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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Dear brothers and sisters, I warmly invite you to join us this Holy Week as we walk together with Christ, from the joy of this Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, to the hope of the Resurrection. Let us gather as one parish family in prayer, reflection, and worship, allowing these sacred days to renew our hearts.
Palm Sunday always feels a bit like standing at a crossroads of emotions. We begin with palms in our hands, echoing the crowd that welcomed Jesus with joy. And yet, within minutes, we are listening to the Passion. The Church invites us to hold both joy and sorrow together, because that is where real love is found.
In Isaiah, we meet the Suffering Servant: “I have set my face like flint.” This is not passive resignation; it is resolute love. Jesus does not stumble into suffering, He walks into it, eyes open, heart steady. In Philippians, Saint Paul takes us even deeper: Christ “emptied himself.” The One who had everything chooses to become nothing, for us. This is not loss; this is love in its most radical form.
And then we hear the Passion narrative. Notice something striking: the same voices that cry “Hosanna” will soon cry “Crucify him.” Human loyalty can be fragile. If we are honest, we recognize ourselves there. Our faith can be sincere, but sometimes inconsistent, strong in moments, shaky in others. Yet Jesus remains steady.
Jesus remains faithful. Even when abandoned, betrayed, and denied, He continues to give and love. At the Last Supper, right in the shadow of betrayal. Knowing what lies ahead, He offers His Body and Blood. He turns betrayal into gift, and suffering into communion. In other words, even as the world begins to reject Him, He gives Himself more completely. Every time we come to the altar, we do not simply remember Jesus, we receive the very self-giving love that carried Him to Calvary.
So, as we hold our palms today, we are making a quiet decision: not just to walk with Jesus in the procession, but to stay with Him through the Passion, and to recognize Him when He gives Himself to us in the breaking of the bread. Because the same Jesus who entered Jerusalem, now enters our lives and our hearts.
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