Heart to Heart: Issue #549

Date posted on June 27, 2024

DR. MOIRA MCQUEEN, a parishioner at Christ the King Parish, Hamilton, and Director of the Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute, will be installed as the next President of Serra International at their August 8-11 conference being held in New Orleans. Serra International oversees the Serra Clubs that assiduously promotes vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life. There are three chapters of Serra International in the Diocese of Hamilton, in Hamilton Deanery, in Halton Deanery, and in Waterloo Deanery. We are proud to know that Dr. McQueen has accepted to serve this auspicious organization which cares for the future well-being of the Church!

CONGRATULATIONS TO JASON GRIEG, Catholic Campus Minister at McMaster University and St. Kateri Tekakwitha Student Centre, who has successfully completed the Campus Ministry Institute sponsored by the Canadian Catholic Campus Ministers Association. Campus ministry throughout the Diocese of Hamilton slows down somewhat during the summer months. Preparations are already in place to welcome new students and returning students to the Universities in the early autumn!

MOTHER ELIZABETH MARIE CORMIER, S.O.L.I., Superior General of the Sisters of Our Lady Immaculate, celebrated her 25th anniversary of Final Profession earlier this week. At a Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated at the Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate, Guelph, presider Auxiliary-Bishop Wayne Lobsinger compared Sister Elizabeth to the great St. John the Baptist who pointed out Jesus Christ to the world! Bishop Daniel Miehm, Bishop of Peterborough, and Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Matthew Ustrzycki concelebrated the Mass. I had the privilege of receiving Mother’s renewal of vows. The Mass was followed by a celebratory luncheon in the parish hall. Ad multos annos!

FATHER SAJU OREETHAPARAMBIL, C.Ss.R., Pastor at St. Charles Garnier Parish in Hamilton celebrated his 25th anniversary of Priesthood yesterday, with a Mass of Thanksgiving followed by a celebratory meal! We congratulate Father, and thank him for his generous service in the Diocese!

THE NEXT LIFE CHAIN will be on Sunday, October 6th. It is a peaceful and prayerful witness to the sanctity of all human life. Campaign Life Coalition will publish the list of 320+ Life Chains on their website. Interested in participating? Posters and a church package with sample bulletin announcements are available from the Life Chain Committee.

TOMORROW IS MY 75th BIRTHDAY! Even as I write it, I wonder where the time has gone. I know that I have been blessed over the years:  from my early years with my loving family, through the years of formation with the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, the parishes I served as Associate Pastor and Pastor, the six years I served as Provincial Superior of St. Peter’s Province, the years as Bishop of Labrador City-Schefferville, St. George’s Diocese (Newfoundland), Corner Brook and Labrador Diocese, and for the past 14 years as Bishop of Hamilton. Over those years I have met the finest people who have encouraged and supported me, helped me through difficult challenges, and inspired me to excel! As I pray in thanksgiving, all will be remembered! Thank you for your many kindnesses. You have blessed me richly!

THIS IS THE LAST ISSUE OF HEART TO HEART FOR THE SUMMER MONTHS. We will publish issues if needed during the summer. Rich blessings for a safe and happy summer – Mass times at all of our parishes are published on the Diocesan Website. Let us pray for one another.

Our Lady of Canada, pray for us! Ex corde, +Douglas, OMI

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