Issue #494
OUR WORLD YOUTH DAY PILGRIMS will welcome over 300 guests to St. Mary Parish Hall, Hamilton, tomorrow (Saturday) evening. A Taste of Portugal Fundraising Dinner is a celebration of Portuguese food, culture and dancing organized by the young pilgrims heading to Portugal this summer. All proceeds from the ticket sales go towards offsetting the costs of the pilgrimage to Fatima and Lisbon. Special thanks to Father David Avila and staff at St. Mary Church for their generous support!
ERIN PEASE completes her service as Director of the Office for Refugees today. The Chancery personnel gathered this morning to thank her for her 7.5 years (+) of service. Erin cares deeply about welcoming refugees to Canada and has given her life to this good work in a variety of ways. She was dedicated to working with sponsoring groups and in responding to government directions. She describes her work with the Diocese as “the best job of my career, including all the joys and the many challenges”. We wish Erin well in the new directions in her life!
THE FRASSATI LEADERSHIP PROGRAM will be running its first session on February 11th! This program is open to young Catholic leaders in Grade 10. This is a wonderful opportunity for young people to grow in their own faith and leadership and to connect with their community. For more information and to register, please visit our website.
THE FUNERAL MASS FOR FATHER WALLACE METCALF will be celebrated at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King on Monday morning beginning at 10:30 a.m.. Visitation on Sunday takes place from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00p.m. at PX Dermody Funeral Home, Hamilton. Father will be buried at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Burlington. We offer our sympathy to brothers Don and Bob, and his sister, Dorothy, and their families. We pray that God will give him the reward due a good and faithful servant!
THE L.A.R.C. DIALOGUE (Lutheran, Anglican, Roman Catholic) met at the Chancery earlier this week at a daylong session facilitated by Archbishop Donald Bolen (Regina). The committee reviewed its founding principals, the many ecumenical achievements over the years, its long history, and possible future activities. The commitment of the bishops, the priests, and the lay participants is essential to the success of the dialogue. All were enthusiastic about future possibilities!
THE COUNCIL OF CATHOLIC SERVICE ORGANIZATONS (Hamilton) will meet on February 14th, to review activities and to determine future directions. There are many Catholic organizations in Hamilton that provide many services which greatly benefit the Catholic community – from womb to tomb. We are grateful for their good works. It is good that we come together to share the challenges and for mutual support!
THE PERSONNEL BOARD meets next Thursday to review the placement of Priests later this year. Already the Board has received responses from the Priests, reports from the Deans, and some proposals from Religious Communities. Pray that the Holy Spirit guide the reflections, so important for the parish life of our Diocese!
THE DIOCESAN FINANCE COUNCIL meets at the Chancery on Wednesday, February 15th. The first “in person” meeting since the great shutdown, and the first meeting of 2023! Thanks to the members of the committee for your dedication and wise counsel. You keep us on the “straight and narrow”!
THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS in the Hamilton area sponsor a dinner in support of the Bishop’s Favourite Charities which will take place Saturday, February 18th, at Carmen’s Banquet Centre in Hamilton. This will be the first time since 2020 that the in-person event will take place. I look forward to seeing many parishioners and friends that I have not seen for some time. Thanks to the Knights for organizing the event and to the patrons and participants for your generosity!
Our Lady of the Annunciation, pray for us!
Ex corde, +Douglas, OMI