Heart to Heart: Issue #526
THE WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY begins on Thursday, January 18th and concludes on January 25th, the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, Apostle. The Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and the Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches working jointly have prepared resources to facilitate prayer and reflection. They are available here. We pray as did Jesus, “That they may be one!”
“WORD OF GOD” SUNDAY takes place NEXT weekend, January 21st, the Third Sunday of Ordinary Time. At the conclusion of the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis encouraged every Christian community to choose one Sunday a year to renew efforts to make the Sacred Scriptures better known and widely diffused. The celebration of Word of God Sunday is a call to listen to how THE BIBLE SPEAKS in our hearts and within our communities of faith. The Pastoral Offices of the Diocese of Hamilton have prepared a variety of resources for young people and adults to help in the celebration of Bible Sunday 2024. Visit the Diocesan website for more information.
THE 2024 REEL JUSTICE FILM FESTIVAL kicks off the season on January 25, 2024, 7:00 p.m. – 9 p.m., with the film Gather, an intimate portrait of the movement among Indigenous communities to reclaim spiritual, political, and cultural identities through food sovereignty. Kitty RLynn Lickers and Dr. Adrianne Xavier from McMaster University’s Indigenous Studies Department will be guest speakers for the evening. They managed the Our Sustenance program in the community of Six Nations. The screening and discussion is hosted on ZOOM. Register and view the full schedule of events here . An exciting partnership between the Bishop Farrell Library and Archives and Development and Peace, the Reel Justice Film Festival shines a spotlight on social, political and economic justice concerns.
THE OFFICE FOR EVANGELIZATION AND CATECHESIS is offering a three-workshop series this Spring entitled, The Pastoral Parish in the Modern World. A new handbook created by David Wells and Bill Huebsch provides a comprehensive outline of the new vocabulary of pastoral ministry and how to promote it in your local setting. The workshop series is offered for anyone working or volunteering on pastoral teams, parish councils, and in youth ministry. Register here.
THE HAMILTON GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB FOUNDATION has selected nine community groups and local charities to support over the coming three years. Among the nine is DeMazenod Door Outreach which will receive a gift of $25,000 per year, and the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton which will receive a gift of $30,000 per year! Sincere thanks to the Foundation and to the individuals who promoted the cause of the recipients!
THE ARCHDIOCESE OF QUEBEC celebrates the 350th anniversary of the foundation of the Diocese under the leadership of St. François de Laval, the first Bishop of Quebec (which covered much of Canada and the north-eastern part of the United States). The Holy Door of the Cathedral in Quebec City is open to welcome pilgrims throughout the year. Devotion to the Holy Family in the Church was promoted by the sainted Bishop who was one of the first promoters of the Feast of the Holy Family, celebrated between Christmas and New Years Day!
THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS OF ONTARIO gather in retreat next week at the Queen of Apostles Retreat House in Mississauga. Bishop John Corriveau, OFM, is the retreat master and will offer spiritual reflections over four sessions. Pray for us!
Our Lady of the Annunciation, pray for us!
Ex corde, +Douglas, OMI