HOME

Dear Parishioners,

This weekend we have another controversial parable that Jesus relates on Holy Tuesday, the last day of Jesus public life, in the context of a major break with the religious authority of Israel. Isaiah in the First reading put it beautifully “Let me now sing of my friend, my friend’s song concerning his vineyard” God is his friend and He sings about it. At the end he says “The vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the people of Judah are his cherished plant” we can applied it to us being the vineyard the Church and its cherished plant the priests.

In the Parable of the Tenants “There was a Landowner” This is God the Father; “who planted a vineyard” his people Israel; “Put a hedge around it” the Fathers of the Church say that it is Divine Providence that protects; “dug a wine press in it” The wine press is made out of stone. You put the grapes on that stone and by pressing the grape you obtain the juice from it (like Gethsemane). It is a symbol of an altar (the Liturgy of the Sacrifice); “and built a tower” A tower is a high building from which you can watch the coming of people to the city. The tower symbolizes Holy Scripture by which you can see and expect the coming of the Messiah (the Liturgy of the Word); “Then he leased it to tenants and went on a journey” Who are tenants? Tenants are those who take care of the vineyard. High Priests, Elders, Pharisees; “When vintage time drew near” This is the fullness of time; the time to gather the fruits; “he sent his servants  to the tenants  to obtain his produce” His servants are the Prophets; “But the tenants seized the servants and one they beat” as it happened to Jeremiah “another they killed” as it happened to Isaiah “and a third they stoned” as it happened to Naboth and Zacharias. Notice that at each step of their wickedness the mercy of God was increased. “Finally, he sent his son to them, thinking, ‘They will respect my son’” By sending the Son at last  symbolizes the coming of Jesus; “But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and acquire his inheritance’” Look at the reasoning of the tenants. They covet his vineyard. “They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him” Christ was crucified outside the walls of Jerusalem, as out of the vineyard.

Jesus asks this questions so they condemned themselves: “What will the owner of the vineyard do to those tenants when he comes? They answered him, ‘He will put those wretched men to a wretched death and lease his vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the proper times’”

So Jesus condemns them by saying quoting Scriptures: “Did you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’” And because they did not produce the fruit, He concludes: “Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit” The people that will produce its fruit is the Church, which by faith in the Son and by love produce fruits of eternal life. Let us ask our Blessed Mother for all priests to produce the fruits in the vineyard of God.              Fr. Gaston Giacinti, IVE.

WEEKLY NEWS

Life Chain This Sunday, Oct 4th join thousands across Canada standing against abortion in a peaceful, prayerful demonstration. The annual Life Chain will be from 2 – 3 pm. between George and Park Sts. Signs can be picked up at Sacred Heart Church beginning at 1:30. There will be prayers for Life afterwards at Sacred Heart church.

Sacramental Preparation 2026–2027 The online pre-registration form for Sacramental Preparation is now available on our website! Classes begin in October.
•First Reconciliation & First Communion: Sat.
•Confirmation: Thursdays Visit www.stjohnpeterborough.ca to register
RCIA – Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

This process, through which adults become fully initiated members of our Catholic faith community, will begin again in Oct. If you someone you know, is interested in learning more about the Catholic faith and the possibility of becoming a Catholic, please contact M. Asterone 249 688 0930.

DIOCESAN & O THER NEWS:

Canada needs Our Lady Rosary Rally Come join as people all around the world gather for the 2026 Rally on Sat. Oct. 10, at 12noon. We will meet on the St. Alphonsus Liguori Parish front lawn, together to show our faith to everyone and to honour Our Blessed Mother by praying the Holy Rosary for our families, our communities, and our country. All are welcome to participate. 

Andrew Roelands Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate. Everyone is invited to participate and pray for our seminarian the Ordination Mass will be on Friday Oct. 23, at 7pm at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains by Bishop Daniel Miehm.

St Peter In Chains Bicentennial Misson

Nov. 7-10, Fr. John O’Brien S.J. speaking on “Into the heart of the Canadian Martyrs”.

Catholic Group PeterboroughAll young adult Catholics are invited to join a group with other young adult Catholics based in Ptbo!  Use the QR code in the poster to be added to the WhatsApp group and stay in touch with future events.

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! Register to join our contact list.  www.ptbocampusministry.ca

Jesus Youth invites all youth & young adults 16–20 yrs old to Dead Man Walking, an annual three-day residential retreat for those heading into their final years before university, a gap year, or the workforce. Held at Valley of the Mother of God, Orangeville on Oct 16-18th. Featuring Jason Evert & Steadfast Worship, Toronto’s own favourite Catholic worship band. Registration 647 2708592 dmw.jesusyouth.ca Email dmw.ontario@jesusyouth.ca