Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! Psalm 51:2
Sunday February 22,2026
Message From Our Pastor & News
Dear Parishioners,
With Ash Wednesday we have started the Season of Lent. We have received the ashes on our foreheads and heard the words: ‘remember you are dust and to dust you shall return’ (Gen. 3:19), remembering us our mortal condition. Lent began when the Holy Spirit drove Jesus into the desert. The same Holy Spirit drives the whole Church and all of us into this spiritual desert – into ‘this sacred time’. The reason why the Holy Spirit led Him into the desert is given by the Gospel itself “to be tempted by the devil” This is why we call this Sunday, the Sunday of the Temptations. In Jesus’ temptations are the matter of all sins, as we can testify this from the Gospel “When the devil had finished every temptation, he departed from Him for a time”
Jesus was tempted: First, TO STRENGTHEN US against temptations. Second, to give us an example and to teach us HOW TO OVERCOME temptations. Third, to WARN US that however safe we may think we are; we are not free from temptations. Finally, to fill us with trust in His mercy: “we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin”
Temptations will come, but we should not get discourage; temptation is not a sin. A sin is when we consent (accept) the temptation. If we fail, there are 2 kind of sins which keep a paralell to the natural order: Venial sin which is compared as to when we are sick: we need to stay in bed, take medicine (but we are still alive); and Mortal sin which is compared as when we are dead: we cannot receive Communion. But even if we fail like this, we should not get discourage, this is why Jesus came to die for us. We should get up again with God’s grace, and go to the Sacrament of Confession and receive again his divine life. Let us ask our Blessed Mother, that this Lent, may be a time of proven love for Christ. Fr. Gaston Giacinti, IVE
WEEKLY NEWS
Congratulations to the 50/50 Winner
The lucky number is 092528 for $100 for the Sun. Feb. 8th raffle & we still have the raffle price for Sun. Jan. 11th of $88.50 ticket number 591779.
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
Confession schedule changes at Sacred Heart
On February 27 There will be regular Friday adoration from 1:30pm-6:30pm, but No Confession at Sacred Heart, there will be Lenten confession at St John’s from 5:00pm – 6: 30pm There will be stations of the cross at 6:30pm after adoration.
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!
Lenten Activities Lenten Retreat The Catholic Missionary Children Oratory are hosting a Lenten Retreat for Children 6-13 years old. It will include games, talks, prayer (stations of the Cross, adoration to the Blessed Sacrament, rosary) Confession, and Mass. The retreat will take place on Sat., February 28, from 11:00am to 5:00pm Drop off at St. John Elementary School. Pick up at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. To register or for more info please text sister Inmaculada 705 977 6410 for registration https://forms.gle/QXWyoW8yr2xnTpJy7 Lenten Confession Friday February 27 Lenten confession at St. John the Baptist from 5:00-6:30pm. (No confession at Sacred Heart on that day) Friday March 6 Lenten confession at Sacred Heart from 5:00pm-6:30pm Presentation for Lent March 21st and March 22nd Fr. Gaston will present a PowerPoint on the chronology of the Gospel events, focusing on the week before the Passion, Passion Week, and the timeline of Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection. The presentation will include maps, times, and locations. All are welcome! Saturday, March 21st at Sacred Heart Church, after the 5:30pm Mass (in the basement). Sunday, March 22nd at Saint John’s, after the 10:30am Mass (in the basement). |
DIOCESAN &O THER NEWS:
SHARE LENT 2026 On Track for Justice – Message by Bishop Daniel Miehm Click below
https://stjohnpeterborough.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Share-Lent-2026.pdf
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/
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
35th Lift Jesus Higher Rally
March 14th 9:00am-5:30pm @Metro Toronto Convention Center for details, visit https://ljhr.ca/