London North Central Catholic Family of Parishes
St. Michael's Parish | St. Peter's Cathedral Basilica
St. Josephine Bakhita African & Caribbean Catholic Community
.png){kind=small}
Info Board
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in O.T.
October 18, 2026
From the Holy Father
One in Christ, United in Mission
Pope Leo XIV - 100th World Mission Day
Dear brothers and sisters,
For World Mission Day 2026, which marks the centenary of a celebration established by Pius XI that is very dear to the Church, I have chosen the theme “One in Christ, united in mission.” Following the Jubilee Year, I wish to encourage the whole Church to continue its missionary journey with joy and zeal in the Holy Spirit. This requires hearts united in Christ, reconciled communities and, in everyone, a willingness to cooperate with generosity and trust.
As we reflect on being one in Christ and united in mission, let us allow ourselves to be guided and inspired by divine grace, “to renew in ourselves the fire of our missionary vocation” and advance together in the commitment to evangelization, in this “new missionary age” in the history of the Church.
Read the Pope's full message or get a copy in the narthex.
Watch the video message. Hear from Pope Leo XIV.
***
Prayer for Mission Month 2026
Father, make use one in Christ, rooted in his love that unites
and renews. May all members of the Church be united in
mission, docile to the Holy Spirit. courageous in bearing
witness to the Gospel, proclaiming and daily embodying your
faithful love for all creatures.
Bless all missionary men and women, support them in their
efforts, and watch over them in hope.
Mary, Queen of Missions, accompany our work of
evangelization in every corner of the Earth: make us
instruments of peace. and grant that the whole world may
recoginze in Christ the light that saves.
Amen.
Blessed Pauline Jaricot, pray for us.
- Pope Leo XIV
***
World Mission Sunday - This Weekend!
Today is World Mission Sunday and every Catholic community and parish throughout the world is involved in this event. This is a day when we show that we are all missionary disciples who have a role to play in spreading the Gospel message. The funds raised go to support rural health clinics, renovate chapels and rectories, build new churches and provide for the daily needs of missionaries and catechists. Please pray for all missionaries and donate generously this World Mission Sunday.
Donations can be made online (e-transfer to: basilica@dol.ca or stmichlon@dol.ca; indicate: ‘World Mission’ in the memo box) or through envelopes found in the narthex.
Thank you for your support and generosity!
PARISH THANKSGIVING APPEAL
Every year, each parish within our Diocese takes part in the annual Thanksgiving Appeal. The funds raised during this campaign stay within our parish, supporting and fulfilling our financial obligations and countless activities in the ministry, liturgy, outreach, and other special projects.
Your generous contributions directly allow us to continue maintaining our buildings, sustaining our ministry efforts amidst rising costs, meeting the growing needs of our community outreach, and realizing our pastoral goals for the future.
Contributions to our Thanksgiving Appeal can be made throughout the entire month of October. Here’s how you can donate:
Cash or cheque donations can be placed in sealed envelopes marked “Thanksgiving Appeal” and placed in the collection basket at Mass.
E-transfers directly through your bank: Set up stmichlon@dol.ca or basilica@dol.ca as the recipient;
indicate “Thanksgiving” in the memo box.
Use your credit card through Pllenty - lncc.dol.ca/pllenty. To make a donation, click on your parish of choice: St. Michael’s Parish | St. Peter’s Cathedral. Select ‘Thanksgiving at the bottom of the drop-down
menu and follow the prompts.
For inquiries about this appeal, please contact the parish office.
All donations are sincerely appreciated! Thank you for your support!
THANKS4GIVING
Your generosity is truly heartwarming! Donations for our Thanksgiving Food Drive continued to come in right up until last weekend - a wonderful reflection of the kindness and compassion of our Family of Parishes.
Thanks to you, our Family collected food donations, and a combined total of $2,355 in financial contributions for Paul’s Place (formerly St. Paul’s Social Services Food Bank and Fellowship Centre), supporting individuals and families in need.
Once again, a heartfelt thanks to everyone who donated and volunteered to make this happen. Your generosity shows what we can accomplish when we come together to serve others!
Well done, good and faithful servants!
GLOBAL ROSARY FOR PEACE - Oct 22
Catholics around the world are being invited to unite in prayer for peace through the Global Rosary for Peace, which will take place on October 22, the feast of St. John Paul II. The international prayer initiative will bring together families, parishes, schools, religious communities, and individuals in a shared recitation of the Rosary.
CLERGY STUDY DAYS
Please keep Fr. Daniel and Fr. Matthew in prayer as they gather with fellow priests from across the Diocese for the annual Priests’ Study Days on October 19, 20 and 21.
Please note that there will be no daily Mass at St. Michael’s on Tuesday, Oct. 20. The regular Mass schedule will resume on Wednesday.
FIRST RECONCILIATION & COMMUNION REGISTRATION
For children aged 7 and up who are baptised Roman Catholic, preparation for First Reconciliation & Communion will begin in the new year. Registration opens in November.
More details will be available in the bulletin and on our website: lncc.dol.ca/firstrecandcomm
DIOCESAN-WIDE YOUNG ADULT ADVENT RETREAT
Prepare your heart for Advent! Young adults ages 18–35 are invited to join us for a special Young Adult Advent Retreat at Holy Family Retreat House, November 20 to 22, 2026. Take
some time away from the busyness of everyday life to pray, reflect, rest, and connect with other young adults as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ at Christmas.
November 20–22, 2026 | Holy Family Retreat House
Ages 18–35 | Cost: $250
Early Bird Rate: $225 until October 20
Space is limited, so register soon!
More information and registration is at this link
FALL AWARENESS CAMPAIGN: Is Canada on Track for Justice?
“Is Canada on Track for Justice? How can we build a more just world when many wealthy countries are cutting back on official development assistance? The most vulnerable populations in the Global South bear the brunt of these cuts while also having to cope with escalating conflicts, climate change and the exploitation of their resources. This exacerbates injustices, inequalities and instability in the Global South, which ends up affecting the Global North, too.”
This is not a fundraising campaign; rather, Development and Peace is asking for our help to share the campaign with our parishes and communities to raise awareness. Several workshops are being offered, including in London.
***
This fall, Development and Peace – Caritas Canada invites us to ask: “Is Canada on Track for Justice?”
Join us for a workshop exploring Canada’s role in international development, hear about the importance of Canadian international aid, and discover how we can take action together for a more just and peaceful world.
When: Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.
Where: in-person at the Diocesan Centre (1070 Waterloo St., London).
Please register here.
Questions? Please contact our regional animator, Daniela Salcedo - Daniela.Salcedo@devp.org
ST. PETER'S CATHOLIC WOMEN'S LEAGUE
Thanksgiving Bake Sale - Thank you!
A huge slice of thanks from St. Peter’s CWL! We’re so grateful to everyone who placed orders for this year’s Thanksgiving Bake Sale - our best one ever! Our busy bakers rolled out over 90 pies! Thanks to your amazing support (and sweet tooth!), proceeds totaled over $1,000 that
will be used to help those in need in our downtown community.
Your generosity truly takes the cake — or in this case, the pie!
***
Christmas Bazaar: Nov 21
Reminder that our Christmas Bazaar is November 21st at Dufferin Hall from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.
This week, we’re highlighting the "Toonie Table". Donations of Bath Salts, Body Wash, Shampoo, Conditioner, Bottled Sauces, Jams, etc. are gratefully accepted.
Donation Drop-Offs will take place Oct 31/Nov 1 and Nov 7/8 in the church parking lot of St. Peter’s after all Masses. Please no donations of clothing, shoes, purses, books, CDs/DVDs, or toys.
Arrange donation pickup by contacting Julie Sans at 519-641-1753 and leaving a message.
A.P. MAHONEY LIBRARY LECTURE AT ST. PETER'S SEMINARY: OCT 21
The 14th Annual A.P. Mahoney Library Lecture at St. Peter’s Seminary - “A Renewed Culture of the Common Good: Building a Civilization of Love with Pope Leo XIV.” Fr. Jason Kuntz, professor of moral theology, will be delivering a lecture on Pope Leo’s first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Peter’s Seminary. Reception to follow. All are welcome to attend this free event. More info is available on the event poster.
ST. MICHAEL'S KofC BOTTLE DRIVE: Oct 24-25
The St Michaels Knights of Columbus will be holding their fall returnable bottle drive in support
of Ontario Special Olympics the weekend of Oct. 24 & 25 in the parking lot of St. Michael’s. Donations will be accepted from 9am until noon and again from 4 until 5pm on Saturday and on Sunday from 7am until 12 o'clock.
Our summer bottle drive was able to raise $500 for the St Joseph’s Hospice and for that we thank you. It is your continued support of your parish knights that allows us to be successful with our charitable endeavors. God Bless!
For inquiries, contact Marty at mfmcallister63@gmail.com.
ONLINE SEMINAR: "Celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation"
All are invited to a free online seminar hosted by the Apostolic Penitentiary on October 23–24, 2026. The seminar will explore the Sacrament of Reconciliation, address common challenges in approaching Confession, and deepen our understanding of God's mercy.
Presentations will be available with English interpretation, and recordings will be accessible afterward.
Participation is free, but registration is required. For more information and to register, visit the seminar website here.
ST. PETER'S SSVP UPDATE
The number of families experiencing poverty within our parish continues to grow! Our volunteers visited 53 homes in September to provide groceries, vouchers and a listening heart to those who requested a visit from us - we gave $4,600 in aid to 76 people including children. Please financially support our efforts to bring comfort to those in need - we cannot help without your donations.
Cheques must be made payable to St. Peter's Cathedral (indicate “Saint Vincent de Paul” on the memo line) and envelopes for a tax receipt are available in the Narthex. For online donations, go to dol-stpeters.pllenty.com and select St. Vincent de Paul. Thank you!
IN REMEMBRANCE CONCERT: “A London’s P.O.W.’s Story”
Amabile Tenor/Bass Choirs
Sunday, November 8 at 3:00 PM
St. Peter’s Cathedral Basilica | 196 Dufferin Ave.
Tickets available at the door or at www.Amabile.ca/tickets
Adults: $20 | Seniors & Students: $15
Veterans, CAF personnel & children under 13: Free
SAVE THE DATE: NOVEMBER 27
BOOK LAUNCH - Long Waka with Jesus
Come and share a spiritual reflection with Deacon Gaston
Mabaya, based on his recent spiritual memoir.
November 27, 2026 | 6:30 PM
St. Michael’s Parish Hall
511 Cheapside Street, London
Program to follow.
A NEW EMAIL ADDRESS FOR OUR FAMILY OF PARISHES
Beginning in November, you’ll start receiving Family of Parishes communications from our new email address: lncc.news@dol.ca.
We kindly ask you to add this address to your Contacts or Safe Senders list to help ensure our parish news and updates reach your inbox rather than your Junk or Spam folder.
Please note that e-transfers and general inquiries remain unchanged and should continue to be sent to basilica@dol.ca for St. Peter’s Cathedral and stmichlon@dol.ca for St. Michael’s
Parish.
Thank you for your patience as we make this transition and work toward a more consistent way of communicating with you as one Family of Parishes.
MARRIAGE CONFERENCE: FRIENDSHIP IN MARRIAGE
All married couples are invited to the Family Foundations Institute (FFI) Marriage Conference, Friendship in Marriage, happening Saturday, November 21, from 9AM to 4PM at the Marconi Club in London. Grow in friendship as guest speakers Pat and Kenna Millea, hosts of the podcast This Whole Life, lead a day of encouragement and share practical tools for communicating and praying together as a couple.
Registration is $120/couple until November 18 and $150/couple afterward. Registration includes lunch and refreshments. Learn more and register now at famfi.ca/marriage
ELECTRONIC BULLETIN DELIVERY NOTICE
Some subscribed parishioners may not have received their weekly electronic bulletin because emails bounced back. Kindly ensure your inbox is not full and add basilica@dol.ca to your
contacts or safe senders list.
Parishioners are also encouraged to:
• Ensure that their email inbox is not full
• Check Spam or Junk folders regularly
• Avoid blocking parish emails through email filters or settings
• Notify the parish office if their email address has changed
Our electronic bulletin is normally sent on Fridays. If you do not receive it, please contact the parish office for assistance.
You may also access the bulletin online at: https://www.lncc.dol.ca/weeklybulletin