Fourth Sunday of Easter
The Month of May is Dedicated to Mother Mary
Good Shepherd Sunday
World Day of Prayer for Vocations
Dear Friends in Christ,
This Fourth Sunday of Easter is also known as Good Shepherd Sunday because of the Scripture readings and Mass prayers appointed for this day in the sacred liturgy. Today’s Communion Antiphon, for example, proclaims that “The Good Shepherd has risen, who laid down his life for his sheep and willingly died for his flock, alleluia.”
The Latin word for shepherd is pastor, and this reveals why the Church asks us to pray for more priests on Good Shepherd Sunday. The call to the priesthood comes from God, and the Lord has promised always to provide shepherds for his people. Through the Prophet Jeremiah, the Lord promised Israel: “I will give you shepherds after my own heart.” (Jer 3:15) But he also asks us to seek the gift of pastors in prayer: “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the LORD of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.” (Mt 9:37-38)
In Africa, in South America, and in Oceania, the number of young men offering themselves for priestly formation is on the rise, in some cases a dramatic rise. As you know already, however, this is not the case in Europe and in North America – the “developed” world – and the disparity points to one of the chief difficulties for young men being called to priestly formation today: that sometimes the Call is not heard because of the noise in which we live. This “noise” takes many shapes (e.g. desire for a lucrative career, fear of loneliness, the presence of so many options that making any choice is difficult, etc.), but whatever the source of the noise, if the man being called never hears the call, we may assume he’ll never find his place and purpose in life. But even worse than such noise is the failure to live the Christian life with a full understanding of what a radical way of life it is.
The key to hearing and answering the Call is that the man must understand what it means to be a Christian, to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus. The radical thing is not forsaking marriage and giving one’s life to the Church; the radical thing is being baptized and giving one’s life to Jesus Christ, knowing that this means following him in the Way of the Cross.
You know, where the Christian faith is truly believed and steadfastly lived, young men will step forward and offer themselves to the Church for lifelong service in the priesthood. And the place in which that Christian faith must be believed and lived is the Christian Family: both the natural family of parents and children and the spiritual family of the parish church. It is only in a family that the title Father makes sense, whether for a husband or a priest, and so it is in the family of the Church that men learn to understand, revere and be drawn towards fatherhood.
Fr. Justin
PS - Prayer for Priests and Priestly Vocations: Heavenly Father, please grant to Your faithful servants, the grace and strength to carry out Your mission for the church each day. Keep our priests close to you and continue to inspire them to serve others in Your holy name. Please inspire men who are called to a priestly vocation to answer Your call and participate in the fullness that You have planned for them. Amen.
Fr. Raymond de Souza's homily at the First Mass of Fr. Jude. I encourage you to watch this as Fr. Raymond masterfully weaves many interesting facts together, including a remarkable one about Fr. Jude's uncle.
Please join me in thanking Our Lord for the election of Pope Leo XIV, Successor of Saint Peter, as the Shepherd of the Church throughout the world. I urge all parishioners to pray fervently for Pope Leo XIV that Our Lord, through the intercession of Our Lady, Saint Peter Apostle, and Pope Saint Leo the Great, will grant him abundant wisdom, strength, and courage to do all that Our Lord is asking of Him in these tumultuous times. May God bless Pope Leo and grant him many years. Viva il Papa!
We prayed this to start SHM's parish council meeting last night... a wonderful prayer by the new Pope's predecessor.
The Priestly Ordination of
Rev. Jude Thusiar last Saturday
Sacred Heart of Jesus
Weekly Schedule
Sat, May 10 @ 9-10:30am
First Holy Communion Class
SHJ Hall
Sat, May 10 @ 10:30am-12pm
Confirmation Class
SHJ Hall
Holy Rosary starts at 4:40pm
Good Shepherd Sunday
Sat, May 10 @ 5pm
Pro Populo
Holy Rosary starts at 10:40am
Good Shepherd Sunday
Sun, May 11 @ 11am*
In Memory of Joe MacCauley †
[req. Deena MacCauley ~ Flower Sponsor]
*Jr. Liturgy
Lectors
5pm: Bridget McGregor
11am: Ashton Ollerenshaw
I was fortunate last Friday to do my prayer in the Church of St. Alphonsus and where the original icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help is located (above tabernacle). The icon originates in the 14th century and since 1866, the Redemptorist Missionaries began to spread the cult in the church. It was especially neat to be there on the same day when Fr. Price started the devotions at SHJ.
Sun, May 11 @ 3pm
Mother of Perpetual Help Devotions
- Exposition of Blessed Sacrament
- Adoration
- Recitation of the Holy Rosary
- Perpetual Help Novena Prayers
Mon, May 12 @ 9am
The Holy Souls in Purgatory †
[req. Mark & Jan Neil]
Mon, May 12 @ 9:30-10:30am
** Holy Hour! **
* No Mass at SHJ on Tuesday *
Tues, May 13 @ 7pm
Knights of Columbus #7301 Meeting
SHJ Hall
St. Matthias, Apostle (F)
Wed, May 14 @ 9am
Doug & Charlotte
[req. Kerri Miller]
Wed, May 14 @ 9:30-10:30am
** Holy Hour! **
Thurs, May 15 @ 9am
Death Anniversary Mike McCauley †
[req. Susan McCauley]
Fri, May 16 @ 9am
Martha Byrnes †
[req. Helen Callery]
Fri, May 16 @ 9:30-10:30am
** Holy Hour! **
- Mother of Perpetual Help Novena Prayers
Fri, May 16 @ 10:45am
Interment of Martha Byrnes †
SHJ Cemetery
Sacred Heart of Mary
Weekly Schedule
The Good Shepherd, 280–90.
Anatolia, late Roman-early Christian. Marble
Holy Rosary starts at 8:30am
Good Shepherd Sunday
Sun, May 11 @ 9am*
Intentions of Fr. Justin
[req. Denis & Debbie Wood]
*Jr. Liturgy
Lector: Jason Reck
Greeters: Don & Noreen Bailey
Our Lady of Fatima (OM)
Tues, May 13 @ 9am*
Conversion of Extended Family
[req. Aileen Haig]
*Note that this Mass is at the Our Lady of Fatima Shrine altar in SHM Madoc
"St. Matthias" (Peter Paul Reubens, 1611)
St. Matthias, Apostle (F)
Wed, May 14 @ 9am
Dorothy Martin †
[req. Denis & Debbie Wood]
Wed, May 14 @ 9:30-10:30am
** Holy Hour! **
Wed, May 14 @ 5pm
Combined SHM & SHJ Choir Practice
7-Day Votive Candle Offerings
SHJ CHURCH
OUR BLESSED MOTHER
Pope Leo XVI
[req. Fr. Justin]
SACRED HEART OF JESUS
Pope Leo XVI
[req. Fr. Price]
ST. JOSEPH
Pope Leo XVI
[req. SHJ Parish]
ST. ANNE & OUR LADY
[available]
SHM CHURCH
SACRED HEART OF JESUS
Pope Leo XVI
[req. SHM Parish]
OUR BLESSED MOTHER
For a just peace & provision for the people of Gaza
[req. SHM CWL]
You can put your $10 7-Day Votive Offering in a pink visitor offertory envelope. Make sure to mention...
1) For which church?
2) For which saint?
3) What's the intention?
4) What's your name & envelope #?
Please contact Pauline at the parish office @ 613.472.2220 or sacredheart.mm@archkingston.ca
Random Thoughts, Links & Recommendations
One of my favourite commercials (filed in Quebec) that I revisit annually on Good Shepherd Sunday.
- This Sunday, we will be crowning of our statues of Mother Mary during the offertory procession to mark this Marian month.
- Note: This Tuesday’s 9am Mass on the Memorial of Our Lady of Fatima will be at SHM at the shrine altar. So no Marmora Mass on the 13th.
- Special thanks to Victoria & Stephen Pusiask, former parishioners of St. Bernadette's in Ormsby, who very helpfully dropped off a big order from Liturgica in Ottawa for our parish.
- Mass in Gaza. What do you notice?
- Public Engagement Survey – Centre Hastings Recreation and Madoc Pool. The municipality has received 270+ responses to the survey and we would like to achieve further engagement before the survey closes on Mon, May 12. The survey takes less than 5 minutes to complete. "Your feedback will play a key role in shaping vibrant, sustainable recreational spaces for our community." Click here to learn more about the Madoc Pool closure and their vision for the future.
- I'd like to thank the screening coordinators from our parishes (Cathy Mouck, Charlotte Lahey, Karen Nickle, Maureen O'Connor) for all the hard work they've done over the years to ensure that all our parish volunteers are screened and their information is up-to-day. It's such an important role, and often a thankless one. Last Saturday, Maureen took time out of her busy scheudle to attend the annual meeting in Kingston this Saturday at the Archdiocesan Office. These ladies do so much background work, and our ministries would not be able to run without them.
- The That Man Is You (TMIY) group had our final and 26th session of the semester this morning. It was a fantastic series with the theme "The Light of Men". Bitter sweet, as we don't resume until the Fall. A special thank you to Mike Neuendorf for organizing us each week, and for Jason Reck and Sharon Neuendorf for providing us with a delicious breakfast week in and out.
Leave a Legacy of Faith
- As faithful stewards of all that God has entrusted to us, we are each called to care not only for the needs of today, but also to consider the future of our parish communities. One meaningful way to do this is through legacy giving—remembering Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Marmora or Sacred Heart of Mary Parish in Madoc in your will or estate plans.
- A gift in your will, no matter the size, is a powerful testimony of your faith and love for the Church. These legacy gifts can help ensure that our parishes remain vibrant places of worship, service, and community for generations to come.
- In addition to traditional bequests, our parishes are also able to accept gifts in the form of stocks, securities, mutual funds, dividends, or life insurance policies. Such gifts may also carry tax advantages for your estate, and can be arranged easily through your lawyer or financial advisor.
- If you would like more information or would like to discuss this confidentially, please don’t hesitate to speak with Fr. Justin directly. Thank you for considering this beautiful act of generosity—your faith-filled legacy can help build the future of our parishes. “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give…for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)
- A reminder that during the Marian month at SHM Madoc, the Holy Rosary will be prayed EVERYDAY @ 9am (except for Wednesdays) and on Sundays @ 8:30am. Also at 4:40pm and 10:40am at SHJ before weekend Masses. Come early!
- It's a good practice to make a May pilgrimage to a Marian shrine/church/site to honour Our Lady and seek renewal and healing for ourselves too. For SHJ parishioners, travelling to SHM and visiting the official Our Lady of Fatima shrine altar is a good idea. And of course there is Greensides.
- Wherever you decide, May is an ideal time to take a road trip with the family to a close Marian shrine. Journeying to holy places has great value for the entire Church. Therefore, the Church offers special blessings for pilgrims, special prayers and in many cases, it is possible to gain a Plenary Indulgence.
- What I do is say one rosary on the way to the site, one rosary when I'm there, and then one rosary on the drive/walk back. After the fist time, no need to repeat introductory prayers (Creed, Our Father, 3 Hail Mary's, Glory Be) but go right into the next set of mysteries. But to each his own.
- If anyone knows where we can acquire a beautiful Marian outdoor statue, please let Fr. Justin know. SHM is looking for one that is between 4-4.5 ft, all-weather, and most of us, has a beautiful face. We plan on putting her on a solid pedestal in front of the church, surrounded by flowers, etc. But the face needs to be really beautiful.
- The new May newsletter from our Archdiocesan Office of Family Ministries is out below.
- Karen Shannon, our wonderful communications director and parishioner of Holy Name of Mary in Marysville has decided to take a small group of 22 to Medjugorje for the Youth Festival, departing Toronto Aug 3 and returning Aug 11. Details below.
Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Hall
Thursday, May 29
Doors open @ 5:30pm
Games start @ 6pm
cash prizes
concession
On Sunday, August 3rd @ 11:30am, we're going to have a special outdoor Mass back at St. Bernadette's in Ormsby, followed by a potluck luncheon.
That Sunday, the 9am Mass will be in Marmora, while the 11:30am Mass will be in Ormsby. (The 5pm will remain in Marmora).
Everyone is invited for this special parish family celebration, so save the date! More details to follow in the coming months.
“I would not say… that the Holy Spirit picks out the Pope, because there are too many contrary instances of popes the Holy Spirit would obviously not have picked. I would say that the Spirit does not exactly take control of the affair, but rather like a good educator, as it were, leaves us much space, much freedom, without entirely abandoning us. Thus the Spirit’s role should be understood in a much more elastic sense, not that he dictates the candidate for whom one must vote. Probably the only assurance he offers is that the thing cannot be totally ruined”
~ Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger
Our catechist Vince Brintnell entrusting himself to our candidates during confirmation class last time.
Freedom Transformation Retreat (Our Lady of Divine Fire Mission)
What keeps you from enjoying the freedom of the sons and daughters of God? Addiction, anxiety, anger, lies, fear, trauma… Whatever it is, Jesus came to set you free. Be transformed by power of the Gospel through the Five Keys of Unbound and come home to the heart of the Father where you are loved unconditionally. This retreat includes times of worship, inspiring talks, personal reflection and prayer ministry.
Friday, May 23 6:15pm - 9:30pm and Saturday May 24 8:15am - 4pm. St. Paul the Apostle Parish Hall, 1111 Taylor-Kidd Blvd, Kingston. Registration required. Regular admission $30, Couples $50, Young adult $20 registration and details here.
One splendid way to honour the Mother of God in this Marian month is to promote the welfare of all mothers, especially those in need of assistance, and to that end I ask every family in the parish to share in a simple form of service to mothers with crisis pregnancies. Anchor of Hope is a local organization in Madoc which provides direct assistance to women with unplanned or unwanted pregnancies and who are probably considering an abortion. Such women are often poor, alone, and frightened, and they may be placed under great pressure from family and friends to kill their unborn child. Responding to the Gospel of Life requires us to give direct, practical assistance to these mothers in an effort to save the life of the child, and that means giving our financial support to the groups able to assist women in crisis pregnancies.
Since 2003 the Baby Bottle Campaign has provided opportunities to give vital support that empowers women to make informed pregnancy decisions and receive practical help for everyday challenges. During this month of special Marian devotion, we will make available at the door of the church small baby bottles to be used to collect money for the support of mothers in distress. I encourage you to take a bottle home and fill it with spare change, bills or even cheques until Father's Day weekend.
Every dollar, even every nickel counts in this simple but critical work of assisting troubled mothers to receive the lives of their children as a gift to be treasured, and in this humble service we honour our Mother in the order of grace, the Mother of God and Mother of the Church. .Thank you for your continued support in this life-giving ministry!
Sacred Heart of Mary CWL Scholarship Applications are now available
For graduating students who will be pursuing post secondary studies.
Deadline for submission is May 30, 2025.
If you would like an email application, please contact Teresa Lee @ 613.472.4527 for further details.
My trip to Rome last week was a terrific blessing. It was nice to be there during the interregnum when the Eternal City was abuzz with pilgrims and press and Cardinals in the days leading up to the conclave. I was able to go through two of the four Jubilee Holy Doors (with my cousin) - at St. Peter's Basillica and St. John Lateran Cathedral (We tried twice at St. Mary Major but the lineups were very long). Also hit up many churches and shrines, along with some cool restaurants and wine and cocktail bars. My friend, Fr. Kim D'Souza, who works for the Vatican, got us special access to the Vatican gardens, and many off-limit sites, which was pretty neat. The highlight of the trip was staying at the Pontifical Canadian College and meeting compatriot priests who were doing graduate work, celebrating Holy Mass in the Clementine chapel with friends (below), but probably most of all, attending one of the novendialis masses for Pope Francis and being asked (unexpectedly) to distribute Holy Communion at St. Peter's. Since I had been to Rome before a few times, I had no agenda and didn't feel the need to see any of the major sites - we just walked around each day and saw what we saw, including the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain and my favourite part - the neighbourhood of Trestevere. I brought all the intentions you asked me to pray for to the heart of the Church. A special thanks to Fr. Price who covered all things at the parish while I was away. What a blessing to have him with us!
Mass in the crypt of St. Peter's Basillica, in the Clementine Chapel under the high altar and beside the bones of St. Peter himself. I offered this Mass for our newly ordained priest, Fr. Jude Thusiar.
My classmate Fr. John Perdue (Peterborough diocese), who is studying Patristics (St. Gregory of Nyssa) at the Augustinianum.
7th Annual Rideau Canal
Men’s Retreat 2025
Tues. to Thur. August 5-7, 2025
UPDATE: We have 35 signed up so far.
An invitation to Catholic men 18 years and older (including fathers and teenage sons) to share and deepen their Faith while enjoying male camaraderie - in the context of an outdoor adventure by canoe.
Beginning at Seeley’s Bay on Tues., Aug. 5 at 7:30am, paddling 16 km along the historic Rideau Canal through locks at Jones Falls, with overnight tenting at Davis Locks.
On Wednesday, the 18km route passes through Chaffey’s and Newboro Locks into the Upper Rideau Lake, with overnight tenting along McNally’s Bay. Retreat ends Thursday at 2 pm.
Canoes and paddles supplied, along with meals. Cost: $95. Daily Mass, Rosary, prayer, opportunities for Confession, talks by priests and laymen, socializing, and invigorating exercise make this annual Catholic men’s retreat a popular one. Information and registration: hart.daniel64@gmail.com (613-899-9514) or rrmiron2019@gmail.com (613-218-6497).
Really outstanding summer programs for boys which I highly recommend. (I've lead the Big Picture Seminar for few years way back when...)
The Big Picture Seminar in Toronto helps
students entering Grade 9 to acquire a broad vision of the importance of their education. The program touches on subjects such as studies, extracurricular activities, career and university planning, character formation, and leadership. This is combined with sports and other recreational activities such as white water rafting, paint ball, museum visits and more.The Citizens Project is a chance to give back
while also having fun. During the day, the boys will volunteer at a homeless shelter, serving meals and helping those in need. In the evenings, there will be fun activities planned, giving everyone a chance to relax, explore the city, and spend time together. It’s a meaningful way to help out while also making great memories.The Manitoba Service Project will take place in Berens River, Manitoba, on a First Nations reserve where we will assist Fr. Messia Vallapadasu in supporting the local Catholic parish. Located on the east side of Lake Winnipeg, the participants will help with repairs and construction around the parish buildings and tutor local youth in English, Mathematics, and Catechism. This trip offers an opportunity to make a positive impact, make new friends with the community, and grow in faith through service.
Requesting Mass Intentions
The Greatest of Gifts ~ The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass: We celebrate many milestones in Christian life, from baptisms to first communions, weddings to anniversaries, and births to final passing. It is in these moments we seek the emotional support of family and friends, and the strength that only God can provide. Mass intentions provide a spiritual gift to those you love. It tells the recipient that they are not alone in these moments. Mass intentions are a Catholic gift of prayer, asking God to bless them with his Spirit of love and peace. For that reason, they are perfect as baptism gifts, first communion gifts, and confirmation gifts. They are also comforting for those who are mourning the death of a loved one, or for a friend who may be struggling in life.
Requesting a Mass Intention is easy! Just contact our secretary Pauline Davis (613.472.2220 or SacredHeart.MM@archkingston.ca) or better yet, use the mass intention envelopes found in the vestibule, fill it out and put in the $20 offering and place it in the collection basket at Mass. We will do our best to have the Mass offered on the date requested.
This Easter season we thank everyone who has supported our parishes with their time, talent and financial contributions. As the pace of life speeds up, you may find electronic giving a most welcome way to make contributions.
shjpayments@gmail.com (SHJ)
shmpayments@gmail.com (SHM)
Of course we gratefully accept donations by cash or cheque mailed or dropped off into our secure mailboxes, or in the plate during the offertory collection.
You may have heard of FORMED before. It is a Catholic streaming service that has lots of Catholic movies, documentaries, talks, resources to better understand the faith, children’s shows, lives of the saints, etc. There is no cost. All you need to do is create an account to log in to start watching lots of great content.
Go to https://signup.formed.org
Enter our parish’s postal code (K0K 2M0)
Enter your name and your email address
Don't forget our Flower Sponsor initiative to beautify the sanctuary and churches especially for the high holy days. A one time yearly donation of $40 will cover your week, and you'll also get a Mass intention included in that. So a great deal if you think about it! As you've been seeing at Mass, the churches were beautifully decorated in large part to your flower donations. And when you see in the Flocknotes Masses being offered "For the X Family Intentions" - usually those are from the Family flower sponsor. So if you want to contribute, there are white Flower sponsor envelopes in the narthex - just fill it out and drop it in the collection basket. Thanks to Shirley Gauvreau, Brenda Poirier & Iris Doyle and Joanne Forestell for always doing such a splendid arrangement of the flowers!
Confession Times This Week
Sat: 4-4:45pmD
Sun: 8-8:45am & 10-10:45am
Mon: 8-8:45am & 9:45-10:15am
Tues: 8-8:45am
Wed: 8-8:45am & 9:45-10:15am
Thur: 8-8:45am
Fri: 8-8:45am & 9:45-10:15am
Anointing of the Sick
Pastoral Care of the Sick: Is one of your loved ones struggling with illness or homebound? Or are they at the hospital or retirement/nursing home and would like to have a visit from one of our Pastoral Care team members or by Fr. Justin? Does your homebound or hospitalized loved one wish to receive Holy Communion? Would you like prayers for your loved one? Do you wish to have the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick? Remember that the Sacrament of Anointing is for the sick, not just a sacrament for those who are actively dying. Those Catholics confronted with serious illness, chronic illness, or surgery are invited to request the Sacrament of Anointing by calling Fr. Justin for an appointment. We also have a wonderful Pastoral Care team made up of generous parishioners who can bring Holy Communion to the sick and those confined to their own homes. Again, if you are someone or know of someone who would like to receive Sacraments at their home, please contact the office @ 613.472.2220 more information.
Knights of Columbus
Council #7301
Spring Yard Sale
Sat. June 7 @ SHJ
Spring cleaning? Our Knights of Columbus Council 7301 council will be holding a Yard Sale on Saturday, June 7th at Sacred Heart of Jesus, Mamora. Please consider turning your surplus household items into cash for worthy local causes. We will accept most household items in good condition but no clothes. Money raised will be forwarded to the many charitable groups the Knights of Columbus support. Don't miss this opportunity to contribute. Thank you for your continual generosity and support! if you need any donated items to be picked up, speak to one our Knights or Gary Poirier @ 613.969.8618
There was an information meeting in St. Mary's Cathedral Parish Centre (Kingston) @ 7pm last month for all who have signed up for the Jubilee of Hope Pilgrimage to Fatima, Lourdes, Rome and Assisi. This meeting was also for anyone who is thinking of signing up and would like more information and also for anyone who is genuinely curious. We live-streamed it for those who weren't able to make it. There are about 15 spots available. If you are thinking about joining what promises to be a great pilgrimage, it is not too late.
"The Catholic Church is the only thing that saves a man from the degrading slavery of being a child of his age."