Bishop of the Diocese Most Reverend Gerard P Bergie, D.D.

Pastor Father

Sunday Masses Saturday 5:00 pm

Sunday 9:00 and 11:00 am Children’s Liturgy: September - June

Weekday Masses Tuesday 6:00 pm

Wednesday through Friday 8:30 am Rosary/Adoration before Weekday Masses

Confessions Sat 4 - 4:45 pm or before weekday Masses

Baptism Sunday 12:30 pm by appointment

Marriage Arrangements should be made at least 6

months in advance. Marriage preparation course required

Sacrament of the Sick Communion for the Sick and Shut-ins

Please call the office.

Secretary Sandy Johnson

Office hours: Wednesday and Friday 8:00 am to 3:00 pm Enter on Victoria St.

Schools St. Patrick Elementary School

905-835-1091 Lakeshore Catholic High School

905-835-2451

Cemetery Mount St. Joseph’s, 712 Lakeshore Rd E

905-834-3460

Diocesan Website: www.saintcd.com

Diocese of St. Catharines

St. Patrick

Catholic Church

Parish Established Church Dedicated

1859 1880

123 King Street

Port Colborne, Ontario L3K 4G3

Telephone: 905-834-6426

Fax: 905-834-1215

Email: stpatrick@cogeco.ca

Ministry Schedule - September 17/18

Hospitality:

5:00pm - Joe Attard & Victor Gatt

9:00am - Joe Gatt & Sandy MacIntyre

11:00am - Susan Brown & Sime Zuvic

Minister of Communion:

5:00pm - Joe Attard

9:00am - Dino Sicoli & Tony D’Uva

11:00am - Jessica Stock & Maxine C

Children’s Liturgy:

Amanda Brown

24th Sunday of Ordinary

Time - Year C

“There will be

more joy in heaven

over one sinner

who repents.”

Commentators/Lectors:

5:00pm - C - Bettina D. & L - Needed

9:00am - C - Cathy S. & L - Terry G.

11:00am - C - Theresa A. & L - Jackie G

Altar Servers:

5:00pm - Needed

9:00am - Needed

11:00am - Needed

Counters: 11:00am - Brenda Lannan & Karen S.

Website: stpatrickcatholic.ca

JOY OF FINDING THE LOST

In this week’s Gospel passage we may find ourselves

feeling somewhat like the prodi-

gal son’s older brother, dis-

mayed and resentful. For Jesus’

statement, “I tell you, there will

be more joy in heaven over one

sinner that repents than over

ninety-nine righteous persons

who need no repentance,” can

be misunderstood.

When we took our three boys

camping to the top of the deep-

est canyon in Colorado, a 2000

foot narrow gorge, and in the midst of unloading the car,

we realized that our 12 year old was missing. The panic

feeling set in when we visualized our adventuresome 12

year old exploring trails that lead to the edge of a steep

canyon. The relief and joy over finding him did not di-

minish our love and esteem for the two sons who didn’t

wander off. But because his wandering off could have

been so grave, the joy of finding him safe was intense.

So it is spiritually. The danger of the lost sheep’s

wandering away from the shepherd, or the prodigal son’s

turning away from his father’s love, home, and values is

analogous to the danger of our falling into a deep ravine

where certain death awaits us. The danger is so grave

that the joy of our safe return

can only be more intense. For it

is due to mankind’s spiritual

wandering away from God that

most of life’s trauma, hurt and

devastation arises. When self-

willed wanderers repent and

turn back to God there is great

relief, the worst of the danger is

past, and the healing process

can begin.

In all three parables which

Jesus tells in response to the question of why he eats with

sinners, he puts emphasis on God’s initiative. God is the

shepherd who goes looking for his lost sheep. God is the

woman who lights a lamp, sweeps out the house, and

searches everywhere for her lost coin until she has found

it. God is the father who watches and waits for his chil-

dren, runs to meet them, embraces them, pleads with

them, begs and urges them to come home.

God wants to find me as much as, if not more than, I

want to find God. God needs me as much as I need God.

God is not the patriarch who stays home, doesn’t move,

and expects his children to come to him, apologize for

their aberrant behavior, beg forgiveness, and promise to

do better. To the contrary, he leaves the house, ignoring

his dignity by running toward them, pays no heed to

apologies and promises of change, and brings them to the

table richly prepared for them.

Those of us who have stayed close to God should not

feel that we are valued less, rather we should have multi-

ple reasons for rejoicing. We should be ecstatic to see

people snatched from spiritual disaster, we should be

thrilled that we have been able to bring continuous joy to

heaven by our pursuit of a righteous life for God and we

should rejoice and realize that the Father’s statement,

“You are always with me, and all that is mine is yours,”

typifies our relationship with God. What a privileged po-

sition to have access to the Father and the Father’s re-

sources, to have the benefits and fruit of a righteous life,

and to be able to share in real joy when a lost person re-

pents. We can rejoice with Paul that “Christ Jesus came

into the world to save sinners,” and as friends of God we

are invited to celebrate not only our own salvation but

also the salvation and repentance of others.

Emmaus Journey Reflections

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EARTHQUAKE RELIEF FUNDRAISER

St. Mary’s Church in Welland will be having an Pasta

Dinner Earthquake Relief Fundraiser for Amatrice Italy

on Tues, Sept 20th. Call 905-734-3143 to place your or-

der. All donations are welcome and appreciated.

Pasta, Sausage & Meatball with Salad, Roll, Dessert

Take-out - 3:00 - 6:30 - $11.00

Dine-in - 4:30 - 6:30 - $12.00

Lunch Menu (Pasta & Meatballs)

Take-out only - 12:00 - 1:00 - $7.00

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MAKING SENSE OF ECCLESIASTES

Join us on Wednesday, September 28th at St. Helen

Church in Beamsville from 7 to 8:30 p.m. with Dr.

Robert Holmstedt, Professor of Hebrew Scriptures, Uni-

versity of Toronto & members of St. Helen Church.

The book of Ecclesiastes is rarely read in our lection-

ary cycle, yet it provides strong guidance for thinking

through issues facing the Christian in a challenging

world. Join us in a discussion of the themes prominent in

Ecclesiastes, the keys to understanding the book, and a

discussion about how to apply this part of Scripture to

our lives. Bring your bible and enjoy.

ACTS RETREAT

Are you in need of some spiritual renewal? Is your faith

in need of an boost? Then why don’t you consider going

to an ACTS Retreat Weekend. An ACTS retreat is a

three day retreat led by those who have attended prior

ACTS retreat. Men present men’s retreats and women

present women’s retreats.

The retreat focuses on Adoration, Community, Theol-

ogy and Service all based on scripture and the teachings

of the Catholic Church. The goals are to renew yourself

spiritually, to strengthen your faith and to apply it in your

daily life. Participants return to their faith communities

with a deeper love for each other and a desire to become

more involved.

The next retreats are on October 27-30, 2016 for

Women and on November 10-13, 2016 for Men. The

retreat house is located at the Queen of Apostles Renewal

Centre at 1617 Blythe Rd. Mississauga. See the office

for more information.

Some testimonials of previous retreats are:

Women

Loved it!!!! We need this retreat everywhere!!!

I am re-energized, feel renewed, ready to carry my re-

sparked joy (Jesus Joy!) to the world!!

A renewing and deepening of my faith with a desire

to help others do the same.

Absolutely the most beautiful experience I have had!

Men

Amazing, spirit filled and not anything of what I ex-

pected.

Most powerful retreat experience I have ever had.

Every aspect of this retreat blew me away and I have

been on many retreats.

Nothing like this anywhere!!

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MARRIAGE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Justin Decaire will be joined in Holy Matrimony to

Courtney Charette on Sept 17, 2016.

Leslie Stout will be joined in Holy Matrimony to

Alanna Maloney on Sept 24, 2016

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SUNDAY OFFERINGS

Last Sunday’s Offering: $1972.00

Thank you for your generosity to the House of God.

Please remember St. Patrick’s in your wills

and may God Bless you as you do so.

Lord may the request of our

people rise before you like a fragrant offering

Tues Sept 13 St. John Chrysostom

6:00 pm For the special intentions of Susan D’Uva on her birthday by Dad and Jane D’Uva

Wed Sept 14 Exaltation of the Holy Cross

8:30am +For the repose of the soul of Maria Arcaro by Kathleen and Nick

Thurs Sep 15 Our Lady of Sorrows

8:30am +For the peaceful rest of Tony Sneek

Fri Sept 16 St. Cornelius & St Cyprian

8:30am +For the repose of the soul of Allan Hogue by Kathleen and Nick

25th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Sat Sept 17 5:00pm +For the peaceful rest of Ardelle Somers Scully by Bill & Joan Somers and

family

Sun Sept 18 9:00am For the intentions of St Patrick’s Parishioners

Sun Sept 18 11:00am +For the peaceful rest of Antonio Ricci by Teresa & Anthony Ricci

and family

September 11, 2016 A.D.

The 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C