This year's Season of Lent has a special meaning as it falls during the JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY. Because of this, the Sacrament of Reconciliation - the Sacrament of Mercy, should receive our special attention and consideration. For this purpose, the "24 hours of the Lord@ was planned for March 4th and March 5th, 2016, in Walkerton, Ontario, where you had an opportunity for Confession on First Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Only after a good Confession in Jubilee Year, can we talk about the "Gift of Indulgence", a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven..." A page explaining the "Gift of an Indulgence" can be found enclosed, as this Jubilee Year will have opportunities to gain plenary indulgences. If you didn't have a chance to go to Confession in Walkerton, please check the schedule and opportunities for Confession at St. Joseph Parish below. I am trying to keep my message brief to make space for a very important message for Lent 2016 from our Bishop, Most Reverend Douglas Crosby. The letter is titled "I HAVE SET BEFORE YOU LIFE AND DEATH" and addresses an important and crucial juncture which our country is facing. It asks "Will we prefer palliative and home care, or assisted suicide and euthanasia?" I am also taking this opportunity to inform you of the possibility that our parish will be using "pre-authorized Giving", (scheduled monthly transfers from your Bank Account). With the help of Francis Doyle from the Office of Stewardship and Development at the Diocese of Hamilton, we hope to complete all the necessary paperwork so that this program could start on March 20th, 2016. Even when this program is put into place, we will continue to order Sunday Collection Envelopes because our Diocesan Collections and Special Collections i.e. Share Lent, Seminary Education and our Renovation Fund etc. still require that offerings be placed into envelopes. These Diocesan and Special Collections cannot be processed through pre-authorized giving. Another important event being held in this year, is our Ministry Fair on the weekend of May 28th and 29th. The object of preparation for this event is to strengthen our Parish Ministries, groups, teams, committees and organizations. It is also an invitation for you to become involved in areas of parish life and participate in a mission that meets your needs and talents. May the season of Lent in this Jubilee Year, be lived more intensely and may it become a privileged moment to celebrate and experience God's Mercy. Fr. Franjo Šprajc SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION 2016 If you were unable to attend the "24 Hours for the Lord" Reconciliation Services held March 4 and 5, 2016, the following dates for Reconciliation are scheduled:
Saturday, March 12 4:30 p.m. at St. Patrick & 6:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Parish Tuesday March 14 6:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Parish (Before Mass at 7:00 p.m.) Saturday, March 19 4:30 p.m. at St. Patrick & 6:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Parish Tuesday March 22 6:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Parish (Before Mass at 7:00 p.m.) Wednesday March 23 6:30 pm. at St. Patrick Church Communal preparation for individual Confession with a visiting Priest is available. HOLY WEEK MASS SCHEDULE 2016 HOLY THURSDAY MASS OF THE LORD'S SUPPER March 24, 7:00 p.m. at St. Joseph parish followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in Jubilee Hall until 10:00 p.m. GOOD FRIDAY CELEBRATION OF THE LORD'S PASSION March 25, 3:00 pm. at St. Joseph Parish STATIONS OF THE CROSS March 25,7:00 p.m at St Joseph Parish HOLY SATURDAY BLESSING OF FOOD March 26, 11:00 a.m at St Joseph Parish EASTER VIGIL March 26, 8:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Parish EASTER SUNDAY RESURRECTION OF ThE LORD March 27, 9:00 a.m. at St. Patrick Church March 27,11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Parish
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Father's Blog
Rev. Fr. Christopher Tracey
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