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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.

For the past several years, the CCCB has used the National Week for Life and the Family as a key opportunity to propose ideas related to its national pastoral initiative for life and family. The annual celebration of the National Week for Life and the Family takes place in many dioceses across the country and always coincides with the United Nations’ International Day of Families on May 15 of each year.
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Au cours des dernières années, la CECC a profité de la Semaine nationale de la vie et de la famille pour proposer des idées liées à son initiative pastorale nationale pour la vie et la famille. La célébration annuelle de la Semaine nationale pour la vie et la famille a lieu dans de nombreux diocèses à travers le pays et coïncide toujours avec la Journée internationale des familles des Nations Unies, le 15 mai de chaque année.

"As we continue to celebrate the Year of St. Joseph, we are reminded of the words of Pope Francis in his Apostolic Letter Patris Corde, where he writes: 'Saint Joseph’s work reminds us that God himself, in becoming man, did not disdain work. The loss of employment that affects so many of our brothers and sisters, and has increased as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, should serve as a summons to review our priorities. Let us implore Saint Joseph the Worker to help us find ways to express our firm conviction that no young person, no person at all, no family should be without work!'" / "Alors que nous continuons de célébrer l’Année de saint Joseph, nous nous souvenons des paroles du pape François dans sa lettre apostolique Patris Corde: 'Le travail de saint Joseph nous rappelle que Dieu lui-même fait homme n’a pas dédaigné de travailler. La perte du travail quifrappe de nombreux frères et sœurs, et qui est en augmentation ces derniers temps à cause de la pandémie de la Covid-19, doit être un rappel à revoir nos priorités. Implorons saint Joseph travailleur pour que nous puissions trouver des chemins qui nous engagent à dire : aucun jeune, aucune personne, aucune famille sans travail.'"

Pope Francis is requesting that during this month of May, particularly dedicated to Our Lady, the entire Church invoke the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for the end of the pandemic and, in a special way, he is inviting all to pray fervently for those most closely affected by it. During each day of May, guided by a calendar with specific intentions, all the Shrines around the world, united in a communion of supplication, through the prayer of the Rosary, will intercede for an end to the pandemic.
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Selon le souhait du Saint-Père, le mois de mai sera consacré à un ‘’marathon" de prière pour invoquer la fin de la pandémie, qui frappe le monde depuis plus d'un an, et la reprise des activités sociales et professionnelles.

Pope Francis has called for a global prayer marathon for the entire month of May, praying for the end to the pandemic. Right out of the gate, when Pope Francis was elected in 2013, he declared, “A good Catholic meddles in politics.” Eight years on, the young, non-partisan organization Catholic Conscience is ramping up its meddling to encompass all of Canada. Local online program that will help faithful seek Jesus more deeply in the Blessed Sacrament. Thirty-three days to Eucharist Love is an email-based personal retreat that prepares people to consecrate themselves to the Eucharist Heart of Jesus.

The story of Dorien and Rita Hachey of St. Stephen could be the story of any person who has been raised Catholic and finds themselves surprised by an encounter with Jesus that they were not expecting. The Hachey’s recently participated in Alpha through St. Croix Parish in the southwestern region of the Diocese of Saint John. Read about their experience. Answering God's Call: Religious and priestly life must be filled with the simple joy of caring every day for what really matters — faithful friendship with God and one another, Pope Francis said. Jesuit astronomer and president of the Vatican Observatory Brother Guy Consolmangno has a plan to help Catholics, or anybody, think more rationally and less politically about science.

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.

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.
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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.

In his second year with the Diocese of Saint John, Bishop Christian Riesbeck, CC, acknowledged the uniqueness of celebrating the Chrism Mass during a pandemic. This year’s Chrism Mass, held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Saint John, was by invitation only and was livestreamed on the Diocese of Saint John Facebook page. On Good Friday, April 2nd at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Saint John, reflecting on the passion of the Lord, Bishop Christian Riesbeck, CC, of the Diocese of Saint John, spoke about the importance of the crucifix as a symbol of Christianity. His message of the importance of the cross echoed Pope Francis' that the hope brought by Christ's cross "is like a beacon that indicates the port to ships that are still afloat on stormy seas." The number of Catholics and permanent deacons in the world has shown steady growth, while the number of religious men and women continued to decrease, according to Vatican statistics. At the end of 2019, the worldwide Catholic population exceeded 1.34 billion, which continued to be about 17.7% of the world's population.

This year in honour of the 90th anniversary of the Divine Mercy apparitions to St. Faustina Kowalska in Poland, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Immaculate Conception Parish) in Saint John will host a Holy Hour of Mercy on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 11, led by Bishop Christian Riesbeck, CC of the Diocese of Saint John. Thinking about a horrible death doesn’t come naturally to 21st-century humans, even on Good Friday. King’s University College philosophy professor John Heng in London, ON has meditated on the seven last words of Christ — a Good Friday spiritual practice that stretches back centuries and has inspired string quartets by Joseph Hayden, a choral masterpiece by Cesar Franck, books by Fulton Sheen, Jesuit writer Father James Martin and Jesuit theologian Karl Rahner. A Christian life should be filled with amazement -- astonishment at the son of God suffering and dying for humanity and awe at realizing how precious and loved people are in his eyes, Pope Francis said. Jews and Christians can learn from each other's shared Scriptures, according to two renowned academics. Such dialogue, they said, can help to move a divisive society "from polemic to possibility."

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!
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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!

Bishop Christian Riesbeck, CC consecrates the Diocese of Saint John to Saint Joseph, in this Year of Saint Joseph, and in this year dedicated to families. The revitalized Our Lady of Fatima parish serves many families as a spiritual sanctuary. Assisted suicide is expanded with the passing of Bill C-7. The Fredericton Chapter of New Brunswick Right to Life continues their pro-life outreach This year is also the 90th anniversary of the Divine Mercy apparition.

The Canadian Catholic Bishops are offering new resources to celebrate the Year of Saint Joseph. Visitors to the webpage will find several resources for use in parishes, religious communities, families and in schools, such as: Prayers, Litanies, and Devotions; Consecration to Saint Joseph; Church Documents; and Catechetical Resources for children, youth and adults. A series of seven short video reflections based the recent Apostolic Letter Patris Corde (With a Father’s Heart) are offered in both English and French. This resource for adult faith formation highlights each of the seven attributes of St. Joseph.

La CECC ont collaboré pour créer ces ressources informatiques qui offrent plusieurs prières, dévotions et des ressources catéchétiques pour les adultes et les enfants, ainsi que des documents de l’Église tous dédiés à saint Joseph. Veuillez noter qu’une célébration de consécration à saint Joseph est disponible, pour usage dans les diocèses, les éparchies, les paroisses, les communautés religieuses, les familles (églises domestiques) et les écoles.

Please read Bishop Riesbeck's letter to the faithful on the Year Amoris Laetitia, which begins on the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, March 19. Holy Family - pray for us!
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Veuillez lire la lettre de Mgr Riesbeck au sujet de l’Année de la famille Amoris laetitia qui sera inaugurée le 19 mars 2021, à l’occasion de la Solennité de saint Joseph. Sainte Famille – priez pour nous!

In this Year of St. Joseph proclaimed by Pope Francis, December 8, 2020 – December 8, 2021, many have found themselves drawn to this spiritual father. For Michael Dobbelsteyn of Saint John, it was novena and consecration to St. Joseph that helped him and his family grow closer to this saint. The uncertainty and death brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic can be an opportunity for humanity to reflect on how to build a better world, Pope Francis said in a new book. While homosexual men and women must be respected, any form of blessing a same-sex union is "illicit," said the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

For Graydon Nicholas, former lieutenant governor of the province, member of the Order of New Brunswick and current chancellor of St. Thomas University in Fredericton believes, the implications of Bill C-7 will have disastrous consequences not only for the Indigenous people he represents, but Canadians as a whole. The Act to amend the Criminal Code deals with medical assistance in dying [MAiD]. A more inclusive attitude and a cooperative approach that includes women are needed for the future of the church and society, said a number of Vatican officials. The approval of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for use in Canada has heightened the discussion over whether Catholics should receive the vaccine, though Church teaching remains clear that it is “morally acceptable.”

The decision to receive any COVID-19 vaccine is one of individual conscience in consultation with one’s physician or healthcare provider. Choosing to be vaccinated, particularly amid the current pandemic, can be an act of charity which recognizes the need to care for others.