Recent News and Events
Bishop Crosby's Heart to Heart
MARCH 25th IS THE SOLEMNITY OF THE ANNUNCIATION, patronal feast of the Diocese of Hamilton. A Mass will be celebrated at noon at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King. Following Mass, invitations have been extended to a luncheon in McNally Hall where the Diocesan Campaign, One Heart, One Soul, will be officially launched...
Holy Hour of Prayer for Victims of Sexual Abuse
A Holy Hour of Prayer for the healing of victims of sexual abuse, including clergy sexual abuse, will be held in Parishes throughout the Diocese on Sunday, March 17th. Lent is an appropriate time to pray for those who have suffered trauma. At the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King, the Holy Hour will begin at 2:30 PM. Contact your local parish for details on this holy hour.
Season of Lent
Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter beginning on Ash Wednesday, March 6th, 2019. It is a time of self-examination and reflection as it recalls or prepares for Baptism, and emphasizes a spirit of penance.
2019 Wedding Anniversary Mass
The annual Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass takes place on Sunday, June 9th, 2019 at 1:30pm at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King. This is an annual Mass for couples celebrating their 25th, 40th, 50th, 60th or 60th plus Wedding Anniversary! To register:
#RallyUp - According To Your Word
Saturday, May 25, 2019
Registration for the 2019 Diocesan Youth Rally is NOW OPEN! We invite young people in grades 7-12 to join us on May 25th, 2019 for a day of faith, fun and fellowship.
Chancery Office Closed:February 12, 2019
Due to the forecasted weather conditions and the deteriorating road conditions expected throughout the day, please be advised that the Chancery Office will be closed today.
World Day of the Sick:
February 11, 2019
In his message for the 27th World Day of the Sick, Pope Francis urges believers to promote a culture of generosity, noting that the joy of generous giving is a barometer of the health of a Christian. People around the world are encouraged to pray for the sick and those who work very hard to ease the sufferings of the sick on this day...
Pope's February Prayer Intention:
Human Trafficking
In his prayer intention for the month of February, Pope Francis calls us to pray for a generous welcome of the victims of human trafficking, of enforced prostitution, and of violence.
World Day for Consecrated Life:
February 2
Please pray for all those who have made commitments in the consecrated life, and be sure to thank them on their special day. May they continue to be inspired by Jesus Christ and respond generously to God's gift of their vocation.
Bishop Farrell Library:
Closed Monday, February 4th
Please be advised that the Bishop Farrell Library & Archives will be closed on Monday, February 4th, 2019. Regular hours will resume on Tuesday, February 5th.
Job Opportunities
Looking for a job? Various positions are currently available throughout the Diocese, both in the Chancery Office and within parishes.
Bible Sunday
Sunday, February 3, 2019
The theme for our second Annual Bible Sunday is Listening to God's Word at Mass. Father Michael Patella, O.S.B, a monk of St. John's Abbey, Collegeville, has been invited to speak at two special celebrations: one at St. Michael Church, Waterloo at 2 p.m., and one at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King, Hamilton at 7 p.m. All are welcome!
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
January 18-25, 2019
The annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be celebrated on the theme "Justice and only justice you shall pursue" (Deuteronomy 16:18-20). Christians around the world are invited to pray for the unity of all Christians, to reflect on scripture together, and to share fellowship. Resources can be downloaded at the Canadian Council of Churches.
Pope Francis' January Prayer Intention: Young People and the Example of Mary
Let us pray that young people, especially in Latin America, follow the example of Mary and respond to the call of the Lord to communicate the joy of the Gospel to the world.
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Gospel - Luke 1.26-38
We are called to use what we have seen, heard and shared with others to courageously say yes, just like Mary, for "nothing will be impossible with God" (Luke 1: 37-38). We invite you to read the Advent Resource on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, paired with the illumination of the Birth of Christ from The Saint John's Bible.
Bishop Crosby's 2018 Christmas Letter
ONE BLESSED NIGHT! Dear friends, As we approach Christmas, I am usually invited to a variety of special events. Andrew Miller's Christmas Cantata, The Birth of Christ, sponsored by Salt & Light Media Foundation, was held at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King. It was an absorbing evening of music and song...
85th Anniversary of the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King
On Wednesday, December 19th, 2018, a Mass was held in thanksgiving for the 85th anniversary of the blessing and opening of the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King, an outstanding landmark in the City of Hamilton, and the Mother Church of the Diocese of Hamilton, the second-largest English-speaking diocese in Canada!
Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King: Christmas Celebrations
All are welcome to Christmas celebrations at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King in Hamilton. May these days be filled with joy for you and your family!
Third Sunday of Advent
Gospel - Luke 3.10-18
In today's Gospel, St. John the Baptist challenges us to think of the less fortunate, serve them in love, and to do it all with joy for the Lord. We invite you to read the Advent Resource on the Third Sunday of Advent, Rejoice Sunday, paired with the illumination of the Crucifixion from The Saint John's Bible.
Second Sunday of Advent
Gospel - Luke 3.1-6
In today's Gospel, we hear about St. John the Baptist and his important role in preparing the way of the Lord. We invite you to read the Advent Resource on the Second Sunday of Advent, paired with the illumination of the Baptism of Jesus from The Saint John's Bible.
Pope's December prayer intention: In the service of the transmission of faith
In his prayer intention for the month of December, Pope Francis calls us pray that people, who are involved in the service and transmission of faith, may find, in their dialogue with culture, a language suited to the conditions of the present time, in their dialogue with people's hearts, and above all, by listening.
Highlights: 2018 Advent Hymn Festival
On Sunday, December 2nd, the First Sunday of Advent, parishioners from across the Diocese filled the pews of the newly renovated St. Augustine's Parish in Dundas for the Advent Hymn Festival, presented by the Hamilton Diocesan Choir.
Additional Clergy Appointments
The Most Reverend Douglas Crosby, OMI, Bishop of Hamilton, announces the following clergy appointments, effective January 14, 2019 unless otherwise indicated.
First Sunday of Advent
Gospel - Luke 21.24-36
In today's Gospel, Christ challenges us to look up and see, as there are signs of his coming everywhere - and they are beautiful. We invite you to read the Advent Resource on the First Sunday of Advent, paired with the illumination of The Transfiguration from The Saint John's Bible.
Advent Resource
The Lord is near - there is no doubt about it. We invite you to download this year's Advent Resource, with prayer centred on the Gospels of the Four Sundays of Advent and partnered with an illumination from The Saint John's Bible.
Renewing the Promise
In his video first launched for Catholic Education Week 2018, Bishop Crosby is encouraging the faithful of the Diocese of Hamilton to take a closer look at Renewing the Promise over the coming year so that, together, we may preserve and enhance the legacy of publicly funded Catholic Education in this province.
Advent Hymn Festival
"O Come, O Come Emmanuel!"
All are welcome on Sunday, December 2nd at St. Augustine Parish in Dundas at 7PM. Come celebrate the Advent season with scripture, prayer and song! A reception in the Church Hall will follow, and a free-will offering will go in support of the St. Augustine Building Fund.
Coping with the Holidays & Healing Mass
When it does not feel like "Peace on Earth", know that you are not alone. On Sunday, December 2nd, Coping with the Holiday takes place at 1:30-3:30pm at the Chancery Office, followed by the Healing Mass for Those Mourning the Loss of a Child at the Cathedral Basilica at 4pm.
Pope Francis' November Prayer Intention: In the Service of Peace
Let us pray together that the language of love and dialogue may always prevail over the language of conflict.
System Maintenance Notification
Please note that online registrations for workshops and events may not work on Monday, November 5th due to work being done on the system. Thank you for your patience as we work to improve our systems.