Heart to Heart: Issue #528
REAPING OUR RIGHTS is the theme of the Share Lent program promoted by the Canadian Catholic Organization of Development and Peace/Caritas Canada. Each year the Catholic development organization strives to forge links between Canadians and the Global south, promoting a world of justice and addressing causes of poverty, oppression and inequality. The Lenten program is guided by Catholic social teaching. A mini-promotional-magazine published by CCODP contains a message of support from Calgary Bishop William McGrattan, President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. It is available here. The Lenten fast is an excellent opportunity to support brothers and sisters in need through the good offices of Development and Peace/Caritas Canada!
FATHER ROBERT DUNN died peacefully on Monday morning following a lengthy illness. A funeral Mass was celebrated this morning at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Hamilton. Father Dunn served as Pastor at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Hamilton, St. Patrick Parish, Cambridge, and St. Michael Parish, Oakville, and as Chaplain at the Precious Blood Monastery, Hamilton. Father Dunn will be buried at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Burlington. Please pray that he receive the reward promised to good and faithful servants.
“HERE I AM LORD, SEND ME! Isaiah 6:8” The National President of the Catholic Women’s League choses a theme for the duration of her two-year mandate. Shari Guinta, only the third National President from the Diocese of Hamilton over the 103-year history of the League, has chosen hers. Shari writes in the latest issue of The Canadian League, the official publication of the League: “The theme I chose came suddenly to me, although I had thought long and hard about what my theme would be. When I came across ‘Here I am Lord, send me’, I thought, ‘That’s it; that is the League!’ … The League’s Mission Statement reads, ‘The Catholic Women’s League of Canada calls its member to grow in faith and to witness to the love of God through ministry and service’. Here I am Lord, send me.” Catholic women throughout the Diocese might seriously consider such a response to the invitation to join the League!
THE HALTON SERRA CLUB will meet at St. Gabriel Parish in Burlington on January 30th. There are three Serra Clubs in the Diocese – one in Halton, one in Hamilton, and one in Kitchener/Waterloo. Members of Serra support vocations to the Priesthood, and Religious Life by prayer and action. Their patron is Saint Junipero Serra, a Franciscan missionary who left Spain to serve in Mexico and California in the late 18th century. Interested in being a member with other Catholic sisters and brothers? Join us at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday evening.
THE DICASTERY FOR DIVINE WORSHIP and Discipline of the Sacraments meets February 6-9, 2024, at the Jesuit General House in Rome. This will be my first meeting since my 2023 appointment to the Dicastery by Pope Francis. The four day meeting will focus on paths of liturgical formation for ordained ministers and the lay faithful. It is expected that Pope Francis will meet the Dicastery on Thursday morning. I look forward to joining the other members of the Dicastery and to experience the inner workings of this Vatican office!
THE BISHOP’S CHARITIES DINNER DANCE, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Councils in the Hamilton area of the Diocese, takes place on February 10th at Carmen’s Banquet Hall. Archbishop Francis Leo, celebrating his first year as Archbishop of Toronto, will join us that evening. Archbishop Marcel Damphousse, from Ottawa, State Chaplain of the Knights, will also be present. It is always a fine evening to celebrate the faith and support the good works accomplished by so many!
Our Lady of the Annunciation, pray for us.
Ex corde, +Douglas, OMI