How to Get Involved or Grow in Faith at St. John the Apostle Parish

St. John the Apostle Parish (sjaparish.ca) is a Catholic Christian faith community in Kerrisdale, Vancouver, and its website organizes participation around three main directions: Explore Your Faith, Get Involved, and Explore Ministries. If you want to grow spiritually or serve others, start by browsing those sections, then check the Upcoming Events and Our Community areas for current opportunities. The parish also welcomes newcomers simply by attending Mass — "There's a place for you here."

The Three Main Ways to Participate

The homepage presents these entry points directly:

Each section is a doorway rather than a fixed program, so the exact offerings depend on what the parish is currently running. The site also links "Grow & Serve" and "Serve others — Join a ministry" as parallel invitations.

Start by Attending Mass

Participation in parish life usually begins with worship. The Mass schedule is:

• Saturday — 4:00 pm (Cantonese), 5:30 pm
• Sunday — 9:00 am, 11:00 am, 5:30 pm
• Every 3rd Sunday — 3:00 pm (Mandarin)
• Weekday Mass — Monday to Saturday at 8:00 am (9:00 am on holidays)

If you cannot attend in person, the parish maintains a YouTube channel at https://bit.ly/SJAParishVancouver.

Confession and Adoration

• Confession — 20 minutes before weekend Masses and 15 minutes before weekday Masses, in the church or by appointment. Contact Father Paul Chu at [email protected].
• Adoration — The parish church and grotto are open for private prayer daily from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, with a Holy Hour on Friday from 8:30 am to 9:30 am.

These are low-commitment ways to become familiar with the community before joining a ministry.

Growing in Faith Through Resources

The "Explore Your Faith" area features reflections and teaching content, including:

• Fr. Columba Jordan CFR on stopping the pattern of "pouring from an empty cup" — a reflection on rest and switching off.
• John Mark Comer's "Community" series — episodes on what we avoid in community, overcoming shame as an obstacle to connection, and related themes.
• A personal reflection titled "Be Still and Know: Learning to Stop Trying So Hard," about the difficulty of prayer and the trap of trying to "do prayer right."

These resources are suited to individual reading or small-group discussion. The parish frames its overall purpose as drawing people into a deepening relationship with Jesus Christ through participation in the life and mission of the people of God.

Joining a Ministry or Service

The "Get Involved" and "Explore Ministries" sections are where service opportunities are listed. Because ministry availability changes, the practical steps are:

1. Open sjaparish.ca and go to the Get Involved or Explore Ministries section.
2. Review the current ministry listings and any descriptions provided.
3. Check Upcoming Events for information sessions, volunteer drives, or seasonal programs.
4. Contact the parish directly to ask about openings, requirements, and next steps.

For confession scheduling or to reach the parish about involvement, the published contact is Father Paul Chu at [email protected].

What to Expect as a Newcomer

The site's "What to Expect at Mass" and "Belong Here" framing suggest the parish anticipates visitors who are unfamiliar with Catholic practice. If you are new:

• Arrive a few minutes early; Masses are held in the church.
• Note that some Masses are in Cantonese and Mandarin, so check the language before choosing a time.
• Confession is available shortly before Masses if you wish to prepare — the parish provides an Examination of Conscience in both English and Chinese.
• Private prayer in the church or grotto is open daily, which is an easy first step if you prefer a quieter introduction.

Practical Summary

The most reliable next step is to visit sjaparish.ca directly, since ministry listings and events change over time, and to email the parish if you have a specific question about joining.