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I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, so I shall be saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:3
Sunday October 25,2026
Message From Our Pastor & News
Dear Parishioners,
Today, the Gospel invites us to meditate on the two greatest commandments: love of God and love of neighbor. This is why the tablets of the Ten Commandments are traditionally understood as two: the first three commandments are directed toward God, and the remaining seven toward our neighbor. In the Gospel today, Jesus quotes the Book of Deuteronomy (6:4–7): “Hear (Shema), O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone! Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God, 1- with all your heart, 2- and with all your soul, 3- and with all your strength. Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today. Drill them into your children. Speak of them: 1- at home 2- and abroad, whether you are 3- busy 4- or at rest. 5- Bind them on your arm as a sign 6- and let them be as a pendant on your forehead. 7- Write them on the doorposts of your houses 8- and on your gates…” The TARGUM is an Aramaic translation of the biblical text that often includes interpretation and explanation. “Hear, O Israel!” Here Israel refers to Jacob, whose name God changed to Israel (Gen. 32:29). The Targumic interpretation of the Shema is closely connected with the account of Jacob’s death. In the Targum Neofiti, we read: ‘when the fixed time of our father Jacob’s death had come, he gathered the twelve tribes around his deathbed. And he said: From Abraham, my father’s father, was born Ishmael the impious. From Isaac, my father, was born Esau the impure. So can it happen that some of you will give worship to idols to which Abraham’s father gave? Can it happen that you will give worship to the idols as Laban, my mother’s brother did? And so, the twelve tribes answered him unanimously, with a perfect heart: “Shema Israel (Listen Oh Israel), our Father, Adonai, our God, is one” Abraham had lost half of his sons (Ishmael and Isaac), the same happened to Isaac (Esau and Jacob). So Jacob, fearing that it may happened the same to his sons said: “I have twelve sons, and I may lose half of them” But his sons reassured him by professing their faith together: “Shema Israel!” — “Hear, O Israel!”
The Shema is brought to fulfillment with CHRIST. He said: “love one another, AS I HAVE LOVED YOU” In the Old Testament people loved God and Neighbor but with a NATURAL LOVE. But Christ elevated this love to SUPERNATURAL LOVE. Imagine you have a dog. You are a rational human being, but the dog is an irrational creature. You ask your dog to love you back in the same way that you love him. He cannot, because he is irrational. Well, God wanted us to love Him back with His own love. But we are human beings, and we cannot love Him with divine love on our own. So, Jesus elevated our human nature by infusing in us sanctifying grace (a participation in the divine nature), enabling us to love Him with His own love, which is divine.
We do not love because we feel affection. As Jesus said, “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?” We love for the sake of God, even when we do not feel affection or when we experience rejection. As Jesus commanded us, “Love your enemies.” Jesus, on the Cross, did not feel affection toward us who crucified Him with our sins. Nevertheless, the Cross is the greatest manifestation of His love for us. “Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, love is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” Let us ask our Blessed Mother to help us love God and Neighbor with God’s love. Fr. Gaston Giacinti, IVE
WEEKLY NEWS
Sacramental Preparation 2026–2027
Classes are at St. John parish
•First Reconciliation & First Communion:
Saturdays at 2:30pm
•Confirmation: Thursdays at 3:45pm
For more info contact Sr. Inmaculada 705 977 6479.
RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Classes are at St. John parish on Saturdays at 2:30 pm For more info contact M. Asterone 249 688 0930.
In depth Study on the Most Holy Eucharist
Class Reminder for Thursday Oct 29th from 7-8 pm at St John. For more details contact Daniel Rozario 647 928 6414 DanielRozario@live.com
Bible Course on the Book of Psalms
Discover the Heart of God. The psalms will strengthen your faith, encourage your heart, and help you draw closer to God in every season of life. Oct 19 to Dec 15 Classes will be on Mondays 6:30 – 8pm at Sacred Heart Parish Hall facilitated by Sr Dorothy Nzekwe, SOLI to register contact srdorothy@solisisters.ca
705 313 6905 cost $75.00
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.
- The faithful are encouraged 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.
CWL Christmas Bazaar 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!
All Saints Day Party- We are pleased to announce that our annual All Saints Day Party will be held at St. Paul’s Parish Hall in Lakefield on Sun. Nov. 1st from 2-6pm. All are welcome to attend. Dress as your favourite Saint! We have a costume contest, Saint-themed games, prizes and light refreshments/treats. Please note, a free pizza dinner will be served at 5pm. This is a free event – donations to the Parish Vocations Team are encouraged but optional.
St Peter In Chains Bicentennial Misson
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. Everyone welcome!
Peterborough Campus Ministry exists to accompany students at Trent University and Fleming College. If you are a post-secondary student and are looking to deepen your faith, join a vibrant community of students and young adults, or are simply curious about Catholicism and the Catholic Church, then you belong in our chaplaincy! www.ptbocampusministry.ca