Recent News and Events
Bishop Crosby's Heart to Heart
THE FIRST NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION is September 30th. It is a federal statutory holiday enacted by Parliament on June 3rd, of this year. Commemoration of the painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process. On September 30th, Masses will be offered in our Parishes to pray that the truth of residential schools be heard and for healing and reconciliation.
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:
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.
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.
Evenings with His Excellency
Interested in learning more about our Catholic Faith? Join Bishop Lobsinger for "Evenings with His Excellency" on the second Friday of each month at 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. in Canadian Martyrs Church, Hamilton). The first evening is Friday, September 10, 2021. If you are unable to attend in person...
Diocese of Hamilton Student Awards: Sydney Black
Congratulations to Sydney Black, a graduate from St. Mary's of Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board, for being a recipient of the Diocese of Hamilton Student Award. The Award recognizes a student in the graduating class who has attained high academic proficiency and exemplifies Catholic leadership qualities, Christian values and a commitment to service in the community.
In Memoriam: Reverend John Redmond
We regret to inform you that Reverend John Redmond, Pastor of St. Pius X Parish, Brantford, died suddenly on August 7, 2021. In your charity, please pray for him, that he may receive the reward of a faithful servant of the Lord, and for the consolation of his family and the parishioners whom he served.
Diocese of Hamilton Student Awards: Patrick Manuel
The next recipient of the 2021 Diocese of Hamilton Student Awards is Patrick Manuel of St. Francis Xavier CSS in HCDSB. The Award recognizes a student in the graduating class who has attained high academic proficiency and exemplifies Catholic leadership qualities, Christian values and a commitment to service in the community.
A Contemporary Stained Glass Window: Blessed Carlo Acutis
The church of San Giuseppe in Molfetta, Italy, has installed the first stained glass window depicting Blessed Carlo Acutis, the 15-year-old beatified last year on October 10 by Pope Francis. His image - in jeans and sneakers - is in stark contrast to the traditional stained glass windows, and shows that holiness is closer to us than we think.
Diocese of Hamilton Student Awards: Nicole Martin
Congratulations to our next recipient of the 2021 Diocese of Hamilton Student Awards, Nicole Martin of Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary School in HWCDSB. The Award recognizes a student in the graduating class who has attained high academic proficiency and exemplifies Catholic leadership qualities, Christian values and a commitment to service in the community.
Diocese of Hamilton Student Awards: Lucas Weber
Our next recipient of the 2021 Diocese of Hamilton Student Awards is Lucas Weber of Monsignor Doyle Catholic Secondary School in Waterloo CDSB. The Award recognizes a student in the graduating class who has attained high academic proficiency and exemplifies Catholic leadership qualities, Christian values and a commitment to service in the community.
First World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly: July 25, 2021
Earlier this year, Pope Francis instituted the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, which will take place each year on the fourth Sunday in July, close to the feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, Jesus' grandparents. In Canada and around the world, we are invited not to forget our grandparents and elderly persons, cherishing them as essential members of the Church and society. Learn more:
Diocese of Hamilton Student Awards:
Ruby Joseph
Our 2021 Diocese of Hamilton Student Awards continue with Ruby Joseph from Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Secondary School in the Wellington-Catholic District School Board. The Award recognizes a student in the graduating class who has attained high academic proficiency and exemplifies Catholic leadership qualities, Christian values and a commitment to service in the community.
Ordination to the Priesthood of Patrick Ohl and Peter Robinson
On June 26th, 2021, the Diocese of Hamilton welcomed two new priests! Patrick Ohl and Peter Robinson were ordained to the order of presbyter in the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King. Bishop Crosby remarked that, "This is an important and joyful day for the Diocese of Hamilton. Both Patrick and Peter have heard the call of the Lord. They knew they had to respond. And that response led them to this beautiful Cathedral Basilica today."
Diocese of Hamilton Student Awards:
Gabriella Burgio
Our 2021 Diocese of Hamilton Student Awards begin with Gabriella Burgio from St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School in Hamilton. The Award recognizes a student in the graduating class who has attained high academic proficiency and exemplifies Catholic leadership qualities, Christian values and a commitment to service in the community.
Diocese of Hamilton Student Awards: Meaghan Hymers and Brad Bruder
The Diocese of Hamilton award is presented to graduating students who have attained high academic proficiency, and who exemplify Catholic leadership qualities, Christian values, and a commitment to service in the community. This year's recipients from St. Jerome's University are Meaghan Hymers and Brad Bruder.
Novena and Act of Entrustment to Saint Joseph
In keeping with the celebration of the "Year of Saint Joseph", the CCCB National Liturgy Office and the Office national de liturgie have composed a Novena and an Act of Entrustment to Saint Joseph. The Novena begins on June 22 and ends on June 30, and is followed by the Act of Entrustment on Thursday, 1 July 2021 (Canada Day).
Prayer for National Indigenous Peoples Day
In honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day, 21 June, the Canadian Catholic Indigenous Council has released the prayer entitled Prayer for Tolerance, Forgiveness, Reconciliation.
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: