The Parish Community of St. Kevin

Served by the Holy Cross Fathers

303 Niagara Street
Welland, Ontario  L3C 1K5

Email
905-735-5885

May 18, 2025

 

Fifth Sunday of Easter

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus gives His disciples a new commandment: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” These words are spoken during the Last Supper, just after Judas has left to betray Him. Despite knowing what is to come -His suffering and death - Jesus speaks of glory and love.

This new commandment isn’t simply about being kind or polite; it’s about loving with the same sacrificial, self-giving love that Jesus shows. It’s a call to live in such a way that others recognize us as His disciples - not by our words or beliefs alone, but by the depth and quality of our love.

As we continue through the Easter season, Jesus invites us to love with His heart—to forgive, to serve, to be patient, and to seek the good of others even when it costs us. Let us ask Him to help us grow in this love, so that our lives may reflect His presence in the world.

 

Welcome Pope Leo xiv

On May 8, 2025, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as the 267th pope, taking the name Pope Leo XIV. He is the first American-born pope and the first from the Order of Saint Augustine. Born in Chicago in 1955, Pope Leo XIV spent over two decades as a missionary in Peru, later serving as Bishop of Chiclayo and leading the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops.

His choice of the name “Leo” honors Pope Leo XIII, known for his commitment to social justice and the landmark encyclical Rerum Novarum. Pope Leo XIV has expressed a desire to continue the Church’s mission of compassion, unity, and engagement with contemporary challenges.

Let us pray for Pope Leo XIV as he begins his pontificate, guiding the Church with wisdom and humility.

 

Sacrament of Confirmation

We joyfully congratulate the following students who received their Sacrament of Confirmation with Bishop Bergie this week:

Tuesday, May 13 (Alexander Kuska School)
Alexander, Juan, Maliyah, Danica, Alessandro, Ciara, Briar, Milana, Jordan, Benjamin, Alexander, Michelle, Anthony, Jude, Andro, Klyde, Brooklyn, Emma, Abigail, Emily, Brandon, Brooke, Lexi, Gracelyn, Leena, Noelle, Austin, Maria, Linkin, Alexis, Easton, Rhys, Sophia, Luca, Evynne, Lily, Michelle, Thaia, Emmanuel, and Michael.

Wednesday, May 14 (Holy Name)
Benjamin, Cristina, Ianmatias, Adrian, Jonah, Miyah, Brendan, Charlee, Leo, Emma, Noah, Ava, Ethan, Thomas, Wanjiru, Aryanna, Michelle, Chloe, Francesca, Sandra, Cameron, Brendan, Bentley, Skylar, Lochlan, Danica, Kaiyah, Rayne, Brock, and Brielle.

Thursday, May 15 (St. Kevin School)
Karim, Myla, Mark, Hannah, Mackenzie, Gianna, Alessandro, Sarah, Levi, Brendon, Aryanna, Jeremiah, Jonathan, Dillon, Antonio, Eibhleann, Danica, Erika, Elizabeth, Milana, Julia, Tristan, Samuel, Kaylee, Sophie, Elvira, and Antonio.

We continue to pray for them and their families, that the gifts of the Holy Spirit may guide them always. May the joy of this sacrament remain in their hearts and inspire them to live as faithful witnesses of Christ.

 

The Pope’s Pastoral Work

Canada has been consistent in giving such funds to the Holy See, enabling the Pope to be even more generous in times of disaster. Each year at this time, Canadian Catholics are asked to give generously to this papal collection, which is passed on to the Holy Father for his use among those stricken by natural disasters. Next weekend we begin to take up this special collection and envelopes can be offered during the regular collection. Please make cheques payable to St. Kevin Parish with the Memo Line reading Pope’s Pastoral Work. Envelopes are included in your box of parish donation envelopes. There will also be extras available in the foyer. We thank you!

 

African Community Gathering

The African Community of our parish is a vibrant and faith-filled group celebrating the richness of African Culture through worship, fellowship and service. They will have their first meeting on Sunday, May 25th after the 11:30 am mass in the parish hall. You are cordially invited to attend. For further information, please contact Charles 437.488.1392.

 

Catholic Women's League

FREE Speakers’ Forum on Saturday May 31 from 10:30am-2:30pm at St. Alfred Parish. The theme is “Where Will My Sister Lay Her Head?” Listen to guest speakers who have “walked the talk” on homelessness and mental health issues - Marnie Katzman: Keynote Speaker (lived expert / public speaker / survivor), Father Gerard Power: St. Patrick Parish, Niagara Falls, and Jane La Vacca: Executive Director of Westview Centre 4 Women. This is a free event, but numbers are required as there will be a pizza lunch. See poster in foyer or call Lorrie to register – 905-734-4828 or email lmack@cogeco.ca.

 

Steubenville Youth Conference

Big Red Meats Fundraiser: This summer, several youth members of our parish will be attending a Steubenville Youth Conference in Ohio, USA, alongside other youth from our diocese. This incredible opportunity will help them deepen their faith and grow in a personal relationship with Christ. There will be a Big Red Meats Fundraiser to help cover travel costs for the conference! A variety of delicious meats—bacon, chicken fingers, hamburgers, chicken cutlets, and more—will be available for purchase. All proceeds go directly toward supporting the youth attending the conference.

Order forms will be available after all Masses on Saturday, May 31, and Sunday, June 1. Please bring cash or cheque when placing your order. Orders can be picked up from the parish on June 12. Please see the sideboard at the foyer for the product details and pricing. Thank you for your generous support and continued prayers!

 

Culture of Life

Save the Date! Annual General Meeting & Dinner: Celebrate Life and Faith
Tickets to be purchased by Thursday, May 29th.
Join us for an evening of fellowship and faith at the Welland-Port Colborne Pro-Life Annual General Meeting & Dinner this June. Together, we will reflect on the sacredness of life, renew our commitment to defending life at all stages, and celebrate God’s boundless mercy and love for His children, especially the most vulnerable among us—from life’s fragile beginnings to its sacred end.
Date: Saturday, June 7th, 2025  Time: 6:30 - 10 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.  Location: St. Mary’s Church Hall, 90 Griffith Street, Welland
Tickets:  Call 905-735-3666 or Email rocca_josie@hotmail.com
This special evening offers us the opportunity to be champions of hope, protectors of the vulnerable, and witnesses to the beauty of life as part of God’s divine plan. Reserve your place today.

 
 

Please remember the Poor Box as you leave the Church.
 

Worth Repeating

The items below you may have seen before but remain here if seasonally important information

or

General information that people need to review from time to time.

 

Housekeeping Reminders

  • Please place hymn books neatly back in their spots. Please be sure to dispose of tissues, wrappers, or other debris when leaving. And don’t forget your bulletin. Please do not leave behind daily Missalettes at the end of the month – simply recycle them.

  • When entering the parking lot please do so from Niagara Street and exit via Northcote. Please drive slowly in our parking lot as well. If you are parking on the side streets for Mass, please be respectful of road signs and driveways. Please be sure to lock your car doors when you come for Mass or any other function.

  • Please also be very careful with perfumes and colognes. Some parishioners tend to go very heavy with these and it can be difficult for fellow parishioners with allergies or breathing troubles. We have had many parishioners come to us about this requesting that we ask people to not wear scents. Please refrain or use the tiniest amount possible.

  • For those who place loose bills or coins in the collection – we would like to give you proper credit for income tax purposes. Please consider using our Visitor envelopes or asking Father/our Staff for a box of envelopes.

The Vineyard, the Diocese of St. Catharines journal has gone digital.

It can be viewed at http://saintcd.com/diocesan-directory/the-vineyard

 

Safety Reminder

We wish to remind Parishioners to please lock car doors when attending Mass and please do not leave valuables in vehicles, in the parking lot or on the street. Thank you.

Catholic Marriage Tribunal

If you are considering remarriage in the Catholic Church at some point, or hoping to enter a marriage with someone previously married, please speak to a priest, or contact the Diocesan Catholic Marriage Tribunal in St. Catharines at 905-687-8817. Information Pamphlets are available through the parish.

PLEASE READ THIS IMPORTANT NOTICE:

Due to the privacy laws, the hospital does not list our parishioners by address or parish unless you state your religion as ST. KEVIN PARISH when you are admitted. It would help the parish visiting team if when the hospital asks religion – you respond ST. KEVIN'S PARISH. If you or a family member enter a hospital for several days please be sure to call the parish office to let us know if you wish a visit. If you wish the Anointing of the Sick before an operation, either at home or while in the hospital, be sure to inform the parish office. A priest will come as soon as possible to administer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. We also have a group of lay people from our parish who each week visit or bring communion to Catholic parishioners in the hospital. Please, we need to know that you are there!

A Review of Some Parish Policies

  1. Requests: We often receive requests for baptism or marriage, or Pastoral References for teachers, who are not members of St. Kevin's Parish. Examples would be: They might like our church and so want to get married here although they live elsewhere. Or: they were baptized here and so they would like their child to be baptized here although they live elsewhere. Or: I went to Notre Dame College School. The main point here is "they live elsewhere". Now – wherever elsewhere might be, there is a Catholic parish there. Our policy is to minister to the parishioners of St. Kevin's. We have more than 3400 families; there is a lot of ministry work for us to do here. Our focus and attention is first and foremost on our own parishioners.

  2. Parishioners should be registered: And here it is important to remember – that all of our parishioners should be registered in the parish, that is, on our books with names and phone numbers and addresses.

  3. Young Adults: There is a point when the young person must register in our Parish. It does not suffice to say my parents are members of St. Kevin's and I was confirmed at St. Kevin's when that person has been living on his or her own. The young adult should not depend on the faith and loyalty of parents or grandparents but must take ownership of his or her own faith. That means, as well, the young person should be engaged in the financial support of the Parish.

  4. Support of the Church: One of the precepts of the church – parishioners should be generous in supporting the material needs of the church. Today, we do this best by regularly using envelopes to help with the expenses of administering a very large parish such as St. Kevin's.

  5. Needing a Letter of Permission: Hospitality is a wonderful characteristic of St. Kevin's Parish. And we do want to be open and hospitable to folks who are not registered members in the parish. Yet – we must be careful to observe church laws and regulations. We will consider doing a marriage or a baptism of those folks from elsewhere. But – we must ask that the person or persons making this request of us have a "letter of permission" from elsewhere, that is, from the parish in which they are actually living - a letter from the Pastor of that parish giving us permission to do the baptism or marriage. Without such a letter of permission our policy must be to refuse to do such baptisms or marriages.

  6. Weddings: To be married in St. Kevin's, one should be registered in the parish. Please call at least six months in advance to make arrangements. If not a registered member of our parish, we must have a Letter of Permission from the Pastor in which the person(s) is registered. (See above.)

  7. Baptisms: To be baptized in St. Kevin's, one should be registered in the Parish. Please call as early as possible to arrange a baptism. If one is not registered, we must have a Letter of Permission from the Pastor in which the family is registered. (See above.)

  8. Pastoral References for Teachers: Pastoral references for teachers are given for those persons who are registered in St. Kevin's Parish. The Pastoral Reference for teachers testifies that the person practices his or her faith regularly. Sunday Eucharist is the great Christian norm for the practice of the faith. The Pastoral Reference for teachers inquires as to how active the person is in participating in different dimensions of parish or civic life.

  9. Godparents / Christian Witness for Baptism: At baptism, a Roman Catholic sponsor is called a Godparent. All Godparents for Baptism should be practicing Catholics. One of the sponsors at baptism must be a Roman Catholic, 16 years of age and already confirmed. A non-Catholic sponsor is called a "Christian Witness". (This presumes that the non- Catholic is indeed a practicing Christian and baptized in a Christian church). In choosing a Godparent for baptism, parents should keep in mind that a Godparent at baptism should also be the person's sponsor at Confirmation.

  10. Confirmation Sponsors: A Confirmation sponsor must be a practicing Roman Catholic, already confirmed and 16 years of age. We ask the sponsor at Confirmation to have a brief meeting with the Pastor of his/her Parish. Simply inform the Pastor of your desire to act as a Confirmation sponsor at St. Kevin's and kindly ask the Pastor to sign the Sponsor Form. The Sponsor Form itself presents in a clear way the expectations for a Confirmation Sponsor.

  11. Parish Pastoral Practice.
    •   If someone is seriously sick at home or in the hospital, please call the office. One of the priests will be happy to visit.
    •   If one is unable to come to Sunday Eucharist over a long period of time, please call the office and arrange for a communion visit on the part of our Eucharist Ministers.
    •   When spending time in the hospital, please indicate that you are Roman Catholic and a member of St. Kevin's.

     

REMINDER:

Are You Registered in Our Parish?

Please do not take for granted that you are registered in the parish just because you attend Mass here. If we have no record of your parish membership, it could be quite embarrassing to us, or to you or your family, when someone wishes to make wedding plans, have a baby baptized, or if you have been asked to act as a sponsor for baptism or confirmation. Please fill out a registration form. This form is on the shelf in the book stand in the foyer of the church. When you have completed the form, place in the collection basket or return it to the Parish Office