Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Dear Parishioners,

This weekend we celebrate “Grandparents Day” we pause to give thanks to the Lord for the gift of grandparents – those beloved members of our families and communities who hold a unique and irreplaceable place in God’s plan. Pope Francis has reminded us: “Grandparents are a treasure. Often old age isn’t beautiful, but grandparents are wonderful.” Just as Saints Joachim and Anne nurtured the Blessed Virgin Mary and prepared her to receive the Word of God, so too do countless grandparents today quietly shape the lives of their grandchildren by their example, their wisdom, and above all, their prayers. To all grandparents among us: THANK YOU!

                    We bring now from ‘the Apocryphal of Saint James’ (145-150a.C.) the story about the birthday of Mary. An apocryphal book is considered by the Church as useful, but not divinely inspired. “And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by, saying: Anna, Anna, the Lord has heard your prayer, and you shall conceive, and shall bring forth; and your seed shall be spoken of in all the world. And Anna said: As the Lord my God lives, if I beget either male or female, I will bring it as a gift to the Lord my God; and it shall minister to Him in holy things all the days of its life. And, behold, two angels came, saying to her: Behold, Joachim your husband is coming with his flocks. For an angel of the Lord went down to him, saying: Joachim, Joachim, the Lord God has heard your prayer. Go down; hence, for behold, your wife Anna shall conceive. And Joachim went down and called his shepherds, saying:

              Bring me hither ten she-lambs without spot or blemish, and they shall be for the Lord my God; and bring me twelve tender calves, and they shall be for the priests and the elders; and a hundred goats for all the people. And, behold, Joachim came with his flocks; and Anna stood by the gate, and saw Joachim coming, and she ran and hung upon his neck, saying: Now I know that the Lord God has blessed me exceedingly; for, behold the widow no longer a widow, and I the childless shall conceive. And Joachim rested the first day in his house. And on the following day he brought his offerings, saying in himself: If the Lord God has been rendered gracious to me, the plate on the priest’s forehead will make it manifest to me.

                   And Joachim brought his offerings and observed attentively the priest’s plate when he went up to the altar of the Lord, and he saw no sin in himself. And Joachim said: Now I know that the Lord has been gracious unto me and has remitted all my sins. And he went down from the temple of the Lord justified and departed to his own house. And her months were fulfilled, and in the ninth month Anna brought forth. And she said to the midwife: What have I brought forth? And she said: A girl. And said Anna: My soul has magnified this day. And she laid her down. And the days having been fulfilled, Anna was purified, and gave the breast to the child, and called her name Mary.”

May all grandparents have a blessed day.

Fr. Gaston Giacinti, IVE

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.

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

Altar Boy Group at Sacred Heart – Updated Time

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

Bible Study on the Gospel of Matthew – Upcoming Class – July31st at St. John

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.

Sacred Heart rectory Boiler update

We have raised $6500 out of the total $12000 spent on the new boiler, please consider helping raise the remainder of the funds.

DIOCESAN &O THER NEWS

St. Paul’s Annual Beef BBQ (Aug 10th, 3-7PM)

Tickets are now on sale for the Annual Beef BBQ at St. Paul the Apostle in Lakefield! Enjoy a delicious Full Beef BBQ dinner, fresh, local veggies, mouth-watering homemade pies, fantastic LIVE entertainment and an exciting raffle fundraiser for our accessibility renovations. Adults: $25. Kids (7-14): $10. Children (0-6): FREE. All are welcome!

August 15—Jubilee Mass Huntsville- Jubilee Mass celebrating Marian spirituality at St. Mary of the Assumption, Huntsville. Mass at 10 am and reception to follow.

150th Anniversary of St. Mary’s Grafton

Please join us in celebrating our 150th Anniversary with His Excellency Bishop Miehm on August 17 at the 10 am Mass followed by cake & coffee. Other events scheduled: Golf Tournament on August 15, 2:30 pm, August 16, 11 am Cemetery Mass followed by a BBQ. All are welcome to attend.

Special Collection – Next weekend August 2^nd and 3^rd there is a second collection for the Youth Office. This office helps bring Christ to new generations of young Catholics and possible vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Thank you for your generosity. God Bless!

Job opening
The Parish of Our Lady of Assumption Church in Otonabee and Mission Church in Keene has an opening for a part time, [approx. 16-20 per week], Administrative Assistant and Bookkeeper.  The position is responsible for providing administrative and accounting services for the parish.  The candidate requires experience in office administration work, Microsoft office programs and accounting with *Quickbooks software experience required/preferred.  Some training will be required. Submit your resume to office@assumptionotonabee.ca by August 31, 2025.