From the Vineyard

From the Vineyard

Newsletter No. 187 - JULY 29, 2022

FROM THE VINEYARD makes a rare mid-summer appearance, as there are a lot of relevant happenings, locally and nationally.

POPE FRANCIS CONCLUDES HIS PENITENTIAL PILGRIMAGE to Canada later today, with a visit to Iqaluit and former Residential school students there.   Earlier visits in Edmonton and Quebec City included opportunities for prayer, encounters with Indigenous people and meetings about the history and legacy of Indian Residential Schools.  In Mascwacis, the Holy Father apologized and asked forgiveness for the damage inflicted by the Residential schools and their program of cultural destruction and forced assimilation.   He reiterated his apology at the Citadel in Quebec City, identifying the role played by Catholic institutions in the trauma inflicted by Residential schools.  Pope Francis has affirmed that any apology must be followed by action, so that the work of reconciliation may be ongoing.  Let us hold this in prayer as we strive to “Walk Together” in ways that will bring healing based on truth, justice, and mutual respect.  

I WAS BLESSED TO JOIN THE PAPAL VISIT in Quebec City, along with more than fifty other bishops from across the country. We concelebrated Mass with the Holy Father on Thursday morning at the shrine of St. Anne de Beaupre with thousands in attendance, indoors and outdoors.  Yesterday afternoon, Pope Francis presided at Vespers (Evening Prayer) at the Cathedral of Notre Dame. There he gathered with clergy, seminarians and consecrated men and women and pastoral workers, and urged us in our ministry to show “respect for each individual and every cultural and religious difference.” Afterwards, bishops and Indigenous leaders sat down together over dinner and discussed concrete steps to carry forward the work of reconciliation and the promise of this historic papal visit. This will be an ongoing priority for us in the Diocese of Peterborough as we work to build local relationships that will contribute to the essential journey of reconciliation.

DIOCESAN PASTORAL PLANNING continues even during the summer.  This weekend, an online survey will be launched seeking input about local issues and priorities for the Diocese of Peterborough and the parishes & missions.  To speed up the survey, the demographic questions are not asked and instead there is one link for clergy and one for the laity.  Please take a look at the Synthesis, What We Heard, and give your feedback through this survey about the issues and priorities you see for pastoral planning.   The survey will be open until September 16^th and the information from it will be used in Deanery and Diocesan gatherings later this Fall. 

WE WELCOME THE FRANCISCAN CAPUCHINS (OFM Cap) to the Diocese of Peterborough.  The Capuchins have had a strong presence and ministry in the Archdiocese of Toronto and Diocese of London for many years.   They began speaking with us last year about their desire to expand east of Toronto with a Franciscan House of Prayer and Spirituality.  Brother Alan Gaebel, OFM Cap and Brother Stephen Van Massenhoven, OFM Cap will move into the former St. John Paul II Discernment House next to St. Alphonsus Parish in Peterborough this August.  They will be looking to get involved in various activities and ministries as they begin to establish themselves here. Let us pray for blessings upon them and their apostolates!

ST. PAUL PARISH IN GRAVENHURST celebrated the 50^th Anniversary of the Dedication of their Church this past Sunday.   I was pleased to join Father Placid Obijii and parishioners and enjoyed the weekend activities which were well organized by the Parish Council and Finance Council.  And it was good to see former pastors, Father Joe Moran and Father Jim Sercely!

SEVERAL PRIESTS HAVE ARRIVED IN LATE JUNE AND JULY.   Father Jithin Jose, CMI, has arrived from India to serve as the associate pastor at St. Alphonsus in Peterborough.   Father Neil Pereira, from the Archdiocese of Toronto, takes up Campus Ministry to Trent University and Fleming College.  (He will be residing at the Cathedral).   And Father Charles Orchard, a priest of the Companions of the Cross, has come from Ottawa and settled into the Cathedral where he will serve as associate pastor.  Welcome Fathers, one and all! 

                                                                                                                                                Fraternally,   + Daniel

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