Heart to Heart: Issue #548
THE FOUR UNIVERSITY CHAPLAINCY CENTRES in the Diocese of Hamilton have prepared new promotional videos highlighting their important outreach: St. Kateri Tekakwitha Student Centre at Canadian Martyrs’ Parish, Hamilton for McMaster Catholic Chaplaincy, Newman Centre in Guelph for Guelph University, the St. John Paul II Centre in Waterloo for Wilfred Laurier University, and St. Jerome’s University Campus Ministry for Waterloo University. Each of these communities is a place to call home for Catholic university students across the Diocese. Check out the videos here and take a peek into university chaplaincy. Share the video with a young person you may know who is heading off to one of these universities in the Fall.
THE FOURTH WORLD DAY TO CELEBRATE GRANDPARENTS AND THE ELDERLY is July 28, 2024. Pope Francis says that the day is an opportunity to bring together the various age groups to honour our elderly: “What is important is the unity of the different ages of life, which is the real point of reference for understanding and valuing human life in its entirety.” Teresa Hartnett, Director of our Family Ministry Office has sent helpful information and resources to assist parishes to mark Grandparents Day locally. For more helpful information, check out the Diocesan website.
A REMINDER TO PRIESTS IN THE DIOCESE who have received an invitation to concelebrate at the upcoming Ordination to the Priesthood scheduled for 11 a.m. on July 20, 2024 at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King. Please respond to the invitation indicating your intention to attend or your inability to attend. It helps the Cathedral staff prepare well for the event. Priests are reminded to bring an alb. A vestment will be provided.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL is offered in several parishes in the Diocese during the summer months. These sessions are opportunities for young people to experience our faith, thanks to the initiative of our pastors, parish ministers, and many volunteers who plan, support and implement the engaging programs. During these days, young people explore how they can live as disciples of Jesus by following in the footsteps of the saints. Visit the VBS website to see the list of parishes offering the program this summer. If your parish is running a VBS program and it is not listed, please complete the form at the bottom of the webpage so our Evangelization Office can include your parish in the listing.
A GREAT SYMPHONY OF PRAYER: The Our Father as a Programme of Life is a four-part webinar presented by Dr. Josephine Lombardy, a parishioner in the Diocese and a Professor at St. Augustine’s Seminary in Toronto. The series was offered for The Year of Prayer 2024 in anticipation of the Jubilee Year 2025, and will be followed by another series in the Fall. Access the series here.
THE RETIREMENT OF FATHER SAM RESTIVO, C.R., from ministry with the SJHS Spiritual Care Community of Practice was announced this week by Keith Metcalfe, Director of Spiritual Care for the St. Joseph’s Health System. “For the last seven years … Fr. Sam has been a beacon of gentle care at St. Mary’s General Hospital, touching the lives of patients, families, and staff across the organization.” Last year, in a testament to his unwavering dedication, Pope Francis conferred the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross on Father Sam. The medal and parchment were presented by Cardinal Gerald Cyprien Lacroix at a ceremony at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King. Father Sam will celebrate his last Mass for the St. Mary’s community next Monday at 1:30 p.m. – another historic moment for the hospital.
Our Lady of the Annunciation, pray for us!
Ex corde, +Douglas, OMI