Issue #507
STUDENTS AT ST. MARY’S CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL in Hamilton used their artistic talents and their gift for writing to create prayer cards which encourage classmates to “pray always”. Supported by Chaplain Don Hall, the cards are available at his office. They can be used as bookmarks and the prayers easily said before classes. The creative initiative is another good example of the benefits of our Catholic schools, where young people are encouraged to nurture a “culture of prayer”! Well done.
WELCOME TO BISHOP DANIEL MIEHM, Bishop of Peterborough, formerly Auxiliary Bishop of Hamilton and a Priest of the Diocese. He is the Retreat Preacher at next week’s Retreat for Priests of our Diocese which will be held at Mount Carmel Retreat Centre in Niagara Falls. This is the first of two opportunities provided by the Diocese each year for Priests to fulfill their responsibility to make an annual retreat. The second is scheduled for the end of August. Thanks in advance to Bishop Miehm for sharing his faith with us next week!
DEACON RANDAL MATTERS, who served as Deacon at Regina Mundi Parish, Hamilton, died this week. A funeral Mass was celebrated at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King earlier this morning. We offer our sympathy to his wife and family. One of his diaconal services was the founding of Shifra Homes, a place where young mothers are able to care for their newborns! It is a wonderful legacy! May the Lord give him the reward promised to good and faithful servants!
BISHOP WAYNE LOBSINGER and Father Mark Morley are visiting Rome these days and were seen at the Wednesday audience of Pope Francis! In a conversation with Seminarian William Meehan, who is studying in Rome, the Bishop gave him the happy news that he has been called to the Diaconate and will be ordained on July 5, 2023, at Villa Palazzola, outside Rome, with other seminarians studying with him. Following the ordination he will return to Hamilton for service at St. Catherine of Siena Parish during the summer months. Happy news for him! Happy news for us!
THE MAY 9th DEATH OF MARGARET JURAVINSKI was sad news for the St. Joseph’s Healthcare community in Hamilton. She and her husband Charles were remarkably generous over more than 20 years, creating a transformational philanthropic legacy in Hamilton. They made gifts to several Hamilton organizations, including giving more than $68.8 million to Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster University and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. Over the past four years, they continued to make new gifts totaling $16.5 million to support research on child and youth health, integrated care, burn research, macular degeneration, health system transformation, COVID-19 and brain health. What a legacy! May she rest in peace!
THE POPE’S PASTORAL WORKS are supported by the special collection taken up this weekend, as we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. One-third of the funds collected is for “Peter’s Pence”: donations used by the Pope for his charitable contributions to those most in need throughout the world. Two-thirds of the collection assists the Pope in administering the Holy See and serving the Universal Church. Please be generous!
VICTORIA DAY is the first summer holiday of 2023. The day celebrates the birthday (May 24, 1819) of Queen Victoria, and has been celebrated since 1845. It became a National Holiday in 1901. Enjoy the time!
Our Lady of the Annunciation, pray for us!
Ex corde, + Douglas, OMI