EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - AUGUST 2, 2026
“Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.” Then he said, “Bring them here to me,” and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over—twelve wicker baskets full. Matthew 14:17–20
In the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, there are two distinct miraculous feedings of large crowds. Today’s Gospel depicts the first one, given primarily to Jewish people near the Sea of Galilee. Five thousand men (not counting women and children) were fed from five loaves and two fish, resulting in twelve baskets left over. This feeding of the five thousand is notably the only miracle of Jesus recorded in all four Gospels, underscoring its significance. Matthew and Mark also recount a second miraculous feeding—this time of four thousand people—in the largely pagan region of the Decapolis, using seven loaves and a few fish, with seven baskets left over.
Reflect today on Jesus’ tender care. He looks upon your needs with the same compassion He showed to the crowds in the wilderness. Consider especially how He desires to feed you daily through the Most Holy Eucharist, the true Bread from Heaven. Bring to Him whatever you have, even if it seems small or insufficient—your struggles, weariness, prayers, and hopes—and trust that in His hands, they will be multiplied for the good of your soul and the souls of others. Let this miraculous feeding stir within you a deeper faith in God’s providence and a more fervent desire for the Eucharist, where Christ Himself is our sustenance, our healing, and our foretaste of eternal joy.
(Catholic Daily Reflections)
FIRST COMMUNION
The following received the Sacraments of 
Reconciliation and Eucharist on Sunday, March 22, 2026:
Logyn Drewes; Katia Vigneux; Sawyer Watts
CONFIRMATION
The following were confirmed by Bishop Alan Campeau on Thursday, March 12, 2026:
Zoey Lundy; Marin McWhirter; Noah Peterson; Tatianna Vigneux; Hailey Watts
ST. MARGARET'S CATHOLIC
WOMEN'S LEAGUE
President - Lauri McFarlane, Past-President - Marlene Pavletic, Secretary - Maureen Fenlon, Treasurer - Maureen Ahokas
Memebership - Kathryn Dwyer, Faith Leads - Betty Beckingham & Rosalie Douglas, Service Lead - Judy Paxton, Social Justice Leads - Marlene Pavletic & Lauri McFarlane
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.
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