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

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.

A federal election will take place on Monday, September 20, 2021, and Catholics have a moral obligation to vote, if they are eligible. However, it can be difficult to find clear, unbiased information on the different parties’ plans so as to make an informed vote. The Diocese of Saint John has compiled number of resources to help you discern your vote.

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.

July 25 will mark the first World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. Pope Francis has chosen for the theme of this inaugural commemoration “I am with you always” (Mt 28: 30). The Pope reminds all of us of our vocation to preserve our roots and to pass on the faith. / Le message de fraternité et de compassion du Pape pour les personnes âgées, pour la première Journée Mondiale des Grands-Parents et des Personnes Âgées - dimanche 25 juillet. Le Pape insiste donc sur la mission des personnes âgées, jusqu'à la fin de leur vie: «Conserver les racines, transmettre la foi aux jeunes et prendre soin des plus petits.» Chaque personne âgée, même avec ses limites physiques et psychologiques, peut assumer ce rôle de transmission.

The Bishops of Canada are profoundly saddened by the Residential Schools legacy. We are committed to working with Indigenous Peoples and communities towards a greater understanding of the priorities of healing and reconciliation and how to address them together. Bishops from many dioceses across the country have indicated to the CCCB their readiness to discern possible local and/or regional fundraising initiatives. The details of the particular fundraising efforts will be made known locally following further consultations. / Les évêques du Canada sont profondément attristés par l’héritage des pensionnats autochtones. Nous nous engageons à travailler avec les peuples et les communautés autochtones pour mieux comprendre les priorités de la guérison et de la réconciliation et comment les aborder ensemble. Des évêques de nombreux diocèses à travers le pays ont indiqué à la CECC leur volonté de discerner d’éventuelles initiatives de collecte de fonds au niveau local et/ou régional. Les détails des efforts particuliers de collecte de fonds seront communiqués localement suite à d’autres consultations.

In his homily at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Concepion in Saint John for the 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time on Saturday, July 10, Bishop Christian Riesbeck, CC, Bishop of the Diocese of Saint John, reflected on an early experience of ministry that taught him the true meaning of evangelization. On Sunday, July 11, 2021, members of Saint John the Baptist Parish in Woodstock celebrated a Mass of Healing. They were joined by Indigenous community members, including members of the Woodstock and Tobique First Nations. When scientists share their data and dialogue with experts in other fields, including religion, they contribute to the search for a holistic truth that promotes the common good and, therefore, promotes peace, Pope Francis said.

Following the 10 June 2021 announcement regarding the delegation of Indigenous people to meet with the Holy Father to foster meaningful encounters of dialogue and healing, the Catholic Bishops of Canada are pleased to announce that the delegation is scheduled to take place from 17‑20 December 2021 in compliance with global travel restrictions. / À la suite de l’annonce du 10 juin 2021 au sujet de la délégation des peuples autochtones pour rencontrer le Saint-Père et vivre des moments significatifs de dialogue et de guérison, les évêques catholiques du Canada sont heureux d’annoncer que la délégation aura lieu du 17 au 20 décembre 2021 conformément aux directives de voyages internationaux.

In a recent Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO) webinar, founder André Regnier asked the question, “Can Churches recover from COVID-19”? The answer to this question a resounding yes, but with a catch: Parishes must be willing to seize the opportunity the Lord has provided and return to their missionary roots. On National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21), St. John Paul II Parish in Oromocto invited parishioners to attend a special Mass of Healing for the living and peaceful repose of the souls of the 215 deceased children. The path of evangelization, the essential characteristics of an evangelist and the risks posed by the self-proclaimed righteous are illustrated in the Letter to the Galatians, the pope said June 23 as he announced the letter would be the topic of a new series of talks at his weekly general audience.

The Diocese of Saint John is committed to working with Indigenous leaders towards healing and reconciliation. This post includes comments from Bishop Riesbeck, CC as well as the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.