As of January 1, 2025, the Board has approved 216 projects from across Canada, including nine from our diocese. I am very grateful for the work of our dedicated local IRF committee, whose report is included with this letter to provide information about the exciting projects that have been funded in our diocese. To assist in this important work, the Diocese of Saint John takes up a special collection for the IRF annually at the Lord’s Day Masses on the last weekend of January. Your generous financial support of the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund will be part of our action plan moving forward to support various initiatives for healing and reconciliation involving our Indigenous brothers and sisters. You may contribute to this fundraising appeal using the special collection envelopes in your boxed sets at Masses for the weekend of January 25-26.

Au 1er janvier 2025, le conseil d'administration a approuvé 216 projets provenant de tout le Canada, dont neuf dans notre diocèse. Je suis très reconnaissant du travail de notre comité local du IRF, dont le rapport est joint à cette lettre pour fournir des informations sur les projets passionnants qui ont été financés dans notre diocèse. Pour appuyer cet effort important, le diocèse de Saint John organise chaque année une collecte spéciale pour l'IRF lors des messes du Jour du Seigneur, la dernière fin de semaine de janvier. Votre soutien financier généreux au Fonds de réconciliation avec les autochtones fera partie de notre plan d'action pour soutenir diverses initiatives de guérison et de réconciliation impliquant nos frères et sœurs autochtones. Vous pouvez contribuer à cet appel de collecte de fonds en utilisant les enveloppes de collecte spéciales qui se trouvent dans vos boîtes lors des messes du fin de semaine des 25 et 26 janvier.

Our local IRF committee is very grateful to work with the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund. The approval of these nine projects as well as applications to be received through the coming year and beyond allows us to continue moving forward with concrete actions in learning about and acting on the Calls to Action of the National Truth and Reconciliation Report, especially the Calls to Action that are directed at Churches. We encourage and welcome your generosity with the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund Collection to be taken up throughout the diocese the last weekend of January 2025. With your ongoing help and support the diocese is expected to meet its funding target within the year and looks forward to supporting the important work of reconciliation and healing for years to come."