Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. When we look at the Gospels, we notice that Jesus seldom speaks about His own feelings. But when He does, it is always to teach us something essential. In one moment, He says: “I have come to bring fire upon the earth, and how I wish it were already blazing!” That fire is the fire of divine love—a love He longs to see burning in our hearts. Immediately after, He speaks of a “baptism” He must undergo, saying, “What anguish I feel until it is accomplished!” That baptism is the Cross. Jesus unites both thoughts: the fire of love and the baptism of the Cross. His greatest desire is that the fire of God’s love be ignited in us, and that love is expressed most fully in His sacrifice upon the Cross.

We see this desire clearly in the Way of the Cross. At the second station, Jesus—wounded and scourged—embraces and kisses the Cross as it is placed upon His shoulders.

            Contrast that with Simon of Cyrene at the fifth station, who carries the Cross reluctantly, afraid of being mistaken for a criminal. This difference shows us God’s disposition toward the Cross and our human hesitation before it. 

  The Apostles Peter and Andrew, brothers, representing the west and the east, both died crucified. Peter by being crucified upside down in the Vatican Hill. His brother Andrew by being crucified in a cross in a form of X. Tradition tells us that as soon as St. Andrew caught sight of the Cross from afar, he himself cried out, greeting it in this way: “Hail, O glorious Cross, sanctified by the body of Christ and adorned with His members, more richly than if you had been decorated with precious stones! Before the Lord consecrated you, you were a symbol of reproach, but now you are and shall always be forever a testimony of divine love and a most desirable object.

           That is why I now walk to you with firmness and joy. Receive me also with gladness and make me a true disciple of Him who hung upon you. O holy Cross, beautified and ennobled from the time the members of the Lord rested, nailed upon you! O blessed Cross, long desired, eagerly loved, constantly sought, and now at last made ready! To you I come with burning desire, that you may embrace me in your arms, take me from this world, and bring me to my Master and Lord! He, who redeemed me through you, and by you forever, He may receive me!”

        Let us ask our Blessed Mother, who stood faithfully at the foot of the Cross, to obtain for us the grace to love the Cross of Christ with all our hearts.

Fr. Gaston Giacinti, pastor.

WEEKLY NEWS

Friday Adoration at Sacred Heart

Every Friday there is adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at Sacred Heart in reparation for the offences made to the Sacred Heart of Jesus from 1:30 to 6:30PM and confessions from 5:00 to 6:30PM.

Altar Boy Group at Sacred Heart

Altar server’s meetings (until September) will be held on 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month from 6:30pm to 8:30pm, next meeting will be Wednesday September 17^th at 6:30pm.

Catholic Missionary Children Oratory

For Children 7-12 years old. Saturdays 10:30 AM to noon at St. John the Baptist. For info or to register contact Sr. Inmaculada at stjohnandsacredheart@gmail.com  

Sacramental Preparation Program 2025-2026

First Reconciliation grades 2-12 (October-January)

First Holy Communion grades 2 -12 (February- May)

Confirmation grades 7-12 (October – May)

Pre-registration form below

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/12tAa6ZDHl2VOXhB_OW-jivE30Xq9ZL3pZYyrkaVMM6c/edit?usp=drivesdk

Parent orientation meeting and registration will be on Wednesday October 8^th,2025, from 5:30pm to 6:45pm at St. John the Baptist Church. 

First Holy Communion Classes

Grades 2-12 are on Wednesdays at 5:30pm. First day will be October 15, 2025

Confirmation Classes

Grades 7-12 are on Thursdays at 3:45pm. First day will be October 16, 2025.

JK to grade 8 for Baptism

Please bring:  1. A copy of the Baptismal certificate of your child.

2. Registration fee $50. (Cash or check written to St. John the Baptist Church)

If you have further questions, please contact stjohnandsacredheart@gmail.com  

RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

This process, through which adults become fully initiated members of our Catholic faith community, will begin again this fall. If you, or someone you know, is interested in learning more about the Catholic faith and the possibility of becoming a Catholic, please contact M. Almah. The process involves a weekly commitment to formation sessions and participation at Sunday Mass. It is open to any unbaptized adults, those baptized in other Christian churches, and Catholics who desire to complete their initiation. The RCIA program will start October 1^st 2025, 6:00pm at Sacred Heart Church hall. Please contact M. Almah for more information.

stjohnandsacredheart@gmail.com

DIOCESAN &O THER NEWS

Pilgrimage to the Martyr’s Shrine- Saturday September 20 is the Pilgrimage to the Martyr’s Shrine. Our parishes will go along with the Cathedral bus. For more information, please call the Cathedral Office 705 745 4681.

SAVE THE DATE—OCTOBER 4, 2025

Please join us on Saturday, October 4 in celebration of a Jubilee Mass for Diocesan Lay Groups at the Cathedral of St. Peter-In-Chains. Mass at 10:30am followed by a talk from Teresa Hartnett (Director Family Life/Diocese of Hamilton) and a coffee/tea reception at the Knights of Columbus Hall. All Diocesan groups are cordially invited. 

SAVE THE DATE: OCTOBER 30—JUBILEE MASS FOR CAMPUS MINISTRIES : Please join us for a Jubilee Mass celebrated by his Excellency Bishop Daniel Miehm on Thursday October 30 at 7:00 pm @ Cathedral of St Peter-In-Chains. Reception will follow at the Student Centre. All are invited to attend!

La Verna: MEDITATIO offers the participant a one-hour experience of Contemplative Prayer in the Franciscan tradition. Please see Bulletin for further details.On Sept 17 we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Stigmata of St Francis of Assisi, also our local Feast day with a 6pm Mass held at St Alphonsus Liguori parish next door at 1066 Western Avenue, PTBO.