Wednesday Weekly September 4, 2013 Print Version

1.     New Office of Evangelization and Catechesis

The following is an update from Bishop Stephen for Diocesan personnel. (Please note a message for parishioners regarding Susan’s departure will be sent out at a later date):

 The last issue of the “Wednesday Weekly” contained an advertisement inviting applications for the position of Director of a new diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis. This new office is designed to provide support to parishes in their mission to bring the Good News of Faith to those within and beyond the parish community and help them mature in understanding and living that gift.

 Pope Paul VI said: “Evangelizing is … the grace and vocation proper to the Church, her deepest identity. She exists in order to evangelize.” Blessed John Paul II called for a “new evangelization” to share the Gospel with those who are already members of the Church and those who have not yet heard the message, an evangelization “new in its ardor, in its methods, in its expression.”

 Three years ago, Pope Benedict established a Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization, reinforcing the urgency of this task for all of us. A diocesan office will help us focus our resources and energies on this mission.  Evangelization and Catechesis represent the journey of a believer from initial conversion to a mature, well-formed faith.

 The Director of this new office will assume some of the responsibilities until now held by Sr. Mary-Ann Bates and Susan Campbell. As was previously announced, after many years of service, both of them will be leaving their positions with the diocese. As we thank them for their contributions, we want to continue to support parishes through a new structure responding to the challenge of bringing the message and life of Faith to people everywhere.

2.     Domano Renewal Centre contact information

The email address at the Domano Renewal Centre has changed to drc@pgdiocese.bc.ca.  Sr. Irene Baker CSJ recently joined the Domano Renewal Centre team and can be reached at ibaker@pgdiocese.bc.ca.  Please update your records with these changes.  Thank you!

3.     Sacred Heart Cathedral Community of Care – October Workshop

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

 Fr. Mark Miller will present a two-part workshop on Palliative Care on Saturday, October 26 at Sacred Heart Cathedral.  At the morning session, Father Mark will discuss Ethics of Palliative Care and in the afternoon will be a presentation on the Spirituality of Palliative Care.  More details to follow but please reserve the date!

 4.     Diocesan days of prayer and fasting for peace in Syria, the Middle East and throughout the world

Parishes are asked to put the following notice in bulletins:

Pope Francis has asked the whole Church to join in prayer and fasting on Saturday, September 7th for peace in Syria and the other troubled areas of the Middle East and the world. Because this news was received too late to publicize in last Sunday’s parish bulletins, the Bishops of Canada invite parishioners to make the following Saturday, September 14th an additional day for this special time of prayer and fasting.  Pastors and parishioners should try to gather on these days to “in order to ask the Lord for the great gift of peace.” This second date also coincides with the culmination of the CCCB and Development and Peace joint campaign to raise emergency aid for Syrian refugees.  All donations to this special campaign should be sent by September 14th to Development and Peace, 1425 Rene-Levesque Blvd West, 3rd Floor, Montreal, QC H3G 1T7.

 5.     Appeal News

The 2013 Diocesan Annual Appeal begins the weekend of September 14/15.  The Diocesan Annual Appeal dates for 2013 and 2014 are provided in the attached document. Appeal materials are starting to be distributed to parishes. If you will be at the Diocese office this week, please contact Esperanza Vezina, Receptionist in advance to coordinate pick up.  Any material for parishes outside of Prince George that haven’t been picked up by Friday, September 6 will be sent out by Greyhound.

Wednesday Weekly August 28, 2013 Print Version

1.     Director, Diocesan Pastoral Centre Update

The following is a note from Susan Campbell for Diocesan personnel.  A message for parishioners will be sent out at a later date:

Warm summer greetings to you:

 Many of you may know this already, but I would like to say to all that I have resigned from my position as Director of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre effective December 31, 2013. This is something that I have been discerning and planning for over two years, but wanted to give the new Bishop time to transition with a new pastoral team before finishing here. I will be moving to Quebec City in January and am enrolled in a French immersion program there. Don’t ask me what possessed me to learn French at my age (someone recently told me I was very courageous to learn a new language after the age of 30!), but it has been an interest of mine for a long time.

 I have enjoyed the 18 years of ministry in the diocese. It has been extremely challenging and rewarding. Thank you to all who have journeyed with me, and to all who I have been most blessed to serve. I offer Bishop Jensen and the pastoral team a heartfelt prayer for every grace and blessing in the coming years ahead.  The ad for the new Director’s position is being posted on the website and will be published in various Catholic papers. If you know of any suitable candidates, please invite them to apply!

 Peace,

Susan

 2.     Diocese of Prince George Employment Opportunity

The Diocese of Prince George is seeking a full time Director, Office of Evangelization and Catechesis effective December 1, 2013. Please post the attached employment opportunity on parish bulletin boards and put an announcement in parish bulletins.  Thank you.

Director, Office of Evangelization & Catechesis Ad

3.     Lay Formation Program 2013-2015

Parishes are asked to put the following notice in bulletins with the attached Lay Formation ad for the next two weeks:

The next Lay Formation program will begin September 27-29 in Prince George. Applications forms are available through the parishes and on the Diocesan website. Contact Susan Campbell for more information at 250-964-4424, ext 239 or email: smcampbell@pgdiocese.bc.ca

Lay Formation Ad

 4.     Monthly Day of Adoration – September

Emmanuel Hermitage invites you to a Personal Date with Jesus on September 10 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.

5.     Diocesan Calendar

The Diocese of Prince George website at www.pgdiocese.bc.ca now has an online calendar (see the drop down menu under News & Events or click Diocesan Calendar in the Information Box on the Home Page). The calendar will be used to communicate events taking place throughout the Diocese.  If you would like to have your school or parish event listed on the calendar, please contact the Lisa Weber at lisa@pgdiocese.bc.ca.

Wednesday Weekly August 21, 2013 Print Version

 1.     School Employment Opportunity

Notre Dame School in Dawson Creek is seeking a full time teacher for September 1st. The posting will remain open until the position has been filled. Please see the attached ad for further information.

Full-Time ESL-Fine Arts-Music Teacher 2013

 2.     Farewell

Sr. Divinia Pedro, CSJ will be leaving the Diocese of Prince George and the community of Fort St. James on September 1, 2013. We are very grateful to Sr. Divinia and the Sisters of St. Joseph (Toronto) for their ministry in this region. We pray God will continue to bless her both personally and in her future ministry.

 3.     Private Sponsorship of  Refugees

 Parishes are asked to put the following notice in bulletins:

 The Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program is a Canadian refugee resettlement program that allows a group of five Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents to sponsor refugee families or persons. An online-based introductory training course will start September 16th and end on November 22nd, 2013.  The e-training is designed for people who are interested in getting involved in refugee sponsorship. The deadline for applying for this course is September 9th.  The cost is free. To obtain a registration form and/or get more information, view the Refugee Sponsorship Training Program website at:

http://www.rstp.ca/index.php/en/refugee-sponsorship/private-refugee-sponsorship-program

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