Diocesan Communiqué – October 23,  2024

October 25, 2024

New this Week:

1)     May 16– 26, 2025: Pilgrimage to Medjugorje where Our Lady has been appearing daily for 43 years. Cost of $3770 includes all airport taxes, security, fuel surcharges, airfare from the Moncton/Halifax, (twin or triple) accommodation, daily breakfast & dinner and experienced local guide. (Optional single room supplement, $250/p.) INFO: Hector Caissie at hectorcaissie@gmail.com or 506-857-2295.

2)     16–26 mai 2025: Pèlerinage à Medjugorje où la Vierge Marie apparaît tous les jours depuis 43 ans. Le coût de 3770$ comprend toutes les taxes d’aéroport, sécurité, surcharge de carburant, vols de Moncton et Halifax, hébergement (double ou triple), deux repas/jour et guide professionnel. Supplément pour chambre individuelle, 250$/p. INFO: Hector Caissie à hectorcaissie@gmail.com ou au 506-857-2295.

3)     With the support of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, Aid to the Church in Need Canada (ACN), Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) Canada, and Development and Peace – Caritas Canada (DPCC) are launching an appeal for prayers and generosity to support the most urgent needs of people in Lebanon, following the bombardments in the country that have already claimed hundreds of innocent lives. To donate or for more information, please contact the organizations as follows: ACN website and phone number: https://acn-canada.org/, Toll-free 1-800-585-6333 ext. 228, donation page: https://acn-canada.org/attacks-on-lebanon-affecting-everyone/?form=Lebanon ;  CNEWA Canada website and phone number: https://cnewa.org/ca/, Toll-free: 1-866-322-4441;  DPCC website/donation page and phone number: https://devp.org/en/, Toll-free: 1-888-234-8533. Donations will be matched with Development and Peace – Caritas Canada by the Government of Canada until November 3, 2024.

4)     Recently a parish in our diocese received a generous gift from a parishioner’s estate of $114,000 to be used for their Music program, education and building maintenance. This gift was very much appreciated by the parish and its parishioners. If you would like to find out more about how to effectively leave a gift to your parish or the Diocese, as well as the tax savings available, please visit www.DioceseofCharlottetown.com and click on the “Planned Giving” Quick Link.

5)     See attached poster for details of event sponsored by Engineers Without Borders in support of Mikenduri Children of Hope.

6)     Discover more ways to appreciate each other and your marriage on a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend (all presentations will be in English, but workbooks can be available in Spanish or French upon request) from February 28 to March 2, 2025 at Our Lady of Hope Retreat Center in Stanley Bridge. Contact Ron or Joanne Arsenault at 506-451-8489 or ron.joanne.arsenault@wwme.org.  Apply before December 15, 2024.  More info can be found at www.wwme.org.

7)     2024 Christmas Pilgrimage to Medjugorje, Bosnia Herzegovina. Booking is now open for this year’s “Christmas in Medjugorje” from December 20th to January 6th with Group Leader Rhonda-Lynn Cormier-Clarke. Space and time are limited, so please book as soon as possible to secure your seat. Package Price: $4799.00 CAD per person tax included from Halifax Stanfield Intl. Airport (with price adjustment for departure from another airport).  Package includes the following: Return airfare; ground travel to and from airport in Europe; Hotel accommodations & daily dinner at Pansion Andela;  Climbing of Apparition Hill; Climbing of Cross Mountain (Krizevac); Visit with Patrick and Nancy Latta at the Castle; Visit the Community Cenacolo; Invitation to be present at an apparition with one of the visionaries if space is available. The Day/Evening Prayer Program in Medjugorje includes: Holy Mass at Saint James Church, Adoration Chapel, Evening Holy Mass at Outside Altar, Veneration of The Cross, Adoration, Confessions, Daily Rosary, Stations of the Cross, Risen Christ Prayer Area. For More information and to book please call Rhonda-Lynn at: 902 448 3660.

8)     Say YES to Joy!  Finding joy in life can be easy on days when things are going well in our lives.  At other times it may not be so easy.  This presentation, facilitated by Sister Rosemary MacDonald, will explore the essential relationship between gratefulness and joy. Grounded in that relatedness, we will explore through different ways how to expand our capacity to say yes to joy — in our daily life, amidst sorrow, and in relationship with others and the world. There will be opportunities for sharing and learning from others. A break with a snack is provided. This session, at The Living Well, 96 Patterson Dr., Charlottetown, is on October 30, 1:30-3:30.  To register email rmd17csm@gmail.com.  We are SCENT FREE. There is no charge for this session however, you are welcome to bring a food item for our monthly in-house Food Bank.

Repeated from Last Communiqué:

1)     Advent Scripture Study: Sister Joan Campbell is offering four zoom sessions on the biblical background of the early life of Jesus (Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2). These Zoom sessions will be on Wednesday evenings: November 27, December 4, 11, and 18 from 6:30-7:45 PM. Suggested fee is $25. To register contact Sister Joan at drjoancsm@gmail.com

2)     Indigenous Teachings Book Studies: First Monday of the Month: 3:00 – 4:30 pm (AT) Online. Facilitated by Donna McGreal. Monday, November 4: “The Clay We Are Made Of: Haudenosaunee Land Tenure on the Grand River” by Susan M. Hill. For more information contact Sister Joan at drjoancsm@gmail.com

3)     Cook required for busy Marguerite Bourgeoys Centre located at 284 Convent Street, Summerside, PEI: The mission of Marguerite Bourgeoys Centre is to provide a sacred space for individuals or groups to experience quiet time.  It is a place where groups may use the facilities for their own purposes; groups or individuals may take advantage of retreats and programs offered; or individuals may wish to enjoy personal time of reflection. We are looking for someone with at least one year’s experience in cooking and baking. Applicants must possess skills in:·    Food preparation,  cooking, baking, presentation; Kitchen maintenance and cleaning; Maintaining and ordering stocks and supplies; Menu planning; Following food safety requirements and personal hygiene.

The position is full-time at 37.5 hours per week.  The weekly work schedule is determined in consultation with employer.  Days worked are usually Monday to Friday but flexibility must be worked in to include weekend work as needed. Please send resume and personal letter to Sister Joan Marie Chaisson by October 31st- joan.chaisson@gmail.com.

4)     It’s not too late to join the Basilica Christmas Choir in preparing for the December 17th Concert where choir members from across the Island team up with a 35 piece orchestra in presenting John Rutter’s “Gloria” and the popular cantata “The Wonders of His Love“. Rehearsals take place Wednesday evenings 6:30 – 8:30 pm in the SDU boardroom on Great George St., across the road and to the left of the Basilica. Contact the music director for more information at leomarchildon88@gmail.com

5)     A NET Retreat is coming to a parish near you! A team of dynamic young adults is travelling across Canada, and leading retreats. They will be in our Diocese November 7-10. They will be hosting a retreat at INFORMATION FOR YOUR ZONE. NET Retreats include high energy skits and fun, along with opportunities for small group discussion and prayer. For more information, you can visit: https://youth.dioceseofcharlottetown.com/net-retreats/. Please pray for the success of the retreats across the diocese!

·         West Prince: St. Simon & St. Jude Parish in Tignish on Thursday, November 7, 9:00 am-3:00 pm.

·         East Prince: St. Paul’s Parish in Summerside on Friday, November 8, 10:00 am-3:00 pm for grades 8-12. Mass and lunch included

·         Queen’s: St. Dunstan’s Basilica in Charlottetown, hosted by the Crew, on Saturday November 9, 10:00 am-5:00 pm for grades 6-12. Mass and lunch included.

·         King’s: St. Joachim’s Parish in Vernon River on Sunday, November 10, 11:00 am-4:00 pm, followed by Mass at 4:00 pm. Cost is $20/person. Please register with Cathy LeClair at St. Joachim’s Parish by Nov. 1.

6)     Finding God in the Real: A Day Retreat for Young Adults (ages 18-30). I know that I need the Lord to be my compass in life, but how do I know that I am going in the right direction? Join Fr. Edmund Lo, SJ, on Saturday, November 16. to learn about the wisdom of St. Ignatius of Loyola, to develop our spiritual antenna, so that we are better able to find God in our daily lives.  The Retreat will be from 10:00 am-6:30 pm at the UPEI Chaplaincy Centre. This is a joint event between the UPEI Canadian Catholic Student Association (CCSA) and the Diocesan Youth Ministry Office. For registration and more information visit: https://youth.dioceseofcharlottetown.com/upcoming-events/