Issue #509
THE 2023 FARMING SEASON AT DEMAZENOD FARM has begun! Last year the farm produced over 10,000 pounds of fresh produce used in the DeMazenod Door Kitchen out of St. Patrick Parish, Hamilton. Cathedral High School students, under the direction of teacher Patricia Carmichael, have begun their weekly visits to the farm to learn first-hand how to grow food locally. The farm provides an educational component where everyone learns to work together for the common good. The greenhouse is up and ready for early planting and the soil is being tilled and readied. (From the May Newsletter of DeMazenod Door Outreach)
BISHOP PAUL ANTOINE NASSIF, Bishop for the Syriac Catholic Church in Canada, presided at a Mass of Dedication and Consecration at Our Lady of Deliverance Syriac Catholic Church in Oakville. The former Salvation Army Temple was purchased and refurbished by the Syriac Catholic community under the direction of Father Manhal Abboush Habash, Parish Priest. The church was full to overflowing and the music joyfully reflected the spirit and energy of the community grateful for their new spiritual home!
THE RECENTLY RENOVATED CHAPEL AT ST. MARY’S HOSPITAL in Kitchener will be blessed this afternoon during a Mass of Thanksgiving. Delayed by COVID-19 restrictions, the labour of love began in earnest a year ago. Thanks to the many donors who made the work possible and to Gary Payne, recently retired System Director of Spiritual Care, who oversaw the restoration. The Chapel will provide a place for spiritual solace and renewal for patients and visitors.
“THE FAMILY GLOBAL COMPACT is an initiative of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life and the Pontifical Academy for Social Sciences and is inspired by studies and research on the cultural and anthropological relevance of the family and the new challenges it faces.” So begins a May 30, 2023 message from Pope Francis in support of the initiative which takes the Apostolic Exortation Amoris Laetitia as its underlying motivation. The Family Global Compact is a process of study, dialogue and information sharing about the culture of family and life in society today, so that helpful public policy resolutions and objectives might emerge. An important and timely commitment!
THE MISSION OF CANADIAN PHYSICIANS FOR LIFE is to “promote healthcare in the Hippocratic tradition that situates the patient’s good at the heart of all medical practice. We believe that the proper goal of medical science and, therefore, of its practitioners, is to preserve and protect human life, to relieve suffering, and to promote healing”. Physicians For Life will gather at a Bioethics Symposium on Mental Health in Ottawa, June 22nd-24th. “AND SO MY LIFE IS GOOD” is the title of the gathering. A noble and life-saving profession indeed!
THE BISHOP’S CHARITIES INVITATIONAL GOLF TOURNAMENT takes place at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville on Wednesday. Presented this year by LiUNA and supported by a host of sponsors, the tournament will benefit the DeMazenod Door Outreach which feeds over 500 patrons twice a day at St. Patrick Parish, Hamilton. Thanks to LiUNA and the many sponsors who make the tournament a success, and to the many golfers who make it fun! Let’s see if we can celebrate a “hole-in-one” again this year!
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATIONS TAKE PLACE throughout the Diocese in June. We pray specially for the high school graduates who will be leaving our Catholic schools for higher education or to begin work. May your futures be filled with God’s rich blessings!
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!
Ex corde, +Douglas, OMI