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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Today we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. At first, it may sound strange, why exalt a cross, something once used for pain and humiliation? But as Christians, we see the Cross differently. For us, it is the greatest sign of love: God giving His very life for us.
Jesus reminds us in today’s Gospel that just as Moses lifted the bronze serpent in the desert to bring healing, so too the Son of Man was lifted up on the Cross to bring us eternal life. What once symbolized death has become for us the very path to life.
But this feast is not only about something long ago; it is about our lives now. We all carry crosses: a parent working two jobs to provide for the family, a young person standing firm in faith while facing peer pressure, or a caregiver patiently tending to an elderly loved one; an illness, a hidden worry, and a heartache we carry. By themselves, these burdens weigh us down. These are modern-day crosses, but when carried with love, they become holy and transformed into places where God’s love and grace can shine.
I think of a husband who once told me, “Father, I never realized how many dishes I did have to wash after marriage. At first, it felt like a chore. But then I noticed the joy on my wife’s face when I helped, and I realized love made even the dishes lighter.” That is the secret of the Cross: love transforms burden into blessing.
I think of a mother I know who quietly cared for her sick child night after night. She was so exhausted, but she never complained. When I asked her how she kept going, she simply smiled and said, “I just look at the Cross and remember: love always finds the strength to endure.” That is what the Cross teaches us; it is not a symbol of crushing defeat, but of love that conquers.
The Cross does not take away suffering, but it gives meaning to it. It reminds us that God is present in our struggles, that love can shine brightest in sacrifice, and that every Good Friday carries within it the seed of Easter Sunday.
So today, as we lift high the Cross, not just on the altar, but in our hearts. May it remind us that in every struggle, God is with us; in every trial, His love sustains us, and in every cross, the seed of resurrection is already planted. let us carry our own with courage. And remember that in every act of love, big or small, we exalt the Cross and share in Christ’s victory.
Your Priest,
Fr. 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
