Heart to Heart: Issue #564

Date posted on January 17, 2025

CARDINAL FRANK LEO, celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving last Wednesday with representatives from the Metropolitan Ecclesiastical Province of Toronto, which includes the Archdiocese of Toronto, and the Dioceses of Hamilton, London, Saint Catharine’s and Thunder Bay. At the Mass, in Thanksgiving for his recent elevation to the College of Cardinals, Archbishop Ivan Jurkovic, Apostolic Nuncio to Canada, offered words of congratulations to the Cardinal. “Cardinal Leo has been given a parish in Rome of which he is Titular. The parish is that of Santa Maria dell Salute in the suburb of Primavalle. … This Church was given to another Canadian Cardinal, George Bernard Flahiff … (a Basilian priest from the Diocese Hamilton), who eventually became Archbishop of Winnipeg and was created Cardinal in 1969.  The parish is under the title of Our Lady of Health … . This title is associated with one of the most venerated of images of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Rome, entitled Salus Populi Romani, “Health of the Roman People”. We recall the prayer Pope Francis recited on March 11, 2020, asking Mary to protect the Church of Rome and the entire world during the pandemic. May that prayer guide and inspire you, dear Cardinal Leo, in the exercise of your new responsibilities …” So be it!

LEONOR SORGER passed away in Ottawa, on January 12, 2025, surrounded by her family. Leonor led an extraordinary life marked by her deep love for life and her determination to make the world a better place for as many as she could help. Born in Peru, Leonor founded what has become our Hamilton Diocesan Office for Refugees, which still supports many refugees in their desire to relocate to Canada each year. For her dedication to this life-saving work, Leonor was awarded the Papal Honour of Dame of St. Gregory the Great by Pope Benedict in 2011. She was also named Hamilton Woman of the Year! May she now receive the ultimate reward promised to good and faithful servants!

BLESSED CARLOS ACUTIS WILL BE CANONIZED on April 27, 2025 in Rome. Blessed Pier Giorgio Michelangelo Frassati will be canonized on August 3, 2025, in Rome. Both events will be part of the Jubilee Year of Hope celebrations. The Jubilee for Teenagers in Rome takes place April 25-27 and the Jubilee for Youth (young adults aged 18-35) takes place July 28-August 3. The Diocese of Hamilton is not sponsoring pilgrimages to Rome for these events, however, parishes may wish to mark the canonization of these two remarkable young men in their parishes. Blessed Carlos will be the first “millennial saint”!

THE CATHOLIC CHILDREN’S AID SOCIETY OF HAMILTON has been selected One of Hamilton-Niagara’s Top Employers for the second time! The announcement was published earlier this week in The Hamilton Spectator. Congratulations to CCASH for this recognition. Your good work of saving lives is well known and respected!

JANUARY’S HEROES OF HOPE in the Diocese of Hamilton are Parish Ministries. A newsletter with the announcement has been sent to all Parishes throughout the Diocese. Catechists, Youth Ministries, Catholic Women’s League, Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul, and Liturgical Ministries, are all included. Thank you for making our parishes centres of hope and joy! May God bless your important service!

REEL JUSTICE starts the 2025 season on January 23rd with the screening of SHE RISES UP. The film follows women from Sri Lanka, Peru, and Senegal as the work to create job opportunities for women and reduce poverty in their communities. Film Director Maureen Castle Tusty and Executive Producer James Tusty will join us as guest speakers. Check out Reel Justice Film Festival here.

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

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