Father Rob was appointed Rector (senior priest) of St. John’s in March 2021.
He was ordained in 1988 and has served congregations in Watford, Kerwood, London, Kitchener, Beamsville and Winona. He has served the wider church at the national and provincial level – most notably in the ministries of Communication and Administration.
Born and raised in Guelph, Ontario, Father Rob received a Bachelor of Arts (English) from the University of Guelph, an Honours diploma in Journalism (Sheridan College) and a Master of Divinity degree (University of Western Ontario).
In parish ministry he has developed a passion for Relevance and Connection: Relevance: making sure that all that we think and say and do – has a clear purpose and supports our ministry to help and serve others – which is our calling as Christians.
Connection: recognizing that we are not “in this” by ourselves – that as a parish church we have members with a variety of gifts – and that we belong to a network of churches in this area [the diocese of Niagara] – and to the larger network of churches in the province, across the country, and around the world.
Sue was born and raised in Port Dalhousie, and is a life-long member of St. John’s . After graduating from Brock University, she raised three children and taught French at elementary school level. After completing her Masters of Education (Niagara University) she became an administrator with the District School Board of Niagara. Throughout her years, Sue has been involved in all facets of parish life, and is currently the coordinator of our Spring and Fall Community Care Food Drives, as well as the “Dean” of our Wardens team. She has served the diocese in several ministries, and was awarded the Order of Niagara in 2020.
Kathleen has been a Port Dalhousie resident for over 30 years. A graduate of McMaster University, she taught elementary school for The District School Board of Niagara finishing her career at Woodland Public School on nearby 7th Street. Her son, Matthew, progressed through Sunday School and Confirmation Classes here at St John’s. Kathleen is an active member of the St Catharines Branch of the Retired Women Teachers of Ontario and serves on their Executive. Kathleen is the newest member of our Warden team and has “hit the ground running”, already providing support and insight into many of our ministries.
Doreen Haywood
Lesley Hiscoe
Marlene Pinder
Sue Thibodeau
Bonnie Williams
Marlene has been a music lover since early childhood, when she took her first piano lesson. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in music and also a Music Specialist certificate through the Ministry of Education. She taught music in the elementary school system. She joined St. John’s about 40 years ago when she and her husband (Doug) moved to Port Dalhousie. They have raised three sons and are now blessed with six grandchildren.
Deanna is a Registered E.E.G. technologist, having worked in the field of Neurology for over 20 years. She then transitioned into the not for profit world working in Fund Development, Communications and Executive Administration. Deanna is also a certified Web Designer. When not at St. John’s, Deanna can be found raising both Monarch and Eastern Black Swallowtail butterflies.
Ray Gagne
Linda Youse
Treasurer
John Haywood
Council Members
Theresa Bell, Dave Case, Vicki Case, Barb Castonguay, Kathryn Dymczak, Maree Graham, Sharon Moukperian, Violet Priddle, Terry Stoddart, Val Tattersall, Linda Youse
Despite the restrictions of the pandemic, in the last few years through several food drives and in- church collections, St. Johns with the help of the generous citizens of Port Dalhousie has raised over 6 tons of food and goods and over $9000 for Community Care.
When in-person worship is in full swing, volunteer Dave Cargill highlights each month a particular food item identified as high demand by Community Care. This monthly focus is embraced by our congregation and this food item comes pouring in!
In recent years Carol Lahey and her team have created well over 1000 kits filled with hygiene products and clean underwear packaged in useful hand sewn cloth bags to distribute to agencies such as Start Me Up Niagara, Out of the Cold, and the Resource Association for Teens to help the homeless and the at-risk populations of St. Catharines. St. John’s has partnered with the local charity “Socks for Change” to include during the winter months hundreds of warm, durable, military grade socks and neck warmers.
A dedicated group of knitters provide comforting wraps for anyone in need. Hundreds of shawls have been and continue to be blessed during our regular services and then delivered to grateful recipients- be they bereaved, in crisis, ill, shut-in, or celebrating the birth of a child.
Our shawls, touques and mittens are delivered to shelters, hospitals, and care facilities as well.
We support the love of community with the very popular on-going Speaker Series where the history and lore of our town’s past are vibrantly brought to all citizens by local historians and experts.
In late 2017 after two years of fundraising and with the support of many partners in the local community, our modest sized church raised $40 000 to sponsor a family of four from a Jordan refugee camp to begin a life here in Canada and to pass on remaining funds to the diocese to help other parishes in their sponsorships.
Our Mission Strategy Committee with the support of Parish Council has identified as our priority outreach focus to help those at risk for homelessness and hunger. Thus St. John’s makes substantial annual donations to the following local agencies: Gillian’s Place, Out of the Cold, Start Me Up Niagara, Community Care, the Resource Association for Teens (RAFT), Socks for Change, and St. George’s Breakfast Program through the Diocese of Niagara.
Our historic bell from our original 1841 wooden framed church rings every Sunday at noon in memory of loved ones, to thank first responders and essential workers, to send messages of hope and caring to any in need. Parishioners and anyone in the community can make an appointment to ring the bell and sign our book of Bells of Hope Ringers. Call Colin Johnston at (905) 327-7555.
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