Saint John XXIII Roman Catholic Church 3390 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3K 0Z3 Telephone: 204-832-7175 • Fax: 204-885-2447 Email: [email protected]• Website: www.johnxxiii.ca Office Hours: Tuesday through Friday 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pastor: Reverend Fr. Robert Polz 204-832-7335 [email protected]Pastoral Assistant: Sharon Camier 204-832-7206 [email protected]Administrative Assistant: Joanna Mason 204-832-7175 [email protected]Executive Custodian: José Barrera 204-888-9340 _____________________________________________________________________ PARISH BULLETIN –SOLEMNITY OF THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD 2016 _____________________________________________________________________ SACRAMENT OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (CONFESSIONS) SUNDAY LITURGIES (MASSES) Saturday 4:00 p.m. Saturday 5:00 p.m. and/or as announced or by appointment Sunday 9:00 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK WEEKDAY LITURGIES Contact the Pastor (Fr. Robert) Tuesday through Friday 9:15 a.m. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE and/or as announced Arrangements for preparation and celebration COMMUNION TO THE SICK AND SHUT-IN of marriages should be made through the Contact the parish office for assistance Pastor at least six months in advance SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION CELEBRATION OF THE ORDER OF CHRISTIAN FUNERALS BAPTISM OF CHILDREN Contact the parish office before finalizing Contact the parish office to make arrangements arrangements with funeral directors for the preparation and celebration of Baptism DEVOTIONS RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA) Rosary at 9:00 a.m. before weekday Masses Contact the Pastor (Fr. Robert) Eucharistic Adoration - First Fridays at 9:45 a.m. or the Pastoral Assistant (Sharon) Chaplet of Divine Mercy - Fridays at 3:00 p.m. FAITH FORMATION OF CHILDREN Catechism sessions for children (K to Grade 8) are held on Sunday mornings, September through May, from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. Contact our Pastoral Assistant (Sharon) for further information and to register. FAITH FORMATION OF ADULTS In addition to formation sessions for those preparing for the Rites of Christian Initiation, periodically other programs, workshops, and/or study sessions will be offered throughout the year to help adult parishioners deepen their love of God and understanding of our Catholic faith. Contact our Pastor or Pastoral Assistant for further information. GATHERING,FELLOWSHIP, AND COFFEE FACILITY BOOKINGS:PARISH HALL,MEETING ROOMS, ETC. After Masses on the first weekend of the month Contact the parish office for more information
TheMassforLifeisanannualEucharisticCelebrationforalloflifefromconceptiontonaturaldeath.ThisyeartheMass for Life is hosted by the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy ofWinnipeg with His GraceMetropolitanLawrenceHuculakpresiding.Allarewelcome!
The loved ones and caregivers of thosewho have died in palliative care tell of how they shared in a sacredjourney,andwhatitmeanstohaveexperiencedirreplaceablemomentsoffaithandholiness.
PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE IN NEEDOF HEALING AND COMFORT: Liz Baziuk, PeterCorcoran,ConnieCsizmadia,PhyllisDreveski,DonaldHanis,EolaJohnson,AngelaKalichak,DebraMcEnturff,DoloresandPaulMulaire,NellRamsay,CecileRoberts,RoseStankewich,MarieStuart, JacobTrudel,AntonioF.Viegas,MariaHelenaViegas,TedWoodandHelenYankoski. Please contact our Pastoral Assistant, Sharon, to have names added to our revised list.Pleaserememberthattohavenamesaddedtothelistandprintedinthebulletinwerequirepermissionfromtheperson(s)concerned.Thankyouforyourhelp.__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SAYITWITHMERCY OnMother’sDay,we’reremindedto“sayitwithflowers.”TheITwe’resupposedtobesayingisIloveyou,butapparentlythat’stoointimidatingformostofustocomeoutwith.Sowesay“it”withflowers,chocolates,fine dining, or an elaborate e-card that sings, dances, releases butterflies, and does everything but kiss yourmomforyou. TodayisalsoWorldCommunicationsDay,anannualaffairattheVaticansincethetimeofPopePaulVI.It’sanoccasiondedicatedtorememberingthatourworldisshapedbynarrative.Thatnarrativeislargelycontrolledanddefinedbyawebofmediasodensethatwenestleinsideitalmostwithoutbeingawareofit.Whathasthepopeaskedustodothisyearonthisday?Tosayitwithmercy.Itbeing,inthiscase,thestoryofourcultureandourageforwhichmediaistheprimaryconduit.Toshapeournarratives,whatevertheymaybe,howeversmall,personal,andparochial,withcompassionratherthanwithjudgment. It’stheJubileeYearofMercy,weknow.Soit’snosurprisethatmercy isthewordsurfacing inthisannualeventaswell.Butthesameadvicealsosurfaces inourgospeltoday,asJesus loftsonefinalprayeratthe lastsupperforhisfriends—that’sus,bytheway.Thisfinalprayer isforunity.WhenyouandIspeaktenderlyandnotsharply,withsympathyandnotblame,wecreepeverclosertothepossibilityofthatunityJesussowantstobequeathtous. We certainly know the result of not delivering our narratives with mercy. Turn on the network of yourchoice,orpullupyourfavoriteapp,andhearwhatmercy-freecontentsoundslike.Inourmedia-soakedage,theblame game is being played everywhere around us, in politics and religion, in law enforcement and racerelations.Peaceisnotanoptiononmosttables.Diplomacy,forgiveness,andreconciliationarenotactionsthatgainapplause.Whatoursocietywants,oratleastwhatwe’rebeingsoldasdesirableandjust,istheprotectionof our “way of life” by means of isolation and retribution, strongman bluster and finger-pointing in everydirectionexceptourown. No wonder our entertainments are full of dire threats, violence, seething hatred, and barely concealedprejudices.Softertacticsareviewedasjeopardizingour“wayoflife.”Thedoorofmercy,swungwidethisyear,isaninvitationtoseethingsdifferently—butalsotosaythingsdifferently.Canwesoftenourrhetoric,considernonpartisandialogue, listentoeachotherwithout leapingtoconclusions?Mightwerefusetochoosesides inmatterswhereweareallsurelyonthesameside—orcouldbe? —AliceCamille
Ithinkwetooarethepeoplewho,ontheonehand,wanttolistentoJesus,butontheotherhand,attimes,like to find a stick to beat others with, to condemn others. And Jesus has this message for us: MERCY.Ithink—andIsayitwithhumility—thatthisistheLord’smostpowerfulmessage:MERCY.—PopeFrancis
Thisweekhasbeensetasideasatimetoreflectonthevalueofhumanlife. In our societywhich now tolerates abortionwithout qualificationandnowthenextassaultsonhumanlife,euthanasiaandassistedsuicide,theworkofLife’sVisionisneededtohelppresentaunitedvoicetobring
Life'sVision,previouslyLeagueforLifeinManitobaInc.,beganinthe1970sastheeducationalarmofthepro-lifemovement inManitoba. Itwasfoundedbyagroupofconcernedmenandwomeninresponsetothethreatoflegalabortiontohumanlife.Life'sVisionprovideseducationandavoiceforthoseopposedtoallthreatsonthedignityofthehumanperson.Today,theworkofLife'sVisionhasexpandedasnewthreatstohumanlifehaveemerged. Euthanasia, chemical abortion, reproductive technologies, fetal experimentation, and infanticide ofnewbornandhandicapped infantsthreatenthedignityand lifeof themostvulnerablemembersof thehumanfamily. Life's Vision is committed to raising public awareness on life-affirming options, and speaking out onbehalfofthosewhocannotspeakforthemselves.
The baby you spiritually adopted last September will be born thismonth! To celebrate the symbolic birth of the babies we havesupported through our prayers over these past nine months,parishionersareinvitedtoparticipatebypickingupaPro-Lifepinorminirosefromthebassinetdisplaywhichissetupthisweekend.
Thankyoutoeveryonewhoheldthesemomsandtheirbabiesinprayerandtoeveryonewhohascontributedinanywaytothesuccessofthisyear’sMother’sDayBabyShower. Ourcommunity’sKnittingGroupdeservesaresounding "Thank you!" for themanyhours spent over thepast severalmonths lovingly crafting the recordnumberofbabylayetteswhichareondisplaythisweekend.Pleasetakeamomenttohavealookatthecutelittleknitteditemsandotherarticlesandgiftsdonatedbyparishioners.
YouwillfindinyourbulletinoratthebassinetdisplayspecialcollectionenvelopesfordonationstoVillaRosa.Pleasemakeanychequespayableto“VILLAROSAINC.”Allmoniesraisedthroughthiscollection(thisSundayand/ornextSunday)willbeforwardeddirectlytoVillaRosatobeusedtoassistmomswhomadethedecisiontocarry theirbabies to termandwhohave received care throughout theirpregnancyby the staff ofVillaRosa.FundsraisedalsoenablethemtocontinuevariousPro-LifeeducationalprojectswhichhelptoserveasapublicwitnessandtoremindothersaboutthePro-Lifemessage.Thankyouforyourgeneroussupport!_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Martyrdom has always been a proof of the intensity, never of the correctness of a belief. — Arthur Schnitzler, Austrian playwright (1862-1931)
OPENINGOFTHESYNODPROCESS
On Pentecost Sunday, May 15, 2016, we will open our Synod Process for theArchdioceseofWinnipeg.SolemnEveningPrayerwillbecelebratedatSt.Mary’sCathedral, 353 St. Mary Avenue, beginning at 7:30 p.m. This Evening Prayerpresided by Archbishop Richard Gagnon will mark the official beginning of ourtwo-yearSynodProcess.AreceptionwillfollowintheCathedralParishHall.
1.4%increaseoverthepreviousyear,reflectingtheimpactofinflation.Ourparishshareofthe2016Appealisbasedsolelyonourparish’s2014Offertorycollection.This revision to calculating parish targets was agreed to at the Priest Assemblymeeting held onMarch 8th in Portage la Prairie. (In the past the allocation toparishes was based on 25% of envelope holders and 75% of the Offertorycollectionrevenue.)Applyingtherevisedformulaandusing2014asthebaseyearfortheOffertorycollection,ourParish’sappealtargetfor2016is$50,670.
POPE PASTORAL WORKS: This special collection provides an opportunity for Catholics to make a financial offering to assist the Holy Father in providing for those most in need and in administering the Holy See. Please use the special yellow envelope included in your offering envelope box and make any cheques payable to the parish.
IN AND AROUND THE PARISH, ARCHDIOCESE AND BEYOND
RUMMAGE SALE: Our next rummage sale will be held this Friday, May 13, 2016 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. We welcome more volunteers to help to setup in the morning, to assist during the sale itself, and especially to pack items away in the evening after the sale. Items are now being accepted for the Rummage sale (jewellery is always a big seller). Please bring items to the church during regular office hours. KNITTING GROUP: The Knitting Group would like donations of baby yarn, notions, lace and fabric, but most especially baby yarn. The last meeting of the group before the summer break will take place on Monday, May 16th. Following cleanup that day, a potluck meal will be held. Anyone who would like to come and join in the gathering is cordially invited. For further information, you may contact Bev Hewitt at 204-885-1202. SERVING OUR SENIORS is a dedicated team of Saint John XXIII Parish volunteers known as S.O.S. The purpose of this team is to be available for a home visit, share a prayer, or to bring Holy Communion to our seniors or any of our parishioners – on request. Our goal is to compliment what is already established and not to replace a ministry that is currently provided. Another initiative of Serving Our Seniors team is offering a get-together event every other month. These events are open to all parishioners over fifty (50) who would enjoy a fun activity. The S.O.S. Team will host an afternoon of cards and games on Monday, May 16, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. here at Saint John XXIII Parish downstairs in Room 10. Refreshments provided. HOLY NAMES HOUSE OF PEACE ANNUAL RAFFLE: Many thanks to the community of Saint John XXIII Parish for their wonderful support for the Holy Names House of Peace Annual Raffle. Over 11 raffle books were sold totalling more than $1100.00. Anyone still wishing to purchase raffle tickets may call Barb Macdonell at 204-888-8384. YEAR OF MERCY - GUEST PRESENTATIONS: In our Year of Mercy, St. Paul the Apostle Parish is hosting a guest speaker series each month on various life issues and challenges in order to tear down our prejudices, judgements, and discriminations. Come and hear the stories of people who have experienced struggle and pain as well as mercy and hope in their lives. All are welcome. Upcoming presentations: Thursday, May 12 at 7:00 p.m. – Cancer Survivor: What to say and not to say to those suffering; Thursday, June 9 at 7:00 p.m. – Addictions & Recovery. PREPARING FOR “A GOOD DEATH”: ADVANCE CARE DIRECTIVES: The Marriage, Family and Life Team of St. Timothy Parish invites you to an evening presentation on the topic of Advance Care Directives, given by Fr. Mark Miller, CSsR, Bioethicist. His presentation will focus on the role of palliative/hospice care and ethical decisions (in accord with Catholic teaching) about treatment at the end of life. Fr. Mark will also discuss how individuals and families can begin to think about discussing end-of-life preparations, including preparing Advance Directives for Health Care. Thursday, May 12 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Timothy Parish, 135 John Forsyth Road, Winnipeg. For more information, please contact Grace at the St. Timothy Parish Office: [email protected] or 204-949-3760. 2016 CATHOLIC CONFERENCE: “Taste & See the Goodness of the Lord” on May 13-14-15 to be held at the Winakwa Community Center, 980 Winakwa Road, Winnipeg. The speakers are Archbishop LeGatt, Archbishop Lavoie, Sr. Marilyn Minter and Bob Canton. Hear Faith inspiring talks, experience Healing Ministry, vibrant praise & worship, Eucharistic celebrations and great fellowship. Tickets available through CCRS, 6 Dumbarton Blvd, Winnipeg MB R3P 2C4. Telephone 204-895-7544 (Adults $55. Youth $15. Families $120.) Limited space, please register early. To print the flyer visit www.catholicrenewalservices.com SISTERS OF THE HOLY ROCK: The Knights of Columbus of St. James Council present the Sisters of the Holy Rock at St. Paul the Apostle Church on May 14th at 7:00 p.m. Invite your family, friends, and neighbours. Tickets are $15.00 each. For more information/tickets, contact Mike @ 204-230-7641, Paul @ 204-799-2173, or Jeff @ 204-798-0547. RESPONDING TO THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION REPORT: Sessions begin at 7:00 p.m. and are held at Sturgeon Creek United Church, 205 Thompson Drive. May 16, 2016 – Walking Together: Considering our response to what we have learned. NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING: Register for a couple-to-couple class in Natural Family Planning. Serena Manitoba will hold its next class on Tuesday, May 24 from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. Contact us at [email protected], 204-783-0091 or 1-866-317-5362. More details at www.serenamb.com and www.serena.ca
MARK YOUR CALENDARS – FIRST COMMUNION: Please remember in your prayers our children preparing for their first reception of the Sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist. Our parish’s First Communion Celebration will take place at the 11:45 a.m. Mass on Sunday, May 29, 2016. Tentative plans include a reception to follow in the parish hall.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS – PASTORAL VISIT: His Grace, Archbishop Richard Gagnon, is planning to make a pastoral visit to Saint John XXIII Parish on Sunday, June 5, 2016. All members of the parish community are invited to gather for Mass with our Archbishop at 11:45 a.m. with a reception to follow in the parish hall.
60th ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION: Monsignor Stan Jaworski extends a cordial invitation to clergy and faithful to join with him in offering a Mass of Thanksgiving on the occasion of his 60th Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood. The Eucharistic Celebration will begin at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 26, 2016 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Winnipeg. Reception to follow. Cards and gifts are gratefully declined. In lieu of these, Monsignor requests our fervent prayers for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. ANNUAL BRUNCH FUNDRAISER: Associates of the Child Jesus invite you to their Annual Brunch Fundraiser on Sunday, May 29, 2016 from 12:30 to 3:00 p.m. at the Assiniboine Gordon Inn, 1975 Portage Avenue. Tickets $25 per person (students $15). Proceeds to support Christians in the Holy Land and Catechists in Burkina Faso, Africa. For tickets please contact Margaret at 204-504-2185, Marie at 204-489-7062, or Genevieve at 204-895-7311. MANITOBA MULTIFAITH COUNCIL: Notice of Annual General Meeting – Monday, May 30, 2016 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Mulvey School, 750 Wolseley Avenue, Winnipeg. Registration at 6:45 p.m. Public is cordially invited to join us. Panel Presentation on “Education, Religion and a New Canadian Pluralism” – Panel will include Antonio (Tony) Tavares, Consultant — Diversity Education and International Languages Instruction, Curriculum/Assessment Branch, Manitoba Education and Advanced Learning; Ruth Ashrafi, Director – Judaic Studies, Gray Academy, and Director of Education, Ritual & Programming, Herzliya Adas-Yeshurun Synagogue; Helen Robinson-Settee, Director – Aboriginal Education Directorate Murdo Scribe Centre. Moderator: Al Benarroch, Executive Director – Jewish Child & Family Service. ST. CHARLES RETREAT CENTRE: Cana Session for Couples, July 9-15, 2016. CANA is a six-day retreat for married couples to strengthen their marriage and deepen their spiritual life. St. Charles Retreat Centre, 323 St. Charles Street, 204-885-2260, [email protected]
For other events in and around the Archdiocese of Winnipeg, please see information posted on bulletin boards at the north and south entrances of the church, and/or go to the website: www.archwinnipeg.ca/weekly_bulletin.php _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for your support. When making your offering at Mass, please use current 2016 parish offering envelopes only.
Please do not use envelopes from previous years. Visitors may use “My Offering” envelopes available in the narthex. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I gave as an offering my all to him who had won me and saved me, my property, my fame, my health, my very words . . . In considering all these things, I preferred Christ.
