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Dear Parishioners,

This weekend we continue with the third part of the Sermon of the Mount. In this part we begin to consider content of His message. The Gloss says: the Apostles may have asked ‘Lord what is it that you want us to teach? Is it something different from what God has taught us in the Law and the Prophets?’ And Jesus says: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill” St. Augustine says that “fulfilling the law” should not be understood as adding words or precepts that contradict the Old Law. The Old Law stays, but the New Law focus on the spirit of the law: “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors ‘You shall not kill’… But I say to you…” Who spoke to your ancestor? God. And now Jesus says “But I say to you…” The people may have asked: And Who are you? How can you compare with God? The Son of God is indeed the giver of the Old and New Law. He gives the letter and the spirit in which we should live the law: “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” We naturally love those we get along with. It is easy to love those who love you. But “if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?” Charity is not based in feelings or emotions. Charity is God’s love. Charity is the divine love, by which we love Him, ourselves and our neighbor, not because they are nice to us but because of Him. This is why we can love even those toward whom we feel aversion. We deny our feelings and love someone who causes us aversion even though the aversion may stay in our feelings. This is exactly what happened to Jesus on the Cross. He certainly did not have any good feelings towards us, no natural love toward us who crucified Him. And yet He died out of love for us. Let us ask our Blessed Mother the grace to be able to love not because of feelings but because of His divine love. And doing so, we will be able to live this New Law of love.

Fr. Gaston Giacinti, IVE

WEEKLY NEWS

Welcome Sr. Morning Star We are delighted to welcome Sr. Morning Star to Peterborough! Joining us from Wyoming, USA, she has just completed her formation and will be serving with the Sisters at our parishes. Please take a moment to say hello and welcome her when you see her.

Renewal of Wedding Vows February 14 & 15 All couples are invited to renew their wedding vows on Sat. Feb. 14th or Sun Feb 15th, at their respective Mass times.

Shrove Thursday Feb 17  Sacred Heart starting at 4pm to 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, and Fruit Cocktail.

Ash Wednesday – February 18 Mass Schedule

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

The Way of the Cross (The Stations of the Cross)

The way of the Cross will be guided every Friday during Lent. At St. John at 12 noon guided by the Sisters. At Sacred Heart at 6:30 PM, or if First Friday after the 6:30PM Mass, guided by Fr. Gaston.

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 to noon. For info contact Sr. Inmaculada 705 977 6410 or stjohnandsacredheart@gmail.com

Parish Volunteers in any capacity must be screened through the Diocese Volunteer screening Program, so if you are a volunteer at either Sacred Heart or St Johns and have not been contacted yet for the screening, please reach out to Nithya Rozario at 416 558 2562/ nithyavathi@gmail.com or Ann Kennedy 705 742 8534 at your earliest convenience.

Pro-Life Walk

Dear parishioners, you are invited to the “Pro-Life Hospital Walk” from 10 -11a.m.  on the first and third Saturdays of each month.  Please join us in witnessing our faith and bring a friend!

DIOCESAN &O THER NEWS:

Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Registration for our Veritas Summer Program is now open. The summer program is a great, low commitment way for high school students to experience all that Our Lady Seat of Wisdom has to offer. Throughout the program, attendees will attend faculty-led lectures and seminars, explore the beautiful Madawaska Valley, and live in our student residences which will be chaperoned by current students who are serving as counselors. There are daily opportunities for Mass, Adoration, and communal Compline, as well. Those who attend the summer program and later come to the College as a full-time student will receive a tuition benefit of equal value to the registration fee. For those interested, more information can be found at: https://www.seatofwisdom.ca/veritas -summer-program/

A Winter Social for the Peterborough Catholic 20’s and 30’s group will take place on Sat, Feb. 21.  Things start off with a fun skate at the Quaker Rink at 3:00pm, and then continue with a potluck gathering and games night at the meeting rooms of Sacred Heart rectory.  No need to register – just come out and enjoy!

World Youth Day 2027 Our diocese will be travelling to Seoul on July 27th-August 9th, 2027. Any interested pilgrims, individuals or groups, between the ages of 18-35 are invited to contact Fr. Stephen.

FrStephenDecarlo@peterboroughdiocese.org

35^th Lift Jesus Higher Rally

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