The gospel this weekend encourages us to go the extra mile and discover the heart and passion of our faith.  We are called to be more righteous than the scribes and Pharisees while seeking to reconcile with one another.  Our faith is not about following rules but having a love for Christ and others.  May we allow the Lord to bring our lives to fulfillment!!

Fr. John continues with this latest message series inviting us and explaining what it means to be salt and light for the world. May we eagerly respond to Christ's call to serve, share and be faithful disciples!

Fr. John continues his message series on being faithful disciples---HERE I AM LORD, I COME TO DO YOUR WILL. He reflects on the need for meekness in our lives--which is not a weakness.

Fr. John interviews Renée Culverwell--Discipleship Lead for the Chatham Catholic Family of Parishes.  They discuss a new Lenten Small Group series open for all parishioners.  They discuss the importance of small groups to help become faithful and loving disciples.

We are called to be salt and light in the world today as faithful and loving disciples.  There are many opportunities in our family of parishes to bring the flavour of the gospel and the light of Christ in a world that is hungering and searching for truth, hope and joy.  May we all seek to help transform the world!

This weekend we hear Jesus proclaim the Beatitudes on a mountain top.  This is the framework and mission of discipleship for all of us.  We are called to be the best version of ourselves seeking to be meek, gentle, merciful and pure in heart.  Alone this may be extremely difficult, but with Christ and others---we can become what the Lord has anointed us to be.

Jesus calls us to build the kingdom by being fishers of people.  This means active engagement---reaching out and connecting with those who need healing, love, peace and Christ.  We do not sit back and wait but must search bringing the presence of the Lord to others.

We are baptized to become disciples---messengers of the Good News. How do we respond to God's invitation to help build the kingdom? It starts with us saying--HERE I AM LORD-----SEND ME!!

In the gospel this weekend Jesus calls Peter, Andrew, James and John to be fishers of people!!  We too are called not to simply live a faithfilled life but be proactively drawing people to Jesus.  We do this through invitation, hospitality, witness and service.  We are sent out and are not to be complacent or wait for people to come to us.  Let us all cast a wide net of grace and hope to the world!

Welcome to the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time!!  After the Christmas season we hear from the Gospel of John as John the Baptist recognizes Jesus as the Messiah and testfies by sharing his faith story.  We too are called to recognize Jesus as the Lord in our daily lives and share our faith story to bring people closer to Christ.

As we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord this weekend and conclude the Christmas season, we rejoice in another epiphany moment---discovering who Jesus is as Lord and Saviour.  This feast reminds us that we too are empowered by the Holy Spirit to be Christ in our world today.  Will the Christmas spirit carry us through the days and weeks ahead?

Happy New Year!!  Merry Christmas!!  This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord as the wise men pay homage to Christ in Bethlehem.  Epiphany means reveleation or discovery---may we this Christmas rediscover Jesus in our lives and give him the gift of our hearts!!

Merry Christmas!!  This weekend we celebrate the FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY---how can Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus teach us to be family in our world today??  Listen to find out!!

Fr. John concludes this Advent message series inviting us on a new path as faithful and loving disciples this Christmas. He even asked CHAT GPT for help inviting others for Christmas Masses.

Fr. John interviews Maureen MacDonald, who wears many hats in the Chatham Catholic Family of Parishes.  Her newest role as the WEEKEND EXPERIENCE LEAD covers a wide range of ministries and responsibilities at our weekend Masses.  Listen as she shares her work and support making sure our weekend liturgies change lives!!

As we prepare for the Fourth Sunday of Advent---we encounter Mary, Joseph and an Angel of God.  May we say YES like Mary and Joseph to follow God's path and be missionaries of hope and joy in our lives, in our parishes and of course the world.  We need the courage, grace and power of the Holy Spirit to guide us.

In this third homily of the series, Fr. John reflects on the call of our family of parishes being a needed light of Christ in our world today. Gathered as one family we seek to share the light of Jesus and help change the world.

Fr. John continues this Advent message series as he invites all of us to be God's influencers leading people to Christ like St .John the Baptist. Fr. John talks about Kim Kardashian, Christiano Ronaldo, Bishop Fulton Sheen and Bishop Robert Barron. Find out why by watching or listening today!

What signs of Christ do we see in our lives and in our family of parishes?  There are many but can we see them and can we help make them happen as faithful disciples?  The disciples of St. John the Baptist approach Jesus and wonder if he is the one they have been waiting for?  Are we ready for Christmas?  Are our hearts open for the King of Kings?  Happy Advent!!

As we prepare for the Second Sunday of Advent, John the Baptist comes unto the scene to wake us up and remind us to make straight the pathways for the Lord.  May we always be open to God's grace in our daily lives!!  Happy Advent!

Fr. John begins this special Advent message series talkng about the need for light in our lives. We all need light and of course---the light of Christ is most important. Will be step into the light of God's love this Advent?

Happy New Year!!  This coming Sunday we celebrate the First Sunday of Advent and the new liturgical year.  Are we awake and ready to welcome Christ in our hearts and to be his faithful disciples?  Listen to find out more!

Fr. Patrick Beneteau concludes the mission with the second evening session.

Fr. Patrick reflects at the Monday morning Mass of the mission preparing for Advent and Christmas.

Fr. Patrick Beneteau begins the parish mission with the weekend homily.

Fr. Patrick presents his first session for the pre-Advent mission.

Fr. John concludes this message series reflecting on how God shares his kingdom with us as we celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King.  May the Lord be king of our hearts and lives!

This coming weekend we celebrate the last Sunday of the Church's year with the Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe.  The gospel chosen for this celebration is the Lord's crucifixion---the most perfect act of love of the King for his people.  Jesus is a king who does not impose his power but uses his grace to set us free!!  Will we be faithful servants and share the light he offers to each of us?

In the sixth homily of the message series Fr. John reminds us that in the chaos and the ups and downs of life---God helps us endure and persevere. This is good news. Fr. John even talks about St. Ignatius of Loyola and Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider.

As we approach the end of the Church's liturgical year---we are reminded to endure as witnesses of the Good News in everything we do.  We should not get caught up in things of this world but use things of this world to bring others to the grace of heaven.  Will we trust the Lord and endure the challenges of the world and share His mercy together?

Fr. John continues to preach about the GOOD NEWS of our faith by reminding us that we are the Church---the temples of the Holy Spirit and living stones and a flowing river of salvation for the world. We have the privilege of sharing in the work and ministry of grace with Christ. That is always good news!

This weekend we celebrate the Feast of the Dedication of St. John Lateran.  This is the Cathedral parish of the Bishop of Roma---the Pope.  This also means it is the mother parish of the entire Catholic Church.  Yet what is most essential to realize is that we, the faithful---are the true and living Church with Christ at the head.  Bricks and mortar are temporary, but the Body of Christ is forever.

Fr. John continues to share the GOOD NEWS as we celebrate the Solemnity of All Souls Day. Christ offers us the gift of eternity right now in our lives today and later in heaven. Are we willing to embrace this gracious gift?

This Sunday we celebrate the Solemnity of All Souls' Day.  Jesus has compassion in the gospel this weekend and brings back to life a young man and brings him back to his mother.  Jesus gives us new life both now and of course in heaven.  Are we ready to embrace that gift by living as saints today?  May we always remember all those who have died---may they rest in peace with Jesus, our Good Shepherd.

This weekend Fr. John continues in this message series focused on the the GOOD NEWS of the Gospel. This weekend he reminds us that we all have cracks and gaps in our lives---but God fills these gaps when we seek the Lord out with humble and open hearts.

This weekend's gospel is all about the need for humility in our lives.  This helps us build our relationships with God and others---and helps us change and become who God has made us to be.  Without humility, we push away the Lord and those around us.  May we always have open and generous hearts rooted in a need for God's powerful love!

Fr. John continues this message series reflecting on prayer as our faith language in which we speak to God and we listen to him. We know that God is on our side and works for us and with us so that we can live the best life ever---even when God says no to our prayers sometimes!!

In this episode we welcome the Chatham Catholic Family of Parishes FAMILY & SCHOOL LEAD -- Ali Chinnick.  Fr. John chats about this new pastoral ministry role in the family of parishes as we continue to restructure in order to most fully live out the IGNITE THE MISSION Pastoral Plan.  Ali and Fr. John discuss the amazing ministry taking place in all our schools, sacramental preparation and our outreach to families!!  There is a lot of GOOD NEWS!!

Jesus tells the disciples a parable about a widow and an unjust judge that remind us to pray always and not to lose heart.  The good news is that God is for us and helps us because He loves us---we don't need to convince Him of that.  He is on our side--so we need to trust Him and open our hearts and lives to His grace.

Fr. John begins a new seven part message series called GOOD NEWS. Christ and His gospel is always good news and Jesus heals our lives. We are called to seek healing from the Lord and be healers for others. This is GOOD NEWS!

This weekend the gospel tells us Jesus healed 10 lepers but only one came back to thank Him.  Jesus always seeks to heal us and bring us life---we need to search and cry out---LORD, MASTER, HAVE MERCY ON US!!  Christ heals us so we can heal others----what AMAZING NEWS!!  Let us always celebrate and share the power and grace of the gospel!!

Fr. John concludes the message series with a final homily reminding us that if we want to increase in faith and discipleship--the family of parishes is the perfect place to grow!

How can we increase our faith?  The gospel this weekend invites us to have faith the size of a mustard seed---which can move a tree into the sea!!  May we be faithful and humble servants helping build the kingdom together.

Jesus shares a parable in the gospel this weekend that causes us to reflect personally and calls us to action in our world today.  Will we make what Jesus shares a priority in our lives?  Listen to find out more!

We can only have one master----we cannot serve God and wealth nor ourselves.  How can we choose God rather than so many other things in our lives?  Are we shrewd enough to make sure faith is first in our lives?  Listen to learn more!!

Fr. John continues in his message series called ALL IN by calling all of us to jump into the deep end and be disciples in the world that needs to see and know a better path---the path of Christ. He shares 6 qualities that the Chatham Catholic Family of Parishes is focusing on for all parishioners.

Fr. John continues in his message series called "ALL IN" by reflecting on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. To be a disciple we need to embrace the cross of salvation offered to us by Christ and to share the gift of the Cross to help all those in need.

Please check out the newest “FAITH & WORKS” podcast as Fr. John interviews two new Catholics—Len & Robin Thomason.  Listen to their journey to Chatham, to our family of parishes and to Christ in the Catholic Church.  Who knew that a full parking lot at Mass can change lives? 

Fr. John begins a new message series reflecting on the Chatham Catholic IGNITE THE MISSION PASTORAL PLAN on forming disciples who reach out to all.  This first homily reminds us to place Jesus at the top of our priority list.  Listen to know how to do that better.

This weekend we celebrate the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross.  Jesus descended from heaven to lift us up to heaven.  This happens through the gift of the cross.  May we serve as disciples lifting other people up to our Father in heaven!

The gospel invites us to be humble so that others may exalt us.  May we always realize that we are not the centre of the universe and there is a true grace when we honour, love and support others.  This weekend's gospel was so meaningful to Fr. John----he went passed the 10 minute mark---but not by much!

This weekend Jesus tells us to strive through the narrow door to enter the Kingdom of God.  What does this really mean?  Do we have to earn our way to heaven?  Not really.  We are called to live a life rooted in Christ alone, who is enough and not try to carry everything else that the world offers.  Like athletes, we are called to surrender ourselves to the life of the gospel each day.  Will we choose the Lord?  Listen to find out more.

In the gospel this Sunday, Jesus says he hasn't come to bring peace but division.  What does He mean?  There is no room to sit on the fence or be lukewarm.  We need to choose to follow Christ and set aside the division in our hearts and around us.  How can we do that?  Listen to find out more.

The gospel this weekend reminds us to be on guard, living and sharing the Good News so that when Christ returns he finds us faithfully serving.  Do we invest in our heavenly future or simply seek to secure earthly comfort that eventually fades away?  May the Lord help reorganize our priorities with the call to mission first in our lives!!

What are our lives all about?  Is it about stuff?  Do you have a storage unit or is your garage/basement filled with boxes not remembering what is there?  Jesus in the gospel warns us about all kinds of greed and the call for us to be rich towards God.  How can we do this?  Listen to find out more.

Prayer is important not just for ourselves but for the sake of others.  Jesus always answers our prayers but not always the way we want----but definitely the way we need.  Prayer transforms our lives and always calls us to action.  Does our prayer help us to be a better disciple in our world today?

In the gospel this weekend we hear the story of Martha and Mary who host Jesus and the disciples at their home.  Martha is busy and distracted with tasks and Mary is at the feet of Jesus listening to Him.  This gospel reminds us that we are called to push away the many distractions that we have in our lives and be connected to Christ and one another.

The story of the Good Samaritan teaches us that to show mercy means to embrace the inconvenience of the Gospel with radical generosity.  God's love helps us see this as a true way to encounter and embrace our neighbours---that is---everyone because they are our brothers and sisters!

This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul.  These two great apostles teach us how to be faithful and loving disciples in our world today.  Their presence and grace lives on in the Church and should in each one of us.

As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, we remember that at Mass we received the Risen Lord himself---so that we can share His love, hope, joy and peace with the world.  The Lord magnifies the ordinary and makes things extraordinary.  Let us trust in Him!!

This Sunday we celebrate Trinity Sunday.  The heart of God is love.  The Father, Son and Holy Spirit radiates love that goes beyond themselves as a community of grace.  We are made in the image and likeness of God---we too are called to be a community of love and light.  How can that happen?  God invites us into His divine life---will we say YES?

Come Holy Spirit!!  This weekend we celebrate Pentecost Sunday in which we embrace the breath of the Holy Spirit  having the courage and grace to bring healing, hope and eternal life!!  The Church does not have a mission, it is mission!!  May we be true missionaries in our world today.

This weekend we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord---we celebrate Christ Risen and are commissioned to be true witnesses in our world today.  How can we share the Gospel in our world that can change the lives of people?  Only together as faith communities willing to serve and sacrifice for others.  COME HOLY SPIRIT!

Jesus is the Good Shepherd who guides us---the sheep.  As we celebrate the Easter season we rejoice in the gift of the resurrection and as faithful sheep, turn down the noise around us and tune into the voice of Christ.  We do this so we can be faithful disciples sharing the JOY OF THE GOSPEL!!

As we celebrate Easter and the Resurrection---Jesus appears for the third time to the disciples showing them the reality that He is alive!!  What does Easter mean for us and do we find the Risen Lord in our daily life?  We need to fall in love with Him and follow Him sharing the joy of eternal life that we can experience even now!!

Today we celebrate Christ's death on the cross for our salvation.  We come to hear the Passion according to John, adore the cross of salvation and receive Holy Communion at the Solemn Good Friday liturgy.  May this day of prayer and reflection transform us as faithful messengers of the Good News today!!

As we enter the Easter Triduum with Holy Thursday, we are embarking on a spiritual journey of grace where we encounter Christ and His eternal love for us.  Jesus washes the feet of the disciples as we hear from the Gospel of John today---may we be open and allow Christ to cleanse us with His love and may we serve others with that same compassion and hope!!

Fr. John reads the shorter version of the Passion according to Luke and offers some reflections that can help us journey through Holy Week to Easter.  This is the beginning of the most powerful time in the liturgical year---may we be attentive to the grace and strength of the season!!

This coming weekend we have the story of the woman caught in adultery from the Gospel of John.  This powerful moment in Christ's ministry beckons us to change our perspective from condemnation and judgment to compassion, mercy and forgiveness.  Lent is all about changing our ways and follow God's way.  Will we allow that to happen in our lives?

The parable that we hear this weekend reminds us of how the Gospel is unfair----in a good way.  The Story of the Prodigal Son is really a story of the wasteful Father who brings compassion, mercy and life back to his younger son.  Lent helps us be wasteful or generously unfair with compassion and love to those who need God's grace, bringing hope. joy and love to those in greatest need.

Lent is a time for us to reflect on whether we are being faithful disciples that bear good fruit for the world.  If not, then we need to change and if not enough, we need to do more.  Our God offers us many many chances to change and return to him---but there is an urgency on our part to do this quickly and without delay.  Let' also help others draw close to the love of Christ!!

As we celebrate the Second Sunday of Lent, we experience in the gospel another epiphany moment on a mountain top realizing who Jesus really is as the Son of God.  We need mountain top encouragement and perspective to be true missionaries in our world.  Where do we find them in our lives today?

This coming weekend we celebrate the First Sunday of Lent.  This holy season is a journey and pilgrimage that has us travel from sin, death and selfishness to peace, service and life by embracing Christ in our lives.  Are we on the move or are we staying still?  Is Lent a time of change for us?  Do we think we need change?  Listen for more!

This weekend's gospel reminds us that for us to be a good tree that bears good fruit we must have a heart dedicated to God.  A good tree does not bear bad fruit.  We are all invited to reflect on our lives seeking to be the best version of ourselves for the sake of the kingdom.  Can we find the logs in our eyes?  Listen for more!

Fr. John goes five seconds over the 10 minute mark this weekend because there is so much in the gospel to talk about.  If we live half of what Jesus calls us to in the gospel----we would become living saints!!  And yes---this is what we strive for!

The gospel this weekend reminds us to look past the immediate---to hold on for the Kingdom of Heaven.  We do this by giving ourselves away---to be poor for the sake of others.  In this way we truly are missionaries and pilgrims of hope.  Will embrace the path of discipleship or try to take care of ourselves alone?

Jesus calls Simon Peter to go out into the deep waters for a catch and changes his life!!  When we let Christ into our lives he makes all things new----may we not be afraid and follow Jesus like Simon, James and John.  It will be the best lives we could ever have!!

This weekend we celebrate the Presentation of the Lord.  Mary and Joseph present Jesus to God as was the custom.  They encounter Simeon and Anna---experiencing another epiphany moment discovering who Jesus is.  This feast helps us live our faith today.  Listen to find out more!!

Each of us are anointed to carry on the mission of salvation in our world today.  Christ beckons us to adapt and change for the sake of mission.  We do not do this alone---Christ gives us the Holy Spirit and we do this together.  Will we say yes?

Fr. John interviews Lynda Cadotte, who after over 52 years of service to Catholics in Chatham, is retiring.  In this brief conversation Lynda shares how she was hired on a temporary basis which then became a life-long time of service to parishioners of all ages.  Lynda will definitely be missed!!!

This weekend we return to Ordinary Time but not an ordinary Gospel.  We visit a wedding feast in Cana from the Gospel of John--the first miracle of this Gospel.  Jesus makes what is ordinary extraordinary.  He can do this with our lives too!!  Mary guides us as she tells the servants and each of us--"Do whatever he tells you!"

This weekend we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord which is not just about Jesus, but also about us!  We receive the gift of the Holy Spirit at our baptism but also the fire of God's love to help transform the world.  Do we truly understand the gift, opportunity and obligation we have to share Christ's love with perseverance, endurance and zeal?  I think this feast helps us realize this more.  May we always be humble like St. John the Baptist sharing the Good News!!

This weekend we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord.  It is a reminder for us to search for Jesus in our daily lives seeking conversion, renewal and transformation so that we can be faithful and loving disciples becoming epiphany moments for others.  Let us discover the light in the midst of darkness and be light for the world!

Merry Christmas!!  This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family.  The gospel includes references to Easter, searching for Jesus, the importance of our parishes and so much more!!  Listen to find out more!!

Merry Christmas!!  The birth of Christ brings great joy to all people!!  The shepherds are the first to hear this Good News of salvation and go with haste to Bethlehem.  What gift is God offering us this Christmas to bring us great joy?  Will we be able to embrace this gift or be distracted with the noise of the season?

Mary goes with haste to Elizabeth sharing the joy of the Good News!!  This entire gospel reading shows us how we are called to be joyful disciples who embrace the love of Christ and share that grace with those around us.  May we always radiate the Good News of salvation.

Fr. John concludes this message series reminding us that real change calls us to leverage and not reject what fades or is temporary.  We live in this world but can choose to utilize what is around us and the opportunities we have to bring Christ to our hearts and to others.  Fr. John even talks about our smart phones as a way to do this.  Real conversion happens not only in our hearts, but in our actions.

St. John the Baptist answers the question posed to him---What are we to do?  Making straight the pathways of the Lord can only take place when we live and share the Good News with others---especially those in need.  Advent is a time to reset and change lanes---living our lives better and differently.  What is John the Baptist telling us to do today?

John the Baptist echoes the voice of the prophet Isaiah in the gospel this weekend.  Advent is a season of hope and change--to become more like Christ and to make straight our paths and help others to do the same.  Will we choose this Advent to do more or will we fall asleep to another season of preparation?

Fr. John continues with the second homily of this series inviting everyone to "reset" during the Advent season---drawing closer to Christ and renewing our lives. Like computers and electronics, we must shut down and restart to be back in sync.

Happy New Year!  Well almost---this weekend we celebrate the First Sunday of Advent and so the new liturgical year.  The gospel this weekend invites us to embrace the hope of Christ which is bigger than the challenges and fears we have.  Advent is a time to prepare for Christmas but also for the second coming of our Saviour who will take us home.  Let us be alert and ready---avoiding the fading distractions of this world.

Fr. John begins a message series on change in our lives and in our family of parishes---change is constant and things fade away--but Christ's love and words never pass away. Let us be wise and focus our efforts on what does not pass away.

This coming weekend we celebrate the SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE KING.  The gospel offers a contrast of two different kingdoms--that of Pontius Pilate and that of Jesus.  Very different---opposites in fact.  What does each offer and which one brings us the truth?  Yet which kingdom do we spend our time in?  Can we fully embrace Christ as King of our hearts?

As we approach the end of the Church's liturgical year, we are reminded that everything will fade and pass away, but Christ's words, love and presence will not.  We need to draw close to Christ so that we can fully live and journey to heaven.  Cemeteries remind us of light, hope and joy that only Christ can offer.  Listen for more!!

The gospel challenges us to be more like a poor widow who places all her trust in God while the rich give to the treasury out of their excess and abundance.  Who do we truly rely on and place complete trust in?  Is it God or ourselves?  Who do we choose and how can we change? Listen for more!

Jesus is asked what is the greatest commandment in the Gospel this weekend----he responds with two---Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbour as ourselves.  There is nothing greater than this.  How can we live this out each day?  Listen to find out.

Today the Gospel tells the story of a blind beggar named Bartimaeus who cries out to Christ so that he may see again.  In this great miracle he sees Christ as the Son of God and follows Him.  May we always cry out to the Lord so that we may see as God sees---seeking to be instruments of mercy and love in the world.

This weekend the Gospel reminds us to be servant of all like Christ.  James and John wanted to sit on the left and right hand side of Jesus in the kingdom without really understanding the call of faith is to be humble and slave of all.  We can't get caught up in fame or fortune but of humble and loving service--this makes us rich in the eyes of God.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!  As we give thanks for the countless blessings in our lives we are called in the Gospel this weekend to inherit eternal life by changing our lives---becoming Christ by following the rules, re-organizing our priorities and then live differently following Christ.  This may seem impossible but for God all things are possible.

Fr. John interviews Christine Canniff and Renée  Culverwell--parishioners along with Pastoral Minister Colleen Keane about the Alpha Series that took place in the Chatham Catholic Family of Parishes this past year in preparation for the next series in January 2025.  Colleen describes the why and how Alpha works while Christine and Renée share their personal experiences of the journey that has enhanced their faith!!