From the Vineyard

From the Vineyard

Newsletter No. 89 - January 24, 2020

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS DOING A PUBLIC CONSULTATION about expanding the eligibility for Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Suicide.  This follows a recent Supreme Court of Quebec ruling that found it unconstitutional to limit M.A.I.D. to those whose death is reasonably foreseeable.   This is worrying to say the least, and it confirms the trend seen in other countries – that once Euthanasia and Medically Assisted Suicide are admitted on a limited basis, the practice quickly increases.   We are urging Catholics in our country to respond to the online survey and voice their concern over the expansion of eligibility criteria.   You can get to the survey via the Canadian Bishops' website, which offers some helpful suggestions on how to respond.  The consultation continues until this Monday. 

SINCERE THANKS TO THOSE WHO PARTICPATED IN OUR ECUMENICAL SERVICE for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  Father Jerry Tavares of St. Alphonsus Liguori Parish and Rev. Brad Smith of St. John Anglican put the arrangements in place.  Father Randy Foster and the parishioners of St. Anne Parish very kindly hosted us, and Rev. Crystal Moore of Lakefield Community Church gave an inspiring homily for the occasion.   I was encouraged that more than 100 people of various denominations gathered to pray for Christian unity. 

PARISHIONERS OF SACRED HEART AND ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISHES in Peterborough are bidding farewell to Father Andrew Ayala, IVE this weekend.  After many years of service in our Diocese, both in Peterborough and Cobourg, Father Andrew is being assigned by his religious order to teach at their seminary in Washington, D.C.  He will most certainly be missed, and the “Men in Black” concerts won’t be the same without his great vocal talents!   We are, at the same time, delighted to welcome Father Salvador Curutchet, IVE, as the new pastor of Sacred Heart and St. John the Baptist Parishes.  

THE ANNUAL ST. JOSEPH DINNER TO SUPPORT CAMPUS MINISTRY takes place on Saturday, February 8 at 5:30 p.m. at Personal Touch Banquet Hall in Peterborough.  It’s always a great event and a fun evening.     Tickets can be ordered on the Office of Vocations' website.  

SPEAKING OF CAMPUS MINISTRY, I WAS HAPPY TO CELEBRATE MASS with about thirty students at Trent University this week.  Father John Perdue maintains an active group of young people there, with the good help of lay missionaries from Catholic Christian Outreach. 

THE WORLD DAY FOR CONSECRATED LIFE takes place on Sunday, February 2, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.  This year, we are celebrating Mass at St. Therese Parish in Courtice, Sunday afternoon at 3:00 p.m.  We will be hosted there by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate and the Daughters of St. Mary of Leuca and look forward to welcoming parishioners and Consecrated men and women from around our Diocese.  Father Gerardus Hauwert, IVE, from St. Michael Parish in Cobourg, has graciously agreed to be the homilist.  

                                                                                                                                            Fraternally,   † Daniel

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