Dear Parishioners,

This weekend we have the Parable of the Two Sons. This parable was probably told on Holy Tuesday, the last day of Jesus’ public life. It comes in the context of a major break with the scribes and Pharisees: The 7 woes “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites…” The parable of the Tenants “the kingdom of heaven will be taken away (ἀρθήσεται) from you and given to a nation (ἔθνει) that will produce its fruit” The mystery of the fig tree plenty of leaves and no fruit. And so on. One of the first discourses of that day is this Parable of

    the 2 sons. It is a simple story, but one that cuts deeply into the heart.

“A man had two sons” The man is God. The two sons can be either the Gentiles and Israel, or sinners and religious people. “He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today’” When he says “today” means while you are still in this life. “work in the vineyard” means repent and believe. The FIRST says NO – maybe rudely, even defiantly – but later changes his mind and goes. The SECOND says YES – maybe politely, correctly, even piously – but never goes.

The FIRST ONES are the tax collectors and prostitutes. They represent the GENTILES. The Gentiles respond arrogantly to God: ‘I don’t want to go  to work in your vineyard’ They left God and his justice from the beginning, and went to worship idols and sinned. But later, when Jesus came and died on the cross, they repented; and having done penance, they believed and produce fruits – that is – ‘worked in the vineyard’

The SECOND ONES are the chief priests and the elders. They represent ISRAEL. Israel said to God: ‘Yes I will go to work in your vineyard’ As they said to Moses: “We will do whatever the Lord commands us” By later, when Jesus came and died on the cross, they resisted to believe in Him. Jesus says why: “When John came to you  in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him”

The key here is to do the will of the Father. As Jesus says: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” Mt. 7:21 And what is the will of the Father? “this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life” Jn. 6:40 To believe in the Son is not merely to say “yes” with our lips, by believing in our hearts,  we are going to the vineyard, we are entering the vineyard and work, because love tends to produce fruit: “I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was naked…”

Let us ask our Blessed Mother, who always did the will of the Father, to help us do the same.

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 1:00 to 6:00PM and confessions from 4:30 to 6:00PM.

Sacramental Preparation 2026–2027

The online pre-registration form for Sacramental Preparation is now available on our website! Classes begin in October.

• First Reconciliation & First Communion: Sat.
• Confirmation: Thursdays

 Visit www.stjohnpeterborough.ca to register

RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

This process, through which adults become fully initiated members of our Catholic faith community, will begin again in October. If you, or someone you know, is interested in learning more about the Catholic faith and the possibility of becoming a Catholic. It is open to any unbaptized adults, those baptized in other Christian churches, and Catholics who desire to complete their initiation.

Please contact M. Asterone 249 – 688 – 0930.

St John the Baptist Bible Study Group

We will be starting a new Journey – an in-depth Study on the Most Holy Eucharist ‘The Source & Summit of the Christian life’  . The Bread from Heaven, The Last Supper, The Institution of the Eucharist, The Eucharistic Sacrifice, The Epiclesis are some of the topics that will be covered .   Classes will be every other Thursday Starting Oct 1st from 7 pm – 8 pm at St John the Baptist Basement. For more details contact Daniel Rozario @ 647-928- 6414 / email – DanielRozario@live.com

DIOCESAN &O THER NEWS

Andrew Roelands Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate

 Everyone is invited to participate and pray for our seminarian the Ordination Mass will be on Friday Oct. 23, at 7pm at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains by Bishop Daniel Miehm.

Peterborough Campus Ministry

Campus Ministry  exists to accompany students at Trent University and Fleming College. If you are a post-secondary student and are looking to deepen your faith, join a vibrant community of students and young adults, or are simply curious about Catholicism and the Catholic Church, then you belong in our chaplaincy! Visit www.ptbocampusministry.ca, & register to join our contact list.

Jesus Youth

All youth & young adults 16–20 yrs old are invited to Dead Man Walking, an annual three-day residential retreat for those heading into their final years before university, a gap year, or the workforce. Held at Valley of the Mother of God, Orangeville on October 16-18th. Featuring Jason Evert, internationally renowned Catholic speaker & Steadfast Worship, Toronto’s own favourite Catholic worship band. For Registration call 647 – 270- 8592 or visit dmw.jesusyouth.ca Email dmw.ontario@jesusyouth.ca

Men In Black Concert

St. Mary’s in Lindsay is hosting a Spaghetti Dinner and Men In Black concert. Wed Sept 30. More details call Glenda 705-340-5357/ or  lindsayCWL27@gmail.com

St Peter In Chains Bicentennial Misson

Saturday November 7-10, Fr. John O’Brien S.J. speaking on “Into the heart of the Canadian Martyrs”. All are welcome.