POSSIBLE COVID-19 EXPOSURE PROMPTS TWO-WEEK PREVENTATIVE CLOSURE OF HOLY SPIRIT PARISH IN SAINT JOHN REGION.
Holy Spirit Parish (Saint Matthew’s Church) in the Saint John region of the Diocese of Saint John has been advised by Public Health of one possible Covid-19 exposure during the 11:00 am Mass on Sunday, April 18, 2021. Given the current pandemic and with the increased risk of variants, the Pastor has followed the advice of Public Health to close the church and cancel Masses for the next two weeks. Those in attendance at the 11:00 am Mass at St. Matthew’s on April 18 are in the process of being contacted to either self-isolate for the required period of time or monitor for symptoms. Out of an abundance of caution, St. Rose of Lima Church (also part of Holy Spirit Parish) has also been closed for the next two weeks, with Masses resuming the weekend of May 8-9 in both places.
Set back among a row of buildings on Waterloo Street in the uptown Saint John, the St. Vincent de Paul society has been serving the needs of the poor in the city for more than a century. Dee Dee Daigle, coordinator of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, shared how the pandemic has affected their day-to-day operations, and their work to support the poor in Saint John. Christians are never alone in prayer but instead are accompanied by myriad saints who protect them and seek God's intercession, Pope Francis said. The Diocese of Saint John will be offering a special Alpha geared particularly towards catechists and lay-leaders beginning on April 20. The Great Adventure Bible timeline is reading and meditating upon 14 books. Genesis, Exodus, Joshua, Judges, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, Luke and Acts are among the featured books. The connective tissue that is scholarly forged between these 14 narratives spread over 12 time periods is illuminating God’s “family plan” going from Adam and Eve to King David up to Jesus and the Church.
The Office of Youth Faith Development is seeking young people aged 12-24 to join a series of virtual conversations (via Zoom) originally initiated by the CCCB and the Canadian Catholic Youth Ministry Network. These sessions are scheduled to take place on an ongoing basis beginning in May and will be an opportunity for young people across Atlantic Canada to gather and talk about issues important to them in 2021 and how we as a faith community can respond to them. All young people in this age range are welcome to join the conversation. For more information contact Trevor at trevord.diocese@gmail.com or 857-4879.
Our advocacy must continue for rapid access to mental health care, social support for people withsuch illnesses, and suicide prevention programs. It must include the management and social support of individuals with chronic and/or degenerative diseases, and those living in isolation at our long-term care facilities.
-
Nous devons maintenir notre plaidoyer afin d’avoir un accès rapide aux soins de santé mentale, au soutien social pour les personnes atteintes de telles maladies et aux programmes de prévention du suicide. Il doit inclure la prise en charge et le soutien social des personnes atteintes de maladies chroniques ou dégénératives, et de celles vivant en isolement dans nos établissements de soins de longue durée.
This great proclamation of joy begins our Easter Vigil celebration - truly, an occasion to rejoice! Over the past year many have grown weary, but the joy of the resurrection reminds us that Jesus has won the victory. Truly, he is risen! This is indeed good news!
-
C’est avec cette grande proclamation de joie que nous débutons notre célébration de la Vigile Pascale : il n’y a pas de meilleure occasion de se réjouir! Après l’année qui vient de s’écouler, beaucoup de gens se sentent épuisés, mais la joie de la résurrection nous rappelle que Jésus a remporté la victoire. Il est vraiment ressuscité! En effet, c’est une bonne nouvelle!
“This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad. Alleluia.”
Today, during this Easter season, we continue to struggle, but there is a new sense of hope with the vaccines now being distributed, an opening- up of the churches in many parts of the country and even the warmer weather after a long challenging winter.
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, let us rise and be on our way!
« Ce jour que fit le Seigneur est un jour de joie, alléluia! »
Aujourd’hui, pendant ce temps pascal, nous continuons à éprouver des difficultés, mais on perçoit un regain d’espoir avec la campagne de vaccination en cours, la réouverture des églises dans plusieurs régions du pays et même le temps doux après la rigueur d’un long hiver.
Frères et sœurs dans le Christ, levons-nous et mettons-nous en route!