Wednesday Weekly August 27, 2014 Print Version

1.     Diocesan Assembly 2014

Please post the following announcement in your parish and school bulletins and make the attached poster available in your Churches and schools:

Everyone is invited to participate in the Diocesan Assembly October 1-3, 2014. This is an opportunity for us all to come together and explore God’s unfolding vision for each of our lives. Our keynote speaker will be Deacon Ralph Pollo, a Catholic permanent deacon with a dynamic gift of making The Joy of the Gospel come fully alive. We will also hear from the Alive in Christ team with Dr. Joseph White. They will introduce the new catechetical program being implemented throughout the Diocese. Bishop Jensen will also address participants on the important developments on the theme of evangelization through the family. So spread the word and pray for this special time together of grace, learning and renewal. Registration information and forms are available on the diocesan website at www.pgdiocese.bc.ca or by contacting Teresa at teresa@pgdiocese.bc.ca or 250-964-4424 extension 242.

 Diocesan Assembly Poster 2014

2.     Prayers

Please pray for Arthur James, brother of Fr. Vincent James. Arthur is critically ill in the hospital in Nova Scotia. Your prayers for Arthur and his family are welcomed and appreciated.

3.     Domano Renewal Centre – September Programs

Please post the attached flyers and put the following notice in parish bulletins:

The Domano Renewal Centre staff have been busy preparing this season’s new brochure and it will be available in all parishes in early September. In the meantime, we have some great programs ready to start! New for this year is the Bible Study program; the group will be hosted by Sr. Jude starting September 9. Also new is Sr. Irene’s Noon Hour Eat and Retreat! Please take a peek at the September At a Glance & the Noon Hour Eat and Retreat flyers for information on these and other programs scheduled for September! If you have any questions or would like to register for a program, please contact us at drc@pgdiocese.bc.ca or by calling 250-964-4475.

September 2014 at a Glance

Noon Hour Eat and Retreat Sep 2014

4.     Private Sponsorship of Syrian Refugees

Parishes are asked to put the following notice in bulletins:

The Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (RSTP) will present an online webinar on Thursday, September 18^th, 2014 from 4:00 – 5:30 pm on how to sponsor Syrian refugees. The discussion will include: refugee eligibility and admissibility, an explanation of Ministerial priority spaces for Syrian refugees, and the criteria to sponsor Syrian refugees out of Turkey. The RSTP is a Canadian refugee resettlement program that allows a group of five Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents to sponsor refugee families or persons. To register for the online information session, please enter the following link and complete the brief form prior to September 15th: https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/763266383

5.     An appeal for mercy, compassion and justice in the Middle East and throughout the world

Attached is a letter from the Executive Committee of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops regarding the situation in Middle East. Please insert this letter and/or print the following notice in parish bulletins:

The Executive Committee of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) issued an appeal “for mercy, compassion and justice in the Middle East and throughout the world”. In its message, the Executive states: “As followers of the Crucified One, we recognize particularly in the Middle East the sufferings of our own brothers and sisters in faith. Moved by their pains and afflictions, we make their cause our own. We are united with them in solidarity and faith.” In particular, they “pray that the Holy Spirit continue to inspire Canadians, particularly the faithful of our Catholic Church, to support the work of agencies that bring solace and aid to the persecuted and the exiled.” Three Canadian Catholic agencies are fundraising for the suffering people of the Middle East: Development and Peace, CNEWA Canada, and Aid to the Church in Need – Canada. Further details are available from these organizations and on the Diocese of Prince George website.

CCCB Appeal for mercy compassion and justice

6.     Catholic Missions In Canada – Great Need Great Hope

Catholic Missions In Canada (CMIC) released a new video entitled “Great Need, Great Hope”. The video presents the breadth and depth of missionary work in Canada through stories and interviews of missionaries in the field and the people they serve. It shows some of the mission communities in the Canadian Prairies, and the people’s pains and struggles and joys as they try to live their faith in a fast transitioning world. As well, it gives a peek into how mission work has evolved over the past century. The video can be viewed on the CMIC website at www.cmic.info and on YouTube.

Wednesday Weekly August 20, 2014 Print Version

1.     Diocesan Assembly

Please place the following information in parish bulletins and continue to make the attached Diocesan Assembly Information package available (Note: the attached version has the new Diocesan address):

The Diocesan Assembly will be held this year from October 1-3rd at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre in Prince George. The Assembly is an opportunity for all to discern and plan the works that will make us more effective in the mission God calls His Church to serve in the 21st century. The extraordinary synod on the pastoral challenges facing family life which takes place in Rome this October offers a key direction for our work in parishes and schools. The Assembly is open to all members of the diocesan community. Information packages are available from your parish office or on the Diocesan website. We hope to see you there!

 Diocesan Assembly 2014 Information Packet

2.     Monthly Day of Adoration – September

Please place the following information in parish bulletins in the Central Region:

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

Wednesday Weekly August 13, 2014 Print Version

1. Diocese of Prince George – Change to Mailing Address Effective September 1, 2014

 The Diocese of Prince George mailing address has changed. As of September 1^st, our new address will be:

           6500 Southridge Avenue, Prince George, BC V2N 5P9

Please update your contact information for any departments or organizations that use the Bag 7000 address (Domano Renewal Centre, Catholic Independent Schools, Shepherd’s Corner, etc.). Any mail that is addressed to our previous address will be redirected for a period of time.

2. CIS Employment Opportunity – Continuing Full-Time Primary Teacher

Notre Dame School in Dawson Creek is seeking a Continuing Full-Time Primary Teacher commencing September 1, 2014. Please see the attached ad for further information. The posting for the limited Duration Teaching position at Notre Dame School also remains open.

Continuing 1 FTE Primary Teacher Sept 2014

3. Prayers for the Middle East

Attached is a statement issued by the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue and posted by the Vatican News website yesterday regarding the situation in the Middle East. Parishes are asked to please insert this letter in parish bulletins and/or print the following message from Archbishop Paul-André Durocher, President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. Further information will be placed on the diocesan website.

How can we respond to the situation in the Middle East?

All of us, together with Pope Francis, are following with deep concern the dramatic news reports coming from Iraq, Gaza and Syria. Defenseless populations, including our Christian brothers and sisters, flee from their homes, in urgent need for protection, food, shelter and medical assistance. In solidarity with their sufferings, and in communion with the whole Church, let us, in the words of the Holy Father, “raise up with one voice a ceaseless prayer, imploring the Holy Spirit to send the gift of peace” to the Middle East.

Each parish in the diocese is invited for the coming weeks to include in the prayers of the faithful the following intention: That the Holy Spirit inspire Canadians and the international community to protect all those affected or threatened by violence in the Middle East, to be with them in solidarity and concern, and to offer them assistance and aid.

You are also encouraged to join with Christians and others in urging your Member of Parliament to encourage the Government of Canada to do even more for the Middle East — by providing Canadian emergency and reconstruction assistance, by making it easier for our country to accept refugees, by participating in international efforts to foster justice and peace in the region, and by insisting on respect for freedom of conscience and religion, as well as respect for the rights of minorities.

Three Canadian Catholic agencies are fundraising for the suffering people of the Middle East. These are the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, CNEWA Canada, and Aid to the Church in Need – Canada. Catholics are encouraged if possible to support all three agencies in their work.

Further information on the situation in the Middle East is regularly provided by Caritas Internationalis, which is the Church’s international network of over 160 national Catholic charities, serving all poor people, of all faiths, all over the world. Up-to-date reports on the Middle East are provided on its website at http://www.caritas.org/where-we-are/middle-east-north-africa/

4. Northern Catholic News Deadline – Monday, August 18^th

The Northern Catholic News is looking for articles from our Diocese to publish in its next edition. Did your parish or school celebrate a special occasion? Did someone in your organization receive special recognition? We would love to hear from you! Contact Mary-Anne Lewis Jamin at majamin@pgdiocese.bc.ca or 250-964-4424 extension 234 with your stories and pictures. The deadline for the fall edition is August 18, 2014.

Wednesday Weekly July 9, 2014 Print Version

1.     Payroll Services

Please submit your timesheets to Payroll by Friday this week, if possible. Thanks!

2.    Diocesan Centre Summer Closure

Access to the Diocesan Centre will be limited during their summer closure. Friday, July 11^th is the last working day before the closure; the office will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, August 11th. The Finance Office will remain open with adjusted hours during this time. If you need to contact someone in the Finance Office, please leave a telephone message or send an email to Catherine Cosh, Lynn Monteith or John Phillips.

3.     Youth & Young Adult Ministry Office Summer News

Please share the following youth and young adult news from Eunice Hii:

UPCOMING YOUNG ADULT SUMMER EVENTS:

• Thursday, July 10th is the LAST session of the SUMMER THEOLOGY OF THE BODY study ‘Freedom to Love’ by Christopher West happening at 6:30 pm at the Diocesan Centre. Please bring a dish/donation for dinner. Not in PG? We’ve set up a way for you to join us virtually! Email ehii@pgdiocese.bc.ca for further details.
• We will have a Summer BBQ for all young adults in Prince George on Friday, July 11th at 6:00 pm. Please contact ehii@pgdiocese.bc.ca if you are interested in joining us!
• ONE ROCK is a 3-day “vibrant faith-filled Christian festival for young adults and their families. It’s a time where we come together, away from the noise of the world, to make a noise for GOD!” Happening August 15-17, the event is open to all young adults ages 17+. The diocese will be taking a group to OneRock. Please email Eunice Hii at ehii@pgdiocese.bc.ca if you are interested. Check out www.onerock.ca for more details.

UPCOMING YOUTH EVENTS:

• Did you enjoy Ken Yasinski’s message at DYC? Eunice Hii & Fr. Jack will be road-tripping to IGNITE ALBERTA this August 24-29. This is a 1-week Catholic camp run by Ken’s ministry, Facetoface Ministries. Eunice had the privilege of serving as a leader there last summer and it blew her socks off!! Seriously consider sending youth (grades 8-12) from your parish to this camp! You can find out more about IGNITE AB at: http://www.f2f.ca/Ignite/ignite. For more details about joining our PG diocese group, please email youth@pgdiocese.bc.ca!

4.     Northern Catholic News Deadline – August 15^th

The Northern Catholic News is looking for articles from our Diocese to publish in its next edition. Did your parish or school celebrate a special occasion? Did someone in your organization receive special recognition? We would love to hear from you! 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 15, 2014.

5.     Monthly Day of Adoration – August

Please place the following information in parish bulletins in the Central Region:

Emmanuel Hermitage invites you to a Personal Date with Jesus on August 12 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.

6.     Accounting Clerk – Diocesan Centre

The Diocesan Centre is pleased to announce Martha Primus will be joining the Finance Office as the new part-time accounting clerk. Martha will be starting in this role at the end of August. For many years, Martha was the pastoral life director at St. Peter’s Parish, Mackenzie as well as a part-time instructor for the College of New Caledonia. Welcome Martha!

Parishes are asked to please discontinue posting the ad for this position from their bulletins.

7.     Development and Peace Collection – South Sudan

Please place the following information in parish bulletins:

The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (CCODP) is inviting donations in response to the severe crisis in South Sudan. The situation in that new nation has been rapidly deteriorating since last December and there is now a humanitarian crisis. Over one million people have been displaced, leaving hundreds of thousands as refugees, and over three million are facing severe food shortages. Development and Peace has been supporting peace and reconciliation projects in the region for several years. The CCODP is working with Caritas South Soudan and the Society of Daughters of Mary Immaculate to respond to the crisis. To learn more about the current situation in Sudan, please see their website at: http://www.devp.org/en/emergencies/south-sudan. Donations can be made: online at www.devp.org; by phone: 1 888 234-8533 or by mail to: Development and Peace 1425 René-Lévesque Blvd West, 3rd Floor, Montreal QC H3G 1T7. Thank you.

8.    Pastoral Assistant, Courtenay, BC

Please post and/or share the attached employment opportunity for a Pastoral Assistant at Christ the King Roman Catholic Parish in Courtenay, BC.

Pastoral Assistant, Courtenay, BC

Wednesday Weekly July 2, 2014 Print Version

1.    Diocesan Assembly – Message from Bishop Jensen

Please place the following message from Bishop Jensen in parish bulletins and make the attached Diocesan Assembly Information package available:

I look forward to being with members of the diocesan community at this year’s Assembly.   Our time together is an opportunity to discern and plan the works that will make us more effective in the mission God calls His Church to serve in the 21st century. The extraordinary synod on the pastoral challenges facing family life which takes place in Rome this October offers a key direction for our work in the parishes and schools of the diocese.   Let us prayerfully prepare for the Assembly, asking God to make it a source of renewal for our local Church.

The Diocesan Assembly will be held this year from October 1-3^rd at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre in Prince George. Information packages are available from your parish office or on the Diocesan website.

Diocesan Assembly 2014 Information Packet

2.     Youth & Young Adult Ministry Summer News:

Please place the following youth and young adult news from Eunice Hii in parish bulletins:

UPCOMING YOUNG ADULT SUMMER EVENTS:

• Just TWO more left! Young adults are invited to our SUMMER THEOLOGY OF THE BODY study ‘Freedom to Love’ by Christopher West happening each Thursday at 6:30pm until July 10. Please bring a dish/donation for dinner. Not in PG? We’ve set up a way for you to join us virtually! Form your own young adult group where you are and join us online! Email ehii@pgdiocese.bc.ca for further details.
• ONE ROCK is a 3-day “vibrant faith-filled Christian festival for young adults and their families. It’s a time where we come together, away from the noise of the world, to make a noise for GOD!” Happening August 15-17, the event is open to all young adults ages 17+. The diocese will be taking a group to OneRock. Please email Eunice Hii at ehii@pgdiocese.bc.ca if you are interested. Check out www.onerock.ca for more details.

UPCOMING YOUTH EVENTS:

• Did you enjoy Ken Yasinski’s message at DYC? Eunice Hii & Fr. Jack will be road-tripping to IGNITE ALBERTA this August 24-29. This is a 1-week Catholic camp run by Ken’s ministry, Facetoface Ministries. Eunice had the privilege of serving as a leader there last summer and it blew her socks off!! Seriously consider sending youth (grades 8-12) from your parish to this camp! You can find out more about IGNITE AB at: http://www.f2f.ca/Ignite/ignite. For more details about joining our PG diocese group, please email youth@pgdiocese.bc.ca!

 3.     Employment Opportunity – IC School

Immaculate Conception School in Prince George is seeking a full-time School Secretary commencing mid-August. Parishes are asked to post the attached ad and place the information in parish bulletins.

Secretary Ad for Immaculate Conception School

4.     WCB 2^nd Quarter Report – Deadline July 10^th, 2014

Parishes and Schools are asked to report to Diocesan Payroll Services any WorkSafeBC (WCB) payments for the second quarter April 1, 2014 to June 30^th, 2014. Payments include those made to individuals (including replacement ministry personnel) and to contractors who are not registered with WCB. If you have not done so already, also report your first quarter payments for the period January 1, 2014 to March 31, 2014. Deadline: Thursday, July 10^th. Thank you.

Wednesday Weekly June 26, 2014 Print Version

1.     Fr. Nicholas Forde, OMI Funeral Mass DVD

Please put the following notice in parish bulletins:

Three types of DVDs from Fr. Nicholas Forde’s prayer service and funeral Mass are now available for a donation. Please contact Vince Ramcharran directly at 250-561-2324 or by email at vince_ramcharran@telus.net for further information on the DVD’s availability and to place your order.

2.     Diocesan Pastoral Centre:

Please note the following changes to office hours at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre:

• Canada Day: The Diocesan Centre will be closed on Tuesday, July 1^st for the Canada Day Holiday.

• Summer closure: Access to the Diocesan Centre will be limited during their summer closure. Friday, July 11^th is the last working day before the closure; the office will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, August 11th. The Finance Office will remain open with adjusted hours during this time. Pastors need to ensure Marriage Papers for summer weddings are submitted to the Chancery before July 11^th.

3.     News from the Youth & Young Adult Ministry Office:

Please place the following youth and young adult news from Eunice Hii in parish bulletins:

UPCOMING YOUNG ADULT SUMMER EVENTS:

• We are now heading into WEEK 3 of our SUMMER THEOLOGY OF THE BODY study ‘Freedom to Love’ by Christopher West happening every Thursday at 6:30pm from now until July 10. Please bring a dish/donation for dinner. Not in PG? We’ve set up a way for you to join us virtually! Form your own young adult group where you are and join us online! Email ehii@pgdiocese.bc.ca for further details.

•  ONE ROCK is a 3-day “vibrant faith-filled Christian festival for young adults and their families. It’s a time where we come together, away from the noise of the world, to make a noise for GOD!” Happening August 15-17, the event is open to all young adults ages 17+. The diocese will be taking a group to OneRock. Please email Eunice Hii at ehii@pgdiocese.bc.ca if you are interested. Check out www.onerock.ca for more details.

 UPCOMING YOUTH EVENTS:

• Couples for Christ for YOUTH is hosting their first retreat in Prince George, this weekend JUNE 27-29 at the Sacred Heart Cathedral. All interested, please email youth@pgdiocese.bc.ca for more details. This 3-day retreat will be sure to feed you during these quieter summer months.

• Did you enjoy Ken Yasinski’s message at DYC? Eunice Hii & Fr. Jack will be road-tripping to IGNITE ALBERTA this August 24-29. This is a 1-week Catholic camp run by Ken’s ministry, Facetoface Ministries. Eunice had the privilege of serving as a leader there last summer and it blew her socks off!! Seriously consider sending youth (grades 8-12) from your parish to this camp! You can find out more about IGNITE AB at: http://www.f2f.ca/Ignite/ignite. For more details about joining our PG diocese group, please email youth@pgdiocese.bc.ca!

4.     Joanne Chafe Memorial Bursary

 Parishes and schools are asked to post the attached poster and share the attached application form.

 The Western Conference of Catholic Religious Educators (WCCRE) invites applications to their bursary, created in recognition of the work of Dr. Joanne Chafe, former Director of the National Office of Religious Education of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. The bursary is available to a lay person residing in western or northern Canada, who serves in catechetical ministry and who wishes to pursue further formation. Applications will be accepted until July 15, 2014.

WCCRE Joanne Chafe Memorial Bursary 2014

Joanne Chafe Memorial Bursary Application 2014