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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

Today’s gospel (Matt. 28:8-15) retells the meeting of the risen Lord with the women leaving the tomb. His command to them is “go and tell my brothers”. This is his command to all his followers! Go and tell others about him! Let others know of how Jesus loves them! Never stop telling all about him!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Today, liturgies throughout the world will include a reading of the Passion of Jesus (John 18:1-19:42). It shows us the depths of Jesus’ love for us! He was rejected by his own people and as such embraced the rejection of all those who are judged and treated unfairly by society.

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Today’s gospel (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18) has Jesus highlighting the three important tenets of the Lenten Season: charity, prayer and fasting. Ultimately these three things are what builds us a healthy physical, mental, emotional and spiritual life with God and others!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart... (Joel 2:12) Happy Ash Wednesday everyone! Today begins the Sacred Season of Lent. We wear ashes today as a sign of our commitment to build up our relationship with Jesus by letting go of the things that prevent us from being with him!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 12/12/2025

On this feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, once again, we are reminded by Mary our mother, of the love, care and concern she has for all her children, regardless of who we are. Our Advent challenge today is to have a heart like Mary’s and be kind and respectful to others!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

On May 15, 2022, Pope Francis canonized a priest named Charles de Foucauld. He lived between 1858 until his brutal murder in 1916. Charles provided spiritual care and hospitality to all-Christians, Muslims, Jews and everyone else. St. Charles reminds us that if we do anything today-be kind!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

December 1st is World AIDS Day. Today I remember those whom I ministered to and those whose funerals I led. I also remember the men, women and children who live with HIV/AIDS in their lives - may we always see the presence of Christ in every person!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 29/11/2025

I was reminded that yesterday (November 28th) was the fourth anniversary of the dedication of Saint Benedict Church. I wish the parishioners congratulations and many blessings as they continue to grow and make a difference in the Milton community! Ad Multos Annos! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 29/11/2025

On this day (November 29) in 1980, Servant of God, Dorothy Day, passed from this world to eternal life. Dorothy’s life and service was a profound testimony to her faith in Jesus. She saw him in every person by embracing them with non-judgment and dignity! May her example be our challenge as well!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 18/10/2025

Only Luke is with me. (2 Timothy 4:11) Today we honour Saint Luke the Evangelist. His gospel is one where women have prominent roles (including Our Blessed Lady) and where miracles and healings are highlighted in the ministry of Jesus. He is patron of medical doctors and health care workers!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

October 16th is the Memorial of Saint Marguerite D’Youville. She is the first Canadian-born Saint. She was a wife, mother and widow. She founded the Sisters of Charity of Montreal (Grey Nuns). She reminds us that despite the obstacles we face in life, we can always make a difference in our society.

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

On this Canadian Thanksgiving Day, the first reading (Colossians 3;12-17) has Saint Paul telling the us to always be thankful. A thankful heart is a generous heart. If we are grateful for what God had given to us, we must help and be there for others. Gratitude is a true measure of a thankful heart.

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

Today’s gospel (Luke 16:19-31) is the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (the poor man). The rich man is not a solitary figure. He stands in for each one of us, every time we fail to take action and help those in our lives who are in need. Let’s all try to do better!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Today (Sep 13) we honour a great preacher, Saint John Chrysostom (347-407). We pray for all today who are entrusted to preach the Word of God, remembering using to keep it simple enough for all to understand! Also remember a longer homily doesn’t mean a better one!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Saint Paul in today’s first Reading (I Timothy 1:15-17), Clearly emphasizes his own sinfulness. Thus he gives us the example to acknowledge who we are and not appear better or more spiritual to others! Humility is hard, but we all must work on it!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

Remembering former parishioners and friends from Saint Gregory the Great Parish in Cambridge ON. on their parish feast day! May the prayers of Saint Gregory the Great guide them always towards the Lord Jesus! I was honoured to be the pastor of this wonderful faith community!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

Today the Church celebrates Saint Gregory the Great. He lived around 540 to 604 AD. In 590 he was elected pope. He was an esteemed political and spiritual leader. He strived to be guided by the Holy Spirit every day of his life. As followers of Jesus, may this also be our way of life as well!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

Today’s gospel (Mark 6:17-29) focuses on the evil behaviour of King Herod and Herodius his wife and their complicity in the killing of John the Baptist. Herodius holds grudges against people who challenge her. So let’s get rid of our grudges and biases and be a witness to Jesus in our lives!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 24/08/2025

Today’s gospel (Luke 13:22-30) has Jesus reminding us not to only meet the bare minimum when living our faith but to exceed the expectations required of us. Let’s not get “lost in the crowd” but be recognized by Jesus by living like him to the fullest!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

Today’s gospel (Luke 12:49-53) has Jesus boldly proclaiming that he has not come to bring peace to the earth but rather division The Christian faith and lifestyle challenges our society and families and upsets the status quo. Let’s always live by the commands of Jesus and transform our world!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

Remembering former parishioners and friends from Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Stoney Creek, ON. on their parish feast day! May the prayers of Mary our Mother guide them always towards her Son. I was honoured to be the pastor of this wonderful faith community!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

On this Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary, today's gospel recalls her words of how God will bring about a better world through His Son. Let us help the Lord to bring about a better world by challenging the injustices we see around us!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

Today (August 14th), we honour a Franciscan priest who was exterminated by the Nazi forces in Auschwitz on this day in 1941. Saint Maximilian Kolbe’s life reminds us to always stand up for truth, respect, love and religious liberty in the face of corrupt political government leaders and policies!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 05/08/2025

Today is also the optional memorial of the Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome. However this feast is not a celebration of a building made of bricks and mortar, but rather a tribute to honour the faith and trust of Mary, the humble Virgin of Nazareth and the Mother of God.

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 05/08/2025

Today we celebrate the optional memorial of Blessed Frederic Janssoone OFM. He was an enthusiastic missionary both in Canada and the Holy Land. As a Canadian, may his prayers always help Canada continue be a country of peace and respect! 🇨🇦

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

Today’s gospel (Matthew 14:13-21) retells the event of the feeding of the five thousand. The takeaway from this passage is that in order for the Lord to perform his works-we have to work with him. We cannot expect the Lord to do for us whatever we want and sit back and let it fall into our laps.

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

Today the Church honours a humble parish priest, the Cure of Ars, St Jean-Marie Vianney (1786-1859). He became the pastor of the problematic parish of Ars. He never gave up on his community. He remains a great model for all in ordained priestly ministry to always embrace and serve their people!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 04/08/2025

Today’s gospel (Luke 12:13-21) has Jesus being asked to settle a family dispute involving an inheritance. Jesus uses this opportunity to remind his followers of the evils of greed. Today’s parable reminds us to be content with what we have and share our abundance with those who are in need!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

Today we honour one of the great spiritual reformers of the counter-reformation - Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Not only did he found the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), he reminds us in our spiritual lives to see every moment of our day and every encounter with others as an encounter with God.

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

Today’s gospel on this memorial of Saints Martha, Mary and Lazarus (John 11:17-27) highlights Martha’s profession of faith: “Yes Lord I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God”. May we all make her response our own when Jesus asks us, “do you believe this?” every day of our lives!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

On this feast of Saint Mary Magdalene, the “Apostle to the Apostles” by being entrusted by the Risen Christ to be the first to witness him and inform the world that he is alive. All Christians, are called to imitate Mary Magdalene by telling all that Jesus is alive and walking among us!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 20/07/2025

Today’s gospel (Luke 10:38-42) recounts one of Jesus’ visits to the home of Martha and Mary. As Jesus gently chides Martha for worrying too much about insignificant matters, we are reminded to always recognize Jesus when he is among us and savour that time with him!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 13/07/2025

Today’s gospel (Luke 10:25-37) recounts the “Parable of the Good Samaritan.” The moral of this story is to remind us that we must be kind to all! We must let go of our prejudices and judgements about “those” people (substitute anyone who is maligned by society for “those”) and be kind to others!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

Saint Benedict Parish in Milton Ontario Canada, was established on July 11th, 2012. I was honoured to be the pastor of this wonderful community from 2013 until 2022. I wish the parishioners, their priests and the parish staff, a wonderful anniversary and pray for God‘s blessings for them always! 🎉🎉🎉

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

Today’s gospel (Matthew 10:16-23) has Jesus acknowledging that his followers will have difficulties when living his message and sharing it with others! If lived well the Christian life will never be pleasant but the heavenly life will be wonderful!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

Today (July 11th), we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Benedict (480 - 547). An outstanding model of prayer in one’s life. His “Rule” is an excellent spiritual treasure written for his sons and daughters in the Benedictine family but is valuable to any Christian seeking to find God in their lives.

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 06/07/2025

Today’s gospel (Luke 10:1-12, 17-20) has Jesus sending out the seventy to make ready the places where he would be going. He gives precise instructions on how they are to journey and what they must do. Jesus empowers all of us to bring his message and love to all - let’s do this faithfully!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

Today’s gospel (Matthew 9:9-13) has Jesus responding to the interrogations of why he is hanging out with tax collectors and sinners. He then states “I desire mercy not sacrifice”. Why do we always look at what is lacking in others but never look inward at our own lives? Let’s all try to do better!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

Wishing my American relatives and friends a happy Independence Day!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

Today we honour Saint Thomas the Apostle. Chosen by Jesus and known for his doubting of the words of the other apostles (John 20:24-29), he reminds us that it is ok to question elements of our faith but we must strive to recognize Jesus when he reveals himself to us daily.

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

In today's gospel (Matthew 8:28-34), Jesus encounters the Gadarene demoniacs whom he exorcizes. The Locals ask Jesus to leave their area. Don't judge these individuals-each time we sin or fail to live the teachings of Jesus, we too ask him to leave us as well! Let's always include him in our lives!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 01/07/2025

Today’s gospel for Canada Day (Matthew 5:1-12a) has Jesus outlining his Beatitudes in his Sermon on the Mount. These are guidelines for any nation and her people to ensure peace on earth and respect for all! Let’s strive to live these daily!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

Today’s gospel (Matthew 8:18-22) has Jesus reminding us to prioritize our relationships with him. Like the unnamed disciple, we all tend to make excuses for why we couldn’t give Jesus our time right away. Let’s all strive to do better and be generous with our lives with him.

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

On the day after we honour the Sts Peter and Paul, we honour the nameless individuals who died during the persecution of the early Christian communities. The witness of Christian martyrs still continues as we saw in Nigeria last week. We need to live our faith in Jesus to the point of dying for him!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

In today’s gospel (Matt 16:13-19), Jesus asks a poignant question of his apostles: “…who do you say that I am?” This question is for all of us! Who is Jesus for you? Why do you follow him? Do you live like him? Do you love like him? Let us all try to improve our relationship with him every day!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 30/06/2025

On today’s solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, we are reminded that these two men had betrayed the Lord and that the Lord still chose them to follow him and lead his people. He chose us too despite our own sins and shortcomings. Let’s follow him and allow us to bring his message and example to others!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

Today’s gospel on the Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Luke 2:41-51) has Jesus responding to a question of his mother Mary: “Why were you searching for me?” Jesus reminds us of what we already know! May we always remember that Jesus never abandons us and is always watching over us!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

Today’s gospel (Luke 15:3-7) on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart has Jesus telling the “Parable of the Lost Sheep”. Jesus is the one who searches for us - no matter how we got separated or how much we have wandered off. Most importantly, he will always take us back - simply because he loves us!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The heart is a symbol of life and love. Jesus invites all to come to him and be embraced by his love. There are no distinctions - Jesus loves all of us - let’s follow his example (and commandment) in our lives and hearts!

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James Petrie @jimpe40.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

Today’s psalm (Psalm 139) on the Solemnity of St John the Baptist reinforces that God has a plan for all of us and we are created in his image - so EVERY human being is inherently deserving of love and respect. Lets see all individuals as “wonderfully made” in our interactions with them!

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