Heart to Heart: Issue #516
ST. JEROME’S UNIVERSITY CELEBRATES ITS ANNUAL “FEAST” NEXT SATURDAY, October 14th. This year’s feast marks Waterloo University at 100, and St. Jerome’s at 200! The celebration of Mass in Notre Dame Chapel, begins at 5:00 p.m., followed by a reception and dinner in the Atrium. The event is an important fundraiser for student scholarships – a noble cause for a university! This year, the John and Kay Sweeney Award will be conferred on none other than “yours truly”! It is an auspicious award indeed, for which I feel both unworthy and greatly honoured! Priests, Deacons, Lay pastoral workers and parishioners in Kitchener/Waterloo and surrounding area are strongly encouraged celebrate with me all the good things St. Jerome’s University means to the students and all that it contributes to the community! Tickets are available on the website. See you there!
FATHER TIM UNIAC, C.R., Provincial Superior of the Congregation of the Resurrection, has presented Father Paul Voisin, C.R., as the new Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Kitchener, effective January 1, 2024. Father Murray McDermott, C.R., will retire effective December 31, 2023, and will continue to reside at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, providing pastoral assistance as necessary. Father Raphael Ma, C.R., will reside at St. Mary Parish, and continue his service to the Province. Father Paul Szymanowski, C.R., will continue his Doctoral Studies at Resurrection Manor until January 1, 2024, when he will reside at St. Mary Rectory, Kitchener. May your good works in the Diocese of Hamilton be a blessing!
THE LONG ANTICIPATED SYNOD ON SYNODALITY is underway in the Paul VI Audience Hall in Rome. The Holy Father, Pope Francis, invites us all to pray for those participating in the Synod that they may be attentive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit at every moment. With the participants, we pray the ADSUMUS prayer daily for God’s blessing on the event!
THE APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION LAUDATE DEUM, was promulgated by Pope Francis on October 4, 2023, updating Laudato Si’. This new reflection helps us refresh our current understanding of the climate crisis and to strengthen our commitment to “Care for our Common Home”! It will also help the Church to make its contribution to the very important Climate Change Conference (COP28) to be held in Dubai, November 30th to December 12th. The Apostolic Exhortation can be read here!
THE FIRST “BISHOP’S DINNER” for the current pastoral year, took place in Guelph last evening. Once again, the Wellington Catholic District School Board sponsored the event which supported “community needs” – four worthy charities: Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Canadian Mental Health Association of Waterloo Wellington, and the Centre Wellington Food Bank. By extension, the event supported thousands of citizens who reach out to these organizations for life-saving support and care. The highlight of the evening, as usual, were the talks given by the Secondary School Trustees and Senators of the High Schools. Impressive! Uplifting! Thanks to the Priests from the Wellington Deanery for supporting the event!
RECENT MEETINGS of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Assembly of Ontario Bishops, and the Ecclesiastical Province of Toronto, made it nigh impossible to publish Heart to Heart last Friday. These meetings are opportunities for Bishops to share their insights and opinions about many matters of interest and concern for the Church in our jurisdictions. It is always a joy to gather as brother Bishops to pray, listen, and share insights together.
FORWARD TOGETHER IN CHRIST gathers parish representatives and Pastors from the six Deaneries to reflect on implementation of programs and processes to enliven our Parishes moving forward. The first session was received with enthusiasm and interest. Thanks to Bishop Wayne Lobsinger for his leadership in this process!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY to all. May your community and family celebrations be a blessing for many! Join us at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King for Mass at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 9th!
Our Lady of the Annunciation, pray for us.
Ex corde,
+Douglas, OMI