Heart to Heart: Issue #544
“YOU HAVE A FINE PRESBYTERATE!” So said Archbishop Donald Bolen, Archbishop of Regina, to me during my visit to Mount Carmel Retreat Centre in Niagara Falls on Wednesday. The Archbishop preached a retreat to over 40 Priests of the Diocese of Hamilton during the past week, the first of two retreats offered for priests of the Diocese this year. By all reports the Archbishop held their full attention for the entire five days. Bishop Terry Drainey, of Middlesbrough, England, is the preacher for our second retreat to be held at the retreat centre at the end of August. May it, too, be a “barnburner”!
THE DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE QUEBEC, on the occasion of the 350th anniversary of the establishment of the Diocese of Quebec City and the Catholic church in North America under the leadership of Bishop Francois de Laval is increasing the guest list! Organizers have opened the final two spots for those hoping to join the tour. Please contact Matthew Trafford if you are interested in attending. It will be THE spiritual pilgrimage of the year!
CONGRATULATIONS TO FATHER ARPEE URQUICO, Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Freelton, who is now a citizen of Canada. Earlier this week, he took the final step in a long process during a ceremony at which he pledged allegiance to King Charles III. He received the long hoped-for certificate certifying his citizenship! Welcome!
THE HAMIILTON DIOCESAN COUNCIL of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada meets this weekend for their annual convention at St. Aloysius Parish in Kitchener. Best wishes to the Sisters-in-the-League as they gather to review the past year and look forward to the coming year. Profound thanks to Joyce Cotter, Diocesan President for her insightful leadership. We pray for the League as it continues its service To God and Canada!
THE ANNUAL DIOCESAN ANNIVERSARY MASS takes place on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King, Hamilton. Over 350 couples will celebrate 25, 40, 50, and 60+ years of marriage. The longest married couple boast 74 years of bliss! It represents a remarkable 16,000 years of love and devotion to each other! Congratulations to all! May you celebrate many more! Thanks to Teresa Hartnett and her team for coordinating the gathering and assuring that each couple is welcomed and celebrated! Thanks to Pastors for promoting the event!
THE HALTON CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD celebrates the staff members who are retiring this year at a special Mass of Thanksgiving and a dinner next Thursday afternoon. Teachers are the “life blood” of Catholic education. We add our thanks and good wishes to teachers who are completing remarkable service in our Catholic schools. May your time as “retired teachers” be richly blessed. Well deserved indeed!
CONGRATULATIONS TO DONNA MARCACCIO who will be honoured on Sunday afternoon for her long-lived dedication, lasting almost 50 years, to Rygiel Supports for Community Living. Donna retired almost two year ago without an event due to COVID restrictions. The celebration will be an opportunity to honour her profound dedication to the organization and the people it serves. Well done, Donna! We honour you!
OUR LADY OF THE ANNUNCIATION, Pray for us!
Ex corde, +Douglas, OMI