Recent News and Events

Bishop Crosby's Heart to Heart
THE BLESSING OF ST. MARY CHURCH IN HAMILTON last Sunday, following an extensive cleaning, restoration, and renovation, was a joyful event, attended by parishioners, friends, and supporters. Father David Avila, Pastor, warmly welcomed all who have waited for the completion of the work....

Let Us Return with Joy!
Dear Friends: For the past three years, the world has been shaken by the Covid-19 virus, and our lives have been changed as we sought to observe the many protocols which were established for our health and safety. These included frequent periods when we were unable to come together to celebrate our faith and be nourished by the Sacraments. On several occasions our churches were closed...

2023 Additional Clergy Appointments
The Most Reverend Douglas Crosby, OMI, Bishop of Hamilton, announces the following clergy appointments effective, Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at twelve o'clock noon, unless otherwise noted.

Highlights from the 2023 Ordination to the Priesthood
The priestly ordination of Carlos Diaz, John Ha, Paul Niesiobedzki, and Jonathan Reitzel took place on May 6th, 2023, at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King. The Mass was presided by His Excellency, Bishop Douglas Crosby, OMI, joined by Bishop Wayne Lobsinger, Bishop Matthew Ustrzycki, Bishop Joseph Nguyen from the Diocese of Kamloops...

Serra Club of Hamilton: Annual Vocation Recognition Dinner
The Serra Club of Hamilton celebrated its annual Vocation Recognition Dinner on Tuesday, May 3rd, 2023, at Liuna Station in Hamilton, Ontario. Serrans gathered to honour and express appreciation to the Jubilarians who have served the Diocese of Hamilton for 25, 40, 50 and 60+ years, as well as all Diocesan Priests...

Ordination to the Priesthood:
May 6, 2023
His Excellency, Bishop Crosby, will celebrate the Ordination of four new Priests for service in the Diocese of Hamilton Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 11:00 a.m., at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King. All are welcome!

Catholic Education Week 2023:
We Are Many, We Are One
Each year, the Catholic community of Ontario engages in a week-long celebration of the unique identity and distinctive contributions of Catholic education during Catholic Education Week. This year's celebration is entitled, We Are Many, We Are One...

National Family & Life Week:
May 7-14, 2023
The Hamilton Diocese joins Dioceses across Canada in celebrating the National Week of Family and Life from May 7-14th. The theme, Love One Another, is chosen from Jesus' words, "Love one another. Just as I have loved you, love one another" (John 13:34).

Job Opportunity: Administrative Assistant
Reporting to the Chancellor's Office, the Chancery Office in Hamilton is looking for a full-time (Monday to Friday, 32 hours/week) Administrative Assistant to provide support to the Vicar General's Office and the Chancellor of Temporal Affairs' Office.

Highlights from the 2023 Wedding Anniversary Mass
The sound of hundreds of smooches echoed throughout the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King on the afternoon of April 16th, 2023. Over 300 couples renewed their vows at the Wedding Anniversary Mass, held for the first time in-person since 2019. We invite you to see the highlights, revisit the livestream, and look at the full gallery:

Wedding Anniversary Mass: Sunday, April 16, 2023
For couples celebrating their 25th, 40th, 50th, 60th or 60th plus Wedding Anniversary! The annual Wedding Anniversary Mass will be held on Sunday, April 16, 2023 at 1:30PM in the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King, Hamilton. Details can be found at:

Job Opportunity: Director of Youth Ministry - Maternity Leave Contract
The Diocese of Hamilton is looking for a full-time (32 hours/week) Director of Youth Ministry to cover a one-year Maternity leave position.

Bishop Crosby's 2023 Easter Message
Dear Friends, As we gather to celebrate the Easter feasts this year, I offer my greetings and good wishes. It has been encouraging to see such large numbers of faithful gather once again for the Holy Week celebrations! The gathering of so many at the Cathedral for the celebration of this year's Chrism Mass is a sure sign that the COVID restrictions are behind us...

2023 Mass of Chrism
On Monday, April 3rd, 2023, 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 Bishop Emeritus Anthony Tonnos; His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins, Archbishop Emeritus of Toronto; Auxiliary Bishop Wayne Lobsinger; as well as his college of Priests...

Join Us for Easter
We invite you to join us for Easter! Find your local Reconciliation and Mass times for Holy Week and Easter by selecting your Parish or a Parish in your local area...

2023 Clergy Pastoral Appointments
The Most Reverend Douglas Crosby, OMI, Bishop of Hamilton, announces the following clergy appointments effective, Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at twelve o'clock noon, unless otherwise noted.

Forward Together in Christ
Forward Together in Christ was initiated to help the Bishop of Hamilton discern the best way to move the Diocese forward after the struggles and limitations imposed by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Once a committee was established, consisting of representatives from the clergy, chancery staff and a lay pastoral minister, it was decided to gather...

Journey through Lent
As we continue to Journey through Lent, we invite you to watch the CCCB video series available on their website. This year's Lenten reflections are delivered by His Eminence Gerald Cyprien Cardinal Lacroix, Archbishop of Quebec and Primate of Canada, and the Most Reverend Brian Joseph Dunn, Archbishop of Halifax-Yarmouth.

Spring Webinar Series: The Call of the Catechist
The CCCB National Office for Evangelization and Catechesis is hosting a three-part webinar series on "The Call of the Catechist". Our Diocesan Office for Evangelization and Catechesis is pleased to follow the webinars with a series of "Catechist Coffee Times" - online gatherings of our Diocesan community dedicated to prayer and debrief of the good and important information received in these workshops...

In Memoriam: Reverend Ronald Hodara
We regret to inform you that Reverend Ronald Hodara, died on Sunday, March 5th, 2023. Please pray that Reverend Ronald Hodara may receive the reward of a good and faithful servant and that his family and friends will be consoled in their faith in Christ.

Highlights from World Youth Day 2023 Fundraiser Dinner
The World Youth Day Pilgrims were delighted to host their "Taste of Portugal Fundraising Dinner" at St. Mary's Parish in Hamilton on February 4th, 2023. The evening was a huge success and great fun for all involved. A special thank you to all our generous sponsors and attendees for your support!

Thursday, February 23, 2023: Chancery Office Closed
Due to inclement weather, the Chancery Office and Bishop Farrell Library and Archives will be closed today, Thursday, February 23rd, 2023.

Season of Lent
Journey of Penance
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 22nd, 2023, and continues until the beginning of the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday evening, on April 6th, 2023.

Holy Father's Message for Lent 2023
"Dear brothers and sisters, may the Holy Spirit inspire and sustain us this Lent in our ascent with Jesus, so that we may experience his divine splendour and thus, confirmed in faith, persevere in our journey together with him, glory of his people and light of the nations..."

31st World Day of the Sick: February 11th
The World Day of the Sick calls for prayer and closeness towards those who suffer. We invite you to read Pope Francis' message for the 31st World Day of the Sick:

"That We May Walk Together" Series of Pastoral Letters (2023)
Through a series of pastoral letters to First Nations, Inuit, Metis, and the People of God in Canada, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) affirmed its ongoing commitment to renewing and strengthening relations with Indigenous Peoples at the national, regional, and especially the local level.

In Memoriam: Reverend Wallace Metcalf
We regret to inform you that Reverend Wallace Metcalf, died on Wednesday, February 1, 2023. Please pray that Reverend Wallace Metcalf may receive the reward of a good and faithful servant and that his family and friends will be consoled in their faith in Christ.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: January 18-25
"Do good; seek justice." (Isaiah 1:12-17) The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an annual ecumenical celebration. Christians around the world are invited to pray for the unity of all Christians, to reflect on scripture together, to participate in jointly-organized ecumenical services, and to share fellowship.

#TheBibleSpeaks: Bible Sunday
In Lectionary Year A, the Church reflects deeply on the Gospel of Matthew. To help us in our exploration through this synoptic Gospel, the Diocese is pleased to provide resources for adults and grades 6-8 for Bible Sunday on January 23rd, 2023 and throughout Year A.

Come Home for Christmas
Please join your Parish family for the celebration of Mass this Christmas. Whether you have been away for a short time or a long time, you will be warmly welcomed home with open arms! For Mass times and more - please click: