Heart to Heart: Issue #521
THE SEVENTH ANNUAL WORLD DAY FOR THE POOR is celebrated in Catholic parishes worldwide this weekend – 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. Pope Francis published a special message for the day, referencing an excerpt from the Old Testament Book of Tobit 4:7: “Do not turn your face from anyone who is poor”. In the letter he refers to the 150th anniversary of the birth of St. Therese of the Child Jesus. “In this house of ours, which is the world, everyone has a right to experience the light of charity; no one must be deprived of that light! May the steadfast love of Saint Therese stir our hearts … and help us not to ‘turn our face away from anyone who is poor’, but to keep it always focused on the human and divine face of Jesus Christ our Lord.” The full text can be read here.
COATS FOR KIDS is a very popular program sponsored annually by the Knights of Columbus providing winter coats for children in our Catholic schools. More than 840 coats have been distributed in Hamilton already this year! Since the program began in 2009, the Knights have distributed over 1 million coats in communities throughout Canada and the United States. Congratulations to the Knights on such an important outreach!
ST. JOSEPH’S HOSPITAL IN HAMILTON celebrated the 2023 Sisters of Saint Joseph Mission Legacy Awards earlier this week honouring 11 worthy recipients including the Forensic Psychiatry Program, the Perioperative Executive Committee, and two posthumous awards to Dr. John Bienenstock and Terri Schnurr. Seven other employees were honoured at the emotional event! Did you know that during the COVID-19 restrictions, while other hospitals were closing operating rooms, St. Joseph’s Hospital opened four new operating rooms! Congratulations to all recipients – well merited indeed!
GOOD SHEPHERD has established a Health on Wheels Mobile Clinic providing care in shelters, patient homes, encampments, and anywhere help is needed. The clinical team includes a nurse practitioner, registered nurse, mental health worker, harm reduction services, and the support of the Shelter Health Network. Good Shepherd plays a key role in addressing social issues faced by many communities, making this helpful service available in Hamilton. Another very valuable outreach program!
DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE Caritas Canada is already preparing for their 2024 Share Lent campaign! Production of resources is already underway. The new theme of the Create Hope campaign is Reaping our rights! Partners from Bolivia, Indonesia, Tunisia and Nigeria are working closely with the Development and Peace team to ensure that information is available in a timely way. To assist the process, it is important to order printed resource material by December 6, 2023. A national launch webinar is planned for February 17, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. EST. The Solidarity Sunday collection takes place on March 17, 2024. Contact Development and Peace offices at www.devp.org/lent/resources
THE VIETNAMESE MARTYRS MISSION celebrates their annual feast day on Sunday afternoon at St. Anne Church in Kitchener. The feast provides an opportunity for the community to wear colourful traditional attire, to sing traditional songs in Vietnamese, and to enjoy traditional Vietnamese fare following the celebration of Mass. It is always a lively and joy-filled celebration. There is a close and supportive friendship between parishioners of the Mission in Kitchener and those of Our Lady of Vietnam Parish in Hamilton. Thanks to Father Hanh Van Tran, OMI, for his pastoral ministry to both communities!
CONGRATULATIONS TO BISHOP WAYNE LOBSINGER who, on November 21, 2023, Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, celebrates the third anniversary of his appointment as Auxiliary Bishop of Hamilton and Titular Bishop of Gemellae in Numidia by Pope Francis. His service is a blessing for our Diocese. May he enjoy a long and fulfilling episcopal ministry!
Our Lady of the Presentation, pray for us!
Ex corde, +Douglas, OMI