A World Made Deaf and Mute by Original Sin

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“The Lord Jesus made the deaf hear and the mute speak, may he soon touch your ears to receive His Word and your mouth to proclaim His faith, to the praise and glory of God the Father.”

ceremony-1504661This is the beautiful prayer that is said after a child is baptized as part of the explanatory rites— those rites that take place after the actual baptism and that are intended to explain what God’s grace has accomplished in the individual who was baptized. It is part of a ritual that is called the “Ephphatha” and during which the celebrant of the sacrament of Baptism touches the ears and the mouth of the young person who has been baptized. The rite takes its name from the word that Jesus uses in today’s Gospel reading when he cures the deaf and the mute man. As he touches the ears and mouth of the deaf and mute man, he says “Ephphatha,” which in Aramaic means “be open.” In today’s Gospel, after Jesus has touched the man’s ears and mouth, the man is cured and he and others begin to proclaim the marvellous works of God, saying: “He has done everything well, he even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

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R.C.I.A

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Interested in the Catholic faith ?
Would like to join the Catholic Church ?
Then register for this year’s R.C.I.A. program !

Starting Tuesday evening, September 22, from 7:15 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. in the Parish Centre, The R.C.I.A. program here at St. Peter’s invites all Non-Catholics who are interested in learning about our Catholic faith. The program will meet weekly on Tuesday evening at 7:15 p.m.

The participants in the R.C.I.A. program are called Catechumens or Candidates. A Catechumen is one who has never been baptized and is considering becoming a Catholic. A Candidate is someone who has been previously baptized in a Christian denomination other than Catholic. Father Jim Casper and Mr. Peter Williamson will be the co-ordinators this year. We also need active Catholics who would like to be part of the hospitality team to volunteer. Please pray for the success of this year’s R.C.I.A program. For more information or volunteer call the parish office at 416-534-4219.

Mission Co-op

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Each year every parish in the Archdiocese invites a missionary preacher to speak about the need of the local Church. This year our speaker will be Fr. Gigi Philip from the Archdiocese of Tiruvalla representing the diocese for mission preaching at our parish during all the Masses for the weekend of August 22-23. Please give generously for our brothers and sisters in need. Thank you! Continue reading →