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WE ARE AT THE DOORSTEP OF HOLY WEEK, with the celebration of Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion. We begin this most solemn week of the Church’s liturgical year remembering the Lord’s messianic entry into Jerusalem and then hear of his passion and death on the cross for our salvation. We are eagerly anticipating the outdoor Way of the Cross taking place in downtown Peterborough on Good Friday, beginning with a prayer service at the Cathedral at 10:00 a.m. Go to this page on our Diocesan website to learn more about this year’s Way of the Cross.
THE VATICAN RENOUNCED THE “DOCTRINE OF DISCOVERY,” in a document released yesterday, repudiating any concepts that fail to recognize the rights of Indigenous peoples.
The accompanying statement from the Canadian Bishops gives some more background on this issue and affirms that the Doctrine of Discovery is not part of the teaching of the Catholic Church and that the papal bulls under consideration have never been expressions of the Catholic faith; while also acknowledging that they often did not adequately reflect the “equal dignity and rights of Indigenous peoples.” Let us pray that this action will be a meaningful step in the ongoing journey of reconciliation.
THE CHRISM MASS is always one of the highlights of Holy Week, as priests from the Diocese gather to renew their priestly commitment and as I bless the sacred oils to be used in sacraments throughout the year. I am looking forward to being with priests and deacons who serve so faithfully in the Diocese of Peterborough: we begin the proceedings with a Holy Hour in the afternoon followed by an always convivial dinner. The Chrism Mass begins in the Cathedral at 7:00 p.m. this Monday and we always appreciate having consecrated men and women and lay faithful come to this celebration.
IT WAS ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THAT JOAN CARRAGHER, Director of Education for the PVNC Catholic District School Board will retire as of August 31 this year. As noted by Chair of the Board, Kevin MacKenzie, she has led the board through the challenging times of pandemic and recovery. Joan joined the PVNC Board in 1999 as a teacher and is retiring after a 33-year career in education. We thank Joan Carragher for her dedicated service to students, staff and parents and wish her every blessing in retirement!
WE WERE HAPPY TO HEAR FROM ONE OF OUR REFUGEE SPONSORSHIP FAMILIES THIS WEEK. Emmanuel writes, “We fled from Rwanda in 1994 and my family has lived in refugee camps since then.” Since coming to Canada, he has been able to assist in bringing another family here through our program: “To make the story short, you have taken Martha from ‘hell’ and given her and her new family an opportunity to be here and grow the same way we did.” Emmanuel now runs his own construction business and is kept busy helping other refugees. This is but one story of the good work done by the various volunteers who work in our Refugee Sponsorship program, and for which we are very grateful!
LET US KEEP POPE FRANCIS IN OUR PRAYERS as he recovers in hospital from bronchitis.
Fraternally, + Daniel
PAST ISSUES OF THE BISHOP'S WEEKLY NEWSLETTER, From the Vineyard
