PASTOR’S BLOG
Please visit https://stfinnan.ca/preparing-the-annual-report-2023/ for details and minutes from our last Pastoral and Finance Council meetings. We hope to present the Annual Report on the weekend of February 25/26. Let us continue praying for one another.
FEAST DAY OF ST. FINNAN!
February 9: Feast of St. Finnan! Second Bishop of Lindisfarne; died 9 February, 661. He was an Irish monk who had been trained in Iona Abbey in Scotland, and who was specially chosen by the Columban monks to succeed the great St. Aidan (635-51). St. Bede describes him as an able ruler and tells of his labours in the conversion of Northumbria. He built a cathedral “in the Irish fashion”, employing “hewn oak, with an outer covering of reeds”, dedicated to St. Peter. His apostolic zeal resulted in the foundation of St. Mary’s at the mouth of the River Tyne; Gilling, a monastery on the site where King Oswin had been murdered, founded by Queen Eanfled, and the great abbey of Streanaeshalch, or Whitby. St. Finan (Finn-án — little Finn) converted Peada, son of Penda, King of the Middle Angles, “with all his Nobles and Thanes”, and gave him four priests, including Diuma, whom he consecrated Bishop of Middle Angles and Mercia, under King Oswy. The breviary of Aberdeen styles him “a man of venerable life, a bishop of great sanctity, an eloquent teacher of unbelieving races, remarkable for his training in virtue and his liberal education, surpassing all his equals in every manner of knowledge as well as in circumspection and prudence, but chiefly devoting himself to good works and presenting in his life, a most apt example of virtue.
MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
XXXI WORLD DAY OF THE SICK
The Holy Father’s message is entitled: “Take care of him” – Compassion as a synodal exercise of healing. In light of the Church’s synodal journey, Pope Francis invites “all of us to reflect on the fact that it is especially through the experience of vulnerability and illness that we
can learn to walk together according to the style of God, which is closeness, compassion, and tenderness.” Click here to continue the Holy Father’s message.
THANK YOU
St. Finnan’s Councils of The Knights of Columbus and The Catholic Women’s League sincerely thank everyone who contributed in any way to last weekend’s fundraising bonspiel at the Alexandria Curling Club. Friendly competition, delicious food, rollicking good music and the best of company made the event a success from start to finish. Many, many thanks to all who donated their time, treasure, goods and services, and to all who attended during the day and evening. Your support is appreciated!
“The Lord bless you and keep you.” Nb 6:23
BREAKFAST IN MAXVILLE
You are invited to attend The Lions Club Breakfast at the Maxville Sports Complex 9:00am-1:00pm on Sunday Feb. 12th. Adults: $15, Children 7-10: $5, Children under 6 free. Everyone is welcome!
CONCERT
Blessed Sacrament Parish is holding a Valentine’s Day Concert on Sunday, February 12th in the parish hall from 6 to 8pm. The concert is being held as a special occasion for everyone and a fundraiser for the parish. The performers are Ed O’Brien & Marie Cameron, amazing performers and Kevin Rivette who is well known in this area for his powerful voice.
There will be a cash bar and refreshments will be served. The cost consists of a free will offering with $10 per person being a suggested amount. Come and enjoy the evening with us!
CWL MEETING
All women are invited to the next General Meeting of the Catholic Women’s League on Wednesday, February 15th at 7p.m. Please note, the meeting will be held at Shalom House. Our Diocesan CWL President, Angela Gaudet, will visit us that evening with a special presentation. We hope to see our members there in good numbers. Refreshments will be served after the meeting.
UPCOMING MEETINGS:
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
*Parish Renewal Committee, February 16, 2023
ST. FRANCIS DE SALES FAMILY DAY WEEKEND EVENT
St. Francis de Sales, Cornwall CWL and Knights of Columbus will be hosting a Family Day event on Saturday, February 18th, 2023, in their Parish Hall from 1:00-4:00 p.m. There will be small games, face painting, crafts, & snacks.
Free Family Portraits, martial arts fun and more – all free!
ST. JUDE’S PARISH, HAWKESBURY MARDI GRAS: FUNDRAISER $$
Potluck Supper: Saturday, February 18th, 2023, at 5pm in the Church Hall
Raffle and 50/50 Bring a dish and $10. per person/adult. Water, Coffee +Tea provided or bring your own bottle (BYOB). For more information, or to sign up with a dish of choice, please contact Fr. Rick at 613 612 3459, or Christina, 613 632 2464.
FAMILY DAY FUN
Celebrate with happiness with your families! Games, Puzzles & Fun Food! Family Day Basket Draw will take place at St. Anthony’s after Mass on Sunday, February 19th. Get your tickets! $5.00 each.
ONLINE LENTEN SPIRITUAL REFLECTION
Join us as we prepare our Hearts for Lent on Sunday, February 19th at 2 pm! May we be open to God’s invitation during this season of Lent and a renewed desire to live an outward-looking, self-emptying, kind of love. Meeting link: https://tinyurl.com/SSMCWL
Presented by Sault Ste. Marie Diocesan C.W.L.
ASH WEDNESDAY
Ash Wednesday begins our 40 days of Lenten prayer and fasting. It’s a day of fasting and abstinence, and we receive ashes on our forehead to remind us of our own death. Sound a bit gloomy? Actually, it’s a beautiful reminder of our need for a Savior, and it puts everything into perspective. When we run a race, we need to know our end destination. By taking time to reflect on our mortality, we are reminding ourselves of the end goal: heaven. Lent reminds us to fix our eyes on Christ and run towards him. And since we know Christ has already defeated sin and death, we don’t need to fear either! On Wednesday February 22 we will have two Masses at 8 am, and 7pm with distribution of ashes.
TRAVELING CHALICE PROGRAM
We will be launching the program this weekend! In this program, a family or individual receives a chalice at the end of Mass. They take the chalice to their home to display, praying for vocations throughout the week. To find out more about the program, visit our website: Traveling Chalice Program or please talk with Fr. Blake.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
St. James Parish Maxville will be hosting the World Day of Prayer this year on Friday March 3rd, with rain date Saturday March 4th.
RCIA
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults: We have a few people participating in weekly RCIA gatherings right now. Please pray for all involved! For more info., please contact Fr. Blake at the parish office.
WOMEN’S LENTEN RETREAT
On Saturday March 11th, St. Francis de Sales CWL is hosting a retreat for ALL women in the parish, and any ladies in local parishes who might like to join us. We will begin at 9 AM and close with a light lunch at 12:30 PM. The theme will be “The Grace-filled Armour of God”. Registration is required in order to plan for food and materials, but the retreat is free. To register you can contact the parish office by email or call between 9 and 12 on weekdays. You can also call Sally at 613-933-3831 or send an email to drsally@cogeco.ca
SCHOOL REGISTRATION
St. Finnan Catholic School is now accepting new student registrations for September 2023! We invite parents/guardians to complete the online pre-registration by visiting http://bit.ly/CDSBEORegistration. All details on the registration process can be found on this page.
- Junior Kindergarten students must be 4 years of age by December 31, 2023
- Senior Kindergarten students must be 5 years of age by December 31, 2023
We look forward to welcoming your child in September!
INTENTIONS:
Please keep our parishioners in your prayers:
Marie Aubin, Susan and John Clark, Christopher Coleman, Mike Craig, Melanie Damphousse, Patrick Kealty, Krista Kirkwood, Guy Lauzon, Juliette Lavigne, Robert Lavigne, Diane Leroux, Msgr. Kevin Maloney, Madison McDermid, Brad McMillan, Joe Rolland, Theresa Ryan, Michael Scott, Patrick and Sue Shannon, Braydon Topping, Michael Trepanier, Marie Wilding, and Andrea Willard.
MASS INTENTIONS
Click here for this week’s mass intentions and please keep our parishioners in your prayers.
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION
Registrations are open for Baptisms, First Communion and Confirmation. For more information, please call Lorne at the office or email directly: director@stfinnan.ca
EVENTS AT NGP
To stay up to date on the events (i.e. CWL meetings, K of C meetings, etc.) at the North Glengarry Parishes, click here
DONATIONS
Click here to make a donation to the parish.
