Many prophets and righteous people have longed to see what you see.
(Matthew 13.16-17)
FROM THE DIOCESE
Civic Holiday!
Please note that the Chancery Office will be closed Monday, August 1st for the Civic Holiday.
News of the Synod
Thank you to all who answered the call to participate in the Synod on synodality! 160 responses were received, 150 in English and 10 in French. Using adapted questions, students in grades 7 to 12 from schools in the Renfrew County Catholic District School Board also responded as well as students from a French school. (Read more)
Pastoral Appointments:
The Most Reverend Guy Desrochers, C.Ss.R., announces the following pastoral appointments to take effect September 1, 2022, unless otherwise noted: (Read here).
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 every Friday from July 4th to September 2nd inclusively.
Walk the Opeongo Line Pilgrimage, July 29-31
This year we’re walking the Opeongo Line from Barry’s Bay to Cormac, 40km. The pilgrimage begins with Mass at St. Hedwig’s on Friday, July 29th and ends with the Bishop’s Mass at St. Ann’s Shrine on Sunday, July 31st. The Pilgrimage is a beautiful experience of God’s Providence. For more information on the details or to register, please visit: walktheopeongoline.wordpress.com.
81st Annual Pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. Ann in Cormac, Ontario
With Bishop Guy Desrochers, July 28 – 30, 7 p.m. & Sunday, July 31. Theme: “History of the Devotion to St. Ann”. Principal Pilgrimage Mass on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. with Bishop Guy Desrochers. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction at 1:00 p.m. Priests will bless the faithful with St. Ann’s oil. Please bring your own seating. All welcome! For more information, visit the website at www.cormacpilgrimage.com or call 613 628-2020.
Prayers
For the repose of the soul of Mr. John (Jackie) Earl O’Brien, brother of Reverend Father Kenneth O’Brien who passed away suddenly on Wednesday, July 20th at the age of 81. Please also pray for the consolation of Father O’Brien and the members of his family.
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
Official Papal Visit Coverage
As part of the ongoing healing and reconciliation journey, a number of livestream interpretation feeds are available for viewing during the papal visit to Canada at www.papalvisit.ca.
Terminologies
The Diocesan Action Circle committee would like to familiarize everyone with certain terminologies:
Land claims: In 1973, the federal government recognized two broad classes of claims – comprehensive and specific.
- Comprehensive claims: Claims based on the assessment that there may be continuing Aboriginal rights to lands and natural resources. These kinds of claims come up in those parts of Canada where Aboriginal title has not previously been dealt with by treaty and other legal means. While each claim is unique, frequently these claims include such things as land title; fishing, trapping, and resource rights; and financial compensation.
- Specific claims: Claims that declare grievances over Canada’s alleged failures to discharge specific obligations to First Nations groups.
FROM THE CCCB
Pope Francis Appoints Rev. Msgr. Frank Leo Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Montreal – Saturday, July 16 2022
Pope Francis has appointed Msgr. Frank Leo as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Montreal, the Holy See announced on July 16th, memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Following his episcopal ordination, the new bishop will join the auxiliary bishop currently assisting the Archbishop of Montreal, Most Rev. Alain Faubert, in serving the faithful of the Archdiocese. (Read more…)
Indigenous Reconciliation Fund Board of Directors Reports Progress on $30 Million National Fundraising Commitment – Monday, July 18 2022
The Indigenous Reconciliation Fund Board of Directors is pleased to announce that the Fund is officially accepting proposals and distributing funds for projects in support of healing and reconciliation. Projects are determined locally in consultation with First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples, and the first proposal received approval on July 15, 2022. (Read more…)
PRO-LIFE
Time Sensitive Action (First Step Options)
The Liberal government continues to communicate that the government is “fully committed” to remove the charitable status of “anti-abortion organizations that provide dishonest counseling to women.” The media has expanded the interpretation of this with mischaracterizations of the work of pregnancy care centres. A recent Globe and Mail article highlights this concern.
We have a window of opportunity to influence the outcome of this sweeping threat to our work. Our head office Pregnancy Care Canada spoke with several advocacy specialists, and they advised the following practical steps that you can do now!
- Drop by Cheryl Gallant’s office or mail in a letter. Indicate that you would like the opportunity to speak about your concerns regarding the government’s threat to revoke charitable status and that you support the valuable work done at your local pregnancy centre. If you have a story to share of how you’ve been helped or about a client who benefited from the care provided you could share it. Ask for a follow-up with you about what her position is.
- Phone Cheryl Gallant’s office and share a similar message as above. Something like: “My name is _____, and I’m calling to ask that you pass on my concerns to MP______ about the government’s threat to revoke the charity status of pregnancy care centres. I have been involved with or supported First Step Options, our local pregnancy care centre for ‘x’ years, or I have been helped by the centre in the past when (tell your story of involvement).” Add more context to why you care about the centre and why you believe the work of the centre is important. Ask for the MP or staff to follow up with you about what the MP’s position is.
- Correct misinformation and errors in the comments section of articles or send a letter to the editor.
A former lobbyist/advocate shared that the executive assistants in Minister, Deputy Minister, and MP offices review the comments section of news articles and editorials to get an idea of the “public mood” and pass that information to their bosses. It’s important to correct misinformation but don’t engage in a debate.
We have a brief window of time to educate and advocate – to tell the other side of the story which is missing.
DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE
Hunger Crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa
Development and Peace is appealing for donations in response to the food crisis in sub-Saharan Africa, which is reaching catastrophic levels. (Read more…)
OTHER CATHOLIC EVENTS
2022 Catholic Family Retreat – July 30-August 1!
Calling all Catholic Families! The 2022 Catholic Family Retreat will be hosted on Saturday, July 30, Sunday, July 31 and Monday, August 1 at Sacred Way Farm (745 Kells Road, Powassan, Ontario). Join us for prayer, worship, Adoration, family games, activities and inspiring talks. Optional camping on site is available too. For more information, a complete itinerary of the weekend events, to see our guest speakers and to register your family, please visit: holynamestalphonsus.com/familyretreat. The 2022 Catholic Family Retreat is proudly presented by Sacred Way Ministries, Holy Name of Jesus Church, North Bay; St. Alphonsus Liguori Church, Callander; and St. Joseph Church, Powassan.
Wojtyla Summer Institute
Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College is hosting its annual Wojtyla Summer Institute in-person in Barry’s Bay from August 4-7. This year’s theme, “Know Thyself”: Catholic Perspectives on the Human Person,” addresses ways in which the integrity of the human person is being challenged, and seeks to find connections among the various Catholic perspectives to form a unified view of who we are and how we should live. The conference features a keynote address by Fr. Mark Goring, CC, in St. Hedwig’s Parish, which will be free and open to the public, as well as livestreamed. Some accommodations are available. Space is limited for the in-person conference. Find more information, and register at seatofwisdom.ca/wojtyla-2022.
Madonna House is celebrating 75 Years in Combermere
Join us for an open house & picnic on Sunday, September 4th from 1-9 p.m.
1-3:00 p.m. Main House/Training Centre tours: Take time to pray at Our Lady of Combermere and The Island Chapel & Catherine’s cabin. MH Gift Shop, Book Shop & Pioneer Museum will be open. See St. Raphael’s Handicraft Center and Outdoor Kiln.
3-9:00 p.m. St. Mary’s (2768 Dafoe Road): Tea Time/Activities for families, adoration & benediction
6:00 p.m. Picnic Supper: Every family should bring a picnic supper (no grilling). Madonna House is providing dessert.
6-9:00 p.m. Bonfire/Music/Visiting.
Another way you can join in our celebration is to watch for photos and videos posted at: www.madonnahouse.org/75th
OTHER
Rethinking Aging
Change the way you think about aging: change the way you age! Funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program, the Rethinking Aging Workshop Series is being made available to all Ontarians 55+ living independently in their communities. Seniors’ associations, community centres, libraries and faith-based organizations across Ontario will be able to offer the 6-part online workshop series for FREE as part of their older adult programming. Fall 2022 registration opens August 1st for all six start dates. To register, or for more information, please email RethinkingAgingNow@gmail.com.
Graduate Diploma in Catholic Studies
Assumption University in Windsor, Ontario is launching a new online Graduate Diploma in Catholic Studies. This diploma is considered a hiring asset by seven Catholic boards in Ontario. It would also be of interest to those working in pastoral ministry, and supported by Bishop Fabbro. Deadline for Fall 2022 admission is August 15, 2022. Application forms are available at https://assumptionu.ca/diploma-in-catholic-studies/. For more information, please contact Dr. John Cappucci, Principal and Graduate Chair at jcappucci@assumptionu.ca.
A Message from CNEWA (Catholic Near East Welfare Association
The situation on the ground in conflict-torn Ethiopia continues to be complex and fragile. It is nothing short of a story that is heartbreaking and life-threatening. (Read full message here)
The Discalced Carmelite Secular Order
Would you be interested in discerning a secular (lay) vocation? Are you spiritually attracted to St. Therese of Lisieux or St. Teresa of Avila? Our group (not a prayer group) meets monthly at St. Andrews Parish, Killaloe, ON. For more information, please call Mila at 613 754-5275.
Why Should You Get Your Baby Baptized? 7 Important Reasons
Check out this article, as suggested by Fr. Joseph O’Malley, here.