Issue #497
HE RITE OF ELECTION takes place at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King and the Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate on Sunday, February 26th, beginning at 1:30 p.m. The Rite of Election is a celebration with those who wish to become members of the Catholic Church (Catechumens), with their families, and sponsors. The moving liturgical celebration welcomes the catechumens and presents them to the Bishop so they can sign the Book of the Elect and be admitted to the final stage of intense preparation prior to the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist). If you have never participated in the Rite of Election, you are welcome to join us! Bring Kleenex! “Bless all your adopted children, Lord God, and add these chosen ones to the harvest of the new covenant!”
JOURNEY THROUGH LENT 2023 is a series of video reflections offered each week in Lent by the CCCB Office for Evangelization and Catechesis. Gerald Cardinal Lacroix presents reflections in French, and Archbishop Brian Dunn offers reflections in English. The inspiring and informative videos are posted every MONDAY on the CCCB Website in English and French. Videos for Ash Wednesday and First Sunday of Lent are available now! A wonderful Lenten resource!
FATHER TIM UNIAC, PROVINCIAL SUPERIOR of the Congregation of the Resurrection (CR), was elected to a second term as Provincial Superior of the Ontario-Kentucky Province of the community last Saturday! He begins the second term on July 1, 2023! We congratulate him on this appointment and thank him for his openness to serve!
A SPECIAL COLLECTION is being taken up in the Parishes and missions of the Diocese of Hamilton this weekend. Envelopes have been provided to facilitate the generosity of parishioners in supporting the survivors of several earthquakes and aftershocks in Turkey and Syria. The death toll stands at almost 50,000 and many have lost everything. In addition to our prayers we encourage parishioners to support Catholic agencies that are on the scene. Information has been provided to your Pastors and is available on our Diocesan website. The special collection will make it even easier to provide support.
DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE has featured an interesting article about REEL JUSTICE on their website! The article, written by Rita Bailey, long-time social justice promoter, features the good work of our staff! Reel Justice is a creative collaboration between the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace and the Bishop Farrell Library and Archives of the Diocese of Hamilton. Films are shown that provide insight into social justice concerns, followed by a time of questions and discussion.
PRIESTS IN THE DIOCESE ARE REMINDED of the Priests’ Lenten Prayer Day at the Cathedral Basilica on Tuesday, February 28th beginning at 10:00 a.m. (coffee at 9:30 a.m.), and at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Waterloo, on Wednesday, March 1st, beginning at 10:00 a.m. (coffee at 9:30 a.m.). See you there!
THE CONTINENTAL WRITING TEAM has completed the Working Document synthesizing the insights and contributions of the North American Continental Stage of the 2021-2024 Synod on Synodality. Eight bishops, three lay women, two priests, two lay men, and two women Religious, gathered to synthesize the responses of the People in Canada and the United States to the Document for the Continental Stage (DCS) issued by the Holy See’s General Secretariat of the Synod in October 2022. The communique issue by the Writing Team can be read here. It is also available on our Diocesan website.
Our Lady of the Annunciation, pray for us!
Ex corde, + Douglas, OMI