Issue #438

THE SHOCKING DISCOVERY OF 215 UNMARKED CHILDREN’S GRAVES at the former Kamloops Residential School has shaken and upset the country. Wounds are reopened and we suffer with our Indigenous brothers and sisters who experienced this dark chapter in our history. Silent memorials have sprung up across the country, including at some of our churches. They remind us to pray for rest for those who were lost, and for healing for those who remain. Statements from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate are included on the Diocesan website. Statements from Cardinal Thomas Collins (Toronto) and Archbishop Michael Miller (Vancouver) are included here.

Year of St. Joseph

Date posted on May 31, 2021

On December 8 2020, Pope Francis declared a “Year of St. Joseph” marking the 150th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Saint Joseph as the Patron Saint of the Universal Church. This year continues until December 8, 2021, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Statements regarding discovery at former Kamloops Indian Residential School

Date posted on May 31, 2021

Following the recent discovery of children’s graves at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School on the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc First Nation, the Canadian Conference for Catholic Bishops and Father Ken Thorson, Provincial of OMI Lacombe Canada Province, have released statements.

Issue #437

THE OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CIRCLE is a gathering of Indigenous, Religious, Lay, and Bishops, who advise the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops on matters relative to relations with Indigenous Catholics. The Circle published a Pentecost 2021 Message (here), one of their first publications. It is an interesting reflection and a good read.

Issue #436

A NOVENA to The Sacred Heart of Jesus has been published by the Institute for Catholic Education for use by families, in classrooms, or privately. The nine-days of prayer leading up to the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 11th, gives us an opportunity to “find our sure comfort and rest in the Sacred Heart of Christ’s love for each and every one of us.” The Solemnity is also the World Day of Prayer for Priests. Wednesday, June 2nd, is a day of preparation for the Novena which begins in earnest on June 3rd. The brief daily prayer provides opportunity to bring personal intentions before the Lord. The Novena can be found on our Diocesan 

Issue #435

ST. JOSEPH’S COVID CARE @ HOME PROGRAM was featured in The Hamilton Spectator this week as a “good news” story coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID CARE program is designed and delivered by St. Joseph’s Home Care. It provides nursing guidance to people infected with the virus so they can self-treat, and if necessary dispatches paramedics or respiratory therapists to patient’s homes. More than 430 people have participated in the program which started last November. Of 119 patients currently in the program, only 4 have been referred to hospital! Congratulations to Carolyn Gosse, President of St. Joseph’s Home Care, and to the entire team!

Issue #434

POPE FRANCIS has launched a Marathon of Prayer for the month of May. “Guided by Shrines around the world during this month of May, we recite the Rosary to invoke an end to the pandemic and the resumption of social and work-related activities.” (Pope Francis, General Audience, 5 May 2021) Father Ian Duffy, Rector of our own Diocesan Shrine, the Basilica of Our Lady in Guelph, is joining the Pope’s prayer marathon by praying the Rosary at noon each day. You can participate in the daily prayer with the Pope by checking the Vatican website for a listing of Shrines, or pray the Rosary in union with Father Duffy at the Basilica in Guelph.

Live-streamed and Prerecorded Masses in the Diocese of Hamilton

Date posted on May 6, 2021

Parishes throughout the Diocese are providing the opportunity to watch both livestreams and prerecorded Masses. The list is organized according to Deanery – find your local parish or find a time that is convenient for you to celebrate Mass at home.

Issue #433

THE FEAST OF ST. JOSEPH THE WORKER is tomorrow, May 1, 2021! The feast takes on added significance this year because Pope Francis has dedicated the year to St. Joseph. In the Apostolic Exhortation, Patris Corde (With the Heart of a Father), published on December 8, 2020, the Holy Father announced the special dedication. COVID-19 protocols permitting, on Canada Day, July 1, 2021, a special Mass will be celebrated at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King during which an Act of Consecration of the country to St. Joseph, Patron of Canada, will be prayed.

Highlights and Video: Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Wayne Lobsinger

Date posted on April 27, 2021

“This is the day the Lord has made! Forty-eight hours ago, we didn’t know that this was the day. But this is the day. And here it is,” Bishop Lobsinger remarked to those gathered. The Episcopal Ordination of the Auxiliary Bishop of Hamilton, the Most Reverend Wayne Lobsinger, took place at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King in Hamilton, Ontario, on April 18, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.

Issue #432

BISHOP WAYNE LOBSINGER was ordained Bishop last Sunday, April 18th. When we learned about the impending restrictions on church services to be imposed on Monday, April 19 at 12:01 a.m., we thought it best to proceed with the ordination rather than risk a similar restriction in June. Several phone calls and email messages later and it was all arranged. Even Monsignor Matjaz Roter, Chargé d’Affaires at the Apostolic Nunciature in Ottawa was able to attend, bring the Papal Bulla (Apostolic Letter signed by Pope Francis announcing the appointment), and offer greetings and good wishes on the Pope’s behalf. We pray that the Bishop’s ministry will be richly blessed!

Issue #431

THE UNIVERSITY CHAPLAINCIES in the Diocese of Hamilton met “virtually” last week to review the activities of the past year and to discuss opportunities for shared ministry! The Chaplains and Chaplaincy Leaders at St. Jerome University, Waterloo; St. John Paul II Student Centre, Waterloo; Canadian Martyrs’/McMaster Students Association, Hamilton; and Newman Centre, Guelph, meet together with the Diocese a few times each year to share experiences and resources. The challenges of the pandemic have intensified the outreach of the chaplaincies – much of it online. Keep up the good spirit!