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
Pastor’s Message
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
Christmas Play– 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. 20th at Sacred Heart Church at 5:30PM. This is a Mass for all the Faithful Departed presided by His Excellency, Bishop Daniel Miehm. There will be a light reception following the Holy Mass.
The Posadas : POSADAS will be at 6:00pm:
Tuesday Dec. 16th at St. John
Wednesday Dec. 17th at Sacred Heart
Thursday Dec. 18th at St. John
(no Posadas on Friday Dec. 19th& Saturday Dec. 20th)
Sunday Dec. 21st at Sacred Heart
Monday Dec. 22nd at St. John
Tuesday Dec. 23rd at Sacred Heart
Poinsettias A Donation would be appreciated to help purchase Poinsettias for the decoration of the church on Christmas. Please drop your donation in the collection basket using the provided envelopes.
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 TLM 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 TLM at Sacred Heart
New Year Schedule- Holy Mary Mother of God
Wednesday Dec. 31st NEW YEAR’S EVE – HOLY MARY, MOTHER OF GOD
3:00pm Confessions at St. John
4:00pm Holy Mass at St. John
5:30pm Holy Mass at Sacred Heart
11:00pm Adoration followed by a ‘toast’ to receive the new year at St. John.
Thursday January 1st NEW YEAR’S DAY – HOLY MARY, MOTHER OF GOD
8:00am Confessions at Sacred Heart
9:00am Holy Mass at Sacred Heart
10:30am Holy Mass at St. John
12:00pm Holy Mass TLM at Sacred Heart
DIOCESAN &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
SAVE THE DATE– 2025 Pilgrims of Hope Jubilee closing Mass will be Sunday December 28 at the Cathedral of St. Peter-In-Chains at 10:30. Light reception to follow in the Bishop Doyle Hall.