Issue #376
Date posted on September 27, 2019
POPE FRANCIS DECLARED ALL OF OCTOBER 2019 to be an Extraordinary Mission Month with the theme Baptized and Sent: The Church of Christ on Mission to the World. It marks the hundredth anniversary of the Apostolic Letter on the missionary activity of the Church issued by Pope Benedict XV in the aftermath of World War I, Maximum Illud. The aim of the special month, explained Pope Francis, is “to foster an increased awareness of the missio ad gentes, and taking up again with renewed fervor the missionary transformation of the Church’s life and pastoral activity.” The Diocese of Hamilton has a healthy missionary outreach. Through our Missionary Cooperative Program our Parishes generously support many Dioceses, Religious Communities, Parishes, and projects around the world. Additionally, following the devastating earthquake of 2010, we have entered into a contractual arrangement with the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince by which we strongly support their seminary formation program, assuring the education of priests for service in the Archdiocese into the future. As well, we reach out to many “mission” Dioceses in Canada, providing clergy support and financial support when requested. We have a special concern to assist the Diocese of Churchill-Hudson Bay, by providing administrative advice, pastoral programming, and clergy assistance during the past several years. Our Parishes are “mission minded” when parishioners “go out” into their communities to visit the sick, the homebound, and the prisons. Our Catholic schools provide marvelous opportunities for students to visit developing countries and participate in projects and programs that assist the local communities and are “life-changing” for the students. We are sent to carry out the missionary mandate of Jesus Christ at the end of every Mass: “Go announce the Gospel of the Lord.”
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Issue #375
Date posted on September 20, 2019
“YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO COME TO A MARVELOUS PLACE – UNIVERSITY! … You have chosen a Catholic university; be emboldened by its vision to educate students to become informed, courageous citizens who have the humility to work together for the common good and the courage to lead by example to build a more just and peaceful society. In the end, choose to act and not be passive.” Excerpt from the first address of Chancellor Bruce Rodriguez, St. Jerome University, Waterloo.
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Issue #374
Date posted on September 13, 2019
REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE DIOCESAN REFUGEE SPONSORSHIP COMMUNITY, Diane Jones from St. Michael Parish, Waterloo and Elizabeth Meakes from St. Anne Parish, Kitchener, along with Erin Pease, Director of our Refugee Office, had the honour of spending an evening with The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Elizabeth Dowdeswell. In celebration of 40 years of success of Canada’s private sponsorship program, sponsoring stakeholders from across the Province were invited to convene at the Lieutenant Governor’s Suite at Queen’s Park. A key reflection that underpinned the spirit of much of the evening was expressed in the words of young Malala Yousfzai: “We realize the importance of our voices only when we are silenced.” Thanks to all who are part of our sponsorship community!
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Issue #373
Date posted on September 6, 2019
MR. KYLE DALY has been hired as the Retreat Coordinator at Mount Mary Retreat Centre, in Ancaster. He began working in mid-July. In this position, Kyle will report to Mr. Jim Long, the Episcopal Director of Finance and Administration. We welcome Kyle, and we have every assurance that the Centre is in capable and dependable hands. It is a busy place, and will only get busier!
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