Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord this Sunday, we are invited to reflect on the profound moment when Jesus was baptized in the waters of the Jordan by John. This feast reminds us of Christ’s humility and the revelation of the Holy Trinity, as the heavens opened and the Father declared, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).

This year, our joy is deepened by a historic event: the consecration of the new Catholic Shrine of the Baptism of the Lord in Al-Maghtas, Jordan, on January 10th, 2025 by His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Vatican, and His Eminence Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.

Al-Maghtas, recognized as the holy site of Jesus’ baptism in the Holy Land, is a place of immense spiritual significance, where the waters of the Jordan have borne witness to the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. The fact that this new shrine will be entrusted to the care of our religious family, the Institute of the Incarnate Word, fills us with gratitude and responsibility.  

This consecration is a testament to the Church’s ongoing mission to sanctify and preserve the holy sites where the mysteries of our faith unfolded.

Today let us renew the grace of our own baptism and its baptismal promises.

God bless you

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.

Catholic Missionary Children Oratory

For Children 7-12 years old. Saturdays 10:30 AM to noon at St. John the Baptist. For info or to register contact Sr. Inmaculada at stjohnandsacredheart@gmail.com

Altar Boy Group at Sacred Heart 

1st & 3rd Fridays of the Month, 6:15 – 8:30 PM.

FORMED Sign-up

1. Visit Website – formed.org, select “Sign Up”.
2. For Parish Name type in “Saint John the Baptist 300 Wilson Street” both parishes (Sacred Heart & St. John are using the same account)
3. Then after selecting the Church, click on “Next”.
4. Fill in your name & email to create an account. This will allow you to log in to the same account on multiple devices (like iPads, Phone, laptops or smart TVs)
5. Then Select “Sign Up”

DIOCESAN &O THER NEWS:

Jubilee 2025 Pilgrims of Hope:

Diocesan Message:

His Excellency’s Bishop Miehm’s Diocesan message for the 2025 Jubilee Year: Pilgrims of Hope

https://www.peterboroughdiocese.org/en/get-involved/jubilee-year-2025-events-schedule.aspx?_mid_=35659

During the Jubilee Year 2025, you will be invited to pilgrimage to the 4 designated churches in our diocese to obtain the plenary indulgence (St. Peter-In-Chains Peterborough, St. Michael’s Cobourg, St. Partick’s Kearney and Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary/St. Mary’s Lindsay).  How to fulfill the conditions can be found here:

https://www.peterboroughdiocese.org/en/about-us/resources/From-the-Vineyard/2024—FTV/November-29-2024/Decree-Indulgence-Jubilee-Year-2025-2.pdf

Let us gather in prayer, entrust our intentions to the intercession of saints, and confess to God through the sacrament of reconciliation.  Let us not be afraid to ask God for what we need! And may this Holy Year be a source of hope, rich in spiritual fruit for all the situations that are dear to us, especially for local and global situations in which hope seems to succumb in the face of so much evil and suffering in the world.

Vatican Website Jubilee Year 2025

https://www.iubilaeum2025.va/en.html

Vatican News

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2024-11/jubilee-2025-rome-vatican-pilgrims.html

Put the fun into February: 

Beat the February Blues by attending a fantastic Roast Beef Dinner in the

Immaculate Conception parish hall, 386 Rogers Street, on Saturday,

February 1st.  Social hour at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m. 

Limited number of tickets: Adults $25, under 12 $15. 

Call the parish office 705-742-5466 now to book your tickets.

St. Peter’s Cemetery St. Peter’s Cemetery is a not-for-profit organization and offers flower stand rental and watering, monument cleaning and contrary to popular belief, is NOT FULL! There are several burial options available. St. Peter’s Cemetery in Peterborough is looking for a replacement riding tractor to maintain our grounds. If anyone has a used riding tractor for sale, please let us know. For more info or to set up an appointment please contact Alexis Robertson  Stpeterscemetery@bellnet.ca or 705-742-9951