4000 WORLD YOUTH DAY PILGRIMS FROM CANADA BEGIN THE JOURNEY TO KRAKOW in the coming days. Two groups are making their way from the Hamilton Diocese. Planning for the pilgrimage began over two years ago. David Dayler, Director of the Office of Discipleship and Parish Life will post daily reports on a blog: Disciples on a Journey. We pray for a safe, joyful and memorable World Youth Day experience!
Continue readingTHE ST. JOHN VIANNEY RESIDENCE AT THE VILLA WAS OFFICIALLY BLESSED yesterday. Sr. Anne Anderson, CSJ, and Dr. Kevin Smith from St. Joseph’s Health System, St. Joseph’s Villa administrators, Derrick Bernardo and David Bakker, and Foundation Chair, Dave Weber, and Maureen Ellis were on hand, as were many friends and generous supporters of the Villa. Priests from the Diocese were also present, including Father Michael McHugh, Catholic Chaplain there. Profound thanks to Sr. Maria Szucs, President of the St. Elizabeth Home Society, and the Society’s chief administrator, Mr. Robert Wappel, for the incredible generosity which made the initiative possible! The rooms are spacious and bright, the Chapel is welcoming, the solarium is relaxing. It will be a comfortable home for retired Priests!
Continue readingTHE DOORS OF MERCY AT THE CATHEDRAL BASILICA HAVE WELCOMED HUNDREDS of people since the beginning of the Year of Mercy in December. Crossing this threshold is symbolic of our desire to enter into the heart of God – the fount of mercy and compassion. Last weekend, pilgrims from St. Andrew Parish, Oakville, and St. Mary Parish, Brantford, passed through the doors, spent time in prayer and enjoyed a tour. Many have participated in the Pilgrim Sundays held in the Cathedral Basilica. Walter Gretzky, another recent visitor, delighted the staff of the Cathedral with stories and autographs. To arrange a pilgrimage for your Parish, please contact Fr. David Wynen, Cathedral Rector. During the summer months the Cathedral Basilica will welcome pilgrims from Tuesday through Thursday from 12:00 noon to 2 p.m.
Continue readingFOUR SEMINARIANS WILL BE ORDAINED DEACONS TONIGHT by Bishop Daniel Miehm at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Waterdown. We offer our congratulations and our gratitude to Paul Jamroz, Ross Campbell, David Avila and Kevin D’Souza, on this important step in their formation toward the Priesthood. Both David Avila and Ross Campbell spent their Pastoral Internship Year at the Parish, making it an appropriate location for the Ordinations. All are welcome to participate!
Continue readingCONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOUR MEN WHO WILL BE ORDAINED DEACONS TOMORROW. They are the first group to have completed a four year program of formation sponsored by the Diocese IN the Diocese. Special thanks to Father Mark Gatto, Director of the Diaconate Formation Program, and Deacon Peter Gittens, Associate Director, for the excellence of the program. We pray for Taek-Jong Han, Edward MacIntosh, Rene Marechal, and John Moss. We also pray for Frank Berardi, who will be ordained for the Diocese of St. Catharines. Bishop Daniel Miehm will ordain four more Deacons NEXT Friday evening at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Waterdown. The Diocese is blessed!
Continue readingTHE YEAR OF MERCY YOUTH RALLY, co-sponsored by the Diocesan Youth Ministry Office and CYO was as good as we could have imagined. The weather cooperated (no rain!), the key-note speakers were inspiring, the workshop presenters were informative, the food was tasty, and the spirit was over the top! Thanks to Parish Ministers from across the Diocese who encouraged our young people to participate. It helped ensure that the Year of Mercy was well-celebrated by those who came! Well done indeed!
Continue readingTOMORROW’S DIOCESAN YEAR OF MERCY YOUTH RALLY IS ALREADY A SUCCESS! Over 400 young people have registered for the event at Camp Brébeuf; the well-known guest speakers are well-prepared; the Mass will be for Trinity Sunday and the weather promises to be perfect! Congratulations to Christina Mines, Director of our Youth Ministry Office, Parish Youth Ministers and High School Chaplains throughout the Diocese, and everybody who made sure that all is prepared. May it be a blessing for all participants!
Continue readingSEEING MERCY IS THE TITLE OF A DAY-LONG RETREAT for the Chancery Office staff today.Barbara Sutton from St. John’s University, Collegeville, is directing the retreat at Holy Rosary Parish Centre in Burlington, using remarkable illustrations from the St. John’s Bible. Earlier in the week, Barbara worked with Parish Ministers and with staff who will be responsible for the proper care of the Bible in the Diocese. The Chancery Office will be closed today.
Continue readingTHE CATHEDRAL BASILICA WAS LIT UP IN GREEN this week to mark Mental Health Week. Other parishes in Hamilton did the same.
PLEASE PRAY FOR FATHER LEONARD STROHMEYER WHO UNDERWENT SURGERY earlier this week and received a triple by-pass. There were serious complications requiring extra care. Please remember him in your prayers.
Continue readingNEXT WEEK IS CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK IN THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO. Catholic Schools and Parishes throughout the Diocese have received materials that will help promote the week-long celebration. Special Masses, dinners, and awards events are held to promote the importance of Catholic education. The Office of Catechesis and our Communication Office have collaborated to produce a video greeting for the occasion. Thank God for the many blessings of Catholic education in our Diocese!
Continue readingA WARM WELCOME TO FATHER PETER CIALLELLA who was incardinated into the Diocese of Hamilton earlier this week. The Indult arrived from the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, giving the clearance for his transfer from the Missionaries of St. Charles – Scalabrinians. Father Peter currently serves as Pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in Hamilton and is on the Board of the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton (CCASH). Because he is a “son of the Diocese” and has served here for many years, he is already well-known and well-liked.
Continue readingTHE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER IS OFTEN CALLED GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY and is also declared the World Day of Prayer for Priestly Vocations. The image of the Good Shepherd, presented in the Gospel on Sunday, provides the vision for every Priest who wishes to follow in the footsteps of Christ, the Good Shepherd. In Hamilton Priest, the newsletter from our Vocation Office, Father Wojciech Kuzma, Diocesan Vocation Director, has outlined a few suggestions about how to make this year’s Good Shepherd Sunday special, including suggestions for Sunday’s homily.
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