Latest News
Is a Small Group For Me?
Earlier this year a group of parishioners stepped forward to participate in our small group pilot. Recently we gathered them together (virtually) to talk about their experience. Click to watch a short (4 min.) video of what they had to say. What is a small group? It is not a support group – but you will support each other It is not a prayer group – but you will pray It is not a bible study – but you will…
Good-bye Seminarian Jonathan!
This weekend July 24/25 will be Seminarian Jonathan Reitzel’s last weekend at St. Pius. Every seminarian spends at least one (and sometimes two) years in a parish as part of their preparation for the priesthood. And as we have mentioned due to COVID, Jonathan (along with a few of his brother seminarians at the same stage of formation) has had one of the strangest such years in history. That said Jonathan has still managed to be a welcome presence for many…
Silent prayers At Mass
One of the questions for our FAQ series asked what the texts are for the prayers the priest says quietly (in some cases silently) at Mass. During our 11:00 am live stream July 4th, we will be showing the text of these prayers on the screen at the appropriate moment. But if you don’t (or didn’t) catch the live stream, here they are (with brief explanations) After the Gospel is proclaimed At the end of the Gospel, the priest exclaims,…
Who are the lost?
Exploring our Vision Statement Our new mission statement provoked questions for many. On reflection, though, most of us can make the connection between that statement ( Love God. Love Others. Make Disciples. ) and Jesus’s twofold commandment: “Love God and love your neighbour”, and his words to his Church at his Ascension: “Go forth and make disciples.” Our Vision “To be a parish with a heart for those Jesus refers to as “the lost” — those who have not yet…
A Bird’s-Eye View?
It’s a bird, it’s a plane, No! It’s a drone!… …or at least we hope so.We are looking to shoot some aerial video footage of our Church and campus during this season of greenery, and we are hoping that one of you might be interested in helping us out. If you’d like to help or to learn more about what we need, just email Andrew Beach at pastoralassociate@stpiusbrantford.ca
Saint Vincent De Paul – Help Wanted
SSVP Brant Thrift Store Volunteer Coordinator Do you want to be part of a dynamic group of people who help serve the poor and our neighbours in need? Are you a people person, leader, team player and one who likes to volunteer? Then you could be the next Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Brant Thrift Store Volunteer Coordinator. As Volunteer Coordinator your primary role will be to facilitate the development of volunteers in consultation and cooperation with members of…
Re-Opening June 12th/13th!
WE are OPEN FOR MASS THIS WEEKEND STEP ONE OF Ontario ROADMAP begins JUNE 11TH Ontario’s provincial government announced today that the province will enter step one of the Roadmap to Reopening on Friday June 11th. And in an important change, Churches will be allowed to reopen for indoor services at 15% capacity as of that date. Masks and physical distancing restrictions will remain. For St. Pius that means we will be welcoming you to our regular weekend masses this…
Reflections on Kamloops
Father John reflects on how we are all receiving the news of the discovery of the unmarked graves at the former Kamloops residential school.
What We’re Doing and Why
In some ways, the past year might seem to have been a time for churches like St. Pius to focus on survival. Instead, we have chosen to make changes intended to help us follow the Lord’s command to go out and make disciples. We have expressed this intention in our mission statement ( Love God. Love Others. Make Disciples. ) and a new vision statement, seen below. Our Vision To be a parish with a heart for those Jesus refers…
A Note From the Pastor
With vaccinations happening, and with spring well and truly sprung, entering our third lockdown more than a year after the first feels pretty discouraging. The temptation to point fingers — at politicians, public officials, and others, is strong. But like the rest of this pandemic, this latest setback has the virtue of reminding us that we are fragile creatures and that however well we plan, and however hard we work, our life is not entirely in our control nor even…
Final Weekend for In-Person Mass
All our masses will be held as scheduled this weekend, but this will be the last in-person gathering until late in May. Along with other restrictions to combat the spread of the COVID19 virus, Ontario announced today that attendance at religious services is limited to 10 people effective Monday, and the Diocese of Hamilton has determined that all Churches will be closed effective that day. All our masses will be held as scheduled this weekend, but this will be the…
Parish Office Now Closed
With the advent of Ontario’s stay-at-home order, we have closed our parish office until the order is lifted. Our staff will continue to work from home, picking up voicemail and email messages, so if you need to get in touch don’t hesitate to reach out. Ph. (519) 753-8439 or office@stpiusbrantford.ca
Triduum Returns to St. Pius
Continued restrictions on congregational singing (and even chanting) meant our Easter Triduum this year sounded a bit different, but parishioners reported that the liturgies still provided a powerful opportunity to enter into reflection and prayer on our Lord’s self-gift on the cross, in the Eucharist, and ultimately the victory over sin and death that shone forth in the resurrection. Thank you to the many parishioners who ministered at our celebrations (and online), who beautifully decorated the Church, and to all…