Dear parishioners,

This weekend we are called to meditate on the Sermon on the Mount (the Beatitudes). It has been called the Compendium of Christ’s Doctrine, the Magna Carta of the Kingdom, and the Manifesto of the King. In other words, it is the very heart of Jesus’ teaching to His disciples. From the beginning, we can see the importance of this speech: “When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain” In the Old Testament Moses went up the mountain to received the Old Law. Jesus going up the mountain brought to the mind of his follower the image of Moses. Jesus then would say: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill” “You have heard it was said… but I say to you…”

Jesus began to teach “when He had sat down” When a Jewish Rabbi was teaching officially, he sat to teach. We still speak of a Professor’s chair or the Bishop’s cathedral or the pope speaking ex cathedra, that is, from his seat. Often a Rabbi gave instruction when he was standing or strolling about; but his really official teaching was done when he had taken his seat. So, the very intimation that Jesus sat down to teach his disciples is the indication that this teaching is central and official.

     “And He opened His mouth, and taught them, saying…” In Greek, this phrase has a double meaning: 1) When used for a solemn, grave and dignified utterance; as for example when saying an oracle. 2) When people really open their hearts and fully pour out their minds, teaching with no barriers in between. The very use of this phrase indicates that the Sermon on the Mount is the grave and solemn utterance of central things. It is the opening of Jesus’ heart and mind to those men who were to be his right-hand “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world…”

      “Blessed are THE POOR IN SPIRIT… Blessed are they who MOURN… Blessed are THE MEEK… Blessed are they who HUNGER and THIRST for RIGHTEOUSNESS… Blessed are THE MERCIFUL… Blessed are THE CLEAN OF HEART… Blessed are THE PEACEMAKERS… Blessed are they who ARE PERSECUTED for the SAKE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS… Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you [falsely] because of me…”

Let us ask our Blessed Mother to give us the strength to live according to these standards.

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

We will meet 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.

Bible Study – Gospel of Matthew  – Feb  6^th -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. 

Feast of the Presentation of the Lord -Candle Mass

All parishioners are invited to bring candles to be blessed on Monday, February 2nd, 8AM at St John the Baptist Church.

Blessing of the throat- Tuesday February 3

There will be a blessing of the throat on the feast day of St Blaise after the 8:00am mass.

Ash Wednesday – February 18 schedule of Masses

8:00 am Mass at St. John the Baptist

9:30 am School Mass at St. John the Baptist

5:00 pm Mass at Sacred Heart

7:00 pm Traditional Latin Mass at Sacred Heart

Palms – Please bring in your palms so that they may be burned for Ash Wednesday. You can bring them to the church, give them to the sisters or drop it at the church office Wed &Friday 3:00-5:00pm.

Shrove Tuesday- Shove Tuesday dinner on Feb 17 starting at 4pm until 6p.m, pay at the door. This is an all you can eat for $10 with a donation for any youth attending.  Menu includes Pancakes, Sausage, Beans, Fruit Cocktail and Apple Sauce.

Renewal of Wedding Vows

As Valentine’s Day is coming up, all couples are invited to renew their wedding vows on Sat. Feb. 14th or Sun Feb 15th, at their respective Mass times.

Parish Mass Intentions Consider offering a Mass for those you love, deceased or living. You may request Masses through the parish office.

DIOCESAN &O THER NEWS

END OF LIFE SEMINAR—FINAL PLANS:

Presentations at Immaculate Conception Church, 386 Rogers Street, Peterborough. Discussions about how each person can finalize the details needed to ensure they are cared for, their wishes are respected, and their faith in the resurrection revealed. The priests of the City Deanery invite everyone to attend for these very important informational talks.

• Feb. 4th – Fr. Tom Lynch, Moral Theologian on Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID)
• Feb. 11th – Sean Dunlop, Diocese of Peterborough Diaconate program on Estate Planning and Finance

These presentations will be held from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., with light refreshments being at the back of the church, at 6:45 p.m. Admission is free.

Villa St. Joseph-Lenten Retreats

“Stillness Day”- Wed. Feb. 4, 9-4 pm facilitators, Sister Mary Rowell CSJ & Sr. Linda Gregg CSJ. Suggested donation $40.00 includes single room and meal/refreshments.

“Re-Imagining the Fall” –  Fri. Feb. 6, 7 pm to Sunday Feb. 8 at 1 pm Facilitator Dr. Bridget Campbell

Suggested donation $265, room/meals/refreshments

Pre-registration is required: villa@csjcanada.org

 34th World Day of the Sick- On 20 January 2026, the Vatican released Pope Leo XIV’s message for the 34th World Day of the Sick, which will be celebrated on Tuesday, 11 February 2026. This year’s theme is “The compassion of the Samaritan: loving by bearing another’s pain”.

La Verna Special Jubilee: Celebrating the 800 Year of St. Francis- January 10, 2026-January 10, 2027 year celebrating the 800th anniversary death of St. Francis. The Apostolic Penitentiary has granted a plenary indulgence (under the usual circumstances) for this special Jubilee. See bulletin board at he back of the church for details.

World Youth Day 2027- Delegation from our diocese will be travelling to Seoul on July 27th-August 9th, 2027, save the date! Any interested pilgrims, individuals or groups, between the ages of 18-35 are invited contact FrStephenDecarlo@peterboroughdiocese.org

35th LIFT JESUS HIGHER RALLY –March 14^th 9:00am-5:30pm @Metro Toronto Convention Center for details, visit https://ljhr.ca/