Sunday July 27,2025
Message From Our Pastor & News
This weekend we celebrate “Grandparents Day” we pause to give thanks to the Lord for the gift of grandparents – those beloved members of our families and communities who hold a unique and irreplaceable place in God’s plan. Pope Francis has reminded us: “Grandparents are a treasure. Often old age isn’t beautiful, but grandparents are wonderful.” Just as Saints Joachim and Anne nurtured the Blessed Virgin Mary and prepared her to receive the Word of God, so too do countless grandparents today quietly shape the lives of their grandchildren by their example, their wisdom, and above all, their prayers.
To all grandparents among us: THANK YOU!
We bring now from ‘the Apocryphal of Saint James’ (145-150a.C.) the story about the birthday of Mary. An apocryphal book is considered by the Church as useful, but not divinely inspired. “And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by, saying: Anna, Anna, the Lord has heard your prayer, and you shall conceive, and shall bring forth; and your seed shall be spoken of in all the world. And Anna said: As the Lord my God lives, if I beget either male or female, I will bring it as a gift to the Lord my God; and it shall minister to Him in holy things all the days of its life. And, behold, two angels came, saying to her: Behold, Joachim your husband is coming with his flocks. For an angel of the Lord went down to him, saying: Joachim, Joachim, the Lord God has heard your prayer. Go down hence; for, behold, your wife Anna shall conceive. And Joachim went down and called his shepherds, saying: Bring me hither ten she-lambs without spot or blemish, and they shall be for the Lord my God; and bring me twelve tender calves, and they shall be for the priests and the elders; and a hundred goats for all the people. And, behold, Joachim came with his flocks; and Anna stood by the gate, and saw Joachim coming, and she ran and hung upon his neck, saying: Now I know that the Lord God has blessed me exceedingly; for, behold the widow no longer a widow, and I the childless shall conceive. And Joachim rested the first day in his house. And on the following day he brought his offerings, saying in himself: If the Lord God has been rendered gracious to me, the plate on the priest’s forehead will make it manifest to me. And Joachim brought his offerings, and observed attentively the priest’s plate when he went up to the altar of the Lord, and he saw no sin in himself. And Joachim said: Now I know that the Lord has been gracious unto me, and has remitted all my sins. And he went down from the temple of the Lord justified, and departed to his own house. And her months were fulfilled, and in the ninth month Anna brought forth. And she said to the midwife: What have I brought forth? And she said: A girl. And said Anna: My soul has been magnified this day. And she laid her down. And the days having been fulfilled, Anna was purified, and gave the breast to the child, and called her name Mary.”
May all grandparents have a blessed day.
Fr. Gaston Giacinti, IVE
WEEKLY NEWS
Happy Word Day for
Grandparents and the Elderly!
Office close – the office will be closed July 29th, 31st and August 1st.
Bible Study Reminder on the Gospel of Matthew – Thursday July 31st 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 @ DanielRozario@live.com or 647 928 6414
Second collection Next weekend August 2nd and 3rd there is a second collection for the Youth Office. This office helps bring Christ to new generations of young Catholics and possible vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
Sacramental Preparation Program 2025-2026
First Reconciliation grades 2-12 (October-January)
First Holy Communion grades 2 -12 (February- May)
Confirmation grades 7-12 (October – May)
Pre-registration form below
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/12tAa6ZDHl2VOXhB_OW-jivE30Xq9ZL3pZYyrkaVMM6c/edit?usp=drivesdk
DIOCESAN &O THER NEWS:
La Verna August 2, 2025 Annually on August 2nd Franciscans the world over celebrates the Feast of St Mary of the Angels – the Portiuncula, attached to this Feast Day is the “Assisi” or Portiuncula Indulgence. Please come and avail yourselves of this opportunity. CONFESSIONS:
11:00 am ~ 1:00 pm 2:00 pm ~ 5:00 pm
6:00 pm ~ 7:00 pm MASS (optional)7:00 pm
820 Frank Street, Peterborough ON 705 243 9131
Job opening The Parish of Our Lady of Assumption Church in Otonabee and Mission Church in Keene has an opening for a part time, [approx. 16-20 per week], Administrative Assistant and Bookkeeper. Candidates are asked to submit their resume to office@assumptionotonabee.ca by August 31
Holy Mass Sunday August 10th at 10:30am Holy Mass at the Cathedral of St. Peter-In-Chains for the Bi-Centennial anniversary of the arrival of the Irish settlers. Everyone is invited.
August 10-15 is the 11th Annual Walking Pilgrimage – In the Footsteps of the Holy Canadian Martyrs. A 5 days walk from from St Joseph’s Church in Powassan to Holy Family Church in Britt.
St. Paul’s Annual Beef BBQ (Aug 10th, 3-7PM)
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 accessibility renovations. Sunday, August 10th 3:00-7:00PM. 4 Reid Street, Lakefield. Adults: $25. Kids (7-14): $10. Children (0-6): FREE. All welcome!
150th Anniversary of St. Mary’s Grafton Please join us in celebrating with His Excellency Bishop Miehm on August 17 at the 10 am Mass followed by cake & coffee. Other events scheduled: Golf Tournament on August 15, 2:30 pm, August 16, 11 am Cemetery Mass followed by a BBQ. All are welcome to attend. We’re also preparing a 9-day Novena leading up to the weekend (August 9–17), with guest priests presiding each day as we honour Our Lady of the Assumption. If you’re interested in supporting the event financially or volunteering, please contact: Michael Mullin
mmullinkofc@gmail.com 416-300-8680