Rejoice in the Lord Always Today, we celebrate Gaudete Sunday, a day of joy and rejoicing as we draw closer to the celebration of Christ’s birth. The rose-colored vestments and candles signify this spirit of joy, reminding us that Advent […]
Experiencing Restoration and Transformation at Advent Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, as we celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent, the liturgy continues to focus on preparation. Advent invites us to prepare our hearts and lives for the coming of […]
Advent: A Time of Transformation and Renewal Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we begin the beautiful season of Advent—a time of joyful expectation and spiritual preparation for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The First Sunday of […]
Christ the King Reigns Today, as we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King, the Church invites us to reflect on the kingship of Jesus Christ—a kingship unlike any earthly rule. This feast, established in 1925 by Pope Pius XI, […]
Trust in God Amid Uncertainty As we approach the end of the liturgical year, the Church turns our attention to the “end times.” The readings for the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time challenge us to reflect on how we live […]
Trusting in God’s Providence The widow’s act of giving reveals her profound trust in God’s care. In giving all she had, she places herself completely in God’s hands. This act reminds us of the story from 1 Kings in today’s […]
Showing God our love by the way we live In today’s Gospel, Jesus is asked which commandment is the greatest. His response is simple yet profound: to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love […]
The Cry for Mercy Bartimaeus teaches us about humility, perseverance, and the courage to cry out to Jesus even in our own darkness. He was marginalized, sidelined by society, with no status or wealth, yet he had something invaluable: a […]
True Greatness Today’s Gospel presents a powerful lesson about leadership, service, and what it truly means to follow Christ. We hear of James and John, two of Jesus’ closest disciples, asking for a privileged place at His side in His […]
Blessed and Grateful As we gather to celebrate Thanksgiving this weekend, we are reminded of the simple yet profound gift of gratitude. Today, our hearts are drawn toward appreciation—not just for the material blessings we’ve received, but for the people […]
Trusting in God’s plan for our lives In today’s Gospel, (Mark 10:2-16 ), the Pharisees question Jesus about divorce. Jesus responds by pointing to God’s original plan in Genesis, reaffirming that marriage is intended to be a permanent and indissoluble […]
On True and Radical Discipleship We should be mindful of not becoming exclusive or judgmental in our faith practices. God’s grace can extend beyond the boundaries we might set, and we should be open to acknowledging the goodness and truth […]
Seeking true Greatness In today’s Gospel, we witness a very human moment between Jesus and His disciples. As they travel together, Jesus reveals to them the deep mystery of His impending suffering, death, and resurrection. But, while Jesus speaks of […]
But Who do you say that I am In the Gospel, Jesus asks His disciples the critical question: “Who do people say I am?” and then makes it personal: “But who do you say that I am?” This question, asked […]
Ephphatha—Be opened In today’s Gospel taken from Mark 7:31-37, Jesus heals a man who is deaf and mute. He takes the man aside, away from the crowd, touches his ears and tongue, and says, “Ephphatha,” meaning “Be opened.” Immediately, the […]
Called to be doers of the word Today’s readings challenge us to reflect on the nature of our worship and relationship with God. In the Gospel, Jesus addresses a common human tendency: to focus on outward appearances and rituals while […]
Choosing to stay with Christ In today’s Gospel, we witness a moment of crisis among Jesus’ disciples. After hearing Jesus’ teaching about eating His flesh and drinking His blood, many disciples find His words hard to accept. They murmur, saying, […]
Participating in the great Eucharistic Banquet Today, the Church continues to lead us through the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John, where Jesus proclaims Himself as the Bread of Life. This chapter is central to our understanding of the […]
Taste and See the Goodness of the Lord Today’s readings present a powerful message of God’s sustaining presence in our lives. Whether we are weary and despondent like Elijah, or called to live in love as Paul exhorts, we find […]
Opening Our Hearts to the Bread of Life. Today’s readings invite us to reflect on God’s provision and the deeper hunger that He alone can satisfy. As we gather, we are reminded of the physical and spiritual nourishment that God […]
Bringing our Loaves and Fish to Jesus Today’s Gospel reading from John 6:1-15 presents the miraculous feeding of the 5,000, a story that vividly demonstrates Jesus’ compassion and his divine ability to provide abundantly. This miracle speaks to us on […]
Compassion from within In Mark 6:30-34, we see a profound display of Jesus’ compassion both for his apostles and for the crowd: The apostles return to Jesus and report all they had done and taught during their missionary journey. Jesus […]
Embracing the Call to Mission In today’s Gospel reading from Mark 6:7-13, we see Jesus sending out His twelve disciples on a mission. This passage not only gives us a glimpse into the early ministry of the disciples but also […]
The Danger of Familiarity In today’s Gospel, we encounter Jesus returning to His hometown, a place where He was well-known. He enters the synagogue and begins to teach. The people are astonished, asking, “Where did this man get these things? […]
The Healing Power of God Today’s Gospel contains two intertwined stories of healing and miracles: the healing of the woman with the issue of blood and the raising of Jairus’ daughter. Here are some reflections on this passage: Both Jairus […]
60th Anniversary Reflection: St Joseph’s parish yesterday, today and tomorrow. Reflecting on the 60th anniversary of the dedication of our parish church, we are invited to consider the rich history, spiritual growth, and community bonds that have developed over these […]
The Power of Small Beginnings The mustard seed in today’s Gospel is described as the smallest of all seeds, yet it grows into a large tree. This illustrates how small, seemingly insignificant acts of faith or goodness can have a […]
Kinship with Christ and with each other Reflecting on today’s Gospel (Mark 3:20-35) offers us some profound insights into Jesus’ ministry and the nature of true discipleship. In this passage, Jesus faces skepticism and misunderstanding from those closest to him. […]
Taste and See that the Lord is Good Corpus Christi celebrates the belief in the transubstantiation of bread and wine into the actual body and blood of Christ during the Mass. This feast underscores the central tenet of Catholic faith […]
The Most Holy Trinity and us. The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity invites us to contemplate the profound mystery of God as a communion of three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This mystery is not […]
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your Faithful Today, we celebrate Pentecost, often called the “birthday of the Church.” Fifty days after Easter, we commemorate the moment when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, transforming them from a […]
Living as People of Mission The pivotal moment of the ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ into heaven marks the culmination of his earthly ministry and the beginning of a new chapter in the story of redemption. It is a […]
Bearing the Fruit of Love Last weekend, Jesus urged his disciples to abide in his love, echoing the image of branches remaining connected to the vine. This imagery underscores the vital necessity of remaining in close communion with Christ, for […]
Jesus our Good Shepherd In likening himself to a shepherd, Jesus reveals the intimate relationship he desires to have with his followers. One of the most striking aspects of the Good Shepherd is his willingness to lay down his life […]
First Holy Communion: A Moment of Grace The Eucharist stands as the central sacrament in the Catholic faith, embodying the profound mystery of Christ’s presence among believers. This Sunday, 52 children of our parish are receiving their very First Holy […]
Father Cosmas’ Reflection Divine Mercy Sunday On Divine Mercy Sunday, Catholics gather to participate in special liturgies and devotions centered around the theme of mercy. One of the key practices of this day is the recitation of the Divine Mercy […]
Father Cosmas’ Reflection Easter: A Time of Renewal, Hope and Love On Easter, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the cornerstone of the Christian faith. It is a time of profound reflection, renewal, and hope. Easter reminds us of […]
Father Cosmas’ Reflection Celebrating Holy Week As Holy Week begins, it’s a time for deep reflection on the significance of Jesus’s journey leading to the cross and resurrection. On Palm Sunday, we commemorate Jesus’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where crowds […]
Father Cosmas’ Reflection Becoming New Creations The response to today’s Responsorial Psalm is taken from Psalm 51:10. It is a profound plea for spiritual transformation, a cry from the depths of the soul for renewal and cleansing. It reads, “Create […]
Father Cosmas’ Reflection On Spiritual Vision In today’s Gospel Reading taken from John 9:1-41, we encounter the story of Jesus healing a man who was born blind. This passage is rich with symbolism and teachings that are relevant to our […]
Father Cosmas’ Reflection My House shall be called a house of Prayer The account of Jesus cleansing the temple in John 2:13-22 offers profound insights into his character, mission, and relationship with God. At its core, this event showcases Jesus’ […]
The Test of Faith Reflecting on one of the most profound and challenging stories in the Bible found in today’s First Reading (Genesis 22.1-2,9-13,15-18)—the test of Abraham’s faith by God, we read of God’s command to Abraham to sacrifice his […]
Let us be renewed this Lent Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, As we begin this sacred season of Lent, we are called to journey with Jesus into the wilderness, where he faced temptation and emerged victorious. Ash Wednesday marked […]
Remembering and praying for the sick World Day of the Sick serves as an annual reminder of the profound challenges faced by individuals grappling with illness, infirmity, and suffering across the globe. This solemn occasion prompts deep reflection on the […]
Engaging in Spiritual Renewal Today’s Gospel taken from Mark 1:29-39 reminds us that our journey of faith involves both active service and intentional moments of communion with God. Through this balance, we can more effectively embody the transformative love and […]
Inviting the authority of Christ into our lives In Mark 1:21-28, the synagogue encounter reveals Jesus’ authority in teaching and casting out an unclean spirit. His words captivate hearts with divine power, leaving those present astonished. We’re challenged to examine […]
Follow Me In the Gospel of Mark, particularly in verses 14-20, we encounter a pivotal moment in the ministry of Jesus. It marks the beginning of His public proclamation of the Kingdom of God. Jesus emerges from the wilderness after […]
God’s call God’s call is mysterious; it comes in the darkness of faith. It is so fine, so subtle, that it is only with the deepest silence within us that we can hear it. And yet nothing is surer or […]
Led by the Star The Epiphany of the Lord marks a pivotal moment in the Christian faith, commemorating the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. It’s a celebration of divine revelation, encapsulated in the story of the Magi who […]
Living like the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph On this Feast of the Holy Family, we come together to reflect on the profound love, dedication, and harmony within the family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Their lives teach […]
Embracing the True Spirit of Christmas At Christmas, we gather to celebrate the birth of a child—a humble beginning that sparked a journey of hope, love, and redemption. The story of this child, born in a manger amidst simple surroundings, […]
December 24, 2023 Reflection Journeying towards Christmas with Unwavering Faith The fourth week of Advent in Year B provides a beautiful opportunity for reflection on the culmination of anticipation and hope. It’s a time to ponder the immense love encapsulated […]
December 17, 2023 Reflection Rejoice in the Lord During the third week of Advent, the theme often revolves around joy. As we approach the celebration of Christ’s birth, the anticipation of joy intensifies. The pink candle on the Advent wreath […]
December 10, 2023 Reflection Preparing our hearts to receive the Savior Today, through Luke’s Gospel, we’re reminded of John the Baptist’s pivotal role in preparing the path for the arrival of Jesus Christ. John, echoing the words of Isaiah, calls […]
December 3, 2023 Reflection Welcome to Advent: A time to be Spiritually Awake The first Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of the liturgical year, a time of anticipation and preparation for the celebration of Christ’s birth and the anticipation […]
November 12, 2023 Reflection On Spiritual Readiness The parable of the ten bridesmaids in today’s Gospel is a story that carries profound lessons about preparedness, vigilance, and the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven. Here, the parable teaches us the […]
November 5, 2023 Reflection Authentic Spiritual Life In today’s Gospel Reading taken from In Matthew 23:1-12, Jesus addresses the crowds and His disciples, offering essential teachings about humility, righteousness, and the dangers of hypocrisy. After stating in last weekend’s Gospel […]
October 29, 2023 Reflection Love of God and love of neighbor Today, let us reflect upon the profound and timeless teachings about the love of God and the love of our neighbor. These two principles are at the core of […]
October 22, 2023 Reflection Give to God, what belongs to God. In today’s Gospel taken from Matthew 22:15-21, we find a powerful teaching from Jesus about the relationship between faith and civic responsibility. This passage reads: The Pharisees and Herodians […]
October 15, 2023 Reflection Responding to God’s invitation The parable of the wedding feast in today’s Gospel represents God’s persistent invitation to all people to join His kingdom. The initial guests who rejected the invitation represent those who refused God’s […]
October 8, 2023 Reflection What are you spiritually thankful for? Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the things we’re grateful for. It’s an opportunity to appreciate family, friends, good health, and the simple joys of life. It’s also a […]
October 1, 2023 Reflection Genuine Faith and Obedience to God. Matthew 21:28-32 is a parable told by Jesus. It’s about two sons asked by their father to work in the vineyard. The first son initially refuses but later obeys, while […]
September 24, 2023 Reflection Appreciating God’s Boundless Grace Today’s Gospel taken from Matthew 20:1-16 is a parable told by Jesus known as the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard. In this story, a landowner hires laborers at different times […]
September 17, 2023 Reflection Forgive, as you have been forgiven In today’s Gospel from Matthew 18:21-35, Jesus teaches about forgiveness and mercy. In this passage, Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive someone who sins against him, suggesting […]
September 10, 2023 Reflection Be Reconciled with one Another Remember that conflicts are natural part of any community, but how they are handled can make a significant difference in maintaining unity and demonstrating Christ-like love and forgiveness. Today’s Gospel from […]
September 3, 2023 Reflection Suffering for a greater purpose Just last weekend, Peter confessed Jesus as the Christ, the same Peter in today’s Gospel now rebukes Jesus for speaking about suffering. Jesus’ sharp response to Peter with “Get behind me, […]
August 13, 2023 Reflection Walking on the water of Life with Faith Overall, this Sunday’s Gospel from Matthew 14:22-33 encourages us to anchor our faith in Christ, face challenges with trust, seek solitude in prayer, confront our doubts, and obey […]
July 30, 2023 Reflection Jesus shares three parables: the hidden treasure, the pearl of great value, and the net cast into the sea. He highlights the immense worth of the kingdom of heaven, prompting a person to joyfully give up […]
July 23, 2023 Reflection In general we reap what we sow. We must sow peace if we do not want to reap conflict. We must sow loyalty if we do not want to reap betrayal. We must sow honesty if […]
July 16, 2023 Reflection Words spoken or written are powerful. The central lesson that we draw from the parable of the Sower is how God sows the seed of word in our hearts. The seeds that fell on bad soil […]
St. Joseph’s Parish is now accepting e-transfers. Please use the email address stjosephskingston900@gmail.com and it will be deposited directly into our account. We also will continue to accept donations through direct deposit (please contact the parish at 613-547-5004 for a sign-up sheet), cash and cheque. Thank you for your continued support.
Grounded in the gospel of Jesus Christ through liturgy, Eucharistic worship and outreach, Saint Joseph’s Parish calls the faithful to an active involvement in parish life and responsible participation in extending Christ-like values to the wider community.