Easter Octave

Bulletin

25-Apr-25

General Announcements

Fundraising & Events

If you have a fundraising idea you would like to explore, contact Audrey Baker.

Around the Archdiocese

2025 Federal Election

Statement from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops

In this Jubilee Year of Hope 2025, as we prepare for a federal election in Canada, it is essential that, as citizens and Catholics, we reflect on the challenges currently facing our nation with a spirit of hope and a vision for a better future.

In a free and democratic society, all those eligible to vote have not only a right, but also a responsibility to engage with local candidates and political parties. We are called to discern which policies best serve the common good. As faithful citizens, we are invited to help shape our earthly society in accordance with God’s divine plan, always mindful that “our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil 3:20).

Our Catholic faith provides essential moral and social guidance, helping us understand and respond to the critical issues facing our country. There are many issues which we, as Catholics, are called to consider thoroughly when voting.

Read the full statement.

Weekday Masses Return

Beginning May 3

There is something very special about participating at a weekday Mass: it changes our day, sanctifies it, unites us with Jesus and the Church, and reminds us that we belong to God and not to the world.

Effective May 3, weekday Masses return to our parishes.

Tuesdays

9:30 am | St. Laurence O’Toole, Spencerville

Wednesdays & Thursdays

9:00 am | St. Ann, Merrickville

Fridays

7:00 pm | St. Ann, Merrickville (Holy Hour at 6 pm)

First Saturday of Each Month (First Saturdays Devotion) - Starting May 3

9:00 am | St. Ann, Merrickville

Divine Mercy Sunday

April 27

Divine Mercy Sunday focuses on the gift of mercy and love given through Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. To prepare for the feast, daily prayers of the novena leading up to Divine Mercy Sunday will be posted on the homepage of our website beginning Good Friday (April 18).

On April 27, in addition to Mass in the morning, the faithful are invited to St. Ann’s for the Divine Mercy Liturgy at 3 pm. Come experience the Chaplet of Mercy in song and participate in Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. Confessions to follow.

Parishioners can bring items to be blessed to the liturgy.

Learn more about Divine Mercy, including the novena prayers leading up to Divine Mercy Sunday and how to pray the Chaplet of Mercy.

March for Life - May 8

Protection at Conception

The National March for Life, long the largest annual protest on Parliament Hill, takes place each year in May. Pro-lifers rally in front of Parliament and march through downtown Ottawa, demanding that elected representatives fight for the right to life of every human being from conception to natural death.

The National March for Life is organized by Campaign Life Coalition, the leading pro-life and pro-family organization in Canada. The Coalition established the March in 1998. Though the event has grown considerably since initial attendance of 700, it remains a grassroots movement today, bringing together pro-lifers of all ages from coast to coast.

Each year, several speakers, including pro-life parliamentarians, religious leaders, and activists, call our government to account, and inspire rally attendees to take action. Afterwards, thousands of pro-life Canadians march through the streets of Ottawa. They are led by police and volunteer marshals, who keep the route safe and clear. Marchers then re-assemble on the lawn of Parliament Hill formoving testimonies from the post-abortive men and women of the Silent No More Awareness campaign, followed by a prayer service.

Learn more about this year's National March for Life events. Let us stand up for life from conception to natural death.

Catch a Ride with St. John's Parish

St. John’s Parish in Perth has arranged a bus to take parishioners to the National March for Life Events in Ottawa. The bus will make several stops along the way to collect passengers from various parishes. Suggested donation of $20 per adult would be appreciated.

Learn more, including the bus schedule and stops, and register to catch a ride with St John's.

Mission Youth Merrickville

Mission Youth is an apostolate of Regnum Christi that engages young people, adults and families in spreading Christ’s love through local and abroad missions serving communities in their specific needs. Part of our mission is to bring food or clothing to those in need as well as the message of love of Jesus.

Mission Youth Merrickville is just one of over 60 Mission Youth locations in 20 different countries and with a strong presence in Canada in the Greater Toronto Area and Calgary.

Our hope is to engage youth ages 13-18, in Merrickville, Spencerville, Smiths Falls, Kemptville, Brockville and Perth to offer them Catholic formation and engage them in different apostolate initiatives. Later, the vision is for these young leaders to create and lead groups of boys and girls ages 7-12 to further the message of Christ's love.

Get Involved

For the Use of the New Technologies

Papal Intention for April

Let us pray that the use of the new technologies will not replace human relationships, will respect the dignity of the person, and will help us face the crises of our times.

Tax Filing Assistance

If your income is less than $35,000 (single) or $45,000 (couples), the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) can help prepare and file your tax return either in-person, via phone or by drop-off.

For more information, please contact Deacon Mark or Cate at 613.499.3009.

After-Mass Social

Our next after-Mass social will take place on April 27. Plan to stick around after Mass to get reacquainted with fellow parishioners and perhaps meet new ones too!

Great Merrickville Garage Sale

Saturday, May 3

St. Ann’s is looking for donations of gently used household goods and garage items for our Garage Sale. Popular items include books, bicycles, outdoor furniture, tools, seasonal decorations, musical instruments, sports equipment, children’s toys, and kitchenware. If you have items that are ready to go to another good home, please set them aside. No clothing except sports clothing, please. The day will also include a bake sale and BBQ.

House and Garden Plants Table

Ready to thin out your house and/or garden plants but can’t bring yourself to throwing out a living thing? Donate them to our house and garden plants table! Easy things to propagate and share include vines, succulents, and perennials. Donations should be potted and ready for sale.

Drop Off Dates and Times

Please bring your donations to the Rectory front porch:

Saturday, April 26 from noon to 5 pm
Sunday, April 27 from 9 am to 2 pm
Friday, May 2 from noon to 7 pm

If you cannot make any of the drop-off times, please leave items neatly on the Rectory back porch.

Plants and baking for the bake sale will be received on Friday, May 2 from noon to 7 pm or the morning of the Garage Sale.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are needed for the Garage Sale. Positions range from bakers, set-up/tear-down, pricing/sorting, and sales. Please consider donating a couple hours of your time and sign up at the back of the Church.

High Tea at the Rectory

The timeless tradition of afternoon tea continues at the 19th century St. Ann's Rectory. Enjoy an assortment of homemade sandwiches and desserts, while sipping on teas and coffee.

Date: Saturday, June 14

Time: Two sittings available

12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
2:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Cost: $38 per person

Door prizes available. To reserve your ticket, call Audrey at 613.283.5033.

Ordination of Rev. Jude Thusiar

The Archdiocese of Kingston is pleased to celebrate the ordination to the Sacred Order of the Priesthood for
Rev. Jude Thusiar.

Jude grew up in Toronto, Ontario, and his family currently attend a parish in Mississauga. He studied at St. Augustine’s Seminary in Toronto and served with Fr. Richard Whalen at the parish of St. Michael the Archangel in Belleville for his pastoral year and was assigned to St. Paul the Apostle for his diaconate service.

Date: Saturday, May 3

Time: 10:30 am

Location: St. Mary's Cathedral | 279 Johnson Street, Kingston ON

A reception will follow at Our Lady of Fatima Hall (588 Division Street, Kingston).

Please mark your calendars and continue to pray for Deacon Jude Thusiar as he prepares for his ordination.

Job Posting: Diocesan Curial Assistant

Archdiocese of Kingston

Position: Diocesan Curial Assistant
Location: Archdiocese of Kingston
Employment Type: Full-time
Reports To: Chancellor of Temporal Affairs

Position Summary:

The Archdiocese is seeking a highly organized and professional Diocesan Curial Assistant to support the day-to-day operations of the Curia. This role is vital in ensuring the efficient functioning of the Archdiocesan offices by providing administrative, organizational, and reception support. The successful candidate will have strong interpersonal and clerical skills to manage scheduling, correspondence, event coordination, record-keeping, reception duties, and office supplies.

Why Join Us?

This position is essential to the smooth functioning of the Archdiocese, providing vital administrative and reception support to Curial staff in their pastoral and operational responsibilities. If you are a dedicated professional who values working in a faith-based environment and contributing to the mission of the Church, we encourage you to apply.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to: temporalassistant@archkingston.ca by 11:59 pm, April 25, 2025.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Haddock Fish Fry

St. Philip Neri, Toledo

Date: Sunday, April 27

Time: 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Location: Royal Canadian Legion, Toledo | 320 County Road 8, Toledo ON

Price (includes haddock, scalloped potatoes, baked beans, cabbage salad, buns, dessert, coffee, tea, juice):

Adults: $19
Children 12 & under: $10

Indoor dining & limited outdoor heated tables. Takeout available.

Steubenville 2025 Youth Conference

Registration Open

After a very successful trip to Steubenville in June 2024, St. Michael’s Parish in Belleville is organizing another trip this year for teenagers to attend their youth conference, and opening this opportunity for youth across the archdiocese.

Dates: June 27-29, 2025

Location: Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio

Patrick Bailey is the coordinator. For more information, please contact Patrick Bailey at 613.921.5236.

Pilgrimage to the Canadian Martyrs' Shrine, Midland

St. Mary's (Carleton Place) and St. Mary's Cathedral (Kingston) are planning pilgrimages to the Canadian Martyrs' Shrine in Midland.

St. Mary's, Carleton Place

Pilgrims will leave St. Mary in Carleton Place and travel by coach to Midland. There, pilgrims will participate in Holy Mass. The Stations of the Cross and the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available as well as many other opportunities for private prayer.

Dates: July 16 -17, 2026

For information: Contact Katelyn at 613.257.1284

St. Mary's Cathedral, Kingston

Pilgrims will participate in a special evening program at St. Marie Among the Hurons on Thursday evening then spend the day at the Martyrs Shrine where Holy Mass, Stations of the Cross and the Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available.

Dates: July 24-25, 2025

For information: Contact Ann Lyng

Medjugorje Youth Festival

This Jubilee Year of Hope pilgrimage to Medjugorje, Bosnia Herzegovina will allow pilgrims (aged 18 + or younger accompanied by a legal guardian) to participate in the annual Youth Festival, August 4 to 8, with young adults and the young at heart including the celebration of Holy Mass at dawn on the top of Cross Mountain. Pilgrims can pass through the Holy Door at St. James Church and spend time in prayer on Apparition Hill and other sites within the parish of Medjugorje.

For more information, contact Karen Shannon from Holy Name of Mary Parish, Marysville.

7th Annual Rideau Canal Men’s Retreat

Planning is underway for the 7th Annual Rideau Canal Men's Retreat 2025 for Catholic men (18 years and older, and fathers with teenage sons).

As in previous years, the goal is to gather Catholic men in an outdoor adventure/retreat where we can share our faith and enjoy a little male camaraderie. We hope that all who are interested in participating in this enjoyable event can work their schedules and join us for this time of prayer, daily Mass, opportunities for Confession, and lots of fun, fraternity, exercise, and adventure.

Dates: Tuesday, August 5 to Thursday, August 7

Theme: Jubilee 2025 - Pilgrims of Hope

Cost: $95 / person (non-refundable)

We anticipate being fully registered, so this is your chance to let us know if you are interested.

Visit the Archdiocese of Kingston for more information, including registration, waivers, and detailed itinerary.

Jubilee Year of Hope Pilgrimage

Join Fr Justin Pulikunnel and Fr Shawn Hughes on a trip to Fatima, Lourdes, Rome and Assisi to receive the great graces of pilgrimage this Jubilee Year.

Dates: November 5 to November 17

Cost: $7,549 (per person - based on double occupancy)

Please consult the itinerary for complete details. For further information, contact Ann Lyng at St. Mary's Cathedral.

Jubilee 2025 - Pilgrims of Hope

The Catholic Church worldwide will be celebrating a special Jubilee Year in 2025. This has been a tradition dating back to the year 1300 when Pope Boniface VIII announced the first Jubilee, which is also referred to as a “Holy Year”. The frequency has changed over time, with a Jubilee year originally celebrated every 100 years, later every 50 years and, more recently, every 25 years or at the request of the Holy Father.

The Jubilee Year includes many celebrations in dioceses around the world. The theme of the 2025 Jubilee will be “Pilgrims of Hope”. In the words of Pope Francis: "We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision."

The Holy Father opened the Jubilee Year on Christmas Eve, with the official opening of the Holy Door of Saint Peter’s Basilica. The Year will conclude January 6, 2026, the Solemnity of the Epiphany, with the closing of the Holy Door.

May this Holy Year provide a grace-filled opportunity to nurture the seeds of faith for you and your loved ones, immersing ourselves as Pilgrims of Hope into a year-long journey of prayer, witness and service drawing on the example of Jesus, our Lord.

Jubilee Prayer

Father in heaven, may the faith you have given us in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother, and the flame of charity enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of your Kingdom.

May your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel. May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth, when, with the powers of Evil vanquished, your glory will shine eternally.

May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven. May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth. To you our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise for ever. Amen.