DIOCESAN WORKSHOPS & EVENTS
December 2023
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. The Diocese of Hamilton is also pleased to offer a special certification program in Youth Ministry and Catechesis. 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 .
Mount Mary Immaculate Retreat Centre – Mount Mary Immaculate Retreat Centre would like to welcome any groups or individuals looking to book a retreat experience. With a large Chapel and acres of untouched green space Mount Mary is an ideal location for anyone seeking a space for a retreat. For more information and to book your retreat please visit www.mountmary.ca.
Advent Resource for Teens
The Office of Youth Ministry is pleased to announce the release of the 2023 Advent Resource, “Shine Your Light”. This resource has been developed for youth aged 13-16 in mind. The resource is an interactive journal, inspiring prayerful reflection on the Sunday Gospels, in addition to suggestions for living out the Advent Season. Special links and videos are included to help teens meditate on the weekly themes. You are invited to share this resource with the teens of your school communities. The resource is located here : https://tinyurl.com/2s3h2ejs
Vocations Mass and Young Adults Night – January 5th – Hamilton
The Serra Club of Hamilton invites all parishioners to attend a Mass for vocations at 6:00pm. Following the Mass, Fr. Mark Morley invites young adults to attend a night of Adoration, fellowship and praise music in celebration of the Christmas Season. The Young Adults Night includes a Holy Hour (6:30pm-7:30 pm), social with food (7:30pm-8:30pm), praise night and vocations talk (8:00pm-9:00pm), and Compline (9:00pm) on Friday, January 5th at Annunciation of Our Lord (280 Limeridge Rd W, Hamilton, ON L9C 2V2). Co-sponsored by the Serra Club of Hamilton and the Vocations Office of the Diocese of Hamilton. For more information, please contact: vocations@hamiltondiocese.com
Struggling After an Abortion?
Either your own, or someone else’s? Do you feel alone, emotional, or angry? Project Rachel is available to help. This confidential service allows people to work through their feelings on an individual basis, with a trained counsellor, to find hope and healing. Please contact us at 905-526-1999 or toll free at 1-888-385-3850.
Advent Prayer Night for Youth Ministers and Volunteers
All adults who minister to young people in the Diocese of Hamilton are invited to an evening of prayer and fellowship. Join us on Wednesday, December 13th at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Freelton for our Advent gathering. For more information and registration, email youthministry@hamiltondiocese.com .
XXXVIII World Youth Day 2023: “Rejoicing in Hope”
The Church celebrates World Youth Day on Feast of Christ the King each year. This year’s theme is “Rejoicing in Hope” (Rom 12:12). In today’s difficult times, the Church wishes to rekindle hope in the world. To do this, she relies especially on young people, who are the leading figures of history and “missionaries of joy”. In the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Christus Vivit, Pope Francis wrote that Christ is “our hope and in a wonderful way he brings youth to our world”. Pope Francis invites young people to deepen their understanding of Christian hope and to witness joyfully that Christ is alive. Let us celebrate the hope the young people bring to our communities!
INTERPRETERS NEEDED
Do you speak Arabic (Modern Standard Arabic or Colloquial (Ammiya) Arabic of Iraq), Blin (Bilen), Cantonese, Croatian, Hausa, Igbo, Korean, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai, Tigre, Tigrinya, Vietnamese, Yoruba, or Zulu? Our diocesan marriage tribunal needs your help. In some marriage annulment cases, witnesses prefer to speak these languages when they give their formal testimony. Would you like to serve as an interpreter? To find out more, please contact Mrs. Lori Lewis at tribunal@hamiltondiocese.com. Thank you.
Young Adults Night – December 2nd – Durham
Fr. Mark Morley invites all young adults (ages 20s and early 30s) of our diocese to attend a night of Adoration, Fellowship and Praise Music. Arrival and Holy Hour (7:00pm-8:00pm), Social with Food (8:00pm-8:30pm), Praise Night and Vocation Testimony (8:30pm-9:30pm), and Compline (9:30pm) on Saturday, December 2nd at St. Peter and the Missions Church (850 Garafraxa Street North, Durham, Ontario). Sponsored by the Vocations Office of the Diocese of Hamilton. For more information, please contact: vocations@hamiltondiocese.com
Coping with the Holidays…When you have Lost a Loved One
Join us for an afternoon of reflection and strategies on coping at Christmas. The session will be facilitated by Mrs. Teresa Hartnett, Director of Family Ministry. The gathering will be held at the Diocesan Chancery Office, 700 King St. West in Hamilton, on Sunday, December 3rd, 2023 from 1:30 – 3:00 pm. You are welcome to join the session in person or by zoom. The event is FREE of charge. Please call Sarah to reserve a seat, or to receive the zoom link: 905-528-7988 ext. 2249 or register online at https://hamiltondiocese.com/office/pastoral-offices/family-ministry/healing-and-or-counselling/coping-with-the-holidays/ (You must register to join by zoom; in person you can also walk in the day of the event.)
Save the Date: 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 will be available online in December at www.hamiltondiocese.com
Grief Relief
Has someone you cared about died? Are you grieving the loss of the person’s presence in your life? Are you looking for relief from the feelings associated with the loss of this loved one? Are you wondering if your feelings are normal? You are not alone! The Diocese of Hamilton will offer a six week grief program starting January 17, 2024. The sessions are held from 1:30-3:00pm at the Chancery Office at 700 King St. West. You are welcome to join in person or by zoom. To register go to hamiltondiocese.com and look for the start date under upcoming events.
RESTART: Refresh, Renew, Revive
Join us for learning, support and fun on a Friday evening. 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. Please contact Sarah at familyministry@hamiltondiocese.com, or 905-528-7988 ext. 2249 if you plan to attend in person and for the zoom link if joining online. We look forward to seeing you!
SEPARATED / DIVORCED SUPPORT GROUP WATERLOO
Life changes are never easy. After a separation or divorce, you may be feeling isolated or need of support and healing to adjust to your new life? Come together with others to realize there is a ‘second act’. Join us on the 3rd Tuesday of every month - 7:30-8:30 pm – next two sessions are November 21, and December 19, 2023. Feel free to come early and join our Parish in prayer - 7:00pm Mass. We will meet in the Parish Centre (basement) of St. Michael Parish, Waterloo at 7:30pm. To register: Phone 519-884-9311, or Email: parish@stmichaelw.ca
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. The Diocese of Hamilton is also pleased to offer a special certification program in Youth Ministry and Catechesis. 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 .
Mount Mary Immaculate Retreat Centre – Mount Mary Immaculate Retreat Centre would like to welcome any groups or individuals looking to book a retreat experience. With a large Chapel and acres of untouched green space Mount Mary is an ideal location for anyone seeking a space for a retreat. For more information and to book your retreat please visit www.mountmary.ca.
Advent Resource for Teens
The Office of Youth Ministry is pleased to announce the release of the 2023 Advent Resource, “Shine Your Light”. This resource has been developed for youth aged 13-16 in mind. The resource is an interactive journal, inspiring prayerful reflection on the Sunday Gospels, in addition to suggestions for living out the Advent Season. Special links and videos are included to help teens meditate on the weekly themes. You are invited to share this resource with the teens of your school communities. The resource is located here : https://tinyurl.com/2s3h2ejs
Vocations Mass and Young Adults Night – January 5th – Hamilton
The Serra Club of Hamilton invites all parishioners to attend a Mass for vocations at 6:00pm. Following the Mass, Fr. Mark Morley invites young adults to attend a night of Adoration, fellowship and praise music in celebration of the Christmas Season. The Young Adults Night includes a Holy Hour (6:30pm-7:30 pm), social with food (7:30pm-8:30pm), praise night and vocations talk (8:00pm-9:00pm), and Compline (9:00pm) on Friday, January 5th at Annunciation of Our Lord (280 Limeridge Rd W, Hamilton, ON L9C 2V2). Co-sponsored by the Serra Club of Hamilton and the Vocations Office of the Diocese of Hamilton. For more information, please contact: vocations@hamiltondiocese.com
Struggling After an Abortion?
Either your own, or someone else’s? Do you feel alone, emotional, or angry? Project Rachel is available to help. This confidential service allows people to work through their feelings on an individual basis, with a trained counsellor, to find hope and healing. Please contact us at 905-526-1999 or toll free at 1-888-385-3850.
Advent Prayer Night for Youth Ministers and Volunteers
All adults who minister to young people in the Diocese of Hamilton are invited to an evening of prayer and fellowship. Join us on Wednesday, December 13th at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Freelton for our Advent gathering. For more information and registration, email youthministry@hamiltondiocese.com .
XXXVIII World Youth Day 2023: “Rejoicing in Hope”
The Church celebrates World Youth Day on Feast of Christ the King each year. This year’s theme is “Rejoicing in Hope” (Rom 12:12). In today’s difficult times, the Church wishes to rekindle hope in the world. To do this, she relies especially on young people, who are the leading figures of history and “missionaries of joy”. In the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Christus Vivit, Pope Francis wrote that Christ is “our hope and in a wonderful way he brings youth to our world”. Pope Francis invites young people to deepen their understanding of Christian hope and to witness joyfully that Christ is alive. Let us celebrate the hope the young people bring to our communities!
INTERPRETERS NEEDED
Do you speak Arabic (Modern Standard Arabic or Colloquial (Ammiya) Arabic of Iraq), Blin (Bilen), Cantonese, Croatian, Hausa, Igbo, Korean, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai, Tigre, Tigrinya, Vietnamese, Yoruba, or Zulu? Our diocesan marriage tribunal needs your help. In some marriage annulment cases, witnesses prefer to speak these languages when they give their formal testimony. Would you like to serve as an interpreter? To find out more, please contact Mrs. Lori Lewis at tribunal@hamiltondiocese.com. Thank you.
Young Adults Night – December 2nd – Durham
Fr. Mark Morley invites all young adults (ages 20s and early 30s) of our diocese to attend a night of Adoration, Fellowship and Praise Music. Arrival and Holy Hour (7:00pm-8:00pm), Social with Food (8:00pm-8:30pm), Praise Night and Vocation Testimony (8:30pm-9:30pm), and Compline (9:30pm) on Saturday, December 2nd at St. Peter and the Missions Church (850 Garafraxa Street North, Durham, Ontario). Sponsored by the Vocations Office of the Diocese of Hamilton. For more information, please contact: vocations@hamiltondiocese.com
Coping with the Holidays…When you have Lost a Loved One
Join us for an afternoon of reflection and strategies on coping at Christmas. The session will be facilitated by Mrs. Teresa Hartnett, Director of Family Ministry. The gathering will be held at the Diocesan Chancery Office, 700 King St. West in Hamilton, on Sunday, December 3rd, 2023 from 1:30 – 3:00 pm. You are welcome to join the session in person or by zoom. The event is FREE of charge. Please call Sarah to reserve a seat, or to receive the zoom link: 905-528-7988 ext. 2249 or register online at https://hamiltondiocese.com/office/pastoral-offices/family-ministry/healing-and-or-counselling/coping-with-the-holidays/ (You must register to join by zoom; in person you can also walk in the day of the event.)
Save the Date: 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 will be available online in December at www.hamiltondiocese.com
Grief Relief
Has someone you cared about died? Are you grieving the loss of the person’s presence in your life? Are you looking for relief from the feelings associated with the loss of this loved one? Are you wondering if your feelings are normal? You are not alone! The Diocese of Hamilton will offer a six week grief program starting January 17, 2024. The sessions are held from 1:30-3:00pm at the Chancery Office at 700 King St. West. You are welcome to join in person or by zoom. To register go to hamiltondiocese.com and look for the start date under upcoming events.
RESTART: Refresh, Renew, Revive
Join us for learning, support and fun on a Friday evening. 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. Please contact Sarah at familyministry@hamiltondiocese.com, or 905-528-7988 ext. 2249 if you plan to attend in person and for the zoom link if joining online. We look forward to seeing you!
SEPARATED / DIVORCED SUPPORT GROUP WATERLOO
Life changes are never easy. After a separation or divorce, you may be feeling isolated or need of support and healing to adjust to your new life? Come together with others to realize there is a ‘second act’. Join us on the 3rd Tuesday of every month - 7:30-8:30 pm – next two sessions are November 21, and December 19, 2023. Feel free to come early and join our Parish in prayer - 7:00pm Mass. We will meet in the Parish Centre (basement) of St. Michael Parish, Waterloo at 7:30pm. To register: Phone 519-884-9311, or Email: parish@stmichaelw.ca
synod of bishops 2023
Pope Francis recently announced that the next Synod of Bishops will take place in October 2023. The Theme of the Synod is: For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission. For the first time, the meeting will be the culmination of a “three-year path” involving all of the People of God at every level of the Church. This “path” is a process rather than an event, which Pope Francis will solemnly inaugurate this October 9-10, is meant to be a manifestation of “synodality) which is a form that realizes the participation of all the people of God in mission.
The synodal path will take place in three phases. The first phase (October 2021to April 2022) begins on October 17th under the leadership of the Bishop in each Diocese. This stage is conceived as a broad consultation with the People of God in each Diocese. The second phase (September 2022 to March 2023) is the “continental” phase. This will involve the fruit of deliberations on each Continent. For example, Canada and the United States of America will collate their responses to the questions posed by the Holy See and submit them to the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops in Rome by March 2023. The final phase of the Synod will take place in October 2023 with the celebration of the Assembly of Bishops in Rome.
In the Diocese of Hamilton, a Committee has been established to guide the Diocesan Phase of the Synodal Process. Information will be sent to the Parishes in late October and the parishioners in the Diocese of Hamilton will have an opportunity to respond to the questions to be considered by the Synod. The actual consultation will take place beginning in November and conclude by mid-December, so that our Diocesan Report can be prepared and sent to the Ontario Assembly of Catholic Bishops to be included in the Canadian report. We pray for the success of this unique and historic synodal process:
We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in your name.
With you alone to guide us, make yourself at home in our hearts;
Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in you our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life
and not stray from the way of the truth and what is right.
All this we ask of you, who are at work in every place and time,
in the communion of the Father and the Son,
for ever and ever. Amen.
The synodal path will take place in three phases. The first phase (October 2021to April 2022) begins on October 17th under the leadership of the Bishop in each Diocese. This stage is conceived as a broad consultation with the People of God in each Diocese. The second phase (September 2022 to March 2023) is the “continental” phase. This will involve the fruit of deliberations on each Continent. For example, Canada and the United States of America will collate their responses to the questions posed by the Holy See and submit them to the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops in Rome by March 2023. The final phase of the Synod will take place in October 2023 with the celebration of the Assembly of Bishops in Rome.
In the Diocese of Hamilton, a Committee has been established to guide the Diocesan Phase of the Synodal Process. Information will be sent to the Parishes in late October and the parishioners in the Diocese of Hamilton will have an opportunity to respond to the questions to be considered by the Synod. The actual consultation will take place beginning in November and conclude by mid-December, so that our Diocesan Report can be prepared and sent to the Ontario Assembly of Catholic Bishops to be included in the Canadian report. We pray for the success of this unique and historic synodal process:
We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in your name.
With you alone to guide us, make yourself at home in our hearts;
Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in you our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life
and not stray from the way of the truth and what is right.
All this we ask of you, who are at work in every place and time,
in the communion of the Father and the Son,
for ever and ever. Amen.