Located one hour from the Nation’s Capital in Heritage Perth Ontario,
St. John’s is one of the oldest Roman Catholic parishes in Upper Canada.
The first Mass was held in this historic building on Christmas Eve in 1848,
while our Christian community actually predates the founding of Perth in 1816.
TUESDAYS – 4:30pm
WEDNESDAYS – 9:00am
THURSDAYS – 12:00pm
FRIDAYS – 9:00am
SATURDAYS –5:00pm (with additional Mass at 9:00am on the First Saturday of every month)
SUNDAYS – 9:00am & 11:00am
FRIDAYS – Following the 9am Mass.
O God, shepherd and ruler of all the faithful,
look favourably on your servant Leo XIV,
whom you have set at the head of your
Church as her shepherd;
grant, we pray, that by word and example
he may be of service to those over whom
he presides
so that, together with the flock entrusted
to his care,
he may come to everlasting life.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity
of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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The Fourth Sunday of Easter is often called Good Shepherd Sunday, and the image Jesus gives us is both tender and unsettling: “The sheep hear his voice… he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out” (John 10:3).
Jesus calls his own by name. Not by number, not by category, not by usefulness. By name. That means the Lord’s relationship with us is not generic; It is intensely very personal. He knows my story and your story. He knows my struggles and your struggles. He knows my quiet hopes and your quiet hopes. And still, He calls us!
There are many voices calling us these days but when Jesus calls, we should be able recognize his voice instantly. Not because it is the loudest voice, but because Jesus’ voice is kind, familiar, trusted, and loved. In a world full of noises, opinions, fears and distractions, the Christian life becomes, in part, the art of recognizing the Shepherd’s voice.
Jesus goes further: “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). His invitation is not for a minimal life, not for a survival mode existence but that of abundance. Yet here is the tension: we often look for that abundance in places that leave us empty. We follow other “voices” that promise freedom though, they lead us to restlessness repeatedly.
The Good Shepherd does not just call us, He leads us. And where does He lead us? Ultimately, The Good Shepherd leads us to Himself.
This is where the Eucharist becomes crucial. The Shepherd we listen to is the Shepherd who feeds us. He does not merely give instructions; He gives us His very life. At the altar, the voice we hear in the Gospel becomes the Body we receive. The One who knows us by name places Himself into our hands and hearts.
So today, here is a simple question: whose voice am I following? And do I recognize the voice of the One who calls me by my name?
Because here, in the Eucharist, the Good Shepherd is not distant. He is present, speaking, feeding, and leading us into the fullness of life. Come, Follow Jesus!
Your Priest,
Father Charles Enyinnia
St. John the Baptist Parish accepts e-transfers. Please use the email address stjohnperthdonations@gmail.com and it will be deposited directly into the Parish account. Alternatively, we continue to accept cash, cheque, and donations through direct deposit (please visit the Parish office to register ). Thank you for your continued support!
Grounded in the gospel of Jesus Christ through liturgy, Eucharistic worship and outreach, Saint John the Baptist Parish calls the faithful to an active involvement in Parish life and responsible participation in extending Christ-like values to the wider community.
Letter from Archbishop Mulhall on Sacramental Preparation in our Churches (example)
March 7, 2024
Message from His Holiness Pope Francis – World Day of the Sick (example)
Uncategorized
February 9, 2024