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Message to Catholic Families from the President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops on National Family and Life Week | 13 to 19 May 2024
Dear Catholic families,
National Family and Life Week (NFLW) this year will take place from 13 May to 19 May 2024. The theme for this year is “Love hopes all things,” which is taken from Saint Paul’s hymn on love in 1 Corinthians 13.7: “[Love] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” This description of love is also at the heart of Pope Francis’s reflection on the dynamics of spousal and family love in the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia, chapter 4. Through this theme, families are encouraged to cultivate, deepen, and renew Christian hope by drawing on scriptural reflection, family prayer, and the Sacraments. [READ MORE..]
DAILY PRAYERS and ACTIVITIES
CATECHESIS FOR FAMILIES AND PARISHES
MAY 2024 BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS
REEL JUSTICE FILM FESTIVAL Join us on May 23, 7:00 – 9:00 PM for the screening of The Biggest Little Farm. The film chronicles the eight-year quest of John and Molly Chester as they trade city living for 200 acres of barren farmland and a dream to develop a sustainable farm in harmony with nature. Guest speaker Lisa Conroy, Farm Educator from the Ignatius Jesuit Centre in Guelph will offer insight into their model of organic agriculture and the programs they provide. The screening and discussion will be hosted online via Zoom. Register at: https://reeljustice.hamiltondiocese.com/ A partnership between the Bishop Farrell Library & Archives and Development and Peace, the Reel Justice Film Festival shines a spotlight on issues of social, political, and economic injustices.
New to Youth Ministry Networking Event The Office of Youth Ministry is hosting a networking evening for those adult leaders who are new to parish youth ministry. Join us on June 6th at St. Benedict Parish in Milton for an evening of conversation and fellowship. Registration and additional information is available on the Diocesan website: https://tinyurl.com/ymnetwork
Vacation Bible School Youth Training Day The Office of Youth Ministry will be holding a day of training for those young people who are assisting in their parish’s Vacation Bible School this summer. Join us on Saturday, May 25th at Mount Mary Retreat Centre for a day of leadership development. Parishes are requested to complete the registration form on behalf of their young people attending. Registration and additional information are available on the Diocesan website: https://tinyurl.com/vbsmay2024
Vocations Recognition Dinner 2024
The Serra Club of Hamilton invites you to gather on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at Liuna Station to celebrate the service of our Priests, Religious Brothers and Sisters, Consecrated Virgins Living in the World and Permanent Deacons. Tickets: $90pp. Contact: serrahamilton1965@gmail.com for more details.
Young Adults Night – Saturday, June 1st – Stoney Creek Fr. Mark Morley invites all young adults (ages 20s and 30s) of our diocese to attend an evening of prayer, fellowship and praise music in support of your vocations. The Young Adults Night includes a Holy Hour (6:30pm-7:30 pm), social with food (7:30pm-8:00pm), praise night with vocations testimony (8:00pm-9:00pm), and Compline (9:00pm) on Saturday, June 1st at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church (934 Highway #8, Stoney Creek, Ontario). Sponsored by the Vocations Office of the Diocese of Hamilton: https://hamiltondiocese.com/vocations/ For more information, please contact: vocations@hamiltondiocese.com
Relics of St. Brother Andre Bessette visit Hamilton Diocese
The major reliquary of St. Andre Bessette (Brother Andre of Montreal Oratory) will visit the Diocese of Hamilton May 17-24, 2024. The relics of Brother Andre start their tour at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King and finish at Holy Family, Hanover. See the diocesan website, Saint Brother André in the Diocese of Hamilton (hamiltondiocese.com) for dates and times. This is a wonderful opportunity to invoke the intercession of one of our own Canadian Saints. We are truly blessed to have the relics of St. Andre Bessette visit our Diocese.
PARENTING TIP OF THE MONTH The data continues to grow on the dangers the internet can pose to children and on the benefit of time spent in play, both indoors and outdoors. For younger children this means play that uses their imaginations and does not include the internet. For older children, it may include such things as playing board games, doing puzzles and hiking. Whatever the age of your children, time without the internet supports good growth. So, spend time playing as a family and you will see the positive benefits for your children! Family Ministry Office; 905-528-7988 (ext. 2250)
MARRIAGE TIP OF THE MONTH The statement ‘Families that pray together stay together’ is not just a cliché, but also a fact that has research data to prove its impact. To those of us with faith it makes sense, but we sometimes neglect to undertake what we know will be helpful to us. So, take the time to pray as a couple: first thing in the morning, before meals, before going to bed, at Mass and/or any other time you can. It is an easy way to connect and strengthen your relationship. Family Ministry Office; 905-528-7988 (ext. 2250)
The Fine Art of Being Happily Married – In his poem, The Art of Marriage, Wilfred A. Peterson writes, “A good marriage must be created” and creating something requires time and attention. We invite you to take the time, with your spouse, to find new and creative ways to increase your connection with each other, to discover fresh techniques for being in relationship and to deepen the love you already share. Join us on Saturday, June 1st from 9:30 – 3:00 pm at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Hamilton. Cost is $50 per couple and includes lunch. To register on the website, go to https://hamiltondiocese.com/ and look under Upcoming Events, or contact Sarah at 905-528-7988 ext. 2249.
Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass May 2024 – Are you celebrating your 25th, 40th, 50th, 60th, or 60+ Wedding Anniversary in the year 2024? If you are, you are cordially invited to join couples from across the Diocese of Hamilton for a Wedding Anniversary Mass on Sunday, May 26, 2024, at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King in Hamilton at 1:30 pm. (Space allows room for Anniversary couples only – those married 60 years or more may bring one guest if you require assistance). Registration is available online at https://hamiltondiocese.com/ under Upcoming Events, or call the office at 905-528-7988 ext. 2249.
RESTART: Refresh, Renew, Revive Friday Night Support Group – Struggling after divorce or separation? Join us for learning, support and fun on Friday evenings. Held the 2nd & 3rd Fridays of each month, these get-togethers offer continual support and insights for people as they journey through the divorce/separation process and beyond. Join in-person (700 King St. West, Hamilton), or by ZOOM. Register before each session here: https://sites.google.com/view/hamilton-restart/home or contact Sarah at familyministry@hamiltondiocese.com, or call her at 905-528-7988 ext. 2249. We look forward to seeing you!
Adult Faith Formation through VLCFF The Diocese of Hamilton is proud to partner with Dayton University’s Virtual Learning Community for Adult Faith Formation (VLCFF) to offer certificate programs for ministry and enrichment for adult faith formation. We are currently taking enrollment for the Youth Ministry Certification Program and the Catechist Formation Program for the Diocese of Hamilton, which begins in September 2024. Three and five week e-seminars are also available at a discounted rate for all adults in the Diocese looking to further their learning. For more information about our programs, and how to register, visit us at www.hamiltondioceselearns.com
Catholic Education Week 2024 Catholic Education Week 2024 begins on Sunday, May 5, 2024. The Catholic schools in our parish will engage in a series of events to celebrate the ongoing gift of publicly funded Catholic education. You are invited to learn about the various celebrations that are happening in your children’s school, and are welcome to attend, if possible. This year’s Catholic Education Week theme is, “We are called to love”, and is grounded in our Holy Scriptures: “If we love one another, God lives in us.” (1 John 4:12) To learn more about Catholic Education Week in the Diocese of Hamilton, visit us at https://www.hamiltondiocesecew.com/
WOMEN’S CURSILLO WEEKEND A Women’s Cursillo Weekend will be held in Deemerton from Thursday, May 30 to Sunday, June 2nd. For information or application forms, please contact Mary Ann Kirkconnell (Weekend Coordinator) rmkirkconnell@gmail.com.
