Announcements

Commentator Notes

St. John of the Cross Cluster

March 28th & 29th, 2026

Welcome to St. John of the Cross Cluster. We are glad that you are here to worship with us as our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

1. Save the dates– Please visit our website for more information:

(1) Saturday, April 11, will be the celebration of First Communion and Confirmation at St. Thomas Church at 10:00 a.m., with Bishop James.

(2) Next weekend is Divine Mercy Sunday. Please check the bulletin for the Divine Mercy service schedule.

(3) There will be Mass with the Madawaska Knights of Columbus on Monday, April 6th at the K of C Hall in Madawaska at 5:30 p.m.

(4) The OLV Parish Children’s Mass for April 2026 will be celebrated at St. Agatha Church on Sunday, April 12, 2026.

2. Register now: From April 10 to April 12, the Maine State Council, Knights of Columbus will host a Men’s Retreat at the Christian Life Center (CLC). Please call the Christian Life Center to register.

3. At the Christian Life Center (CLC), we are planning to renovate the kitchen, replace the commercial stove, and install new flooring. The final projected cost of the project is $27,586.20, which exceeds our current budget. We gratefully welcome any support to help keep the CLC open and serving our communities.

4. Reading at mass: At some of our Masses—and elsewhere in the Catholic Church—you will notice that certain duties are shared during the liturgy. The readings are sometimes shared as well. For example, when two languages are used by the people, one reading may be proclaimed in English and another in French. This practice is intentional. The Church teaches that in the liturgy, each person should carry out the role proper to them (General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 91). When a lector does not speak both languages, it is fitting that the readings be shared so that the Word of God may be proclaimed clearly and prayerfully. Sharing ministries is also a sign of communion. It allows more members of our parish to participate actively in the liturgy, as the Church intends. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

5. The members of Finance Advisory Board are: Percy Thibeault, Phil Bechard, Cecile Ouellette Sinclair, Lee St. Onge, Elaine Clarette, James Yves, and Judy Michaud. The new Board will meet at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, March 17, in the basement of St. Thomas Church.

6. St. Agatha Sound System Update: Please bear with us as a commission continues to evaluate improvements to the sound and communication system at St. Agatha Church. We are grateful for all contributions received. To complete the project with new, modern Bose speakers, an additional $2,000 is still needed. Thank you for your continued generosity and support.

The Second Collection this week is for the Cemetery Upkeep.

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Today is the Palm Sunday Year A.

Other information

2. Pastoral Council for the Cluster: While Canon 537 clearly mandates that each parish have a Finance Council, Canon 536 provides greater flexibility regarding Pastoral Councils. After consultation with the chancery and in light of the diocesan norms for Parish Pastoral Councils, our pastor has decided that the two parishes of the cluster will have one Pastoral Council with two sub-commissions, one for each parish. In the coming weeks, the names of the members of the Pastoral Council will be published.

3. A Finance Advisory Board has been established for the St. John of the Cross Cluster to help harmonize the work and decisions of the two Finance Councils. The members of the Finance Advisory Board are: Percy Thibeault, Phil Bechard, Cecile Ouellette Sinclair, Lee St. Onge, Elaine Clarette, James Yves, and Judy Michaud. The members of the new Board will meet at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, March 17, in the basement of St. Thomas Church to get to know one another. Thank you for your willingness to serve the Church in this important role.

4. At the Christian Life Center (CLC), we are planning to renovate the kitchen and replace the commercial stove. The total cost of the project is estimated at $16,000. We are currently in need of volunteers to assist with the removal of the soffit, the installation of the hood system, and any other help or contributions to support this project. Thank you for your generosity and for all you do to keep the CLC open and serving the St. John Valley communities.

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1. Canon 537 requires every parish to have its own Finance Council, distinct from the Pastoral Council, and governed by universal and diocesan norms. In compliance with diocesan policies, and after consultation with some parishioners and approval from those concerned, our pastor has established a Finance Council for Notre Dame du Mont Carmel. The members of the Finance Council are: Kathleen Pelletier, Claude Gendreau, Corey Morin, Gerold Saucy, Jason Belenger, and Lee St. Onge. The Council members will meet on Tuesday, March 3rd, to get to know each other and schedule their first official meeting. Thank you for your willingness to serve the Church in this important role. Next week, the formation of other councils and advisory boards will be announced.

2. We also thank everyone who participated in last Monday’s Feedback Discussion. On that day, the Facility Assessment Commission was announced. We invite the members of the Facility Assessment Commission to please attend their first meeting on Monday, March 2nd. The report of the discussion will be available in the coming weeks.

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1. Dear brothers and sisters, Catholic Relief Services’ CRS Rice Bowl began in 1975 when Catholics in Allentown, Pennsylvania, sought a way to help families suffering from drought and famine in the Sahel region of Africa. They fasted, prepared simple meatless meals, and donated the money they saved through these sacrifices. This Lent, we join more than 11,000 parishes and schools across the United States in putting our faith into action for our brothers and sisters in need. We invite you to take a Rice Bowl home and place it in a visible spot. Use the Lenten Calendar each day for prayer and reflection. Your almsgiving supports the Church’s mission through CRS, and 25% remains in Maine to assist those in need locally. Thank you for your generosity.

2. Dear brothers and sisters, our parish is in need of new Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. This is a sacred ministry entrusted to those who have a deep faith in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and who are faithful, practicing Catholics—attending Mass weekly and making regular use of the Sacrament of Penance. In these days of growing secularism, such witness of faith and reverence is especially important.

In keeping with the policy of the Diocese of Portland, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion over the age of 18 are designated by the diocesan bishop for a term of five years. After serving two consecutive five-year terms—that is, ten years of continuous ministry—a one-year period must pass before the person may be considered again. Candidates between the ages of 16 and 18 are designated for one-year terms. Because many of our current ministers have served for more than ten years—some for as many as forty years—they are now in their required one-year pause. As a result, we are in real need of new volunteers to distribute the Body and Blood of Christ during Mass.

If you feel called to new Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, application forms are available in the sacristy of each church and at the parish office in Madawaska. Please prayerfully consider serving our Lord and our parish in this important way.

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1. The Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Application forms are available in the sacristy and in the Madawaska office for those wishing to become EMHCs or to renew their mandate. Applications will be sent to the chancery for approval after January 15th. Commissioning rites will take place once authorization has been received. Please note that an official designation is required to serve as an EMHC. For now, current ministers will continue in their roles until the new commissioning. Thank you for your dedicated ministry.

2. This week’s bulletin insert includes a report from the general hearing held on Tuesday, December 9, along with a feedback form. Parishioners are invited to share their ideas and recommendations to help ensure long-term sustainability and a vibrant parish life. A more detailed set of minutes is also available for those who wish to review the full document.

3. Journeysongs Hymnals Update: 

(1) The hymnals are available for use beginning this weekend. Please leave them in their designated places at the end of Mass.

(2) Our Lady of the Valley (OLV) Parishioners contributed $3,482.00 toward the hymnals. The goal was $4,870.80 for 165 hymnals, and 71.48% of the goal has been met. The remaining balance of $1,388.80 will be covered by the OLV Parish.

(2) Notre Dame du Mont Carmel (NDMC) Parishioners contributed $2,609.00 toward the hymnals. The goal was $5,461.20 for 185 hymnals, and 47.77% of the goal has been met. The remaining balance of $2,852.20 will be covered by the NDMC Parish.

Thank you for your generous contribution. We welcome your continued support.

4. Please check this week’s bulletin for the Christmas Mass schedule.

5. We also encourage you to visit the cluster’s website for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding events and schedules. Our bulletin is submitted for printing more than a week in advance, which may occasionally result in errors. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and invite you to visit the website, the address of which is listed in the bulletin. 

6. The announcements read before Mass, along with the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding events and schedules are now available on our website.

7. St. Agatha Rectory: In the month of January 2026, the rectory at St. Agatha will be rented and occupied by Fr. James Albert. We warmly welcome Fr. James to the neighborhood.

8. We extend our sincere thanks to all who worked so hard to hold the Children’s Masses on Christmas Eve. We also thank the Men’s Group for organizing the Christmas Day meal for shut-ins. Both events were joyful and successful celebrations. Thank you to the children, their parents, and everyone who contributed in any way.

9. Our pastor wishes to express his heartfelt gratitude to the two parishioners—one from Our Lady of the Valley and one from Notre Dame du Mont Carmel—who generously responded to the financial needs of their parishes. Your kindness and faith-filled generosity bring hope and much-needed support during this challenging time. May God bless you abundantly for your compassion and stewardship.

10. Application forms to become or renew as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, along with the feedback forms from the cluster financial report, are expected to be returned to the sacristy or the Madawaska office by January 15, 2026.

11. Votes of Thanks:

(1) We extend our sincere gratitude to the Ladies of St. Anne for their generous donation of $1,500 toward the St. Agatha sound system. With this gift, we will proceed with replacing the speakers to improve sound quality. An additional $1,200 will be needed to complete the project with new, modern Bose speakers. Thank you for your generosity and support.

(2) The director of Christian Life Center, CLC, Fr. Simon is thanking the Madawaska French Club for the donation in support of CLC activities to keep the French culture alive in our community.