Heart to Heart: Issue #550
CARDINAL GERALD CYPRIEN LACROIX and Educator Linda Staudt facilitated this year’s Priests’ Seminar which focused on the Synodal experience as foundational in our Christian life. Both presenters participated in last year’s Synod of Bishops on Synodality at the Vatican, Linda Staudt being one of 70 lay participants world-wide. They are preparing to return to Rome next month for part two of the Synod. The Priests focused on our own Diocesan synodal experience, Forward Together In Christ, presented by Bishop Wayne Lobsinger. It helped focus our appreciation of synodality, and it provides a roadmap for our ministry in the coming few years. The document will be available on our website on Wednesday next week. Hard copies will be available in our parishes. More than 90% of the Priests who serve in the Diocese participated in the three-day session, an opportunity to renew our fraternal ties and pastoral priorities.
ST. JEROME UNIVERSITY’S LECTURES IN CATHOLIC EXPERIENCE begins the 2024-25 season with presenter Dr. Michael Higgins on September 12th, in Notre Dame Chapel. His topic: The Synod, the Pope and the Controversies – Why We Have Cause to Rejoice and Not to Fear. Author of the recently published biography of the Pope, The Jesuit Disruptuor – a Personal Portrait of Pope Francis, Dr. Higgins is well-known at St. Jerome’s having served as President and Vice-Chancellor. Currently, he is the Basilian Distinguished Fellow of Contemporary Catholic Thought at the University of St. Michael’s College in Toronto. An important opportunity!
THE HAMILTON CATHOLIC CHILDREN’S AID SOCIETY (CCASH) has issued an urgent request to Catholic families to open hearts and homes for a child in need. Catholic families can provide a safe and healing environment to assist children through difficult times, short or long. Interested in learning more? Check out their website here.
THE COMMITTEE FOR THE CARMEL OF ST. JOSEPH sponsors the 2024 Annual Dinner Reception in support of the Carmelite Nuns. On Monday, October 28th, at 5 p.m. Bishop Wayne Lobsinger will preside at Mass at Holy Family Parish in Kitchener. A dinner will follow in the parish hall. Lots of parking and full accessibility at 180 Schweitzer St., Kitchener. The financial goal this year is $100,000.00! The 14 cloistered Nuns at the Carmel maintain a joyful contemplative life, following a strict routine of daily prayer for the well-being of the Diocese and many personal requests. To support the Carmel or to get tickets for the dinner please email here.
CATHOLIC AMIGOS is a new initiative drawing together young adults who seek to support one another in faith and fun. Now well-known Chef Amy prepares the food (a necessity) and Father Raphael Ma, C.R., prepares the discussion questions for reflection. Similar events take place throughout the Diocese, most especially at University Chaplaincies. If you are a Catholic young person seeking to get to know others who share the faith, check out parish and university web pages in our Diocesan website.
WE PRAY FOR POPE FRANCIS as he continues his historic visit to Indonesia and Oceania! The Holy Father is in the midst of his longest Papal Visit, missionary in every way. We pray for his well-being and for the people who will experience spiritual encouragement from his words and actions.
THE BASILICA OF OUR LADY IMMACULATE, GUELPH, sponsors the fourth of five Marian Days this Saturday with Mass at 10:30 followed by the Rosary at 11:30. All are welcome. Thanks to Father Ian Duffy, Pastor of the Parish for this initiative.
Our Lady of the Annunciation, pray for us!
Ex corde, +Douglas, OMI