...If you had faith as a grain of mustard seed...

Community updates for the coming weeks

View this email in your browser In preparation for this weekends reading... Have you been looking forward to the arrival of Fall? It's a little late, but it seems Fall is here. You know what else is finally here? The Tri-Chaplaincy Pilgrimage! THIS WEDNESDAY!!Look forward to seeing you there! Be sure to scroll down for details on that, and other upcoming events!   TLDR; need the highlights? Here they are:  Tri-Chaplaincy Pilgrimage • Alpha • World Teachers Day • World Mental Health Day •  CWL  • From the Diocese • Did you know?  Don’t miss this opportunity to come together for formation, fellowship and prayer with students from the University of Waterloo, Guelph, and McMaster, as well as young adults from these communities! Did we mention there will be pizza? Click the button below to let us know if you are going to be there, because no one wants to run out of pizza... October 9, 2019 St. Mary’s Pro Cathedral Young Adult Session 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm  Prayer & Adoration 6:30 pm to 7:00 pm Refreshments 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm Scott Powell keynote address University Session 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm Stump the Scott; student break-out groups Click here to let us know if you'll be going! Alpha is a series of interactive sessions exploring the basics of the Christian faith. Each session looks at a different question and is designed to create conversation. There’s no pressure, just an open, informal, and honest space to explore and discuss life’s big questions together.  Our first session is this Sunday, October 6, at 9:30 am to 11:00 am. Start the day with a delicious breakfast of eggs and peameal bacon (prepared by none other than Fr. Markus and Sr. Mary!) followed by a short, thought-provoking video "Is there more to life than this?", and then small group discussion.  While we'd love for you to attend all the sessions, we would hate for you to miss out on this opportunity because there are a few dates that don't work for you. Come as you are able! Click on the red button below, and let us know if we can expect you! Sign up here! Or call the office at 905-528-4632 and we'll get you signed up! Sister Mary will be providing information about the leadership formation process that the CWL has been invited to participate in.  Preparations for the Christmas fair will be discussed.    All are welcome! Christmas Fair Collection Weekend A reminder that the CWL are gratefully accepting prizes and craft donations for the Christmas fair on October 19 and 20 before Mass in the church meeting room.  If you have any questions, please contact Dorothy at 905-628-1657.   Saturday, October 5th is World Teachers Day!   Let us offer a debt of thanks to all teachers, but especially to our Catholic teachers, who through their goodness and example, are witnesses of God's love in our schools. On Thursday, October 10, pray for those who are confronted by the sadness and confusion of mental illness. Pray also for their loved ones, who worry for their well-being, and for those upon whom they depend for compassionate care. May the Lord look upon them with mercy, all those who suffer under the weight of mental illness, and alleviate their pain and isolation. May He grant them homes of dignity and peace and give to them understanding helpers and the willingness to accept help.  Hope Comes Home Conference The National Youth Ministry Conference is being hosted Friday February 21st to Sunday February 23rd, 2020 in Hamilton. Registration for the Hope Comes Home Conference is now open! Through keynote addresses, workshops and prayerful collaboration with one another, we look forward to unpacking the fruits of the Synod, and finding ways of applying the Apostolic Exhortation- Christus Vivit into day-to-day ministerial and Parish life. Saturday evening Mass will be celebrated with His Eminence Cardinal Gerald La Croix, Primate of Canada, and one of the Synod Fathers for the Synod on Youth, Faith and Vocational Discernment. For more information and to register, please visit www.hopecomeshome.com or contact nvaughan@hamiltondiocese.com or 905-528-7988 ext. 2245. Traditionally, the expectation was that Catholics refrained from ALL food and drink (including water!) from midnight before receiving Communion. There were only two exceptions to the rule — danger of death, or to prevent the desecration of the Blessed Sacrament — even medicine was not permitted!  In recognition of the privilege of receiving the Holy Eucharist, the Church presently requires the following: "A person who is to receive the Most Holy Eucharist is to abstain for at least one hour before holy communion from any food and drink, except for only water and medicine." There are a few further exceptions. You can check them out here! So now you know!  Anything you're not sure about? Email us at canadianmartyrshamilton@hamiltondiocese.com with your questions, shower-thoughts and ponderings! Mass Intentions If you would like to have a Mass celebrated for a special occasion, on behalf of a family member, a friend, or a deceased loved one, please call the office to have that intention put into the calendar. Click the banner above to see booked mass intentions and all dates that are available to book to pray and remember those who have died or for the needs of our family and friends. All are welcome to come celebrate with us! Liturgy Schedule Tuesday — Friday 12:30 pm Saturday Vigil 6:00 pm Sunday 11:30 am Sacrament of Reconciliation Tuesday — Friday 12:00pm Office Hours Tuesday through Friday 1:30 — 4:30pm Subscribe to receive the latest information including workshops, upcoming events, and news from the Diocese of Hamilton. *Click on the picture to sign up. Copyright © 2019 Canadian Martyrs Catholic Church & Chaplaincy, All rights reserved.