Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped; Isaiah 35:5
Sunday December 14,2025
Message From Our Pastor & News
Dear Parishioners,
As we journey through the season of Advent, the figure of Mary shines even more brightly. Her “yes” to the Angel Gabriel paved the way for the coming—the advent—of Jesus, our Savior. This past week, we had the joy of celebrating her through three beautiful Marian feasts:
1- The Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8): Mary was conceived in St. Anne’s womb without original sin. God prepared her to be the pure vessel who would give Jesus her own flesh and bones by becoming His Mother.
2- Our Lady of Loreto (Dec. 10): This feast commemorates the “Translation of the Holy House of Mary” from Nazareth to Loreto, Italy. It reminds us of that sacred place where the Word became flesh.
3- Our Lady of Guadalupe (Dec. 12): Mary appeared to St. Juan Diego as a tender mother, leading a multitude of people to embrace the Catholic faith. She is honored as the Patroness of the Americas, uniting us in her maternal love.
Our Blessed Mother was the way Jesus came to us in His first Advent, and she will also play a role in His second coming at the end of time. Through her, Jesus continues to come to us throughout our lives. Let us focus our attention on her as the way to Christ, and let us pray with renewed devotion, asking for her intercession as we prepare our hearts to welcome Christ anew this Christmas. May her example inspire us to say our own “yes” to God’s will in our lives.
In Christ, Fr. Gaston Giacinti, IVE
WEEKLY NEWS
Poinsettias Help us decorate the church for Christmas, poinsettias donation envelopes are found at the entrance of the church.
Donation Offertory Envelopes We thank everyone for your yearly donations! The 2026 donation envelopes are at the entrance of the church. If your address or phone number has changed, please let us know. Either leave a message at the office 705 745 7631 or fill out your contact info in your first 2025 donation envelope. If you don’t use envelopes and would like to use this form of donations, please call the office and leave a message 705 745 7631. We also have the option of Pre-authorized donations, please fill out the provided form at the entrance of the church and return it to the office or give it to Fr. Gaston or the sisters.
Friday December 19th The St. John the Baptist Catholic Missionary Children group will be putting the annual Christmas play on December 19 at 7:30 pm at St. John the Baptist school. All are invited!
Sacred Heart Annual Memorial Wish Tree
This year’s Wish Tree Mass is on Sat, Dec. 20 at Sacred Heart Church at 5:30 pm. This is a Mass for all the Faithful Departed presided by His Excellency, Bishop Daniel Miehm. A light reception following the Holy Mass.
If you would like to participate you have 2 different options below, please choose one:
1.You can drop an envelope in the collection basket (marked as Wish Tree Mass) either at SH or St. J with:
- The names of those you want to remember in this Holy Mass
- Your full name and address
- Your donation. or
- By coming to the office during office hours: Tue, Thu or Fri between 3:30 – 5:00PM at 300 Wilson St.
For questions please contact Ed Genge at 705-292-6665 or genge@sympatico.ca
Christmas Activity – The Posadas 6 pm
Come and join to renew your spirit as we approach Christmas, with the prayer of the rosary and Carols.
Tuesday Dec. 16th at St. John
Wednesday Dec. 17th at Sacred Heart
Thursday Dec. 18th at St. John
(no Posadas on Friday Dec. 19th and Sat. Dec. 20th)
Sunday Dec. 21st at Sacred Heart
Monday Dec. 22nd at St. John
Tuesday Dec. 23rd at Sacred Heart
Christmas Schedule
Wednesday Dec. 24th Christmas Eve
3:00pm Confessions at St. John
4:00pm Holy Mass at St. John
5:30pm Holy Mass at Sacred Heart
12:00am Holy Mass (Latin) at Sacred Heart
Thursday Dec. 25th CHRISTMAS DAY
8:00am Confessions at Sacred Heart
9:00am Holy Mass at Sacred Heart
10:30am Holy Mass at St. John
12:00pm Holy Mass (Latin) at Sacred Heart
Outdoor Christmas decorations As Christians we have the call to evangelize, let us use Christmas decorations that talk about the real reason for Christmas, which is the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The sisters are selling outdoor Christmas lawn signs at $20. To order please call 705-977-6279. Take advantage of these meaningful signs for your houses and as gifts for Christmas.
D IOCESAN &O THER NEWS:
PROPOSED RESTRICTIONS ON RELIGIOUS FREEDOM – BILL C-9
(Ottawa) — The Liberal government has reached an agreement with the Bloc Québécois concerning an amendment to eliminate the religious exemption clause from Canada’s hate speech legislation in Section 319 (3) (b) of the Criminal Code. This initiative is intended to garner support for Bill C-9, titled ‘An Act to amend the Criminal Code (hate propaganda, hate crime, and access to religious or cultural places).’ The current provision in the Criminal Code slated for removal states: “(3) No person shall be convicted of an offence under subsection (2) […] (b) if, in good faith, the person expressed or attempted to establish by an argument an opinion on a religious subject or an opinion based on a belief in a religious text.”
Bill C-9 has passed the first and second readings and it is now undergoing review by the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.Given all that could be at stake if the amendment passes, the Permanent Council of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has sent an open letter to the Prime Minister, with other government officials in carbon copy.
In English: https://www.cccb.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-04-Letter-to-PM-Religious-Freedom-EN.pdf