Heart to Heart: Issue #578
DEACON JOONBIN LIM AND DEACON MOICES CABALLERO will be ordained Priests tomorrow at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King. The ceremony begins at 11 a.m. Following the Ordination, Father Lim will serve as Associate Pastor at St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Hamilton, and Father Caballero will serve as Associate Pastor at St. Joseph Parish, Guelph. Priests of the Diocese are invited to concelebrate at the Mass of Ordination. All are welcome to celebrate with us! Ordinations are always joy-filled celebrations and a blessing for the Diocese!
CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK BEGINS ON SUNDAY, MAY 4th. It is a week of joyful celebration for the gift of publicly funded Catholic Education in the Province of Ontario. The Ontario Catholic School Trustees Association, the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association, and the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario, have prepared a video promoting the benefits of a Catholic education. In the video, Cardinal Frank Leo supports Catholic education as a “precious gift” and a “partnership”! The video is available here. Our Office for Evangelization and Catechesis has prepared helpful resources to assist parishes and school as they prepare to celebrate the week-long event.
THE TRAGEDY AT THE LAPU-LAPU FESTIVAL in Vancouver has shocked us all. Bishop William McGrattan, President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has published a letter inviting all of the Catholic faithful in Canada “to remember in prayer those who lost their lives and the injured, as well as the people who witnessed this senseless violence as it unfolded, and those in mourning.” The entire letter can be read here. We offer our support and solidarity with the Filipino-Catholic community. May your faith strengthen you during this time of loss and suffering!
UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ARE HEADING HOME following the completion of the academic year. Our student centres in the Diocese, hubs of activity over the past year quiet down somewhat during the coming summer months. Students are blessed to have these chaplaincies where they can grow in their faith and celebrate together. Thanks to the Chaplains, Pastoral Leaders, and Student Leaders who promote the programs throughout the year. Congratulations to the graduates!
INTERNATIONAL PRIESTS WHO SERVE IN THE DIOCESE, will gather on Tuesday, May 6th, at the Cathedral Basilica in Hamilton to share experiences, both blessings and challenges, of living and serving in the Diocese. Organized by Father Valentine Onwunjiogu, Episcopal Vicar for International Priests, the session will provide opportunity for the Priests to pray together, share experiences, and enjoy a community meal. This initiative is an effort to assure support where necessary.
ST. PATRICK CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS, in Hamilton, will visit Mount Mary Immaculate Retreat Centre in Ancaster on Tuesday, May 6th, as a Catholic Education Week event. Over 400 students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8 will enjoy events at the outdoor altar, and participate in a variety of activities, both indoors and outdoors. Pizza for everyone at lunch! Thanks to Principal Tina Fricano and Teacher Paul Dabrowski who have worked with Mary Claire Morgan, Manager of the Centre. Nicole McCowell from our Youth Office and Christina Mines from our Catechetical Office, have also worked on the programming. Enjoy the day!
OUR LADY OF THE ANNUNCIATION, pray for us!
Ex corde, +Douglas, OMI