200th Anniversary of Oblate of Mary Immaculate http://www.catholicregister.org/item/21640-the-oblates-god-s-servants-for-200-years

Rite of Election at Sacred Heart Cathedral

On Sunday, February 14, the first Sunday of Lent, the Rite of Election of Catechumens will be celebrated by the Bishop at Sacred Heart Cathedral at the 11:00 AM Mass.

The Church highlights the various stages of the initiation process for those who are to be baptized into the Catholic community and marks key moments with special rites. One of the most significant is the Rite of Election. This step marks the “beginning of the period of final, more intense preparation for the sacraments of initiation, during which the elect will be encouraged to follow Christ with greater generosity.” (#105)

We invite catechumens from the city parishes to gather with their sponsors, family members, catechists and members of their parish communities to celebrate this rite in the mother church of the diocese. Candidates who are already baptized in other denominations and who seek admission to full communion in the Church will also be welcomed. A reception will follow in lower hall after the Mass.

Additional Note: Pastors of parishes outside the city of Prince George are delegated by the Bishop to celebrate the Rite of Election with their catechumens and to welcome candidates for full communion.

Vocations Retreat

On the weekend of February 12 – 14, 2016 there will be a Vocation Live-In for boys or young men interested in the priesthood or the consecrated life, at the Seminary of Christ the King, Mission, BC.

For more information call 604-826-8715 or

 Father Mark Dumont, OSB                      Tel: 604-826-8975

Vocations Awareness Committee             Fax: 604-826-8725

Seminary of Christ the King

PO Box 3310 Mission BC V2V 4J5 website: http://www.sck.ca/

Monthly Day of Eucharistic Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

Emmanuel Hermitage invites you to a Personal Date with Jesus on February 9, 2016 in the Domano Chapel, 6500 Southridge Ave. Mass will be celebrated at 7:30 a.m. and the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. for a day of silent prayer and adoration. We will pray for the universal Church and the world, and the people and needs of our Diocese. 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.

World Day for Consecrated Life and the closing of the Year for Consecrated Life

On Tuesday, February 2, 2016, 7:00 PM, on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Bishop Stephen Jensen will celebrate a Solemn Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral with the religious men and women of the Diocese. Everyone is welcome to attend and show appreciation to those who have chosen to live the consecrated life. This day will also mark the closing of the Year for Consecrated Life, which began on November 30, 2014. Please bring goodies to share for the reception which will take place in the lower church hall.

Northern Catholic News

The deadline for the next Northern Catholic News is the 15^th of February –we look forward to receiving pictures and articles to liven up the Spring edition of the Northern Catholic News. Please send to majamin@pgdiocese.bc.ca as soon as possible. Thank you!

Attention Former Frontier Apostles

The Frontier Apostolate, established by Bishop O’Grady in 1956, will celebrate the 60th Anniversary of its founding with a reunion of former Frontier Apostles on August 19-21, 2016 at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre. For more information contact PGFAreunion@gmail.com.

• Diocesan Annual Appeal  Report2016-01-20

Annual Diocesan Appeal

It is a pleasure to share an update of the Annual Diocesan Appeal, Building Together in Faith. To date 86.5% has been pledged towards our Diocesan Goal of $400,000.

Annunication Parish, Prince Rupert is the latest parish that has reached their goal $23,485.00. Thank you to Fr. Terry Brock and the Appeal Committee of Annunication Parish their effort and encouragement.

Thank you to all of you for your continued support to the Annual Diocesan Appeal and for your promotion of the Appeal in your parishes. As always, your collaboration is appreciated in making the Annual Diocesan Appeal a success.

Employment Opportunity

Click the link for ad Veritas Principalship 2016-2017 Aug-16

 Vocations Retreat

On the weekend of February 12 – 14, there will be a Vocation Live-In for boys or young men interested in the priesthood or the consecrated life, at the Seminary of Christ the King, Mission, BC.

For more information call 604-826-8715 or

 Father Mark Dumont, OSB                      Tel: 604-826-8975

Vocations Awareness Committee          Fax: 604-826-8725

Seminary of Christ the King

PO Box 3310

Mission BC  V2V 4J5

website:  http://www.sck.ca/

Letter to Hon. Christy Clark

Please see letter to Hon. Christy Clark on Assisted Suicide from Arch Bishop Miller on behalf of the bishops of BC.

World Day for Consecrated Life and the closing of the Year for Consecrated Life

On Tuesday, February 2, 2016, 7:00 PM, on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Bishop Stephen Jensen will celebrate a Solemn Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral with the religious men and women of the Diocese. Everyone is welcome to attend and show appreciation to those who have chosen to live the consecrated life. This day will also mark the closing of the Year for Concecrated Life, which began on November 30, 2014. Please bring goodies to share for the reception which will take place in the lower church hall.

Attention Catholic Schools

Last week creative and exciting events took place in our schools during Catholic Education Week. While the deadline for the next Northern Catholic News is not until February 15th, now (while everything is fresh in your minds and you remember where you filed the pictures) is a good time to write about how great your school is and what took place during this week of celebration and activity. We look forward to receiving pictures and articles to liven up the Spring edition of the Northern Catholic News. Send to majamin@pgdiocese.bc.ca as soon as possible. Thank you!

Office of Evangelization and Catechesis

Come and Rest

All are welcome to…Come and Rest (Mt 11:28):  The Office of Evangelization and Catechesis (OEC) in cooperation with Christ Our Saviour Parish is hosting a series of Sabbath Day Encounters with Jesus.  These are gatherings where we will welcome Him in prayer, adoration, teaching, and fellowship.  Each session begins with coffee and fellowship in the basement of Christ Our Saviour in Prince George.  A presentation will follow for the various generations (adult, teens, and children).  Child care will also be provided.

The topic for these sessions will be:  PRAYING WITH THE HEART OF JESUS, an ongoing series where we will explore the riches of the Heart of Jesus and it’s connection to the Year of Mercy.  After the teaching time, we will have a potluck dinner (bring a dish to share) followed by an evening of Adoration and Worship before the Blessed Sacrament.   These days will take place on the Sundays of Jan 24, Feb 21, March 20, April 17, May 15,  3:00 – 7:30 pm.  For more info. call Tracy at 250-640-0251 or email her at sacredmission@icloud.com.

“Jesus, let me enter Your Heart as I would a school.”                         St Margaret Mary

• Diocesan Annual Appeal Report for January 13, 2016
• OEC Come Rest Event Poster winter 2016

World Day for Consecrated Life and the closing of the Year for Consecrated Life

On Tuesday, February 2, 2016, 7:00 PM, on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Bishop Stephen Jensen will celebrate a Solemn Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral with the religious men and women of the Diocese. Everyone is welcome to attend and show appreciation to those who have chosen to live the consecrated life. This day will also mark the closing of the Year for Consecrated Life, which began on November 30, 2014. Please bring goodies to share for the reception which will take place in the lower church hall.

Psalms: Sundays and Solemnities (NRSV Translation)

Year B Psalms were available for sale last October – Year C is now also available for sale. You can place an order by telephone, by fax, by email or online (see information below).

CODE: 182-399

TITLE: Psalms for Sundays and Solemnities: NRSV – Year C

PRICE: $75.00

DISCOUNT: 40% discount to Dioceses and bookstores.

TELEPHONE: 1-800-769-1147

FAX: 613-241-5090

EMAIL: publi@cccb.ca

WEBSITE: https://esubmitit.sjpg.com/cccb/index.aspx?component=ProductDetails&id=182-399

The Year A volume is expected to be available later this spring.

Declaration on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide

This past October 29, the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC) and the CCCB launched a joint Declaration on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide at the National Press Gallery in Ottawa on Parliament Hill. The CCCB and EFC were assisted in the launching by Rabbi Dr. Reuven P. Bulka from the Congregation Machzikei Hadas in Ottawa, and Imam Samy Metwally from the Ottawa Main Mosque/Ottawa Muslim Association. At the time of its release, the Declaration had 56 signatories from Catholic, Orthodox, Evangelical, Jewish and Muslim faith leaders across Canada.

The sponsoring signatories to the Declaration, including the CCCB, would now like to make a concerted effort to obtain signatures from a wide spectrum of Canadians who agree with the principles outlined in the Declaration. The EFC and the Jewish and Muslim partners have agreed to do the same. The number of signatures has already grown to 1,961 as of January 7, including some members from among various mainline Protestant Churches.

You are invited sign the joint Declaration and help make it better known. Signatures to the Declaration are made on line. The Declaration and the signatory option can be accessed at the following links:

English – http://www.euthanasiadeclaration.ca/sign-the-declaration/

French – http://www.euthanasiadeclaration.ca/fr-signer-la-declaration/

The hope is that a considerable number of Canadians will sign so that when Catholic, Evangelical, Orthodox, Jewish and Muslim representatives are engaging federal, provincial, territorial or municipal governments on the question of euthanasia and assisted suicide, the Declaration can be used as evidence of the numerous and diverse groups of Canadians who do not support physician-assisted suicide.

What does it mean for descendants of residential school staff to reconcile with Canadian history?

To explore this question, graduate student Caroline Crocker is asking Canadians who have parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles or other relatives who worked in the Indian Residential School System to participate in a focus group discussion on Saturday, January 30, 2016. If you worked at Lejac Indian Residential School and you think possibly your children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews would be interested in participating in this discussion, contact Caroline by phone at 613-986-2276 or by email atcrockerc@uvic.ca for further information.

Office of Evangelization and Catechesis

 COME AND REST

All are welcome to…Come and Rest (Mt 11:28):  The Office of Evangelization and Catechesis (OEC) in cooperation with Christ Our Saviour Parish is hosting a series of Sabbath Day Encounters with Jesus.  These are gatherings where we will welcome Him in prayer, adoration, teaching, and fellowship.  Each session begins with coffee and fellowship in the basement of Christ Our Saviour in Prince George.  A presentation will follow for the various generations (adult, teens, and children).  Child care will also be provided.

The topic for these sessions will be:  PRAYING WITH THE HEART OF JESUS, an ongoing series where we will explore the riches of the Heart of Jesus and it’s connection to the Year of Mercy.  After the teaching time, we will have a potluck dinner (bring a dish to share) followed by an evening of Adoration and Worship before the Blessed Sacrament.   These days will take place on the Sundays of Jan 24, Feb 21, March 20, April 17, May 15,  3:00 – 7:30 pm.  For more info. call Tracy at 250-640-0251 or email her at sacredmission@icloud.com.

 “Jesus, let me enter Your Heart as I would a school.”                         St Margaret Mary

 Young Adults

Faith studies

Have you made any resolutions for 2016? How about growing in your spiritual strength and knowledge?

Starting this January, we will be offering 3 different faith studies to all young adults ages 18-30. These small group faith studies explore the basics of the Catholic Christian faith. Regardless of your faith background or where you are at, we invite you to join us. Bring your questions! These 6-week studies meet for just 1 hour each week at a location and time that works for you.

• Discovery
• Growth
• Commissioning

Diocesan Annual Appeal Weekly Report for 2015-12-23

Office Assisant to The Office of Evangelization and Catechesis (OEC) Job Opportunity

Annunciation LD .50 FTE Learning Assistance Feb-16

Diocesan Directory: Please note that the Diocesan Directory for 2015-2016 has been updated and is available on our website at
https://www.pgdiocese.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Directory-2015-2016-for-the-web2.pdf

Please follow the link and check your contact information for your parish/school etc. If there are any corrections to be made, please let Teresa know, and the corrections will be made in the New Year. This is a pdf document if you would like you can print it or if you would prefer a printed copy, please let Teresa know.

Diocesan Annual Appeal Report Dec 16/15

Domano Renewal Centre January 2016 at a Glance

Administrative Assistant Employment opportunity for The Office of Evangelization and Catechesis

CIS – Annunciation LD .50 FTE Learning Assistance Feb-16

Annual Diocesan Appeal

It is a pleasure to share an update of the Annual Diocesan Appeal, Building Together in Faith. To date 78.8% has been pledged towards our Diocesan Goal of $400,000.

St. Patrick’s Parish, McBride is the latest parish that has reached, and even exceeded their goal. They have reached 112.8%. Thank you to Fr. John Garden and Detta Smith for all their work and encouragement to the parishioners.

Thank you to all of you for your continued support to the Annual Diocesan Appeal and for your promotion of the Appeal in your parishes. As always, your collaboration is appreciated in making the Annual Diocesan Appeal a success.

Sacred Heart Cathedral—Employment Opportunity

Sacred Heart Cathedral is looking to fill the Secretary/Bookkeeper position for the Parish Office starting in early December. It is a 25 – 30 hour/week position.

Strong computer skills in (MS Word); good communication skills (written and oral); discretion and confidentiality are necessary.

Please submit resumes to the attention of:

Rev. Melvin Pinto, OCD, Rector

Sacred Heart Cathedral

887 Patricia Blvd.

Prince George, BC V2L 3V5

or email: melvinpintoocd@gmail.com

THIRD ANNUAL PRINCE GEORGE 40 DAYS FOR LIFE

The next 40 Days for Life Campaign is scheduled to start on February 10th.

We are looking for co-coordinators to help organize the event and volunteers for the vigil. As this is a 40 day campaign it requires many people to volunteer.

40 Days for Life is a community-based campaign that takes a determined, peaceful approach to showing local communities the consequences of abortion in their own neighborhoods, for their own friends and families. It puts into action a desire to cooperate with God in the carrying out of His plan for the end of abortion. It draws attention to the evil of abortion through the use of a three-point program: Prayer and fasting, Constant vigil and Community outreach.

Prince George is one of the four communities in BC that hosts this event. Many lives have been saved through your efforts. Help to save even more lives.

Please email Tony Donovan at mailto:tdonovan@gmail.com to volunteer, or for more information.

Attention Former Frontier Apostles

What does it mean for descendants of residential school staff to reconcile with Canadian history? To explore this question, Caroline Crocker, a graduate student at the University of Victoria, is reaching out to other Canadians like herself – people whose parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles or other relatives worked in the Indian Residential School System – to ask them to join a focus group on Saturday, January 30, 2016 to discuss the topic. Caroline’s research project is on reconciliation (improving relationships and healing) in Canada between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, specifically in regards to the Indian Residential School system. If you worked at an Indian Residential School and you think possibly your children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews would be interested in participating in this discussion, contact Caroline by phone at 613-986-2276 or by email at  crockerc@uvic.ca for further information.

• 2015-12-09 Annual Diocesan Appeal Report
• Jubilee Indulgence 2015
• 2nd Annual Youth Christmas Coffeehouse
• 2015-12-08_Administrative_Assistant_OEC_Ad

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and the beginning of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy

Thank you to all city parishes, priests and parishioners who gathered Tuesday evening with Bishop Stephen Jensen to celebrate Mass. The effort of those who organized the Liturgy, and the dedication of the ministers who fulfilled their tasks was obvious. It was a solemn, prayerful and joyous celebration.

The Office of Evangelization and Catechesis (OEC)

Effective October 5, 2015, Norman Hebert, Projects Manager resigned. Although late in coming, we thank Norm for his contributions to the Pastoral Centre. In order to support the Directors of the OEC we are seeking an Office Assistant. The postion has been posted but a suitable candidate for the job has not been found, thus the position is being posted again.

Sacred Heart Cathedral—Employment Opportunity

Sacred Heart Cathedral is looking to fill the Secretary/Bookkeeper position for the Parish Office starting in early December. It is a 25 – 30 hour/week position.

Strong computer skills in (MS Word); good communication skills (written and oral); discretion and confidentiality are necessary.

Please submit resumes to the attention of:

Rev. Melvin Pinto, OCD, Rector

Sacred Heart Cathedral

887 Patricia Blvd.

Prince George, BC V2L 3V5

or email: melvinpintoocd@gmail.com

Christmas Mass Times in the Diocese

For those who have not yet responded, please note the Pastoral Centre has received calls from people inquiring about Christmas Mass times in the city. We would like to publish the Mass times for ALL parishes in the Diocese on the Diocesan webpage. Please send an email to the Pastoral Centre receptionist with this information as soon as possible. Thank you.

2nd Annual Christmas Coffeehouse

All are invited to our Christmas Coffeehouse – In collaboration with the Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministry and the John Paul II Club at UNBC, we will be hosting a coffeehouse to celebrate Advent and the coming Christmas season. Proceeds will go to support young adults traveling to the RISE UP conference in Montreal, QC. Book your calendars for Sunday, December 13 @ 7 – 9 PM at the Diocesan Centre.

THIRD ANNUAL PRINCE GEORGE 40 DAYS FOR LIFE

The next 40 Days for Life Campaign is scheduled to start on February 10th.

We are looking for co-coordinators to help organize the event and volunteers for the vigil. As this is a 40 day campaign it requires many people to volunteer.

40 Days for Life is a community-based campaign that takes a determined, peaceful approach to showing local communities the consequences of abortion in their own neighborhoods, for their own friends and families. It puts into action a desire to cooperate with God in the carrying out of His plan for the end of abortion. It draws attention to the evil of abortion through the use of a three-point program: Prayer and fasting, Constant vigil and Community outreach.

Prince George is one of the four communities in BC that hosts this event. Many lives have been saved through your efforts. Help to save even more lives.

Please email Tony Donovan at mailto:tdonovan@gmail.com to volunteer, or for more information.

Attention Former Frontier Apostle

What does it mean for descendants of residential school staff to reconcile with Canadian history? To explore this question, Caroline Crocker, a graduate student at the University of Victoria, is reaching out to other Canadians like herself – people whose parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles or other relatives worked in the Indian Residential School System – to ask them to join a focus group on Saturday, January 30, 2016 to discuss the topic. Caroline’s research project is on reconciliation (improving relationships and healing) in Canada between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, specifically in regards to the Indian Residential School system. If you worked at an Indian Residential School and you think possibly your children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews would be interested in participating in this discussion, contact Caroline by phone at 613-986-2276 or by email at  crockerc@uvic.ca for further information.

• 2015-12-02 DAA Report
• Youth Christmas Coffeehouse Poster

Jubilee of Mercy

Opening of The Jubilee of Mercy– The Holy Year will open with a Eucharistic Celebration on the 8^th of December 2015, 7:00 PM, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Bishop Stephen Jensen will be the main celebrant with other priests in the city con-celebrating. A reception will follow in the church’s lower hall. Please bring finger foods to share. Sacred Heart CWL will host and organize, but they would appreciate if others would bring snacks to share.

Opening of the Door of Mercy — Bishop Stephen Jensen will celebrate Mass with the Rite of the Opening of the Door of Mercy at Sacred Heart Cathedral on the 13^th of December 2015, 11:00 AM, the 3^rd Sunday of Advent. A reception will follow, please bring goodies to share.

*Music Ministry for the Jubilee Celebrations: if you would like to join the music ministry for these celebrations you are welcome. Practices are as follows: Sunday, December 6 at 3:00 PM (till 5:00 PM if we need it), and Monday December 7 at 6:00 PM (till 7 pm).

For those unable to make either practices, singers can come at 5:30 PM on December 8 to learn/review the new hymn. Please see our webpage for music score https://www.pgdiocese.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Jubilee-of-Mercy-Hymn.pdf and to listen to mp3 http://www.iubilaeummisericordiae.va/content/dam/gdm/documenti/inno/Misericordes%20sicut%20Pater!-Inno%20Anno%20Santo%202015.mp3

Sacred Heart Cathedral—Employment Opportunity

Sacred Heart Cathedral is looking to fill the Secretary/Bookkeeper position for the Parish Office starting in early December. It is a 25 – 30 hour/week position.

Strong computer skills in (MS Word); good communication skills (written and oral); discretion and confidentiality are necessary.

Please submit resumes to the attention of:

Rev. Melvin Pinto, OCD, Rector,

Sacred Heart Cathedral,

887 Patricia Blvd,

Prince George, BC V2L 3V5

or email: melvinpintoocd@gmail.com

2nd Annual Christmas Coffeehouse

All are invited to our Christmas Coffeehouse – In collaboration with the Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministry and the John Paul II Club at UNBC, we will be hosting a coffeehouse to celebrate Advent and the coming Christmas season. Proceeds will go to support young adults traveling to the RISE UP conference in Montreal, QC. Book your calendars for Sunday, December 13, 2015 @ 7:00 – 9:00 PM at the Diocesan Centre. (Poster attached!)

Monthly Day of Adoration

Emmanuel Hermitage invites you to a personal date with Jesus on December 8, 2015 in the Domano Chapel, 6500 Southridge Ave. Mass will be celebrated at 7:30 AM and the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM for a day of silent prayer and adoration. We will pray 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. Please note that due to the solemn Mass for Openning of the Jubilee of Mercy at 7:00 PM at Sacred Heart we will conclude our Day of Adoration at 6:00 PM.

DIOCESAN ANNUAL APPEAL

2015-11-04 DAA Report

Please continue to pray for the Annual Appeal and provide pledge cards for parishioners.

OFFICE OF EVANGELIZATION & CATECHESIS

Click here to see OEC UPDATES FLYER

MONTHLY DAY OF ADORATION

Emmanuel Hermitage invites you to a Personal Date with Jesus on November 10, 2015 in the Domano Chapel, 6500 Southridge Ave. Mass will be celebrated at 7:30 AM and the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. for a day of silent prayer and adoration. We will pray 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.

MEN’S RETREAT

“Let’s spend a special moment with the Lord.”
Friday, November 13, 6:00 PM (beginning with a light supper) to Sunday, November 15 (finishing after lunch).

Are you strong and tough enough to stay with the Lord for a weekend?

Come and participate in a men’s sacred moment. This weekend is a unique opportunity for mento be away from the routines, worries, concerns and anxieties of daily life.

Staying in the presence of the Lord for a while helps re-awaken the sense of Christian identity and mission of the participants. Come and join Fr. Rector as he leads participants to a deeper self-examination and an evaluation of your personal response to the mission entrusted by Jesus Christ to all the baptized.

Location: Emmaus
Fee: Live-in: $175.00 Commuter: $110.00
Facilitator: Very Reverend Fr. Rectorino Tolentino, Jr., Vicar General of the P.G. Diocese
Registration: phone 250.964.4475 or online at www.domanorenewalcentre.org

PARISH MISSION

Sacred Heart Parish, Terrace, BC–“The Chrisitan Principals on Spiritual Healing”, November 30 to December 3, 2015. ( Sacred Heart Terrace Mission Poster)

We are blessed to have a Dominican priest, Fr. Emmerich Vogt, facilitating our Advent Parish Mission. Having come from a family who struggled with alcohol and drug addictions, Fr Emmerich has studied the 12-Step Program for his own healing and now helps others to overcome obstacles and find peace. For the past 32 years Fr. Emmerich has been involved in giving retreats to Mother Teresa’s Priests and Sisters in: Mexico, Poland, Guatemala, Calcutta and Africa.

Join us at Sacred Heart in Terrace as Fr Emmerich speaks about the Christian Principles on Spiritual Healing. Come and learn more about yourself in this spiritual program which leads to a peace that is beyond all understanding.

Appeal Updates:

 Reminder: If there are still any Appeal envelopes for parishioners in your church foyers, please remember to mail them, and send your receipt to the Appeal office for postage reimbursement.

Commitment Sunday is October 25, 2015. More information will be sent next week.

Diocesan Formation Days –

The Face of Mercy: Held in the four Deaneries of the Diocese of Prince George throughout September and October.

The session for the Central Deanery will take place on October 22-23 at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre. Our keynote speaker, Father Basil Burns, PhD., is a gifted presenter who came to the Diocese to assist in theological formation and faith development. He will explore the meaning of the upcoming Jubilee Year of Mercy. Priests, religious, Parish and School Council members, parishioners especially those in parish leadership, and Catholic School principals, teachers and staff are all invited to these days that are designed to be an experience of prayer and interactive learning that will help us respond to our vocation to be disciples. A special invitation is extended to young adults and to anyone from the other three deaneries who have not yet been able to participate.

Thursday, October 22, 2015 @ 7-8:30 PM

Friday, October 23, 2015 beginning with Mass @ 8 AM followed by refreshments.

Sessions from 8:45 AM – 3:30 PM

No registration fee.

Please bring your own lunch.

Consultation on Suicide: This is our opportunity to influence a decision that will impact everyone in Canada. Please take part in the federal government’s assisted suicide consultation process. The consultation panel’s “Issue Book” questionnaire asks for your views on important issues relating to physician-assisted dying: http://www.ep-ce.ca/issue-book. The deadline is November 17. The panel will propose legislative options on “doctor-assisted dying” this fall, leaving only a few months before Parliament must draft a new law to replace the one struck down by the Supreme Court of Canada. Share your personal experiences with the panel and let it know your concerns about doctor-assisted suicide.

Grief to Grace: Applications are now being accepted for the next Grief to Grace program to be held in Kelowna, November 19-22, 2015. Grief to Grace – Reclaiming the Gift of Human Dignity is a spiritual journey for anyone who has suffered degradation or violation through sexual/psychological abuse, rape, incest, physical or emotional abuse and neglect or other forms of traumatic violation in childhood, adolescence or as an adult. To register or for more information call 250-878-7603 or e-mail g2gkelowna@gmail.com or www.grieftograce.org

YOUTH

Save the date for DYC 2016: April 29 – May 1, 2016 in Prince George—More information to come.

Formation for all Youth Minister, Teachers and Parents:

The need for greater formation in our large, spread out diocese has been heard. We will be travelling across the diocese so that you don’t have to! We are incredibly blessed to have the Director of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the Archdiocese of Vancouver, spend five days with us. Clay Imoo is the father of three and a die-hard Canuck fan. He has been serving the Archdiocese of Vancouver for 13 years, prior to this he has youth ministry experience in a parish setting. Clay will offer sessions for all youth ministers, catechists, teachers and parents. These sessions will focus on tangible tools needed to teach our young people to walk as disciples of Jesus in the fullness of the Catholic faith. Here is a rough outline of dates:

• Thursday, October 15 – Evening, time TBA – Terrace (Sacred Heart Parish)
• Saturday, October 17 – 10 – 12 PM – Prince George (Sacred Heart Parish)
• Sunday, October 18 – 4 – 7 PM – Dawson Creek (Notre Dame Parish)

For more information, please email Eunice at youth@pgdiocese.bc.ca

YOUNG ADULTS

World Youth Day 2016 in Krawkow, Poland: All those 18+ are invited to join us as we head to WYD in Poland. We will be partnering with the Archdiocese of Vancouver. The anticipated total cost for the trip is $3800 (including taxes). Those interested can email ehii@pgdiocese.bc.ca. A deposit of $1000 is due by October 31, 2015 to secure your spot.

Faith Studies – All young adults in Prince George are invited to join a weekly small-group faith study. This 6-week study focuses in on the foundations of what it means to be a Catholic. These faith studies will begin the week of October 13, (this week) These groups will be setup according to the schedules of those who would like to participate. Email Eunice at ehii@pgdiocese.bc.ca if you are interested in joining a group.

Vocations Retreats – Seminary of Christ the King

The next Vocation Live-ins for the College and High School Seminary are:

• November 13-15, 2015
• February 12-14, 2016
• April 8-10, 2016

If you would like to attend, please contact:

College Seminary Live In:
Father Matthew Gerlich, OSB
Tel: 604-826-8715
Email: rector.majors@yahoo.ca.