Wednesday Weekly March 12, 2014 Print Version

1.      DYC 2014, Catching Fire

Schools and Parishes are asked to post the attached poster and place the following information in parish bulletins:

The 19TH ANNUAL DYC: CATCHING FIRE is happening April 25-27 and REGISTRATION is now open! DYC is a weekend diocesan youth conference for Grades 7-12 held at the Diocesan Center in Prince George. For travellers, participants will be offered accommodation with homestays. Secure your place at this dynamic conference by registering today. EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION ends April 1, 2014 and costs $35/participant. After April 1, registration costs $50.

2.      Employment Opportunity – CISPG

Sacred Heart School in Prince George is seeking a Temporary Part-Time French Teacher commencing May 1, 2014. The deadline for applications is March 28th, 2014. Please see the attached ad for further information.

Temporary 40 French Teacher March 2014

3.      Religious Education Trust

The Religious Education Trust provides funding to support and encourage initiatives for religious education in our diocese. The closing date for submission of applications for the next distribution of funds is April 7, 2014.  A copy of the Application Form is attached. Forms can be sent to Lynn Monteith via email: lynn-monteith@pgdiocese.bc.ca or fax: (250)964-2101 or mailed to the address on the form.

RET Application – Oct-11

4.      Chrism Mass, April 7, 2014

The Mass of Chrism will be celebrated at 7 pm on Monday, April 7th at Sacred Heart Cathedral.  In this diocesan celebration, the Holy Oils and Chrism used in the Sacraments are blessed and consecrated and the priests renew their commitment to serve the Church.

Parishes are invited to send two representatives to accompany their pastor to the Mass of Chrism and to a dinner beforehand at 5:00 pm in Sacred Heart cathedral’s lower hall. Please contact Jennifer Foster, the cathedral secretary, before April 4th by telephone at (250)564-5225 or by email at shcath@shawcable.com to confirm your parish’s attendees.

5.      Chrism Mass Oils Set Confirmation

To help with planning for the Chrism Mass, all parishes and missions are asked to look over the list on the following page to confirm their sets of oils for this year. Please contact Jennifer at Sacred Heart Cathedral (shcath@shawcable.com or (250)564-5225) by March 28th to confirm or indicate required changes. Thanks!

Wednesday Weekly March 5, 2014 Print Version

1.      40 Days for Life, March 5 – April 13, 2014

40 Days for Life is a focused pro-life campaign with a vision to access God’s power through prayer, fasting, and peaceful vigil to end abortion. Campaigns will be taking place in two communities in the Diocese: Prince George and Terrace.  To view the vigil schedule, location and to get the latest updates, please contact the local organizer or visit their website:

PG: Tony Donovan, tdonovan@gmail.com; http://40daysforlife.com/princegeorge.html

Terrace: Ryan Gillam; rdjgillam@gmail.com; http://40daysforlife.com/terrace.html

 Please add to parish bulletins in the Central Region:

Prince George 40 Days for Life Campaign Update
Prince George’s first 40 Days for Life officially started March 5 at 12:00am!  There were 14 people in attendance to brave the -18 degree cold. We had a surprise visit from Bishop Jensen!  Father Pier and Bishop Jensen led us in prayer and gave us a great start to 40 Days for Life!  The campaign is from March 5 – April 13th.  We are holding the Vigil from 6am to 11pm each day.  We have many spaces filled but we could use a lot more participants!  It’s lonely out there at times! Let’s all show Prince George that we have respect for all life.
God bless you all and keep us in your prayers, Tony Donovan
P.S.  Joe Haddock was our first volunteer for the Vigil.  He stood for 3 hours in -23 degree weather!  Very impressive Joe.

2.      Diocesan Summit, April 26, 2014 – Whatsoever You Do…

A Diocesan Summit is being held on April 26, 2014 in conjunction with the Diocesan Youth Conference for all involved in efforts to defend life and promote the development of every person. The title of the half-day event is “Whatsoever you do…” – a reference to Our Lord’s parable in Matthew 25 about the need to see each person as His brother or sister. Invitations from the Bishop have been mailed to diocesan organizations who may wish to set up a table at the Conference.  Parishes are asked to post the attached poster and invitation and place the information in parish bulletins.  Thank you!

Diocesan Summit Poster

Diocesan Summit Invitation

3.      Chrism Mass, April 7, 2014

 Please mark your calendar: the Mass of Chrism will take place on Monday, April 7th, 7pm at Sacred Heart Cathedral.  More information will be sent to parishes next week.

Wednesday Weekly February 26, 2014 Print Version

1.      Seminary Live-In for Men, April 4-6, 2014:

Please put the following notice in parish bulletins:

The next Vocation “Live-in” for Men will take place April 4-6, 2014 at the Seminary of Christ the King, Mission, BC.  A Vocation Live-In is an opportunity for young men ages Grade 10 and up to meet other young men searching for God’s will. During the weekend there are times for community prayer, daily mass and rosary, sports, discussion groups, and a tour of the seminary. For more information, call Fr. Terry Brock at 250-635-2313.

2.      World Day of Prayer 2014

Please put the following notice in parish bulletins in the Central Region:

A World Day of Prayer interdenominational service will be held in Prince George at Sacred Heart Cathedral on Friday, March 7^th at 7:00 pm. The origins of the World Day of Prayer date back to the 19th century when Christian women initiated a variety of activities in support of women’s involvement in mission at home and in other parts of the world. For 2014, a committee of Egyptian laywomen prayerfully chose the theme, “Streams in the Desert”. Water, as with many places in the world is a central theme of the future for Egypt.  For more information about the Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada and further resources on the 2014 World Day of Prayer, please visit: http://www.wicc.org/world-day-of-prayer/2014-egypt/

3.      Shepherd’s Corner News

Please put the following notice in parish bulletins in the Central Region:

Sr. Jude Van Baalen, OP has been appointed Coordinator of Shepherd’s Corner. We give thanks to Roseann Lalonde, who was the interim Coordinator following Sr. Jean Marie Lehtinen’s departure last year. Roseann is retiring from administration and will be missed by all.  Thank you to Sr. Jude for taking on this responsibility.

Shepherd’s Corner is always in need of more volunteers to help run the centre. Volunteers are a welcoming presence at the Corner to assure that the guests have a safe place to find a listening ear, someone to care and to journey with them for a few hours during the day. If you are interested in learning more about being a Shepherd’s Corner volunteer, you are invited to call 250-562-9330 or drop by 1204-2 Avenue between 10 am and 1 pm weekdays.  Thank you!

4.      Domano Renewal Centre Calendar – March

The March At a Glance newsletter for the Domano Renewal Centre is attached.  Check out their Lenten programs for March and April.  All Domano Renewal Centre events can be viewed on the Diocesan Calendar found on the Diocese website at:  https://www.pgdiocese.bc.ca/news-events/diocesan-calendar/

 March at a Glance

5.      Lenten Message

Please find attached the Holy Father’s Message for Lent 2014 whose theme is “He became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich (cf. 2 Cor 8:9).  During the Lenten season, the Holy Father asks us to meditate especially on the richness of the “way” of poverty that Christ offers us as the only effective means to overcome the various forms of misery that afflict humanity: material, moral and spiritual.

Holy Father – Message for Lent 2014

Wednesday Weekly February 19, 2014 Print Version

1.      St. Patrick’s Day Mass

Please put the following notice in parish bulletins in the Central Region from February 19^th to March 5th:

The annual Mass to mark the Feast of St. Patrick will take place at Sacred Heart Cathedral on Monday, March 10th, beginning at 5:30 p.m. The celebrant will be Fr. Pier Pandolfo. All are welcome to this celebration with the Celtic community of Prince George. Don’t forget to wear your green!

2.      Employment Opportunity – CIS

Notre Dame School in Dawson Creek is seeking a Temporary Full-Time Grade 3 Teacher commencing April 28th, 2014. The deadline for applications is March 14th, 2014. Please see the attached ad for further information.

 Temporary Full-Time Grade Three Teacher Notre Dame School February 2014

3.      Employment Opportunity – St. Mary’s Parish, PG

Please put the following job opportunity in parish bulletins:

St. Mary’s Parish, Prince George is looking for a Pastoral Assistant. The position requires a practicing Roman Catholic with knowledge of the church and who is experienced in theology and catechesis. Responsibilities will include religious education programs and youth ministry coordination. This is a full-time position. Remuneration includes a benefit package. Interested applicants are asked to please submit a resume with cover letter: by email to stmarys.parish@shawcable.com; or by fax to 250-562-3540; or mail to St. Mary’s Parish, 1088 Gillett Street, Prince George, BC, V2M 2V3. Attention: Fr. Piotr Dudek, OMI. Posting open until position is filled.

4.      Monthly Day of Adoration

Please put the following message in parish bulletins in the Central Region:

Emmanuel Hermitage invites you to a Personal Date with Jesus on March 11 in the Domano Chapel. Mass will be celebrated at 7:30 a.m. and the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for a day of silent prayer and adoration. We will pray especially for the people and needs of our Diocese, the universal Church, and the world. In particular we will pray for the protection of all human life, for vocations, and for the intentions of those participating in the day. Please mark your calendar on the second Tuesday of each month for Personal Dates with Jesus days.

5.      Appeal Update

Wednesday Weekly January 12, 2014 Print Version

1.      Northern Catholic News – Deadline extended

The Northern Catholic News is looking for articles from our parishes and schools to publish in its Spring edition. Did your parish or school celebrate a special occasion or event? Please let us know about it!  Did you have a guest speaker that would be of interest to other parishioners? Our readers would love to hear about it! Contact Mary-Anne Lewis Jamin at majamin@pgdiocese.bc.ca or 250-964-4424 extension 234 with your stories and pictures. The deadline for this edition has been extended to February 18th, 2014.

2.      Way of the Cross

Last year, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) invited the Commissariat of the Holy Land in Canada to arrange a special text for the Stations of the Cross in conjunction with the Year of Faith. Since 2011, the CCCB has been encouraging Canadian dioceses to promote prayer for those living in the Holy Land, and proposing that celebrations of the Way of the Cross during Lent and on Good Friday include special prayers for peace in the Holy Land. To support this effort, The Way of the Cross – Way of Faith is being redistributed by the CCCB and is attached for use by parishes.

 Way of the Cross – Way of Faith

3.      Twenty-Ninth World Youth Day Message

The next world youth day will be held in Krakow in 2016. In preparation for this event, Pope Francis has asked youth to reflect on the Beatitudes found in the Gospel of Saint Matthew (5:1-12). In 2014, young people are asked to reflect on the first Beatitude: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:3). The Message from the Holy Father for the 29^th World Youth Day is attached.

World Youth Day Message

Wednesday Weekly February 5, 2014 Print Version

 1.      St. Mary Magdalene Mission Church, Hagwilget Nation

We are pleased to announce that St. Mary Magdalene Mission Church, New Hazelton, BC will be re-opened.  In order to celebrate this happy occasion, Mass will be held at the Church on Sunday, February 16^th at 10:00 a.m. with Bishop Stephen Jensen presiding.  Parishes are asked to post the attached invitation, place the information in parish bulletins and join in if they are able.

Invitation Hagwilget

2.      Retirement – Simone Kwast

After 14 years of dedicated service at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre, Simone Kwast retired from her position as Secretary effective January 31, 2014. We wish her many blessings in this next chapter of her life.

3.      Statistical Report

Parishes are asked to please fill in the statistical information requested on the attached form and return it to Mary-Anne Lewis Jamin by February 28th. This information is needed for the Annual Rome Report. Contact Mary-Anne at (250)964-4424 extension 234 if you have any questions. Thank you.

Rome Report statistics request

4.      Prince George Crisis Pregnancy Centre

Parishes in the Central region as asked to place the following information in parish bulletins for the next three weekends (Feb 9/16/23):

Has God been whispering to you to do something important? Are you being called to a greater service? Some of the questions you may have been asking yourself: “How do I make a difference? How can I be active in my faith within the community? How can I serve with a greater purpose? Do you want to work with people who love God and hold a positive view of life? Are you ready to tackle a life changing challenge and grow in your faith and character?   Then step up and join the Board of Directors at the Prince George Crisis Pregnancy Centre. At this exciting time of new growth, we need you!  Please contact the Centre at (250) 562-4464 for more information.

5.      CCCB Cremisan Valley statement and letter

President Archbishop Paul-André Durocher has written to the Minister of Foreign Affairs concerning plans by the Government of Israel to route the country’s security wall through the Cremisan Valley. The President’s letter was also accompanied by a statement following the 2014 meeting of the Co-ordination of Episcopal Conferences in Support of the Church in the Holy Land. Both the letter and the statement requested that the Israeli Supreme Court consider the impact rerouting the security wall would have on 58 Christian families, as well as on the presence and pastoral work of a Salesian monastery and also on the educational activities of a Salesian convent. The Israeli Supreme Court has now placed an injunction on further construction work, while also asking the Israeli State Attorney to indicate why other optional routes were not considered. Further updates about the situation can be expected on the Patriarchate’s website: http://en.lpj.org/, under the section “Politics and Society”.

6.      CCCB Comment on the results of the questions in the Preparatory Document for the Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, “The pastoral challenges for the family in the context of evangelization”

As had been agreed in principle by the Permanent Council of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), and following the review and approval of the Conference’s Executive Committee, a synthesis has been prepared and sent to the Holy See of the responses of the Bishops and dioceses of Canada to the questions in the Preparatory Document for the Third Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, “The pastoral challenges for the family in the context of evangelization”.

 The extent of the consultations by the dioceses and their responses are clear evidence of the pastoral importance of this theme for this year’s Extraordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. The consultations indicate not only the importance of marriage and family life for both the Church and our society, but also the Church’s deep appreciation for the generous witness and commitment of married couples and families, especially in today’s world of rapid social change and significant economic challenges. At the same time, the process has shown many Catholics are not deeply aware of the Church’s rich and positive teaching on marriage and family. This can result in a troubling gap between the Church’s doctrine and the thinking of a number of Catholics. There are also hopes the Church could be more effective in presenting its teaching, and might also review aspects of its discipline in certain areas.

This year’s Extraordinary Synod will involve a special meeting of the Presidents of the world’s Episcopal Conferences and of the Patriarchs and Major Archbishops of the Eastern Churches. The Holy Father has already indicated this will be followed next year by a meeting of the Synod’s Ordinary Assembly, which in effect will involve a greater number of Bishops from throughout the world in further reflection on these significant questions.

The Preparatory Document notes that the purpose of its questions is to allow “the particular Churches to participate actively in the preparation of the Extraordinary Synod.” Noting that “the time available is short,” the accompanying letter from the General Secretary of the Synod, Archbishop Lorenzo Baldisseri, had asked that Conferences of Bishops follow “the most brief and practical institutional process” in providing him a synthesis of responses no later than the end of this past January. In accordance with the preparations and practice for every meeting of the Synod of Bishops, the results of the CCCB synthesis of diocesan responses are sent directly to the Holy See and not made public. Instead, the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops will later this year publish the instrumentum laboris or “discussion document” for the Third Extraordinary Assembly, which will present a summary of major concerns and suggestions from around the world. Also to assist in this, the CCCB will be forwarding to the General Secretariat the complete responses that this Conference has received not only from Canadian dioceses and Bishops, but also from various other Canadian groups and individuals.

Wednesday Weekly January 29, 2014 Print Version

1.      Youth and Young Adult Ministry News

Parishes are invited to share the following information in bulletins as appropriate for their region:

• SAVE THE DATE for DYC 2014: Catching Fire. This year’s DYC April 25-27 is open to all those from Grades 7 to 12! Ken Yasinski, president and founder of Facetoface Ministries and Lighthouse Catholic Media speaker, is our keynote and has been working to bring young people into a fuller relationship with Christ since 1999. Mark your calendars!
• The Youth Ministry Office is in need of furniture – if you have a comfortable couch/ chairs/ rug that you would like to donate to our humble youth office, please contact Diocesan youth coordinator, Eunice Hii at ehii@pgdiocese.bc.ca. This furniture will be used to accommodate bible studies and youth gatherings in the youth office.
• Young Adult News – We will be launching Catholic Christian Outreach’s faith studies next week both on/off campus. These small-group studies focus on your personal faith journey and are a great way to get to know other young Catholics in the city! All those ages 18-30 are welcome to sign up. Please email Eunice at ehii@pgdiocese.bc.ca if you are interested.
• February Summit – Our next Young Adult SUMMIT night of adoration will be Saturday, February 8 @7pm at the Domano Chapel. Mark your calendars and join us.
• HEARTS ON FIRE: Living Faith in Daily Life with the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola – a retreat event for single, young adults, ages 23-35, will be held at St. Patrick’s Parish, Vancouver, BC from March 7-8, 2014.  For details and registration, go to: apostleshipofprayer.org/heartsonfire

2.      Sacred Heart School Gala Night

Please put the following notice in parish bulletins in the Central Region:

Sacred Heart School will be hosting their 5th annual fundraising event – “Midnight in the Garden” This year’s event will take place at the Columbus Community Centre on Saturday March 1st. Tickets are on sale now for $50 per person. The evening will feature a buffet dinner and dance with live and silent auctions to be held throughout the evening. We hope you can be a part of this great evening! Please look at our website www.shspg.com for more information.

 (For those people who read the Wednesday Weekly prior to the weekend: note that early bird ticket prices of $40 per person are in effect until January 31^st!)

3.      Northern Catholic News Deadline – February 14^th

The Northern Catholic News is looking for articles from our parishes and schools to publish in its Spring edition. Did your parish or school celebrate a special occasion or event? Please let us know about it!  Did you have a guest speaker that would be of interest to other parishioners? Our readers would love to hear about it! Contact Mary-Anne Lewis Jamin at majamin@pgdiocese.bc.ca or 250-964-4424 extension 234 with your stories and pictures. The deadline for this edition is February 14^th, 2014.

4.      Northern Uganda Development Foundation AGM

Parishes in the Central region are requested to place the following notice in their bulletins:

The Annual General Meeting of the Northern Uganda Development Foundation (NUDF) will be held Thursday, February 6^th, 2014 at 6:00 pm at ArtSpace (upstairs at Books and Company). Dr. Chris Opio, President of NUDF, will address this year’s accomplishments and discuss opportunities for new volunteers. Seating is limited; please confirm your attendance by: Email: chris@nudf.org or Phone: (250)964-8997.

5.      40 Days for Life – Prince George

Parishes in Prince George are asked to post the attached invitation to join the 40 Days for Life “Cast the Vision” event on Wednesday, February 5^th and to also place the information in parish bulletins.  Thank you.

 40 Days for Life Cast the Vision Event

6.      Returning to Spirit – Spring Workshops

Returning to Spirit is a community of aboriginal and non-aboriginal people dedicated to generating reconciliation of the Indian Residential School legacy in Canada. The Returning to Spirit workshop is a three-part process that involves reflection by First Nations people in one session and by non-aboriginal people in another session, before both communities are brought together for conversation, healing and reconciliation. The focus of the workshops is to move people forward through the principles of personal empowerment. This goes beyond healing; it provides conditions for transformation in personal, family, community and organizational life! Spring sessions will be held at the Diocesan Centre, Prince George and are scheduled for:

Aboriginal Workshop – February 17-21, 2014
Non-Aboriginal Workshop – March 10-14, 2014
Reconciliation Workshop – May 12-16, 2014

For registration forms or for more information, contact the Domano Renewal Centre at (250)964-4475 or drc@pgdiocese.bc.ca

7.      Resources published by Novalis

Pope Francis decreed that Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II will be raised to Sainthood on April 27, 2014, the day on which the Church celebrates the Second Sunday of Easter and Divine Mercy. Please see the attached flyer from Novalis for printed resources in support of this special event.

 Pope John XXIII and John Paul II Canonization Resources