Baptism is the sacrament of faith that offers salvation for all people. It is through this sacrament that we receive the Holy Spirit and become members of the People of God, of the Body of Christ, which is the Church.
Baptism becomes our commitment to grow in this new life and to strive for spiritual maturity. Baptism is intimately linked to Confirmation and to Eucharist, which together form Christian Initiation.
Every child is baptized in the faith of parents, godparents, and of the Church. In order to guide you in this important step, we offer an orientation session for parents and godparents, as well as a Baptism Information Package, which is available through the parish office.
If you would like to schedule a baptism or require more information, please Contact Us! using the button below.
At St. Agnes Parish, we believe that every child deserves an inspiring and rich First Reconciliation and Communion experience. We strive to engage your child’s sense of wonder while exploring the story of Jesus and His church.
Our program consists of two engaging classes that explore Reconciliation and Communion through Bible stories, videos, interactive games, and personal reflections. Each session brings the Word of God to life, providing our children with a joyful experience, which opens the door to understanding and embracing their Catholic faith.
First Communion for 2023 will be celebrated with a private Mass for children and their families on Wednesday, April 19 at 6 p.m.
Registration for Grade 2 students takes place in the fall when a registration form is sent home from your child's Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board school. If your child attends a school not within the TBCDSB, and you would like to register them for First Reconciliation and Communion, please contact the parish office by clicking the button below.
For further information, please email our team at stagnesfirstcommunion@gamil.com
Team Leaders: Maureen Van Dyk, Kristen Venziale, Joanna Power
Confirmation
“Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Confirmation, together with Baptism and Eucharist, forms the Sacraments of Initiation. In the Sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized person is “sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit” and is strengthened for service to the Body of Christ while being welcomed fully into the life of the Church. Confirmation encourages us to practice our Catholic faith daily and live out our call to witness Christ in every situation. It signifies the commitment of an individual to live out, in a permanent way, their Catholic faith.
This past year, the St. Agnes Confirmation program once again relied entirely on technology to reach out, connect with candidates, and deliver the Confirmation preparation program. After ensuring access to computers, dates were set to deliver the many themes of our faith, which included topics such as the Sacraments, Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit, Scripture, and Prayer.
Candidates, parents, and sponsors used Zoom technology to connect with the program’s delivery, including the initial information night with candidates and parents, as well as the enrolment ceremony where baptismal candles were produced, and prayers and support were offered to those seeking to be confirmed in their faith.
The St. Agnes Confirmation Team would like to thank all parents and sponsors for their continuous support throughout the program. Assistance with e-mails, print-outs, Zoom calls, and their help with keeping our candidates organized was greatly appreciated.
Bishop Colli has confirmed the dates for confirmation for 2023: Saturday, May 27th 2023 at 10:00am
Although not without its challenges, our Confirmation program continues to flourish with many new innovations and we look forward to a similar approach in our 2023-24 Confirmation program.
"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5: 22-23
To register for next year's Confirmation program (2023), please complete the "Initial Request for Confirmation" form below and forward it to the St. Agnes Parish office.
Welcome to St. Agnes marriage preparation program, usually held one weekend in March of each year. Congratulations on your upcoming marriage!!
The in person Marriage Preparation weekend is back this year. It begins on Friday March 24th, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. and concludes Saturday March 25th, 2023 after the 5:00 p.m. Mass . Your registration fee of $100 per couple holds your place and includes everything you need including a guide book for the program and access to refreshments throughout the day.
You will hear from a variety of married couples about important issues such as communication, finances, family, faith, and more. Most importantly, you will be given time alone with your partner to explore those issues together so you can approach your marriage with confidence and joy.
We look forward to seeing you at our next marriage preparation weekend!
St. Agnes Parish, together with every Catholic Church, attaches a high measure of importance to the Sacrament of Matrimony. Until the time of Christ, marriage was a civil contract between a man and a woman, although it was deemed a sacred union. However, Jesus made the contract “an outward sign that confers inner grace”. In other words he made marriage a sacrament… the Sacrament of Matrimony.
Marriage is, indeed, a place of life-long support and a love that reflects God’s own love for us. Preparation for this commitment opens the hearts of those who are about to enter into this enduring communion of life and love between man and woman.
To make an appointment with Fr. James Panikulam about your upcoming marriage plans, to obtain a marriage planning guide, or for further information, please call the parish office at 475-7489 or email st.agnes@shaw.ca .
Program leaders are those couples whose photos appear below.
The anointing of the sick is administered to bring spiritual and even physical strength. It is defined as “the conferral of a special grace on the Christian experiencing the difficulties inherent in the condition of grave illness or old age.” (Catechism, 1527)
St. Agnes Parish offers this sacrament on the first Tuesday of each month during the 7:00 p.m. Mass. The anointing of someone who is sick is also available any time by contacting the Parish office. The essential elements of the Sacred Anointing of the Sick are the anointing with the oil and the liturgical prayer. For further information, please use our Contact Us! button below.
Reconciliation is available every Saturday afternoon from 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at St. Agnes Parish in the Children’s Chapel. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is also available privately on request by contacting Fr. James through the Parish office.
If you haven’t been to Confession for some time, we welcome you back and invite your participation in this beautiful sacrament of healing that “washes you clean”. Many Catholics experience feelings of peace, joy, relief, and love that they have never expected when they’ve been to Confession. It just takes a leap of faith on your part.
When we hear God’s forgiving words to us through our Priest in Confession, a burden is lifted from us. Once again we can feel the peace of heart and a renewal of our loving relationship with God.
For further information, please use our Contact Us! button below or call the Parish office at 475-7489 or Email st.agnes@shaw.ca
Our Pastor: Fr. James Panikulam Losing a loved one is heart-breaking and difficult. At St. Agnes Parish, this is a time when you can count on us to stand by you. We understand and reach out to help you. There are many specifics to the planning of a funeral that is special for the one you love. When death has occurred, please contact us so we can begin to plan the celebration of your loved one’s life. Your first step is a meeting with Fr. James Panikulam, Pastor. Parish Office: 475-7489
Our Funeral Family Support Team: Mary-Lou Bragnalo Our goal is to provide practical guidance, based on our collective experience, to the bereaved family on the day of the funeral. Here’s how we’ll help you through this important day:
arrange for acolytes
organize a luncheon in the church hall
place reserved signs on pews
greet and escort the family to appropriate seating
identify and assist Scripture readers or gift bearers
help with the table on which the urn and other items may be placed
arrange for the reception table in the vestibule of the church
guide the placement of floral arrangements
check the microphones
coordinate the procession at the beginning of the service
ensure the recessional is smooth and in the proper order
secure the church after all have departed
The Ritual Moments within a Catholic Funeral
The Vigil and Related Rites The Vigil may take place in the setting of a Liturgy of the Word or in the context of Evening Prayer. It includes readings from Scripture, prayers, and a time of quiet reflection. Before the Concluding Rite, words may be shared in remembrance of the deceased (eulogy).
The Funeral Liturgy The funeral liturgy is the central celebration of Catholic funeral rites. A Funeral Mass, which includes the Liturgy of The Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, is ordinarily celebrated in the church.
Following the funeral liturgy, the funeral rites continue as the faithful join in procession to the final resting place of the deceased (unless this is to take place at a later time).
The Rite of Committal The final act of the community of faith is caring for the body of its deceased member. This rite expresses the hope that the deceased awaits the glory of the resurrection and the communion that exists between the Church on earth and the Church in heaven. This rite includes a short reading from Sacred Scripture, prayers, intercessions, the committal to the final resting place blessing and dismissal.
For further information, please use our Contact Us! button below.