Wednesday Weekly August 14, 2013 Print Version

1.     Please pray for …

Please put the following notice in parish bulletins:

We have received notice from the Oblates that Father Thomas Magusin, OMI, has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Father Tom originally entered the Oblates from this diocese and served here for many years, even after retirement when he came back to the diocese to provide replacement ministry. Please keep him in your prayers.

2.     Northern Catholic News

The Northern Catholic News is looking for articles from our parishes and schools to publish in its Fall edition. Did your parish celebrate a special occasion or give an award over the summer? Please let us know about it! Did you have a guest speaker or presentation that would be of interest to other parishioners? Please let us 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 August 23, 2013.

3.     Farewell

After six years of ministry to the people of Fort St. James and area, Sr. Patricia Macaulay left the Diocese of Prince George on July 31, 2013. We are very grateful for her years of dedicated service and wish her well on her sabbatical year and as she continues to respond to God’s call to love and serve.

4.     Youth and Young Adult Ministry Coordinator

Parishes are asked to put the following notice in bulletins:

We welcome Eunice Hii as the new Diocesan Youth and Young Adult Ministry Coordinator, effective September 3rd. Eunice is from Vancouver and was involved in parish youth ministry, Catholic Christian Outreach (www.cco.ca) and various campus initiatives.  She is the co-founder of “The Passion Project,” a non-profit organization that inspires students to pursue their passions by linking them with community needs (http://thepassionproj.org ). She served most recently as the Administrative Assistant to the Permanent Diaconate Program in Vancouver.  Eunice will bring to the diocese a strong faith, tremendous enthusiasm and a willingness to serve. Welcome, Eunice!

5.     40 Days for Life – September 25 – November 3

 Central Region Parishes are asked to put the following notice in bulletins:

 Did you want to participate in a powerful campaign that makes a difference in the lives of others? 40 Days for Life is a peaceful, prayerful – and proven effective – pro-life campaign that has already been embraced by more than half a million people worldwide, saved 7,536 lives from abortion, led to the conversion of 83 abortion workers, and seen 39 abortion facilities close (http://40daysforlife.com ). Recognizing that “with God, all things are possible,” from September 25^th to November 3^rd, the Prince George community is joining with hundreds of other cities for this fall’s global 40 Days for Life – the largest internationally coordinated pro-life mobilization in history.  We are currently looking for people to comprise a local campaign team.  If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Tony Donovan at tdonovan@gmail.com or leave a message at 250-612-0397.

6.     The Okanagan Fall Live-In – “Getting to Know Jesus”

 Parishes are asked to put the following notice in bulletins:

 The Okanagan Fall Live-In weekend will be held at Immaculata Regional High School in Kelowna B.C. the weekend of October 25-27, 2013. The Live-In is an experience of God’s love through Jesus and the Live-In faith community.  If you would like more information or would like to register please contact Darlene Heaney at 250-542-8690 or darleneheaney@gmail.com.

 7.     First Encyclical Letter of Pope Francis

The first encyclical letter of Pope Francis, Lumen Fidei (The Light of Faith), is addressed to bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated persons and the lay faithful. In the introduction, the Holy Father explains: “In God’s gift of faith, a supernatural infused virtue, we realize that a great love has been offered us, a good word has been spoken to us, and that when we welcome that word, Jesus Christ the Word made flesh, the Holy Spirit transforms us, lights up our way to the future and enables us joyfully to advance along that way on wings of hope.” The preliminary draft of this encyclical had almost been completed by Benedict XVI when he was still pope, but Pope Francis has added his own “further contributions” to the initial draft. Printed copies of the Encyclical Letter will be available from CCCB Publications in early September and can be pre-ordered by mail (2500 Don Reid Drive, Ottawa, ON NK1H 2J2), electronically at https://esubmitit.sjpg.com/cccb/index.aspx?component=ProductDetails&id=184-855 or by telephone (613-241-9461 ext. 225). This encyclical can also be found on the Vatican website, www.vatican.va; click on “Pope Francis” and then “Encyclicals”.

Wednesday Weekly July 10, 2013 Print Version

1.  Payroll Services

 Please try to submit your timesheets to Payroll by Friday this week.  Thanks.

2.  Diocesan Office Closure

The Diocesan Centre will be closed for four weeks again this summer. The last day of normal office hours is Friday, July 12^th and we will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, August 12^th. The Finance Office will remain open with adjusted hours during those weeks. If you need to contact someone in the Finance Office please leave a telephone message or send an email to John Phillips, Lynn Monteith or Catherine Cosh. They will get back to you as soon as they can.

3.  Monthly Day of Adoration – August

Emmanuel Hermitage invites you to a Personal Date with Jesus on August 13 in the Domano Chapel (at the Domano Renewal Centre, 6500 Southridge Ave.). 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 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.

4.  Camp Morice Young Adult Retreat

 Please put the following reminder from Gerry Chidiac regarding the Young Adult Retreat at Camp Morice, in parish bulletins:

HERE I AM LORD:  Responding to God’s call to serve in our modern world:  Youth 19 years of age and older are invited to attend a Young Adult Retreat weekend at Camp Morice on August 23-25. Gerry and Erica Chidiac will lead a team in examining the blessings and the challenges of serving God in the modern world.  The retreat format will contain personal testimonials from adult Catholics, followed by small group and open discussion around the topics of personal growth, career choices, marriage, and spirituality.   Of course there will also be time to swim, play games, and enjoy Christian fellowship. For more information and to register, see their website at: www.campmorice.com

Wednesday Weekly July 3, 2013 Print Version

1.      WCB Report

Please report Second quarter WorkSafeBC (WCB) payments made to individuals (including replacement ministry personnel) and to contractors who are not registered with WCB, to the Diocesan Payroll Services by July 12, 2013.

Wednesday Weekly June 26, 2013 Print Version

1.      Diocesan Centre closure

Please note

Long weekend: The Diocesan Centre will close at noon on Friday, June 28^th and open again after the long weekend on Tuesday, July 2^nd at 8:30 a.m.

Summer closure: Friday, July 12^th is the last working day before the summer closure; the office will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, August 12^th.

 2.      Diocesan Centre staff changes

If you are in the Diocesan Centre during the first week of July, please introduce yourself to our new receptionist, Esperanza Vezina. Her first day in the office is Tuesday, July 2^nd. At that time the current receptionist, Lisa Weber, will begin as secretary to Bishop Jensen and Mary-Anne Lewis Jamin will begin as vice chancellor. Please note the following email address changes:

Mary-Anne Lewis Jamin: majamin@pgdiocese.bc.ca

Lisa Weber: lisa@pgdiocese.bc.ca

 3.      Emergency Campaign for Syria

Attached is a letter from Archbishop Richard Smith, President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, regarding the situation in Syria. Please insert this letter and/or print the following notice in parish bulletins:

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace are launching a joint campaign to raise emergency aid for Syrian refugees. The revenues collected will assist the extensive work in the Middle East by Catholic charities and development agencies, particularly Caritas Internationalis. This special joint emergency campaign for Syria begins Sunday, June 30^th and will continue throughout the summer. It will culminate with a day of prayer and fasting for the people of Syria and all the Middle East on Saturday, September 14^th, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. In a letter addressed to Catholics in Canada, Archbishop Richard Smith, President of the CCCB, together with Pope Francis and all the Bishops of Canada, invites Catholics to be in solidarity with the people of Syria in their many sufferings from war, violence and displacement. All donations to the special campaign should be sent by September 14^th to Development and Peace, 1425 Rene-Levesque Blvd West, 3^rd Floor, Montreal, QC H3G 1T7.

CCCB letter re Syria

4.      Monthly Day of Adoration

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

Emmanuel Hermitage invites you to a Personal Date with Jesus on July 9 in the Domano Chapel (at the Domano Renewal Centre, 6500 Southridge Ave.). 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 the month (including August 13), for our Personal Date with Jesus days.

 5.      Christ the King Vocation Live-In

Please put the attached poster on parish bulletin boards and the following notice in parish bulletins:

The Seminary of Christ the King in Mission, BC will host a Live-in for young men discerning a vocation to the priesthood or religious life on July 5-7. The Live-in is open to anyone thinking of entering the seminary within the next few years and provides an opportunity to become acquainted with other young men pursuing this vocation. For further information visit their website, www.sck.ca, or contact:

Father Mark Dumont, OSB
Seminary of Christ the King
PO Box 3310
Mission BC V2V 4J5
Tel: 604-826-8975
Fax: 604-826-8725

Vocation Weekend Christ the King Seminary

Wednesday Weekly June 19, 2013 Print Version

1.      St. Joseph inserted in Eucharistic prayers

The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has communicated a decree instructing that from today the name of St. Joseph should be inserted in Eucharistic prayers II, III and IV after the mention of Mary (the first Eucharistic prayer, the Roman canon, already has St. Joseph’s name in it). As indicated in the decree, the English form should be “with blessed Joseph, her Spouse.” This announcement so close to Canada Day reminds us that St. Joseph, the guardian of the Holy Family and patron of the universal Church, is also the principal patron of our country. As we invoke him in every Mass, let us ask for his powerful intercession for our Church and nation. With prayerful best wishes, + Stephen Jensen

 2.      Renaming of Garden Park

Parishes in the Central Region are asked to put the following notice in bulletins:

 At 10 a.m. on Friday, July 26^th, the City of Prince George will honor the late Elroy Garden for years of service on city council and to various organizations in Prince George by re-dedicating the already-named Garden Park in the Seymour subdivision with the new name, “Elroy Garden Park”. Garden Drive will also now apply to Elroy, but will remain as Garden Drive. An official unveiling of the new sign as well as the unveiling of a commemorative plaque explaining his service will take place during the ceremony. Please join family and friends for this commemorative celebration. Father John Garden expresses his gratitude for the love, kindness, humor, faith and friendship shared with his father over the years; may God bless Elroy for his commitment to faith, family and service.

 3.      Auto Insurance

Auto Insurance expires on June 30, 2013. The new insurance papers and stickers will be sent out soon. In order to reduce postage expense, please contact Lynn Monteith at lynn-monteith@pgdiocese.bc.ca if you can pick up from the Diocesan Office in Prince George before the end of June or can collect from the Bishop at Father Terry Brock’s Anniversary celebrations in Terrace.

 4.      Diocesan Annual Appeal Dates

The Diocesan Annual Appeal dates for 2013 and 2014 are provided in the attached document below. This is a reminder of the schedule. The current appeal year ends August 31, 2013.

Appeal Dates 2012-2014

Wednesday Weekly June 12, 2013 Print Version

1.      Property Taxes

Parish property tax forms have been mailed out. Please let Lisa know if your parish has not received them by Friday, June 21^st (250-964-4424 or reception@pgdiocese.bc.ca). Most taxes are due by July 2^nd.

 2.      Auto Insurance

Auto Insurance expires on June 30, 2013. The new papers and stickers will be sent out shortly.

 3.      Courier needed

Joe Glaab is leading a Grade 7 retreat at Notre Dame School in Dawson Creek. If anyone is travelling from Prince George to Dawson Creek before June 21 and could take two large plastic bins with them, he would be very grateful. Please contact Lisa at the Diocesan Centre (250-964-4424) if you are able to help out.

 4.      Employment posting

Notre Dame School in Dawson Creek is seeking a full time teacher. The deadline for applications is June 21, 2013. Please see the attached ad for further information.

Full-Time ESL-Fine Arts-Music Teacher May 2013

Wednesday Weekly June 5, 2013 Print Version

1.      Pastoral Appointments

Bishop Stephen Jensen announces the following pastoral assignments, effective August 1, 2013:

• Fr. Rene Antonio as Administrator of St. Peter’s Parish, Mackenzie, with part-time ministry at Sacred Heart Cathedral
• Fr. Piotr Dudek, OMI as Pastor of St. Mary’s Parish, Prince George (upon presentation by his religious superior)
• Fr. Louis Kwena as Pastor of Notre Dame Parish, Dawson Creek
• Fr. Christopher Lynch as Pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish, Prince George
• Fr. Alvin Matias as Administrator of Our Lady of Peace Parish, Chetwynd
• Fr. Venerando Sabacan as Pastor of Church of the Resurrection, Fort St. John
• Fr. Thomas Shymko as Pastor of Immaculata Parish, Burns Lake

Among the diocesan priests who have been given new assignments this summer, two are relatively new: Frs. Rene Antonio and Alvin Matias are newly ordained, and two are returning:  Fr. Louis Kwena from a sabbatical leave and Fr. Christopher Lynch from temporary service elsewhere.

 2.      Priests Leaving the Diocese

Three priests from Nigeria, who have been serving here by arrangement with their own Bishop, will be returning to their home diocese this summer: Frs. Michael Anyasoro, Udoka Christopher Nwosu and Albanus Ogowuihe. Our thanks go to them for their generosity in sharing their priestly ministry with the parishes of the diocese.

 3.      Sr. Mary-Ann Bates, RSCJ retires

After 22 years of ministry at the Diocesan Office in Prince George, Mary-Ann Bates, RSCJ will retire from her position as Diocesan Director of Catechetics, effective August 31, 2013. We are very grateful to Sr. Mary-Ann for her many years of service and wish her well as she continues on the journey in new ways. Mary-Ann and Sally McLean, RSCJ will continue to reside in Prince George.

4.      Venue Change for three-school Mass

Due to the soggy grass and creepy, crawling caterpillars, who have taken over Fort George Park, the three Catholic schools in Prince George have decided to MOVE the Mass in the park to Mass in the Cathedral on Thursday, June 6 at 9:30 a.m. Please pass the message on to those who would be attending in your communities. To schools: please do not bring your banners, as we won’t have the space or place to hang them. Please inform your classes we will have pews marked and we will have ‘Sacred Heart Hospitality’ in full force to help you find your pews.

 5.      Rose Prince Pilgrimage

Please put the following notice in parish bulletins each weekend in June:

The Annual Rose Prince Pilgrimage will be held July 5-7, 2013 at Lejac. Sr. Kateri Michell, SSA will be the guest speaker. The weekend begins with an opening prayer at 7 p.m. Friday and concludes with lunch at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Along with presentations/sharing by Sr. Kateri, there will be prayer services, Stations of the Cross, a Healing Mass, the Living Rosary and a Candlelight Procession. Bishop Stephen Jensen will preside at Mass on Sunday. For more information contact Father Vincent James, OMI at St. Andrew’s Parish, Fraser Lake (250)699-6593 or see the schedule on the diocesan website.

 6.      CCCB President writes to Prime Minister re: G8 Summit

Two weeks before the upcoming G8 Summit in the United Kingdom, the Most Rev. Richard Smith, President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), has written to the Prime Minister of Canada inviting him and all the leaders of the G8 nations to put the protection of the poor and assistance to developing countries at the center of their meeting. “Your focus on agriculture and nutrition ahead of the G8 Meeting is timely,” the letter states. “In a world that has made great strides in improving food production and distribution, far too many of God’s children still go to bed hungry or suffer from a lack of nutrition, a tragedy that has lifelong consequences for health and educational achievement.” See the document for the complete text of the letter.

Letter from National Conferences of Catholic Bishops to the Leaders of the G8 Nations