Dear Parishioners,

This Sunday, we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints, and the following day, we commemorate All Souls. These two celebrations offer us a wonderful opportunity to meditate on one of the articles of our Creed: “I believe in the Communion of Saints.”The expression “Communion of Saints” refers to the spiritual union that exists among all the members of the one Church of Christ. The word communion comes from the Latin communio and is related to the Greek word κοινωνία (koinonia). Both express the idea of ‘union through participation in a shared good.’ This communion is made possible we are members of the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church. The Church has three states: the “Triumphant Church”, consisting of those who are already in Heaven and enjoy the presence of God; the “Suffering Church”, consisting of the souls in

    Purgatory who are being purified in preparation for Heaven; and the “Pilgrim Church”, consisting of those of us who are still journeying on earth toward our eternal homeland. Although we speak of three states, we belong to one Church, united in Christ by the bond of charity. But what does this communion mean in practice? It means that the members of the Church are not isolated from one another, even beyond death. There is a spiritual exchange of goods among us, a communion of spiritual goods. The saints in Heaven intercede for us, who are still pilgrims on this earth. Having reached the fullness of life with God, they remain united to us in charity and intercede for us before the Lord. We, in turn, can pray and offer sacrifices for the souls in Purgatory. Through our prayers, good works, and especially the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass offered for the faithful departed, we ask God to grant them the grace and mercy they need as they undergo purification. These souls are destined for Heaven, and when their purification is complete and they enter into the glory of God, they too will belong to the Church Triumphant and join the saints in interceding for us. This is why the Solemnity of All Saints and the Commemoration of All Souls are so closely connected.

One word on Halloween. It is advisable to supplant Halloween with a- “all hallow eve celebration” dressing as saints, b- “fall festival” welcoming the new season, c- “super heroes celebration” dressing as any super heroes. But avoid celebrating this pagan feast which includes tombs,

   blood, knives, spiderweb, witches, ghosts, bones, death and scary things for the children. It damages their psychology and their spiritual life. Fr. Gabriel Amorth, the greatest exorcist of his time in Rome, said: “Halloween is really a spiritual gathering presented as a form of game, and that is the equivalent of singing hosannas to the devil”

As we celebrate All Saints and All Souls, let us ask our Blessed Mother to intercede for us, that we may grow in our communion with all the members of Christ’s Mystical Body. May the saints in Heaven pray for us, may our prayers assist the souls in Purgatory, and may we all one day be  reunited in the eternal happiness of Heaven.

 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.

“Voces Verbi” Youth Group

1^st Fridays of the month from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.

Altar Boy Group at Sacred Heart

 3rd Fridays of the month from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.

All Souls Day

On Monday November 2nd we will celebrate All Souls’ Day the Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed, in which we pray for our beloved departed ones and for those who have died and have no one to pray for them. We will have Holy Mass at St. John the Baptist at 8:00 a.m. and Sacred Heart at 9:00 a.m. Please be reminded to drop the All Souls’ Day envelopes with the names of those you want us to pray for in the offertory basket, extra envelopes may be found at the entrance of the church.

Clergy Study days- Fr Gaston along with many other priests in the diocese of Peterborough will be away for Clergy study days from November 3rd to November 5th. There will be no mass on November 4th and November 5^th. Daily Mass during the study days in Peterborough will be at Immaculate Conception, 386 Rogers Street, Peterborough, at 8:30 am. Father Luis Lapinid will be the celebrant.

Sacramental Preparation 2026–2027 – Classes for First Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation have started at St. John parish

• First Reconciliation & First Communion: Saturdays
• Confirmation: Thursdays

Please see website for more information Visit www.stjohnpeterborough.ca

RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

RCIA classes will be held every Saturday between 2:30- 3:45pm at St John’s. The topics discussed for the month of October are 1. Participation in Mass 2.Journey of Faith 3. About Christian Prayer 4. Divine Revelation. For more information contact Mother Asterone 249-688-0930.

DIOCESAN &O THER NEWS

The Hallowtide Triduum – All Hallows’ Eve is the first day of a three-day seasonal observance called All Hallowtide (also known as Hallowtide or Hallowmas): 

• October 31 – All Hallows’ Eve (Halloween): The vigil marking the evening before All Saints’ Day, traditionally a time of prayer, reflection on mortality, and preparation. 
• November 1 – All Saints’ Day (All Hallows’ Day / Hallowmas): A celebrating all the saints and martyrs in heaven, both known and unknown
• November 2 – All Souls’ Day: A day dedicated to prayer and suffrage for the faithful departed who are still in Purgatory. 
• Meaning of “Hallow”: In Old English, a hallow is a holy person or saint. 
• Church Guidance: Church leaders encourage the faithful to keep the focus of the holiday centered on the Communion of Saints, Christian memory of the dead, and the reality of the “last things” (death, judgment, heaven, and hell), rather than secular or dark adaptations. Many Catholic families choose to focus on wholesome or faith-inspired traditions, such as dressing up as saints, biblical figures, or favorite superheroes, and attending Mass for All Saints’ Day.

All Saints Day Party—Lakefield- We are pleased to announce that our annual All Saints Day Party will be held at St. Paul’s Parish Hall in Lakefield on Sunday November 1st from 2pm-6pm. All are welcome to attend.

Bicentennial Mission: Cathedral of St Peter-In-Chains- The Cathedral of St. Peter-In-Chains will be hosting a Bicentennial Mission entitled “Into the Heart of the Canadian Martyrs” presented by Fr. John O’Brien, S.J., Director of Canadian Martyrs’ Shrine in Midland.  Join us for weekend Mass on Saturday, November 7th at 5:00pm, OR Sunday, November 8th at 7:30am, 9:00am or 10:30am.  On Monday November 9th & Tuesday, November 10th, join us at either 11:00am OR 7:00pm for Mass and Talk. Everyones welcome!

Discernment Weekend For Women

There will be a discernment weekend in Quebec at the monastery of Abbey of Sainte-Marie des Deux-Montagnes on Nov 6-9, 2026. More details on the bulletin board.

St. Peter-In-Chains Christmas Bazaar  – Will be held on Saturday November 7, 2026 at Bishop Doyle Hall, 10:00 am-3:00 pm. Baked goods, crafts, religious items and more!

St. Paul’s Christmas Makers Market (Nov 21st 9am-2pm)

Start your Christmas shopping early at the St. Paul’s Christmas Makers Market, Saturday, November 21st from 9am-2pm! Admission is free at this event that will feature local artisans and their handmade products.