Province of Ontario – Third Update
July 20, 2021
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A series of 5 videos prepared by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops for the season of Advent.
APOSTOLIC ADMINISTRATOR’S MESSAGE
“Year of Saint Joseph 2020-2021”
On the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of his spouse the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Church draws the Year of St. Joseph to a close. We give thanks for the blessings that have come to the Church Universal, our country Canada and the Diocese of Hearst-Moosonee. I invite priests to distribute any remaining prayer cards to the children in our schools or to parishioners at Mass this Sunday, December 5 or on Wednesday at the feast day liturgy.
Christmas Letter 2021
During my time away, I was able to prepare my Christmas message to the clergy and faithful of Hearst-Moosonee. It will be available to you as a Special Edition of InterPAR next week for distribution at Christmas. Reference is made in it to the Diocesan Year of the Eucharist to help our faithful to grasp more profoundly the gift of God for the life of the world, the presence of Christ Jesus in Holy Communion and to draw them back to regular participation in Sunday Mass.
Special Anniversaries of Bishop Cadieux
Sincere congratulations to our Emeritus Bishop Vincent Cadieux, omi on his 30th anniversary of episcopal ordination (December 5, 1991) and his 55th of priestly ordination (December 17, 1966).
We retain many fond memories of your presence in the North. May the Lord grant you, Your Excellency, health, joy and peace in your retirement years; and may Our Blessed Mother Mary hold you close to her Son in her maternal embrace.
My programme (subject to adjustments)
December 1-2: Days at the Bishop’s Residence in Moosonee; train to Cochrane.
Friday, December 3: Return to the Bishop’s Office in Hearst.
Saturday, December 4: Mass with Confirmations for candidates who are students at the French Public School in Hearst, at the Cathedral at 11:00 AM.
Sunday, December 5: Mass at the Cathedral, 11:30 AM.
Wednesday, December 8: Mass on the Patronal Feast of Immaculee-Conception Parish in Kapuskasing, 9:30 AM.
Wednesday, December 8: Mass for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and the Closing of the Year of St. Joseph, at the Cathedral in Hearst, 7:00 PM.
Thursday, 9 December: Meal in anticipation of the Christmas festivities at the Bishop’s Residence, Hearst at 11:30 for 12:15 (details to come).
Sunday, December 12: Mass at the Cathedral, 10:00 AM.
Monday, December 13: Absence from the Diocese.
Sunday, December 19: Mass at the Cathedral, 11:30 AM.
Friday, December 24: Christmas Eve Masses in the Cathedral at 5 PM (Family Mass) and 7 PM (Mass in English).
January 2-7: Retreat for Bishops of USCCB Region XIII at Redemptorist Retreat Center in Tucson, Arizona.
February 7-9: Symposium on Moral Issues for Bishops, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, Dallas, Texas.
Let us renew our commitment to pray for one another as we continue to serve God’s people here in North-eastern Ontario!
✠Terrence
A series of 5 videos prepared by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops for the season of Advent.
APOSTOLIC ADMINISTRATOR’S MESSAGE
“Year of Saint Joseph 2020-2021”
The Four Weeks of Advent Begin Sunday, November 28
The New Roman Missal in French
Bishop Serge Poitras of Timmins, a member of the International French Language Roman Missal Translation Committee has prepared some remarks to assist us in finding our way around the new Missal. I encourage all clergy to become familiar with it (cf. the attachment). It is still possible to order additional copies of the Missal; please contact Sylvie at the Bishop’s Office.
Maison Paul Letendre
In 1990-1991, Bishop Roger Despatie entered into an arrangement with a group that
was fostering youth ministry (particularly with the Scouts) for a nominal sum. Since that time a number of youth-centered entities and others has benefitted from the building located on 8th Street in Hearst (next to the public elementary school and overlooking the River). Since the Covid-19 pandemic began it has been impossible to hold youth events and the scouting movement has greatly diminished. Costs of running the “Maison” were recovered by occasional rentals and fund-raising events, none of which has been possible lately. The funds to manage the building’s heating, electrical and insurance costs have been depleted. A recent meeting proposed that the Diocese reacquire the building (according to a clause in the original transfer), have an evaluator determine its market value and put it up for sale, which the Diocesan Finance Council accepted at a recent telephone consultation. The Diocese will arrange to reacquire the property and proceed with the sale as proposed, while in the meantime assuming the costs associated with the property.
My programme (subject to adjustments)
November 23-28: Travel with Catholic Missions in Canada President, Father David Reilander, President of Catholic Missions n Canada to the Catholic Communities of Fort Albany, Attawapiskat, Moosonee and Moose Factory.
November 29-30: Travel to Peawanuck Catholic Community.
December 1-2: Additional Days in Moosonee; train to Cochrane.
Friday, December 3: Return to the Bishop’s Office in Hearst.
Saturday, December 4: Mass with Confirmations for candidates who are students at the French Public School in Hearst, at the Cathedral at 2:00 PM.
Wednesday, December 8: Mass on the Patronal Feast of Immaculee-Conception Parish in Kapuskasing, 9:30 AM.
Wednesday, December 8: Mass for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and the Closing of the Year of St. Joseph, at the Cathedral in Hearst, 7:00 PM.
Thursday, 9 December: Meal in anticipation of the Christmas festivities at the Bishop’s Residence, Hearst at 11:30 for 12:15 (details to come).
Friday, December 24: Christmas Eve Masses in the Cathedral at 5 PM (Family Mass) and 7 PM (English Mass).
January 2-7: Retreat for Bishops of USCCB Region XIII at Redemptorist Retreat Center in Tucson, Arizona.
February 7-9: Symposium on Moral Issues for Bishops, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, Dallas, Texas.
Let us renew our commitment to pray for one another as we continue to serve God’s people here in North-eastern Ontario!
✠Terrence
A series of 5 videos prepared by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops for the season of Advent.
APOSTOLIC ADMINISTRATOR’S MESSAGE
“Year of Saint Joseph 2020-2021”
Jesus Christ — “The Living One” — Our King
This Sunday brings the current liturgical year to an end. Today’s solemnity focuses on Christ the King and, particularly, on his coming in glory at the end of time, the Parousia.
When all seemed hopeless to the People of God, the Book of Daniel spoke of a mysterious figure—“one like a son of man”—seen “coming with the clouds of heaven”. After this figure had approached “the Ancient One” (that is, God), dominion, glory and kingship were given to him so that “all peoples, nations and languages should serve him”.
In the gospels, Jesus regularly referred to Himself as “the Son of Man”, which points both to his humanity and his exalted status within God’s Kingdom. The Church believes that as the Son of Man, Jesus Christ completely defeated the power of sin and death, whose reign have, in principle, been toppled through His paschal mystery.
This is also the point being made by John, the Seer of Patmos, in the reading from Revelation: the One who is to come “with the clouds”— a sign of divine power—is the same Jesus Christ who had been “pierced” on the Cross, that moment when he “freed us from our sins by his blood”.
In the scene before Pontius Pilate, Jesus seemed anything but regal. But as the encounter between Jesus and Pilate came to its conclusion, Pilate the judge was undergoing judgment by the accused who stood in his presence, Jesus of Nazareth (cf. John 18.28-19.16). By answering Pilate’s question (“Are you the King of the Jews?”) with another question (“Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?”), Jesus turned the tables on Pilate and positioned himself as interrogator.
Unlike the realm of Rome that Pilate served, Jesus’ kingship was not secured by force. Without directly affirming or denying Pilate’s question whether he was a king (“You say that I am a king… for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth”), Jesus went on to describe those who have pledged him allegiance: “Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice”. Our acceptance of this truth means that Christ rules not just the universe but in every disciple’s heart.
The good news this week was the arrival in the CCCB’s Ottawa warehouse of the new Missals. We are expecting they will be available to us for use on November 28 or shortly thereafter. The Bishop’s Office will try to coordinate delivery of the books, as making use of Canada Post would be expensive and there may be hold-ups due to the volume of Christmas mail.
With this Message you will find attached two documents for our French and bilingual parishes: 1) a leaflet that could be used in the month of December with the prayers that the faithful will need and Eucharistic Prayer III (which we have seen already) and 2) a version of the Ordo which indicates the pagination of the New Missal for each day’s Masses. Because of copyright issues, we are asked to NOT post these on diocesan or parish websites or other social media.
In January, the Prions en Eglise will have all the appropriate new prayres and formulas.
Our Chancellor Fr. Sebastien Groleau has overseen the production of the new Directory and you will receive your copy shortly. I hope you will agree with me when you receive it that it is very attactive. However, errors can inadvertently creep into such publications, so please inform him or Sylvie if corrections are needed.
Now that I have completed Confirmations in several parishes, I want to thank the pastors, pastoral associates and parish staffs for their cooperation in arranging beautiful celebrations. Pastors who wish to arrange for celebrations of Confirmation in the New Year may send a request to Sylvie, who will pass them on to me. In order to avoid misunderstandings or disappointment, please verify my availability before establishing dates with a school or parishioners.
Thursday, November 18, Mass with Confirmations for a group of candidates—students from the Ecole secondaire catholique de Hearst, St. Francis Xavier Church, Mattice, 6:30 p.m.
November 19-22: Travel to Moosonee for Patronal Feast of the Church of Christ the King.
November 23-28: Travel with Catholic Missions in Canada President, Father David Reilander to the Catholic Communities of Fort Albany, Attawapiskat, Moosonee and Moose Factory.
November 29-30: Travel to Peawanuck Catholic Community.
December 1-2: Additional Days in Moosonee; train to Cochrane.
Friday, December 3: Return to the Bishop’s Office in Hearst.
Saturday, December 4: Mass with Confirmations for candidates who are students at the French Public School of Hearst, in the Cathedral at 2:00 PM.
Wednesday, December 8: Mass on the Patronal Feast of the Immaculee-Conception Parish in Kapuskasing, 9:30 AM.
Wednesday, December 8: Mass for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and the Closing of the Year of St. Joseph, at the Cathedral in Hearst, 7:00 PM.
Thursday, 9 December: Meal in anticipation of the Christmas festivities at the Bishop’s Residence, Hearst at 11:30 for 12:15 (details to come).
Friday, December 24: Christmas Eve Masses in the Cathedral at 5 PM (Family Mass) and 7 PM (English Mass).
January 2-7: Retreat for Bishops of Region XIII at Redemptorist Retreat Center in Tucson, Arizona.
February 7-9: Symposium on Moral Issues for Bishops, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, Dallas, Texas.
Let us renew our commitment to pray for one another as we continue to serve God’s people here in North-eastern Ontario!
✠Terrence
APOSTOLIC ADMINISTRATOR’S MESSAGE
“Year of Saint Joseph 2020-2021”
Remembrance Day—“Lest We Forget”–War Memorials in Hearst, Hornepayne
Remembrance Day 2021
On this day, we recall all those who gave their lives in the cause of freedom, not only in the Great War, World War II and the Korean Conflict but in peacekeeping and other efforts to effect reconciliation and peace. R.I.P.
The New Roman Missal in French
With gratitude to Bishop Serge Poitras who served as our guide, I feel I am beginnig to be ready for the new Roman Missal in French. I find the booklet we received, Decouvrir la nouvelle traduction du Missel romain, very helpful as daily reading to prepare for this significant development.
CCCB President Raymond Poisson has decreed that the new liturgical texts come into effect on the First Sunday of Advent, November 28, 2021 (see the attachment).
We hope that the Missal books will arrive by the end of this month. Though the Magnificat missalettes will have the new texts beginning that day, Canada’s Prions en eglise will only begin to publish the new texts beginning in January 2022.
The use of the new missal and its texts becomes mandatory on the First Sunday of Lent, March 5, 2022.
Diocesan Phase of the Synod on Synodality
The Synod Secretariat in Rome has heard feedback that the proposed consultation process was too tight. So officials have extended the deadlines for diocesan, regional (in our case Ontario) and national summaries of reflection on the challenges facing the church. The new timeline is attached for your information.
Our diocesan consultation may continue until May 31, 2022. If your parish has not yet chosen a committee to plan consultations, please do so as soon as possible and before November 30.
Absence after Christmas
Several years ago, I accepted to give a retreat for the Bishops of the United States in Tucson, Arizona at the beginning of January. It had been delayed for several reasons including by Covid-19 last year. When I accepted this commitment, I fully expected to be retired and so able to visit relatives in California and Florida, a program that I had planned and will now fulfil. Thus, I will be absent from Hearst-Moosonee from early January to mid-February. I will be regularly in touch with the Bishop’s Office and can be in touch with you individually via email and, if necessary, by telephone. If you wish to speak with me in person before I leave at Christmas time, please let ken know so arrangements to do so can be made between November 15 and 18 or from December 3 to 22.
My programme (subject to adjustments)
Thursday 11 November, Mass with Confirmations for candidates—students of St. Louis School, in the Cathedral, at 6.30 pm.
Sunday, November 14, LORD’S DAY Mass at the Cathedral, 10 AM.
Tuesday and Wednesday, November 16-17, Masses with Confirmations for two groups of candidates–students from the Ecole secondaire catholique de Hearst, in the Cathedral, at 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 18, Mass with Confirmations for a third group of candidates—students from the Ecole secondaire catholique de Hearst, St. Francis Xavier Church, Mattice, 6:30 p.m.
November 19-22: Travel to Moosonee for Patronal Feast of the Church of Christ the King.
November 23-28: Travel with Catholic Missions in Canada President, Father David Reilander to the Catholic Communities of Fort Albany, Attawapiskat, Moosonee and Moose Factory.
November 29-30: Travel to Peawanuck Catholic Community.
December 1-2: Additional Days in Moosonee; train to Cochrane.
Wednesday, December 3: Return to the Bishop’s Office in Hearst.
Friday, December 24: Christmas Eve Masses in the Cathedral at 5 PM (Family Mass) and 7 PM (English Mass).
January 2-7: Retreat for Bishops of Region XIII at Redemptorist Retreat Center in Tucson, Arizona.
Let us renew our commitment to pray for one another as we continue to serve God’s people here in North-eastern Ontario!
✠Terrence
APOSTOLIC ADMINISTRATOR’S MESSAGE
“Year of Saint Joseph 2020-2021”
The Cathedra—Tha Chair & Symbol of the Pope’s Teaching Office—St. John Lateran, Rome
The Cathedral Basilica of the Pope
Although Pope Francis often presides at St. Peter’s Vatican Basilica, his cathedral is elsewhere. The Cathedral of the Most Holy Saviour and of Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist in the Lateran, is known as the Papal Archbasilica of Saint John [in] Lateran, Saint John Lateran, or the Lateran Basilica, and is the cathedral church of the Diocese of Rome, serving as the seat of the bishop of Rome.
Originally founded in 324, the church is the oldest and highest ranking of the four papal major basilicas, holding the unique title of “archbasilica”. It is the oldest public church in the city of Rome, and the oldest basilica of the Western world. It houses the cathedra of the Roman bishop, and has the title of ecumenical mother church of the Roman Catholic faithful.
As we celebrate the anniversary of this church’s dedication on November 9, we recall our unity with the Holy Father symbolized by this beautiful cathedral.
Prayers for the Dead in November
The Apostolic Penitentiary has enlarged the opportunities to obtain a Plenary Indulgence for one’s self or any of the deceased to every day this month. An attachment gives the details.
Liturgical Renewal through a New Missal
The introduction of the new French Missal, forthcoming on the first Sunday of Advent, offers an opportunity to renew our habits of presiding at the Sacred Liturgy. The English sector experienced this ten years ago in 2011. It meant a great deal of preparation by reading the Mass texts ahead of time. Some will be tempted to simply repeat the formulas we have become used to. I encourage all to choose the newer versions of prayers so that the faithful will be able to adapt the new formulas. I encourage all to read the General Instuction of the Roman Missal, 3rd typical edition to know and accept the slight modifications here and there that will permit a consistency in our liturgical life. I am grateful to Bishop Poitras for guiding us into a renewed liturgical enthusiasm for the sacred mysteries we are privileged to minister.
Diocesan Phase of the Synod on Synodality
The Official Launch of the Diocesan Phase of the Synod 2021-2023 took place last Sunday at the Cathedral. There were numerous representatives from parishes (especially those close to Hearst). I hope that each parish can have some listening sessions and I invite pastors to share the questions with groups in your parishes: Knights of Columbus, CWL, Filles d’Isabelle, etc., and with teachers in the schools, senior homes, etc. Please be creative in getting feedback on how the Church can meet the needs of Catholics—both practicing and disaffiliated—other Christians and the broader society.
Some of the replies to the questions mentioned on Sunday were: we need to see the Bishop more often and hear him teaching the faith; we need to face the financial difficulties of our small parishes; we should have better and more effective catechesis.
Each priest is also invited to give his own input in replying to the questions (see the attached). Replies can be sent in confidence to Father Aimee Minkala at the cathedral parish, to Father Paul Awowole at Christ the King in Moosonee or to the Chancery or to me at the Bishop’s Office.
The Synod Secretariat has extended the first phase of the consultation process, so we have until the middle of April for the formulation of our diocesan response.
My programme (subject to adjustments)
Wednesday, November 3: Session with Bishop Serge Poitras on the context and implementation of the new Roman Missal in French; Our Lady of Victories Parish, Kapuskasing, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thursday, November 4: Masses with Confirmation for candidates of the “Cite des Jeunes” at Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church, Kapuskasing, at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Friday, November 5: Masses with Confirmations for candidates—students of “Cite des Jeunes” at Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church, Kapuskasing, at 9:30 a.m. and at Nativite de Marie, Moonbeam, at 2 p.m.
Sunday, November 7: Bilingual Mass for the Faithful Departed, Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral, 10 a.m.
Monday, 8 November: Mass with Confirmations for the candidates—students of St. Louis School, in the cathedral, at 6.30 p.m.
Tuesday and Wednesday, 9 and 10 November: Mass with Confirmations for the candidates—young people of Transfiguration Parish, Cochrane, at 6pm.
Thursday 11 November, Mass with Confirmations for candidates—students of St. Louis School, in the Cathedral, at 6.30 pm.
Tuesday and Wednesday, November 16-17, Masses with Confirmaitons for two groups of candidates–students from Hearst Catholic High School, in the Cathedral, at 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 18, Mass with Confirmations for a third group of candidates—students from Hearst Catholic High School, St. Francis Xavier Church, Mattice, 6:30 p.m.
November 19-22: Travel to Moosonee for Patronal Feast of the Church of Christ the King.
November 23-28: Travel with Catholic Missions in Canada President, Father David Reilander to the Catholic Communities of Fort Albany, Attawapiskat, Moosonee and Moose Factory.
November 29-30: Travel to Peawanuck Catholic Community.
December 1-2: Additional Days in Moosonee; train to Cochrane.
Wednesday, December 3: Return to the Bishop’s Office in Hearst.
Let us renew our commitment to pray for one another as we continue to serve God’s people here in North-eastern Ontario!
✠Terrence
APOSTOLIC ADMINISTRATOR’S MESSAGE
“Year of Saint Joseph 2020-2021”
Solemnity of All Saints Toussaint, November 1st
These two great celebrations begin the month of November. Although many priests take Monday off, I encourage you to invite the faithful to participate by adding a Mass to mark All Saints even if it means adjusting your day of rest.
This week we received the wonderful news that the Holy Father has accepted the invitation of the Bishops of Canada to make a pastoral visit to our country. This visit is part of the ongoing process of healing and reconciliation in our Church’s relationship with First Nations.
A good number of representatives from these Aboriginal communities were present at the blessing of the newly relocated grave of Father Joseph-Marie Couture, S.J. on Saturday and at the blessing of the new Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Aroland on Sunday afternoon.
The Aroland First Nation community is grateful for all the appurtenances and church vestments donated by various parishes in the Hearst and Moosonee areas. Many thanks!
Pope Francis has invited all Catholics around the world to join in a process of “walking together” – the meaning of the word “synod” – to explore this way of being Church until October 2023. This will involve meetings at parish, diocesan, national and international levels.
I hope to see a good number of representatives from our parishes at the launch of the synodal process in our diocese at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in Hearst this Sunday, October 31 at 9:30 am. A first session, dealing with the three questions which you have already received, will conclude with a bilingual Mass which I will preside at 11:00 am.
As you may have noted from my Agenda, the celebration of Confirmations in our Hearst Region of the Diocese is in full swing. Attached (in French only) is a set of guidelines for this Pastoral Year’s ceremonies; English guidelines will be sent prior to celebrations in the English Sector..
Sunday 31 October: Gathering to launch the diocesan implementation of the Year of Preparation for the Synod on Synodality, Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, 9.30am, followed by bilingual Mass at 11am.
Sunday 31 October: Mass with Confirmations at Holy Name of Jesus Church, Hornepayne, 2.30pm.
Monday, November 1: Solemnity of All Saints, Mass at Hearst Cathedral, 9.30am.
Tuesday, November 2: Dinner and talk with Knights of Columbus, Kolb Street, Kapuskasing, 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday, November 3: Session with Bishop Serge Poitras on the context and implementation of the new Roman Missal in French; Our Lady of Victories Parish, Kapuskasing, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thursday, November 4: Masses with Confirmation for candidates of the “Cite des Jeunes” at Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church, Kapuskasing, at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Friday, November 5: Masses with Confirmations for candidates—students of “Cite des Jeunes” at Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church, Kapuskasing, at 9:30 a.m. and at Nativite de Marie, Moonbeam, at 2 p.m.
Sunday, November 7: Bilingual Mass for the Faithful Departed, Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral, 10 a.m.
Monday, 8 November: Mass with Confirmations for the candidate—students of St. Louis School, in the cathedral, at 6.30 p.m.
Tuesday and Wednesday, 9 and 10 November: Mass with Confirmations for the candidates—young people of Transfiguration Parish, Cochrane, at 6pm.
Thursday 11 November, Mass with Confirmations for candidates—students of St. Louis School, in the Cathedral, at 6.30 pm.
Tuesday and Wednesday, November 16-17, Masses with Confirmaitons for two groups of candidates–students from Hearst Catholic High School, in the Cathedral, at 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 18, Mass with Confirmations for a third group of candidates—students from Hearst Catholic High School, St. Francis Xavier Church, Mattice, 6:30 p.m.
Let us renew our commitment to pray for one another as we continue to serve God’s people here in North-eastern Ontario!
✠Terrence
Belated prayerful good wishes to the following who celebrated their birthday in October:
Robert Tremblay on the 12th
Roger Pronovost on the 16th
…and those who celebrated their anniversary of Ordination:
Paul Awowole 5th (his 30th)
Hugo Tremblay 6th
Deacon Theodore Castilloux 9th
Jacques Fortin 23rd
In November the following will mark their Birthday:
Michael Nwadinobi, SMMM 15th
John Okoh on the 29th
Many happy returns of the day!
APOSTOLIC ADMINISTRATOR’S MESSAGE
“Year of Saint Joseph 2020-2021”
Sunday, October 24 is World Mission Sunday.
There is a Special Collection for the Missions This Weekend
This Sunday, October 24 is World Mission Sunday; please encourage the faithful to give as generously as they can to support international missions beyond our borders.
Pope Francis has invited all the Catholics of the world to join a process of “walking together”—the meaning of “synod” so as to explore this way of being for the Church in October 2023. So this involves meetings at the parish, diocesan, national and international levels.
I invite each parish to send, if possible, two representatives to the launch of the Synod Process in our Diocese at Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption Cathedral in Hearst on Sunday, October 31 at 9:30AM. An initial session, looking at the three questions already sent you will conclude with a bilingual Mass that I will preside at 11:00 AM.
We have linked the synodal process to our own local concerns of Hearst-Moosonee as we prepare to receive a new Bishop in the near future. In the meantime, I encourage all in the Diocese to reflect on the followiing questions:
A-What do you expect from the diocesan Church, from your priests and from your future Bishop?
B-What is the pastoral impact of the new Bishop in the life of each Christian, each parish and in our diocese?
C-What can we do together in our parishes and in our diocese so that we are not only in communion with our Bishop and the Holy Father, but are also doing what we can to advance the reign of God and to touch others by the witness of our faith life, especially those who have drifted away from the Church and those who do not yet know Christ?
Wednesday, October 20, Mass with the Parish of the Transfiguration, Cochrane, 7:00 PM.
Thursday, October 21: Meeting of the Diocesan Economic Affairs Committee at the Bishop’s Office, Hearst, 1:30 PM.
Friday, October 22: Masses with Confirmations of youth from Our Lady of Fatima School (4:30 PM) and Ecole Notre-Dame-de-Fatima (6:30 PM), St. John the Baptist Parish, Longlac.
Saturday, October 23: Blessing of the relocated tomb of famed missionary Father Joseph-Marie Couture, S.J., Longlac #58 First Nation, 10 AM.
Saturday, October 23: Masses with Confirmations for youth from St. Joseph School (2:30PM) and Ecole St-Joseph (7:00 PM), Sainte Therese Parish, Geraldton.
Sunday, October 24: Blessing of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Aroland First Nation Reserve, Mass with the celebration of Confirmations, 1:00PM.
Sunday, October 31: Gathering to Launch Diocesan Observance of the Year of Preparation of the Synod on Synodality, Cathedral of Notre Dame de l’Assomption, 9:30 AM, followed by bilingual Mass at 11:00 AM.
Sunday, October 31: Mass with Confirmations at Holy Name of Jesus Church, Hornepayne, 2:30 P.M.
Wednesday, November 3: Session with Bishop Serge Poitras on background to and the implementation of the new Roman Missal in French; Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Parish, Kapuskasing, 10AM to 4:00 PM.
Thursday, November 4: Masses with Confirmations for students from Cite des Jeunes school, at Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Kapuskasing, 10AM and 1:30 PM.
Friday, November 5: Masses with Confirmations for students from Cite des Jeunes school, at Notre-Dame-des-Victoires, Kapuskasing, 10AM and at Nativite de Marie, Moonbeam at 2:00 PM.
Sunday, November 7: Bilingual Mass for the Faithful Departed, Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption Cathedral, 10:00 AM.
Let us continue to pray for one another as we continue to serve God’s people here in North-eastern Ontario!
✠Terrence
APOSTOLIC ADMINISTRATOR’S MESSAGE
“Year of Saint Joseph 2020-2021”
Pastoral Theme: Christ Is Everything for Us
Logo for Synod 2021-2023: Communion, Participation, Mission
After Pope Francis last Sunday put into motion the 2-year consultation process leading to a Synod on Synodality (in October 2023), there will be in coming weeks official celebrations in each of the world’s dioceses and in many parishes. Our official launch will take place on the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time (October 30-31, 2021).
On Sunday, October 31, Father Aime Minkala, whom I asked to coordinate our participation in this process invites, if possible, two delegates from each parish to come to the Cathedral in Hearst that day 9:30AM.
An initial session responding to the three questions sent to you last week and which may be discussed in your communities before and after October 31 will be followed by Mass at 11:00 AM.
We have linked the synodal process to our own local concerns of Hearst-Moosonee as we prepare to receive a new Bishop in the near future. In the meantime, I encourage all in the Diocese to reflect on the followiing questions:
A-What do you expect from the diocesan Church, from your priests and from your future Bishop?
B-What is the pastoral impact of the new Bishop in the life of each Christian, each parish and in our diocese?
C-What can we do together in our parishes and in our diocese so that we are not only in communion with our Bishop and the Holy Father, but are also doing what we can to advance the reign of God and to touch others by the witness of our faith life, especially those who have drifted away from the Church and those who do not yet know Christ?
Aroland First Nation has built a church in the past year and a half and after several delays, I will formally dedicate it on Sunday, October 24. It is dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. I wish to thank the many parishes in both the Hearst and Moosonee regions, who contributed sacred vessels, vestments and other appurtenances for your generosity to this indigenous community. Archbishop Marcel Damphousse of Ottawa-Cornwall archdiocese contributed the pews from a recently-closed church in Ottawa and paid the considerable shipping costs.
Sunday, October 24 is World Mission Sunday and I ask you to encourage the faithful to give as they can to the international missions beyond our borders.
October 15, Funeral Mass of Father Yvon Soucy (priest of Ottawa-Cornwall) at Eglise St-Joseph, Orleans, 10 AM.
October 16, Memorial Mass for Reverend Francis Morrisey, OMI, world-renowned canonist who died May 2020 during the pandemic, Eglise Sacre-Coeur, Ottawa, 10 AM.
October 17, Mass with the Parish of Eglise Saint-Hughes, Sarsfield, 10:30 AM.
October 20-21: Travel to Hearst (via Cochrane)
Thursday, October 21: Meeting of the Diocesan Economic Affairs Committee at the Bishop’s Residence, Hearst, 1:30 PM.
Friday, October 22: Masses with Confirmations of youth from Our Lady of Fatima School (4:30 PM) and Ecole Notre-Dame-de-Fatima (6:30 PM), St. John the Baptist Parish, Longlac.
Saturday, October 23: Blessing of the relocated tomb of famed missionary Father Joseph-Marie Couture, S.J., Longlac #58 First Nation, 10 AM.
Saturday, October 23: Masses with Confirmations for youth from St. Joseph School (2:30PM) and Ecole St-Joseph (4:30 PM), Sainte Therese Parish, Geraldton.
Sunday, October 24: Blessing of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Aroland First Nation Reserve, Mass with the celebration of Confirmations, 1:00PM.
Sunday, October 31: Gathering to Launch Diocesan Observance of the Year of Preparation of the Synod on Synodality, Cathedral of Notre Dame de l’Assomption, 9:30 AM, followed by bilingual Mass at 11:00 AM.
Sunday, October 31: Mass with Confirmations at Holy Name of Jesus Church, Hornepayne, 2:30 P.M.
Let us continue to pray for one another as we continue to serve God’s people here in the North!
✠Terrence
Apostolic Administrator - Diocese of Hearst-Moosonee
Following the resignation of Bishop Bourgon, Pope Francis entrusted Bishop Terrence Prendergast with the pastoral care of our diocese.
As the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic evolves, please visit our dedicated section for updates.
With the COVID pandemic forcing many of us to stay at home, you can now watch a local mass from our website.
Here is a message from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops with links to the Vatican.
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The former Diocese of Hearst previously had 18 parishes and missions, with a Catholic population of approximately 20,045 which at the time was served by 21 diocesan priests, two permanent deacons and three religious Sisters.
The former Diocese of Moosonee had 14 parishes and missions, with a Catholic population of approximately 3,830 and this was served by five priests who were members of institutes of consecrated life.
The new Diocese of Hearst-Moosonee currently has 25 parishes, 13 missions and approximately 27,080 Catholics. The seat of the ecclesiastical district will be located in Hearst.