Third Week of Lent
Bulletin
14-Mar-26
Consult the parish calendar for a complete list of upcoming activities and events.
​
Season of Lent
​
-
-
Archdiocesan Lenten Collection
-
Eucharistic Adoration
-
Stations of the Cross
-
Fasting and Abstinence
-
​
General Announcements​​​​​​
​​​​​
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Fundraising & Events
​​​​​​​​​
Our After-Mass Social typically occur on 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 April 5.
​​​​​
* * * * *​
​
Events for Winter 2026 include:​​
​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Around the Archdiocese
Praying for Catechumens & Candidates
Lent is historically and liturgically designed as the final, intense period of preparation for catechumens and candidates to receive the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) at the Easter Vigil. The entire Church accompanies the catechumens and candidates on their journey, using the Lenten season to renew their own baptismal promises.
Prayers for Ariana
​
This year, we are blessed to have one candidate preparing to receive First Communion at St. Ann’s. Please keep Ariana Svilans in your prayers as she makes her final preparations to receive the Eucharist on Easter Sunday. Parishioners are invited to make the day extra special with a First Communion card.
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
Time: 9:30 am to 11 am
​​
Date: Fridays
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
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 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.
Easter Lilies
​
Help dress the sanctuary with lilies! If you would like to donate a lily for Easter, please bring the flowers to the Church on Good Friday. Cash donations for flowers would also be gratefully accepted. Please put contributions in an envelope with your donation number on it and deposit it in the collection basket before March 29.
Good Friday
​
Good Friday is a day of strict fasting and mourning. There is no Mass or formal Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for adoration. Instead, the church focuses on the Veneration of the Cross and silent prayer, with communion taken from hosts consecrated on Holy Thursday. Join us for Stations of the Cross at noon and the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion at 3 pm.
First Saturday Devotion
Cancelled for April
​
The first Saturday in April is Holy Saturday - a day of quiet anticipation, fasting, and prayerful waiting at the tomb of Christ, with no activities at the church until Easter Vigil after sundown. Consequently, the next First Saturday Devotion will take place on May 2.
Support Catholic Education
​
The next Municipal and School Board Election will be held in October. Please ensure your school board designation is accurate by confirming your support through the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC). This designation determines which trustee election you are eligible to participate in. If you don’t make a choice, your support will default to the English-Public school board. Confirm your support for the English-Separate (Catholic) school board before June 1.
The Heart of Prayer
Formed - Pick of the Month
​​
Everyone is called to a life of prayer, but do we really believe that God desires to meet us in prayer, to speak with us? The Heart of Prayer invites participants into an intimate and peaceful retreat with Bishop Andrew Cozzens of Crookston, Minnesota. Bishop Cozzens leads viewers through eight sessions of teaching and reflection on prayer and its place in our spiritual life.
Set in the beautiful Chateau on the Augustine Institute Campus, Heart of Prayer reveals the beauty and transcendence of a prayer life, as Bishop Cozzens draws from Scripture and the saints to offer guidance that is practical and down-to-earth. Through their time with Bishop Cozzens, viewers will quiet their hearts and minds to hear the voice of God calling to them in their life of prayer.
Register for a free FORMED account to get started.
-
Go to signup.formed.org
-
Enter your name and email address.
-
Enter “St Ann Merrickville" to select our parish.
Finance and Property Update
​
The renovations to the Chapel are now complete. This work was accomplished through a bridge financing loan from the Archdiocese, which will be paid once the funds from the sale of the Rectory have been realized.
A few copies of the Report to the Archdiocese on the Renovation of the Chapel are available at the back of the church. If you wish an electronic copy of the report, please contact Janet Weir.
The new owners of the Rectory will take possession on March 30. As part of the agreement, we have granted the owners access to the back of the house through the church parking lot until next December. The owners are aware of our extensive usage of the parking lot on Sundays; however, most of their needs will be during the week.
​
Fr. Paul will return to his former residence in Brockville by the middle of March. Fr. Paul will continue to serve as the parish Priest for St. Ann and St. Laurence O’Toole.
​
The Finance and Property Committee is working on:
-
an assessment of the church roof,
-
a review of the church sound system, and
-
the establishment of an operating budget for the parish for the next year.
​
The results of this work will be shared with parishioners when completed. A consultation with parishioners will be held in the fall to determine further church renovation plans.
Your continuing support and advice is helpful and needed. If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact any member of the Finance and Property Committee: Fr Paul, Deacon Mark, David Kiesekamp, Joel Weeks, Louise Whitty, Aaron Boles, Ryan MacDonald, and Janet Weir.
​For Disarmament and Peace
Papal Intention for March
​
Let us pray that nations move toward effective disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament, and that world leaders choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy instead of violence.
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.
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
​
Our final offerings for this winter will be a venison stew and a chili bowl - available after Mass on March 15 ($5/bowl).
​
The fundraiser has raised over $540 for our building fund so far. ​​Thank you for your generous support.
Rectory Clear-Out Silent Auction
​
The Rectory Clear-Out Silent Auctions were a success! Most of the furniture is gone, including beds, bookcases, couches, dining room set. Over $1,800 was raised for our Building Fund.
Chrism Mass
​
Parishioners are invited to join the Most Reverend Michael Mulhall, Archbishop of Kingston, at the Mass of Chrism as he presides and blesses the oils for the sacramental life of the Church. All priests and deacons of the Archdiocese will renew their commitment to service.
​
Date: Tuesday, March 31
Time: 10:30 am
Location: St. Mary's Cathedral | 279 Johnson Street, Kingston
Celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the Archdiocese
​
The pinnacle celebration of the 200th Anniversary will be celebrated in the second week of Easter, with the faithful, religious sisters, and clergy from across the archdiocese, and special guests. Following Holy Mass, a reception will be held at Our Lady of Fatima parish hall for all who wish to participate.
​
Date: Saturday, April 18
Time: 10:30 am
Location: St. Mary's Cathedral | 279 Johnson Street, Kingston ON
Reception to follow: Our Lady of Fatima Parish Hall | 588 Division Street, Kingston ON
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.