Wednesday Weekly December 11, 2013 Print Version

1.    Mass in the Fillipino Language

Please put the following notice in parish bulletins in the Central Region:

Mass in the Filipino language will be held in Prince George on December 18 at Immaculate Conception, December 19 at St. Mary’s, and December 20 at Sacred Heart Cathedral following the tradition of Misa de Gallo in the Philippines. Caroling begins at 7:00 pm with Mass at 7:30 pm with Rev. Rene Antonio presiding. Refreshments follow after first two Masses and a potluck dinner follows after December 20th Mass. For further information, please contact Lorenzo Sia at 250-640-0884 or lorenzo.sia@gmail.com

2.   Confirmation/First Eucharist Draft Schedule

A copy of the draft confirmation/First Eucharist 2014 schedule is attached. Most parishes have been contacted in advance by the Bishop’s office to assist with development of the schedule – thank you to all for your cooperation. Christ The King, Kitimat will be added to the schedule once they have had an opportunity to discuss dates locally.   If you wish to discuss the dates or time assigned to your parish further, please contact Lisa Weber at 250-964-5644 or lisa@pgdiocese.bc.ca as soon as possible. Thank you.

 DRAFT CONFIRMATION 2014

3.   Synod Reminder

The preparatory document for next year’s Synod of Bishops on the Family was sent to parishes in November. Pastors and Pastoral Life Directors are reminded that responses gathered from their local community are to be returned to Fr. Richard Beaudette by email to rabomi@pgdiocese.bc.ca; by fax to 250-964-2101 or by mail to the Diocesan Centre by the deadline date of December 13, 2013.  Thank you.

4.   CCCB Publications

CCCB Publications will be closed during the Christmas season from December 23, 2013 to January 2, 2014. The last day for ordering in 2013 will be December 13, 2013.  Any orders placed online during this period will be promptly processed following the closure.

5.   Development and Peace – Wave of Prayer

Development and Peace announced it will join Caritas Internationalis in a special focus to end world hunger. This campaign began with a “wave of prayer” on December 10 which was International Human Rights Day. The campaign theme “One human family, food for all”, will also be used by Development and Peace as its theme for the 2014 Share Lent Campaign.  Further information is available on the following links:

Development & Peace:  http://www.devp.org/en/pressroom/2013/comm2013-12-05

Caritas: http://www.caritas.org/2013/11/caritas-launch-global-wave-prayer-end-hunger

Wednesday Weekly December 4, 2013 Print Version

1.    Development & Peace Typhoon Haiyan Campaign – Canada extends donation period

The Government of Canada has extended the date for matching donations in support of Typhoon Haiyan to December 23, 2013.  Parishes are encouraged to submit donations collected directly to Development and Peace so they are received prior to the new deadline.  If parishes would like to send donations through the diocese please contact Catherine Cosh by email at catherine@pgdiocese.bc.ca by noon on Monday, December 16th.

2.   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 December 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 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 each month for Personal Dates with Jesus days.

3.  Rise Up! National Conference

Please put the following notice in parish bulletins:

Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO) is a growing national, university movement. Each year, they host a national conference called Rise Up! that attracts hundreds of university students from across Canada. This year CCO will celebrate its 25th anniversary. Two UNBC students from our diocese, Melodie Van der Meer and Alyssa Dugdale, will be attending. They are responsible for raising their entire travel & registration costs. We have raised almost $1000, but still need to raise an additional $1600. If you can help support in any way, or if you are interested in attending yourself, please contact our diocesan youth coordinator, Eunice, at youth@pgdiocese.bc.ca. Donations should be made to Catholic Christian Outreach in order to receive a tax receipt for your support.

4.    School Employment Opportunity

Notre Dame School in Dawson Creek is seeking a Temporary Part-time ESL Teacher for January 1st, 2014. The deadline for applications is December 14, 2013. Please see the attached ad for further information.

Notre Dame School Temporary ESL Teacher January 2014

5.    Domano Renewal Centre – December Calendar

The December At a Glance newsletter for the Domano Renewal Centre is attached.  Events can also be viewed on the Diocesan Calendar found on the Diocese website at:  https://www.pgdiocese.bc.ca/news-events/diocesan-calendar/

 December at a Glance

6.    Northern Catholic News

The winter edition of the Northern Catholic News has been sent to all parishes.  Please contact Esperanza Vezina, Receptionist at the Diocesan Centre if your parcel has not arrived by the end of the week.  Thank you!

Northern Catholic News – Winter 2014

7.   Appeal Update

Wednesday Weekly November 27, 2013 Print Version

1.      Volunteers Needed

Please put the following notice in parish bulletins in Prince George:

Call for volunteers! Immaculate Conception parishioners are organizing a Seniors’ Christmas luncheon December 1st at noon at the parish.  Anyone interested in volunteering their time to bake goodies or make sandwiches before this date, should email Bev Bagnall at bagnall.bev@gmail.com.

2.       Rise Up! National Conference in Ottawa

Please put the following notice in parish bulletins and forward it to parish youth ministry coordinators and contact persons:

Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO) is a growing national university movement. Each year hundreds of university students from across Canada attend their national conference called Rise Up!. Two UNBC students from our diocese, Melodie Van der Meer and Alyssa Dugdale, plan to attend this year. They will need our support to raise their entire travel and registration costs. If you can help support these two wonderful young women in any way, or if you are interested in attending yourself, please contact Eunice, Diocesan Youth Coordinator, at youth@pgdiocese.bc.ca.

3.  COLF

Please put the following notice in parish bulletins:

The Catholic Organization for Life and Family (COLF) has updated its website:  (www.colf.ca). Get into the habit of visiting regularly – you will find a variety of great resources:

• Publications on life and family
• Workshop guides
• Reflections on hot topics
• Testimonies
• Gift ideas
• Hyperlinks to other useful sites

Register to receive regular Email updates!

4.      Farewell Celebration for Susan Campbell

 A farewell celebration in honor of Susan Campbell will take place at St. Mary’s Parish in Prince George on Monday, December 2, 2013, beginning with Mass at 7 p.m. and followed by a reception. Please join us in thanking Susan for her ministry among us over these past 18 years.

5.      Appeal News

Wednesday Weekly November 20, 2013 Print Version

1.      Synod on the Family

The attached preparatory document for next year’s Synod of Bishops on the Family was sent to Pastors and Pastoral Life Directors last week. The synod’s theme is “The pastoral challenges to the Family in the context of Evangelization” and it will run from October 5-19, 2014. The document gives an overview of Church teaching on the family and spells out the many challenges facing the family in today’s society.  The document also includes a questionnaire with questions on family issues which is to be shared as widely as possible so that input from local sources can be received. Pastors and Pastoral Life Directors are reminded that responses gathered from their local community are to be returned to Fr. Richard Beaudette by email: rabomi@pgdiocese.bc.ca or by mail to the Diocesan Centre by the deadline date of December 13, 2013.  Thank you.

Preparatory Document

For more information about the preparatory document see the link:

http://www.news.va/en/news/preparing-for-the-synod

2.      Rainbows for all Children – change in contact information

The email address for Rainbows has changed. It is now ursulam1941@gmail.com.  Please update your Diocesan Directory and other records.

3.      School Employment Opportunity

Immaculate Conception School in Prince George is seeking a Temporary Part-Time Music Teacher for January 20^th, 2014. The deadline for applications is December 6, 2013. Please see the attached ad for further information.

 Music Teacher November 2013

4.     The Bible in French

Please put the following notice in parish bulletins:

 The Canadian edition of La Bible, Traduction officielle liturgique, will be available by the end of this November. The new translation was published in France with a special soft cover version for Canada issued by CCCB Publications. Translation work involved 70 exegetes, biblical scholars and linguists, working in collaboration with the world’s French-language Episcopal Conferences, including the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. The Bible liturgique has been approved by the Bishops of all French-speaking countries, including Canada, and received the recognition of the Holy See. Follow the links at www.cccb.ca for more information or to purchase a copy.

5.      Appeal Update

Wednesday Weekly November 13, 2013 Print Version

1.      Special Collection for the Phillippines:

Attached is a letter from Archbishop Paul-Andre Durocher, President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, regarding the recent tragedy in the Phillippines. Parishes are encouraged to submit any donations collected directly to Development and Peace so they are received prior to the deadline.  If you wish to send your donation through the diocese please contact Catherine Cosh by email at catherine@pgdiocese.bc.ca by noon on Monday, December 2^nd.

Please insert the attached letter and/or print the following notice in parish bulletins:

Pope Francis invites all to pray publicly and privately for the many who have lost their lives or have been affected by this tragedy and to come to their assistance. The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has joined with the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace to prepare a first response and a plan of continuing aid for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan.  Parishioners are encouraged to donate prior to December 9, 2013 in support of this campaign.  The Government of Canada has pledged a matching contribution of all funds raised by this date.  Mailed donations to the campaign should be sent to Development and Peace, 1425 Rene-Levesque Blvd West, 3^rd Floor, Montreal, QC H3G 1T7. Additionally, donations can be made by phone to 1-888-664-3387 or online at www.devp.org.

CCCB Letter – Philippines

2.      Music Ministers – Message from Susan Campbell

Parishes are asked to please forward the following message from Susan Campbell to your music ministers:

Some parishes are planning to use new eucharistic acclamations in the new year and have asked me if other parishes are doing the same. If you plan on learning a new setting, please contact me before December 6^th by phone:(250)964-4424 ext 239 or email: smcampbell @pgdiocese.bc.ca. I will compile the results and let the other parishes know what is happening in the diocese. Thank you.

3.     Natural Family Planning

The diocese is pleased to announce a new natural family planning contact in Prince George. Asia Wilson is a licensed Fertility Care Practitioner who uses the Creighton Model System. She joins Cathy and Bill Vandenberg who teach the Billings Ovulation Method in Terrace.  Contact information for both methods is available on the Diocesan website under “Links”.

Please post the following notice in parish bulletins in the Central Region:

Creighton Model Fertility Care System Introductory Session

Would you like to learn how to monitor your fertility in a natural way in order to achieve or postpone pregnancy? Are you struggling with infertility?  Are you looking for concrete solutions to health problems such as endometriosis, PCOS, miscarriage, hormonal imbalances, PMS, abnormal bleeding, irregular cycles, post partum depression/blues and more? This (FREE!) session is for you!

In full accord with the Church’s teaching on marriage and sexuality, the Creighton Model Fertility Care System allows couples to gain knowledge about their fertility and find solutions to potential health problems.  There will be an Introductory Session held on Nov 29th at 7:00pm in the basement of Sacred Heart Cathedral, Prince George.  The session will be led by Asia Wilson, a licensed Fertility Care Practitioner and Ryan Wilson, a third year medical student.  For more information about Creighton, please go to www.creightonmodel.com or contact Asia at asia.crms@hotmail.com or by phone at 250-596-5270. Please RSVP directly to Asia.

4.      Knights of Columbus – Culture of Life Contest

Please post the attached poster from the Knights of Columbus on parish and school bulletin boards and put the attached announcement in parish bulletins.

Culture of Life Contest Bulletin Announcement

Culture of Life Contest Poster

5.      Co-Directors, Evangelization and Catechesis

 The following email addresses have been created for our new Co-Directors.  Please update your records:

John Connelly                             jconnelly@pgdiocese.bc.ca

Fr. Jack Michalchuk                 frjackm@pgdiocese.bc.ca

6.      Appeal Update

Parishes are kindly reminded to ensure all Appeal pledge cards are submitted to the Diocesan Accounting Office so they have the most up to date information before the second mailing.  Thank you!

Wednesday Weekly November 6, 2013 Print Version

1.      Farewell for Susan Campbell:

Please put the following 3 messages in parish bulletins:

Announcement Diocesan Pastoral Centre

After 18 years of service at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre in Prince George, Susan Campbell, has resigned from her position as Director effective December 31, 2013. Susan has been instrumental in building many programs integral to the Diocese such as Lay Formation and Returning to Spirit.  We wish her well in her sabbatical and in the new directions this leave may take her.

Farewell Celebration for Susan Campbell

A farewell celebration in honor of Susan Campbell will take place at St. Mary’s Parish in Prince George on Monday, December 2, 2013, beginning with Mass at 7 p.m. and followed by a reception. Please join us in thanking Susan for her ministry among us over these past 18 years.

Farewell Message from Susan Campbell

I take this opportunity to thank the people of this diocese for their support over the years. It has been a very rich experience and I leave grateful for it all. Thank you to all I have had the privilege to work with and serve. Several people have asked what my future plans are: I will complete my position with the diocese at the end of December and January 1st I will be moving to Quebec City to begin a year of French immersion studies. I wish the new co-directors, Fr. Jack Michalchuk and John Connelly every success as they move into a new ministry.

2.      Celebrating the Year of Faith

This special year of grace ends this month on the solemnity of Christ the King, Sunday, November 24. To mark the closing, parishioners from across the diocese are invited to pray Vespers (Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours) for the memorial of Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary at 7:00 pm on Thursday, November 21.

Parishioners in the city of Prince George will gather at Sacred Heart Cathedral. In all other locations, the prayers will be offered in the parish church.  Lisa Weber will distribute a pdf of the prayer booklet to all parishes prior to the service.

3.     Short-term priest replacements

 Pastors are reminded that the permission of the Bishop is necessary when inviting a priest from outside the Diocese of Prince George to minister in your parish. Occasions for such invitations may include vacation replacement, sacramental celebrations such as marriages and baptisms, parish missions and workshops, visiting friend or former pastor, etc. The attached form must be completed by the priest’s Bishop or Religious Superior and returned to the Chancery beforehand. (This form will be posted on the Diocesan website in the New Year, but for now please make copies of the attached pdf.)

Pastors are also reminded of the information shared at the recent Council of Priests meeting regarding changes in the BC Vital Statistics Department which affects the length of time needed to obtain a certificate to solemnize a marriage. When a priest from outside the Province of BC has been invited to celebrate a wedding in your parish, please contact Lisa Weber in the Bishop’s Office at least three months prior to the wedding to allow time to obtain the necessary licence.

 Authorization for Pastoral Ministry Form 1

4.      Adult Faith Formation – Distance Education

St. Francis Xavier University offers distance education courses for adults seeking faith formation for personal and professional development: Diploma in Ministry; Certificate in Lay Ministry; Certificate in Spirituality; and the award-winning Diploma in Intellectual Disability Studies.  For information please contact Continuing & Distance Education, StFX University by phone: 1-877-867-5562, email:  diplomainministry@stfx.ca; or visit their website at: http://www.sites.stfx.ca/continuingeducation/ministry

5.    Appeal Update

Wednesday Weekly October 30, 2013 Print Version

1.      New Directors of Evangelization and Catechesis

Bishop Stephen Jensen is pleased to announce that Fr. Jack Michalchuk and Mr. John Connelly have been appointed Co-Directors of the new diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis. They begin their service in November.

John Connelly has been involved with full-time evangelization, communications and pastoral ministry since 1986. Fr. Michalchuk, ordained in 2001, has been involved in campus ministry and served as a pastor and member of a diocesan retreat team for several years.

The new directors are already both well-known for their work in giving parish missions locally. We look forward to their increased contribution to the mission of the Church in our diocese.

2.      Notes on the Liturgy – “On Posture at Mass”

Please find attached the document, “Notes on the Liturgy – On Posture at Mass”.  Bishop Stephen Jensen asks that it be made available to parishioners.  Thank you.

Notes on the Liturgy – October 2013

3.      Northern Catholic News

The Northern Catholic News is looking for articles from our parishes and schools to publish in its Winter edition. Did your parish or school celebrate a special occasion or event? 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 November 15, 2013.

4.      Ordos Update

The Ordo(s) should be mailed directly to parishes from CCCB Publications this week. The invoice will be sent to each parish by Lisa Weber. Please pay CCCB directly.  Contact Lisa if you have any questions. Please note that there is an error in the date given in the 2014 CCCB English-language Ordo for the 2015 Collection for the Pope’s Pastoral Works (page 416). It should read May 17, 2015, not May 10.

5.      Domano Renewal Centre – November Calendar

 The November At a Glance newsletter for the Domano Renewal Centre is attached.  Events can also be viewed on the Diocesan Calendar found on the Diocese website at:  https://www.pgdiocese.bc.ca/news-events/diocesan-calendar/

DRC – November at a Glance

6.       Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide

In response to the recent decisions by the BC Court of Appeal in the Carter case, as well as by the Supreme Court of Canada in the Rasouli case, the Catholic Organization for Life and Family has issued a news release, entitled “Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide — We have reached a crossroad: let us choose life!”  A copy of the document is attached.  For more online links related to this topic, visit the Diocesan website under the “What’s New” tab.

COLF News Release We are at a crossroad

7.      Appeal Update

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the Annual Diocesan Appeal – Building Together in Faith.  Remember that you can give your gift in various ways—cash, cheque, postdated cheques, electronic funds transfer from your bank account or online through Canada Helps.  Some parishioners have elected to make anonymous donations through Canada Helps. The donation will be identified as “unaffiliated” unless the donor specifically identifies their parish.  Also, anonymous donors will not be removed from our mailing list.  If you have made an anonymous donation and do not wish to receive any future mailings, please contact your local parish to have your name removed from the Appeal mailing list.  Again, we truly thank you as your gift really does make a difference in the lives of others throughout our diocese.

Wednesday Weekly October 23, 2013 Print Version

1.    Rev. Tom Magusin, OMI

We pray for the repose of the soul of Father Tom Magusin, OMI, who died in Dawson Creek on Sunday, October 20^th at the age of 85 years.  Tom served for many years in Prince George as a Frontier Apostle. After his ordination in 1980, he served in various parishes in the Diocese: St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart in Prince George as well as Notre Dame in Dawson Creek and Christ the King in Kitimat. A prayer service for Father Magusin will be held on Sunday, October 27^th at 8:00 pm and the Funeral Mass will take place on Monday, October 28^th at 10:00 am at Notre Dame Parish, Dawson Creek.

2.      Monthly Day of Adoration – November

Please put the following notice in parish bulletins in the Central Region:

Emmanuel Hermitage invites you to a Personal Date with Jesus on November 12^th 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.

3.     Presentation on Sacred Heart Cathedral Architecture

Please put the attached poster on parish bulletin boards and the following notice in parish bulletins in the Central Region:

Trelle Morrow, Architect will present Raise High: Modern Architecture in the design of Sacred Heart Cathedral at the Bob Harkins (downtown) Branch of the Prince George Public Library on Thursday, November 7^th, from 7 – 8:30pm. This event is free and is the first presentation in this season’s series of heritage talks sponsored by the Heritage Commission.

4.     Online Private Refugee Sponsorship Workshop

A series of webinars on topics related to refugee sponsorship is being offered this fall.  The next session will be held Monday, October 28^th from 4 – 6:30 pm PST on Family Violence: What Refugee Sponsors Should Know. Presenters will share information about violence in the family and its legal, sponsorship and familiar repercussions; as well as address questions around when and how sponsors should intervene; the involvement of police and other related questions.  For more information on this and other webinars, see their website at: http://www.rstp.ca/index.php/en/refugee-sponsorship/private-refugee-sponsorship-program or to register, enter the link: https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/667888559

5.     Appeal Update

Wednesday Weekly October 16, 2013 Print Version

1.    REACH Retreats for Youth

Previously, information about the REACH Retreat at Christ Our Saviour in Prince George from October 25 – 27 had been distributed. We are now pleased to announce an additional retreat has been scheduled for Sacred Heart Parish, Terrace from November 8 – 10.  Please post the attached poster and registration forms at your parish. An updated notice for parish bulletins is provided below:

REACH Retreats

Two retreats are scheduled in our Diocese: Oct. 25-27 at Christ Our Saviour Parish, Prince George for Youth Grades 6-12 and Nov. 8-10 at Sacred Heart Parish, Terrace for Youth Grades 8-12. Hosted by the REACH Catholic Youth Ministry Team from Helena, Montana, the retreat will be a great opportunity to come journey and challenge yourself further in your faith while building fellowship within your greater Catholic community. For more information check out their website http://reachym.org/about-us/

Terrace REACH Retreat Poster

Terrace REACH Retreat reg form

Prince George parishes are also asked to place the following request in bulletins:

Host Families Needed:

The REACH Youth Ministry team will be holding retreats in Prince George and Terrace in both parishes and schools. We are seeking host families in Prince George who can accommodate up to 6 team members from October 29 – November 4 before they head out to Terrace. If you are interested in hosting a group of stellar young people for any or all of these dates, please contact Youth & Young Adult Ministry Coordinator, Eunice Hii at ehii@pgdiocese.bc.ca or at 250-964-4424 extension 240. Thank you!

2.     Young Adult Events

 Please put the following notice in parish bulletins in the Central Region:

Calling all young adults

Join us for not one, but TWO upcoming events:

• Theology on Tap: Visiting priest, Fr. Mark Miller, will lead a discussion about ethics. Grab a bite, a pint and join us for some great discussion Friday, October 25 at 7pm at the College Heights Pub.
• Summit is a monthly evening of Eucharistic adoration, fellowship followed by snacks. This month’s Summit will be hosted at Immaculate Conception Saturday, November 2 at 7pm. There will a testimony from one of UNBC’s own, reflection from Fr. Chris Lynch, and food to follow.

3.     Development & Peace

 Parishes are asked to place the following notice in their bulletins, if they have not already done so.

During the Annual General Meeting of Development and Peace for the Diocese in September, the members elected a new Diocesan chair, Annie Kearns and vice chair, Catherine Nolin. Both are very involved in social justice and will bring much vitality to Development and Peace.  Congratulations to both and thank you for your commitment.

4.     Anointing of the Sick

Prince George parishes please note that the Mass and Anointing of the Sick scheduled for Wednesday, November 6^th at St. Mary’s Parish has been cancelled due to a conflict with a large local senior citizens event. It will be rescheduled for the new year.

5.     Couples for Christ, Gift of Life Conference with Christopher West

Couples for Christ and the Archdiocese of Vancouver invites parishioners to join the “Let Me Love You” Conference to be held Saturday, November 9, 2013 from 8 am to 4 pm at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Surrey.  The conference commences with Holy Mass celebrated by Most Rev. J. Michael Miller, CSB followed with a presentation by Christopher West, author, speaker and teacher of John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. Tickets are $30 each plus $12 for Workbook (can be shared). For more information or for registration forms, please contact the CFC Office at (604)270-9463 or www.couplesforchristvancouver.ca/giftoflife.