By: Fr. John Jasica
ST. AGNES UPDATE – JANUARY 12, 2025
CELEBRATING ST. AGNES PARISH
Next weekend we will be hosting four major events celebrating the faith, ministry and gift of St. Agnes Parish. Since the parish was established by Bishop Cody in July 1957—the people of St. Agnes have courageously lived and shared the Gospel generously across Kent County and all over the world.
I know that this is a very challenging and difficult time for the people of St. Agnes Parish and our entire family of parishes as we prepare for closure. The pain and loss is real as we close a church building that has been the place where lives have been transformed, faith has deepened, and the light and love of the Gospel has been brought to those in need near and far. The source of grace that has made St. Agnes Parish a powerful sign of hope in our world has always been the presence of Christ in all the parishioners.
The good news is that the people of St. Agnes will continue their legacy of hope, joy, faith and love within our family of parishes enriching and strengthening us to “ignite the mission” of the Gospel serving the needs of our world today. Their sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel teaches all of us to do the same so that we can help transform our world. Let us keep them all in our prayers!!
(1) A NIGHT OF PRAYER, PRAISE & MEMORIES
We are inviting everyone to St. Agnes Parish on Friday January 17, 2025 starting at 7 PM for a night of prayer, songs of praise and sharing of memories. This evening will include devotions to St. Agnes, wonderful music and an opportunity for parishioners to share their memories and moments of grace experienced at St. Agnes Parish. All are welcome to attend!!
(2) ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
Everyone is invited to St. Agnes Parish on Saturday January 18, 2025 from 9 AM to 6 PM for quiet prayer and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. This will be a peaceful opportunity to pray in thanksgiving for founders and parishioners past and present. It will be a time to spend with the Lord who is always with us.
(3) FINAL MASS WITH BISHOP FABBRO
On Sunday January 19, 2025 at 3 PM we will celebrate the Final Mass at St. Agnes Parish with Bishop Fabbro (please note that there will be no 11 AM Mass that day). We will be joined by former pastors of St. Agnes Parish and priests from the deanery. We will be celebrating the Memorial of St. Agnes on this day as we transfer the feast day which is normally celebrated on January 21st each year. We will be live-streaming the Mass for those who might not be able to attend or will be away. You will find the Mass streamed on our YouTube channel — www.chathamcatholic.tv
(4) FAMILY DINNER
After the Final Mass, we will be gathering as a family of parishes for dinner at the Spirit & Life Centre celebrating the history, legacy and continued faith of St. Agnes parishioners looking forward together as one community. Tickets for the dinner have been on sale since early December. The last day to purchase tickets is Sunday January 12, 2025.
WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS?
1. The family of parishes main office has already moved to St. Ursula Church until future renovations are completed at the Spirit & Life Centre. All the phone numbers and contact information remains the same.
2. We continue to assist in the transition of all the St. Agnes ministries and volunteers to other churches in our family while also assessing the needs of a number of ministries across our family of parishes.
3. Various liturgical and non-liturgical items from St. Agnes Church will be transferred and used for different ministries in our family of parishes. Items not currently needed or to be used later will be safely stored.
4. There will be “listening sessions” for parishioners of St. Agnes Parish in February/March in order to develop a recommended priority list for the allocation of funds when the church and property are sold. These recommendations will be guided by diocesan policies and Canon Law. The Diocese of London assists us in the sale but does not receive any proceeds of the sale.
5. The parish staff and pastoral team will continue to work hard to make sure all our ministries, programs and outreach in the family of parishes is welcome to all—seeking to build a sense of one community of faith working together in one mission for the sake of the Gospel. I ask for everyone’s patience as we move forward. There is lots to do and for things to be done well, it will take time—often longer than any of us want.
May the Lord bless us and guide us along the path ahead. May we trust Him and one another as we seek to form disciples who will change our world today!
