Issue #144
Date posted on December 20, 2013
The Bishop’s Levee for New Years Day takes place in the hall of the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King on January 1. The Diocesan Office for Family Ministry was overwhelmed by the number of responses by parishioners to the Questionnaire for the Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the Pastoral Challenges to the Family in the Context of Evangelization. Most of our Seminarians and many of our Priests, and several young men who aspire to study for service as Priests in the Diocese will gather at the Cathedral Basilica next Friday. This is the last issue of Heart to Heart for 2013!
Continue reading the PDF
Issue #143
Date posted on December 13, 2013
Before he went to the Conclave, where he was elected Pope, Cardinal Jorge Maria Bergoglio stayed in Room 203 at the Domus Paulus VI on Via della Scrofa, in Rome. (Remember the picture of the new Pope paying his bill at the front desk?) It is the very room I was given on my arrival here last week. I will surely mention it to him when we meet later today! Please pray for Fr. Robert Walz, who died on December 10th. Father Walz retired as Pastor of St. Mary’s in Elora in June 2011 and had been residing in Fergus.
Continue reading the PDF
Issue #142
Date posted on December 6, 2013
The Canadian Government has extended the deadline for matching donations dollar-for-dollar for the Philippine Typhoon Relief. A special Mass is being offered at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King this Sunday in Memory of Bishop Paul F. Reding. On my arrival in Rome on Monday, I was invited to a concert in Paul VI Hall, a major fundraiser for Bambino Gesu Hospital in Rome. Supported by other Italian singing stars was Andrea Bocelli – the music was sublime! Prayers are requested for Father Jim Profit, SJ; on the advice of his doctors, he has stopped treatment for his cancers.
Continue reading the PDF
Issue #141
Date posted on November 29, 2013
Congratulations to Victoria Docouto and Matthew Odem who will marry tomorrow at a ceremony at St. Margaret Mary Parish in Hamilton. Vicky prepares Heart to Heart for distribution every Friday morning. The Office of Family Ministry has published the Questionnaire in preparation for the Extraordinary Synod on the Family. Priests are reminded of the Advent Prayer Days scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.
Continue reading the PDF
Issue #140
Date posted on November 22, 2013
The Closing Masses for the Year of Faith will be celebrated Sunday afternoon, November 24th. Your prayers are requested for Father Robert Walz who continues his battle with cancer. Congratulations to Sister Eileen of Our Lady, OCD who marks her 50th Anniversary of profession as a Carmelite this month. Thanks to Bishop Miehm and Mr. John O’Brien for organizing and speaking at the Convocation which took place on Wednesday. The Executive Committee and Permanent Council of the CCCB meet next week in Ottawa. I leave on Monday afternoon…
Continue reading the PDF
Issue #139
Date posted on November 15, 2013
Please note: The national collection for the Philippines, which was initiated by Archbishop Paul Andre Durocher, President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, and is being sponsored through the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (D&P) is authorized to take place in the Parishes and missions of the Diocese of Hamilton. The evening of song with The Priests from Northern Ireland at Hamilton Place on Wednesday evening had a personal touch. We are thankful to John O’Brien and Dwayne Cahill of the Catholic Cemeteries for organizing a relaxing and enjoyable evening of music and song!
Continue reading the PDF
Issue #138
Date posted on November 8, 2013
Today is already the third anniversary of my installation as Bishop of Hamilton! Thank you for your many kindnesses over those years. I feel truly blessed! Just last week, readers of the Hamilton Spectator named Holy Sepulchre Cemetery as the Platinum Award Winner in the annual “Reader’s Choice Awards 2013”. Tickets are still available for the Priests’ Concert which takes place next Wednesday! Women at St. Benedict’s Parish in Milton signed the charter to become a Catholic Women’s League Council. The document has now been sent to the CWL National Office for approbation.
Continue reading the PDF
Issue #137
Date posted on November 1, 2013
Thank you to Father Frank Freitas and Pam Aleman who have produced the annual Diocesan Directory. Father Tim Hingston is appointed the Ecumenical/Interfaith Officer for the Diocese. I send my congratulations to Bishop Richard Gagnon (Victoria) who was appointed Archbishop of Winnipeg earlier this week. Development and Peace sent us an update on the collection for Syria which took place during the summer months, and I request your prayers for several people whose names are mentioned in my letter.
Continue reading the PDF
Issue #136
Date posted on October 25, 2013
The Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton celebrates their annual Foster Parent’s Recognition Dinner tonight. A profound thank you to all foster parents, and to all who serve at the CCAS-H! The Priests’ Seminar takes place next week at the Holiday Inn in Burlington. Catherine Ecker and Father Larry Leger are the main presenters at the gathering. The Jubilee Anniversaries of Priests who serve in the Diocese will be celebrated at a special Mass and Dinner during the Seminar.
Continue reading the PDF
Issue #135
Date posted on October 18, 2013
Following a presentation by Father Sam Restivo, C.R., Provincial Superior, I have made new Clergy appointments which become effective on November 6, 2013. The Distinguished Service to Catholic Education Awards for 2013 will be presented by Bishop Daniel Miehm on November 26 at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King. We congratulate and thank the recipients for their outstanding service to Catholic education! Our Lady Immaculate Parish celebrates the 125th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Church this Sunday. The “Church on the Hill” is THE outstanding landmark in Guelph and is truly one of the significant jewels of the Diocese of Hamilton!
Continue reading the PDF
Issue #134
Date posted on October 11, 2013
Father Stephen Crowley has shared with Parishioners at St. John’s and Our Lady of Guadalupe Parishes in Kitchener that he is being treated for “non life threatening cancer”. We pray for him during his treatments. The last conference for the Year of Faith is taking place on November 9 at Holy Family Croatian Parish. The theme for the day is “The Faith We Share”. John Allen, popular author and Vatican Commentator, is speaking at Christ the King Cathedral Basilica on October 21 at 7pm. Entry is free. Join us.
Continue reading the PDF
Issue #133
Date posted on October 4, 2013
Our sympathy goes out to the Carmelite Sisters on the death of Sr. Marie Agnes of the Holy Trinity. May she know the reward of a good and faithful servant. The Diocesan Mass for Catholic Education was celebrated last evening at St. Pius X Parish in Brantford. We acknowledge the blessing of Catholic Education in the Diocese and throughout the Province of Ontario! Father Charlie Jordan has invited me to Regina Mundi Parish in Hamilton to preside and preach this weekend (Oct 5-6). Devereaux Cemetery in Georgetown will be officially dedicated tomorrow at a ceremony jointly celebrated by the town of Georgetown and the Diocese of Hamilton. ~ St. Francis, pray for us!
Continue reading the PDF
