Heart to Heart: Issue #581

Date posted on May 30, 2025

THE ANNUAL WEDDING ANNIVERSARY MASS is celebrated this Sunday, June 1, 2025, at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King. The couples who have registered represent 15,334 years of marriage! With them, we give thanks to God for the gift of marriage love. Couples celebrating 25, 40, 50 and 60+ years will be present to receive certificates and to renew their commitment of love. We congratulate all of the couples and their families. Thank you for this witness to the entire faith community!

THE DIOCESAN COUNCIL OF THE CATHOLIC WOMEN’S LEAGUE gathers for their annual convention in Burlington this weekend. The celebration of Mass tonight at St. Raphael Church will mark the official opening. The convention brings together CWL members from across the Diocese to renew friendships and to consider resolutions brought forward from CWL Parish Councils. Resolutions approved at the convention will be presented to government leaders by the leadership of the Diocesan Council. We pray for God’s blessing on the gathering.

THE BISHOP’S CHARITIES INVITATIONAL GOLF TOURNAMENT, generously sponsored by LiUNA Union and supported by a variety of businesses, groups and individuals, takes place next Wednesday at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville. The event supports the DeMazenod Door Outreach Program at St. Patrick Parish in Hamilton, which continues to offer hope, dignity, and compassion to those most in need. In the words of Pope Leo XIV, “How important it is that each and every baptized person feel himself or herself called by God to be a sign of hope in the world today!” Thank you for being signs of hope!

THE CCCB EPISCOPAL COMMISSION FOR DOCTRINE has published a Note on Prayer, which, in addition to providing a brief introduction to what prayer is, introduces a set of recent resources on the topic compiled by the CCCB Ad Hoc Committee for the preparation of the Jubilee Year. Approved by the CCCB Permanent Council the Note on Prayer can be found on the CCCB website here.

THE PRIORESS OF THE CARMEL OF ST. JOSEPH, in St. Agatha, Mother Patricia of the Holy Spirit, recently shared news from the Carmel. Mother Patricia, Mother Celeste, and Sister Lynn attended the Triennial meeting of the Carmel Association of North America, at which Mother Catherine (now Prioress in Edmonton) was elected Coordinator and our own Mother Celeste, First Councillor, for the coming three years. She assured us of the community’s prayers for our Diocese. We are blessed to have such a strong prayer centre in the heart of the Diocese!

THE BISHOP JOHN FARRELL LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES hosted members of the Catholic Archives Group from across Southern Ontario, who participated in a virtual Annual General Meeting last Friday. They gathered in the Chancery’s “ZOOM” Room for lunch, while taking part in the virtual AGM, hosted by the Archdiocese of Vancouver. Our own Bridget Ker is the current secretary of the group.

ST. JOSEPH’S HEALTH SYSTEM sponsored a Mission Day, earlier in the month, which featured “compassionate care in action”! It was a celebration of the incredible work happening across the organization and a reaffirmation of the shared commitment to the mission and legacy of the Sisters of St. Joseph. A brief video presents some of the excitement and creative energy of the day!

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATIONS BEGIN AGAIN! Next week graduation diplomas will be presented to students graduating from Cathedral High School in Hamilton and St. John Bosco High School in Guelph. It is always a happy occasion for students, a time to honour their completion of years of study. It is also a time to thank parents and teachers for the support offered to graduates over the years. The blessing of a good Catholic education is highlighted at this time! How blessed we are!

Our Lady of the Annunciation, pray for us! Ex corde, +Douglas, OMI

Download as PDF