Heart to Heart: Issue #571
135 STUDENT LEADERS and Administrative Staff from the 7 Catholic District School Boards that serve communities in the Diocese of Hamilton joined parishioners at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King in Hamilton for the Ash Wednesday Mass this week. At the conclusion of the Mass Jubilee Pilgrimage Crosses were blessed and the Student Leaders carried them to their schools to provide a focus of HOPE during this Jubilee Year. Thanks to Christina Mines from our Office for Evangelization and Nicole McCowell from our Youth Office for coordinating the event with the School Boards. Parishioners were impressed with the presence of such a youthful delegation!
REVEREND DAVID REILANDER has been named Chaplain of His Holiness, by Pope Francis with the title of Monsignor. The honour was conferred on February 11, 2025. The parchment was received in our office earlier this week and will be presented to Monsignor Reilander at the Chrism Mass on April 14th, at the Cathedral. The honour is well-deserved, especially in light of Monsignor’s service to the Canadian Church as Director of Catholic Missions in Canada. We offer our congratulations!
DEACONS MOICES CABALLERO AND JOONBIN LIM have been called to Priestly Ordination. As is the tradition in the Diocese of Hamilton, the Ordinations will take place on the first Saturday of May, this year, May 3rd, at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King. We are grateful to the two Deacons for their desire to serve with us in the Diocese of Hamilton. May God, who has begun this good work in them, bring it to fulfillment!
THIRD YEAR PERMANENT DEACON CANDIDATES will soon begin the practicum phase of their formation at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. Our thanks to St. Joseph’s Chaplaincy Leader Keith Metcalfe for his assistance in arranging this important training. One third-year candidate will complete his practicum in Palmerston, under the guidance of Father Gilbert. Seven aspirants have applied to begin the Propaedeutic Year in September. These applications will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee in June. We pray for our Deacon candidates and aspirants!
ALMOST 300 CATECHUMENS HAVE REGISTERED FOR THE RITE OF ELECTION which takes place at the Cathedral Basilica this Sunday, beginning at 1:30 p.m. The Catechumens have been preparing in their parishes for the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil. The Rite of Election is the opportunity for the Bishop to meet them and confirm their decisions, calling them to the Sacraments! They become The Elect! With the participation of the catechumens, sponsors, family members, pastors, and RCIA teams, the Cathedral should be packed for this moving ritual. See you there!
THREE RETREAT DAYS FOR LITURGICAL MINISTERS are being offered by the Diocesan Liturgy Office during this Jubilee Year of Hope. These special days of renewal, reflection, and spiritual growth are offered to deepen their commitment to serving God’s people through their various ministries. The half-day retreats will provide opportunities to prepare for Easter during this Jubilee Year of Hope. All Musicians, Ministers of the Word, Children’s Liturgy Ministers, Extraordinary Ministers of Communion, Ministers of Hospitality, and Sacristans are invited to participate in one of these three events. Check here for more information.
JOURNEY THROUGH LENT is a video series offered by the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB). The video for the First Sunday of Lent is available here.
Our Lady of the Annunciation, pray for us.
Ex corde, +Douglas, OMI