 Vol. IV no 3 |
January 20, 2010 Catholic Church |
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Haiti needs our prayers — Directives for parish collections — Ordination to the Priesthood of Mr. Raymond Arsenault — "Nomenclature 2010" — International Congress for Priests in Rome — Upcoming Events |
Haiti needs our prayers
Last Thursday, I was invited to the cultural centre "La Perle Retrouvée" to meet with members of Montreal’s Haitian community. Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon, Mayor Gérald Tremblay and other leaders took part in the panel, convened to consider the best possible ways to help the people of Haiti.
This meeting gave me the opportunity to talk at length with many people. What anxiety these people are feeling! Many had received no news as yet from family members and friends in Haiti. Many Quebec religious communities working in that country were similarly distressed by the lack of information, having received no news from their community members or from their co-workers there. This situation was and remains a constant worry.
The people with whom I met last Thursday felt powerless. They wanted to help and were willing to make many sacrifices to do so. But it is not that simple. The infrastructure both of the capital and the neighbouring areas has almost been entirely destroyed. Electricity has been cut. Food and water are widely unavailable. Three days after the earthquake, many people had yet to receive food and water. Everything must be reorganized, and our governments are focusing on that problem.
Individually, we can donate money to international organizations working in Haiti. I have a personal preference for Development and Peace. This is the international development organization set up by the Canadian bishops to act when emergencies occur and to assist with reconstruction in affected countries. This organization is linked to Caritas Internationalis (headquartered in Vatican City). Haiti will need to be rebuilt, and enormous sums of money are required to lead our brothers and sisters living there to regain hope and see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
There’s something else we can do — and it’s no small matter. We Christians believe in the power of prayer. Many people asked me last Thursday to organize a prayer chain to link us with the people of Haiti. This is what I suggest we do. Together, let us pray. Let us pray that our Haitian brothers and sisters be rescued, receive medical help, be fed and sheltered. Let us pray that they find courage and the desire to embrace life. Let us pray that they find the strength and support needed to rebuild their country. Let us pray that they rediscover the joy of smiling once again. Let us be united in prayer.
I invite all of you to join me and other members of our diocesan community, next Saturday, January 23, at 4 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Oratory, for a special Eucharistic celebration for the people of Haiti. During the celebration there will be a special collection and the funds will be given to Development and Peace.
_________________This Friday, I will ordain Mr. Raymond Archambault to the priesthood. It is always a joyful event to welcome a new priest to the diocesan Church. Let us support him in prayer so that he may exercise a holy and fruitful ministry.
† Jean-Claude Turcotte
Archbishop of Montréal
Directives for parish collections : Solidarity Haiti
You are invited to forward the donations to Development and Peace.
You can call Development and Peace to receive special envelopes that allow for Tax Receipts to be given and also ensure that the Federal Government will match the amount given to the organization.
If a parish takes up a collection without using the envelopes, the check must contain the words "Emergency Haiti" to ensure the governmental contribution.
Ordination to the Priesthood of Mr. Raymond Arsenault
We are pleased to announce that Mr. Raymond ARSENAULT, deacon for the diocese of Montreal, intern at Très-Saint-Rédempteur parish, will be ordained to the priesthood, at Très-Saint-Rédempteur Church, on Friday, January 22, 2010, at 7:30 p.m.
His Eminence Jean-Claude Cardinal Turcotte, Archbishop, will preside at this ordination.
Warm welcome!
Fr. Benoît-Marc Boyer
Vice-chancellor
Nomenclature 2010
La NOMENCLATURE 2010 des membres du clergé de l'Archidiocèse de Montréal est maintenant imprimée. Le prix est de 3 $ pour chaque exemplaire (si envoyé par la poste : 5$).
Si vous désirez en obtenir une copie, veuillez joindre un chèque à votre demande et adresser le tout à :
La Chancellerie / AZ
2000 rue Sherbrooke Ouest
Montréal QC H3H 1G4
Mgr Michel Parent, v.é.
Chancelier
Le 8 janvier 2010
International Congress for Priests - Rome, June 9-11, 2010
Trip for priests from the Montreal Diocese : June 6 – 18, 2010
All Montreal diocesan priests interested in the International Congress for Priests, June 9 - 11, 2010, in Rome, may join the project prepared with the Office for Pastoral Personnel of the Diocese jointly with the Roman Pilgrimage Office and the local travel agency Vacances ARC EN CIEL, Nadia Spedaliere coordinator of the project, 1600 rue Villeray, tel : 514-501-2146 or tel : 514-725-9351 (arcenciel@videotron.ca).
Read the complete information letter (in French)
Upcoming Events
Week for Christian Unity
Information concerning the Priesthood
These gatherings are intended for men 18 to 54 years old, who may be discerning a vocation to follow Jesus as a priest. These evenings are an excellent opportunity for those who are discerning a call to the priesthood, to share in fellowship and to explore their call together.
Next meeting will be held January 22, 2010, from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m at St. Willibrord Parish, 351 Willibrord Ave in Verdun.
Contact: Diocesan Vocation Office, at 514-925-4348
or vocationsmtl@hotmail.com
