Recent News and Events
Bishop Crosby's Heart to Heart
CARL HETU IS THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace - Caritas Canada, effective February 14, 2022. He returns to the organization following 18 years as National Director of CNEWA Canada, where he opened the Ottawa office in 2005 and coordinated awareness, educational and development activities...
In Memoriam: Reverend Lech Wycichowski, CR
We regret to inform you that Reverend Lech Wycichowski, CR, member of the Congregation of the Resurrection, died on January 26, 2022. Please pray that Father Wycichowski, CR may receive the reward of a good and faithful servant and that his family and the parishioners he served will be consoled in their faith in Christ. Funeral arrangements are:
Year of the Family: Speaker Series
The Diocesan Speaker Series is the highlight of the Year of Amoris Laetitia Family. It will feature a monthly topic related to family from January through to June, held virtually on Zoom. Author Connie Clark will be leading the session on February 16th, 2022, from 7-8:30 PM, titled "The Witness of Faith in the Home." For more information and to register:
A Day of Prayer for Peace over Ukraine
Let us join Pope Francis in prayer on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 for peace in Ukraine. The Pope has expressed his concern regarding the tensions over Ukraine, and makes "a heartfelt appeal to all people of good will to raise prayers to Almighty God that all political actions and initiatives may be at the service of human brotherhood rather than partisan interests."
Bible Sunday: January 23rd, 2022
We celebrate Bible Sunday in the Diocese of Hamilton on Sunday, January 23rd, 2022. There are a variety of digital resources (both for adults and children) for this year's celebration with specific focus on the Gospel of St. Luke (Year C). Remember: #TheBibleSpeaks #WeListen!
In Memoriam: Reverend James McSharry
We regret to inform you that Reverend James McSharry, a retired Priest of the Diocese of Hamilton died on January 8, 2022 in St. Catharines. Please pray that Father McSharry may receive the reward of a good and faithful servant and that his family and the parishioners he served will be consoled in their faith in Christ.
Modified Working Schedule for Chancery Office and Bishop Farrell Library
Beginning Wednesday, January 5th, 2022, employees of the Chancery Office of the Diocese of Hamilton and the Bishop Farrell Library and Archives will be working from home, according to the government policies put in place. Staff will have access to voicemail and email during regular business hours. Inquiries can be made directly...
2021 Chancery Office Holiday Hours
The Chancery Office will observe the following Christmas Hours:
Bishop Crosby's 2021 Christmas Message
My dear friends, "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light: those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them light has shone!" Is. 9.2 The fact that we are now dealing with the Omicron variant of the pernicious COVID-19 virus is discouraging indeed. We have worked so hard to do what we can to "manage" the pandemic protocols, but the daily bad news of increased infections, after we thought we were getting ahead of things, makes it difficult to remain positive.
Celebrating the Feast of the Holy Family
The great celebration of Christmas happens over eight days. During this special time, the Church takes opportunity to acknowledge special feasts or solemnities associated with the Nativity of Jesus, including the Feast of the Holy Family. Take time to celebrate this special feast day with some time for prayer and conversation.
Information on Residential Schools:
To Inform, To Encourage, To Heal
"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." Read the Pastoral Letter from Bishop Douglas Crosby, and learn more about residential schools, including actions and commitments.
2021 Message of the Canadian Catholic Indigenous Council
This year, the reflection by the Council centres on the theme We are called to Healing, Forgiveness, Reconciliation. "We, the Body of Christ, are called to live in friendship and harmony with all peoples. We are brothers and sisters of our One Creator God. God gives everything to all of us. God creates and sustains the wonderful diversity of peoples, cultures, races and creeds."
In Memoriam: Reverend Robert Stainsby
We regret to inform you of the death of Reverend Robert Stainsby, former Pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Parish, Burlington. Father Stainsby died at his residence on Tuesday, November 30, 2021. In your charity, please pray for the repose of his soul, and for the consolation of his family and the many former parishioners he served in our Diocese.
CCCB Journey through Advent Video Series with Archbishop Bolen
Each week, the CCCB will release a video recording of a Bishop in Canada reflecting on the Gospel Reading for each Sunday of Advent. This year's reflections were developed in view of the Indigenous Delegation which will be travelling to Rome to meet with Pope Francis from December 17 to 20, 2021. Each reflection is based one of the five essential stages of reconciliation: examen, confession, repentance, reparation (making amends), and reconciliation. Watch the videos:
2021 Papal Honours
On Sunday, November 21st, 2021, the Feast of Christ the King, the long-awaited Papal Honours were held at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King. Gerald Cyprien Cardinal Lacroix, Archbishop of Quebec and Primate of Canada, conferred the Papal Honours on 1 Priest and 14 Lay Faithful of the Diocese of Hamilton.
Advent Resource for Families
The Offices for Liturgy, Youth Ministry and Evangelization and Catechesis are pleased to bring you a weekly Advent resource that can be celebrated with family in your home. On the page you will find tips, videos and a simple prayer to be prayed around your wreath each Sunday of Advent.
Livestream Link: Papal Honours, November 21st at 1:30pm
The Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King will have a livestream of the Papal Honours celebration to be held on November 21st, 2021 at 1:30pm. It can be viewed by clicking:
University Chaplaincy in the Diocese of Hamilton
In celebration of the World Day of Prayer for Youth and Young Adults, the Office for Evangelization and Catechesis is happy to provide a "look" into the life and ministry of University Chaplaincy in the Diocese of Hamilton. May we continue to pray for the good work of these centres, and pray that young adults in our Diocese continue to feel well supported and spiritually nourished in their post-secondary journeys.
Towards a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission
Pope Francis is asking each and every one of us to become involved in the synodal process leading up to the Synod of Bishops to be held in Rome in 2023. Today we begin the first phase in our Diocese. We invite you to watch the video and share your voice by filling out the survey:
Important Update on the Diocesan Synodal Process
On November 8th, the Diocese received a notice from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) indicating a new "roadmap" for our participation in the Synodal Process initiated by Pope Francis. On October 29th, the Holy See announced that the deadline for the national phase of the consultations for the 2023 Synod of Bishops has been extended to August 15, 2022. Therefore, we are now able to extend our Diocesan consultation until March 31, 2022.
Year of the Family: Amoris Laetitia
We invite you to celebrate the beauty and joy of family with us during this year dedicated to family through our Year of Amoris Laetitia Family webpage. The year is an opportunity for us to examine, celebrate and reinvigorate all families and help them to see their essential value as the "Domestic Church."
Thanksgiving 2021
The celebration of Thanksgiving in our homes and parishes is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the bounty of God's goodness and love. The Offices for Evangelization and Catechesis, Liturgy and Youth Ministry are happy to provide this resource for prayer and celebration of Thanksgiving in the home.
Bishops of Canada’s Collective National Fundraising Initiative
The Bishops of Canada, as a tangible expression of their commitment to walk with the Indigenous Peoples of this land along the pathway of hope, are making a nation-wide collective financial commitment to support healing and reconciliation initiatives for residential school survivors, their families, and their communities. Read the release from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops:
Statement of Apology by the Catholic Bishops of Canada to the Indigenous Peoples of this Land
The Catholic Bishops of Canada, gathered in Plenary this week, took the opportunity to affirm and acknowledge to the Indigenous Peoples the suffering experienced in Canada's Indian Residential Schools in a Statement of Apology, dated September 24, 2021. Many Catholic religious communities and dioceses participated in this system, which led to the suppression of Indigenous languages, culture and spirituality...
Bishop Crosby Lends a Voice to the Vaccination Effort
"Vaccines protect my health. Vaccines protect my coworkers. Vaccines protect my parishioners. Vaccines protect us all." Bishop Douglas Crosby, OMI, is among a group of Hamilton faith leaders lending their voices to a city-wide campaign, aimed at getting more residents to roll up their sleeves and get vaccinated. Read the article from The Hamilton Spectator and see the full poster:
Catholics and the COVID-19 Vaccine
Dr. Moira McQueen, executive director of the Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute, explains why the vaccines do not pose a moral dilemma for Catholics and why Catholics (and all people) should get vaccinated. Watch the video from The Jesuit Review:
Laudato Si': On Care for Our Common Home
The Diocese of Hamilton welcomes you and invites you to engage on every level with the Holy Father's encyclical Laudato Si'. This new website platform is meant to invite visitors to understand the important messages of Laudato Si', and use them to invoke change in their communities.
Diocese of Hamilton Student Awards: MonAvenir Catholic School Board
To help celebrate the first week of school, we are rounding up the last few recipients of the Diocese of Hamilton Student Awards. These next three are all from MonAvenir Catholic School Board; congratulations to Sabrina Ferrari, Jonah Paroyan and Alexa Badal-Badalian.
Back to School 2021: Resource and Liturgy for Families
As children prepare to return to in-person or virtual learning environments, we encourage families to take the opportunity to pray with their children and their educators in a meaningful way.
Before the hectic structure of bells and homework begins, schedule a time together as a family to celebrate a brief Liturgy of the Word and to hear how you can be praying for your children.
Transitional Deacon Ordination of Kevin Upendran
At 7 o'clock in the evening of the Feast of St. Lawrence, Tuesday, August 10th, 2021, Kevin Upendran was ordained to the Transitional Diaconate. Bishop Wayne Lobsinger was the principal celebrant along with concelebrating priests and deacons. The Mass took place at Holy Cross Parish in Georgetown.