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EnglishWhat Is St. John the Apostle Parish (sjaparish.ca)?
Updated
St. John the Apostle Parish is a Catholic Christian faith community in Kerrisdale (Vancouver) whose website, sjaparish.ca, serves as the parish's public information hub. It is built for two main audiences: local parishioners who need practical details like Mass and Confession times, and visitors who want to explore the Catholic faith or get involved in parish life. The site's stated purpose is to draw people into a deepening relationship with Jesus Christ through participation in the life and mission of the people of God.
What the site is for
The homepage is organized around a few clear functions rather than being a general information portal:
- Worship logistics — the weekend and weekday Mass schedule, Confession times, and Adoration hours.
- Faith exploration — resources and media for people wanting to learn more about Catholicism.
- Community and involvement — ministries, events, and ways to serve.
- Sacraments — guidance on receiving the sacraments.
If you are looking for a specific time, a way to get involved, or introductory faith content, the site is structured to answer that directly.
Mass, Confession, and Adoration times
These are the concrete details the site publishes, and they are the most common reason people visit.
Weekend Mass
| Day | Time | Language |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 4:00 pm | Cantonese |
| Saturday | 5:30 pm | — |
| Sunday | 9:00 am | — |
| Sunday | 11:00 am | — |
| Sunday | 5:30 pm | — |
| Every 3rd Sunday | 3:00 pm | Mandarin |
Weekday Mass
Monday to Saturday at 8:00 am, with a 9:00 am start on holidays.
Confession
Confession is available 20 minutes before weekend Masses and 15 minutes before weekday Masses, held in the church or by appointment. Appointments can be arranged by contacting Father Paul Chu at [email protected]. The site also links to an Examination of Conscience in both English and Chinese to help you prepare.
Adoration and private prayer
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.
Faith resources and community life
Beyond schedules, the site points to a YouTube channel (linked as bit.ly/SJAParishVancouver) and features faith-formation content. Recent items include reflections and series such as:
- A talk by Fr. Columba Jordan CFR on rest and burnout ("Stop Pouring From an Empty Cup").
- John Mark Comer's Community series, covering topics like what we avoid in community and overcoming shame.
- A written reflection, "Be Still and Know: Learning to Stop Trying So Hard," on the difficulty of prayer.
These suggest the site is meant not only as a notice board but as a starting point for people who want to grow in faith or reconnect with parish life.
Who it is for
- Local Catholics in Kerrisdale and nearby who need Mass, Confession, or Adoration times, or want to join a ministry.
- Cantonese- and Mandarin-speaking communities, given the dedicated Mass times in those languages.
- Visitors and seekers curious about Catholicism, who can browse the "Explore your Faith" and "What we believe" sections before deciding to attend.
If you are planning a first visit, the Mass Times section is the place to start; if you want to get involved, the ministries and events sections are the next step.