Recent News and Events
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..."
Bishop Crosby's Heart to Heart
ST. MARY PARISH IN KITCHENER received their first delivery of food on Wednesday to their new kitchen below the church. The plan is to provide takeout food for the most vulnerable and those who do not have access to drive-thru because they do not have a car. Food testing begins today - and they hope to open by the end of next week. Thanks to Father Toby Collins, C.R., and his team for this important initiative coming to fruition at such a dark time! A bright light in the midst of darkness indeed!
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.
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:
Chancery Office and Bishop Farrell Library Closure: February 12, 2021
Following the Province-wide Shutdown announced by the Government of Ontario to help mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus, and to protect the health and safety of our Diocesan community, the Chancery Office staff will be working remotely until February 12, 2021.
Pope's January Prayer Intention: At the service of Human fraternity
In this new year that begins, the Holy Father proposes a new challenge to us: to be more fraternal. Let us pray that the Lord may give us the grace to live in full fellowship with our brothers and sisters of other religions and not fight each other, and praying for one another, open ourselves to all.
A Message of Hope from His Excellency, Bishop Crosby
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it." (John 1:5) Suffering, sickness, loss and death can make the world seem like a very dark place. Perhaps no other year in memory has seemed so dark as the year we are (most happily!) leaving behind us. Yet even in times of profound darkness, we cannot forget that there is light.
Answering the Call to Priesthood:
Episode 3
The series follows Father Michael King interviewing several priests from our Diocese. In this episode, Father King sits down with Father Ron Cote.
COVID-19 UPDATE - December 23, 2020
Following the announcement by the Ontario Government that the Province of Ontario will go into a strict province-wide lockdown as of 12:01 am on December 26 and until January 23, 2021, ALL Public Masses in the Diocese will be cancelled until further notice. Parish churches will remain closed for the duration of this lockdown period, the only exceptions being...
Bishop Crosby's 2020 Christmas Message
Dear friends, As the Christmas feasts begin, I am pleased to send you greetings in the form of an excerpt from the 2019 Christmas homily of Pope Francis: "A charming legend relates that at the birth of Jesus the shepherds hurried to the stable with different gifts. Each brought what he had; some brought the fruits of their labour, others some precious item..."
Christmas Liturgy for Children
The Office of Liturgy and the Office for Evangelization and Catechesis are pleased to bring you a Christmas Liturgy that can be celebrated - in safety - with family in your home.
Watch: Advent Liturgy of the Word
The Diocesan Advent Liturgy of the Word was held on Thursday, December 10th, 2020 at 7 PM. Very Reverend Monsignor Murray J. Kroetsch, Vicar General of our Diocese, was the presider and there was music as well as contributions by different parishes in the Diocese during the Liturgy of the Word. Watch the playback by clicking
National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples
The National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples is celebrated on December 12, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas. We invite you to read the message and prayer released by the CCCB Indigenous Council.
Journey through Advent
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), has a new online weekly video series created to help Canadian Catholic faithful to prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus - featuring His Excellency, Bishop Douglas Crosby, OMI, of the Diocese of Hamilton!
Pope's December Prayer Intention: For a life of prayer
In his prayer intention for the month of December, Pope Francis calls us to "pray that our personal relationship with Jesus Christ be nourished by the Word of God and a life of prayer."
Appointment of Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese of Hamilton
His Grace, Archbishop Luigi Bonazzi, Apostolic Nuncio to Canada, has announced that Reverend Father Wayne Lawrence Lobsinger has been appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Hamilton by His Holiness, Pope Francis. The episcopal ordination is expected to take place at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King, in early February 2021.
Coping With the Holidays: Online Session
Have you lost a loved one and find yourself struggling with the thought of the upcoming Christmas season? Are you trying to figure out how you can cope? The Family Ministry Office is holding a one-hour Zoom session on Monday, November 30th at 7:00 PM, offering reflection and practical strategies for coping at Christmas.
Pope's November Prayer Intention: Artificial Intelligence
In his prayer intention for the month of November, Pope Francis calls us to "pray that the progress of robotics and artificial intelligence may always serve humankind."
In Memoriam: Reverend Francis Trzupek
We regret to inform you that Reverend Francis Trzupek, retired Priest of Hamilton Diocese, died this morning, Friday, October 23, 2020. Please pray that Reverend Francis Trzupek may rest in the peace of Christ and that his family and friends may be consoled in their faith in Christ.
Ordination to Transitional Diaconate of Patrick Ohl
On Saturday, October 3rd, 2020, during the 5 o'clock Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King, Patrick Ohl was ordained to the Transitional Diaconate. Bishop Douglas Crosby, OMI, was the principal celebrant along with concelebrating priests, including the Vice-Rector of Saint Peter's Seminary in London, Rev. Peter Keller...
Notice of Decree regarding the change of Diocesan Boundaries
Please read the attached Notice of Decree regarding the change of Diocesan Boundaries between the Diocese of Hamilton and the Archdiocese of Toronto as of October 6, 2020.
2020 Additional Clergy Appointments
The Most Reverend Douglas Crosby, OMI, Bishop of Hamilton, announces the following clergy appointments. Please pray for God's blessing upon these new appointments.
Pope's October Prayer Intention: The Laity's Mission in the Church
In his prayer intention for the month of October, Pope Francis call us to "pray that by the virtue of baptism, the laity, especially women, may participate more in areas of responsibility in the Church."
Update on COVID-19 Protocols:
A Letter from Bishop Crosby
A letter to Parishioners from Bishop Crosby released on October 7, 2020. "Given the recent rise in numbers of those who have recently contracted the COVID-19 Virus, and what appears to be the beginning of a second wave of infections, it is opportune to remind everyone of the protocols in force in our churches in the Diocese of Hamilton..."
Ministers of the Word: Online Virtual Workshop
The Liturgy Office will host a three (3) part formation workshop via ZOOM for those interested in becoming Ministers of the Word or renewing three year mandates. The formation program will take place on three consecutive Mondays, beginning October 19th, 2020...
Fratelli tutti: Encyclical Letter of Pope Francis
"Fratelli tutti" is the third encyclical of Pope Francis, released on October 4th, 2020. The encyclical has the subtitle of "on fraternity and social friendship." It is a call to disrupt our lives and pay attention to the world.
Blessings in the Midst of Trial
Volume 8
There was never a lull at Holy Rosary in Burlington because of COVID-19! The parish found numerous ways to keep parishioners in touch with the parish and one another. During the isolation, the parish reached out to parishioners...
In Memoriam: Monsignor Victor McNamara
We regret to inform you that Monsignor Victor McNamara, retired priest of Hamilton Diocese, died on Friday, September 25, 2020 at St. Joseph Hospital, Hamilton.
Blessings in the Midst of Trial
Volume 7
The youth ministry at St. Augustine's in Dundas didn't shut down during the pandemic. It invited the parish to "Do Something Good" in the community. "Do Good" is one of the parish's youth ministry mottos and supports its "Youth With Purpose" and "Youth in Action" movements. One of those projects was to create and send "Joy Cards" to the residents and staff at St. Joseph's Villa in Dundas...
Bishop Crosby's 2020 Back to School Message
With the anxiety many are feeling as we head back into the school year, Bishop Crosby offers a prayer and his blessings for a safe return to school.