If the home that you grew up in was like the one in which I grew up in, you might have heard things like this said to you as a young person:
“If you eat your vegetables, you can have dessert.”
“Finish your homework and then you can watch television.”
“If you get a good report card, you can go to camp this summer instead of summer school.”
Hearing things like this as we grow up, can lead some of us to think that life is fair and that if we are good, good things will happen to us. In fact, for some Christians, one of the very difficult challenges in life is trying to understand why it is that if they pray and follow the commandments, it is still possible for bad things to happen to them. For many, there is a sense that faith should act as a kind of lucky charm; protecting them from anything difficult in life. I sometimes think of this as a kind of “Rabbit Foot” approach to faith. It is like thinking that by hanging a rosary from the rear-view mirror of our car, we will be protected from an accident. What a rosary is really intended for is for praying, that we might know that God is with us through all of the different circumstances of our lives. Continue reading
It is with great sadness that the parish says goodbye to the Sisters of St. Joseph. The Sisters of St. Joseph have been affiliated with the parish of St. Peter’s since the 1860’s when they were teaching here at a time that our own parish was a mission of St. Mary’s Church further south on Bathurst Street. The archives of the Sisters of St. Joseph show that Sister Martha Morrow taught at St. Peter’s Elementary School throughout the 1870’s and 80’s. Sister Bernadette Dalton was the last Sister of St. Joseph to serve as principal of St. Peter’s School in 1971 and Sister Marina Marotta taught there until 1973. With their formation house located on Palmerston Avenue, the Sisters of St. Joseph have continued to be active in the parish in many ways, assisting with the Winter Welcome Table, serving on the Social Justice Committee, Vocations Committee, and the parish’s Refugee Committee. The parish is very grateful to the Sisters of St. Joseph for their prophetic witness and support. At the end of this month, they will leave their house on Palmerston Avenue for another house in the community. With much gratitude, the parish assures the Sisters of St. Joseph of our continued prayers. Thank you Sisters!
The parish will resume the monthly memorial Mass to commemorate the anniversaries of the deceased friends and family members of parishioners. Names may be enrolled for each monthly Mass by calling the parish office ahead of time. Those who enroll a name (or names) will be asked to leave their name and phone number. Those who request a memorial Mass must attend to light a candle for their deceased loved one. A donation of $20.00 per person is the suggested donation for this special Mass. This Mass is intended only for the anniversaries of death, birthdays and special occasions taking place in that particular month for the parishioners of St. Peter’s Parish and their family members. Those who are not parishioners of St. Peter’s are encouraged to have a Mass celebrated for their deceased loved ones in their own parish.
This retreat is being offered by Sr. Gabriel Riddle, cps in the gardens of the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood:
As Christians, we are invited to share the Good News with others. Today this can be done by inviting someone to consider joining the R.C.I.A. in the parish where they would like to attend Sunday Mass. The “R.C.I.A.” is the Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults. Through the celebration of these rites in their local parish community, individuals become members of the Catholic Church through their local parish community. These rites are accompanied by a catechetical process which educates those who are becoming Catholic in the teachings of Christ and the traditions of the Church that He established to continue His mission and spread the Good News.
We are having a meeting for anyone who would like to volunteer to help with the Fall Fair. Past volunteers and new volunteers are encouraged to attend. The meeting will provide information about the tasks that will need to be completed and provide opportunity for the community to ask any questions and/or suggestions they may have regarding this year’s event.