Dear Parishioners,

This weekend, the Gospel brings us the passage of the Good Shepherd. The second reading says: “For you had gone astray like sheep, but you have now returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls,” Jesus Christ. In this figure of speech, the Good Shepherd is Jesus; the sheep are the faithful; the sheepfold or house is the Church; the gate is the Cross; ‘elsewhere than the gate’ refers to self-interest; the gatekeeper is the Holy Spirit; and the voice means a way of living.

“Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.” The Good Shepherd enters the flock through the gate of the Cross. Then we have two kinds of false shepherds: 1. ‘Thieves and robbers’ are those who do not enter through the gate (the Cross) but climb in elsewhere. They approach the flock to take advantage of them, as Book of Ezekiel 34 says: “Thus says the Lord GOD: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who have been pasturing themselves! Should not shepherds pasture the flock? You consumed milk, wore wool, and slaughtered fatlings, but the flock you did not pasture.” 2. The second kind of false shepherd is ‘the hired man’, “(a) who is not a shepherd and (b) whose sheep are not his own.” It is interesting to notice that the hired man really takes care of the sheep, but he does it for pay: “when he sees a wolf coming, he leaves the sheep and runs away. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.”

Jesus says: “I am the Good Shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” There are many attributes of a good shepherd, but the first and most important one is that “a good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” This is the Paschal Mystery we are celebrating, and this is why we have this passage on the Third Sunday of Easter.

All of us, when we have people under our responsibility, become shepherds. We will be good shepherds as long as: (1) we are in communion with Jesus (in a state of grace), and (2) we enter through the gate—the Cross. Let us ask our Blessed Mother for all shepherds.

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.

Altar Boy Group at Sacred Heart – Updated Time

Next month, May we enter into the Spring/Summer Calendar. So, the meetings will be the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. The following meeting will be Wednesday May 6th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.

Catholic Missionary Children Oratory

All children ages 7 to 10 are invited on Saturdays to join the CMC at St. John the Baptist church at 10 am. For info text Sr. Inmaculada 705 977 6410 or stjohnandsacredheart@gmail.com

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.

French Boys Choir to sing at Sacred Heart in July – looking for host families.

29 boys and 6 chaperones will visit us this July, and we’re looking for host families for two nights (and meals) on July 14 & 15. For each host household, every adult in the home will require a Vulnerable Sector Check, as mandated by the Diocese. The VSC will cost $20 per adult and will take about two months to complete. The choir, Maîtrise des Hauts de France, https://www.mhdf.fr will perform a free concert (a collection will be taken) at Sacred Heart Church on the evening of Wed. July 15.If you can help host the boys and their chaperones, please contact Randy Mills at rmills44@uwo.ca.The choir performed in Peterborough in 2016 and 2019, and it is great that they have included us on this year’s Canadian tour!

D IOCESAN &O THER NEWS

Most Reverend Daniel Miehm New appointment

It has been announced that His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV has appointed the Most Reverend Daniel Miehm as the eleventh bishop of the Diocese of London. Bishop Miehm has served the Diocese of Peterborough since 2017 and will now succeed the Most Reverend Ronald Fabbro who is retiring after having served faithfully as the Bishop of London since 2002.  Bishop Miehm will be installed as the Bishop of London at a Mass to be celebrated at St. Peter’s Cathedral Basilica on June 29th, the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul.

JOSEPH’S SONS RETREAT- Boys Retreat

Fr. Peter Bissonnette & Deacon Rob Vandenberg invite

Grade 8 boys to a fun, faith-filled weekend designed

just for them in Bowmanville! Sports & Games | Music & Fun | Brotherhood & Friendship. FRIDAY, MAY 15, 6:30PM – SUNDAY, MAY 17, 5:00PM at St. Joseph’s Church, 127 Liberty St. S., Bowmanville. Bring sleeping bag and camping mat. $50.00, Registration deadline May 8th.To sign up or inquire, contact: Deacon Rob 905-377-3123 / rob.quartus@gmail.com

La Verna  – HEALING HEARTS

A Catholic Grief outreach to those who have suffered the loss of a loved one in the recent past (1-3 years). Monthly meetings with a limit of 8 participants to preserve each participant’s sense of trust and intimacy. Initial meeting Wednesday, April 29th, 7 – 9pm

In the La Verna Chapel (820 Frank St.)

For further details or to register, please call 705-243-9131 or email: laverna@capuchins.ca

Employment Opportunity Principal

Our Lady of the Wayside is hiring for a Principal.

Interested candidates are invited to submit a resume and cover letter to the Chair, Board of Directors at chair@olwayside.ca.