Dear Parishioners,

The First Reading speaks of the abundant generosity of God, a theme that is beautifully fulfilled in today’s Gospel. Isaiah proclaims: “All you who are thirsty, come to the water! You who have no money, come, receive grain and eat”

     In the Gospel, we hear the account of the Multiplication of the Loaves. There are two different Multiplications of the Loaves recorded in the Gospels. The first is the feeding of the five thousand with 5 loaves and 2 fish, found in all four Gospels. The second is the feeding of the 4.000 with 7 loaves and a few small fish, found in Matthew and Mark. Today’s Gospel recounts the first miracle.

“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what good are these for so many?”

    THE BOY represents the Jewish people. He carried a BASKET, which was closed  – it was a burden –   it represents “the yoke of the law” But when Jesus took it, He opened it, and everybody was able to eat   in abundance. FIVE BARLEY LOAVES represent the word of God in the Old Law. Because the Law    was given by Moses in five books (Penta-teuch). It is said “of barley”  because barley is a seed whose nourishment is hidden under a hard husk (many rituals). TWO FISH signify the two authorities by which the people were governed. The King and the Priest. Both of which prefigure our Lord. THE FRAGMENTS are the parts which the people could not eat or swallow. They symbolize the deeper truths which the multitude cannot take in. TWELVE BASKETS were filled, because it is entrusted to the 12 Apostles. This miracle was meant not only to reveal Jesus’ power to feed the hungry, but also to prepare the people for an even greater gift.

     St. John’s Gospel tells us that on the following day Jesus preached the Bread of Life discourse, declaring: “I am the bread that came down from heaven” The multiplication of the loaves points directly to the Holy Eucharist. Just as Jesus fed the multitude with earthly bread, He continues to nourish us at every Mass with the true Bread of Life – His own Body and Blood, given for the life of the world.

    Let us ask our Blessed Mother to strengthen our faith in the real presence of God in the Eucharist.

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.

D IOCESAN &O THER NEWS

In the Footsteps of the Martyrs walking Pilgrimage

 This annual walking pilgrimage returns on Aug 9th to 15th. This 12th annual 130-kilometer journey begins at St. Joseph’s Church in Powassan and concludes at Holy Family Church in Britt. Contact Andrew Roelands at aroelan@uwo.ca or follow the Diocesan Youth social media pages.

 Girls Summer Camp- Catholic Summer Girl’s Camp (ages 9+) led by members of the Opus Dei Community.  August 12-20, 2026, in Barry’s Bay. Please visit www.chilaweetrails.ca to register                                     CRAFT FAIR & BAKE SALE AT IMMACULATE CONCEPTION- In place of its annual Giant Yard Sale, Immaculate Conception Parish is hosting a Craft Fair in conjunction with its annual Summer Bake Sale on Sat, Aug 15th, from 10:00-2:00 p.m. in the parish hall. Browse a variety of handcrafted items, pick up some delicious homemade baking, and enjoy a hot dog and pop for just $1. Interested in becoming a vendor? We invite anyone who creates handmade crafts to rent a table for $20 and showcase their work. For more info, please contact Elsbeth Callaghan at inkwoodprintshop@gmail.com.

St. Joseph’s Cemetery Mass– Douro Annual Cemetery Mass Aug 15 at 7pm. This mass is celebrated always on the Feast the Assumption of Mary. It is offered for all our faithful departed, especially those buried at St. Joseph’ s Cemetery. You are asked to bring your own lawn chairs and head covering, as this mass is celebrated in the cemetery near the volute.  A collection is taken to help with cost of the mass and on-going work at the cemetery. Hope to see you there.

Annual “Taste Of Poland” Dinner At Immaculate: 

Will take place on Sat, Sept. 12^th at 6:00 p.m. Enjoy a delicious traditional meal featuring roast pork & gravy, mashed potatoes, red beet dish, coleslaw, and fabulous Polish desserts!  Adults $30 | 12 and under $15 | under 5 Free.  Reserve your tickets now by calling the office: 705-742-5466 Tue, Wed, Thurs 8:30-3:00.

St. Paul’s Annual Beef BBQ (Aug 16th, 3:00pm-7:00pm) 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 church renovations. Make a day of it in beautiful Lakefield. Sun, Aug 16th 3:00-7:00PM. 4 Reid Street, Lakefield. Adults: $25. Children (0-10): FREE. All welcome!

Peterborough Campus Ministry – A Note from Fr. Adam Pantaleo

We are a community of faith centred on Jesus Christ, rooted in prayer and intent on living out our identity as Catholic disciples in the secular world. I am excited to begin my ministry as Chaplain to this wonderful community of university and college students in the Diocese of Peterborough. If you are a Trent University or Fleming College student, you belong here! Whether it’s attending Sunday Mass at St. Peter-in-Chains Cathedral, joining a faith study group on campus, or visiting the McCloskey Campus Ministry Centre (376 Rubidge St), please don’t hesitate to get involved. You are also welcome to call (705-745-8671) or email (FrAdamPantaleo@peterboroughdiocese.org) me. Please pray for our students and thank you for your generous support to this ministry.

CONCERT with the MISFITS

Come for an entertaining evening with the local, musically talented, MISFITS VOCAL BAND and guests DANNY BRONSON and JOANNA BRONSON! Lots of old tunes to sing and (dance) along with! Saturday, August 15th, 7:00pm, St. Alphonsus Liguori Church, 1066 Western Avenue, Peterborough. Free will offering. Donations will help to restore the Church Prayer Garden.