Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

Bulletin

16-Feb-26

Consult the parish calendar for a complete list of upcoming activities and events.

Season of Lent

Celebrating Lent
- Archdiocesan Lenten Collection
- Eucharistic Adoration
- Stations of the Cross
- Fasting and Abstinence
- Lenten Parish Confessions
Ash Wednesday - Mass with Distribution of Ashes
Palms to Ashes
Lenten Almsgiving Appeal

General Announcements

Fundraising & Events

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!

Our next social will take place after Mass on January 25.

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Fundraising and Events Committee - Volunteer Opportunity

Events for Winter 2026 include:

Around the Archdiocese

Celebrating Lent

February 18 - April 2

Lent is a time of penitence. It is usual to offer a sacrifice to the Lord, both to appeal for the grace of personal conversion, and to strengthen our will to be able to cooperate with that grace.

The best sacrifice we can make is to give up sinning. For the Catholic, daily examinations of conscience, more frequent Confession, as well as more frequent Mass and Holy Communion, are especially good ways to prepare for Easter. It would also be good to read Sacred Scripture, pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the Holy Rosary, daily if possible, mediating on the texts or prayers.

It is also usual to make some material sacrifice, one that calls for will-power and self-denial, of pleasures that we crave in excess which keep us from prayer and good works. The extra time can then be spent to pray and to be more active in Charity— in love of God, and our neighbour. That is the best preparation for the celebration of the greatest act of love in history.

Lent is a time for heightened reflection. As we journey through Lent, let us increase in almsgiving, prayer, and fasting.

Lenten Devotions

Archdiocesan Lenten Collection

This year's Archdiocesan Lenten Collection begins February 18 and runs until March 27. A yellow envelope has been included in your box of collection envelopes for this collection. Funds collection benefit various charities within the Archdiocese of Kingston. Read the letter to the faithful from Archbishop Michael Mulhall.

Eucharistic Adoration

Spend time with Jesus in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. This can be for any length of time, from a quick “visit to the Blessed Sacrament”, to spending an hour or more in the warmth of Jesus’ presence. Learn more about Eucharistic Adoration, including its purpose, etiquette during adoration, and ways to pray.

Date: Wednesdays (during Lent)

Time: 9:30 am to 11 am

Date: Fridays (during Lent)

Time: 12 pm to 6 pm

Stations of the Cross

The Stations of the Cross invites us to make a spiritual pilgrimage of prayer. Journey through Christ's Paschal Mystery in 14 steps and reflect on the agony of Christ’s last hours before death. This mini pilgrimage takes about 30 minutes to complete.

Date: Fridays (during Lent)

Time: 6 pm to 6:30 pm
Note: Friday Mass during Lent will be held at 6:30 pm.

Date: Good Friday, April 3

Time: 12 pm to 12:30 pm

Fasting and Abstinence

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are obligatory days of fasting and abstinence for Catholics. In addition, Fridays during Lent are obligatory days of abstinence.

The norms on fasting are obligatory from age 18 until age 59. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal. The norms concerning abstinence from meat are binding upon members of the Catholic Church from age 14 onwards.

Lenten Parish Confessions

The Sacrament of Penance is critical in the formation of strong Christian spirituality. Grave sin can only be forgiven through it. These times have seen a good deal of worldly thinking regarding the necessity of this Sacrament. Let’s put on the mind of Christ and place ourselves under His mercy! Fr. Paul will be available:

Date: Tuesday, March 3

Time: 6 pm

Location: St. Ann, Merrickville

All parishioners are invited to prepare for the Sacrament of Penance by reviewing the Guide for Confession.

Ash Wednesday

Mass with Distribution of Ashes

The imposition of ashes on our forehead on Ash Wednesday renews our commitment to follow Jesus, to let ourselves be transformed by his Paschal Mystery, to overcome evil and to do good, in order to make our former self, linked to sin die and to give birth to our “new nature,” transformed by God’s grace. The imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday is open to any person regardless of their faith.

Date: Wednesday, February 18

Time: 7 pm (Holy Rosary at 630 pm)

Please note the 9 am morning Mass on February 18 has been cancelled.

Obligatory Day of Fasting and Abstinence

The Church requires all Catholics aged 14-59 to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. When fasting, a person can eat one full meal, plus two smaller meals that do not equal a full meal (no snacks).

Catholics 14+ are required to abstain from eating meat on Fridays during Lent. Vegetarians can make an alternative sacrifice, such as no sweets or coffee. Make it intentional!

Palms to Ashes

Many faithful have used palm branches from Palm Sunday to decorate their homes. Using palms as decoration in the house serves as a constant reminder of Palm Sunday. It is a beautiful way to stay connected to Holy Week throughout the year. If you are ready to part with your blessed palms, you can bring them back to the Church. The palms are burned to create ashes for use on Ash Wednesday (February 18). The burning of palms will take place:

Date: Shrove Tuesday (February 17)

Time: 4 pm

Location: St. Ann, Merrickville (access ramp on east side of Church)

Lenten Almsgiving Appeal

St. Ann’s Parish sponsors two children through Chalice Canada at the annual cost of $504 per child. The sponsorship program helps support children experiencing poverty to overcome obstacles, finish school, and have a hope-filled future.

Help send a “gift of special money” to our children. (This is a donation in addition to the sponsorship costs to assist the family during times of acute hardship.)

Beginning Ash Wednesday, choose an envelope with a suggested donation amount from the rack at the back of the Church.
Complete the information on the donation envelope and fill it with your contribution.
Deposit your envelope into the collection basket before Good Friday (April 3).

Learn more about Chalice Canada, including opportunities for child sponsorship.

Coordination of Parish Activities

It’s great to see a resurgence in Mass attendance, and with that, new vibrancy, energy, and good-will. To maximize our limited resources and leverage our talents to its full potential, parishioners are asked to bring ideas for initiatives before the Parish Council for coordination prior to execution.

The Council meets monthly. Please contact the Parish Council Chairs Aaron Boles and Shannon Burke for more information.

For Children with Incurable Diseases

Papal Intention for February

Let us pray that children suffering from incurable diseases and their families receive the necessary medical care and support, never losing strength and hope.

2025 Tax Receipts

Tax Receipts for the 2025 taxation year are now available for pick up at the back of the Church. Thank you for your continued support!

Tax Filing Assistance

If your income is less than $45,000 (single) or $60,000 (couples), the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) can help prepare and file your tax return either in-person, via phone or by drop-off.

For more information, contact: Deacon Mark or Cate | 613.499.3009

Fundraising and Events Committee - Volunteer Opportunity

The Fundraising and Events Committee is looking for new members. This dedicated group organizes church events to build parish community spirit, fundraises for charitable works, and contributes to the financial wellbeing of the parish. Recent events and initiatives include:

monthly after-Mass socials and annual parish picnic
Lenten Almsgiving Appeal (for Chalice Canada)
the Great Merrickville Garage Sale, the $30 market, and bake sales

Committee meetings take place monthly in the evening.

If you would like to discuss this opportunity, contact Janet Weir.

Winter Warm-Up Bowls

Winter Fundraiser

January's Winter Warm-Up Bowls was sold out within minutes! Over 50 bowls of chili sold were sold, raising more than $250 for our Building Fund. Hats off to chefs Donna and Teresa.

The tally for February's soup bowl offering will be available soon.

Our final offering for this winter will be a beef stew - available after Mass on March 15 ($5/bowl).

Thank you for your generous support.

Rectory Clear-Out Silent Auction

Now that the Rectory has been sold, two Silent Auctions have been scheduled to void the Rectory of its contents.

Parishioner Auction

Date: Saturday, February 21

Time: 10 am to 4 pm

Community Auction

Date: Saturday, February 28

Time: 10 am to 4 pm

Not only are multiple bids allowed but encouraged! Be sure to return to the Rectory throughout the day to ensure you remain the top bid.

Winning bidders will be contacted the evening of the auction. Items must be picked up the same weekend.

Please arrange for transportation of larger items. Payment must be received before pick up. Proceeds from the auction will go towards our Building Fund.

Details will be available at the auction.

St. Ann Pasta Dinner

Date: Saturday, February 28

Time: 5 pm to 7 pm

Location: Royal Canadian Legion | 229 Main Street West, Merrickville

Cost: $20 per plate.

Includes pasta dinner, sausage, salad, and dessert. Beverages available at cash bar. Dine-in or take-out.

Special thanks to Wick Witch Apothecary, Violets on Main Village Bakery, and Merrickville Cookies for donating the door prizes.

Tickets available after Sunday Mass or contact Mark Scullino at 613.290.0836.

Death of Rev. Stanley John Matthew Alanen

It is with sadness that we announce the death of Fr Stanley John Matthew Alanen. Fr Stan passed away in Kingston, Ontario, on February 4, 2026, at the age of 78.

Visitation

Date: February 16

Time: 5 pm to 7 pm (prayer vigil to follow)

Location: Blessed Sacrament Parish | 3 Briscoe Street, Amherstview ON

Funeral Mass

Date: February 17

Time: 2 pm (reception to fallow in Parish Hall)

Location: Blessed Sacrament Parish | 3 Briscoe Street, Amherstview ON

Officiant: Archbishop Michael Mulhall

Internment: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Thunder Bay ON

The family wishes to express heartfelt thanks to the staff of Providence Care Heritage II Palliative Care Unit for the compassionate and excellent care Father received.

Memorial donations may be made to Blessed Sacrament Parish, Amherstview ON.

Please remember Fr. Stan and his family in your prayers. Read the obituary and share a memory.

Church of the Good Thief (St. Dismas)

Portsmouth Village, Kingston

The Archdiocese of Kingston, through its Diocesan Building & Property Committee, has been mandated to divest of the Church of the Good Thief property. Preference will be given to a local buyer who will respect the heritage of the property and repurpose it in harmony with the Portsmouth community and, more broadly, with Kingston’s historical character.

If you or someone you know may be interested in assuming ownership of this historic church, contact:

Kenneth Hall | 613.548.4461
Chancellor of Temporal Affairs, Archdiocese of Kingston

Celebrating the 200th Anniversary of the Archdiocese of Kingston

To know Christ and the power of his resurrection.

Phil 3:10

On January 27, 1826, Pope Leo XII erected the Diocese of Kingston and nominated Alexander MacDonnell as the first Bishop of Kingston. With this Papal act, Kingston became the second diocese in Canada and the first Roman Catholic diocese erected in the British Empire since the Reformation!

The Archdiocese will be celebrating its bicentennial from December 8, 2025, to December 8, 2026.

Learn more about the 200th Anniversary of the Archdiocese of Kingston.