PARENTING TIP OF THE MONTH Parenting Tip #162 Children are born helpless, so instinctively know how to cry to have their needs met. As they grow older, parents have to help them learn not to use crying as a way to get what they want, especially when what they want may not be essential! Gently helping them learn that “no” is an option for parents, makes the times you can say yes much more exciting. It also helps them understand that they cannot always have their way or what they want at any given moment. This makes their life, and yours, much calmer and happier. (From: Teresa Hartnett, Family Ministry Office; 905-528-7988 ext. 2250)

MARRIAGE TIP OF THE MONTH Marriage Tip #142 Marriage in the Catholic Church has love as its foundation, but it also comes with the responsibility of an essential vocation. Married couples are meant to be the visible sign of the invisible love of God. It is good to take time now and then to ask yourselves how your marriage is fulfilling this role. Do you spend time together connecting and continuing to learn about each other, do you show mercy to your spouse by not expecting perfection, do you work together to build your marriage up, instead of letting issues slip by and cause discontent? When we live our marriages with love and an eye to its vocation, our relationships are stronger and happier! (From: Teresa Hartnett, Family Ministry Office; 905-528-7988 ext. 2250)

WHEN LIFE CHANGES Has someone you cared about died? Are you grieving the loss of the person’s presence in your life? Are you looking for relief from the feelings associated with the loss of this loved one? You are not alone! The Hamilton Diocese is offering our six-week grief program from November 6th to December 11th, 2024. The program runs from 7:00-8:30 pm at the Chancery Office at 700 King St. West.in Hamilton To register go to hamiltondiocese.com and look for the start date under upcoming events on the home page.

RESTART: REFRESH, RENEW, REVIVE FRIDAY NIGHT SUPPORT GROUP Struggling after divorce or separation? Join us for learning, support and fun on Friday evenings. Held the 2nd & 3rd Fridays of each month, these get-togethers offer continual support and insights for people as they journey through the divorce/separation process and beyond. Join in-person (700 King St. West, Hamilton), or by ZOOM. Register before each session: https://sites.google.com/view/hamilton-restart/home, or contact Sarah at familyministry@hamiltondiocese.com, or call her at 905-528-7988 ext. 2249. We look forward to seeing you!

ACT II (SEPARATED & DIVORCED SUPPORT GROUP) WATERLOO 3rd Tuesday of every month - 7:30pm at St. Michael Parish, Waterloo - Our Act II monthly informal support group will continue to meet on the 3rd Tuesday of every month. With the support of others you can begin to heal the emotional, social and spiritual devastation of divorce. Join us when you can. Visit the website (www.stmichaelw.ca/separated-and-divorced), or contact the Parish office 519- 884-9311, or email parish@stmichaelw.ca for more information.

STRUGGLING IN YOUR MARRIAGE? FIND HOPE WITH RETROUVAILLE Does your marriage feel like it is more trouble than joy? Does it feel stagnant or disconnected? Is it causing you constant stress? The solution is Retrouvaille – a program designed to help couples restore their marriage and rebuild a loving relationship. This practical program, where sharing is not required except between the couple themselves, is designed to improve communication, build stronger marriages, and help couples reconnect. It has proven positive results for struggling couples, including those who may be considering separation or divorce. The next Retrouvaille weekend is Oct. 18-20, 2024. For more information call 905- 664-5212 or email 1013r@helpourmarriage.org.

DIOCESAN CHOIR – ADVENT HYMN FESTIVAL The Diocesan Choir will present an Advent Hymn Festival on Sunday, December 1, 2024. If you enjoy singing, consider joining the choir for this event. Auditions will occur during the first rehearsal on Monday, October 7th, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. For further information, please get in touch with Sharon Fazari at sfazari@hamiltondiocese.com.DIOCESAN VOCATIONS MONTH October is Diocesan Vocations Month. Please pray for the men and women of our diocese who are discerning their vocations to marriage, priesthood, the permanent diaconate, the dedicated single life, and consecrated life, that is, as a consecrated virgin living in the world, or as a religious priest, brother or sister. Since it is also the month of Our Lady of the Rosary, you are encouraged to offer the Rosary, in particular, the Luminous Mysteries, for vocations. Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary and Mother of Vocations, pray for us!

YOUNG ADULTS NIGHT - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND – GUELPH Fr. Mark Morley invites all young adults (ages 20s and 30s) of our diocese to attend an evening of prayer, fellowship and praise music in support of your vocations. The Young Adults Night includes a Holy Hour (6:30pm-7:30 pm), social with food (7:30pm-8:00pm), praise night with vocations testimony (8:00pm-9:00pm), and Compline (9:00pm) on Saturday, November 2nd at the Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate (28 Norfolk Street, Guelph). Sponsored by the Vocations Office of the Diocese of Hamilton: https://hamiltondiocese.com/vocations/ For more information, please contact: vocations@hamiltondiocese.com

MINISTERS OF THE WORD In this workshop, participants receive formation in Liturgy and Ministry, Techniques to Proclaim the Word of God, and an opportunity to practice. Participants receive a mandate from the Bishop of Hamilton. The cost is $30 and includes lunch. Saturday, November 9, 2024, St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Hamilton, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Participants register through the Diocese of Hamilton website under Upcoming events/Workshops. https://hamiltondiocese.com/events/2024/02/minister-of-the-word-formation-workshop-2/

CHILDREN'S LITURGY OF THE WORD Children's Liturgy of the Word is a rite celebrated during Mass designed specifically for children. The Diocese offers the following workshop for leaders: Saturday, November 2, 2024, St. Luke Parish, Hamilton, ON, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The cost is $30.00, and lunch and snacks will be provided. Participants register through the Diocese of Hamilton website under Upcoming Events/Workshops. https://hamiltondiocese.com/events/2024/02/minister-of-the-word-formation-workshop-2/

MINISTERS OF COMMUNION TO THE SICK Extraordinary ministers of Communion bring the Eucharist to the faithful who are ill and deprived of their rightful and accustomed place in the parish community. This workshop covers the ministry of Extraordinary ministers of Communion to the sick. Thursday, October 24, 2024, St. Raphael Parish, Burlington, ON, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Register through the Diocese of Hamilton website under Upcoming Events/Workshops. https://hamiltondiocese.com/events/2024/02/minister-of-the-word-formation-workshop-2/

MINISTERS OF MUSIC WORKSHOP: CHORAL AND CANTOR WORKSHOP Join us for a morning Choral Gathered to Sing and an afternoon Cantor Workshop! Gloria Gassi, Lecturer at the University of Western Ontario, will introduce us to some anticipated new hymns and Mass Settings from Music for Catholic Worship. Saturday, October 19, 2024, Canadian Martyrs Parish, Hamilton, ON, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Participants register through the Diocese of Hamilton website under Upcoming Events/Workshops. https://hamiltondiocese.com/events/2024/02/minister-of-the-word-formation-workshop-2/

EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF COMMUNION The Diocese of Hamilton provides formation for Extraordinary Ministers of Communion. This workshop is for parishioners new to this ministry or considering it and a good refresher for experienced ministers. Participants receive a mandate from the Bishop of Hamilton. The cost is $30 and includes lunch. Workshops are offered on Saturday, October 26, 2024, St. Joseph Parish, Port Elgin, ON, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m Saturday, November 16, 2024, St. Paul the Apostle Parish, Burlington, ON, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m; Saturday, November 23, 2024, St. John Parish, Kitchener, ON, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m (Spanish) Register through the Diocese of Hamilton website under Upcoming Events/Workshops.https://hamiltondiocese.com/events/2024/02/minister-of-the-word-formation-workshop-2/

FRASSATI LEADERSHIP PROGRAM The Office of Youth Ministry will be holding a Catholic leadership program for young people in grade ten (ages 15-16). This program will equip them and encourage them to draw closer to Christ and their respective communities. The goal of this program is that young people will join us for opportunities for formation as Catholic leaders and then go back to their respective communities to turn their learning 

DIOCESAN VOCATIONS MONTH
October is Diocesan Vocations Month. Please pray for the men and women of our diocese who are discerning their vocations to marriage, priesthood, the permanent diaconate, the dedicated single life, and consecrated life, that is, as a consecrated virgin living in the world, or as a religious priest, brother or sister. Since it is also the month of Our Lady of the Rosary, you are encouraged to offer the Rosary, in particular, the Luminous Mysteries, for vocations. Blessed Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary and Mother of Vocations, pray for us!