Issue #428

THE PENULTIMATE WAVE OF ONE HEART, ONE SOUL has been launched. To date, the campaign has raised over $23 million, 66 percent of the $35 million goal! 42 parishes have surpassed their baseline target. Six more are at 93% or higher. In one parish, over 78% of parishioners participated in the campaign, the highest level of participation so far in any parish. Several parishes are already undertaking projects and programs for which funds have been raised. Painting and improved lighting at the Cathedral is almost complete. The scaffolding will be coming down soon. A recent note from one donor says it all: “Blessings. I loved reading the campaign news and all the good things that are happening because of it. I just want to share with you my experience with One Heart, One Soul. At first I was hesitant to contribute because I wasn’t sure if we could meet the contribution you asked of us. Thank God we are contributing to it! God has been so gracious to us. As soon as we started contributing, my husband got a raise and a family member has given us gifts that matched our 3-year contributions. Last year we were able to buy a new car and installed a new roof on our house. So much blessing has come our way, and we thank One Heart, One Soul. We thank God for His generosity. God has shown me that if you are generous, He will be more generous! Thank you.” And thank YOU to all who support the campaign!

Issue #427

PLEASE PRAY FOR POPE FRANCIS as he prepares to make an apostolic journey next week to the Christian communities of Iraq which have suffered grievously over the past 20+ years. The Holy Father intends his trip to be a sign of solidarity and encouragement for the beleaguered Iraqi Christians – and there are considerable risks associated with the trip. Please keep him – and them – in your prayers. “Ask and you will receive!”

Issue #426

LENT HAS BEGUN! Churches throughout the Dioceses are open (at 30% capacity) to welcome parishioners for prayer and worship. It will take some time for people to feel secure enough to return, so it is vitally important that Parishes follow rigorously the protocols prepared by the Chancery officials. We want to assure the safety of parishioners and their good health – physical and spiritual! Thank you to Pastors and Pastoral Teams for the care and attention you give to assuring a safe environment!

Issue #425

NEXT WEDNESDAY IS ASH WEDNESDAY! We pray that we will once again be able to open our parish churches (30% capacity) for Lent beginning on Ash Wednesday. The Diocesan Liturgy Office has forwarded to Pastors directions from the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments as to how to safely administer the ashes during this time of pandemic protocols. Once we receive the notice of lifting of the “stay-at-home” order, we will communicate directly with Parish Priests. We pray to the Lord!

Issue #424

“IT MAY BE SMALL, BUT THE NEW TINY HOME TAKEOUT in front of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in downtown Kitchener can produce 12 personal pan pizzas in three minutes and at least 150 soups in the two hours it is open.” So begins the CBC story featuring the most recent initiative of Father Toby Collins, C.R., his C.R. community, and his St. Mary Parish support team. Congratulations on getting the program up and running – especially during these colder winter and pandemic days! A good story for the Church!

Issue #423

ST. MARY PARISH IN KITCHENER received their first delivery of food on Wednesday to their new kitchen below the church. The plan is to provide takeout food for the most vulnerable and those who do not have access to drive-thru because they do not have a car. Food testing begins today – and they hope to open by the end of next week. Thanks to Father Toby Collins, C.R., and his team for this important initiative coming to fruition at such a dark time! A bright light in the midst of darkness indeed!

Issue #422

THE FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD which is celebrated this Sunday marks the end of the Christmas season. Thank you for the greetings and gifts received throughout the season! Ordinary Time begins on Monday and continues until Ash Wednesday. Several Parishes in the Diocese of Hamilton have arranged to live-stream Masses during the Provincial lockdown. Check your Parish website to see if your Parish does so. Mass from the Cathedral Basilica will be televised on Cable 14 at 2:00 p.m. on Sundays.

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Issue #428

Issue #427

Issue #426

Issue #425

Issue #424

Issue #423

Issue #422