Recent News and Events
To Inform, To Encourage, To Heal
A Pastoral Letter regarding Residential Schools from Bishop Douglas Crosby, OMI | Dear sisters and brothers in Christ: The sad legacy of Residential Schools and the reality that Catholic entities participated in the Government policy which removed Indigenous children from their families and from their culture has once again been brought to the attention of Canadians. The discovery of 215 bodies of children in graves beside a former Residential School in Kamloops has brought us face-to-face with the stark and tragic history...
Bishop Crosby's Heart to Heart
THIS WEEK'S WELCOME ANNOUNCEMENT from the Premier of Ontario permits us to open our churches for Masses and other services at 15% of capacity starting today - Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus! This is good news - which comes after a very long and debilitating shutdown! This is Step 1. Step 2, which is foreseen to take place in three weeks, if all the signs are good, should allow us to open to an even higher percent of capacity. One step at a time!...
2021 Additional Clergy Appointments
The Most Reverend Douglas Crosby, OMI, Bishop of Hamilton, announces the following additional clergy appointments, effective June 30, 2021 unless otherwise indicated.
Year of St. Joseph
On December 8 2020, Pope Francis declared a "Year of St. Joseph" marking the 150th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Saint Joseph as the Patron Saint of the Universal Church. This year continues until December 8, 2021, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
Statements regarding discovery at former Kamloops Indian Residential School
Following the recent discovery of children's graves at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School on the Tk'emlups te Secwepemc First Nation, the Canadian Conference for Catholic Bishops and Father Ken Thorson, Provincial of OMI Lacombe Canada Province, have released statements.
The Dr. H. Patrick and Mrs. Gayle E. Cunningham Medical Scholarship available for 2021
This scholarship will provide $10,000 in financial assistance to an eligible student who is a practicing Catholic and 1) attends a parish in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Hamilton; 2) is enrolled in a Canadian medical school; 3) intends to practice medicine in Canada.
In Memoriam: Monsignor Paul Boucher
We regret to inform you that Monsignor Paul A. Boucher died at St. Joseph Villa, Dundas on Saturday, May 22, 2021. Please pray that Monsignor Boucher may receive the reward of a good and faithful servant and that his family and the many former parishioners may be consoled in their faith in Christ risen from the dead.
Prayer for the Canonization of Blessed Louis-Zéphirin Moreau
On May 10, 1987, St. John Paul II presided in Rome over the beatification of Bishop Louis-Zephirin Moreau, 4th Bishop of the Diocese of Saint-Hyacinthe in Quebec. As we mark the 120th anniversary of his death on May 24th this year, and prepare to mark the bicentennial of his birth in 2024, we are asked to pray to ask the Lord, if it his will, that he be canonized and proclaimed a saint one day.
Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
The Institute for Catholic Education has released a Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus to be used at the beginning of June. It is an invitation to those involved in and those who care for Catholic Education in the province of Ontario to pray together. Click the link to access the Novena:
In Memoriam: Father Marijan Mihoković
We regret to inform you that Father Marijan Mihokovic, former Pastor of Holy Cross Parish in Hamilton, died on Thursday, May 13, 2021. We offer our prayers for the repose of his soul and for the consolation of his relatives and friends and all the parishioners he faithfully served during his priestly ministry.
Creative Kids Contest: On Nurturing Hope
Carrie G from Mrs. Fuciarelli's Grade 7 class at St. David Catholic Elementary School in Stoney Creek was voted First Place for the Diocese of Hamilton in the 2021 Creative Kids contest sponsored by The Hamilton Spectator. Congratulations to Carrie, and to all the students in Mrs. Fuciarelli's class for their inspiring designs!
Canadian Reporting System for Sexual Abuse or Cover-up by a Catholic Bishop
The Bishops of Canada launched a national service for reporting situations of sexual abuse committed or covered-up by a Bishop. See here to make a report:
Live-streamed and Prerecorded Masses in the Diocese of Hamilton
Parishes throughout the Diocese are providing the opportunity to watch both livestreams and prerecorded Masses. The list is organized according to Deanery - find your local parish or find a time that is convenient for you to celebrate Mass at home.
Register for your Wedding Anniversary Certificate
As the restrictions from COVID-19 continue and for the safety of all concerned, a decision has been made to cancel the annual Anniversary Mass scheduled for June of 2021. Bishop Crosby would still love to offer congratulations to all those who will be married 25, 40, 50, 60 and 60 plus years in 2021, and so we encourage couples to register for their wedding anniversary certificate here:
Now Hiring: Financial Analyst (Chancery Office)
This position provides financial and business support to the Diocese as well as supporting the Chancellor in enhancing the Company's financial reporting and forecasting processes.
Bishop Crosby's Message for Catholic Education Week 2021
During the week of May 2 to May 7, 2021, school boards within our Diocese will celebrate the significant contribution that Catholic Education has made to the community, the province and to Canada. The theme for this upcoming week is Nurturing Hope. We invite you to watch Bishop Crosby's message.
Highlights and Video: Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Wayne Lobsinger
"This is the day the Lord has made! Forty-eight hours ago, we didn't know that this was the day. But this is the day. And here it is," Bishop Lobsinger remarked to those gathered. The Episcopal Ordination of the Auxiliary Bishop of Hamilton, the Most Reverend Wayne Lobsinger, took place at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King in Hamilton, Ontario, on April 18, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.
2021 Clergy Appointments
The Most Reverend Douglas Crosby, OMI, Bishop of Hamilton, announces the following clergy appointments effective, Wednesday, June 30, 2021, at twelve noon, unless otherwise noted. Please pray for God's blessing upon these new appointments.
A Message during the Month of Ramadan
The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue has released a message addressed to "all Muslim brothers and sisters" to show solidarity and friendship as they start their month of Ramadan and look ahead to 'Id al-Fitr.
Highlights from 2021 Mass of Chrism
On Monday, March 29th, 2021, the Mass of Chrism was celebrated at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King in Hamilton. The principal celebrant was His Excellency, Bishop Crosby, OMI, with concelebrants including Auxiliary Bishop-elect Wayne Lobsinger, Bishop Emeritus Anthony Tonnos, and Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Matthew Ustryzcki. Due to restrictions related to COVID-19, the attendance was limited to Priests only.
Holy Week 2021
The Diocesan Offices for Evangelization and Catechesis, Liturgy and Youth Ministry are pleased to offer a resource for families for celebrations of Holy Week in the Home. These resources encourage prayer and conversation in the home so families can celebrate well the experience of these holy days.
Watch: Virtual Lenten Retreat
On Saturday, March 13th, 2021 , Bishop-elect Lobsinger reflected upon the music and text of hymns associated with Laetare Sunday. The retreat was held virtually via Zoom. Watch the replay:
Bishop Crosby's 2021 Easter Message
My dear friends,
"He is not here; He has been raised!"
What a breathtaking message the young man dressed in a white robe imparted to the women who had come to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus! At that moment everything changed - for them for us! At that moment Jesus' teaching took on a new authority, a new power. Because of this event the followers of Jesus, at that time and throughout the past 2000+ years, have witnessed reassuring miracle upon miracle proving that He lives - and truly helps us to "live fully"!
Conscience Rights in Ontario: A Crucial Moment for Healthcare Professionals
Over the last several years, doctors and healthcare professionals have been fighting to have their individual conscience rights recognized by both the Federal and Provincial governments. Federally, the passing of Bill C-7 will mean expanding access to euthanasia and assisted suicide to the disabled, those with mental illness and those who have an advanced directive. Many Canadians alarmed at the implications of Bill C-7, have contacted their Member of Parliament to express their concerns...
Season of Lent
A Time for Renewing Faith, Hope and Love
Lent has two major purposes: It recalls or prepares for Baptism, and emphasizes a spirit of penance. Through forty days of close attention to God's Word and of more fervent prayer, believers are prepares to celebrate the Paschal Mystery. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 17th, 2021, and continues until the beginning of the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday evening, on April 1st, 2021.
Register Now: Ministers of Music Virtual Lenten Retreat
Registration now open! On Saturday, March 13th, 2021 from 10:00 to 11:30 AM, Bishop-elect Lobsinger will reflect upon the music and text of hymns associated with Laetare Sunday. The retreat will be held virtually via Zoom.
Ash Wednesday at Home
The Diocese of Hamilton is pleased to bring you an Ash Wednesday Liturgy that can be celebrated, in safety, with family at home. Provided are tips for celebrating the Lenten season with your family, an outline of the Liturgy of the Word, and a video with the Gospel Proclamation and Reflection by Bishop Douglas Crosby, OMI.
Answering the Call to Priesthood:
Episode 4
In the final episode of this season's 'Answering the Call to Priesthood', Father King discusses the Transitional Diaconate with Deacon Patrick Ohl.
FOR THE COMMON GOOD
On the Pandemic Sacrifices
A Pastoral Letter from Bishop Douglas Crosby, OMI - "My dear friends, The decision to close our churches and suspend public celebrations of the Mass has been a painful one for our clergy, religious, and all the lay faithful in the Diocese. While the sadness of our inability to gather to celebrate the Eucharist is profound, some of the responses to this closure - in addition to falling short of the demands of charity - betray a fundamental lack of understanding not only of why this great sacrifice is being made, but also whose example we follow in so doing..."
Statement on the Use of COVID-19 Vaccines
In response to questions regarding various vaccines which are being made available to arrest the spread of the COVID-19 Virus, the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith provided an important statement on the vaccines, in particular, those vaccines which, in the course of their production, employed cell lines drawn from tissue obtained from two abortions that occurred in the last century.