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Lake Huron Catholic Family 

Mt. Carmel, Grand Bend, Exeter, Zurich, St. Joseph, Goderich
Being a mission-oriented Church that forms disciples of Jesus!

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  • Home
  • Our Parishes
    • Who We Are
      • Welcome!
      • Contact Us!
    • Bulletins
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    • Locations | Office Hours
      • Office & Parishes
      • Schools
      • Cemeteries
    • Parish Community
      • Photos Albums
      • Fr. Matt in Memoriam
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      • Volunteer & Job Openings
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  • I'm New
      • Parish Registration
      • How Can We Help?
  • Sacraments
    • Sacraments
      • Baptism
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      • Confirmation
      • Marriage
      • Anointing of the Sick
    • Holy Orders
      • Priesthood
      • Diaconate
  • Liturgy
    • Prayer
      • Mass Intentions
      • In Memoriam
  • Ministries
    • Ministries
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  • Sacraments & Registration

    • Baptism
      • Baptism, an invitation to becoming part of God's Family

        Baptism marks the beginning of a person's journey in the Christian faith. It is the doorway to life in the Holy Spirit and the entry point to the other sacraments of the Church. Through the waters of Baptism, sin is cleansed, and the individual is reborn as a child of God. We are welcomed into the Body of Christ and called to participate in Jesus' mission of sanctifying the world.Baptism marks the beginning of a person's journey in the Christian faith. It is the doorway to life in the Holy Spirit and the entry point to the other sacraments of the Church. Through the waters of Baptism, sin is cleansed, and the individual is reborn as a child of God. We are welcomed into the Body of Christ and called to participate in Jesus' mission of sanctifying the world.

        Baptisms are celebrated during Saturday and Sunday Masses. To begin the process, please complete the Baptism Application Form by clicking the button below.

        Baptism Application Form

        The form can be filled out online or downloaded and printed for your convenience. Once completed, save or scan the form to your computer and email it as an attachment to our office at LakeHuronCatholic@dol.ca.


        We also ask that parents attend an information session about the Sacrament of Baptism. The next Baptism Preparation Class will be held:

        Thursday, June 26, 2025, 6:30pm at St. Boniface Church Hall in Zurich. 

        These sessions are offered approximately every three months. Please let us know if you can attend by emailing the office at LakeHuronCatholic@dol.ca.

        After attending the class, please contact the parish office to arrange possible Sunday dates for the Baptism, so that Fr. Tony can coordinate the celebration of this important Sacrament.

        Fr. Tony can be reached at tlaforet@dol.ca if you have any questions.
    • First Reconciliation & First Communion
      • First Reconciliation/Communion

        Letter to Grade 2 Parents

        Register for 2024/2025 Classes

        IMPORTANT: Upon completing registration, please take a photo of your child's baptismal certificate and email it to lakehuroncatholic@dol.ca
         

        First Reconciliation Resources



        Dynamic Catholic:  Reconciliation Videos

        Dynamic Catholic:   Reconciliation Workbook
         

        Jesus showed himself to his apostles. "He breathed on them and said to them: "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained"' (Jn 20:19, 22-23).
        The forgiveness of sins, committed after Baptism, is offered to us by a loving and merciful God through a sacrament called by a number of names: the sacrament of conversion, confession, penance, or reconciliation.  Each name identifies a grace and gift that flows to those who in humility confess their wrong-doings before God.
        The forgiveness of sins, committed after Baptism, is offered to us by a loving and merciful God through a sacrament called by a number of names: the sacrament of conversion, confession, penance, or reconciliation.  Each name identifies a grace and gift that flows to those who in humility confess their wrong-doings before God.

        When we sin we wound our relationship to God; we diminish our own human integrity as a child of God, and we undermine the spiritual well-being of the Church.  Therefore, it is necessary for us to seek the mercy and forgiveness of a God who loves us deeply and wants to restore us to his love and the love of the community of faith, the Church.

        As part of the preparation for the sacrament of First Holy Communion, we begin preparing children who have reached the age of reason (about age 7) to receive an experience of God's generous love and mercy for them in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, known at this point as First Confession.  We invite parents and children to attend a series of preparation sessions that will help them learn more about the meaning of sin and forgiveness.

        Format for 1st Confession for Memorization


        First Communion Resources
         First Communion Resources


        Dynamic Catholic:     Communion Videos

        Dynamic Catholic:     Communion Workbook




         


        Jesus said: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; . . . he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and . . . abides in me, and I in him" (Jn 6:51, 54, 56).

        By preparing for and making their first Holy Confession, these children are now ready to prepare for making their first Holy Communion.  We ask parents and children to participate in a series of preparation sessions in order to help them grow in their personal understanding of the gift of Eucharist and the celebration of Mass.

         

    • Confirmation
      • Confirmation brings the grace first received in Baptism to perfection.  The Holy Spirit roots us more deeply in the Divine Life as the sons and daughters of God.  It also makes us more like Jesus himself and strengthens our bond with the Church in order for the baptized to carry out the mission of Jesus here and now, bearing witness to the Christian faith by what we say and do.  We are strengthened to never be ashamed of the Cross of Jesus Christ.

        In the Sacrament of Confirmation the Bishop, or his delegate, uses oil known as Sacred Chrism and traces the sign of the Cross on the forehead of the candidate as he says:   "Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit."

        Candidates for Confirmation must be baptized in the Catholic Church and have received Holy Communion around the age of seven years old.  Candidates are normally between 11 to 16 years of age.  There is a period of preparation to help parents and candidates understand the purpose of Confirmation.

        Candidates older than 16 years of age, may take part in another form of preparation better suited to their age level.  This may involve some additional adult faith formation and catechesis.

        2025 Confirmation

        Registration is now open for the 2025 Confirmation Program! Any students in grade 8 and in high school who missed the opportunity to celebrate confirmation are also welcome to register.

        Schedule & Registration

        Parent/Candidate Initial Meeting:
        • St. Peter Church, Goderich: Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at 6:30 PM in the parish hall.
        • St. Boniface Church, Zurich: Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at 6:30 PM in the parish hall.
        Attendance at one of these initial meetings is required for both candidates and their parents.

        Commitment Sunday April 6th: 
        • St. Peter Church, Goderich: at 9 AM Mass
        • Precious Blood, Exeter: at 11 AM Mass 
        See below for the Sessions that follow

        Preparation Sessions begin April 6th (after Commitment Sunday Mass):
        The Confirmation preparation will consist of four mandatory sessions, held at two locations. Each session will include Mass followed by a meeting. It is essential to attend both the Mass and the subsequent meeting each week. 

        Confirmation Session 1: April 6
            • St. Peter Church, Goderich: after 9:00 AM MASS. Class is from 10:15 AM TO 11:30 AM in the parish hall.          
            • Precious Blood Church, Exeter: after 11:00 AM MASS. Class is from 12:15 PM TO 1:30 PM in the parish hall.

        Confirmation Session 2: April 13
            • St. Peter Church, Goderich: after 9:00 AM MASS. Class is from 10:15 AM TO 11:30 AM in the parish hall.          
            • Precious Blood Church, Exeter: after 11:00 AM MASS. Class is from 12:15 PM TO 1:30 PM in the parish hall.

        Confirmation Session 3: April 27
            • St. Peter Church, Goderich: after 9:00 AM MASS. Class is from 10:15 AM TO 11:30 AM in the parish hall.          
            • Precious Blood Church, Exeter: after 11:00 AM MASS. Class is from 12:15 PM TO 1:30 PM in the parish hall.

        Confirmation Session 4: May 4
            • St. Peter Church, Goderich: after 9:00 AM MASS. Class is from 10:15 AM TO 11:30 AM in the parish hall.          
            • Precious Blood Church, Exeter: after 11:00 AM MASS. Class is from 12:15 PM TO 1:30 PM in the parish hall.

        Retreat Day:
        • Thursday, May 8, 2025
        • Location: St. Peter Hall, in St. Joseph
        • Time: 8:45 AM – 2:30 PM

        Confirmation Celebration:
        • Tuesday, May 20th, 2025 ** please note date was changed from 22nd to the 20th due to school conflicts.
        • Location: Precious Blood Church, in Exeter
        • Time: 7 PM

        Fee:
        • Fees are due of $35.00 per candidate: This is required to cover the cost of materials and the retreat, which will be facilitated by the National Evangelization Team. Payments must be received prior to Retreat Day, May 8th.
        • Payment can be made in the following ways with a note in the message area “For Confirmation of [child’s name]” so we know who has paid:
              • e-transfer: to stboniface@dol.ca 
              • cheque: make payable to St. Boniface, Zurich
              • cash: please drop off to the office during office hours

        This journey toward Confirmation is an opportunity to grow in faith, strengthen one’s relationship with Christ, and become more engaged in the life of the Church. We look forward to walking this path with each candidate and their families as we prepare to celebrate this sacred sacrament together.
    • Marriage
      • The Sacrament of Marriage is a covenant of life and love between a man and a woman.  This sacred institution has been established by our Creator God and therefore is governed with its own special laws.  Marriage is always ordered for the good of the couple and for the generation and education of children.

        Matrimony is a sacrament and therefore it is a sign of Christ's union with his beloved spouse, the Church. It gives spouses the grace to love each other with the love with which Christ has loved his Church.  The grace flowing from marriage perfects the human love of the spouses, strengthens their permanent unity, and makes them holy as they journey hand in hand to eternal life.

        Engaged couples who seek marriage in the Catholic Church are asked to contact their parish priest about a year in advance of the wedding.  In preparation for their marriage, the couple will meet with the parish priest to talk about their understanding of marriage and Christian family life.  It is important that the engaged couple participates in a Marriage Preparation Course in order to hear from other married couples and/or counsellors about the gifts and challenges of Christian marriage.  Couples are required to participate in an Alpha course.

         

        For more information about marriage preparation, please click on this link then go to Marriage Preparation:


        Dr. Bruce Tallman has been a great help to many couples preparing for marriage and to those who desire to grow in their spiritual relationship with each other.

        Another very helpful site when a couple is preparing for marriage is


        You will find some important information in our marriage policy manual to help guide you through marriage preparation at St. Peter's Parish.  Click on the image below to access our policies and procedures manual.


         

        Are You Ready to Begin?

        We need you to give us some information. 
        Please print and fill in the following form:

        Pre Nuptial Enquiry Form
        Information for Marriage (pdf)

        Contact Reverend Vince Gulikers - Tel:1-877-450-6414 Ext 223

    • Anointing of the Sick
      • "Is any among you sick? Let him call for the presbyters of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven."
        (James 5:14-15).

        Since the Second Vatican Council, the Church is encouraging more and more Christians to seek the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick before grave sickness, and death is imminent.The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick bestows a special grace on the Christian experiencing difficulties that are part and parcel of the lived experience, namely serious illness or old age. The special grace bestowed on the sick unites them to the passion of Christ; it strengthens them with peace, and courage to endure in a Christian manner the sufferings of illness or old age; it brings with it the forgiveness of sins if the sick person was not able to obtain it through the sacrament of Penance; it brings a restoration of health if it is conducive to the salvation of his soul, and it prepares one for passing over to eternal life.

        Since the Second Vatican Council, the Church is encouraging more and more Christians to seek the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick before grave sickness, and death is imminent. 

        Father Thomas Richstatter, OFM writes the following

        "Today we are all aware that tensions, fear and anxiety about the future affect not only our mind but our body as well. These illnesses can be serious. They can move us to ask for the healing touch of Christ in the Sacrament of Anointing. Persons with the disease of alcoholism or persons suffering from other addictions can be anointed. So can those who suffer from various mental disorders. The anxiety before exploratory surgery to determine if cancer is present is a situation in which Christ's power can be invoked in the sacrament."

        A complete article was found on the Franciscan Media website.

    • Prayer Table

      As your child prepares for the sacraments setting up or having them set up a prayer table is a great way to remind them to take time to pray each day.  Here is an example of a prayer table in the home.

    • Parents of Young Children: Friendship Before Lordship

      Research tells us that young children who have a close and affectionate relationship with their mom and dad, are less likely to experience anxiety or develop behavioral problems. Research also suggests that parents who bond well with their toddlers, are more likely to enjoy life-long relationships with them when these children become adults. Read more...

  • Home
  • Our Parishes
    • Who We Are
      • Welcome!
      • Contact Us!
    • Bulletins
      • Bulletin (PDF)
      • Bulletin Subscription
    • Locations | Office Hours
      • Office & Parishes
      • Schools
      • Cemeteries
    • Parish Community
      • Photos Albums
      • Fr. Matt in Memoriam
    • Opportunities
      • Volunteer & Job Openings
    • Parish Resources
      • Formed
  • I'm New
      • Parish Registration
      • How Can We Help?
  • Sacraments
    • Sacraments
      • Baptism
      • First Reconciliation & First Communion
      • Confirmation
      • Marriage
      • Anointing of the Sick
    • Holy Orders
      • Priesthood
      • Diaconate
  • Liturgy
    • Prayer
      • Mass Intentions
      • In Memoriam
  • Ministries
    • Ministries
      • Mass Ministries
      • Youth Ministries
      • Children's Church
    • Parish Partners
      • Catholic Women's League
      • Knights of Columbus
    • Outreach
      • Development & Peace
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    • Committees
      • Property & Finance Committees
      • Service Organizations / Committees
  • News & Events
    • News & Events
      • Parish Events
      • Catholic News
    • Calendars
      • The Parish Calendar
      • Hall Calendar | Rentals
    • Faith Into Action
      • Community Initiatives
      • Current Topics
      • Indigenous
  • Family Matters
    • Giving
      • Giving Now Online!
      • Planned Giving
    • Future Direction
      • Pastoral Plan
    • Money Matters
      • Financial Reports
Lake Huron Catholic Family of Parishes
22 Mary Street, Zurich, Ontario, N0M 2T0
LakeHuronCatholic@dol.ca
Toll-Free 877 450 6414
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