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What is St. John the Apostle Parish?
St. John the Apostle Parish is a Catholic Christian faith community in the Kerrisdale area of Vancouver, describing its purpose as drawing people into a deepening relationship with Jesus Christ through participation in the life and mission of the Church, with holiness as its aim. In practice, that means a full sacramental and communal life rather than a building you simply visit: Mass, confession, private prayer and ministries through which parishioners "grow and serve."
What the parish actually offers
- Mass: Saturday 4 pm (Cantonese) and 5:30 pm; Sunday 9 am, 11 am and 5:30 pm; a Mandarin Mass on the third Sunday at 3 pm. Weekday Mass runs Monday to Saturday at 8 am, or 9 am on holidays.
- Confession: 20 minutes before weekend Masses and 15 minutes before weekday Masses, in the church or by appointment.
- Adoration and private prayer: the church and grotto are open daily from 7 am to 7 pm, with a Holy Hour on Friday from 8:30 am to 9:30 am.
- Faith formation and community: video and article resources on prayer and community life, plus invitations to join a ministry, attend upcoming events and receive the sacraments.
- Online access: Mass is also streamed, which matters if you are ill, travelling or caring for someone at home.
Who it suits
The clearest fit is a Catholic living in or near Kerrisdale who wants a parish home with daily Mass and regular confession within walking distance of ordinary life. The Cantonese and Mandarin Masses make it a practical choice for Chinese-speaking Catholics who want to worship in their first language rather than only in English. If you are new to the area, returning to the Church after years away, or simply curious and not ready to commit, the parish frames itself as a place to "belong" and to "explore your faith" before joining anything.
The trade-off is that a parish this busy asks something of you: community and ministry are presented as participation, not attendance. If you want anonymity, a large weekend congregation makes that easy; if you want belonging, you will need to show up to something beyond Sunday Mass.
A useful next step
Check the Mass time that fits your language and schedule, then arrive about 20 minutes early if you also want confession. If you are considering making it your parish, attend one weekday 8 am Mass — it is usually quieter, and it is the fastest way to see whether the rhythm of the place suits you.
What are the Mass times at St. John the Apostle Parish?
Mass at St. John the Apostle Parish in Kerrisdale follows this schedule:
| Day | Time | Language/Note |
|---|---|---|
| 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 runs Monday to Saturday at 8:00 am, moving to 9:00 am on holidays.
If you plan to attend on a weekend, arrive a little early: Confession is heard for about 20 minutes before weekend Masses and 15 minutes before weekday Masses, in the church or by appointment. The church and grotto also stay open daily from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm for private prayer, with a Holy Hour on Fridays from 8:30 am to 9:30 am. For anyone weighing which Sunday slot to choose, the 11:00 am Mass tends to suit families and visitors new to the parish, while the evening Masses draw those who prefer a quieter, slower start to the day.
The parish publishes its full schedule and updates at St. John the Apostle Parish.
How do I get to St. John the Apostle Parish in Kerrisdale?
St. John the Apostle Parish is in the Kerrisdale neighbourhood of Vancouver, British Columbia, and the parish's own site presents St. John the Apostle as a Catholic community centred on Mass, the sacraments and parish ministries. The site's welcome line confirms the Kerrisdale location, but it does not publish a street address or transit directions, so the practical first step is to check the parish's contact page or call the office before you travel.
What to confirm before you go
- Exact street address and entrance. Kerrisdale has both residential streets and a busy commercial strip along West 41st Avenue, so knowing which side street the church sits on saves circling the block.
- Parking. Many Vancouver parishes rely on street parking and a small lot; a Sunday 11:00 am Mass is the busiest, so arriving 15–20 minutes early is realistic.
- Transit. The area is served by buses along West 41st Avenue and West Boulevard, with the Canada Line's Oakridge–41st Avenue station a reasonable walk or short bus ride away. Confirm current routes with TransLink rather than relying on memory.
- Accessibility. If you need step-free entry, a hearing loop or seating near the front, ask ahead; older church buildings vary widely.
If you are visiting for the first time
Weekend Masses are Saturday at 4 pm (Cantonese) and 5:30 pm, and Sunday at 9:00 am, 11:00 am and 5:30 pm, with a Mandarin Mass at 3:00 pm on the third Sunday. Weekday Mass runs Monday to Saturday at 8:00 am, moving to 9:00 am on holidays. Confession is available 20 minutes before weekend Masses and 15 minutes before weekday Masses, or by appointment. The church and grotto stay open for private prayer daily from 7 am to 7 pm, with a Holy Hour on Friday from 8:30 am to 9:30 am.
For a low-pressure first visit, aim for a weekday 8:00 am Mass: parking is easier, the church is quieter, and you can find the entrance and seating without a crowd. If you want the fuller parish experience, the Sunday 11:00 am Mass is the one to plan around, and you should treat the 20-minute pre-Mass confession window as the reason to arrive early rather than on time.
What sacraments does St. John the Apostle Parish offer?
St. John the Apostle Parish in Kerrisdale identifies itself as a Catholic Christian faith community and organizes its site around worship, faith formation, ministry and the sacraments. Its homepage names “Receive the Sacraments” as a main section and lists “Ways to Worship” and “Liturgies & Mass Times” among its community pages, so the sacramental life of the parish is presented as central rather than incidental.
What the site explicitly shows
- The Mass (Eucharist): Weekend Masses are Saturday at 4 pm (Cantonese) and 5:30 pm; Sunday at 9:00 am, 11:00 am and 5:30 pm; and on every third Sunday at 3:00 pm (Mandarin). Weekday Mass is Monday to Saturday at 8:00 am, with a 9 am start on holidays.
- Confession (Reconciliation): Confession is available 20 minutes before weekend Masses and 15 minutes before weekday Masses, in the church or by appointment. The parish provides an Examination of Conscience in English and Chinese to help people prepare.
- Adoration and private prayer: The church and grotto are open daily from 7 am to 7 pm, with a Holy Hour on Friday from 8:30 am to 9:30 am. Adoration is not one of the seven sacraments, but it is closely tied to Eucharistic worship.
How to read that list
The page gives detailed times for the Eucharist and Reconciliation, but it does not spell out schedules or preparation details for Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders or Anointing of the Sick. A parish of this kind normally celebrates those sacraments too, and the “Receive the Sacraments” section is the place to check. If you are planning a baptism, wedding or a visit to someone who is ill, treat the published Mass and confession times as confirmed and ask the parish office directly about everything else.
A practical next step
If you are new to the parish, start with a Sunday Mass and introduce yourself afterward. If you need a specific sacrament, contact the parish before assuming a time; for confession, the priest named on the page, Father Paul Chu, is the stated contact for appointments. Catholics in the area who want a weekday rhythm will find the 8 am Mass and the daily open church hours the most immediately usable parts of the schedule.
How can I join a ministry or volunteer at St. John the Apostle Parish?
The parish invites you to get involved through its ministries or by serving in the life of the community. The clearest route is to start with the “Get Involved” / “Explore Ministries” section of the website, then contact the parish office or a listed ministry leader to ask where help is needed and what the next step is.
Practical steps
- Visit St. John the Apostle and look for “Get Involved” or “Explore Ministries.”
- Decide whether you want a liturgical role, a service or outreach role, or a community-building role.
- Contact the parish office or the ministry contact listed on the page. Say what you are interested in, your availability, and whether you have any relevant experience or screening.
- Ask about any requirements — for example, a criminal record check, safe-environment training, or a period of formation — since these are common for parish ministries involving children or vulnerable people.
- If you are unsure, ask to speak with the parish priest or coordinator, who can match you with a need.
A useful decision criterion
Choose based on three things: your gifts, your availability, and the parish’s current needs. A musician, a sacristan, a reader, a greeter, and a visitor to the sick all serve differently. If you can only commit occasionally, ask about seasonal or event-based volunteering rather than a weekly ministry.
Example
If you sing or play an instrument, ask whether the music ministry needs help at a particular Mass. If you prefer behind-the-scenes service, ask about altar serving, sacristy care, or hospitality after Mass. If you want to serve the wider community, ask about outreach, food programs, or visiting the homebound.
Where to begin this Sunday
After Mass, introduce yourself to a priest, deacon, or parish volunteer and say you would like to get involved. That personal contact often leads to the right ministry faster than an email alone. You can also check the parish bulletin or weekly announcements, which usually list current volunteer needs and contact names.
What faith formation or educational programs are available at St. John the Apostle Parish?
St. John the Apostle Parish in Kerrisdale (Vancouver) frames faith formation as part of a wider call to grow in holiness, and its website organizes that under an "Explore your Faith" section alongside worship, sacraments and ministry. The page does not publish a detailed catalogue of classes, so what follows distinguishes what the site actually lists from what a visitor would need to confirm directly.
What the site lists
- Mass and liturgy as formation. Weekend Masses (Saturday 4 pm in Cantonese, Saturday 5:30 pm, Sunday 9:00 am, 11:00 am and 5:30 pm, plus a Mandarin Mass every third Sunday at 3:00 pm) and weekday Mass Monday to Saturday at 8:00 am are presented as the primary way to encounter the faith. For many Catholics, regular participation in the liturgy is itself the core formation programme.
- Confession and preparation. Confession is available 20 minutes before weekend Masses and 15 minutes before weekday Masses, or by appointment. The parish links an Examination of Conscience in English and in Chinese to help people prepare — a concrete, self-directed learning resource.
- Adoration and private prayer. The church and grotto are open daily from 7 am to 7 pm, with a Holy Hour on Friday from 8:30 am to 9:30 am. This suits people who learn through silence and reflection rather than structured classes.
- Curated media and reading. The "Explore your Faith" area features talks and articles, including video series from Fr Columba Jordan CFR and John Mark Comer on community and shame, and a written reflection on prayer, "Be Still and Know: Learning to Stop Trying So Hard."
- Sacraments and ministry pathways. The site points to "Receive the Sacraments" and "Get Involved" sections, which are the usual routes into baptism preparation, RCIA (adult initiation), marriage preparation and volunteer ministry. The specific schedules and requirements are not detailed on the homepage.
How to choose what fits
| If you are… | Start with | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Curious or returning after time away | Sunday Mass, then the "Explore your Faith" media | Low commitment, no registration, lets you observe before joining anything |
| Preparing for a sacrament | Contact the parish office directly | Preparation courses are typically arranged on request and run seasonally |
| Seeking structured group learning | Ask about the "Get Involved" and sacramental preparation ministries | Small groups and catechetical sessions are usually announced there rather than listed on the homepage |
| Prefer Cantonese or Mandarin | Saturday 4 pm (Cantonese) or the third Sunday 3 pm (Mandarin) | Language-specific liturgies often connect to language-specific formation and community |
| Want quiet, self-paced growth | Daily adoration hours and the linked Examination of Conscience | No scheduling or fees, works around a busy week |
A practical next step
Because programme names, start dates and registration details are not published on the page, the reliable move is to email or call the parish office and ask three specific questions: which sacramental preparation programmes are running this year, whether there is an adult faith study or small-group series, and whether children's catechesis (often called PREP or Sunday school) has openings. If you are new to the area, attending one Sunday Mass first gives you a feel for the community before committing to a multi-week programme. For broader context on Catholic formation options in the region, the Archdiocese of Vancouver Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver publishes parish and programme listings.
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