Blessed John XXIII
Roman Catholic Parish
3390 Portage Avenue
(at Rouge Road)
Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada R3K 0Z3
204-832-7175

Confessions:

Saturday 4:15 pm

and upon request.

• If you would like to have your home or vehicle blessed, or would like a visit from the Pastor, the Rev Gerald Langevin, please call him at the Office.
  
  
  
  
• Journeyperson electrician or Electrical contractor is needed for work to be done at the Rectory. Call 832-7175.
  
  
• Contact with the Sick and Shut-ins: Please keep us up to date on the needs of your loved ones.
  
  
• Liturgical Renewal: The spring 2010 cycle of workshops has been completed, but it will be repeated. For your reference, here are background pamphlets from the Archdiocese on major portions of the mass covered in these workshops:
  
  • From Gathering Rite to Introductory Rite
  • Liturgy of the Word
    
  • Liturgy of the Eucharist
    
  Please note that for the next two years, the Archdiocesan focus will now be on "Stewardship."
  
  
• During flu season and throughout the year, many people avoid shaking hands in order to minimize transmission of colds and flu. Parishioners should not feel obligated to shake hands for the greeting during the Gathering Rite and the "Peace" greeting during the Mass. Nor should anyone feel hurt if their neighbour does not extend their hand. It is important to show care and friendliness, but there are many other ways: a brief nod, a respectful bow, or a cheerful smile are all perfectly acceptable. Archdiocesan guidelines for H1N1 ("swine") flu precautions were promulgated in September for liturgy and for parish operations. "Stage 1" precautions were put in place in 2009 but have since been suspended by the Archbishop's office. However, it is stressed that we should continue using hand sanitizers in the church and maintain good hygiene practices.
  

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• A.C.C. Resource/Library: (Room 4 in the basement). A range of books and audio-visual items is available. Hours: Sunday, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., and upon request. (Valerie Stark & Nell Ramsay, Coordinators). The library welcomes donations of recently published books. Thanks to Lindsay Price for the donation of a computer and setup of a database.
  

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  Justice, Development and Peace Committee of our Parish: for current information go to their page under the GROUPS tab.
  
  
  
  
  
  

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• Winnipeg Harvest - Weekly Appeal: Winnipeg Harvest has an on-going need for nutritional food items. Please leave such items in the box in the Narthex for our own ACC Food Bank, which distributes food every second Wednesday on behalf of Winnipeg Harvest. Alternatively, Canada Safeway will match all food items dropped off at any Safeway store in Winnipeg.
  
  Why not donate an item or two from Winnipeg Harvest's 'Most Wanted Items' List:
  
  
  • Canned Meat and Fish (tuna and salmon)
  • Cereal
  • Macaroni & Cheese
  • Dry Pasta
  • Canned Vegetables, Soup, and Fruit
  • Canned Stews
  • Peanut Butter
  • Spaghetti Sauce
  • Fruit Juice
  • Disposable diapers (sizes 1, 2, & 3) and feminine hygiene products
  Monetary donations to support Harvest's expansion are also most welcome.
  
  
• Our Place / Chez Nous list of most needed items: can be dropped off at Drop-in Centre, 676 Main Street, but first phone 956-1359 or email opcn@shaw.ca to make arrangements.
  • Women's and men's clothing: jeans, sweat shirts & pants; hoodies; long & short underwear; toques, gloves, mitts; socks; winter boots; runners. Dark colours preferred.
  • Personal care products: safety razors; shampoo, conditioner, body soap (all hotel size); deodorant; toothbrushes; laundry detergent; face cloths; bath towels.
  • Basic household items: Bedsheets & pillowcases; blankets & comforters; pillows; electric fry pans; small appliances (clock radios, coffee makers, electric kettles, pots & pans); cutlery; can openers; dish cloths & dish towels.
  • Coffee supplies: tins of regular grind coffee; sugar; coffee sweetner. [2009-10-30]
  
  
• Agape Table needs cash donations. Please send donations to Box 26111 RPO Maryland, Winnipeg, MB R3G 3R3.
  
  
• ACC Knitters' Group: . Anyone interested in knitting and crocheting -- for Cancer Care, Winnipeg Harvest, Knights of Columbus Baby Shower, and other worthy causes -- is cordially invited to join our group. We meet the 1st & 3rd Mondays of each month, 7-9pm in the ACC Lounge.
  
  

Outside Volunteer Opportunities Assist people living in personal care homes in our area: Volunteers respond to varied needs, including assisting residents to come to Mass when it is held in their residence. Please call Deacon Gary McCallum at 832-7206. [2009-09-18] Pregnancy and Family Support Services, Inc.: Volunteers wanted as clerks, sorters, and pricers in our Spence Street Thrift Shop -- serving the disadvantaged at the same time. Also needed: people to do odd jobs around the store and to collect donated items. We accommodate any amount of time a person has to give: from a few hours to a full day, one or more times per month. To offer your services, please call Christine, 783-9281 or email pfss@mts.net [2009-09-15] Misericordia Health Centre invites you to join our caring volunteer team, who assist residents wishing to attend chapel services or other activities. Call 788-8132, apply online at www.misericordia.mb.ca or email volunteer@misericordia.mb.ca [2009-09-15] Grace Hospital needs friendly visiting volunteers to work one morning, afternoon, or evening per week. Training provided. For more information, call Jennifer Sheppard, 837-0368. [2009-09-15] Hospice & Palliative Care Manitoba needs end-of-life Companions and Bereavement Support Volunteers to provide emotional support and practical assistance to individuals and families living with a chronic or life-limiting illness. Volunteers visit in the home 3-4 hours/week, and are especially needed during the day. Volunteers are required to participate in an education program provided by the Hospice for a nominal charge. For information, please call Peggy McRitchie, Volunteer Development Coordinator at 889-8525 X228 or email her at pmcritchie@manitobahospice.mb.ca [2009-09-15]

• St Charles Academy: Labels for Education: Please save all your Campbell Labels to help obtain computers, sports equipment, musical instruments, and more, for our Catholic school. Turn in all your labels to the school at year's end.
  
  
• Used Postage Stamps wanted: Special commemoratives, foreign stamps, (excluding regular single-rate Canadian). Support Development & Peace initiatives in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Please cut the stamps from your envelopes without damaging perforations. There is a deposit box on the counter in the ACC Office.
  
  
• Monsignor Maurice Comeault has transferred to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, effective July 1, 2009. We wish him Godspeed in his new assignment.