DIOCESAN EVENTS 2017

Transcription

1 DIOCESAN EVENTS 2017 JULY JULY 1 Saturday, July 1, 2017 Bishop Serge Poitras will preside the celebration at Saint Anthony of Padua Cathedral at 10:00 a.m., for the 150th Canadian Confederation and Consecration of the Diocese and of Canada to Mary.

2 Bishop Serge Poitras has designated every Aboriginal Mission in our Diocese with a Patron Saint which picture was given to each chief accompanied with an explanation letter. Saint Kateri Tekakwitha ( ) - Beaver House First Nations (Catholic Mission) Saint Juan Diego Cuauhlatoatzin ( ) - Wahgoshig First Nations (Catholic Mission) Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas - Matachewan First Nations (Catholic Mission)

3 Invitation!! PLEASE JOIN US IN CELEBRATION at St.Anthony of Padua Cathedral (on Fifth avenue) in Timmins Celebration presided by Bishop Serge Poitras THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2017 AT 7:00 P.M. Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Lily of the Mohawks Patroness of the Environment and Ecology Everyone is welcome!!! Light snack will be served after mass For more information contact Kim at OCCC ( )

4 JUNE Tuesday, June 13, 2017 is the feast of Saint Anthony of Padua, patron saint of the Diocese of Timmins, starting at 7:00 p.m. at Saint Anthony of Padua Cathedral of Timmins. At this celebration, we will honour: * the 70 years of ministry to the priesthood of Bishop Emeritus Jacques Landriault and his 55 years of Episcopate, * the 40 years of ministry to the priesthood of Father Mieczyslaw Sliwa, (Holy Name Parish/moderator at Holy Trinity Parish) * the 30 years of ministry to the priesthood of Msgr Patrick D. Lafleur, V.G. (St. Anthony of Padua Cathedral Parish) * the 10 years of ministry to the priesthood of Father Marcel Bruneau, (paroisse St. Joachim Parish) * the 5 years of Episcopate of Bishop Serge Poitras, Bishop of Timmins. * the 35 years as Mandated Person in Pastoral Ministry and 60 years of Religious Life of Sister Margot Génier, S.A.S.V., * the 25 years of Administrative services of Mrs. Madeleine Bertrand (12 of those years for St. Anthony of Padua Cathedral Parish and 13 years for Nativity Parish), * the 20 years as Mandated Person in Pastoral Ministry of Mrs Maureen Graham- Szewczyk, * the 15 years as Financial Administrator of Mr. Langis Dion, * the 80 years of presence of the Sisters of Notre-Dame-Auxiliatrice; we will honour 10 Sisters who worked 5 years or more in the Diocese of Timmins, and Sister Georgette Fortier, nda, who served 23 years in the Diocese will receive the Papal Cross, Pro Ecclesia and Pontifice. Bishop Serge Poitras celebration of June 13 th at St. Anthony of Padua Cathedral Parish

5 2017 Jubilarian s Anniversary cake

6 Sister Georgette Fortier, nda Received the Papal Cross, Pro Ecclesia and Pontifice Sister Margot Génier,sasv and Bishop Serge Poitras

7 Here are a few possible announcements. April and May Website Announcement The National Catholic Broadcasting Council (NCBC) is hosting a Week of Prayer for Vocations from May 6th - May 13th. Each Mass during that week will focus on the call to religious life. You can join the Vocations Prayer Circle by visiting the NCBC website at by at info@ncbc.ca, or call toll-free at to have your name added to the Circle. Images Here are a few images you could use for your bulletin and/or website. Click Here for Banner and AD for Week of Prayer for Vocations February and March February 2 Day of the Consecrated Life Celebration at Sacré-Cœur Parish in New Liskeard February 22 Chair of Saint-Peter celebration at the Cathedral in Timmins March 1 Ash Wednesday celebrations in every Parish of the Diocese

8 January Confirmations throughout the months of January to June by Bishop Poitras January 1 New Year wishes at the Cathedral with Bishop Poitras in attendance. January 8 Epiphany Masses; Bishop Poitras will be in Ramore to celebrate mass Saturday January 7, at 7 :00 p.m. and Sunday, January 8, he will will be in Matheson for the 9:00 a.m. mass and in Val Gagné for the 11:00 a.m. mass. January 22 There will be a celebration for Christian Unity at St-Matthew s Cathedral in Timmins at 7:00 p.m. January 30 - Kindergarten Registration To Take Place in Our Catholic Schools

9 2016 DECEMBER

10 Dec. 5 : Meeting of the Diocesan Finance Council at 7 :00 p.m. at the Diocesan Centre. Dec. 8 : Bishop Poitras will participate at the Ordination of Bishop Marc Pelchat, Bishop-elect of Lambesi and Bishop Louis Corriveau, Bishop-elect of Arena. The ordinations will take place at the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré in Québec. Dec. 11 : Penitence celebration at 2:00 p.m. at Saints-Martyrs-Canadiens in Iroquois Falls with Bishop Poitras and Father Georges Hakiza Nyarubwa, ofm

11 Dec. 13 Penitence celebration at Sacred Heart Parish, 7:00 p.m. with Bishop Serge Poitras and Fr. John Lemire. Dec. 24 Mass presided by Bishop Poitras at 10 :00 p.m. at Saint Anthony Cathedra Parish, Timmins. A midnight mass will also be presided by Bishop Poitras at Notre-Dame-dela-Paix Parish, Timmins Dec. 27 A special mass will be celebrated to commemorate Bishop Poitra s 4th year of Episcopal Ordination at Saint Anthony of Padua Cathedral Parish at 7:00 p.m. NOVEMBER 2016 Nov. 2: Celebration at 7 :00 p.m. presided by Bishop Serge Poitras at Saint Anthony of Padua Cathedral Parish to commemorate all the faithful departed, but in a special way for the departed Bishops, priests and permanent deacons of the Diocese of Timmins. This celebration is at Saint Anthony of Padua Cathedral Parish. Nov. 5: English regional pastoral meeting at Holy Name Parish in Kirkland Lake. Nov. 12: Celebration at 5 :00 p.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Cathedral Parish for the closing of the Holy Year, presided by Bishop Serge Poitras. A celebration will also be presided by Msgr Pat Lafleur, at Sainte-Croix Parish in Haileybury at the same time. Pasto-nord regional meeting at Saint-Dominique Parish, Timmins Nov On the Christ the King Sunday, each parish will have a closing celebration for the closing of the Centenary of the Diocese of Timmins. South regional meeting at Sacré-Cœur Parish in New Liskeard.

12 Nov. 24: Presbyteral Council Meeting at the Diocesan Centre, Timmins. JOB POSTING (Diocese of Timmins): JOB POSTING WITHIN THE DIOCESE OF TIMMINS: 21/09/2016 DIOCESAN FAITH FORMATION COORDINATOR Position: Full time, bilingual (French-English) position located at the Diocesan Center in Timmins, Ontario The Faith Formation Coordinator reports to the Bishop of the Diocese. Position Duties: The Diocesan Faith Formation Coordinator will establish leadership teams, will coordinate and offer formation, support and supervision in pastoral ministry. While accomplishing these tasks, the Coordinator will promote co-responsibility, teamwork and partnership between parishes, homes and Catholic schools. Responsibilities: Establish faith formation programs for sacramental preparation, liturgy and Christian initiation of adults. Form lay teams in the area of pastoral group work and foster co-responsibility between priests and laity. Identify pastoral needs, provide resources and assure continuous monitoring. Plan and facilitate regional meetings in concert with the members of the Regional Leadership Team. Collaborate to build an active partnership between Catholic schools, homes and parishes by promoting frank and open dialogue and annual faith-sharing meetings. Participate in the Diocesan Coordinating Group with the bishop and regional leaders. Promote a common and co-responsible diocesan vision by creating links for exchange between those responsible at the diocesan and parish levels and diverse pastoral services. The successful candidate should: Have experience in group facilitation, pastoral leadership and formation of catechists; Display an ability to be welcoming, to listen, to work in multidisciplinary teams and to manage; Have a good self-awareness, psychological and spiritual maturity and show good pastoral judgment;

13 Demonstrate initiative, self-motivation, creativity, co-responsibility and openness to others; Possess a vision of Church, rooted in the New Evangelization and promote this vision in collaboration with diocesan and regional leadership teams. Communication: Fluency in both French and English languages (spoken and written) Requirements: Bachelor s degree in Catholic Theology or its equivalent Experience in pastoral ministry and leadership at the parish and/or diocesan level. Salary: According to the salary scale in effect. Starting date: December 5 th, 2016 Interested parties with the required qualifications are invited to submit their Curriculum Vitae along with the names of three references before 12 noon on October 21 st, 2016 to: Human Resources Roman Catholic Diocese of Timmins 65 Jubilee Avenue East, Timmins, ON P4N 5W4 Telephone: / Fax: / dioctims@ntl.sympatico.ca Web Site: The Diocese will contact only those applicants selected for an interview. Facebook page by Sister Margot Génier for the Centenary of the Diocese of Timmins OCTOBER THE ENGLISH MARRIAGE PREPARATION DATES FOR 2017 ARE: (at St.Anthony s Parish) JANUARY 27 & 28, 2017 (FIRST SESSION) APRIL 28 & 29, (SECOND SESSION)

14 Contact person for registration: Dana and Brian Perreault at (see attachment for registration form and more information) For more information contact St. Anthony s Parish October 19: Meeting for the Ordained Ministers and Mandated Persons held at Holy Name Parish in Kirkland Lake from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. October 26: Meeting of the Diocesan Pastoral Council held at Saint Laurent Parish in Ramore at 10:00 a.m. SEPTEMBER September 26: The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace is posting the information package it has prepared to advertise the position for a new Executive Director. You may also wish to bring the materials to the attention of possible candidates whom you know personally. The attached materials, in both English and French, are: 1) Announcement for bulletin boards or for circulating (these also include a bilingual version Affichage DG ); 2) Facebook posting; 3) Profile of the position; 4) Job description. The deadline for applications is October 14, The job announcement is also on the CCODP website, direct links are: - in English, in French, September 8 Diocesan Marian Mass at Saint Anthony of Padua Cathedral Parish at 7:00 p.m. We will recognize in a special way those who are involved in pastoral ministry among the sick. After communion, a special blessing is planned. Following the celebration, there will be the launching of the Centenary Book where Mr. Florent Héroux will be on hand. For the faithful of the South region of the Diocese.

15 Launching of the Centenary Book at Sacré-Coeur Parish in New Liskeard, Sept 10, following the Saturday mass.

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17 September 18 Celebration for our deceased presided by Bishop Poitras (Vespers and Word of the Liturgy) on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at the Timmins Cemetery.

18 September 25 Jubilee of Catechists On the calendar for the centennial of the diocese, we planned to highlight this Jubilee in our parishes and our schools. We are invited to focus on people responsible for religious teaching in our schools as well as catechists who work in our parishes, particularly in sacramental preparation. JULY

19 12/06/2016 May and June

20 Celebration presided by His Excellency Bishop Luigi Bonazzi at Saint Anthony of Padua Cathedral Parish, in Timmins Ontario (100 th Anniversary Mass) 100 TH Anniversary of the Diocese of Timmins Homily of S.E. Msgr. Luigi Bonazzi, Apostolic Nuncio (Timmins, June 12, 2016) My dear brother bishops, Dear brothers and sisters of the Diocese of Timmins, I cordially thank your dear Bishop, Msgr. Poitras, who kindly invited me to be a part of and to share with you, this special anniversary of the Centenary of your Diocese, erected on January 7, 1916.

21 By my presence, I wish to bring you the greeting, friendship, closeness in a word the spiritual participation in your celebration, of His Holiness Pope Francis, Bishop of Rome and Pastor of the universal Church; together let us reaffirm our filial affection and fidelity towards the Holy Father. In this moment I also wish to transmit to each and every one of you, to those closest to you, to your families and in particular to the young and to the aged, and to those who have a great need to be encouraged and helped, the prayer and the blessing of Pope Francis. I assure you of his prayer and I ask you in return, not to forget to pray for him. 1. One hundred years of history. It is an anniversary which we celebrate on the very day of your patronal feast of St. Anthony of Padua. You do not see him with your physical sight but he is here. Yes, St. Anthony is here with us. He is present among us in that consoling truth, unfortunately often overlooked, which we profess in the Creed: the communion of saints. Yes, dear brothers and sisters, faith assures us that there is a vital link between the Church triumphant in heaven and the Church militant on earth; the inhabitants of heaven continue to take care of things on earth; they are interested in what we do, our needs, world events, the life of the Church. Consequently, as we celebrate the centenary of the Diocese, St. Anthony is with us! With him there is also a great multitude of friends, relatives, consecrated men and women, priests, persons known and those we were not able to know and who, through their generosity and sacrifice, have helped give birth to what is now in your hands: this community of faith, hope and charity which is the Diocese of Timmins, present throughout the territory in its parishes, associations, its communities, in its educational and charitable works. This great multitude accompanies us actively, interceding for us before the Lord, asking the graces that you who are their heirs have need of in order to continue the mission that the Diocese of Timmins is called to carry out in this beautiful part of Northern Ontario. Grateful for the legacy you have received, you can have the confidence necessary to preserve, develop and if you remain faithful to Jesus and his Gospel to perform even greater works (John 14:12). One hundred years, in communion with all those who have come before us and who are here with us, especially in communion with St. Anthony of Padua, your heavenly Patron. I like to recall the title by which he is honored as a Doctor of the Church, with the specific title Evangelical Doctor. Why? Precisely because in St. Anthony the Gospel was his very life. When he was speaking he was always using the words of the Gospel. He was deeply convinced that man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). We can understand why St. Anthony of Padua is represented as holding the Child Jesus in his arms: not only did Anthony hold Jesus in his arms but imitated him in his entire life. He was, in a manner of speaking Anthony-Jesus.

22 Like Jesus who was always in prayerful dialogue with the Father in order to understand and fulfill the Father s will, Anthony considered prayer as a fundamental aspect of an authentic Christian life. He taught that prayer consisted of lifting the heart towards God. It is a relationship of love between the Creator and the creature, a dialogue full of affection between the person who loves and the one who is loved. When praying, St. Anthony invites us first of all to seek God from God ; to ask not only for health or for the goods of the earth, but to ask God from God because with God we receive everything. Seek first the Kingdom of God and his justice, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33). Without ever separating the love of God from the love of neighbor. In this regard, St. Anthony liked to recall a teaching of St. Isidore of Seville who calls our attention to the fat that having laid three eggs in its nest, the eagle throws one out since it knows that it could never deed three eaglets. Who once observed that having laid three eggs in its nest, the eagle threw one out since it knew it could never feed three eaglets. Similarly we cannot nurture the love of God and neighbor and self-love. Christians must banish selflove in order to mature the other two loves. St. Anthony concluded: Two things make perfect the human being: love of God and love of neighbour. Turning more directly towards all of you, gathered here in the name of your brothers and sisters scattered over the vast territory of this diocese and who could not join us today, you might ask: what are the sentiments that should fill our hearts on this occasion? The answer is obvious and spontaneous. Since the first and primary word of the Dictionary of the Christian Life is to receive ; yes, to truly receive the love of God, to open ourselves to the love of God that always precedes us, in fact as St. John says: In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins We love because he first loved us (1 John 4:10; 19). So for people who have received ( ), the first word can only be thank-you. Thank-you Lord, for having created me; thank-you for everything! In saying thank-you today we are called to make this inner act with maturity and increased responsibility. It is normal and in fact quite easy to say thank-you when we have received a gift, a piece of good news, when things are good and going well. But when a misfortune happens? When suffering enters our lives? In the one hundred year history of your Diocese there were indeed personal and family events known perhaps only to those who experienced them but there were also collective moments of great suffering and distress. We think of the fires of 1916 and 1922, the first devastated the region of Matheson and Val-Gagné; the second destroyed most of the town of Haileybury.

23 Faced with these tragedies is it still possible to say thank-you? The matter is very delicate and the answer is not easy. A luminous response however is possible for those who have received the gift of faith, a faith that allows the light to shine through, even in the darkness. To illustrate this point I relate what I heard a few years ago from a great man of prayer. He said, If you receive a grace, a consolation, a pleasant surprise, say thank-you! But if you are given a cross to bear, offer thanks twice for it. The first act of thanksgiving can be offered because the Lord, by having you meet the Cross, gives you a sign of the supreme love he had for you when, on the Cross, he loved you to the end (Jn 13:1). Then you can offer the second one because He calls you to open your heart to the measure of His love, to experience it, and to bear witness of it to others. Dear friends, dear faithful of the Diocese of Timmins, on the occasion of your centennial celebration I hope and pray that the Lord will grant you the grace of thankyou said twice! May the memory of this day imprint itself upon your soul and give you by faith, the ability to say thank-you twice. In a word, what we are seeking is the grace to say thank you always, in all circumstances but especially when the Lord calls us to witness as his disciples (cf. Mt 4:24; Mk 8:43; Lk 9:23) a love capable of embracing sacrifice, willing to renounce self, in a word to live a love that goes even to the cross. 2. Each anniversary and in a special way, yours, is not only the occasion to give thanks for what has been received from the past, but becomes immediately a commitment, full of conscious responsibility, of building the future. I am confident that your Pastor, ably assisted by his collaborators (whom I greet and thank) will surely offer new pathways to guide you. For my part, to help make this your diocese even more beautiful, I would like to leave you four programmatic words: communion, formation, participation and mission. They all revolve around the central understanding of the Church as communion, of a Church that lives together and in which all journey together. These are words that call for each other and refer to each other: where one of them appears, the others also appear; when one is missing, the others disappear. Communion We can give many definitions and descriptions of the Church. For me, the most simple and also the most beautiful and real: The Church is communion, a family of sons and daughters of God who live with one heart and one soul (Acts 4:32), in perfect agreement, in sympathy, brotherly love, compassion and the spirit of humility (1 Pt 3:8). The solid foundation of the Church of communion are the four main works that describe the first Christian community and which should characterize each Christian community: They devoted themselves to the Apostles teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers (Acts 2:42). This is what your Bishop recalled in his homily at the inauguration of the Centenary celebrations.

24 Ecclesial communion should not be confused with human friendship. In fact ecclesial communion includes and demands human friendship but also infinitely exceeds it. Communion is a gift that comes from above. Communion is the fruist and demonstration of that love which springs from the heart of the Eternal Father and is poured out upon us through the Spirit which Jesus gives us (cf. Novo Millennio Ineunte, no. 42). This is an immense grace which enables us to live on earth as in heaven (cf. Mt 6:10), and which manifests itself in an amazing network of human-divine relationships, animated by faith, hope and charity. Thus, the mobilization of the best human resources is essential to communion but human effort alone cannot generate Evangelical unity (cf. 1 Cor 3:9). It is the work of the Spirit, invoked humbly and perseveringly, following the example of Mary. According to your heavenly patron, St. Anthony of Padua, communion or unity requires knowing how to live the virtue of patience. He taught: If on the altar of our heart there is no patience, the wind will come to disperse the sacrifice of good works. Where you do not lose patience, there unity is preserved. Therefore, asking the gift of communion means also asking for the gift of that patient love which bears all things, believes all things hopes all things, endures all things (1 Cor 13:7). Basically, it is asking the gift of mercy. There is no communion without mercy, without being merciful. In this Year or Mercy let us ask St. Anthony to obtain or us the gift of Mercy. Formation The formation of the lay faithful must be placed among the priorities of a diocese. It ought to be so placed within the plan of pastoral action that the efforts of the whole community (clergy, faithful and religious) converge on this goal (Christifideles laici, no. 57). The esteem and respect for the popular religiosity that characterizes our communities and many of our faithful must be accompanied by an educational wisdom and intelligent catechetical animation that helps to mature an adult faith, conscious, capable of finding in the Gospel the responses to the cultural challenges of the contemporary world. We must educate ourselves, therefore, to account for the hope that is within us (1 Pt 3:15), knowing that the Christian community, building up the Kingdom of God, equally contributes to building up the city of man. To meet these needs which cannot be deferred, it is necessary to activate a creativity in charity, a wise spirit in the catechetical approach in order to generate new forms of education in the faith and in pastoral care, always within the logic of ecclesial communion. Never forgetting that the Church s commitment to formation, when it is authentic, always results in seeking a high standard of ordinary Christian living (Novo Millennio

25 Ineunte, no. 31): that is, striving daily for holiness and the consequent fight against all forms of spiritual mediocrity or complicity with evil in all its dark and seductive versions. Christian holiness, as we know, finds its culmination in the perfection of charity towards God and neighbor. Therefore, it is always a holiness of communion : it is born from communion and builds communion. Participation For the Church entering into the Third Millennium, it is crucial to the life and apostolate of the Christian community to foster the full participation of the laity in the Church s mission. In fact, as the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: Christ ( ) fulfills this prophetic office, not only by the hierarchy ( ) but also by the laity. He accordingly both establishes them as witnesses and provides them with the sense of the faith and the grace of the word (CCC, 904). From this perspective, the commitment of the laity is not only an added and therefore accidental element, but a co-essential and therefore indispensable factor in all aspects of pastoral life, so much so that in a passage from the Second Vatican Council we read: Their activity is so necessary within the Church communities that without it the apostolate of the pastors is often unable to achieve its full effectiveness (Apostolicam actuositatem, no. 10). We cannot forget that the effective exercise of co-responsibility in the Church is proportional to the degree that we learn to be together and act together : it requires the gradual liberation from private and egocentric tendencies that each of us harbour within ourselves. The fruits of communion cannot be improvised; that is to say, it is not enough to assign tasks to the laity in order to build the Church as communion. It is essential to promote an ecclesial apprenticeship, a real pastoral training in order to form our people to live in unity, living the truth in love (cf. Eph 4:15). Mission In the Gospel we have just heard earlier, Jesus calls and sends seventy-two disciples (Luke 10: 1ff). Seventy-two representing the peoples of the earth according to Genesis. We are sent to the entire world, to all, without exception. Two-by-two. What is, in fact, the announcement that the disciples are called to bring? Peace: Peace be to this house. Peace is not just the absence of conflict but much more: it is the fullness of love, the fruit of the new commandment, the real novelty of Christianity, that you love one another (John 13:34). For the announcement to be credible and not words only, it must come from the testimony of at least two.

26 As we know, the missionary Church, the Church that goes forth is the constant invitation extended to us by Pope Francis; this is the fundamental theme of his Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium. The Church going forth is a Church that does not look at itself and does not live for itself: All of us are called to take part in this new missionary going forth (EG 20). The Church which goes forth is a community of missionary disciples who take the first step, who are involved and supportive, who bear fruit and rejoice (EG 24). These words evoke the image of Pope Francis among the people, embracing and being embraced by them, totally immersed, an icon of how he would like and how we would like, the Church to be. The missionary dimension is expressed, consequently, in the commitment to announce at large, as far as possible, the saving Word, in the awareness that the first gift we owe our brothers and sisters is Christ, the Bread of Life. In this regard, we must always remember that the path of evangelization must go through the path of mutual love, of giving and of service (Christifideles Laici, no. 10). This must be particularly witnessed with perseverance through the preferential love for the poor and little ones (cf. Mt 25:40). Without this concrete solidarity manifested in the spiritual and corporal works of mercy so often recommended by Pope Francis in this Jubilee Year of Mercy faith remains dead (cf. James 2:14-26). These good works require constant conversion of heart. In fact charity is much more demanding than occasional acts of kindness: Charity involves and creates bonds, while the latter limits itself to a gesture. The world yesterday, today and always has need of Jesus. Salvation is found in no one else (Acts 4:12). Today, more than ever, the Spirit calls us to be available for the task of building communion, of living the Church as communion and which represents the necessary condition to build a Missionary Church. Indeed, communion that is the testimony of fraternal love - gives rise to mission and mission is accomplished in communion (ChL no. 32). I entrust all of you to your patron, St. Anthony of Padua, and to Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 15:6). Amen. June 13 The Catholic Women's League of Holy Trinity Parish is sponsoring a Non-denominational Prayer Vigil on

27 Monday, June 13th from 7:00-10:00 pm at Holy Trinity Catholic Church on the corner of Sixth Avenue and Third Street for Pauline Dudgeon Scott and her family. Please drop in and pray as a community member and stay for a few minutes or as long as you wish. If you cannot attend, please pray for Pauline and the family, wherever you are during that time, for God's strength and courage for them as they journey through this very challenging time in their lives. Blessings to all! June 11 - Annoncement : In link with the Centenary of the Diocese, everyone is invited to visit the exhibition at the Timmins Museum which will take place from June 11, 2016 until June 18th. Many historical articles will be on display (Bishop s garments, various articles of clothing, pictures, armories, relics...) to name just a few. You will find a real treasure in viewing the exhibition and what a great opportunity to familiarize and appreciate our ancestors that have worked in their mission as builders of our Church and Diocese of Timmins since Here are a few photos:

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30 Thank you to Mrs Karen Bachmann of The Timmins Museum for allowing this exhibition and Mr. André Paradis for making it possible. May th BIRTHDAY OF OUR BISHOP- SERGE POITRAS - 43 rd ANNIVERSARY TO THE PRIESHOOD June 23 Bishop Poitras will preside the Eucharist, confer the diplomas and attend the graduation dinner of O.Gorman High School in Timmins.

31 April April 3 Second Sunday of Easter (of Divine Mercy) the Church continues its catechesis to all who are baptized. April 4 The Annunciation of the Lord: Virgin Mary becomes Mother of God. April th Anniversary of ministry to the priesthood of Father Léo Rancourt, Episcopal Vicar and priest at Saints-Martyr-Canadiens Parish and Saint Anne Parish of Iroquois Falls. Congratulations! April 16 Regional Meetings : South Pastoral Region in Earlton and English Pastoral Region in Kirkland Lake. April 17 World Day of Prayer for Vocations: Christians are invited to reflect on the meaning of God s call and to pray for vocations. Recognition dinner is organized for the clergy by the K.O.C. - 4th Degree, at Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix Parish in Timmins to which Bishop Poitras is participating. April Bishop is attending a Congress on Education being held in Sudbury. April 23 Regional Pastoral Meeting : région Pasto-nord in Ramore. April 24 Jubilee of Mercy In Rome, Jubilee for young people years old. To profess the faith and construct a culture of mercy.

32 April 25 Bishop Poitras accompanied by the Apostolic Nuncio, Most Reverend Bishop Luigi Bonazzi and His Exc. Bishop Terrence Prendergast, Archbishop of Ottawa will attend Bishop Robert Bourgon s ordination, elected Bishop in Hearst, Ontario. April 30 a) Bilingual Meeting with the Parishes Finance Councils directed by Mr. Langis Dion, Diocesan Financial Administrator and Bishop Poitras to be held in Ramore starting at 10:00 a.m. b) Bishop is attending the Annual CWL Convention in Englehart. March Important : Day of Mercy Friday March 4, and Saturday March 5, 2016 in the context of the fourth Sunday of Lent: Lent in the Holy Year and the Sacrament of Reconciliation

33 The season of Lent during this Jubilee Year should also be lived more intensely as a privileged moment to celebrate and experience God s mercy. In the Bull Vultus Misericordiae (n. 17), our Holy Father Pope Francis expressed this hope for Lent that began February 10 th. In this context, the Pope recalls the importance, the necessity, of celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He also requests 24 Hours for the Lord (n. 17) on the Friday and Saturday preceding the 4th Sunday of Lent (March 4th and 5th): So many people, including young people, are returning to the Sacrament of Reconciliation; through this experience they are rediscovering a path back to the Lord, living a moment of intense prayer and finding meaning in their lives. Let us place the Sacrament of Reconciliation at the centre once more in such a way that it will enable people to touch the grandeur of God s mercy with their own hands. For every penitent, it will be a source of true interior peace (ibid.). Note: The time schedule information below is updated as of February 19, As soon as the time schedule for St. Anthony of Padua and Sts-MartysCanadiens Parishes are made available this page will be updated accordingly. Although it is difficult to have 24 hours, a church will be designated by sector with priests that will relay to the confessionals. These designated churches will have a time schedule to this effect. In Timmins, the church designated is Saint Anthony of Padua Cathedral Parish. Please verify with your Parish which church is designated in your sector and time schedule. 1.Time schedule at Our Mother of Perpetual Help-New Liskeard: March 4th we will have Fr. Wayne hear confessions from 2PM to 3PM, Fr. Richard from 3PM to 4PM, Fr. Wayne from 4PM to 5PM and Fr. Wayne from 6PM to 7PM. On Saturday, March 5th we will have Fr. Alexis hear confessions from 11AM to 12Noon, Fr. Richard from 1PM to 2PM and Fr. Wayne from 2PM to 3PM and Fr. Wayne will hear confessions at St. Pat's from 4PM to 5PM. -In total we will have confessions from 2PM to 5PM and 6PM to 7PM on Friday and on Saturday 11PM to 12PM and 1PM to 3PM at OMPH and then 4PM to 5PM at St. Pat's.

34 2. Time Schedule at Saint Anthony of Padua Cathedral Parish Timmins: LENTEN DAYS OF RECONCILIATION Friday March 4 th from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Saturday March 5 th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Two priests will be available at all times. Reflective material will be available. Friday March 4 th 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Fr. Stephane Kazadi Sanga Fr. John Lemire 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Fr. Leo Rancourt Fr. Marcel Bruneau 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Msgr. Pat Lafleur Bishop Serge Poitras Saturday March 5 th 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m Fr. Pierre Mafanda Mahuma Msgr. Pat Lafleur 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Bishop Serge Poitras Fr. Simon Drapeau March 3 Regional Info-Meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Cathedral on New Evangelization. March 4 & 5 Lent in the Holy Year and the Sacrament of Reconciliation (see above for agenda of events of these two days) March 6-13 Bishop Poitras is participating at the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario (ACBO) and at the OPECO (Office provincial des Évêques catholiques de l Ontario) Meeting in Toronto. March 19 Meeting with the members of the Centenary Committee in Ramore at 10:00 a.m. Holy Week: March starting with Palm Sunday celebrations March Meeting with the clergy for a Spiritual Renewal Day at Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish in New Liskeard, from 1:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m.

35 2. Chrism Mass at 7:00p.m. at Sainte-Croix Parish in Haileybury. March 24 Bishop will participate at the Thursday of the Holy Week ceremony at Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix Parish in Timmins. 25 mars Bishop Poitras is at Très-St-Rédempteur Parish in Holtyre for the 3:00 celebration of the Passion of the Lord. March 26 & 27 Bishop Poitras is participating at the celebrations of : Holy Saturday celebration and the Ressurection of the Lord on Easter Sunday at Saint Anthony of Padua Cathedral Parish. Happy Easter! February Feb. 2 : End of the Year of Consecrated Life : 1. In the afternoon, meeting with women and men religious: supper 2. At the Cathedral, a solemn Mass of Thanksgiving for the work of women and men religious in the history of Timmins. Feb Ash Wednesday Check with your parish for the hour of celebration Feb. 11 : World Day of Prayer for the Sick: 1. Anointing of the sick offered in the parishes: Feb 15 : - Family Day : Family Day: On the preceding Sunday, highlight local wedding anniversaries: 60 years, 50 year, 25 years 1. The parishes submit the names of the jubilarians to the Bishop and ask for the Episcopal blessing: The Bishop will send the parchment. Feb 22 :

36 Feast of The Chair of Saint Peter - explain the link with the Holy Father. On the occasion of these solemn Vespers, Reverend Father Patrick Lafleur, Pastor of the Cathedral and Vicar General, will be named a Chaplain to His Holiness. He will become a member of the Pontifical Family and will carry the honorary title of Monsignor. His Excellence, Serge Poitras, Bishop of Timmins

37 Monsignor Patrick D. Lafleur, C.S.S./Vicar General Congratulations!!! January Happy New Year! Jan 2-3 Bishop offers his New Year wishes in the South Region, particularly at Sainte-Croix Parish in Haileybury. Jan. 7 II. Diocesan Events: (aligned with the Jubilee) i. Thursday, January 7, 2016 : Opening celebrations of the centenary of the diocese: 1. Simultaneous masses in different locations: Mass for the Diocesan Church with the reading of the Bulls of Erection. a. Saint Anthony of Padua Cathedral, Timmins : Bishop b. Sainte-Croix Parish, Haileybury : Vicar-general

38 c. Iroquois Falls: Episcopal Vicar d. Kirkland Lake (to be announced) 2. Involvement of young people from the schools: i. Prayer for the Diocesan Church January 7, 2016 ii. Research on the Diocese, the Church, the Parish... Jan Bishop is away on a Personal retreat. Jan. 13, Bishop Poitras will participate at Bishop Damphouse s Installation in North Bay as Bishop of Sault Ste-Marie Diocese. Jan. 19 Meeting with the members of the Coordinating Table in Matheson, 10:00 a.m. Jan. 24 Celebration for the Week of the Christian Unity at Saint Anthony of Padua Parish at 7:00 p.m. December 2015 Dec. 3 Bishop Poitras invited the administration of the French School Board, principals and pastoral animators from the Catholic schools of the diocese and priests for a spiritual development meeting in the context of the Year of Mercy. This meeting will be at St-Laurent Parish Hall in Ramore at 10:00 a.m. A similar Meeting is also in the making for the English Sector but no date has yet been determined. Dec. 9 Celebration at the Georgian Residence to commemorate the first anniversary of the passing of Father Maurice Magnan. Dec. 12 Holy Year of Mercy: 2. Opening :

39 a. Saturday, December 12, 2015, 2 p.m. Saint Anthony of Padua Cathedral, Timmins Opening of the Holy Door b. Sunday, December 13, p.m. Sainte-Croix Parish, Haileybury Opening of the Holy Door 2. The celebration : a. First part: Reflection on Mercy Time of prayer with a teaching on Mercy and the Holy Door Ritual gesture: Pass through the door to express the desire to walk in mercy. b. Second part: Vespers of the 3rd Sunday of Advent Dec. 20 Bishop will participate with the sacrament of reconciliation at Sacred Heart Parish in Timmins. Dec. 24 Bishop Poitras presides mass at 10:00 p.m. at Saint Anthony of Padua Cathedral Parish and the midnight mass at Saint-Dominique Parish in Timmins. Dec. 25 Bishop Poitras is present at the Cathedral to share his Christmas wishes with the community. Dec Bishop will also be present at his Cathedral for the blessing of the families. MERRY CHRISTMAS!