Dear Parishioners,     

The following activities will be cancelled due to the Christmas and New years holiday schedule:

• The office will be closed from Christmas Eve Tues. Dec. 24 and opened on Tuesday Jan 7. For any emergencies, please call Fr. Gaston 705 750 8956.
• Morning Adoration and 8a.m. Masses are cancelled on Tue. Dec 24, and Wed. Dec 25. Please see the Christmas schedule for Masses on those days.
• Morning adoration is cancelled on Thu. Dec 26 and Fri Dec 27, but there will be Morning prayer at 7:40 a.m. and Holy Mass at 8a.m.
• Friday Confessions and Adoration at Sacred Heart from 1-6:30 is canceled on Dec 27.

On behalf of myself and the sisters, we would like to wish you and your families a most blessed and joyful Christmas!

May this Christmas be a time to encounter Christ and open our hearts to receive His grace.  Let us bear witness to the Power of God in our lives, bringing peace and joy to our families and friends.

            I would also like to take a moment to appreciate all the generous help and support of all the parishioners of St. John the Baptist Church throughout this past year. Your prayers, volunteer work and support help in the mission of Christ; that others may come to know and receive the love and mercy of God. You are all in my prayers and intentions especially during the celebration of the Christmas Masses.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Fr. Gaston Giacinti, IVE, M Almah, Sr. Królowa and Sr. Inmaculada.

Donation Offertory Envelopes

We thank everyone for your yearly donations!

The 2025 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 pick a box that has no name on it and fill in your contact information on your first donation envelope, don’t forget to include your phone number.

We also have the option of Pre-authorized donations, if you are interested 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.  

Start the New Year 2025 in Adoration and prayer

Our priests and sisters invite you to join on Friday December 31st: 10:45 PM exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, 11:45 Divine Office prayers followed by benediction at Mid-night at Saint John the Baptist.

Donations for tax receipts

Please note that in order to get your donations on your 2024 tax receipt, the donations need to be in before 2025. Thank you.

Christmas Activity – The Posadas

From December 16th through December 23rd at 6:00 pm we will have The Posadas. Come and join to renew your spirit as we approach Christmas, with the prayer of the rosary and Carols.

The Posadas will take place on:

Sun 22nd at St. John,

Mon 23rd at Sacred Heart.

Christmas Schedule

Tue. Dec. 24^th 3:00pm at St. John’s – Confessions

Tue. Dec. 24th 4:00pm at St. John’s – Holy Mass

Tue. Dec. 24th 5:30pm at Sacred H. – Holy Mass

Wed. Dec. 25th 8:00 am at Sacred H. – Confessions

Wed. Dec. 25th 9:00 am at Sacred H. – Holy Mass

Wed. Dec. 25th 10:30am at St. John’s – Holy Mass

Wed. Dec. 25^th 12:00pm Sacred Heart – Confessions

Wed. Dec. 25^th 12:00pm Sacred H. – T Latin Mass

Holy Mary Mother of God – New Year Schedule

Tue. Dec. 31st 3:00pm at St. John’s – Confessions

Tue. Dec. 31st 4:00pm at St. John’s – Holy Mass

Tue. Dec. 31st 5:30pm at Sacred Heart – Holy Mass

Tue. Dec. 31st 11pm-12am at St. John’s – Adoration

Wed. Jan. 1st 8:00am at Sacred Heart – Confessions

Wed. Jan. 1st 9:00am at Sacred Heart – Holy Mass

Wed. Jan. 1st 10:30am at St. John’s – Holy Mass

Wed. Jan. 1st 12:00pm  Sacred Heart – Confessions

Wed. Jan. 1st 12:00pm  Sacred Heart – T Latin Mass

D IOCESAN &O THER NEWS:

Put the fun into February—Great Christmas Present: 

Beat the February Blues by attending a fantastic Roast Beef Dinner in the Immaculate Conception parish hall, 386 Rogers Street, on Saturday, February 1st.  Social hour at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m.  Limited number of tickets: Adults $25, under 12 $15.  Call the parish office 705-742-5466 now to book your tickets.

Pilgrims of Hope—Jubilee Year 2025

Jubilee Opening Mass will be on December 29th, 2024, 10:30 am at St. Peter-In-Chains, celebrated by His Excellency Bishop Daniel Miehm. The faithful will be asked to gather outside the Knights of Columbus Hall (parking lot area) facing the veranda to hear the introductory remarks for the Jubilee Year.  We will all ‘pilgrimage’ across the street to St. Peter’s for the continuation of the celebration of Holy Mass. Plenary Indulgences available for the pilgrimage.

Jubilee 2025 Pilgrims of Hope: What is a Jubilee Year?

A Jubilee Year is a significant period of celebration and forgiveness observed every 25 years in the Catholic Church. This sacred time provides a unique opportunity for spiritual renewal, where individuals and communities can reflect on their faith, seek forgiveness, and restore relationships. The essence of the Jubilee is rooted in the themes of mercy and hope, inviting everyone to partake in the grace of God and the joy of reconciliation. Pope Francis has called for a year of jubilee with the theme “Pilgrims of Hope” The 2025 Jubilee will officially open on December 24, 2024, with a Mass presided over by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City. The rite of the Opening of the Holy Door will follow. For the faithful around the world, the local diocesan Masses are to be held on December 29, 2024.