April Announcements
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 virtual workshop in preparation for another wonderful summer of children’s ministry. Join us on April 9th, 2025, at 7:30 pm 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/3Y9doFQ
YOUTH LEADER TRAINING FOR VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 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 VBS youth leaders to a day of formation and training on Saturday, May 3rd, 2025. For more information, and to register please visit: https://bit.ly/3RpDgcQ
YOUTH MINISTRY CERTIFICATION PROGRAM We are currently accepting enrollment for the Youth Ministry Certification Program which begins in September 2025. Join us as we explore the Practical strategies for youth ministry and the accompaniment of young people in our diocesan community. To review a full course list and for more information, please visit: www.hamiltondioceselearns.com
THE REEL JUSTICE FILM FESTIVAL explores the risks of global food insecurity with the powerful documentary The Grab on April 24, 2025, 7:00 – 9:00 PM. Quietly, governments, private investors and mercenaries are working to seize food and water resources at the expense of entire populations. The future world powers will be those who control not oil, but food. Global food prices have hit an all-time high and by 2030, the demand for freshwater is projected to outpace supply by 40 percent. It has become the greatest threat facing the planet, surpassing nuclear war, terrorism and climate change, according to security experts. The Grab unfolds a remarkable story of greed and fear at the dawn of the 21st century. Register and view our full schedule at: https://hamiltondiocese.com/reel-justice-film-festival/
YOUNG ADULTS NIGHT Fr. Mark Morley invites all young adults (ages 20s and 30s) to celebrate the Easter Season by attending an evening of Adoration, 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, May 3rd at the Saint Benedict Church (300 Yates Drive, Milton). Sponsored by the Vocations Office of the Diocese of Hamilton. For more information, please contact: vocations@hamiltondiocese.com
PARENTING TIP OF THE MONTH Tip #168 What we choose to allow into our children’s lives will have lifetime implications for how those things will function in their lives as adults. What media (of all types) do we allow them to engage with? What after school and weekend activities do we allow them to take part in and how much do we support their efforts? Is getting into the outdoors important to your family? Do we engage as a family in the faith by attending Mass, praying at meals and before bed, saying the Rosary and other prayers? What we bring into the lives of our children will be impacted as much by our engagement as theirs. Think about what you believe will matter to their physical, mental and spiritual health in the future and then bring those into your child’s life. What we choose for them can help them choose well when they are making their own decisions. (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, facilitated by Deacon Leonard Gallant, from April 23rd to May 28th, 2025. The program runs from 7:00-8:30 pm at the Chancery Office at 700 King St. West.in Hamilton Register at hamiltondiocese.com and look for the start date under upcoming events on the home page.
MARRIAGE TIP OF THE MONTH Tip #148 Life is busy, sometimes so busy that we forget to make time every day to connect with our spouse. Demands on our time can make it seem impossible, but it is necessary to help love thrive. We must make a choice to put our couple relationship into our agendas. Spend time at the beginning or end of each day to touch base on what is going on in our lives, pray together each day, book date nights (at home and/or out of the home), enjoy a coffee together, take a walk, just the two of you. Relationships of any kind need both quality and quantity time; make sure you have both to keep your marriage strong. (Family Ministry Office; 905-528-7988 ext. 2250)
THE DIOCESAN WEDDING ANNIVERSARY MASS – REGISTER NOW! 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. Register at Upcoming Events at hamiltondiocese.com.
HEARTACHE TO HEALING - GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP AT ST. MICHAEL PARISH, WATERLOO - Grief support provides companionship on the long journey through the grief process. Our support group follows the process developed by Dr. Bill Webster, an experienced leader in grief counselling. All who have suffered a loss are welcome, regardless of how much time has passed since your loss. A monthly informal drop-in support is available at the parish on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7pm in the Parish Resource Centre/Library. St. Michael’s is also offering a more detailed 6 week program, When Life Changes (Part 1), which will run on Wednesday evenings (6 consecutive weeks) from - May 14 - June 18 2025. Registration is required by early May for this program by contacting our Parish office 519-884-9311, or email parish@stmichaelw.ca.
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 our Parish office 519-884-9311, or email parish@stmichaelw.ca for more information.
ABOUT THE SPIRITUALITY OF CHILDHOOD Holy Rosary Parish in Guelph is hosting the first of a two-part Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level One Formation Course July 7-12, 2025. This retreat-like experience immerses the adult in scripture, liturgy, theology, prayer, the needs and capacities of children, and making materials the child works with to internalize the Christian message. Catechists formed in this method usually go on to work with 3–6-year-olds in a parish or school, or are involved in ministries such as RCIA, Children’s Liturgy of the Word, and preparation for the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion. For more information: www.cgsac.ca /Courses/Level One or contact the course registrar: therese.wright8591@gmail com.
WEBINAR FOR CATECHISTS: SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION FOR DIVERSE LEARNING NEEDS Join us on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 (7:00pm – 8:30pm) for a conversation about the Church’s call to hospitality and support of diverse learners in preparation for Sacraments of Initiation. Current research and catechetical tools will be offered to all those who accompany their local communities in Sacramental Preparation. All are welcome. Registration can be made here: www.hamiltondiocese.com/events.
LECTURES IN CATHOLIC EXPERIENCE: ST JEROME’S UNIVERSITY St. Jerome’s University, Waterloo hosts a series of public lectures each year on a variety of important and prevalent topics within Catholic life. On Thursday, May 15, Father Greg Boyle, SJ will be speaking on the power of love through his experiences of ministry at “Homeboy Industries”. For more information on the Lectures in Catholic Experience and to explore recordings of previous lectures, you are invited to explore the St. Jerome’s Website: https://www.sju.ca/LC