Faith Celebrations and Mass
At St. John School we believe in the Good News of Jesus Christ. As a community, we journey together through the power of the Holy Spirit; called to honour the sanctity of life through social justice initiatives, protection of our environment and care for those in need. We actively celebrate our faith, in partnership with St. John the Evangelist Parish during liturgical celebrations and prayer services. For example, various classrooms attend a monthly “student mass” hosted by our parish, Grade 7&8 students participate annually in a NET Retreat, we celebrate the coming of Jesus during weekly Advent ceremonies and recognize Jesus’ great love for us all at our annual “Washing of the Hands Prayer Service.” We bring the Ontario Catholic Graduate expectations to life on a daily basis in our school, parish and community!
Community Initiatives
St. John School supports various organizations throughout the school year including:
- Terry Fox Run/Walk
- Food Drive in support of Garson Foodbank
- Fill-A-Crib Campaign
- Easter Seals Telethon
- Cupcakes for Paws (Sudbury & District Animal Care Centre)
- Northern Cancer Foundation
- Northern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer (NOFCC)
- Toonies for Tuition
- Foodshed Project (First Baptist Church Community Garden)
Our Parish
St. John the Evangelist / St. Bernardine of Siena
255 Church St., Box 510
Garson, Ontario
Canada P3L 1S6
Phone: 705.693.2032
Fax: 705.693.9725
Email: stjohn@diocesessm.org
Fr. Jim Ketzler
Phone: 705.693.2032
Website: http://www.stjohnsgarson.com
St. John the Evangalist
The Patron Saint of our Parish in Garson, Ontario is St. John the Evangalist (active 1st century A.D.), one of the 12 Apostles chosen by Jesus, is traditionally considered the author of the Fourth Gospel, of the Book of Revelation, and of three Letters, or Epistles, bearing his name.
The son of Zebedee and Salome, John was born in Galilee probably between A.D. 10 and 15. His father was a fisherman, a trade which John was plying when he met and joined Jesus (Mark 5:37). His mother joined the women who served the followers of Jesus (Mark 15:40-41; 16:1). His brother James also followed Jesus. Jesus nicknamed both brothers Boanerges, meaning in Aramaic “sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17), a reference to their rather fiery attitude to Jesus.
John and James, together with Peter, are presented throughout the Gospels as the most closely associated with Jesus of all his followers. John, with Peter and James, witnesses Jesus’ supernatural communication with Moses and Elias on Mt. Tabor; he is present in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before Jesus dies.
When all others leave the dying Jesus, John remains, and Jesus entrusts his mother, Mary, to John’s care. After the death of Jesus, John is presented as one of the leaders of the Jerusalemite followers of Jesus. In the Acts, John testifies to Jesus with Peter and James. He goes to Samaria with Peter to confirm new converts (Acts 8:14, 25). When Paul is converted, he submits his orthodoxy to John, Peter, and James (Galatians 2:1-10).
It is not known how John ended his life. Some traditions claim that he was martyred. Others claim he died at a ripe old age. Tradition from the 2nd century claimed that John died and was buried at Ephesus.Tradition relates that John was banished to the Greek island of Patmos during the persecution initiated by the Roman emperor Domitian (reigned A.D. 81-96). Here, it is said, John wrote the Book of Revelation. The Fourth Gospel apparently was composed sometime between A.D. 85 and 95.