Diocesan Communiqué – October 9, 2024

October 11, 2024

Connecting Culture: Come to hear Lisa Dollar from the Immigrant and Refuge Services Association for a Learning Session on Cultural Inclusion. As PEI becomes more multicultural, it can be helpful to expand our understanding of culture. This presentation will look at how culture influences our lives, and how we can build intercultural skills to develop positive relationships with one another. This session, at The Living Well, 96 Patterson is on October 16, 1:30-3:30. A break with a snack is provided. 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.

Father Charlie Pottie, SJ

“Eucharist and Church in the World: A Spirituality to Live By.” Father Charlie Pottie, SJ is a native of Nova Scotia. A member of the Society of Jesus since 1959, he taught liturgy and sacramental theology at universities in Toronto, Ottawa, Rome, and Halifax. Moreover, he has been a spiritual guide in the Exercises of Saint Ignatius since 1970. At 7 pm on Monday evenings (October 28, November 4, 11, 18, 25) Father Charlie will host Zoom sessions on “Eucharist and Church in the World: A Spirituality to Live By.” Suggested Fee: $25. To register contact Sister Joan at: drjoancsm@gmail.com

UPCOMING CURSILLO WEEKENDS: Men’s Weekend – November 7 to November 10 at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Centre, Summerside, Rector – Garth MacKinnon; Women’s Weekend – November 14 to November 17 at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Centre, Summerside, Rector – Rachel Butler. Please keep all involved in your prayers as they prepare and participate in the weekends. Applications can be found on the PEI Cursillo website, under downloads: www.peicursillo.com

From Mary Boyd: The 2024 Development and Peace/Caritas Canada Fall Action Campaign.

Dear Friends,

This year we are raising awareness on two issues – Respecting Peasant’s Rights and adopting due diligence legislation for Canadian Companies.

This year the action focuses on Respecting Peasant’s Rights, centering on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and other people working in rural areas (UNDROP). We are calling for mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence legislation, so that no Canadian company can trample on the rights of peasants.

Archbishop William T. McGrattan, President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops said in his letter of support: “It gives me great pleasure to introduce the new campaign from Development and Peace – Caritas Canada, the official international development organization of the Catholic Church in Canada. Building on last year’s theme of Create Hope, Stand for the Land, the 2024 campaign, Reaping our Rights, will create bridges of solidarity with small scale farmers and peasant communities around the world.

“More than ever, these communities are facing challenges like armed conflicts, land grabbing, agribusiness, mining, soil contamination and climate change, which are causing or exacerbating droughts, floods, fires and hurricanes.

“The Reaping our Rights Campaign will raise awareness of the need to acknowledge, enshrine and safeguard peasant peoples’ rights to land, water, justice, equality, gender equity, health, a safe environment, food sovereignty, biodiversity, education and housing.

“In Laudate Deum, Pope Francis reminds us that ‘Everything is connected’ and ‘No one is saved alone’ [19]. It follows that Canadians have a duty to ensure that peasants’ rights, human rights and environmental rights are fully respected, not only in Canada but elsewhere in the world.
“On behalf of the Bishops of Canada, I therefore hope you will join our Reaping our Rights campaign wholeheartedly … by participating in the education and action campaign in the fall to encourage Canada to do more for small-scale farmers and peasants around the world.”

With Thanks and Blessings for your Solidarity,
Mary Boyd