Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The month of February is dedicated to the Most Holy Family
Dear Friends in Christ,
This upcoming Wednesday, February 11th is the Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes, which is also fittingly the World Day of the Sick.
This upcoming Wednesday, February 11th is the Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes, which is also fittingly the World Day of the Sick.
And so on Wednesday at 7pm at SHJ (no 9am Mass or Holy Hour), we will celebrate this Marian Feast and after the General Intercessions, Fr. Bill Maloney and I will offer for those faithful who truly need it, the Sacrament of the Sick (further details below). We are delighted that our brothers and sisters from St. Mary's in Campbellford will be joining us!
We will also lay hands on those (with the relic of St. Bernadette) who want prayers for their health, but not the sacrament per se.
Please spread the word and in particularly invite anyone you know who is seriously sick, regardless of denomination, to attend and receive this powerful blessing.
Pope Leo XIV, in his Message for this 34th World Day of the Sick 2026, invites us to reflect on the
figure of the Good Samaritan. The Holy Father outlines three key points:
figure of the Good Samaritan. The Holy Father outlines three key points:
- The gift of encounter,
- The shared mission of caring for the sick
- And the primacy of being driven by love for God in
encountering ourselves and others.
He writes, “I genuinely hope that our Christian lifestyle will always reflect this fraternal, ‘Samaritan’ spirit – one that is welcoming, courageous, committed and supportive, rooted in our union with God and our faith in Jesus Christ.” He continues, “Enkindled by this divine
love, we will surely be able to give of ourselves for the good of all who suffer, especially our brothers and sisters who are sick, elderly or afflicted.”
love, we will surely be able to give of ourselves for the good of all who suffer, especially our brothers and sisters who are sick, elderly or afflicted.”
You don’t have to be physically sick to attend; everyone is welcome, especially those caregivers who are in need of prayer and God’s comfort. The Mother of God is often invoked as Salus Infirmorum, Health of the Sick. Even if you can’t make it to Mass on Wednesday evening, then don’t forget all of the infirm and dying in our parish family when you say your Rosary. Let us surround the sick and the suffering of our parish with our most fervent
prayers.
Fr. Justin
PS - If you plan on receiving the Anointing of the Sick, this sacrament should if possible be received in the state of grace. If a person is incapacitated, the sacrament of Anointing also forgives sins, but if a person is capable of confessing he should confess properly and receive absolution before being anointed. So confessions will be heard on Wednesday from 5:45-6:45pm.
One of my favourites for sure. If you haven't seen it, now's the time, esp. since we're celebrating Our Lady of Lourdes a week from today. You won't regret it.
Fr. Justin privileged to offer Mass at in the grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, France,
"As I raised my head to look at the grotto, I saw a lady dressed in white, wearing a white dress, a blue girdle and a yellow rose on each foot, the same colour as the chain of her rosary; the beads of the rosary were white. From the niche, or rather the dark alcove behind it, came a dazzling light."
~ Bernadette Soubirous
Sacred Heart of Jesus
Weekly Schedule
5th Sunday in OT
Sat, Feb 7@ 5pm
Pro Populo
5th Sunday in OT
Sun, Feb 8 @ 11am*
Alex Morrison †
[req. Steve & Pauline Davis]
* Jr. Liturgy
Lectors
5pm: Aahron Swart
11am: Noah Brownson
St. Scholastica, Virgin (M)
Tues, Feb 10 @ 9am
Unannounced Mass
Tues, Feb 10 @ 7pm
Knights of Columbus #7301 Meeting
SHJ Hall
"I do not promise to make you happy in this world, but in the other."~ Our Lady of Lourdes
Our Lady of Lourdes (OM)
34th World Day of the Sick
Wed, Feb 11 @ 7pm**
For the Sick
*note the time change
*Anointing of the Sick & veneration of a First Class relic of St. Bernadette.
Thur, Feb 12 @ 9am
Unannounced Mass
Fri, Feb 13 @ 9am
The Holy Souls in Purgatory †
[req. Mark & Jan Neal]
Fri, Feb 13 @ 9:30-10:30am
** Holy Hour! **
Sacred Heart of Mary
Weekly Schedule
Our Lady's Saturday
First Saturday
Sat, Feb 7 @ 9am
For Return to the Faith
[req. Larry & Cathy Massey]
Our Lady Undoer of Knots, pray for us!
Sat, Feb 7 @ 9:30-10:30am
** First Sat Holy Hour! **
- Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Sat, Feb 7 @ 10:30am
OFS Queen of Peace Fraternity
O'Neill Parish Hall
O'Neill Parish Hall
- All are welcome for coffee, muffins & fellowship
5th Sunday in OT
Sun, Feb 8 @ 9am*
Elaine Quinn
[req. Betty Lowrie]
*Jr. Liturgy
Lector: Brad Freeman
Greeters: Jason Reck & Brad Freeman
Jr. Liturgy Leader: Cheryl Freeman
Sun, Feb 8 @ 10am*
Toonie Breakfast
O'Neill Parish Hall
*hosted by SHM CWL
Wed, Feb 11 @ 5pm
Combined SHM & SHJ Choir Practice
Fri, Feb 13 @ 6:15-7:30am
That Man Is You
#18 - Infallible & Indispensable
O'Neill Parish Hall, Madoc
7-Day Votive Candle Offerings
There are many reasons to light votive candles: to give honour to a particular saint; we can light them in memory of a deceased loved one too, or for someone who is facing illness or other troubled times. As they continue to burn in Church, it can comfort us to know that the light of our candle continues to honour God. We are usually asked to make an offering to the Church when we light candles, usually to cover the cost of the candles. Candles have a rich history in our Church. May the flame of faith in your heart be undimmed. When the Lord comes may you go out to meet him with all the Saints in the Heavenly Kingdom!
SHJ CHURCH
OUR BLESSED MOTHER
[available]
SACRED HEART OF JESUS
[available]
ST. JOSEPH
[available]
ST. ANNE & OUR LADY
[available]
SHM CHURCH
SACRED HEART OF JESUS
Increase of Vocations
[SHM CWL]
OUR BLESSED MOTHER
Intentions of SHM Parishioners
[SHM CWL]
You can put your $10 7-Day Votive Offering in the filled-in pink envelope.
Any questions? Contact Pauline at the parish office @ 613.472.2220 or sacredheart.mm@archkingston.ca
MANDATORY
First Holy Communion & First Reconciliation
Parent & Candidate Meeting
Thursday, February 19
6:30pm SHJ Hall
The meeting will consist of introducing our parish catechists, an outline of the program that will be used, expectations, as well as encouraging you to be supportive of your child. Fr. Justin will also outline the component of parish participation.
Our program emphasizes the children's personal journey of faith and relationship with God, and consists of 8 sessions, each focusing on key aspects of the faith. It incorporates Scripture, Catechism teachings, prayer and family activities. The Kerygma, the core Gospel message, is central to the program and parents are encouraged to participate actively in their child's faith journey.
Registration forms and material will be available in the narthex of the churches this weekend, as well as handed out through SHJ school. They are attached below.
We look forward to meeting with you and your children as we begin preparation for this wonderful and special time in your child’s life. Please feel free to contact the Parish Office (613.472.2220 or sacredheartmm@archkingston.ca ) if you have any questions.
First Holy Communion
Corpus Christi Sunday
Sunday, June 7 2026
Sunday, June 7 2026
11am @ SHJ
Classes
#1 - Feb 28
#2 - Mar 14
#3 - Mar 28
#4 - Apr 11
#5 - Apr 25
- Apr 28 (First Confessions)
#6 - May 9
#7 - May 23
#8 - May 30
- June 6 (Retreat)
- June 7 (First Communion)
Registration forms due by Thur, Feb 26.
Confession Schedule this Week
With Lent around the corner, it's a good idea to start thinking about kicking off this penitential season by making a good confession, which in addition to the times below, can be done by making an appointment too.
First Sat: 8-8:45 & 9:45-10:15am
Sat: 4-4:45pm
Sun: 8-8:45am
Tues: 9-9:45am
Wed: 5:45-6:45pm
Thur: 8-8:45pm
Fri: 8-8:45 & 9:45-10:15am
* No confessions at SHJ before the 11am Mass until Fr. Price returns on March 8, as I won't have time after returning from the 9am Madoc Mass.
Anointing of the Sick
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 now 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 for more information.
Catholic wallet card carried by baseball legend Babe Ruth while with the Boston Red Sox, 1914-1918.
If you need a convenient way to make regular offerings or if you plan to make an additional gift before the end of the year, we encourage you to check out our electronic giving options. As the pace of life speeds up, especially around the holidays, 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.
Don't forget that great online faith resources are available to every member of our parish including books, movies, podcasts and more at Formed.org.To gain access to all of FORMED’s content, follow these simple steps:
Go to https://signup.formed.org/
Enter our parish’s postal code (K0K 2M0)
Enter your name and your email address.
Requesting Mass Intentions
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. To arrange to have a Mass celebrated, 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.
By using the white Flower Sponsor envelopes (located in the narthex), a one time donation of $40 will provide flowers for the sanctuary and shrines, and you'll also get a Mass intention included in that. So a great deal if you think about it! The churches are 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. Thanks to Shirley Gauvreau, Brenda Poirier, Iris Doyle & Joanne Forestell for always doing such a splendid arrangement of the flowers! Thank you for your support!
Links, Recommendations & Random Thoughts
- Food Bank Reminder: A few weeks ago, 6 items from our SHJ Food Bank Box were found to have been already expired. Please take a minute to check the expiry/best before date, as the Food Bank cannot distribute these products. This would cause great embarrassment for our Church, and the poor deserve better. The expired food products were discarded.
- This weekend, we wish Fr. Price an enjoyable return to his old parish, St. Francis Xavier in Brockville, where he spent 22 years as Pastor. Fr. Price will cover the Masses for the next month, and I know former parishioners are excited to see him and have many activities planned for his return.
- Neat article: "The Confession I Didn't Make: An Embarrassing Case of Sacramental Mistaken Identity"
- Very good piece in the National Post earlier this week by Fr. Raymond de Souza on the anniversary of our diocese: "How an Upper Canada diocese changed an empire" (and a shout-out to Fr. Shawn Hughes!)
- Read this (if you can access)
- Sacred Hearts of Hope Information Meeting: On Wednesday evening we had a wonderful information meeting on this new pastoral care initiative, with terrific turnout and 21 people indicating a desire to take part. Stay tuned for more details.
Above, a letter from Archbishop Mulhall regarding the Archdiocesan Lenten Collection for 2026. In your box of envelopes, there is a blue envelope for the Archdiocesan Lenten Collection. The money collected at SHJ & SHM and across the Archdiocese will be distributed to local organizations chosen by a group of young people across the Archdiocese advising Archbishop Mulhall. Charitable organizations in our area received a good chunk of these funds last year, including Anchor of Hope, Foundations, and Project Rachel.
- Income Tax Receipts: Your income tax receipts for 2025 donations are available in the vestibule of the churches. Thank you for your donations - your generosity is truly appreciated. Making them available for pick-up ahead of the Apr 30 deadline saves the parish the cost of mailing them, so we are grateful to those parishioners who can pick them up when they come to Mass. They will be in alphabetical order. We will mail out those that have not been picked up a few weeks before the deadline. Also note that there are still a number of 2026 offertory envelopes at the back of the church too - please pick yours up.
- The snowy and cold weather these past few weeks makes this a good time to remind everyone of two salient points:
- The obligation to attend Sunday Mass does not require you to drive in hazardous conditions, so if you truly cannot make it to church because of dangerous driving conditions, no sin is involved in missing Mass. God does not ask the impossible.
- Whether or not you make it to Mass on a given weekend, our bills still have to be paid each week. We live from collection to collection, so if you were not able to make it to church, please make up your missing offertory donation so that we can go on paying our bills. To sustain operations from month to month, we depend upon your regular support. One way to be sure that a week or month is never missed is to use e-transfers, which are easy to do. But whether you mail them to us or drop them off in our secure mailboxes or at the parish office, thank you for your commitment to SHJ & SHM.
- Just a reminder to try not to rest your shoes on the kneelers, as they get quite dirty from the snow/dirt/salt etc.
Great conversation between Bishop Barron and Ross Douthat, who is arguably the best op-ed columnist in the world, writing for the NYTimes (he's Catholic)
- Have You Developed a Plan for Lent Yet? Now that Christmastide is past, it is time to look ahead. Lent begins in just over a week with Ash Wednesday on Feb 18, and it is not too early to begin making plans to keep the 40 Days with serious discipline in the search for an ever deeper conversion from sin and to the obedience of faith. What do you think you should do to accomplish the turning back on one’s self and re-focusing your spiritual life to be ready for Easter? I invite you now to prepare a brief Plan of Life to help you become a more faithful disciple of Christ. This plan should include time each day for reading the Bible and praying and an opportunity each week to learn more about your faith and to serve others. Take advantage of this time for prayerfully planning how a good Lent is to be kept.
“Food for Thought”
by Collen MacAlister ofs
- In my dreams, I heard, Again, in my dreams, another thought
- On Sun, Feb 1st, I awoke with the thought, I did, and it spoke to me.
- St. Paul was instructing Titus, telling Titus things that he was “insisting” on. Since Paul was insisting, I thought I better listen up! This was what the early followers of Jesus were being told to be. This is a short list of some of the do’s and dont's in this one chapter:
- “Be obedient, ALWAYS ready to do what is GOOD.
- NO slandering, avoid quarrelling!
- BE Gentle to EVERYONE!
- Do NOT get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees, (my add on politics??)
- DO NOT get involved with quarrels and fights, these are all WASTES of time!
- Instead act! Make sure that those you know that are travelling have what they need!
- WE MUST learn to do good, by meeting the urgent NEEDS of others, THEN we are productive.”
- These are some of the affirmations of how we can live with the joy and peace that St. Francis had: “They will know we are Christians, by our love”
- I encourage everyone I meet now to read it and see what stands out to them. Titus 3 holds a lot of food for thought. God bless us all!
- The SHM CWL is putting on a simple but delicious Toonie breakfast this Sunday after the 9am Mass, and everyone is invited. These opportunities to gather for fellowship are so important to our parish community. And nextg Sunday after the 11am Mass, we will look forward to the Fat Tuesday pancake lunch hosted by the Knights of Columbus in the parish hall.
- Parish Pancake Brunch: Our Knights of Columbus #7301 are hosting a Pancake luncheon following the 11am Mass on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday, so next Sun, Feb 15th @ 12pm at SHJ Hall. Invite your friends and family and neighbours!Lunch includes maple syrup, pancakes, sausages, hash browns and beverages. Goodwill offering only.
- Lector Schedule for SHJ: If you are interested in being added to the Lector Schedule or would like to be removed from the SHJ lector schedule please contact Fr. Justin or Maureen O'Connor by Feb 14, as the new schedule will be created and ready for pick up the weekend of Feb 21/22.
Have you suffered the loss of a child from abortion, or the abortion pill? If grief, sadness, or shame has kept you alone in this, know that you are not alone, and that there is healing for you.
Project Rachel at the Refuge will hold a retreat for post-abortive women from April 24-26, 2026. Here you will find a beautiful, natural setting, companionship, and a welcome free of judgment or condemnation – healing is possible.
We treat all calls and inquiries with the utmost confidentiality. Call 613.473.2679 in confidence, and see stmarysrefuge.org/rachel.
We would appreciate prayers from your parish, as well as volunteers willing to apply to cook for retreat weekends. (Fr. Justin will be the chaplain on this retreat)
Due to the winter storm last weekend we had to reschedule the Friarside Chat to Sat, Feb 28 from 11am-1pm at O'Neill Parish Hall in Madoc. This is a chance to deepen your Christian faith by learning about the several different “spiritualities” within the Catholic Church. Which one do you identify with most? Fun, fellowship and a light lunch provided, free of charge. A presentation by Brother Alan OFM cap and Brother Stephen OFM cap. Sponsored by the Queen of PEACE Fraternity.
Palms to Ashes: Many of the faithful have used palm branches from Palm Sunday to decorate their homes. Using palms as decoration in the house serves as a constant reminder of Palm Sunday. It is a beautiful way to stay connected to Holy Week throughout the year. If you are ready to part with your blessed palms, you can bring them back and place them in the receptable provided in the narthex of our churches. The palms are burned to create ashes for use on Ash Wednesday (Feb 18). The burning of palms often takes place on Shrove Tuesday (17th).
Primer on the Sacrament of the
Anointing of the Sick
- The Sacrament is meant to be administered to those who are in danger of death due to illness or old age. This means that the Sacrament does not need to be delayed until the person is about to take the last breath, because its first effect is to consecrate the person to God in suffering, so that the person may more efficaciously offer his or her weakness, pains and eventual death to God in union with Christ’s redemption.
- But it also means that it is not meant to be administered to those who are not in danger of death due to sickness or senescence. It’s not meant for those who are sick or injured but in no way in danger of death, like those getting their tonsils out, or having arthroscopic surgery, or just feeling under the weather, or anyone over a certain age. In fact, not everyone in a hospital or nursing home needs anointing, because not all are in danger of death. Certainly not everyone in a parish at a healing Mass is in danger of death. Neither is it intended for those who have a cold or a flu, who are “feeling off emotionally,” or who are experiencing an external threat to life such as war, natural disaster, crashing planes, sinking ships, or even the death penalty. It’s meant, exclusively, to be given to those who are in danger of dying because of the internal conditions of life-threatening malady or old age. So, for example, it is proper to be given to those going in for open heart surgery, but not for arthroscopic surgery or a root canal.
- Another important clarification is that while miracles of physical healing have occasionally been associated with reception of the Sacrament, the purpose of the Sacrament is as a remedy to the primary illness every human being suffers from, namely, sin and its effects, as the spiritual antidote to the bodily remnants of sin that remain in each human being. Christ didn’t establish the Sacrament so as to deprive those facing death from having to die but so that they can die in union with him without being overcome in their weakened state by the bodily vulnerabilities and temptations that sinning can make us susceptible to.
- So if the primary expectation of the sick and their loved ones is for the avoidance of death by obtaining a miraculous cure, then they are fixed on a false hope that is not consistent with the message of the Gospel. If a miraculous cure does not happen, it is not because the sacrament somehow lacks power or efficacy, but because the ‘greater’ miracle is the healing from the effects of sin so that we can die in union with Christ and enter into eternal glory. And this truth should be a consolation, not a disappointment because the Christian faith offers the sick and dying much more than mere optimism that God might give a miracle. After all, the purpose of the Sacrament, as indicated by the words of St. James that priest echoes during the anointing, is that “the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up.”
- All this to say that the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is meant to be a sign of definitive conversion to the Lord, of total acceptance of suffering and death as a penance for sins, and of hope for the supreme reconciliation with the Father.
UPDATE: Please note that only double rooms are available now. Single rooms requests will be placed on a waiting list. Also, of the 40 spots available, 20 have already been reserved. Demand is high, and availability is limited. Secure your place early so you don’t miss this life-changing journey.
PILGRIMAGE
TO THE HOLY LAND
with Fr. Justin & Fr. Price
Have you ever longed to visit the Holy Land during your lifetime, to follow in the footsteps of Our Blessed Lord, to pray, kneel and kiss the soil where his sacred feet trod? Would you like the Sacred Scriptures to be opened up in new and exciting ways? Do you want to experience His Mercy? Do you want your family to be converted? Do you expect a healing for you or someone you love? Do you desire to make atonement for your past sins? Or simply to give thanks to God for all the blessings He's given you?
Then let us go up to Jerusalem!
We are thrilled to invite you to the pilgrimage that transforms lives more than any other: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus in the Holy Land, October 5–15, 2026, with Fr. Justin and Fr. Price. This is no ordinary trip. It is a living encounter with the very places where the Word became flesh.
We have carefully designed this itinerary with one goal above all: deepening your personal relationship with the Savior. That’s why we have built in generous time at each holy site – plenty of time for silent prayer, reflection, and lingering before and after Mass. No rushing from one place to the next. We want you to be able to sit, pray, and let the Lord speak to you in the very places where he once walked. You have no idea how many sites I cut because I wanted a slower, more relaxed and meditative pace. And beware: the terrain of the Holy Land is not easy, and if you thought the walking in Rome was a bit of a challenge, well...
Many of you have told me how much you missed the Holy Land during the pandemic years, and how the war has made returning seem uncertain. Now is the perfect time: the region is open, safe for pilgrims, and the spiritual hunger is stronger than ever. Come and see for yourself – walk where our Blessed Lord walked, touch the stones he touched, and let the Holy Spirit renew you in ways that words cannot describe. Many of you know that the Holy Land is my favourite place in the world, and I've been longing to get back there after the last 4 planned trips have been cancelled.
The detailed day-by-day itinerary and registration form are attached. Please review them, share it with your friends and family, pray about it over Christmas, and let me or Edgar know as soon as possible if you’d like to join us. It will be an unforgettable grace-filled experience.
Because of the physical rigours of making a trip of this kind, all pilgrims must be in general good health and able to walk up stairs and across rough ground without assistance. This trip is not a vacation, and we are not looking for rest or recreation. A pilgrimage is a journey of faith that entails penance, conversion, reconciliation, and restoration, and each part of the journey must therefore be marked by a spirit of renunciation of self in order to be conformed more completely to the Lord Jesus.
"I didn’t go to religion to make me happy. I always knew a bottle of Port would do that. If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity."
