From the Vineyard

From the Vineyard

Newsletter No. 81 - November 8, 2019

OUR PRIEST STUDY DAYS TAKE PLACE NEXT WEEK.  This annual time of study, fraternity and professional development is always of great benefit to priests serving in our Diocese.  We are looking forward to some helpful and practical presentations on marriage and pastoral initiatives with families.  Teresa Hartnett, Director of Family Ministry in the Diocese of Hamilton will be our principal speaker for these days.  Please pray for us, that these days will be fruitful for our priestly ministry!

I WAS HAPPY TO ATTEND THE CELEBRATION OF LEARNING AT HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL in Courtice yesterday.  These annual awards recognize students who have greatly improved in studies or who have achieved high academic standards.    I was graciously received by the Principal, Mark Joly and Vice-Principal Lisa Heitzner, and was pleased to be part of such a happy and festive gathering.   Congratulations to all the award winners!

FATHER ANTE MARKET IS FEATURED ON THE COVER of the latest newsletter from St. Augustine’s Seminary.  Father Ante was ordained for Peterborough in 2011 and, after serving in a couple of parishes, was quickly dispatched to Rome for studies in Canon Law.   He has completed his doctoral studies at the Gregorian University and has now joined the faculty of St. Augustine’s Seminary.   We wish Father Ante well in his new ministry of teaching and seminary formation, work that is so vital for the future of the Church. 

A SYMPOSIUM FOR RECENTLY ORDAINED PRIESTS was held this week in Niagara Falls, with several of our younger clergy from Peterborough among the forty participants.  This Symposium is sponsored by the Ontario Bishops and offered every two or three years.  It is a good opportunity for those new to priestly ministry to gather with their confreres and be united in prayer and bolstered by some excellent talks and discussions. 

IN COMING ATTRACTIONS, “RESETTLED” is a short video that our Office for Refugee Sponsorship is producing, with a view to featuring the good work that has taken place in our diocese.   I was happy to view an early cut of the video a couple of weeks ago and to film my little piece for it this morning.   We hope to have this 15-minute film ready for viewing in parishes and online by the new year.  

I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO A VISIT TO ST. MICHAEL PARISH IN COBOURG this weekend, a chance to connect with Father Gerardus Hauwert, IVE, Fr. James Byrne, IVE, and their many parishioners.  And I am praying for warmer climes and less snow on the lakeshore!

                                                                                                                                            Fraternally,   † Daniel

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