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THE ANNUAL LIFE CHAIN will be held in communities across Canada this Sunday. This silent hour of witness proclaims the sanctity of life and advocates for an end to abortion and respect for life from conception until natural death. In Peterborough, Life Chain will be held from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the corner of Monaghan Road and Lansdowne Street. In Lindsay, it will take place at the same time on Kent Street just west of Angeline. For a list of other locations, go to Campaign Life Coalition’s website.
THE CANADIAN CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS held its annual plenary meeting this week. There was discussion about the promotion of palliative care and opposition to euthanasia, ongoing efforts at reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, the upcoming Synod on Synodality, and the promotion of Vocations to the priesthood. Short videos about the work of the Plenary meeting can be viewed on YouTube. Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, and Day 4 Congratulations to Bishop William McGrattan (Bishop of Peterborough from 2014-17) who has been elected President of the CCCB for the next two years. May God guide him in this important role of coordination and collaboration for the bishops of Canada.
ON OCTOBER 4, POPE FRANCIS will open the first session of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission.” Five Canadian bishops will be participating in this session. Although I was elected as a substitute, it seems I will not be called into service! In a recent letter to bishops around the world, Cardinal Mario Grech, General Secretary of the Synod, encouraged every member of the faithful and every local Church to pray that the Holy Spirit guide the Synod participants throughout their meetings. An intercession for the Universal Prayer at Mass and a Solemn Blessing have been sent to each parish, as we pray for the success of the Synod process.
ON THE NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION tomorrow, St. Peter the Apostle church in Parry Sound is showing the film “Walking Together into One Beat” produced by Salt and Light television. The film recounts Pope Francis’ historic penitential pilgrimage to Canada last year with heartfelt stories shared by members of First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities. It will be shown in the Knights of Columbus Hall, following the 4:00 p.m. Mass.
I MET TODAY WITH MARIA FITZGERALD AND FR. ROY VILLAS, who are respectively President and Spiritual Advisor of our Diocesan Catholic Women’s League. I was glad to hear about steps being taken nationally and locally to enhance the mission and the workings of the C.W.L. And I am delighted at the efforts being taken support and assist C.W.L councils in parishes across our diocese – they are such vital contributors to the life of the Church in our parishes and, collectively, in our province and country.
Fraternally, + Daniel
PAST ISSUES OF THE BISHOP'S WEEKLY NEWSLETTER, From the Vineyard
