Ordination of Rene Antonio and Alvin Matias
Most Reverend Stephen Jensen, Bishop of Prince George celebrated the Mass and Rite of Ordination on May 31, the feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Prince George. Welcomed to the priesthood are Rev. Alvin Matias and Rev. Rene Antonio.
Both men originate from the Philippines, and many family and friends from this country joined in the celebrations. During his homily, the bishop acknowledged the distance the men had travelled to become priests stating “These two men have come from far away to serve the Church here. I hope their generous example will lead young men to consider their own vocations.”
Effective August 1, 2013, Rev. Antontio will be the Administrator of St. Peter’s Parish, Mackenzie, with part-time ministry at Sacred Heart Cathedral and Rev. Matias will be the Administrator of Our Lady of Peace Parish, Chetwynd.
Wednesday Weekly – 19Jun13
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 26th, 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.
Wednesday Weekly – 12Jun13
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 21st (250-964-4424 or reception@pgdiocese.bc.ca). Most taxes are due by July 2nd.
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.
Youth and Young Adult Ministry Coordinator
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
DIOCESAN YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT
MINISTRY COORDINATOR
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Prince George seeks a full-time Diocesan Youth and Young Adult Ministry Coordinator.
Major areas of responsibility:
- Promote and facilitate the development of a comprehensive model of youth/young adult ministry
- Coordinate events, communication and networking to promote effective youth and young adult ministry
- Formation of ministry volunteers at the parish level
The successful candidate will have:
- completed at least two years of theological studies, or be prepared to undertake these studies
- completed the Canadian Certificate in Youth Ministry or its equivalent
- experience in youth and/or young adult ministry
- excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to work independently, as well as a member of a team
- excellent computer skills and experience with social media
- a letter of reference from his/her pastor
The Diocesan Youth Coordinator is required:
- to have a valid driver’s license and a vehicle for travel throughout the diocese
- to be available to work evenings and weekends
- to pass a criminal record check
Please submit a resume and covering letter to:
Susan M. Campbell, Director
Diocesan Pastoral Centre
Box 7000, Prince George, BC V2N 3Z2
Inquiries may be sent to smcampbell@pgdiocese.bc.ca
The initial closing date for this position has passed. However, the posting will remain open until the successful candidate has been selected.
Anticipated Position Start Date: August 19, 2013
Youth and Young Adult Coordinator Job Description
Youth and Young Adult Coordinator Ad
Diocesan Youth Conference
DYC 2013: The 18th Diocesan Youth Conference (DYC) was held April 12-14 in Prince George. The theme was “The Real Deal” and the keynote speaker was Brad Henning of Life Resources. This was Brad’s third keynote appearance at DYC. Brad used stories and humour to help discuss the relationships in our lives.
To find out more about Brad, see: www.bradhenning.com. “Don’t Take Love Lying Down” by Brad is available for purchase from Ave Maria Specialties in Prince George (1638 – 20th Avenue, or for those outside Prince George, 1-800-704-7454) book ($19.95) and DVD ($34.99) or can be borrowed from the Diocesan Pastoral Centre Youth Ministry Library (250-964-4424 ext. 242 or teresa@pgdiocese.bc.ca). A Kindle Book version can be purchased via Amazon.com at $9.99. For other youth ministry resources, visit the Diocesan Library catalogue on-line at www.pgdiocese.bc.ca (click Our Ministries, Resource Catalogue, and follow prompts).
DYC Prince George Facebook Page: DYC has its own page on Facebook. Check the latest DYC news and chat with other DYC participants at DYC Prince George.
Joe Glaab ofm
Youth Ministry, PG Diocese
Wednesday Weekly – 5Jun13
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
Terry Wilson Memorial Soccer Tournament
“The trophy is impressive.
The title that goes with it, a priceless and memorable achievement
For kids of the region’s Catholic elementary schools, the chance to compete for the Terry Wilson Memorial soccer tournament championship is a tradition that’s gaining in stature with each passing year.
On Friday, May 31at Rotary Field, teams from Prince George, Terrace and Kitimat will line up in a 12-team tournament that gives Grades 6 and 7 students a chance to hoist the big prize…..”
Read More on the Prince George Citizen Website