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ARTICLE – When we cry out to God, he answers
The Brooklyn Tabernacle Evangelical church is now one of the largest Christian communities in New York City. But this was not always the case. When Jim Cymbala began his pastorate there in the early 1970s, it had only about 30 members and the church was dying. Furthermore, he became seriously
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WEEKLY BULLETIN – September 14, 2021 (The Exaltation of the Holy Cross)So must the Son of Man be lifted up. (John 3.13-17) FROM THE DIOCESE Chancery Office Hours A reminder that the Diocesan Offices are now open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Study Day for Priests Please keep our priests in your prayers as they attend their
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ARTICLE – Presence and Proclamation
Views on evangelization have often clustered around two poles: “presence” and “proclamation.” The term “Christian presence” was minted in French Catholicism. Blessed Charles de Foucauld described his vocation as being present amongst people, a presence willed and intended as a witness of the love of Christ. The term “Christian presence”
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WEEKLY BULLETIN – September 7, 2021 (Ferial)
Jesus spent the night in prayer, and he chose twelve of the disciples and named them apostles. (Luke 6.12-19) FROM THE DIOCESE Clergy Appointments The Most Reverend Guy Desrochers C.Ss.R. announced the following appointments: Due to immigration issues that continue to preclude the return of Reverend Cyril Okebanama, s.m.m.m. from
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ARTICLE – Saving those who are lost
The possibility of perdition for human beings is real. The Church has always taught this and it has not changed (COC #1022). In his Epistle to the Hebrews, Saint Paul speaks of those who are lost and those who save their souls: “We are not the sort of people who
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WEEKLY BULLETIN – August 24, 2021 (St. Bartholomew, Apostle)
Here is truly an Israelite, one in whom there is no deceit. (John 1.45-51) FROM THE DIOCESE Deacons’ Spiritual Retreat Day Please keep our Deacons and their wives in your prayers as they prepare for their Spiritual Retreat Day with Bishop Desrochers on Thursday, August 26th. Summer Office Hours The
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Statement from the Executive Committee of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops regarding the Corporation for the Catholic Entities Party to the Indian Residential School Settlement20 August 2021 The Executive Committee of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) wishes to address recent reporting on the Corporation for the Catholic Entities Party to the Indian Residential School Settlement (CCEPIRSS). As a Committee, we have been profoundly saddened by the recent uncovering of unmarked burial sites
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ARTICLE – Saint-Nazaire Parish: The story of a missionary transformation
The Saint-Nazaire church is another example of parish missionary transformation. Located in Sanary-sur-Mer, France, it changed parish priests in 1994. When he arrived, he found that the faithful were involved in parish activities, but most of the community was composed of seniors. Desiring it to change, he took his parochial
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WEEKLY BULLETIN – August 17, 2021 (Ferial)
It is easier to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. (Matthieu 19.23-30) FROM THE DIOCESE Summer Office Hours The Diocesan Offices will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and will close at noon
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RECOMMENDED BOOK – Evangelization: A Challenge for the Catholic ChurchThis short, easy to read book by Fr. Bob Bedard, will help you: – Increase your understanding of evangelization – Grow in confidence to proclaim the Good News – Learn the practical three-step dynamic of evangelization.
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ARTICLE – Small Groups and Evangelization
Evangelization experts say that if one desires his church to grow, one must keep the front gates wide open, create many side doors, and tightly shut the back exit. In this expression, the front gates are the weekend services welcoming the non-believers, the side doors are small groups contacting and
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ARTICLE – EVANGELIZING BY INVITING PEOPLE TO RECEIVE JESUS AS LORD AND SAVIOUR
Many missional churches evangelize by inviting people to “accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour” (2 Peter 3:18). They understand evangelism as a proclamation of the Gospel that calls for a response to Christ who urges us to repentance, conversion and discipleship. Those who are evangelized are lead to make a
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WEEKLY BULLETIN – August 10, 2021 (St. Lawrence, Deacon, Martyr)
Whoever serves me will be honoured by my Father. (John 12.24-26) FROM THE DIOCESE Residential Schools Learn more about the history of residential schools and Indigenous reconciliation in Canada here. Prayers For the repose of the soul of Sister Pamela Bennett (Sister Rosemary), CSJ, who passed away on Monday, August
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ARTICLE – You Will Receive Power…
Jesus said to his disciples, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). God wants to fill us with the Holy Spirit so that
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ARTICLE – Have You Heard About the Law of Three Hearings and Seven Touches?The law of three hearings and seven touches refers to research into the evangelistic efforts of growing churches. It shows that an unchurched person who visits a church rarely joins the Christian community after a first visit (that’s obvious to most of us…). He or she needs to attend a
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RECOMMENDED BOOK – The Purpose Driven ChurchDiscover the same practical insights and principles for growing a healthy church that Rick has taught in seminars to over 22,000 pastors and church leaders from sixty denominations and forty-two countries.
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ARTICLE – Three Habits of a Fruitful Christian Life
To live a fruitful Christian life, there exists a daily formula—three things we can do each day. If we do these consistently, we will grow stronger and more mature in Christ. It is easy to form these Christian habits. They can become as natural as combing our hair, dressing or
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WEEKLY BULLETIN – August 3, 2021 (Ferial)
Command me to come to you on the water. (Matthew 14.22-36) FROM THE DIOCESE Liturgical Information By Rev. Mitchell Beachey August 9th – Dedication of St. Columbkille Cathedral. This day is celebrated as a Solemnity in the Cathedral itself and as a proper feast in all parishes in the Diocese.
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WEEKLY BULLETIN – July 27, 2021 (Ferial)
As the weeds are collected and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. (Matthew 13.36-43) FROM THE DIOCESE Civic Holiday! Please note that the Chancery Office will be closed Monday, August 2nd for the Civic Holiday. Summer Office Hours The Diocesan Offices will be
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Background for Catholics: Residential Schools (FAQ)Prepared by the Archdiocese of Toronto, July 2021. Over the past several months, there has been a national conversation on the tragic history of residential schools in Canada. The role of the Catholic Church in the residential school system has been a part of...
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WEEKLY BULLETIN – July 20, 2021 (Ferial)
Pointing to his disciples, Jesus said, “Here are my mother and my brothers.” (Matthew 12.46, 48-50++) MESSAGE FROM THE BISHOP The New Motu Proprio from Pope Francis Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, This past Friday, July 16, 2021, Pope Francis issued a Motu Proprio regarding the celebration of the
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CCCB Executive Committee Statement on the Recent Acts of Violence in Canada
In recent weeks, Canada has unfortunately witnessed a disturbing rise in harmful and violent acts against the Jewish People and Muslims. These acts have included offensive slurs, prejudice, hostility, and even terror claiming lives. The Catholic Bishops of Canada adamantly object to all forms and expressions of hatred and they
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WEEKLY BULLETIN – July 6, 2021 (Ferial)
The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few. (Matthew 9.32-38) MESSAGE FROM THE BISHOP Catherine Doherty’s insight on evangelization: third of three parts Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Last week, I brought you part two of three of a reflection by Catherine Doherty on the topic of evangelization.
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WEEKLY BULLETIN – June 29, 2021 (Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles)
I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 16.13-19) MESSAGE FROM THE BISHOP Catherine Doherty’s insight on evangelization: second of three parts Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Last week, I brought you part one of three of a reflection by Catherine Doherty on the
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