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Today, the Church in Canada and throughout the world rejoices, as His Eminence Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost, O.S.A., after being duly elected by the College of Cardinals, has accepted to become the 267th Bishop of Rome, successor of Saint Peter, and vicar of Christ on earth!

Aujourd’hui, l’Église au Canada et dans le monde entier se réjouit et prie, alors que Son Éminence le Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, O.S.A., qui après avoir été dûment élue par le Collège des cardinaux, a accepté de devenir le 267e évêque de Rome, successeur de saint Pierre et vicaire du Christ sur la terre!

After careful reflection on these matters in the light of faith, we are called to form our consciences prayerfully and to express our convictions through our vote. Let us pray for our country, for all political candidates, and for our fellow citizens. Before casting our ballots, let us pause in personal prayer—perhaps by reciting the Lord’s Prayer—and ask God’s blessing upon those who will be elected to lead our nation.

Après une réflexion attentive à ces questions sous l’éclairage de la foi, nous sommes appelés à former nos consciences dans la prière et à exprimer nos convictions par notre vote. Prions pour notre pays, pour tous les candidats et candidates aux élections et pour nos concitoyens et concitoyennes. Avant de déposer nos bulletins de vote, prenons un moment de prière personnelle — peut-être en récitant le Notre Père — et demandons la bénédiction de Dieu sur ceux et celles qui seront élus pour diriger notre nation.

"Canadian Catholics are being called upon as citizens to exercise their right to vote...The important time leading up to an election also provides Canadians with the opportunity to interact with fellow voters, one’s neighbours, and the candidates themselves (particularly during their visits to neighbourhoods), raising awareness about the values, views, and concerns shared by Catholics across the country." (Voting as Catholics: 2019 Federal Election Guide, CCCB). For resources to help prepare for the 2025 Federal Election, click here.

I would like to invite you to Holy Hour Vigil at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Friday April 25, 2025 at 7:00 pm, as faithful throughout the world anticipate the funeral Mass for Pope Francis on Saturday April 26, 2025 in Rome. On Tuesday, April 29, at 7:00 pm there will be a Memorial Mass for Pope Francis at the Cathedral that I will preside. I encourage you to participate in any other prayers and devotions that are being offered in your parish. With deep confidence that the Lord turns all sorrow into joy, we give thanks for the gift of Pope Francis to the Church and pray that he will be hastily received into the arms of the Father whom he loved so dearly in life.

In this time of grief, I invite the Catholic faithful to join their local Ordinary and their pastoral ministers in praying for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis. Let us give thanks to God for giving us such a good shepherd, an eloquent teacher of the joy of the Gospel, a humble witness, and a fellow pilgrim of hope. May the love and hope that Pope Francis found in the Risen Lord continue to radiate through our lives, and may he receive the reward promised to good and faithful servants who were heralds of the Good News of the Kingdom of God.

En ce temps de tristesse, j’invite les fidèles catholiques à se joindre à leur évêque diocésain et à leurs ministres pastoraux pour prier pour le repos de l’âme du pape François. Rendons grâce à Dieu de nous avoir donné un pasteur si dévoué, un enseignant éloquent de la joie de l’Évangile, un témoin humble et un compagnon de route porteur d’espoir. Que l’amour et l’espérance que le pape François a trouvés dans le Christ ressuscité continuent de rayonner à travers nos vies, et qu’il reçoive la récompense promise aux bons et fidèles serviteurs, hérauts de la Bonne Nouvelle du Royaume de Dieu.

We know the rest of the story. We know that the stone has been rolled away. The tomb is empty. And that changes everything. The power of the resurrection breaks into the darkest places of our lives, again and again, offering a hope that “does not disappoint, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5)

Nous connaissons la suite de l'histoire. Nous savons que la pierre a été roulée. Le tombeau est vide. Et cela change tout. La puissance de la résurrection fait irruption dans les endroits les plus sombres de nos vies, encore et encore, offrant un espoir qui « ne déçoit pas, puisque l’amour de Dieu a été répandu dans nos cœurs par l’Esprit Saint qui nous a été donné. » (Romains 5,5)

As of January 1, 2025, the Board has approved 216 projects from across Canada, including nine from our diocese. I am very grateful for the work of our dedicated local IRF committee, whose report is included with this letter to provide information about the exciting projects that have been funded in our diocese. To assist in this important work, the Diocese of Saint John takes up a special collection for the IRF annually at the Lord’s Day Masses on the last weekend of January. Your generous financial support of the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund will be part of our action plan moving forward to support various initiatives for healing and reconciliation involving our Indigenous brothers and sisters. You may contribute to this fundraising appeal using the special collection envelopes in your boxed sets at Masses for the weekend of January 25-26.

Au 1er janvier 2025, le conseil d'administration a approuvé 216 projets provenant de tout le Canada, dont neuf dans notre diocèse. Je suis très reconnaissant du travail de notre comité local du IRF, dont le rapport est joint à cette lettre pour fournir des informations sur les projets passionnants qui ont été financés dans notre diocèse. Pour appuyer cet effort important, le diocèse de Saint John organise chaque année une collecte spéciale pour l'IRF lors des messes du Jour du Seigneur, la dernière fin de semaine de janvier. Votre soutien financier généreux au Fonds de réconciliation avec les autochtones fera partie de notre plan d'action pour soutenir diverses initiatives de guérison et de réconciliation impliquant nos frères et sœurs autochtones. 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 fin de semaine des 25 et 26 janvier.

Our local IRF committee is very grateful to work with the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund. The approval of these nine projects as well as applications to be received through the coming year and beyond allows us to continue moving forward with concrete actions in learning about and acting on the Calls to Action of the National Truth and Reconciliation Report, especially the Calls to Action that are directed at Churches. We encourage and welcome your generosity with the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund Collection to be taken up throughout the diocese the last weekend of January 2025. With your ongoing help and support the diocese is expected to meet its funding target within the year and looks forward to supporting the important work of reconciliation and healing for years to come."

The Holy Spirit is on the move at the Cathedral! As we continue to respond to the spiritual needs of the faithful through, there remain immediate needs at the Cathedral that must be properly managed in order to be good stewards of this beautiful place of worship. This Giving Tuesday, please consider supporting the Cathedral Restoration.

In this Jubilee Year may we, as Pilgrims of Hope guided by the Holy Spirit, truly recognize the spark of hope that dwells in the heart of each person we encounter, that desire for and expectation of good things and happiness. May we, Pilgrims of Hope, enkindle and fan into flame that hope with our proclamation in word and deed that Jesus is alive, that he loves us, and is the fulfillment of all our truest desires and dreams!

En cette année jubilaire, puissions-nous, en tant que pèlerins de l'espérance guidés par l'Esprit Saint, reconnaître vraiment l'étincelle d'espérance qui habite le cœur de chaque personne que nous rencontrons, ce désir et cette attente de bonnes choses et de bonheur. Puissions-nous, pèlerins de l'espérance, raviver et attiser cette espérance en proclamant, en paroles et en actes, que Jésus est vivant, qu'il nous aime et qu'il est l'accomplissement de tous nos désirs et de tous nos rêves les plus sincères !

Catechetical resource on plenary indulgences for the Jubilee Year along with the texts of the Apostolic Blessings. These resources come from Decree on the Granting of Indulgence during the Ordinary Jubilee Year 2025 called by His Holiness Pope Francis.