The Parish Community of St. Kevin

29th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

October 20, 2024

World Mission Sunday

Today is the 98th World Mission Sunday and this year’s theme is “Go and invite everyone to the banquet.”(Mt. 22:9).Pope Pius XI instituted World Mission Sunday in 1926 as an initiative of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, one of the four Pontifical Mission Societies. The following year, the first worldwide collection took place, and ever since, it has been a day of universal solidarity. Held globally on the next-to-last Sunday in October every year, World Mission Sunday is a unique effort for the entire Church to provide help for over 1,100 dioceses, and offer practical help to the poor through local churches and their witness to Christ. Envelopes for this collection are in the regular box of envelopes and extras are available at the back of the church; they can be placed in the regular collection over the next few weekends. Cheques should be made payable to St. Kevin Parish with the memo line reading World Mission Sunday.

 

Outreach Ministry Recruitment Fair

On the first weekend in October, we held our Liturgical Ministry Recruitment Fair. We thank those who did so for signing up, and we are still in the process of training and scheduling!
Now, we are hosting a second Recruitment Fair on the weekend of October 26th/27th for some of our other ministries, especially those who do outreach within our parish and our community. The ministries we will be recruiting for are:

• Holy Name Society – Men who are dedicated to organizing community events, prayer sessions and Catholic faith teachings to enhance the spirituality and communal spirit of the Parish. ($20 yearly membership dues).
• Catholic Women's League – Women supporting the parish community by prayer, promoting the sanctity of life, and fund-raising events that build-up the parish community. It has deep roots in the parish since 1951. ($40 yearly membership dues).
• Social Justice Committee – Helps the parish community grow in its understanding of Catholic Social Teaching and related issues at home and abroad. The annual Development & Peace education program and fundraising campaign are key works of this committee.
• Culture of Life Ministry – Brings Sanctity of Life to the forefront of Parish life and society.  Promotes actions and information that brings greater focus and awareness to the issue.
• St. Vincent de Paul Society – Parishioners who coordinate the charitable assistance program for the emergency needs (food, clothing etc.) of the less fortunate of this community. (Screening required).
• Homebound Visitation – Serving the spiritual needs of the Catholic residents who are homebound - by praying with them and bringing them the Eucharist. (Screening required).

Tables with sign-up sheets will be in the foyer next weekend and we would be most grateful if you are feeling called to sign-up!

Please note: We are not recruiting for Harvest Kitchen (cooking and serving a hot meal to those in need each Wednesday evening in our Hall from November-March), as they have more than sufficient volunteers at this time. We appreciate your understanding.

 

Liturgical Hospitality – Usher Training Session

Thank you to all who signed up to be an usher at our Masses. We now invite both new and returning ushers to a brief training session on Thursday, October 24th at 6:00pm in the church. We will review the key parts of the role to make sure everyone is confident and prepared for their ministry.

 

Parent Meetings: First Reconciliation and First Communion

A reminder that Grade 2 First Reconciliation & First Communion parents meetings are taking place on Tuesday, October 22nd for families from Alexander Kuska School & Wednesday, October 23rd for families from Holy Name & St. Kevin Schools.

 

Notre Dame College School Pilgrimage

Sunday, October 27th marks the day for Notre Dame College School's 49th Annual Pilgrimage for the Developing World. The Pilgrimage is an opportunity for the school community to "put their feet to the gospel" by walking in solidarity with those of the developing world who are less fortunate. Over the years, Notre Dame has raised over $2.5 million through this event for development projects throughout the world. Please support Notre Dame students as they walk in solidarity with those who are less fortunate. If you cannot be there, please consider a donation which can be made online at www.notredamecollege.ca.

 

In Memoriam

Memorial Intentions: For All Souls Day and for the month of November, we remember many who have passed before us. At our weekend Masses on October 19th/20th and 26th/27th we will have a special book where parishioners can write the names of their loved ones who have died and whom they want to remember in prayer this All Souls. The book will be in the entrance of the church on those weekends and we encourage you to inscribe the names of those who we shall pray for as a community. The book will be placed in the Sanctuary at our Memorial Mass on November 2nd and will remain as such for that weekend. Memorial Mass: We will have a special memorial Mass at 10:00am on Saturday, November 2nd - All Souls Day. For this Mass, we invite the families of all whose funeral took place in connection with St. Kevin’s Parish Community since last All Soul’s Day. We will honour their memory and read their names during the Liturgy. Additionally, parishioners are encouraged to attend to show their support to the grieving and to honour their own loved ones who have died. Please note that there will be no Adoration or Confessions on Saturday, November 2nd.

 

Catholic Women’s League News

SOCKS WANTED: plain socks, patterned socks, thermal socks, any socks, and new socks of all sizes. Donate using the bins in the foyer today and make a difference.

Fish Fry Fundraiser – October 25th: Tickets will be on sale in the foyer this weekend October 19th/20th. One piece dinners are $15 and two piece dinners are $20. Pick up once again will be at the Lunch Lady Kitchen. Call or email Lorrie to order – 905-734-4828 or lmack@cogeco.ca. Payment by cash or e-transfer (lmack@cogeco.ca). Last date to order is October 20th.

Diocesan Mass for the Deceased: Saturday November 2nd at 2:00pm at St. Joseph Parish, Grimsby.  This is a joint mass with the Knights of Columbus.

Upcoming – Advent Retreat at Mount Carmel: Prayerful Conversations with God. Wednesday, November 27th OR Saturday December 7th. $50 per person but your CWL will pay half for members.

 

Culture of Life Ministry News

The Choose Life Fall Coffee House is taking place on Tuesday, October 22nd at 7:00pm at Club Roma (125 Vansickle Rd, St. Catharines). Join for a free presentation from MaterCare International, an organization of obstetricians and gynecologists dedicated to  improving the lives and health of mothers and babies, both born and unborn, to reduce the tragic levels of abortion world-wide.

 

Worth Repeating

The items below you may have seen before but remain here if seasonally important information

or

General information that people need to review from time to time.

 

Housekeeping Reminders

• Please place hymn books neatly back in their spots. Please be sure to dispose of tissues, wrappers, or other debris when leaving. And don’t forget your bulletin. Please do not leave behind daily Missalettes at the end of the month – simply recycle them.

• When entering the parking lot please do so from Niagara Street and exit via Northcote. Please drive slowly in our parking lot as well. If you are parking on the side streets for Mass, please be respectful of road signs and driveways. Please be sure to lock your car doors when you come for Mass or any other function.

• Please also be very careful with perfumes and colognes. Some parishioners tend to go very heavy with these and it can be difficult for fellow parishioners with allergies or breathing troubles. We have had many parishioners come to us about this requesting that we ask people to not wear scents. Please refrain or use the tiniest amount possible.

• For those who place loose bills or coins in the collection – we would like to give you proper credit for income tax purposes. Please consider using our Visitor envelopes or asking Father/our Staff for a box of envelopes.

The Vineyard, the Diocese of St. Catharines journal has gone digital.

It can be viewed at http://saintcd.com/diocesan-directory/the-vineyard

Safety Reminder

We wish to remind Parishioners to please lock car doors when attending Mass and please do not leave valuables in vehicles, in the parking lot or on the street. Thank you.

 

Catholic Marriage Tribunal

If you are considering remarriage in the Catholic Church at some point, or hoping to enter a marriage with someone previously married, please speak to a priest, or contact the Diocesan Catholic Marriage Tribunal in St. Catharines at 905-687-8817. Information Pamphlets are available through the parish.

PLEASE READ THIS IMPORTANT NOTICE:

Due to the privacy laws, the hospital does not list our parishioners by address or parish unless you state your religion as ST. KEVIN PARISH when you are admitted. It would help the parish visiting team if when the hospital asks religion – you respond ST. KEVIN'S PARISH. If you or a family member enter a hospital for several days please be sure to call the parish office to let us know if you wish a visit. If you wish the Anointing of the Sick before an operation, either at home or while in the hospital, be sure to inform the parish office. A priest will come as soon as possible to administer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. We also have a group of lay people from our parish who each week visit or bring communion to Catholic parishioners in the hospital. Please, we need to know that you are there!

 

A Review of Some Parish Policies

1. Requests: We often receive requests for baptism or marriage, or Pastoral References for teachers, who are not members of St. Kevin's Parish. Examples would be: They might like our church and so want to get married here although they live elsewhere. Or: they were baptized here and so they would like their child to be baptized here although they live elsewhere. Or: I went to Notre Dame College School. The main point here is "they live elsewhere". Now – wherever elsewhere might be, there is a Catholic parish there. Our policy is to minister to the parishioners of St. Kevin's. We have more than 3400 families; there is a lot of ministry work for us to do here. Our focus and attention is first and foremost on our own parishioners.

2. Parishioners should be registered: And here it is important to remember – that all of our parishioners should be registered in the parish, that is, on our books with names and phone numbers and addresses.

3. Young Adults: There is a point when the young person must register in our Parish. It does not suffice to say my parents are members of St. Kevin's and I was confirmed at St. Kevin's when that person has been living on his or her own. The young adult should not depend on the faith and loyalty of parents or grandparents but must take ownership of his or her own faith. That means, as well, the young person should be engaged in the financial support of the Parish.

4. Support of the Church: One of the precepts of the church – parishioners should be generous in supporting the material needs of the church. Today, we do this best by regularly using envelopes to help with the expenses of administering a very large parish such as St. Kevin's.

5. Needing a Letter of Permission: Hospitality is a wonderful characteristic of St. Kevin's Parish. And we do want to be open and hospitable to folks who are not registered members in the parish. Yet – we must be careful to observe church laws and regulations. We will consider doing a marriage or a baptism of those folks from elsewhere. But – we must ask that the person or persons making this request of us have a "letter of permission" from elsewhere, that is, from the parish in which they are actually living - a letter from the Pastor of that parish giving us permission to do the baptism or marriage. Without such a letter of permission our policy must be to refuse to do such baptisms or marriages.

6. Weddings: To be married in St. Kevin's, one should be registered in the parish. Please call at least six months in advance to make arrangements. If not a registered member of our parish, we must have a Letter of Permission from the Pastor in which the person(s) is registered. (See above.)

7. Baptisms: To be baptized in St. Kevin's, one should be registered in the Parish. Please call as early as possible to arrange a baptism. If one is not registered, we must have a Letter of Permission from the Pastor in which the family is registered. (See above.)

8. Pastoral References for Teachers: Pastoral references for teachers are given for those persons who are registered in St. Kevin's Parish. The Pastoral Reference for teachers testifies that the person practices his or her faith regularly. Sunday Eucharist is the great Christian norm for the practice of the faith. The Pastoral Reference for teachers inquires as to how active the person is in participating in different dimensions of parish or civic life.

9. Godparents / Christian Witness for Baptism: At baptism, a Roman Catholic sponsor is called a Godparent. All Godparents for Baptism should be practicing Catholics. One of the sponsors at baptism must be a Roman Catholic, 16 years of age and already confirmed. A non-Catholic sponsor is called a "Christian Witness". (This presumes that the non- Catholic is indeed a practicing Christian and baptized in a Christian church). In choosing a Godparent for baptism, parents should keep in mind that a Godparent at baptism should also be the person's sponsor at Confirmation.

10. Confirmation Sponsors: A Confirmation sponsor must be a practicing Roman Catholic, already confirmed and 16 years of age. We ask the sponsor at Confirmation to have a brief meeting with the Pastor of his/her Parish. Simply inform the Pastor of your desire to act as a Confirmation sponsor at St. Kevin's and kindly ask the Pastor to sign the Sponsor Form. The Sponsor Form itself presents in a clear way the expectations for a Confirmation Sponsor.

11. Parish Pastoral Practice.
    •   If someone is seriously sick at home or in the hospital, please call the office. One of the priests will be happy to visit.
    •   If one is unable to come to Sunday Eucharist over a long period of time, please call the office and arrange for a communion visit on the part of our Eucharist Ministers.
    •   When spending time in the hospital, please indicate that you are Roman Catholic and a member of St. Kevin's.

     

REMINDER:

Are You Registered in Our Parish?

Please do not take for granted that you are registered in the parish just because you attend Mass here. If we have no record of your parish membership, it could be quite embarrassing to us, or to you or your family, when someone wishes to make wedding plans, have a baby baptized, or if you have been asked to act as a sponsor for baptism or confirmation. Please fill out a registration form. This form is on the shelf in the book stand in the foyer of the church. When you have completed the form, place in the collection basket or return it to the Parish Office