From the Office of Family and Youth of the diocese of Saint Catharines:

All are welcome to join in a 6 Week Virtual Summer Study of Pope Francis’ Encyclical, Fratelli Tutti: On Fraternity and Social Friendship July 14 to August 17.

In response to the recent discovery of the remains of 215 children at the Kamloops residential school, the Most Reverent Gerard Bergie, D.D., bishop of the diocese of Saint Catharines, has issued a number of statements and reflections.

​Note that during the months of July and August there will be no 7:00 p.m. Sunday evening Mass. St. Patrick parish priests will be away in turn visiting family in July and August. There has also been difficulty maintaining safety protocols during this Mass. Thus, the last 7:00 p.m. Mass will be June 27. This Sunday evening Mass will resume in September after the Labour Day weekend, when it is safe to do so. It is hoped things will be closer to normal by then.

On June 7, 2021, the government of Ontario announced measures for Step One of the Roadmap to Reopen, in effect as of 12:01 a.m., Friday, June 11, 2021.

The measures related to religious institutions include (but are not limited to):
• Outdoor religious services, rites, or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services, capped at the number of people that can maintain a physical distance of two metres.
• Indoor religious services, rites, or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services permitted at 15 per cent capacity of the particular room.

Thus, as of Friday, June 11, advance registration is no longer required. Attendance will be first come, first seated up to 15% church capacity.

Note that doors will be locked once the limit is reached or once Mass begins. 

Also a reminder that Bishop Bergie has dispensed from the Sunday obligation for the duration of the pandemic.

The office is answering telephone calls and e-mails during normal business hours, but is closed to the general public. Business (e.g. picking up baptismal certificates, tax receipts) can be transacted at the door.

The month of June has traditionally been dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. References to the heart of Jesus are found in patristic writings (e.g. Saint Irenaeus of Lyons: "The Church is the fountain of the living water that flows to us from the Heart of Christ"). Devotion to the Sacred Heart has its roots in writers such as Saint Bernard of Clairvaux and Saint Bonaventure. Best known for promoting this devotion is the 17th century Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque.

The solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is celebrated the Friday following the second Sunday after Pentecost - in 2021 on Friday June 11.