MINISTERIAL FORMATION THROUGH VLCFF We are currently taking enrollment for the Youth Ministry Certification Program and the Catechist Formation Program for the Diocese of Hamilton, which begins in September 2025.  Three and five-week e-seminars are also available at a discounted rate for all adults in the Diocese looking to further their learning.  For more information about our programs, and how to register, visit us at www.hamiltondioceselearns.com .

VIRTUAL LEARNING WITH THE DIOCESE OF HAMILTON The Diocese of Hamilton is proud to partner with Dayton University’s Virtual Learning Community for Adult Faith Formation (VLCFF) to offer certificate programs for ministry and enrichment for adult faith formation.  Interested in learning more about our programs? Have questions about the structure, course content and fees? Join us for a brief information session hosted by the VLCFF Coordination Team for the Diocese of Hamilton on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 @ 7pm.  Registration: https://bit.ly/VLCFFinfo. 

JUBILEE OF HOPE, 2025 The Diocese of Hamilton joins the celebration of the Global Church in this Ordinary Jubilee Year, 2025, as “Pilgrims of Hope!”  We are all invited to journey through this year drawing closer to God through prayer, service and experiences of renewal.  Six churches have been marked as pilgrimage sites across the Diocese, welcoming you as a visitor over the course of the Jubilee to come and pray.  Resources, information and locations of the pilgrimage sites are all made available on the Diocesan Website: www.hamiltondiocese.com .  

OPENING THE HOLY DOOR: SPRING BOOK CLUB The Office for Evangelization and Catechesis invites you to join us for a four-week virtual book club, exploring the new book by Joan Watson, “Opening the Holy Door.” Tuesdays from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. March 18-April 8, 2025.  Together we will reflect on the beautiful images of mercy and hope found on the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, open to pilgrims and visitors throughout the Jubilee Year.  Join us for this time of prayer and conversation, drawing into deeper fellowship during this Jubilee of Hope.  Registration can be made here: https://hamiltondiocese.com/events/

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL WORKSHOPS The Offices of Evangelization and Catechesis and Youth  Ministryinvite all parish ministers, and youth ministry leaders to join for the annual Vacation Bible School workshop in preparation for another wonderful summer of children’s ministry. Join us on April 9th, 2025, at 7:30pm as we connect with one another, share new ideas and get a peek at new resources available this year. To register please visit: https://bit.ly/4hOP0Bc 

REEL JUSTICE FILM FESTIVAL Join us for our special youth screening of Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, March 27th! Marcel is an adorable, 1-inch-tall shell who ekes out a colorful existence with his grandmother, Connie, and their pet lint, Alan. Once part of a sprawling community of shells, they now live alone as the sole survivors of a mysterious tragedy. However, when a documentary filmmaker discovers them, the short film he posts online brings Marcel millions of passionate fans, as well as unprecedented dangers and a new hope of finding his long-lost family. Available to watch all day! Movie link will be sent straight to your inbox! Register and view our full schedule at:https://hamiltondiocese.com/reel-justice-film-festival/  

VOCATIONS RECOGNITION DINNER 2025 The Serra Club of Hamilton invites you to gather on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Liuna Station in Hamilton to celebrate the service of our Priests, Religious Brothers and Sisters, Permanent Deacons, and Consecrated Virgins Living in the World. Doors open at 6:00 pm. Tickets are $90 per person. To order tickets or for information, send an email to serrahamilton1965@gmail.com. You can pay for your ticket through e-transfer using the same email or you can also pay by credit card using the following link: https://hamiltondiocese.com/events/. This event is co-sponsored by the Vocations Office of the Diocese of Hamilton.

YOUNG ADULTS NIGHT - Young adults (ages 20s and 30s) of our diocese to attend an evening of Adoration, fellowship and music for Lent as you discern your vocation and as we prepare to celebrate Easter. The Young Adults Night includes a Holy Hour (6:30pm-7:30 pm), social with food, vocations testimony, Lenten music concert, and Compline (9:00pm) on Saturday, April 5th at St. Ann’s Church, Hamilton. Sponsored by the Vocations Office of the Diocese of Hamilton. Contact: vocations@hamiltondiocese.com

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 April 23nd to May 28th, 2025. 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: Moving Forward – Our 10 week program offers education and support to anyone seeking to heal and move forward after divorce or separation.  The sessions will be offered from March 17 - June 9 (no sessions April 21 & May 19) and are held at the Chancery Office at 700 King St. West in Hamilton. Cost is $35 for materials, but no one is turned away. To register go to hamiltondiocese.com and look for the date under Upcoming Events, or contact Sarah at 905-528-7988 ext. 2249, or e-mail familyministry@hamiltondiocese.com.

PARENTING TIP OF THE MONTH #167 Parents are the most influential people in their children’s lives. They watch every move, take in every word and see how you navigate the world - then they become the mini version of you, their parents. All the traits they take in become part of who they are for life! Help them to be the best people they can be by looking inward and asking yourself if you are doing enough to raise them to be the adult you would like them to be. If not, change how you interact and help them grow strong in mind, body and spirit. (Family Ministry Office)

MARRIAGE TIP OF THE MONTH #147 March is the start of Lent, a time when we reflect on our faith and our commitment to living as we are called to as disciples of Jesus. It is a perfect time to discuss as a couple how your marriage, considered both a Sacrament and Vocation by the Church, is fulfilling its mandate to be the visible sign of God’s invisible love. Do you strive always to treat each other as God loves, in total self-giving, with mercy and forgiveness acting as strong pillars of your marriage? This Lent, make your Lenten journey a time to pray together and to work as a couple to strengthen one of the most important parts of your life, your marriage. (Family Ministry Office; 905-528-7988 ext. 2250)

THE DIOCESAN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY MASS – SAVE THE DATE! Are you celebrating your 25th, 40th, 50th, 60th, or 60+ Wedding Anniversary in the year 2025?  You are cordially invited to join Bishop Crosby and couples from across the Diocese of Hamilton for a Wedding Anniversary Mass on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King in Hamilton at 1:30 pm. (Space allows room for Anniversary couples only - those married 60 years or more may bring one guest if you require assistance). Registration is found under Upcoming Events on the home page at hamiltondiocese.com.

LITURGICAL MINISTERS OF HOPE During Lent this year, the Liturgy Office invites all Liturgical Ministers to gather for a Lenten retreat on the theme of Liturgical Ministers of Hope. Saturday, March 22, 2025, Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate, Guelph, ON, 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or Saturday, March 29, 2025, St. Matthew Parish, Oakville, ON, 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or Saturday, April 5, 2025, Annunciation of our Lord Parish, Hamilton, ON, 10:00 to 12:30 p.m.

VBS TRAINING FOR YOUTH LEADERS Many of our parishes are blessed to have teens and young adults involved in the preparation and leadership of Vacation Bible School experiences. The Office for Youth Ministry and the Office for Evangelization and Catechesis warmly welcome all youth leaders to a day of formation and training on Saturday, May 3rd, 2025. For more information please email: youthministry@hamiltondiocese.com