Announcements
In our Parish
This week’s Mass Intentions (Daily Readings)
Monday October 28 – St. Simon and St. Jude
Ephesians 2:19-22; Luke 6:12-19 – No Mass
Tuesday October 29
Ephesians 5:21-33; Luke 13:18-21
7 PM – Bruce Smith
Wednesday October 30
Ephesians 6:1-9; Luke 13:22-30
9 AM – Delmas & Sheila Robertson / Beulah M. Ahyoung
Thursday October 31
Ephesians 6:10-20; Luke 13:31-35
9 AM – Sonja Hanley
Friday November 1 – All Saints
Revelation 7:2-4; 1 John 3: 1-3; Matthew 5:1-2a
9 AM – Stan Petek
7 PM – Fr. David Oliveire
Saturday November 2 – All Souls
Job 19:1, 23-27; 1 Corinthians: 15: 20-23; John 12:23-26
5 PM – Antonio Piccinini / Len Kalin
Sunday November 3 – 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Deuteronomy 6:2-6; Hebrews 7:23-28; Mark 12:28-34
9 AM – Norma Enright / Nahid & Armand Korkis
11 AM – Pro Populo (for the parishioners)
Group Meetings
Monday October 28
Emotions Anonymous Meeting – 7 PM – WR
Wednesday October 30
Women’s AA Group – 6:15 PM – Hall
Thursday October 31
Choir Practice – 7 PM – Church
Friday November 1
AA Meeting – 9 PM – Hall
Other Announcements
Sunday Offerings
Sunday, October 20, 2024: $6,389.50. Thank you for your generosity!!!
Our Building Maintenance Fund:
Has reached $7,492.00 and is growing – Thanks for your support!
BAPTISM
Welcomed into our parish community through Baptism on October 20, 2024: Elian Gray Lucion Alcantara, Violet Anne Bagshaw, Leonardo Amelio McDiarmid, Everly Robin Piskorz, Sofia Alba Strofolino, Eleanora Violet Svaluto, and Isla Josephine Wharin.
Congratulations to their parents and Godparents.
Parish Notices and Announcements
Any persons, parish groups, community groups wishing to post announcements in the Church (entrance door boards, bulletin and website) must take them to our office. If approved by the Pastor, the office will post them. Thanks for your co-operation.
EX CORDE FOUNDATION GRANT
We are deeply grateful to the Ex Corde Foundation for the generous grant of $25,000 to allow us to proceed with the pointing of the stonework which has already commenced, leaving a balance of approximately $80,000.
ST. JOHN’S MISTLETOE MARKET
Come and join us for the Mistletoe Market on November 23, 9AM – 2PM. Shop at our Vendor Markets featuring various artisans from the community. Pick up some tasty homemade treats at our Bake Sale. Buy raffle tickets for your chance to win various baskets and stay to enjoy a homemade breakfast. Vendors interested in a table contact Peggy Black at stjohnsevets12@gmail.com. Sponsors and basket donations from Parishioners would be greatly appreciated. Please contact dinaknight779@gmail.com or drop off baskets in the sacristy after Mass. Baked goods, clearly labeled can be dropped off on November 22 in the Hall. Mark the date on your calendar! Please come out to support this event!
Adult Preparation for Sacraments at the 2025 Easter Vigil
Our Parish Adult Catechetical Program resumes in our Hall. We would like to welcome adults, married couples and youths 9 years old and up who want to become Catholic and be fully initiated in the Catholic faith through Baptism, First Holy Communion and Confirmation. A fun learning course! Please call the office for more information.
Knights of Columbus
Did you know that St. John’s has a Knights of Columbus Council? We were formed in mid June of this year. Our official name is St. John the Baptist Council #18496. We are volunteers ready to work in our Church. If you are a male 18 years or older you can join our team. The first step is to look at www.kofc.org and get a picture of what we do. The next step is to call John D’Addario 905-973-0474 and join the team!
Old Prescription Glasses Collection Program
Do you have old prescription glasses that you would like to donate? Bring them to Church when you come to Mass and drop them off in a box marked “Old Prescription Glasses” located at the main entrance doors on Brant St. Thank you!
PHOTO GALLERY
Please do not forget that our website features a photo gallery. If you are interested in viewing photos from past events, please find the gallery at: https://stjohnthebaptist.ca/photo-gallery
Pre-Authorized Giving at St. John’s Parish
Have you considered supporting the parish through pre-authorized giving? This allows you to give to the parish through scheduled monthly transfers from your bank account, and helps ensure regular, dependable contributions to the parish. Most of all, though, pre-authorized giving affords us the opportunity to re-orient how we think about giving. Rather than giving from what’s left over, this method of giving encourages us to discern a level of Parish support with greater intention. In this way, we respond more fully to the call to “honour the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your produce.” (Proverbs 3, 9-10). For more information or to enroll, please contact the parish office.
ST. VINCENT DE PAUL CONTRIBUTIONS
For contributions to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, please make all cheques payable to the St. Vincent de Paul Society and not to St. John’s Parish. Thank You!
The Sacrament of Baptism: Where Life in Christ Begins!
Our parish is on the lookout for dynamic volunteers to help us grow our Baptism Prep Ministry. Is the Holy Spirit inspiring you to get involved and help families prepare for the Sacrament that starts it all? Please contact Deacon Cam and Annette to find out how to join our ministry by emailing cjohnson@hamiltondiocese.com
SACRED HEART OF JESUS, HAVE MERCY ON US
Come and join us every Thursday at 9 a.m. for the Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Holy Mass.
Devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help
We would love to have you join our weekly Devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help immediately before the Tuesday evening Mass. We start at 7 p.m. and all are most welcome.
Visitor’s Envelopes
Kindly use a pink Visitor’s Envelope if donating a loose cheque and complete the front of the envelope in full or at least write your name. This helps immensely. If you would like a set of parish envelopes of your own, please visit or phone the office for assistance. Thank you!
Do you own a business that could serve our parish?
From time to time our parish may be in need of contracted work. We may need to go to outside companies without knowing if a parishioner is able to provide a product or service that we could use. If you own a business that could serve our parish and would like to be considered for future work, please contact Margaret Hribljan by emailing her at margaret.h@cogeco.ca.
LOST AND FOUND NOTICE
If you have lost something, please check the Lost & Found baskets located at the Brant St. entrance to the Church. All items that unclaimed after a month will be donated or discarded.
Parish Hall Rental
If you wish to rent the parish hall, please contact the parish office in advance of your event to make the necessary arrangements.
Volunteering at St. John the Baptist Parish
As a new year begins, we are looking for volunteers for various church events. Volunteers are required to read the description of volunteer roles (provided) and to fill out the Volunteer Information Form which has your contact information recorded for LOW risk volunteers. The HIGH risk volunteers are required to do the volunteer form along with a police check which includes: anyone working with children, handling money or working with vulnerable people. We will be offering dates in the next few weeks to anyone who needs assistance completing forms and with police checks. Please email the following coordinators for forms or any further questions: loismorrisonhuq@gmail.com or dinaknight779@gmail.com
Burlington Food Bank Collection
Please leave your donations of packaged and canned food items in the cupboard near the Brant Street doors if you are able to help with the food collection. Thank you so much for helping our neighbours in need. The Food Bank is extremely grateful.
In the Community
40 Days For Life
Is a peaceful, prayerful vigil offering hope and help to mothers in need, and changing hearts and minds from 6 AM to 6 PM, September 25 to November 3. The vigil is in Oakville one block east of Oakville Trafalgar Hospital at Proudfoot Trail and Dundas Street. For more information call Steve at: (905) 333-6472 or go to 40DaysForLife.com/Oakville
Sacred Relics at St. Francis Xavier Parish (304 Highway 8, Stoney Creek, ON)
Friday, November 1, 2024, at 7:00 PM for a special All Saints Day Mass. After the Mass, explore a remarkable exhibit featuring 130 sacred relics of the saints. This is a unique opportunity to walk among the saints and spend time in prayer with relics of great spiritual significance, including the Passion Relics: The True Cross, the Crown of Thorns, the Holy Spear, and the Holy Nail of Jesus Christ. The exhibit will also feature a fragment of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s veil and St. Joseph’s cloak. Don’t miss this powerful chance to draw closer to our faith through these holy treasures. If you are unable to attend the Friday evening event, there will be a short viewing of the relics on Saturday, November 2, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Please come and celebrate the saints with us!
The Bell Bazaar
Saturday, November 2 from 9AM – 3PM. Holy Rosary Parish Centre, 287 Plains Rd. E. Burlington. Come for home baked goods, preserves, crafts, hand knitting, Penny Sale, costume jewelry and the best Tea Room in town! Visit with Santa from 10:30AM to 1PM. Free admission and fully accessible parking and facilities.
In the Diocese
THE DIOCESAN OFFICE FOR FAMILY MINISTRY
Will run its popular grief training program in November. Interested in learning more about the effects of grief and how to help people struggling with grief? Contact the Family Ministry Office for more information and to register!
CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD
Children’s Liturgy of the Word is a rite celebrated during Mass designed specifically for children. The Diocese offers the following workshop for leaders: Saturday, November 2, 2024, St. Luke Parish, Hamilton, ON, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The cost is $30.00, and lunch and snacks will be provided. Participants register through the Diocese of Hamilton website under Upcoming Events/Workshops. https://hamiltondiocese.com/events/2024/02/minister-of-the-word-formation-workshop-2/
All Souls Day Mass at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery
The annual All Souls Day Mass at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Burlington will take place on Sunday, November 3 at 2:00 PM. The principal celebrant will be Most Rev. Douglas Crosby, OMI, Bishop of Hamilton. All are welcome!
WHEN LIFE CHANGES
Has someone you cared about died? Are you grieving the loss of the person’s presence in your life? Are you looking for relief from the feelings associated with the loss of this loved one? You are not alone! The Hamilton Diocese is offering our six-week grief program from November 6th to December 11th, 2024. The program runs from 7:00-8:30 pm at the Chancery Office at 700 King St. West. in Hamilton. To register go to hamiltondiocese.com and look for the start date under upcoming events on the home page.
MINISTERS OF THE WORD
The Diocese of Hamilton provides formation for Ministers of the Word each year as they exercise a very important ministry at Mass. In this workshop, participants receive formation in Liturgy and Ministry, Techniques to Proclaim the Word of God, and an opportunity to practice. It is ideal for both parishioners new to this ministry or considering it and a good refresher for experienced Ministers of the Word. Participants receive a mandate from the Bishop of Hamilton. There is always good participant sharing. The cost is $30 and includes lunch. Saturday, November 9, 2024, St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Hamilton, ON, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Participants register through the Diocese of Hamilton website under Upcoming Events/Workshops.
https://hamiltondiocese.com/events/2024/02/minister-of-the-word-formation-workshop-2/
PARENTING TIP OF THE MONTH:
Parenting Tip #162 Children are born helpless, so instinctively know how to cry to have their needs met. As they grow older, parents have to help them learn not to use crying as a way to get what they want, especially when what they want may not be essential! Gently helping them learn that “no” is an option for parents, makes the times you can say yes much more exciting. It also helps them understand that they cannot always have their way or what they want at any given moment. This makes their life, and yours, much calmer and happier. (From: Teresa Hartnett, Family Ministry Office; 905-528-7988 ext. 2250)
SMART STEPS:
Are you a parent or step-parent adjusting to blended family life? This program, facilitated by those who have lived experience, is designed to offer practical insights and suggestions on how to make blended family relationships work well for all. This one-day session is held on Saturdays from 9:15AM – 3:30PM. The cost is $75 per couple or $50 per person (includes lunch). Fall dates will be on line in July and you can register at hamiltondiocese.com by looking under Upcoming Events on the Diocesan home page. For more information, contact the Family Ministry Office at 905-528-7988 ext. 2249.
MARRIAGE PREPARATION:
Are you getting married this fall or in the early part of 2025? Marriage preparation is an important way that the Church reaches out to support your relationship. Once you have spoken to the parish and booked your wedding, be sure to register for one of our upcoming courses, which run from January to December of each year. Fall 2024 dates our posted on the website now. Find our more at Preparation for Marriage – Diocese of Hamilton (hamiltondiocese.com).
DID YOU KNOW …
Children in our parishes benefit from the Catechetical Correspondence Program each year for ongoing religious education and preparation for the Sacraments. We need volunteers to support the program! If you are willing to accompany these children in their learning journey, please reach out to the Office for Evangelization and Catechesis at catechesis@hamiltondiocese.com. To learn more about the Catechetical Correspondence Program, please visit: https://bit.ly/DOHCCC.
RESTART: Refresh, Renew, Revive Group
Our 10 week program offers education and support to anyone seeking to heal and move forward after divorce or separation. The sessions will begin again this fall and are held at the Chancery Office at 700 King St. West in person, or you are welcome to join our zoom classroom. Cost is $35 for materials, but no one is turned away. Fall registration will be on line soon, so look to register at hamiltondiocese.com under Upcoming Events, or contact Sarah at 905-528-7988 ext. 2249, or e-mail familyministry@hamiltondiocese.com.
Project Rachel
If you are struggling after an abortion – either your own or someone else’s, Project Rachel is available to help find hope and healing. Please contact us at 905-526-1999.