Heart to Heart: Issue #524
THE CHRISTMAS SEASON was launched at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Hamilton, this week, when staff, executives and patients joined in the lighting of the Christmas tree and carol singing. Earlier in the week, a tree was lit at the West 5th campus as a patient from the Outpatient Program sang. The King Street campus will light their tree today! A fitting beginning to the Season and a reminder of their fundamental mission!
GERALD CYPRIEN CARDINAL LACROIX opens a festive Holy Year today to celebrate the 350th Anniversary of the Diocese of Quebec, the oldest Diocese north of Mexico! From December 8, 2023 to December 8, 2024, he invites Catholics from across Canada, indeed North America, to make a pilgrimage to Quebec City, the cradle of the faith in our country and the eastern and southern United States. The Diocese of Quebec has given birth to nearly 150 dioceses in North America! The Holy Door of the Cathedral Basilica of Notre-Dame de Quebec will be open to welcome pilgrims throughout the Holy Year. Check out the website at www.Fetes350.ca. The opening celebration will be live at 7 p.m. tonight on www.ECDQ.tv.
THE ST. MICHAEL’S AFRICA PROJECT at St. Michael Parish, Waterloo, began in 2009 to support a project of the School Sisters of Notre Dame in Nyaling’a, Kenya. The outreach program supports needy children in the area “to reach the fullness of their potential”. The Sisters support the children’s education, health care and other needs. Last year’s appeal, the parish raised over $88K! They hope to raise an equal amount this year. Additionally, a parishioner donated $100K to cover the construction of the first phase of the Early Childhood Development Centre. Welcome to Sister Oyin-Asishana, Provincial Leader of the SSND Africa Province, who visits the parish this weekend to speak at all the Masses. A missionary outreach indeed!
WELCOME ONCE AGAIN TO BISHOP WESLEY SPIEWAK, C.R., Bishop of Hamilton (Bermuda!), who will confer the Sacrament of Confirmation upon children at Sacred Heart Parish, Kitchener. It is a brief visit, giving him the opportunity to meet his Resurrectionist confreres and do a bit of Christmas shopping before his return to Bermuda! Enjoy the break Bishop; you are always welcome in THIS Diocese of Hamilton!
THE PERSONNEL BOARD of the Diocese of Hamilton holds its first meeting next week to prepare the work of personnel transfers in 2024. The six Deans will provide reports of the current needs of their respective Deaneries. It is always an important meeting and gives a first look at what lies ahead. Early in 2024, the Board will meet again to consider possible moves.
THE BROTHERS OF ST. JOHN OF GOD and their Good Shepherd Ministries in Hamilton will sponsor the festive Christmas Wonderland meal in Hamilton NEXT Sunday, December 17th. The event welcomes thousands from across the city who will enjoy a nourishing turkey dinner with all the trimmings, including a visit from Santa, with gifts for all! The event also draws faithful volunteers who make it the welcoming experience it is!
THE FINAL INSTALLATION OF A PASTOR FOR 2023 will take place this Sunday. Father Arpee Urquico will be installed as Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Freelton. In addition to his pastoral responsibility, Father has undertaken a counselling program, which enriches his ministry!
BISHOP PAUL REDING, the seventh Bishop of Hamilton, died in 1983, forty years ago today! We thank God for his significant legacy of service to the Diocese. May he rest in peace!
HAPPY FEAST DAY (Feast of the Immaculate Conception) to those Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate who serve with me in the Diocese, and to the Sisters of Our Lady Immaculate who were founded here.
Our Lady of the Annunciation, pray for us!
Ex corde, +Douglas, OMI