Sunday October 05, 2025
Message From Our Pastor & News
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today we have two parables: 1- Parable of the Mustard seed and 2- the Parable of the Attitude of a Servant. In the first one, the Apostles exclaimed: “Lord: ‘Increase our faith’” And Jesus said: “If you had faith as a grain of mustard seed…’” Our Lord here compares faith to a grain of mustard seed because 1) it is the smallest seed, 2) yet it is also the most powerful seed when grows. Jesus teaches that even if we have but a little true faith, we can still do great things. “‘If you had faith as a grain of mustard seed you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea’ and it would obey you’” There are two powerful acts, that show the power of faith: 1) the uprooting of the tree from the earth, 2) and the planting of the tree in the sea.
THE TREE represents us. THE EARTH symbolizes those who live by the senses, the spirit of the world. THE SEA symbolizes those who live by the Spirit. Through faith, every tree (each one of us) can be uprooted from its vices and sin (attachment to earth), and be planted in the sea, living according to the Spirit of God. If you live by faith, you can do mighty things, even miracles, like moving this tree from earth to water. But then Jesus warns us against falling into pride. He continues: “Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field”
THE SERVANT is us. THE MASTER OF THE HOUSE is GOD. THE FIELD is the WORLD, and THE HOUSE is the CHURCH Here is the connection of the two parables. If you live by faith you will do very good actions like PLOWING and TENDING SHEEP: a) plowing, means how we deal with faith with inanimate creatures (not living). b) tending the sheep, means how we deal with faith with living creatures. “Coming back from the field” to the House means ‘coming from the world to Church’ “He would not say rest… would he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare me something to eat’ to God. Notice that the servant works in the field and in the house as well. “Put on your apron” The apron symbolizes humility and service. “Gird yourself” is to collect the mind by doing a self-examination of the works you have done. Through self-examination we check the intention of our works: either we did it for the praise of man or for the glory of God. By examining, we rectify our conscience and direct all our works to the glory of God. And THIS IS THE WAY WE PREPARE THE SUPPER FOR THE LORD. Once we directed all our works to God, then, we can enjoy the good things for the glory of God “And afterward you shall eat and drink”
CONCLUSION “So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded say, We are unprofitable servants, we have done what we were obliged to do” Let us ask the Blessed Virgin Mary for faith and for the grace to direct all our intentions to God.
Fr. Gaston Giacinti
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 members of Catholic Missionary Children Oratory will meet October 11th at 12:00pm for Public Rosary, Potluck and registration at Sacred Heart Church. All children ages 7-10 are invited on Oct 18th 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 –Parent orientation meeting and registration will be on Wednesday October 8th,2025, from 5:30pm to 6:45pm at St. John the Baptist Church.
First Holy Communion Classes– begins Wednesday October 15, 2025at 5:30pm.
Confirmation Classes – begins Thursday October 16, 2025, at 3:45pm.
Fr. Gaston out of town
1- October 13-15: in Upstate NY for the IVE Priest’s Formation days.
2- October 16 to November 16: in Argentina (home) for vacations.
Fr. Andrew Whiting will be covering from October 16th through 27th
Fr. Andres Ayala will be covering from October 28th through November 16th
D IOCESAN &O THER NEWS
Life Chain Peterborough- Sunday, October 5, 2025 from 2 to 3 pm.We will meet at Sacred Heart parking lot at 1:30pm to pick up signs and will process to silently witness on Lansdowne from George to Park Streets, this will be followed by prayer service at Sacred Heart Church. All are welcome.
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.
STATEMENT FROM THE PERMANENT COUNCIL TO THE CATHOLIC FAITHFUL on the occasion of the 2025 National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
Through prayer and reflection, the Permanent Council of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops continues to recognize the painful legacy of the former Indian Residential Schools and reaffirms its ongoing commitment to walking with Indigenous Peoples on the journey of reconciliation. On the 2025 National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, in this Jubilee Year of Hope, we recall the late Pope Francis’ words during his 29 July 2022 visit to Iqaluit, NU, “It is my hope and prayer that, by listening to your Elders and drawing from the richness of your traditions and your personal freedom, you will embrace the Gospel preserved and handed down by your ancestors”.
It is this hope that calls the Catholic faithful in Canada to listen with open minds and hearts and move forward together on the road of truth and healing. As we walk together, may the Lord lead us by His grace, bringing us understanding, healing, and ongoing hope for a better future. Tuesday, September 30, 2025