Welcoming the New Missal...

It won't be long now!  Here is an overview of some of the ways we will be preparing on the parish level for the long-awaited and much-anticipated New Roman Missal:

• An October workshop will be offered for all parishioners focusing on the background, purpose and content of the new translation.  (Date to be determined). One of the resources for this workshop will be the DVD entitled “A New Translation for a New Roman Missal” produced by Midwest Theological Forum.
• The new translation will perhaps affect us most on the level of liturgical music.  With the new Missal also comes the invitation to rediscover the beauty of the sung Mass by drawing from our rich heritage of sacred music.  Parishioners will be invited to join in music practice sessions which will focus on praying the texts of the Mass through sacred song.  Stay tuned for practice times!
• Pew cards with the text of the new translation for the congregation will be placed in the pews for use during the time of transition.  (For those who purchase them, the Sunday Missals for the new liturgical year will also include the new translations).
• A short service of de-commissioning of the Sacramentary will take place at the end of the 9 AM Mass on Saturday, November 26, to mark the last time this book will be used for the sacred liturgy.
• The Masses of the weekend of November 26/27 will begin with a service of blessing for the New Roman Missal and the Advent Wreath. 
• A great resource on the new translation is available for you in our religious goods cabinet.  An offering of $5 is being requested for the CD/Booklet package by Dr. Edward Sri, professor of scripture and theology.  The booklet includes a tear off reference card with the new text for the people.
• Finally, over the next few weeks, the weekend homilies will begin to explore different parts of the Mass with special emphasis on why we say the things we say.

In the meantime, a thought to ponder:

"The liturgy is never a mere meeting of a group of people, who make up their own form of celebration.... Through our sharing in Jesus' appearing before the Father, we stand both as members of the worldwide community of the whole Church and also of the communion of saints.  Yes, in a certain sense this is the liturgy of heaven."

      - Pope Benedict XVI, God and the World



Let you Souls do the Walking...

It's that time of year....

5^th Annual Marian Walking Pilgrimage

Saturday, October 8th.   Mark your calendars! 

Beginning at St. Peter’s Church with Mass at 9 AM.  "Signing in" begins at 8:30 AM.

The pilgrimage will include visits to neighboring churches before reaching the final stop, St. Patrick Cathedral.  Prayer, song and fellowship will mark the journey.  All are welcome!  Lunch will be held in the Cathedral auditorium. 

Please register by signing up on the sheet provided on the vestibule bulletin board or by calling the rectory office at 623-8106 by Wednesday, October 5. 

Fall Fever...

After a short summer break, things are starting to kick in to high gear again!  Hopefully for all our blog visitors, this summer was an enjoyable one!

The next few posts will be related to some of the up and coming events happening on the parish and local level this fall.  To begin, here are a few details on this weekend's workshop:

Diocesan Liturgical Workshop (Preparing for the New Translation of the Mass)

St. Patrick’s Cathedral, this Friday, September 16, from 7-9:30 PM

and Saturday, September 17, from 9 AM to 4PM.  (Bring a bag lunch for Saturday). 

For anyone interested in learning about liturgy and the new translation of the Roman Missal.  Workshop Animators: Rev. Bill Burke (National Office of Liturgy) and Mr. Normand Blanchard (Ontario Liturgical Conference Music Commission).  Sponsored by the Diocesan Office of Worship. Free Admission.  Please register now by calling the Pastoral Centre (343-9313).

A pilgrim people...

This week a group of eighteen pilgrims from across our diocese make their way to Spain to take part in World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid.  The theme of this year's WYD is "Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith."   The diocesan delegation will begin its pilgrimage by being hosted by the members of a parish in the Diocese of Plasencia, which was established in 1189 AD.  Cultural, religious and community events are planned for this leg of the journey.

On the 16th of August our pilgrims will make their way to Madrid to take part in the catechesis sessions, devotional programs and cultural activities leading up to the final Mass with His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI. 

To help friends and family back home follow the pilgrims' progress, a blog has been set up on which updates and photos of the journey can be posted.  Visit the blog at:  http://www.wydthunderbay.blogspot.com/   Please pray for the pilgrims that their journey might be a blessed and enjoyable one!

For life...

The t-shirt says it all.  Earlier this month our parish welcomed members of the Crossroads Canada team - a group of young people walking across Canada to pray for conversion of hearts and that the dignity of human life might be upheld and respected.  Pictured above are some of the walkers who joined us for our parish picnic.  It was a joy to have these 'pilgrims of hope' in our midst.  Recently, we received a note from the team with the following message:

"Dear Fr. Terry and St. Peter's Parish,

Please accept this thank-you from all of us on Crossroads, for your wonderful support and overwhelming generosity!....We will always remember your kindness and will continue to pray for your ministry and the intentions of your parish.  Please keep us in your prayers as well, as we complete our walk for life!

In Christ and Our Lady,

The Crossroads Team."

To follow the group in their journey, visit http://www.crossroadscanada.blogspot.com/ for updates and reflections.

Pilgrimage Update

Here are the latest details for this Saturday's Memory Lodge/St. Benedict's Pilgrimage:

• A bus has been booked.  As of today (Tuesday), almost all the seats have been spoken for, but there are still a couple left for those wishing to take the bus.  Call the parish office ASAP if you haven't reserved a seat and wish to.  The bus will leave St. Peter's at 10 a.m.  Pilgrims, please arrive early to board by then.  For others wishing to drive out in their own vehicle, directions can be made available before departure.
• Our first stop will be the shrine on Memory Road.  If it's a rainy day, you may wish to bring an umbrella along!  After visiting the shrine we will take a lunch break at a host home on Memory Road.  Please bring your own lunch.
• After lunch, we make our way to St. Benedict's to celebrate Mass for the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. 
• The journey home begins after Mass.

Holy Smoke! A Parish BBQ!

Our annual parish picnic/BBQ is this Sunday (July 10)  following the 10 a.m. Mass, which (weather permitting) will be held outdoors.  Hot dogs and hamburgers will be provided.  Contributions of salads or baking are welcome.  Hope to see you there!