Thirty-Third Week in Ordinary Time
Bulletin
19-Nov-25
Consult the parish calendar for a complete list of upcoming activities and events.
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​​​​​​General Announcements
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​Papal Intention for November: For the Prevention of Suicide
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November is the Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory
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Book of Remembrance​
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Lighting Candles for the Deceased
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Fundraising & Events
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Join us for our After-Mass Social the last Sunday of each month. It's a great opportunity to reconnect with fellow parishioners and meet new ones. All are welcome... bring a friend!
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Our next social will take place after Mass on November 30.
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Events this Fall include:
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$30 Market​​
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December 6: Christmas-in-Merrickville Chili and Bake Sale
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If you have a fundraising idea you would like to explore, contact Audrey Baker.​​​​​​​​​​​​
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Around the Archdiocese
Prayers Around the Advent Wreath
Lighting the Advent wreath isn’t just a time-honoured tradition, it’s an amazing opportunity to create meaningful connections and discussions with your loved ones! To help deepen your experience, Mission Youth Merrickville has prepared a pamphlet with Advent wreath prayers that will assist you in reflecting on the season in a profound way.​
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Please pick up a copy of the prayers at the back of the Church.
Advent Prayer Partner
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As in previous years, we are running the Advent Prayer Partner initiative. In signing up, you are committing to praying for the individual or family with whom you will be partnered during each day of Advent.
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Prayer partners will be paired up randomly from the combined parish lists from our Labrador communities of Natuashish and Sheshatshiu, St. Laurence O'Toole (Spencerville), and St. Ann's. More information regarding your assigned partner will be available Sunday, November 23.
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Please contact Shannon by Friday, November 21 to participate in this initiative.
Lions Christmas Hamper Program
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In 2024, the Lions Christmas Hamper Program helped 73 Merrickville-Wolford families enjoy a Happy Christmas Season. The need will be greater this year, and you can be part of the fundraising campaign.
Donations of non-perishable food items can be made at the Build a Mountain of Food Event at Merrickville Food Market (Food Town) on December 6 from 9 am to 4 pm.
Cash or cheque donations are accepted at: Merrickville Drug Mart, Food Town, Larkspur Lane, Post Office, Mainstreet Restaurant, LCBO, and Violets on Main.
The Lions Club Angel Tree will be set up in Larkspur Lane. It is the only Angel Tree collecting toys for Merrickville-Wolford children.
If you or anyone you know would benefit from receiving a food hamper, please call Rhonda (613.269.4918), beginning December 1.
​For the Prevention of Suicide
Papal Intention for November
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Let us pray that those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts might find the support, care, and love they need in their community, and be open to the beauty of life.
Warning: Text/Email Scam Alert
Parishioners across the archdiocese have received messages from people pretending to be clergy, requesting donations in the form of gift cards and/or electronic transfers. The scam often claims that the priest is in need of gift cards or money to aid a sick child, relative, or parishioner. The message then asks the person to purchase gift cards / money orders and then to text / email the redemption code and PIN number. Our priests, neither past nor present, will not solicit donations from parishioners in this form. If you receive such a scam text or email, do not respond.
Sunday Missal 2025-2026
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Stay connected to the parish's most important celebrations and enrich your participation in the Mass. This essential resource will help you prepare for the Eucharistic celebration for Holy Days of Obligation for Year A. Includes Order of Mass, prayers, blessings, and more!
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Now available at the back of the Church for a free-will offering (suggested contribution: $7.50).
Cemetery Clean-Up
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As we prepare for winter, families who have decorated their loved one’s headstones and graves are reminded to remove all decorations before the snow falls. The clean-up allows us to keep the cemetery tidy and safe.
Call to Witness and Proclaim
Four-Part Video Series
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The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops launched a four-part video series to help families, catechists, and pastoral leaders deepen their understanding of the family as the “domestic church.” Each video the Called to Witness and Proclaim series offers accessible and engaging content suitable for formation in parish settings, pastoral reflection on family ministry, parent formation sessions, or personal reflection.
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Watch the Call to Witness and Proclaim series on YouTube.
November is the Month of the Holy Souls in Purgatory
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As Catholics, we believe that the Church is made up of the souls here on earth, the saints in heaven, and the souls suffering in Purgatory. The souls in purgatory cannot pray for themselves and need our prayers and sacrifices to enter fully into the Beatific Vision. November is a set aside for the faithful to remember and pray for these brothers and sisters of ours.
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Book of Remembrance
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Praying for the dead is a spiritual work of mercy. To intercede on their behalf is an act of love that helps them enter into God's presence. Throughout November, parishioners are invited to add the names of the dearly departed to the Book of Remembrance located at the back of the Church. At each Mass in the month of November, an intention “for all of those mentioned in our Book of Remembrance” will be offered during the Prayers of the Faithful.​​
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Lighting Candles for the Deceased
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Lighting candles for the dead is an ancient Christian tradition, reaching back to the earliest martyrs and saints. The flickering flame reminds us that even in life’s darkest moments, Christ’s light continues to shine, illuminating the darkness. Each candle also represents our prayers for the deceased and offers comfort in our sorrow. By remembering the lives and contributions of those who have gone before us, we honour their memory and keep their presence alive in our hearts.
House For Sale
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The former Rectory at 230 Main Street West is now listed for sale. Share the listing, complete with video tour and still photos, with your networks!
$30 Market
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Thank you for your generous support of the $30 Market. Over $2,000 has been raised to date.
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A limited number of items remain and is available for sale at the back of the Church.
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Special thanks to all who donated items to the market and to the Fundraising and Events Committee.
Christmas in Merrickville Chili & Bake Sale
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Date: Saturday, December 6
Time: 9 am - 1 pm
Location: St. ​Ann's Church | 242 Main Street West, Merrickville ON
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Pre-Order a Tourtière
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Get a head start on Christmas meal prep and pre-order a tourtière ($25 each). Payment required in advance. Pick up on December 6 (9 am -1 pm) or after Mass on December 7.
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Sign up at the back of the Church or contact Audrey to pre-order.
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Volunteer Opportunities
Please consider volunteering to be a baker, seller, or part of the set-up / tear down crew. Sign up at the back of the Church.
St. Joseph Catholic School Christmas Bazaar
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St. Joseph Catholic School Council invites you to their Christmas Bazaar, featuring over 16 local craft vendors and festive food.
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Date: Saturday, November 29
Time: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Location: St. Joseph Catholic School | 80 County Road 1, Toledo ON
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There's no entry fee, however donations to the Food Bank or trinkets for our I Chose It Myself sale would be greatly appreciated.
Jubilee 2025 - Pilgrims of Hope​​​
The Catholic Church worldwide is celebrating a special Jubilee Year in 2025. This has been a tradition dating back to the year 1300 when Pope Boniface VIII announced the first Jubilee, which is also referred to as a “Holy Year”. The frequency has changed over time, with a Jubilee year originally celebrated every 100 years, later every 50 years and, more recently, every 25 years or at the request of the Holy Father.
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The Jubilee Year includes many celebrations in dioceses around the world. The theme of the 2025 Jubilee will be “Pilgrims of Hope”. In the words of Pope Francis: "We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision."
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The Holy Father opened the Jubilee Year on Christmas Eve 2024, with the official opening of the Holy Door of Saint Peter’s Basilica. The Year will conclude January 6, 2026, the Solemnity of the Epiphany, with the closing of the Holy Door.
May this Holy Year provide a grace-filled opportunity to nurture the seeds of faith for you and your loved ones, immersing ourselves as Pilgrims of Hope into a year-long journey of prayer, witness and service drawing on the example of Jesus, our Lord.
Jubilee Prayer
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Father in heaven, may the faith you have given us in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother, and the flame of charity enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of your Kingdom.
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May your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel. May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth, when, with the powers of Evil vanquished, your glory will shine eternally.
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May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven. May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth. To you our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise for ever. Amen.