Heart to Heart: Issue #567
FEBRUARY HEROES OF HOPE in the Diocese of Hamilton are those involved in Diocesan Ministries. These include Directors of all of our Pastoral Offices, Chancery support staff, Directors of our Administrative Offices, including our Council of Consultors, Presbyteral Council, Finance Council, Building Committee, Communications Committee, Personnel Board, Property Committee, Safeguarding Protocol Committee, Pastoral Ministers Association, Ex Corde Foundation, Permanent Deacon Formation Committee, Clergy Seminar Committee, the Catholic Cemetery Board, our Catholic Cemeteries staff, and those engaged in the Lutheran, Anglican, Roman Catholic (L.A.R.C.) Dialogue. Our Diocese is blessed with a robust cadre of “heroes” who serve the Church with generosity, ardor and commitment!
THE 33RD WORLD DAY OF THE SICK is celebrated on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, liturgical memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes. Inspired by the Jubilee Year’s theme of hope, this year’s theme for World Day of the Sick is: “Hope does not disappoint, but strengthens us in times of trial!” The CCCB website provides a toolkit to help mark the World Day of the Sick. It is available here.
THE WATERLOO DEANERY celebrated its Second Annual Day of Consecrated Life last Friday, January 31st, with 20 vowed religious women and men. The gathering, held at St. Francis Church, began with celebration of the Eucharist. It took place in the Sanctuary of the Church, with a shared “breaking open the Word of God”. The focus question: How are we, as vowed Religious, a sign of hope today in our society? The Eucharist was followed by a hot dinner in the church hall. A wonderful initiative!
THE HAMILTON WENTWORTH CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD (HWCDSB) is developing its next Multi-Year Strategic Plan, in support of its conviction to “place Christ and the teachings of the Catholic Church at the centre” of students’ learning experiences. All members of the Catholic community in the HWCDSB conscription are invited and encouraged to participate in this important process. To share your thoughts, please complete the survey included here.
THE WORKING CENTRE IN KITCHENER, under the direction of Joe and Stephanie Mancini, celebrated the remarkable 40th anniversary of St. John’s Kitchen last month – a significant milestone! Because people could count on the door being open every day is a major reason for the 40-year journey! Now, 80% of those who come daily to St. John’s Kitchen live unsheltered, without a home. In the December 2024 Issue of GOOD WORK NEWS, the monthly publication of The Working Centre, Joe Mancini, attributes the initial success of St. John’s Kitchen to the original team of volunteers. A new St. John’s Kitchen will include meals, laundry facilities, washrooms, connection to resources and healthcare supports for those most vulnerable. Heroes of Hope indeed!
BISHOP TONNOS CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL in Ancaster is the venue for an invitational education community luncheon and fellowship at noon today. I look forward to meeting student leaders, staff support personnel and chaplaincy leaders at the event. It amplifies the blessing that is Catholic education in Ontario, and the formation of true community and faith leaders!
THE ANNUAL MEETING WITH THE FULL BOARD OF ST. JEROME’S UNIVERSITY at Ardree takes place next Thursday. The lively discussion will focus on the valued contribution of the University to our Catholic community and beyond. Being the tertiary level of Catholic education in the Diocese, the University provides a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the blessings and challenges of being Heroes of Hope in our time!
OUR LADY OF THE ANNUNCIATION, pray for us!
Ex corde, +Douglas, OMI