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PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING April 16th, 2025:
Council Membership - No new members; 1-2 spots remain open.
Ministries Fair Planning - Sub- committee to
begin planning in June for the September 2025 event.
Parish
Renewal Workshop - Scheduled for June 5, 2025 in
Stephenville, beginning with mass at 9:30 am and continuing
until 4:00 pm. Registration remains open.
Jubilee Pilgrimage - Proposed trip to Our Lady
of Mercy in Port au Port on August 15, for the Feast of the
Assumption Mass. The jubilee cross will be transported, with
confessions offered before mass. A shared bus is being
considered.
Cemetery Updates - Cemetery masses scheduled
for July 23 (Mount Patricia) and July 24 (Townsite) Precessions
planned.
New policy enacted by Mount Patricia Cemetery
regarding plastic flowers effective October 2026; only fresh
flowers permitted. Policy details available online on the
cemetery website - www.mountpatriciacemetery.com.
Liturgy Committee: Positive feedback on Chrism
and Triduum Masses with some logistic concerns noted about
parking, capacity and nose levels.
Pilgrimage cross has been
moved to a more accessible location.
Pentecost Sunday (June 8) Parishioners
encouraged to wear red, with cake and drinks served after 11:00
am mass.
Religious Education & Youth Ministry - First
Holy Communion celebrated with Confirmation set for June 1.
Activity nights to be reassessed; possible new
class for children with pervasive needs.
Youth Group - Recycling program continues with
steady donations.
May event had lower attendance but was well received.
Litter clean up planned for June 7 at Cathedral
Grounds and Bowater Park.
Finance Council - Hiring new custodian;
interviews scheduled soon.
Next meeting
on June 16 to focus on capital repairs, including electrical
upgrades. Parishioners concerned about Cathedral temperature due
to boiler shutdown; updates will be communicated in bulletin.
NET Canada Ministry Event - Plans for youth
outreach event from October 17-20, 2025, in Corner Brook.
Details still be finalized.
Next meeting - September 8, 2025
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NEW OFFICE SUMMER HOURS:
The Parish
Office hours for the months of July and August will be 9:00 am
to 12:00 pm.
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HEAT REPAIR
UPDATE:
The Parish Pastoral and Parish Finance
Councils would like to inform parishioners that the boilers have
shut down due to necessary repairs on the heating system.
The issue arose
because the system was not regulating properly and would have
continued to heat the building beyond a comfortable level.
Unfortunately, the boilers cannot be turned back on until the
repairs are completed.
We are currently
awaiting the arrival of necessary parts to complete this repair.
In the meantime, if the weather is chilly, please note that the
Cathedral building will also be cooler than the outside
temperature. We encourage you to dress accordingly for your
comfort.
We sincerely
apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience.
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OFFICE CLOSURE:Please be advised
that the office will be closed on Monday May 19th for
the
May 24th weekend holiday. The office will reopen on Tuesday, May
20th.
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MARCH 3RD, 2025 PARISH PASTORAL MEETING UPDATE:
Welcome: New parish pastoral member, Bridget Ignacio, as well as new priest Fr. Praveen Thomas from India.
Parish Council Updates: Two new council members
have recently joined, however 1-2 more spots need filling on the
council.
Committee Volunteers: Volunteers are needed for
the various parish ministries. A sub-committee will be created
to plan a ministries fair.
New Office Hours: 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Lent and Jubilee Events (Liturgy Committee Report)
- Lent activities include a prayer series (Mondays at 7:00 pm)
Stations of the Cross (Fridays after 9:30 am Mass) and
preparations for the Jubilee’s Chrism Mass.
A social event with desserts is planned to
follow the Chrism Mass.
Religious Education/Youth and Family Ministries:
Classes are ongoing, with a sliding party held on March 16.
February saw a successful youth activity night and your group
event hosted by Development and Peace. A parish engagement
bulletin announcement was created by the Year 5 class.
Finance Committee Highlights 2024 Annual Income
Statement Review: Increased revenue due to fundraising
and large one time donations. Notable expenses include diocesan
assessments, directly related to income, and capital repairs
completed at the rectory and Cathedral. Caretaker role has been
filled, and fill-in admin role is vacant, interviews ongoing.
The finance committee’s next regular meeting is
scheduled for April 14, 2025.
Copies of the 2024 Annual Income Statement Review can be
found on e tables at the Cathedral entrances.
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TIPTAP REMINDER:
Please call the Parish Office at 709-634-5161 if you use the
TipTap Device to make a donation. We need the last 4
numbers of your credit or debit card so we can provide you with
credit for income tax time. We have several cards on file
without the donors name. Please call and get credit for your
donation.
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THE WAY OF THE CROSS:
Follow the Way of the Cross each Friday morning during Lent
following the 9:30 a.m. Mass.
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NEW HIRE:
The
parish is excited to welcome John Pennell as the new custodian.
With 17 years experience and a positive attitude, began work on
March 13. Though his schedule is early, members are encouraged
to greet and welcome him to the community.
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PARISH OFFICE
HOURS OF OPERATION:
Effective Monday,
March 17, 2025 office hours will be from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
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TAX RECEIPTS
FOR 2024:
Are ready and
can be picked up at the parish office.
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MARY’S KITCHEN:
During the month of
January, we served 82 clients. The volunteer hours totalled 119.
Thanks to the Knights
of Columbus for their participation during the month.
Furniture: - In January, we made 24 furniture deliveries and
picked up 23 furniture
donations. 12 mattresses, 6 box springs, 5 dressers, 7 sofa
chairs and 3 kitchen tables were distributed, among many other
items.
13 households of New
Canadians from India, Nigeria, South Sudan and Vietnam were
among the many families who were assisted last month.
We also finished up
with storage cleanup, furniture repair, bagging of bedding and
other tasks.
Total volunteer hours
amounted to 79.
Appreciation goes out
to all SSVP members an on- members who gave of their time.
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PARISH COUNCIL MEETING UPDATE:
Welcome: Madonna Bennett was
welcomed as a new member of the Parish Pastoral.
Washroom: Two new toilets
installed; front foyer bathroom renovation planned.
Year of Jubilee: pening
mass for Jubilee of Hole 2025 well-attended; further events
being planned.
Caretaker: new caretaker hired;
probationary period of 12 weeks
Heat Control: Heating system
repair ongoing.
Reports: S.V.D.P. Successful
Christmas hamper drive for the 2024 season; ongoing Mary’s
kitchen and furniture moving activies.
Litergy Committee: Active during
Advent and Christmas; planning for the upcoming Chrism Mass.
Religious Eucation: 48 families
currently enrolled in catechetic program; 40 regular teenagers
attending the monthly youth group meetings; recycling account
set up for donations; new youth and family committee to be
formed.
Finance Committee: Financial
review noted increased regular Sunday offertory; various repairs
and updates completed; next meeting on February 3rd, 2025 and to
review 2024annual financials.
Office Administrator Position:
Megan has resigned from her position as parish office
administrator. We wish Megan the very best on her future
endeavours.
Responsible Ministries Meeting:
was held on January 15th, 2025 to discuss integration of
responsible ministries.
Other: Assistance for new parish
members seeking housing. As the parish is not involved in rental
property an invitation for any parishioner with vacant rental
property available to post notice on bulletin boards in parish.
After-hours security concerns addressed; updates to be provided
at the next meeting.
Expression of thanks to be extended to
Indian and Filipino communities for Christmas Eve performance.
Sound system issues to be resolved.
Suggestion box for parishioner feedback to
be reintroduced.
Greater transparency and visibility of
council members to be communicated to
parishioners.
Mini fair for the youth committee planned
potential date January 26th, 2025.
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GRIEF TO GRACE:
Through a 5 day program facilitated by mental health
professionals and centered on Jesus Christ, Grief to Grace helps
those who have endured neglect, physical,
emotional, sexual and/or spiritual abuse in their family of
origin, their community, from spouses/partners, and/or coworkers
or supervisors, find healing and journey to wholeness. The next
program in Canada is May 20-25 in Kelowna. For more information
please email grieftogracekelowna@gmail.com or make a
confidential call to 250-808-6403.
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IMPORTANT NOTICE:
If you use the TipTap device at the
Cathedral - you MUST call the Parish Office with the last 4
digits on your credit card to receive your credit for it to be
included with your donations for income tax time.
You will only have to call the office once as we will then have
a record of it on file. We currently hae a couple of donations
but have not received a call.
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NEW METHOD FOR DONATIONS:
Credit/debit card donations:
How does it work? A solid GREEN light on the device means it is
connected and
ready to receive a tap. Simply tap the device with your chip
enabled card or
mobile wallet and the donation will be captured.
If there are two beeps from the device this means the card
was not successfully read and could be due to either a card type
not accepted, or the card was tapped too quickly, please try
again.
On your card statement Holy Redeemer Parish will be listed the
vendor of the
transaction.
Is your information safe? The only information captured for
the donation will be the last four digits of the card used.
Those wishing to utilize the TipTap donation option and
receive an annual charitable donation slip please contact the
Parish Office at 709-634-5161 or via email at info.hrp@nl.rogers.com
and provide the last 4 digits of the card used.
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CHASE THE ACE
UPDATE:
The total brought in from Chase the Ace was $115, 500.00; 50/50
tickets was $54,884.00 for a total of $170,384.00. Holy Redeemer
partnered with Immaculate Heart of Mary School where the
fundraiser was held until the last 2 events. The school staff
were also instrumental in the success of the event providing
many volunteers for the 51 weeks.
Their goal was to raise funds to replace the floor in the
gymnasium. Total proceeds from these 2 events will be shared
between Holy Redeemer and Immaculate Heart of Mary.
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ON-GOING ANNOUNCEMENTS:
RELIGIOUS ARTICLES SHOP:
Now in stock a supply of Christmas Cards
and Wooden Rosaries. Also, the Living Faith Booklets for the
first quarter of 2011 are now available at a cost of $2.00
each. If you
looking to purchase anything call the parish office at
634-5161
USED EYE-GLASSES & GROCERY
RECEIPTS:
There are boxes at the entrances to the Cathedral for these
items. The used eye-glasses are forwarded to Third World
Countries and the cash register receipts from Colemans,
Dominion and Sobeys and labels from Campbells products
showing the bar codes are used for fund-raising for
Immaculate Heart of Mary School.
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