From the Vineyard

From the Vineyard

Newsletter No. 139 - April 16, 2021

THE PUBLIC HEALTH SITUATION in our province is a dire one and the government today announced new restrictions effective Monday, April 19, 2021, to combat the spread of COVID-19.  With limits at places of worship capped at 10 people, we must once again adapt our procedures for Mass and other liturgies.  I have given permission for parishes of the Northern deanery to celebrate Mass on Sundays and weekdays while adhering to capacity limits.  In other deaneries of the Diocese, permission is given to celebrate weekday Mass only, though churches may be opened for private prayer on Sundays.  It is up to pastors to determine if they can open their churches safely.  It is disappointing to find ourselves in this place again, and yet with a view to the common good we must do our part to limit the spread of the coronavirus.  This is a good time for the faithful to access Masses that are on television and the Internet, including the Mass from our Cathedral on You Tube.  With trust in God and the rollout of vaccines, let us take heart that better days are ahead, if we work together.

A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO POPE-EMERITUS BENEDICT XVI, who turns 94 today.  I had the distinction to be the final Canadian Bishop named by Pope Benedict and learned of my appointment three days after he declared his intention to relinquish the papacy. (I was almost the final bishop appointed by him, period!)  Let us continue to pray for Pope-emeritus Benedict XVI that God may bless him with strength and joy for the rest of his earthly pilgrimage.

THE SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH OF CANADA are meeting in Chapter these days to discern Congregational direction for the next four years and to elect new leadership for their community.  Please pray for the Sisters who have done so much in the field of Catholic education and Catholic health care in our Diocese – and in many others!

WE MET WITH THE PASTORS OF OUR FOUR PARISHES NAMED FOR ST. JOSEPH, earlier this week.  We continue to put plans in place for the celebration of this special “Year of St. Joseph,” despite the challenges imposed by the pandemic.  As of now we are looking at a day of prayer and pilgrimage in each parish in the late summer, with plans to adapt and pivot, as necessary. Good resources for the Year of St. Joseph can be accessed on our Diocesan website.

I PARTICIPATED IN A VIRTUAL BANQUET with Fr. John Perdue and members of Peterborough Campus Ministry last Friday night, including our Catholic Christian Outreach missionaries.  The food arrived at my door promptly, and the program was excellent, with some fine videos and speeches!  Congratulations to all the organizers and participants. 

IT WAS A ZOOM SATURDAY AS WELL.   Members of our Diaconate Formation Program were online, and I was pleased to spend the morning presenting to them on Preaching and Preparing to Preach.  Then it was over to our online Marriage Preparation Program, where I merely popped in briefly; but I am grateful to the facilitators and presenters who led our seventeen engaged couples in a good experience of preparation for the Sacrament of Marriage.

                                                                                                                                                Fraternally,   + Daniel

PAST ISSUES OF THE BISHOP'S WEEKLY NEWSLETTER, From the Vineyard