Issue #266

Date posted on December 16, 2016

MR. CHARLIE HOGG HAS RETIRED AFTER 36 YEARS as carillonneur at the Cathedral Basilica! He was often heard (but not seen) playing the carillon before and after Diocesan liturgical celebrations and special events. To get to the carillon keyboard in the bell tower of the Cathedral takes dexterity and good health. The stairs are steep and a ladder must be managed – while carrying music in a satchel!

Issue #265

Date posted on December 9, 2016

MONDAY, DECEMBER 12th IS THE FEAST OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE, patron of the Americas. The
Canadian Catholic Aboriginal Council has designated it as a day for prayer for Indigenous Peoples. Each year the
Council produces a helpful reflection to assist us in our prayer. This year they have prepared a Prayer for Families,
which was published in the recent edition of Inter Nos. Please pray for families on this special feast!

Issue #264

Date posted on December 2, 2016

THE NEXT VOLUME (PROPHETS) OF THE SAINT JOHN’S BIBLE – HERITAGE EDITION will be welcomed to the Diocese as part of the annual Advent Hymn Festival at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King. The celebration of scripture and song is NEXT Sunday evening, December 11th, beginning at 7:00 p.m. – a great way to celebrate this “prophetic” and prayerful season. Not to be missed!

Issue #262

Date posted on November 25, 2016

“AS THE JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY DRAWS TO A CLOSE, I am struck by what at gift it was to have experienced this period of special reflection on the inexhaustible mercy of God.” So begins my Pastoral Letter to the Diocese of Hamilton at the closing of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy. The letter outlines some of the high points of the year both internationally and in our Diocese – many focusing on the importance of the Holy Door. The final event of the Jubilee Year takes place tonight at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King – Evening Prayer and an address by Archbishop Donald Bolen on the centrality of mercy in our faith. “As the apostles were sent forth to evangelize the world, let us also go out bringing God’s mercy to all!”

Issue #261

Date posted on November 11, 2016

DATED NOVEMBER 20th, THE CLOSING DAY OF THE YEAR OF MERCY, a Pastoral Letter reflecting on the many blessings of the year was sent to all Parishes today. It may be published or read during all the Sunday Masses next weekend. It outlines some of the graces experienced during the year – opportunities to experience God’s merciful compassion.

Issue #259

Date posted on October 28, 2016

YOUR PRAYERS ARE REQUESTED for Grace Iheaturu, sister of Father Gordian Okpuruka (Elora), who died in Nigeria on Tuesday, and for Richard Weise, brother of Father David Weise (Walkerton), who died on Thursday. We pray to the Lord!

WELCOME TO BISHOP PETER CHUNG SOON TAEK, O.C.D., Auxiliary Bishop in South Korea, who is spending a few days at the Carmel of St. Joseph in St. Agatha. Before becoming a Bishop he served at the Carmelite Generalate in Rome. We wish him a good rest, safe travel, and blessed ministry back home!

Issue #257

Date posted on October 14, 2016

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16th IS PILGRIMAGE SUNDAY AT THE CATHEDRAL BASILICA. Pilgrims from St. Agnes Parish, Waterloo, Holy Rosary Parish, Burlington, St. Clement Parish, Cambridge, St. Teresa Parish, Kitchener, and St. Mary Parish, Hamilton will enter through the Doors of Mercy. Other pilgrims are warmly welcome – the Doors open at 2:00 p.m. Note that the Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima will be brought to the Cathedral by the Portuguese community from St. Mary Parish, who will lead the public recitation of the Rosary. At 3:00 p.m. the Divine Mercy Chaplet will be prayed followed by Mass at 4:00 p.m. St. Ann Parish, Ancaster will go through the Doors of Mercy next Tuesday. Plan to do so before the year concludes next month, November 20th. Pastors can call Father Wynen to confirm a time for their Parish Pilgrimage.

Issue #256

Date posted on October 7, 2016

WELCOME TO KAY WEERASOORIYA WHO JOINS THE MARRIAGE TRIBUNAL TEAM at the Chancery. She will serve as Tribunal Administrator, supporting Father Adam Voisin, Judicial Vicar. Peggi Bennici retires on October 14th, following 28 years of dedicated service in the Tribunal. Her quiet and professional attitude helped make the Tribunal an effective recourse for people who sought Tribunal assistance. We are confident that the careful service given to matters considered there will continue. Ave et vale!

Issue #255

Date posted on September 23, 2016

OUR PRAYERS AND GOOD WISHES GO TO THE NEW CONGREGATIONAL LEADERSHIP Circle for the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada. Sr. Margo Ritchie was elected Congregational Leader; Sister Joyce Murray was elected Assistant; Sisters Anne Karges, Sheila Fortune, and Nancy Sullivan complete the Circle. They will begin their ministry during a visit to St. Joseph’s Convent in Hamilton in October. Blessings!

Issue #254

Date posted on September 16, 2016

THE FIRST OF SEVEN VOLUMES – GOSPELS AND ACTS – OF THE SAINT JOHN’S BIBLE (Heritage Edition) was welcomed in the Diocese of Hamilton last night. Evening Prayer was celebrated. The music of the Diocesan Choir was both prayerful and sublime. Deacons John Moss and Rene Marechal carried the book in the opening procession and laid it carefully on the specially-crafted lectern. As we sang the Magnificat, the book was opened to Luke 24, where the powerful illustration of the Crucifixion of Jesus shone! Mr. Jim Triggs told the story of the creation of the Heritage Edition. Following prayer, people gathered in McNally Hall to have a closer look at the book and to meet Mr. Triggs. You are invited to Come and See the acquisition which is on display at the Bishop Farrell Library and Archives. Quite simply, you will be inspired!

Issue #253

Date posted on September 9, 2016

THE DE MAZENOD DOOR WAS FORMALLY OPENED AT ST. PATRICK SCHOOL in Hamilton today! The partnership between St. Patrick Parish and St. Patrick School provides meals to those who come to
the door each day. The Door was declared a Holy Door for the remainder of the Year of Mercy…

Issue #252

Date posted on September 2, 2016

THE ROOF OF THE CATHEDRAL BASILICA OF CHRIST THE KING is being sheeted with copper over the next few weeks. Once completed the work on the main part of the building will be done and the scaffolding will be taken down. Work on the bell tower is just beginning and will continue into 2017, with a recess over the cold winter months. Some of us climbed the scaffolding earlier this week to the top of the tower, providing an opportunity to see up close the work required. The repairs are taking place none too soon – and will assure the safety and beauty of the Cathedral for another 50 years.