From the Vineyard

Newsletter No. 35 - June 29, 2018

THE MOVING VANS WERE BURNING UP THE HIGHWAYS in our Diocese yesterday. The new pastoral assignments took effect on Thursday, and various priests have been busy packing, moving and settling in: and now they are preparing in earnest for weekend number one in their new parishes. Many blessings upon all those priests starting new assignments in these days: may they be well and warmly received!

ON SUNDAY I PRESENTED BENEMERENTI MEDALS to two parishioners of Immaculate Conception Parish in Peterborough. Yvonne LeBlanc and Walter Van Tol have contributed particularly to the musical life of the parish through long service in the choir: both have shared their musical talents over many decades. The Benemerenti Medal is a papal honour conferred on laypeople and clergy for dedicated service to the Church. It means “well-deserved” and both Yvonne and Walter are most deserving recipients of this papal distinction.

I WAS HAPPY TO JOIN IN THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS AT ST. THOMAS MORE PARISH IN MILLBROOK on Sunday. I was unable to attend the Mass but made it in time for the barbecue and games held afterwards on the church property. When I saw him, Father Craig Cruikshank had recovered nicely from his turn in the dunk tank! Parishioners and former pastors came out for the festivities, a great milestone for the parish.

OUR ANNUAL BARBECUE FOR RETIRED PRIESTS took place at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre yesterday – or to be precise, in the backyard shared by the DPC and Cathedral Rectory. It was good to welcome the dozen or so men who made the effort to be with us. Thanks to Fr. Peter Seabrooke, Fr. Bill Moloney and the Knights of Columbus for making it all happen.

THE CANADIAN CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS issued an insightful statement this week, expressing concerns over the recent legalization of marijuana for recreational use in Canada. You can link to that CCCB Statement through our Diocesan website here.

I ATTENDED THE GRADUATION FOR ST. PETER CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL in Peterborough last night. Congratulations and prayers for the 250 or so Graduates as they move forward in life down many and varied paths. May they always walk by faith!

TODAY IS THE SOLEMNITY OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL, and the patronal feast of our Cathedral, St. Peter-in-Chains. I look forward to celebrating the 12:10 Mass, remembering the words of St. Peter that grace our Diocesan Coat of Arms: “You have the words of eternal life.”

SAFE TRAVELS TO ALL THIS CANADA DAY WEEKEND. I will be celebrating the Saturday evening Mass at St. Jean de Brebeuf Mission in Buckhorn, our nearby cottage country.

WITH THE SUMMER HERE, “From the Vineyard” will go on a hiatus, basically until Labour Day. (But I may be inspired to produce one summer issue along the way.) To keep up with happenings in the Diocese of Peterborough, check out our website, and follow us on Facebook (Facebook: Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough) and Twitter (Twitter: @DiocesePtbo).

A blessed and safe summer to all!

Pax et Bonum, † Daniel

His Excellency Most Reverend Bishop Miehm