Diocese of Peterborough, many volunteers serve in positions of trust. The screening of volunteers helps to create and maintain a safe environment for all volunteers as well as those to whom they minister. In order to ensure that all concerned are protected, The Catholic Bishops of Ontario have asked that screening be initiated in every diocese in the province. Over the next weeks Fr. Charles, Pam Berko and Jen Leduc will be contacting those who serve in parish ministries to take the next steps in responsible ministry as requested by our Bishop.
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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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!
Ascension of the Lord, June 1, 2025
Parish Masses & Schedule
The Ascension of the Lord
Saturday, May 31, 5pm – For the people of the parish- Port Severn
Sunday, June 1, 9am – For the repose of the soul of Martin Quenneville
by Bev Quenneville - PS
Sunday, June 1, 11 am- For the people of the parish – Honey Harbour
No Weekday Masses/weekday events on June 2-6
as Fr. Charles is away on the Diocesan Priest’s Retreat
Pentecost Sunday
Saturday, June 7, 5pm – For the people of the parish- PS
Sunday, June 8, 9am – For the repose of the soul of Elizabeth Ann Hearn
by the family - PS
Sunday, June 8, 11 am- For the repose of the soul of Claude Nicholson
and Lois McDermott by Freda and family– HH
Sunday, June 8, 12pm- Parish Social & Farewell to Fr. Charles
All are welcome for join for some conversation, food and refreshments after the 11 am Honey Harbour Mass on June 8 and to have a chance to visit
with Fr. Charles before his departure for his new parish on June 25.
Offertory Collections – May 25- $955.00, Pope’s Pastoral Works - $45.00
Summer Building projects!
Over the next month we will be replacing the Oil Furnace in Our Lady of Mercy Church, Honey Harbour, with a new propane Furnace. The sale of the Rectory will help us cover these costs, but donations for this are greatly appreciated! To prepare the Honey Harbour Parish Rectory for sale we are installing a new well for the house as it presently uses the Church well water. This work will begin in June and will also be paid for by the sale of the house.
At St. John the Baptist Church, Port Severn the front entrance canopy and parking lot will undergo repairs. We have raised $13,000.00 for this project already and will let you know if there are additional costs for the project.
The Sale of the Honey Harbour Parish Rectory
Planning is underway for the parish house to be up for sale in June and ready for new owners as early as July 1 after Fr. Charles moves to his new parish.
Changes to the Parish Mass Schedule
Bishop Miehm, Bishop of the Diocese of Peterborough recently met with Fr. Charles Orchard, Fr. Collins Okafor, the pastor of St. James, Mactier and Fr. Jithin Jose CMI, the new pastor of both parishes starting June 25, to determine a new Mass Schedule. Fr. Charles will announce the new Mass schedule soon.
Liturgy Notes - A dialogue of grace
Our singing of the entrance hymn has joined our voices into one, expressing and forming the harmony of souls that sets the stage for our encounter as the Body of Christ. “Wherever two or three are gathered in my name” becomes real; having gathered, we make explicit in whose name we have gathered: in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, acknowledged together in gesture on our bodies, and in dialogue between the priest and people, the first dialogue of the assembled Body of Christ. The people all together respond “Amen”, the ancient Hebrew word for “so be it”, to the first words of the priest, who names the Holy Trinity as the heart of the reason why we have gathered. The priest greets the members of the body with holy words, words chosen from the scriptures, wishing grace, love, and communion to God’s people. One special greeting is reserved for the bishop when he presides for us: “Peace be with you.” These are the words of the Risen Christ and respecting the bishop’s role as one having the fullness of Holy Orders, and as a successor of the apostles, we reserve these words for him. In replying, “and with your spirit,” we recognize the spirit granted to those ordained to stand at the head of the Mystical Body in worship. He is ordained to serve the people of God; he is to be a servant/leader, configured to Christ as priest, prophet, and king. The people of God share in a priesthood of all the faithful, and the ordained minister serves the people by fostering their baptismal priesthood which offers the world to God through their universal call to holiness. As we celebrate the Mass, we allow these signs and symbols to make the Church visible at worship, a Mystical Body of head and members, all with important roles to play as the sacred mysteries transform us in heart, body, and soul. (©Padre Piccolo) Fr. John Mark Missio - Toronto Archdiocese
Responsible Faith Ministry: Volunteer Screening
Since the earliest days of the Church, we have come together to worship to live out our faith. As followers of Jesus, we are called to show love to one another and to the world as well as to share our gifts and resources. We continue that tradition today. We reach out to those in need, we counsel, we help, we teach. Each of us brings unique gifts to share. Volunteers are the lifelines of our parishes. Without the time, effort and gifts of our volunteers, the Church would not be able to fulfill its ministry to help those in need. We recognize and appreciate the invaluable contributions of our many volunteers. Through Responsible Ministry Screening, we can provide support and protection to our volunteers. Our actions as volunteers and as a Church, while performing our ministries, should be guided at all times by our goal: the protection and safety of our vulnerable people, our volunteers and our Church. In the Diocese of Peterborough, many volunteers serve in positions of trust. The screening of volunteers helps to create and maintain a safe environment for all volunteers as well as those to whom they minister. In order to ensure that all concerned are protected, The Catholic Bishops of Ontario have asked that screening be initiated in every diocese in the province. Over the next weeks Fr. Charles, Pam Berko and Jen Leduc will be contacting those who serve in parish ministries to take the next steps in responsible ministry as requested by our Bishop.
5th Sunday of Easter, May 18, 2025
Parish Masses & Schedule
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
Weekday Masses
Thursday, May 22, 12:10pm – For the People of the Parish
Friday, May 23, 12:10pm
Holy Hour/Confessions – Friday, May 23, 11:00am-12:00pm
Friday Faith Study – Understanding the Mass! – Friday, May 23, 1-2:30pm
6th Sunday of Easter
Saturday, May 24, 5pm – For the People of the Parish
Sunday, May 25, 9am –- For the repose of the soul of Martin Quenneville
by Bev Quenneville
Offertory Collections – May 11 - $1705.00 - Thank you for your 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
OUR PRIEST BENEFIT FUND ADVISORY COMMITTEE met this week. Among the various agenda items, we have been preparing for the annual PBF appeal taking place in our parishes on Sunday, June 15. We are always grateful for your generosity in that collection, which enables us to care for our senior priests who have retired from pastoral assignments – but who often remain very active in ministry, helping out here and there!
PRIESTS OF THE DIOCESE WILL ATTEND OUR ANNUAL RETREAT from
June 2 to 6 at Queen of Apostles Renewal Center in Mississauga. We are looking forward to some good days of fraternity and spiritual renewal, led by our retreat leader, Bishop Gerard Bergie of the Diocese of St. Catharine’s. We would appreciate your prayers for us on these annual days of retreat,
that they may be a time of prayerfulness and blessing!
+Bishop Daniel
Liturgy Notes - Holy gestures
Continuing our reflections on the meaning of the Mass, we now look further at the entrance procession as it approaches the sanctuary. Note what the servers, the priest, and the deacon do when the entrance procession arrives at the first step of the sanctuary. Often we will see the tabernacle in or near the sanctuary, which holds the Blessed Sacrament reserved from a previous celebration of the Mass. Jesus Christ is really and truly present in the tabernacle, and if it is located in the sanctuary, we express our reverence for the Lord by genuflecting to him in the tabernacle at the beginning of Mass, and when we leave the sanctuary at the end of the Mass. (The servers carrying the Cross and candles reverence the tabernacle by bowing their heads, as it is difficult to genuflect with these in hand.) From this point forward, our prayer is centred on the altar and the unfolding of the sacrament offered at this Mass, therefore the priest and servers bow to the altar when passing before it while the Mass is in progress. As the priest goes to the altar for the first time at the start of the Mass, he venerates the altar with a kiss. In doing so, the priest embraces Christ with his heart, so that he can greet the people as lovingly as he greeted Christ in his veneration of the altar. Together, we all trace the Cross of Christ on our bodies, acknowledging with our very bodies that we belong to Christ, and we worship the God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Let us cherish this beautiful gesture of tracing the Cross of Christ on our bodies, and remember to whom we belong, and what a great mystery we participate in; for worship at the Mass is nothing less than participation in the inner life of the Holy Trinity, as the Son eternally worships the Father in the Holy Spirit, and we have the privilege of entering into that divine procession of Love through our participation in the great prayer of the Church which we call the Holy Mass. (©Padre Piccolo)Fr. John Mark Missio - Archdiocese of Toronto
Responsible Ministry: Volunteer Screening
Since the earliest days of the Church, we have come together to worship to live out our faith. As followers of Jesus, we are called to show love to one another and to the world as well as to share our gifts and resources. We continue that tradition today. We reach out to those in need, we counsel, we help, we teach. Each of us brings unique gifts to share. Volunteers are the lifelines of our parishes. Without the time, effort and gifts of our volunteers, the Church would not be able to fulfill its ministry to help those in need. We recognize and appreciate the invaluable contributions of our many volunteers. Through Responsible Ministry Screening, we can provide support and protection to our volunteers. Our actions as volunteers and as a Church, while performing our ministries, should be guided at all times by our goal: the protection and safety of our vulnerable people, our volunteers and our Church. In the Diocese of Peterborough, many volunteers serve in positions of trust. The screening of volunteers helps to create and maintain a safe environment for all volunteers as well as those to whom they minister. In order to ensure that all concerned are protected, The Catholic Bishops of Ontario have asked that screening be initiated in every diocese in the province. Over the next weeks Fr. Charles, Pam Berko and Jen Leduc will be contacting those who serve in parish ministries to take the next steps in responsible ministry as requested by our Bishop.
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
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E-Transfer
You may send your Offertory/Donations to our parish
in an easier and a more direct way through E-Transfer.
Name: Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Tel: 705-756-2311,
Email: [email protected]
Please Consider Planned Giving Options
Preauthorized Offering Plan (POP) – (You may request a POP Form to fill up from the parish)
Regular Planned Giving annual increase in offertory based on Consumer Price Index (CPI)
Bequests through your last will and testament
Securities – Stocks, Bonds, Mutual Funds, GICs
Life Insurance
You may send your Offertory/Donations to our parish
in an easier and a more direct way through E-Transfer.
Name: Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Tel: 705-756-2311,
Email: [email protected]
Please Consider Planned Giving Options
Preauthorized Offering Plan (POP) – (You may request a POP Form to fill up from the parish)
Regular Planned Giving annual increase in offertory based on Consumer Price Index (CPI)
Bequests through your last will and testament
Securities – Stocks, Bonds, Mutual Funds, GICs
Life Insurance
Pope Francis-Bishop Daniel Miehm-Fr. Charles Orchard
Weekend Masses:
Saturday 5 P.M.
Sunday 9 A.M
Weekday Masses: Wednesday-Friday 12:10pm
(please confirm by reading this weeks' bulletin)
Confessions: Fridays 11:30 - 12pm, Saturdays 4pm - 4:30pm
Weddings & Baptisms: Please Call the office
Weddings & Baptisms: Please Call the office
Masses
Reopens for Sunday Mass on the long weekend in May
Reopens for Sunday Mass on the long weekend in May
Address:
Our Lady of Mercy Parish
P.O. Box 126
2596 Honey Harbour Rd.
Honey Harbour, On P0E1E0
Fr. Charles Orchard - Parish Priest
Telephone: 705-756-2311
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.ladyofmercyhoneyharbour.ca/
Our Lady of Mercy Parish
P.O. Box 126
2596 Honey Harbour Rd.
Honey Harbour, On P0E1E0
Fr. Charles Orchard - Parish Priest
Telephone: 705-756-2311
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.ladyofmercyhoneyharbour.ca/
