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There has never been a synod like the one that will begin October 17 in cathedrals across Canada. It’s not that lay people have never before been asked their opinion, but this Synod on Synodality begins with their opinions and from that moment on it will be about their hopes, dreams, disappointments and opinions — including the opinions of Catholics who have walked away from Church. The message across the country for parishioners, volunteers and staff at Catholic churches is clear: please get vaccinated. While COVID-19 vaccination policies being formulated in dioceses have so far stressed that parishioners will not require proof of vaccination, there is a strong signal that vaccines can put churches on the road to normal operations. Over the past year many within the Diocese of Saint John have come to know Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit through Alpha. Alpha helps to create a space where people can encounter Jesus through a culture of invitation and discipleship.

On Thursday, September 30, people across the Diocese of Saint John took the opportunity to reflect, and participate in many activities, on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The future of the Catholic Church in Canada was the main theme of the most important annual gathering of the church’s leaders when Canada’s bishops gathered online for the second year-in-a-row for a virtual plenary assembly that was held September 20-24. Christians must be on guard and avoid the temptation of thinking themselves better than others, an attitude that risks turning the church into a place of "separation and not communion," Pope Francis said.

The Bishops of Canada, as a tangible expression of their commitment to walk with the Indigenous Peoples of this land along the pathway of hope, are making a nation-wide collective financial commitment to support healing and reconciliation initiatives for residential school survivors, their families, and their communities. With a target of $30 million over up to five years, this will include initiatives in every region of the country. The commitment will be achieved at the local level, with parishes across Canada being encouraged to participate and amplify the effort.

Les évêques du Canada, avec espérance, comme un témoignage sensible de leur engagement avec les Peuples autochtones, prennent collectivement un engagement financier à l’échelle nationale pour soutenir les initiatives de guérison et de réconciliation pour les survivants et survivantes des pensionnats indiens, leurs familles et leurs communautés. Il s’agit d’initiatives dans toutes les régions du pays, avec un objectif de 30 millions de dollars sur une période pouvant aller jusqu’à cinq ans. L’effort fourni sera encore plus grand grâce à un encouragement soutenu au niveau local en vue de la participation des paroisses partout au Canada.

The Bishops of Canada unequivocally apologize to the Indigenous Peoples.

Les évêques du Canada offrent aux peuples autochtones des excuses sans équivoque.

The Diocese of Saint John has compiled frequently asked questions regarding faith gatherings in our parishes.

Understanding synodality: Church governance is not about command and control. It’s about who we are and who we aspire to be as a Christian community, as the body of Christ. Since 2013, Pope Francis has been teaching this lesson in all that he does and says. This fall, Bishop Christian Riesbeck, CC, of the Diocese of Saint John, resumes confirmations and pastoral visits that were interrupted in the Spring 2020 due to the Covid 19 pandemic. Pope Francis praised Catholic lay movements and associations for living out the Gospel in their everyday lives. They show how "we don't have to wait for a priest to come, for the priest to evangelize or a missionary," he said. However, just like the world's religious orders and congregations, the pope said, lay movements and associations of the faithful are just as susceptible to abuses and problems, all of which stem from an abuse of power.

There is no place for discrimination or divisive distinctions among people who believe in Christ, Pope Francis said during his weekly general audience. That everyone is made new and equal in Christ overcomes all ethnic, economic and social differences, even between the two sexes. As Catholics prepare to head to the polls on September 20, many are asking what a Catholic vote looks like. Catholic Conscience is an organization created to help Catholics make sense of the political parties and their platforms, and to discern their vote through the lens of Catholic social teaching. A lay movement has been growing over the last year — a network of faithful lay Catholics who are not going to live with the scandals or the paralysis of their Church anymore. Concerned Lay Catholics (www.concernedlaycatholics.ca) [CLC] have been inspired by Pope Francis to take ownership of their Church and its problems. There are representatives now in nine provinces, and growing.

At this time the Diocese of Saint John is working closely with public health to implement policies at the parish level that will ensure that all faithful can continue to worship Jesus and receive the Sacraments in full safety and care for one another and the common good. À l’heure actuelle, le Diocèse de Saint John travaille en étroite collaboration avec les autorités de la santé publique, pour mettre en œuvre des politiques au niveau paroissial qui garantiront que tous les fidèles puissent continuer à adorer Jésus et à recevoir les Sacrements en toute sécurité, tout en veillant à la sécurité des autres et du bien commun.

In his 2021-22 pastoral letter, Bishop Riesbeck is encouraging a deepening of our commitment to the three activities that were proposed last year for the renewal of our diocese: Eucharistic adoration, evangelization and discipleship, and outreach.

Dans sa lettre pastorale annuelle 2021-2022 le Msgr. Riesbeck encourage un approfondissement de notre engagement dans les trois activités qui ont été proposées l'an dernier pour le renouveau de notre diocèse : l’adoration eucharistique, évangélisation et formation de disciples, et action missionaire.

In his homily of September 5, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Immaculate Conception Parish) in Saint John, Bishop Christian Riesbeck, CC of the Diocese of Saint John, gave parishioners a glimpse of some of his priorities for diocesan faithful heading into a new pastoral year. Canadians have a lot to think about before the September 20 election. But for Catholics, it’s getting harder to be political and to contribute to public debate, says the author of a brand-new book about faith and politics in Canada. Redemption is the work of God, not of human beings, so be careful and do not listen to "fundamentalists" who claim holiness comes through following certain laws, Pope Francis said during his weekly general audience.

"Father Paul loved being a priest, was devoted to the celebration of the Eucharist and the other sacraments and had hoped to be able to continue to minister as a priest despite his recent health problems." « Le père Paul aimait être prêtre, se consacrait à la célébration de l’Eucharistie et des autres sacrements et avait espéré pouvoir continuer à exercer son ministère en tant que prêtre malgré ses récents problèmes de santé. »

Masses of reconciliation and healing at Saint Anne’s Church with the Esgenoôpetitj First Nation and at Saint Joachim’s Church with the Natoaganeg First Nation, on the feast day for Saints Anne and Joachim. The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary was celebrated in the Saint John Paul II Parish with their annual outdoor Mass and potluck along with a visit from Bishop Riesbeck, CC. A Mass will commemorate the completion of a beautification project for the Saint Francis Xavier Cemetery. And, Canadian Catholic Campus Ministry continues to help students pursue Truth with Charity and clarity, and to make a difference in their dioceses.

While this new Motu Proprio further regulates the use of the Missal of 1962, it acknowledges the exclusive competency of the diocesan Bishop to “authorize the use of the 1962 Roman Missal in his diocese according to the guidelines of the Apostolic See” (Art. 2). Out of pastoral concern and care for the faithful who benefit spiritually from participating in the Mass using the Missal of 1962, Bishop Riesbeck outlines how its use will continue in the diocese.

The New Freeman has been published for the weeks of August 13 and 20, 2021.

Diocesan parishes marking the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. The Feast of Saint Anne, the patron saint of grandmothers, also has special meaning for indigenous families. A Canadian Catholic sculptor builds up in reconciliation as others tear down; anti-Christian violence is no answer for anger. Saint John the Baptist Parish has held a Mass of healing. Also, experiences of Catholics in the movie industry.

En avançant maintenant avec allégresse vers une liturgie post-pandémique, nous sommes conscients que ce même désir missionnaire qui nous a aidé à surmonter des obstacles afin d’amener les gens à rencontrer Jésus pendant la pandémie, doit guider nos efforts alors que nous invitons les fidèles à revenir dans nos églises.

Anticipating the lifting of restrictions by July 31, and moving eagerly back to worship, we do so mindful that the same missionary desire that drove us to overcome every obstacle to bring people to an encounter with Jesus during the pandemic must guide our efforts as we invite the faithful back into our churches post-Covid.