TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME-SEPTEMBER 13, 2026
“That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who decided to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the accounting, a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount. Since he had no way of paying it back, his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his children, and all his property, in payment of the debt.” Matthew 18:23–25
Jesus tells this parable in response to Peter, who asked, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?” Peter likely thought he was being generous. But Jesus invited him to go far beyond what he imagined, responding, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.”
The context is helpful. Not long before this dialogue, Jesus had changed Simon’s name to Peter—Petros—meaning “rock,” the foundation upon which He would build His Church. He further promised Peter that the gates of hell would not prevail against it and said, “I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:19).
Reflect today on the mercy you have received from God. Has He not been patient with you, gentle with your faults, and generous with His grace? Now consider someone in your life whom you have found difficult to forgive. Does that person’s offense compare to the debt God has forgiven you? Let this parable challenge you to a deeper conversion of heart, one that forgives as it has been forgiven, not seven times, but seventy-seven times, and more. Only then will the kingdom of Heaven truly reign in you.
Catholic Daily Reflections
ST. MARGARET'S CATHOLIC
WOMEN'S LEAGUE
President - Maureen Fenlon, Past-President - Lauri McFarlane, Secretary - Sandy Pacholczak, Treasurer - Maureen Ahokas
Memebership - Kathryn Dwyer, Faith Leads - Betty Beckingham & Rosalie Douglas, Service Lead - Judy Paxton, Social Justice Leads - Marlene Pavletic & Lauri McFarlane
Sunday October 25 - Parish Coffee Sunday after 10:00 Mass
We welcome and invite all women of the parish, 16 years of age and over, to join or renew their membership to this very worthy organization. Membership —$40 fee payable by cheque, cash or e-transfer to stmargaretscwl@gmail.com
DIOCESE OF THUNDER BAY MONDAY MEMO
For up-to-date information on events and happenings around the diocese, please log into www,dotb.ca.
88 Clayte Street
Thunder Bay, ON
P7A 6S5
Phone: 807-344-9045
Fax: 807-345-8993
Email: stmargaret@tbaytel.net
Pastor: Fr. Ciarán Donnelly
Parish Secretary:
Isabella Hotrum
Music Ministry:
Maureen McGrath
Custodians: Dan Baxter & Terry McFarlane
Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
FRIDAY - 7:00 p.m.
SATURDAY - 5:00 p.m.
SUNDAY - 10:00 a.m.
Mass Intentions
September 11 - October 4, 2026
HISTORY OF ST. MARGARET'S CHURCH
St. Margaret's was the third parish to be created in response to the needs of a growing population in the residential area of Brent Park in Port Arthur and as a relief to the increasing demands placed on St. Andrew's Church. The construction and opening of St. Margaret's Roman Catholic School on Clayte Street in 1954 prompted Bishop Jennings to investigate the purchase of property owned by the Sisters of St. Joseph adjacent to the school. "It would make another very fine little Catholic corner of Port Arthur" wrote Bishop Jennings, "considering that there is such a splendid school already there". The Fort William Diocese purchased one acre across from the school and, until a church could be built on the property, Sunday and some weekday masses and services, conducted by the Jesuits at St. Andrew's were held at St. Margaret's School. In March 1957 Bishop Jennings blessed and dedicated a new church on the property to be known as St. Margaret's chapel-of-ease "to provide a convenient centre of worship for the more distant members of the already larger than capacity congregation of St. Andrew's". Four years later, the chapel-of-ease was elevated to the status of a full-fledged parish with Father J.E. Roenicke as its first pastor.
SACRAMENTS
Baptism: Parish Membership, Preparation Class and 3-months notice required.
Attached Baptism Registration PDF
Marriage: Parish Membership, Preparation Class and 1-year notice required.
Reconciliation: Saturdays 4:30-5:00 p.m. on request.
First Reconciliation/First Communion/Confirmation: Information to follow
To become a member of St. Margaret's Parish,
please complete the Registration Form