Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

The topic for this weekend is THANKSGIVING. In the First Reading we have the cleansing of Naaman the Leper. He returned and gave thanks to Elisha for his healing. In the Gospel we have the cleansing of ten lepers. The Samaritan returns gave thanks to Jesus for his healing. This weekend we celebrate Thanksgiving. It is our turn to return and give thanks to the Lord for everything.

LEPROSY is a symbol of sin. Because, as leprosy disfigures the exterior image of man, so sin disfigures the interior image of God in man. Being a leper meant the worst SEGREGATION ever imagine, like a living dead. They have sores everywhere in the nose, lips, toes, etc… re-used cloth in their wounds, smell. They were VANISHED from the towns and cities. They have to live in caves or sepulchers. The book of Leviticus (13: 45) says that the leper should dwell apart, have their garments rent, the hair disheveled and the mustache covered, and shall ring a bell and cry out ‘unclean, unclean’. Ten lepers presented before Jesus. “And when he saw them, He said, ‘Go show yourselves to the priests’” The Fathers of the Church say that it is a symbol of the sacrament of Confession. Going to the priest still being lepers, implies faith on the part of the lepers. “As they were going they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he had been healed”. ACTIONS: 1) Returned 2) Glorifying God in a loud voice 3) And he fell at the feet of Jesus 4) And thanked Him

This sentence from Jesus is the teaching: “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner   returned   to give thanks to God?” Thanksgiving is part of the virtue of JUSTICE “to give each his due” The nature of the debt varies according to the nature of the causes giving rise to the debt. 1) The first cause of all our debt is found primarily in God, because He is the first principle of all our goods. 2) Secondarily it is found in our parents, because they gave us life and care for our upbringing. 3) Thirdly it is found in people dressed in authority, from whom general favors proceed. 4) Fourthly it is found in benefactors, from whom we have received particular and private favors. THANKSGIVING: By religion we pay back to God due worship (incomplete justice). By piety we venerate our parents (incomplete justice). By observance we venerate persons excelling in dignity (justice). And by thankfulness or gratitude we give thanks to our benefactors (justice). The greatest moment we must give thanks to God is right after receiving Holy Communion at Mass. This time is called Thanksgiving. Let us ask our Blessed Mother to always give thanks to the Lord.

Fr. Gaston out of town

1- October 13-15: in Upstate NY for the IVE Priest’s Studies.

Fr. Stephen DiCarlo will cover October 13th

NO MASS on October 14th and 15th

2- October 16 to November 16: in Argentina (home) for vacations.

Fr. Andrew Whiting will be covering from October 16^th through 27^th

Fr. Andres Ayala will be covering from October 28^th through November 17^th

NO MASS on November 4^th 5^th and 6^th due to Clergy Studies.

Life Chain Peterborough

Thank you to those who participated in last weeks Life Chain. Please pray for life from conception to natural death.

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- We will meet 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month from

6:30pm to 8:30pm.

 Catholic Missionary Children Oratory – Reminder

All children ages 7-10 are invited on Oct 18^th to join the CMC at St John the Baptist church at 10:00am. For more information contact Sr. Inmaculada 705-977-6410

RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

RCIA classes will be conducted every Thursday at the basement of Sacred Heart Rectory from  

6:00-7:30pm. Please contact M. Almah for more information. stjohnandsacredheart@gmail.com

Sacramental preparation –

First Holy Communion Classes– begins Wednesday October 15, 2025at 5:30pm.

Confirmation Classes – begins Thursday October 16, 2025, at 3:45pm.

Rosary Group- Please join the Rosary group which meets every Thursday at 1:30 to pray the rosary for the needs of the Universal Church.

Bible Study on the Gospel of Matthew –October 16^th Join the DRIVEN TO PRAISE prayer Group as we journey now through the Gospel of St. Matthew 7pm – 8 pm at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. For more info contact Daniel 647 -928-6414. 

D IOCESAN &O THER NEWS

Mariology 101—An Introduction to Mary- Monday evenings at Sacred Heart Church Hall, Peterborough, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. beginning Oct 20-Mar. 30, 2026. Cost for the course is $50.00. Please contact Sister Dorothy Nzekwe  srdorothy@solisisters.ca. or call at 705-313-6905. 

St. Paul’s Lakefield Evening Retreat All are invited to join the women of St. Paul the Apostle in Lakefield (4 Reid Street, Lakefield) for the Mother’s Evening Retreat. Come be encouraged in the beautiful vocation of Motherhood. Includes Holy Mass, Confessions and a talk with Special Guest: Father Tom Lynch. Fellowship and Refreshments to follow. All are welcome. Thursday, Oct. 16th, 6:30pm – 8:30pm.

Federation of North American Explorers

A Catholic scouting movement is opening its Peterborough Chapter for boys ages 6 to 12! The inaugural meeting will be held on Tuesday October 14 at Our Lady of Wayside Catholic School (575 Centre Line), from 4:45 to 6:15 pm.For more information and to register contact James Heron at 905-995-8450 or email james.d.heron@gmail.com