Issue #349
Date posted on December 21, 2018
OVER 2000 GUESTS WERE SERVED A FESTIVE TURKEY DINNER with all the trimmings at the Hamilton Convention Centre last Sunday afternoon. The meal was sponsored by the Good Shepherd Ministries under the direction of the Brothers of St. John of God. 800 volunteers decorated the venue, prepared the food (along with Convention Centre staff), and served the guests! After dinner, there were opportunities for fun and games, a visit with Santa, and the distribution of gifts! Expressions of joy and gratitude abounded! Congratulations to the Brothers and to all who supported the Good Shepherd’s Christmas Wonderland!
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Issue #348
Date posted on December 14, 2018
“ONE BLESSED NIGHT” were the final words of the Christmas Canata, The Birth of Christ, which was presented to a sold out audience at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King last Friday evening. The story was told of that “Blessed Night” two thousand years ago, and in the telling, the evening itself was blessed once again! A special honour – Father Tom Rosica, CSB, CEO of the Salt & Light Media Foundation, presented the St. Gianna Molla “Lover of Life” Award to the Diocese of Hamilton, and to Gillian and David Kantor, parents of six children from St. Matthew Parish in Oakville. A brilliant and historic evening!
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Issue #347
Date posted on December 7, 2018
THE ANNUAL ADVENT SCRIPTURE AND HYMN FESTIVAL sponsored by the Diocesan Choir under the direction of Sharon Fazari was a “tour de force”! The newly renovated St. Augustine Church in Dundas resounded with song and scripture proclamation! Congratulations to the Choir for your best production to date! Thank you for helping us begin the Advent season in a beautiful way.
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Issue #346
Date posted on November 30, 2018
SEMINARIAN RAPHAEL MA made his final profession of vows as a member of the Congregation of the Resurrection earlier this week. He will be ordained a Deacon by Bishop Robert Kurtz, C.R. this weekend. We offer him our congratulations and good wishes, and we look forward to his Ordination as a Priest in 2019!
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Issue #345
Date posted on November 23, 2018
THE SOLEMNITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE, is the last Sunday in Ordinary Time, bringing to an end the liturgical year. It is also the patronal feast of the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King. Christ the King will restore all creation and restore his kingdom to the Father. The risen people of God will rejoice in a new heaven and a new earth. “There with the whole of creation, freed from the corruption of sin and death, may we glorify you through Christ our Lord.”(Eucharistic Prayer IV)
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Issue #344
Date posted on November 16, 2018
SALT + LIGHT IS PRESENTING THE BIRTH OF CHRIST, a choral concert by Andrew T. Miller, on Friday, December 7th, at 8:00 p.m., in the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King. This unique work will be performed by Masterworks of Oakville. The choral concert celebrates the 15th Anniversary of Salt + Light TV – a remarkable undertaking! All are welcome. Bring a friend. Mark your calendar now for a special Advent experience this year! See our website for more details.
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Issue #343
Date posted on November 9, 2018
BELLS OF PEACE – A Remembrance of those who served in the First World War, is an initiative of Veterans Affairs Canada. On November 11th, 1918, the ringing of church bells erupted spontaneously across the country as an outpouring of relief that four years of war had come to an end. On the 100th Anniversary of that joyous occasion, the Carillon at our Cathedral Basilica in Hamilton, and those churches with bells throughout the Diocese will participate with churches of other denominations in ringing their bells to emulate that moment of remembrance in honour of our veterans who served in WWI. Listen for them – just prior to sunset! At the going down of the sun – we will remember them!
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Issue #342
Date posted on November 2, 2018
THE SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH in Hamilton, published a newsletter recently outlining the important work of their Refugee Committee. In October they welcomed a Somali family from a camp in Kenya: Amina and her sons Abdullaih (11), Abdihakim (10), and Abdihamid, (5). Arafat, who arrived in 2015, is studying toward a High School Certificate and works 5 evenings a week in housekeeping at the General Hospital. Addis lives and works in Kitchener and graduated from St. Mary High School in June. She is applying for Canadian citizenship. The committee has welcomed and cared for 7 Syrian families in need of support. The Sisters and their volunteers continue to do what they have done for so many others over the years – by giving them a good chance at life!
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Issue #341
Date posted on October 26, 2018
THIS YEAR’S ST. JEROME’S FEAST, the annual celebration at St. Jerome’s University, was a gathering of students, alumni, staff, administration and benefactors. Katherine Bergman, University President, oversaw the evening, and members of the SJU Students’ Union assured that everyone was warmly welcomed! Mr. Rob Way, a Kitchener-Waterloo entrepreneur and philanthropist was the recipient of the Chancellor John Sweeney Award for Catholic Leadership. It was a joy-filled evening!
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Issue #340
Date posted on October 19, 2018
THE ENTIRE SPIRITUAL CARE TEAM from the Hospitals of the St. Joseph’s Health System met with me in Hamilton earlier this week to talk about their ministry and to share the impact of their vocation in their lives. It was a powerful and deeply moving experience for all. In thanking them for their service, I was able to emphasize the importance of their pastoral care especially at such a vulnerable time in the lives of patients! Thanks to all the Chaplains for their commitment to accompany and care!
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Issue #339
Date posted on October 12, 2018
THESE ARE EXCITING TIMES FOR ST. BENEDICT PARISH IN MILTON! The construction of the new church begins on Monday (15th). The architect, contractors and building committee will meet to assure that everything is ready to go. It is hoped that the building will be completed by January 2020, with a blessing and dedication to take place sometime in the Spring of the year. May it all go well!
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Issue #338
Date posted on October 5, 2018
BISHOP RYAN CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL celebrates its 60th Anniversary this weekend! An article in The Hamilton Spectator lauds former Principal, Father Ron Cote, the second Principal of the school, for his lengthy service, and lists many of the highly successful alumni of the school. A photo shows Father Cote and current Principal, Emidio Piccion, admiring a portrait of Bishop Joseph Ryan, the school’s Founder, and the corner stone which he placed in the original school 60 years ago! Congratulations to the school for a remarkable history of providing the finest Catholic education to untold numbers of lucky students. Have a great celebration!
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