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.