I am counting on your fervent prayer for our restoration efforts through the intercession of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, as we give God permission to move powerfully in our diocese.
Je compte sur votre prière fervente pour nos efforts de restauration par l'intercession de Notre-Dame-de-l'Immaculée Conception, alors que nous donnons à Dieu la permission d'agir avec puissance dans notre diocèse.
"Renewal is in the air in the Diocese of Saint John where the restoration of the 170-year-old Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception continues to progress slowly but surely nearly a decade after preservation efforts launched. The house of worship, built by immigrants fleeing Ireland during the Irish potato famine in the mid-1840s, is getting its ceiling, roof, steeple and foundation repaired. The engineering firm Heritage Standing Incorporated, under the guidance of Bishop Christian Riesbeck, is taking on the project."
In this year of prayer in preparation for the Jubilee 2025, may the reality of the risen Jesus resonate in our hearts and propel us into the world as missionary disciples eager to share the joy of the Gospel with all we encounter along our way.
En cette année de prière préparatoire au Jubilé 2025, que la réalité de Jésus ressuscité résonne dans nos coeurs et nous propulse dans le monde en tant que disciples missionnaires désireux de partager la joie de l'Évangile avec tous ceux et celles que nous rencontrons sur notre chemin.
In thanksgiving for a life well-lived, the Diocese of Saint John, and the family of the Reverend Maurice Rene Swift, retired priest, announce his peaceful death at the Saint John Regional Hospital on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. Born in Minto, N.B, on August 9, 1937, Father Swift was the son of the late Victor and Madeline (Cullen) Swift. He was raised in Minto, where he attended local schools. He attended St. Thomas University (BA) and St. Francis Xavier where he obtained his M.Ed. He spent many years teaching in local schools and on Fogo Island, Newfoundland.
February 24 marks the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. National representatives of Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant communities, in collaboration with the World Evangelical Alliance’s Peace and Reconciliation Network, the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, and the Canadian Council of Churches, have signed this Pastoral Letter on Ukraine, Canada, and the Church, inviting all to join in praying for peace.
Le 24 février marque le deuxième anniversaire de l’invasion de l’Ukraine par la Russie. Des représentants et représentantes nationaux des communautés orthodoxes, catholiques et protestantes, en collaboration avec le Réseau de paix et réconciliation de l’Alliance évangélique mondiale, l’Alliance évangélique du Canada et le Conseil canadien des Églises, ont signé cette Lettre pastorale sur l’Ukraine, le Canada et l’Église, invitant tout le monde à se joindre à la prière pour la paix.
The work of Synodality continues! Dioceses are being invited to reflect on the Synthesis Report published in October 2023, and to prepare contributions for the final Synod session in October 2024. The Holy See has requested that these reflection sessions involve a more focused number of participants to reflect on specific themes from the Synthesis Report that are of particular relevance to the local Church. These more focused discussions build upon the broad consultation of the earlier Synod on Synodality listening events held in 2022. Please see Bishop Riesbeck's letter to the faithful for more on our diocesan work towards Synodality and pray for all who will participate in the upcoming Synod Reflection Sessions.
From February 4 to February 10, 2024 we mark National Catholic Health Care Week across Canada, recognizing the important work of Catholic health care organizations in our province and across Canada. During National Catholic Health Care Week, we invite you to reflect on and share the story of the courageous gift of Catholic health care.
The World Day of the Sick is celebrated each year on February 11, the memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes. The Holy Father's message for this year is entitled: “It is not good that man should be alone” - Healing the Sick by Healing Relationships. Echoing the Holy Father's message, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) renews its commitment to prayer and accompaniment of the sick. Pope Francis reminds us of the fundamental importance of human relationships in the process of healing and comforting the sick.
Le 10 janvier 2024, le Vatican a publié le message du pape François pour la 32e Journée mondiale du malade, célébrée chaque année le 11 février. Le message du Saint-Père pour cette année s'intitule : « Il n’est pas bon que l’homme soit seul » - Soigner le malade en soignant les relations. En écho à ce message du Saint-Père, la Conférence des évêques catholiques du Canada (CECC) renouvelle son engagement envers la prière et l'accompagnement des malades. Le pape François nous rappelle l'importance fondamentale des relations humaines dans le processus de guérison et de réconfort des personnes malades .
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone (Colossians 4:6). The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops have published a timely and thoughtful letter on the Catholic, Christian use of Social Media. Families and Churches can certainly use social media to keep connected, and to help personally gather at the table. Social media can help us make new connections and nurture old ones, but social media cannot be an end in itself. Social media should enrich, not detract from, our encounters face-to-face, eye to eye, heart to heart.
You may contribute to this fundraising appeal using the special collection envelopes in your boxed sets at Masses for the weekend of January 27-28. You may also contribute at anytime on our website via cheque or email money transfer (https://dioceseofsaintjohn.org/donations). Additional resources including a link to the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund are available on our diocesan website, https://dioceseofsaintjohn.org/indigenous-relations.
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 week-end des 27 et 28 janvier. Vous pouvez également contribuer à tout moment sur notre site Web par chèque ou par virement électronique (https://dioceseofsaintjohn.org/donations). Des ressources supplémentaires, y compris un lien pour le Fonds de réconciliation autochtone, sont disponibles sur notre site Web diocésain, https://dioceseofsaintjohn.org/indigenous-relations.
Jesus longs to be born in our lives, to be cradled, embraced and welcomed. When we say yes to all he has to offer, our lives will never be the same. This Christmas take a step towards Jesus. Open your heart to the hope he promises.
Jésus aspire à naître dans nos vies, à être bercé, embrassé et accueilli. Lorsque nous disons oui à tout ce qu'il a à offrir, nos vies ne seront plus jamais les mêmes. Ce Noël, faites un pas vers Jésus. Ouvrez votre coeur à l'espérance qu'il promet.
