From the Vineyard

From the Vineyard

Newsletter No. 52 - January 11, 2019

THE CHRISTMAS SEASON WRAPS UP with this Sunday’s feast of the Baptism of the Lord, and all over the diocese decorations are being taken down and stored away.  I am slightly sad to see the disassembly of the tree and decorations here at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre, yet this is part of the transition back to Ordinary time.  It’s a lengthy spell of Ordinary time this year, as Lent begins quite late, in view of this year’s later Easter: Ash Wednesday takes place on March 6. 

PRIESTS OF THE CITY DEANERY met at Immaculate Conception Parish in Peterborough this week, hosted by Father Bill Moloney and chaired by our dean, Father Jerry Tavares.  I was glad to hear that plans are already well underway for various Lenten activities, including the city area Parish Mission with Bishop Gary Gordon, being held from March 17th to 20th.   The host site will be the Cathedral of Saint Peter-in-Chains, but all the parishes of the city and environs are sponsoring this Lenten Mission and assisting with it.  I am praying for a good turnout of people from across the Diocese of Peterborough.  Mark your calendars now!

OUR PRIESTS-PRINCIPALS MEETING takes place this Wednesday afternoon at the PVNC Catholic District School Board, beginning with lunch.  This twice-yearly event is a good opportunity for priests and principals to gather and discuss various topics of mutual pastoral concern.  I find this to be a helpful forum and remind our priests about the importance of attending – and that free lunch only sweetens the deal!

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS REVISED THE TERMS OF THE CANADA SUMMER JOBS ACT, removing the controversial language of the attestation concerning reproductive rights.  This caused much concern for many faith groups when the attestation was implemented last year, and it precluded many such groups from applying for CSJ funds.   The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued a statement applauding the recent changes, while noting that it will be important to continue to monitor how the program is administered especially with respect to the “eligible activities” section of the application. 

THE ANNUAL ST. JOSEPH DINNER  in support of Catholic campus ministry at Trent University and Fleming College takes place on Saturday, February 2.  The reception begins at 5:30 and the Dinner at 6:30 at Personal Touch Banquet Hall on Lansdowne St. West.  Last year’s dinner was a great success and I know that Father John Perdue is looking forward to growing the event this year.  The keynote speaker should help that cause: Father Raymond de Souza of Kingston is a well-known writer whose work has been published in many newspapers and magazines.  Having heard him speak at last year’s Rise Up Conference in Ottawa, I know he will do a tremendous job!  Be sure to get your tickets now. 

DID YOU KNOW THAT WE HAVE A KOREAN PARISH in our Diocese? It’s true! Korean Martyrs Parish is housed at Holy Angels Church in Brighton: Father Augustine Kyu Young Yeon uses that as headquarters and offers Mass in several other places along the Lake Ontario shore for his parishioners.  I am looking forward to celebrating Mass with them in Brighton this Sunday afternoon.  

                                                                Pax et Bonum,   † Daniel

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