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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
350TH ANNIVERSARY PILGRIMAGE TO QUEBEC
This year marks the 350th Anniversary of the founding of the Catholic Church in Canada, with the establishment of the Archdiocese of Quebec. To make this occasion, a Diocesan pilgrimage has been planned to take place from July 13th to July 17th, 2024.
The pilgrimage will include a visit to the Cathedral Basilica of Notre Dame in Quebec City and the Holy Door, visits to the sites made famous by the saintly founders of the Canadian Church, visits to St. Anne de Beaupré, Notre-Dame-du-Cap in Trois Riviéres, Notre Dame Basilica and St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal.
The five-day pilgrimage will include guided tours exploring Quebec’s religious and cultural heritage and will be led by Monsignor Murray Kroetsch, Vicar General and Chancellor of the Diocese of Hamilton. Registration deadline is April 30th.
For more information, please contact Matthew Trafford at the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis. Tel. # 905-528-7988 x2339. Email : catechesis@hamiltondiocese.com
BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS
APRIL 2024
MINISTERS OF THE WORD Saturday, April 13, 2024, St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Waterdown, ON. 9:30 am to 3:00 pm. Participants may register using the Diocese of Hamilton website under Upcoming Events/Workshops.
EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION Saturday, April 20. 2024, St. John the Baptist Parish, Guelph, ON. 9:30 am to 3:00 pm. Participants may register using the Diocese of Hamilton website under Upcoming Events/Workshops.
YOUNG ADULTS NIGHT Fr. Mark Morley invites all young adults (ages 20s and 30s) of our diocese to celebrate the Easter Season by attending an evening of Adoration, 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, April 6th at the Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate (28 Norfolk Street, Guelph). Sponsored by the Vocations Office of the Diocese of Hamilton. The next Young Adults Night will take place at May 4th at the Holy Rosary Church (287 Plains Road East, Burlington, Ontario). For more information, please contact: vocations@hamiltondiocese.com
REEL JUSTICE FILM FESTIVAL APRIL 25th Join us from 7:00 – 9:00 pm. for the screening of Bigger Than Us. The films follows youth activist Melati Wijsen as she travels the world to meet other young activists like herself, striving to make the world a better place. Guest speaker Peter Mahfouz from Caritas Lebanon will speak to his work supporting youth initiatives in Lebanon and the strength of young people in supporting their communities. 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.
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 & 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
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL WORKSHOP 2024 The Office for Evangelization and Catechesis invites all parish ministers, youth ministry leaders to join in our annual Vacation Bible School workshop in preparation for summer children’s ministry. New to VBS? Looking to learn more about recruiting youth volunteers? Want a peek at new VBS kits available this year? Come and join us for this informative virtual workshop on April 10, 2024 from 7:00-8:30pm. Registration is available on the Diocesan website: https://bit.ly/DoHVBS2024
CONFIRMATION PREPARATION WORKSHOPS 2024 The Office for Evangelization and Catechesis is happy to offer a new Confirmation Preparation Program for the Diocese of Hamilton. We invite all those involved in Sacramental Preparation to take part in this new formation workshop in the early spring with dates available in multiple locations of the Diocese. To learn more about these offerings, register here: https://bit.ly/ConfirmationPrep2024
DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE PROGRAMMING FOR YOUTH MINISTRY The Office of Youth Ministry has invited the Development and Peace Youth programing team to share information about initiatives that parishes can implement with young people. Join us on April 9th on Zoom to learn about their programs and opportunities for young people. Registration and additional information is available on the Diocesan website: https://tinyurl.com/dandpyouth
STEP/BLENDED FAMILY: SMART STEPS FOR BUILDING FAMILY Are you a parent or stepparent adjusting to blended family life? Smart Steps offers practical insights and suggestions on how to make the relationships work well for all. The next session will be held at the Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate in Guelph, 28 Norfolk Street. TIME: 9:15AM – 3:30PM. PRICE: $50 per person (includes lunch). DATE: Saturday, April 20, 2024. Register on line at hamiltondiocese.com and look under Upcoming Events. For more information, contact the Family Ministry Office at 905-528-7988 ext. 2249.
RESTART: MOVING FORWARD Our 10 week program offers education and support to anyone seeking to heal and move forward after divorce or separation. The sessions will take place on Mondays from April 7th to June 17th from 7-9 pm at the Chancery Office at 700 King St. West in person, or you are welcome to join our zoom classroom. Cost is $35 for materials, but no one is turned away. Registration is required so please call Sarah at 905-528-7988 ext. 2249, e-mail familyministry@hamiltondiocese.com, or register on line at hamiltondiocese.com and look under Upcoming Events. For more information call the Family Ministry Office at 905-528-7988 ext. 2249.
THE DIOCESAN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY MASS – 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 on line at hamiltondiocese.com under Upcoming Events.
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 available on the Diocesan website: https://tinyurl.com/ymnetwork
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.
DIOCESAN CHOIR The Diocesan Choir leads and supports the assembly’s song at major Diocesan liturgies such as the Chrism Mass and Ordinations and is looking for new members. Should you wish more information, please contact Mrs. Sharon Fazari, Choir Director, at sfazari@hamiltondiocese.com.
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
THE PASTORAL PARISH IN THE MODERN WORLD The Office for Evangelization and Catechesis is happy to offer a three-workshop series this spring entitled, The Pastoral Parish in the Modern World. This new handbook created by David Wells and Bill Huebsch provides a comprehensive outline of the new vocabulary of pastoral ministry, and how to enact it in your local setting. This workshop series is designed for anyone who is working or volunteering in parish life including pastoral teams, parish councils, and youth ministry leaders. Registration is still open for our last session taking place on Saturday, April 13, 2024. You can register here: https://bit.ly/pastoralparish
