Wednesday Weekly February 11, 2015 Print Version
1. Lenten Prayer and Penance for Life
Please share the following message from Bishop Jensen with parishioners:
The recent Supreme Court decision that struck down the law preventing doctors from helping their patients commit suicide is another dark chapter in the spread of the “culture of death”, to use St. John Paul’s vivid expression. The false argument claiming this as a compassionate way to treat the dying is the ultimate disrespect of people at the end of life. The dying need care, not killing.
We have an opportunity to build a culture of life by asking our political leaders to ensure appropriate palliative care for all who need it. To support this initiative, I invite everyone to use the coming season of Lent to implore God’s mercy on our nation and its civil leaders in this cause.
When the apostles felt powerless in the face of evil, Our Lord told them: “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting” (Mk. 9:29). Let us use the means of prayer and fasting (as we are capable) to ask the Lord to deliver us from the evils that threaten life at its most vulnerable stages.
Bishop Stephen Jensen
2. Rachel’s Vineyard
Please put the following notice in parish bulletins:
Rachel’s Vineyard is an international organization and retreat ministry offering healing for women and men who suffer as a result of involvement with abortion. Nancy, the site director for Rachel’s Vineyard of the Kamloops Diocese, will share her own story about abortion, the pain that followed and God’s healing in her life through the Church and Rachel’s Vineyard. She will share her fears and misconceptions about finding help in the Church. After years of shame and secrecy, Nancy shares this personal aspect of her life in order to help others who are suffering to find healing and peace. There are few people who are not touched, at least indirectly, by the scourge of abortion. Come and hear her presentation on Wednesday, March 4th, 2015, 7:00 pm at the Diocese of Prince George Pastoral Centre, 6500 Southridge Avenue, Prince George to learn how we might help those who suffer.
3. Statistical Report Reminder
Thank you to parishes who have already submitted their reports. This is a reminder to the remaining parishes that the deadline to submit the statistical information for the Annual Rome Report is February 13th. Please complete the statistical information requested on the attached form and return it to Mary-Anne Lewis Jamin. Contact Mary-Anne at (250)964-4424 ext 234 or majamin@pgdiocese.bc.ca if you have any questions. Thank you.
parish stats request Rome Report
4. Employment Opportunity: Archivist/Records Manager
Please post the attached job opportunity and put the following notices in parish bulletins:
The Diocese of Prince George seeks a part-time Archivist/Records Manager. Reporting to the Chancellor, the Archivist/Record Manager’s role is to manage the permanent records of the Diocese in compliance with legal requirements, historical use and standard professional practice by administering an integrated archives, records management and privacy program. Qualified applicants will possess a university degree in archival studies, history or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Interested candidates are asked to submit a résumé and a one-page cover letter to:
Chancery, Diocese of Prince George
6500 Southridge Avenue, Prince George, BC V2N 5P9
Fax: 250 964-2101
Email: chancery@pgdiocese.bc.ca
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled; initial review of applications will commence on March 9th, 2015.
For further details, click here: Archivist/Records Manager
5. Youth and Young Adult Ministry Update
Please put the following notices in parish bulletins:
DYC 2015: Mark your calendars! The 20th annual DYC will be held May 1-3, 2015 at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre, Prince George. DYC is open to all youth from Grades 7 to 12. This year’s DYC will feature a great worship band and keynote speaker, Chris Padgett. Online registration will be up shortly!
Campus Alpha: following the Canada Winters Games break, Campus Alpha resumes on Thursday, March 5th, 2015 @ 7pm at the UNBC Campus in room 5-172. Come on out for a dinner, great video, and discussion. All young adults ages 18-35 are welcome.
Seeking Chefs: People who are interested in cooking and serving our young adults are needed by the CAMPUS ALPHA group on Thursdays. Please email Eunice at ehii@pgdiocese.bc.ca if you can commit to making one meal or more!
Ski Smithers: All young adults ages 18-35 are invited to be a part of our ski retreat in Smithers from March 13-15, 2015. This will include 1-2 days of skiing as well as some much needed times of contemplation with Fr. Jack and Fr. Pier. More details will be out shortly, but email Eunice at ehii@pgdiocese.bc.ca if you are interested.
6. Rainbows for All Children
Please put the following notice in parish bulletins in the Central Region:
The next Rainbows series starts Thursday, March 5th at 6:30 pm at St. Mary’s School in Prince George. Rainbows is a peer support group for children, adolescents and adults who are grieving a death, divorce or any other painful transition in their family. Sessions run for 11 weeks each Thursday from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. There is no cost to participants. To register and for more information, call us at (250)562-3477, email rainbowspg@shawcable.com or see the website at: www.rainbowspg.com.
7. Message by Pope Francis for Lent 2015
Please find attached the Message by Pope Francis for Lent entitled “Make your hearts firm (cf. Jas 5:8)”. Based on the theme of the globalization of indifference, the Holy Father expresses his hope “that all those places where the Church is present, especially our parishes and our communities, may become islands of mercy in the midst of the sea of indifference!” Three biblical texts are provided for reflection and internal renewal so that the faithful “will receive a heart which is firm and merciful, attentive and generous, a heart which is not closed, indifferent or prey to the globalization of indifference.”
Message from Holy Father Lent 2015
8. COLF Seminar on Life and Family
The Catholic Organization for Life and Family (COLF) will be hosting a Seminar from March 19-20, 2015, in Gatineau, Quebec. The theme of the conference is: “When Life Takes Us by Surprise…” An impressive roster of Canadian, American and European speakers will be addressing different facets of this issue. The inspiration for the theme came from Pope Francis’ words: “It is not ‘progressive’ to try to resolve problems by eliminating a human life. On the other hand, it is also true that we have done little to adequately accompany women in very difficult situations, where abortion appears as a quick solution to their profound anguish” (Evangelii gaudium, 214). For further information and to register, please see the COLF website at: http://colf.ca/index.php/en/events/item/219-2015-seminar-of-life-and-family