The Government of New Brunswick has moved the Fredericton and Saint John regions of the Diocese into the “Red Level” of their recovery plan. Public Masses are to be celebrated outside only. Please see the Diocesan protocols, as well as the latest GNB mandatory order especially article 32(e).
We are called to reflect the light of Christ in the world. In this challenging time let us be true witnesses and examples of His light. This temporary disruption is an opportunity to go ever deeper in personal and family prayer, and with the graces received, to safely reach out to neighbours suffering physically, emotionally, and spiritually in these difficult days.
Bishop Christian Riesbeck, CC of the Diocese of Saint John has written a letter to priests and faithful on the Year of Saint Joseph, and an addendum with resources for how to participate more fully in the Year of Saint Joseph. These can be found in this issue of The New Freeman, starting on pages 6 and 7. Mary-Anne Ruggles, Catholic Christian Outreach Connect leader, gives an update on faith studies at the University of New Brunswick via the Instagram account, campusministry @unb. As the newest and youngest member of the Catholic Women’s League (CWL) at St. Anthony’s Parish in Bloomfield, PEI, Joanie Chislett hopes to carry the rich legacy of the organization forward to future generations. The 38-year-old mother of two says the decision to join in January 2020 was a long time coming.
Pope Francis invites Catholics around the world to deepen their appreciation, love and faithful witness to God and His Word - especially on the third Sunday in ordinary time (January 24, 2021) which is “dedicated to celebration, to reflection and proclamation of the Word of God; so that believers can understand the inexhaustible wealth which comes from this constant dialogue of God with his people."
Le Pape François invite les catholiques du monde entier à approfondir leur appréciation, leur amour et leur témoignage fidèle de Dieu et de sa Parole - en particulier lors le troisième dimanche du temps ordinaire (24 janvier 2021) qui est «consacré à la célébration, à la réflexion et à la proclamation de la Parole de Dieu; afin que les croyants puissent comprendre l’inépuisable richesse qui provient de ce dialogue constant de Dieu avec son peuple.»
Saint Joseph is needed now more than ever to intercede powerfully for our Church, country, and families. On December 8, 2020, Pope Francis decreed a “Year of Saint Joseph”, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the proclamation of Saint Joseph as patron of the universal Church.
As your Bishop I invite you to enter this Year of Saint Joseph with fervency, participating in any number of the special prayers and practices available to us. An Addendum with ideas for the parishes and faithful on how to participate more fully in this Year of Saint Joseph is attached to this letter for your consideration.
Nous avons besoin plus que jamais de saint Joseph pour intercéder puissamment pour notre Église, notre pays et nos familles. Le 8 décembre 2020, le Pape François a décrété une « Année de saint Joseph », pour commémorer le 150 e anniversaire de la proclamation de saint Joseph comme patron de l'Église universelle.
En tant que votre Évêque, je vous invite à participer avec ferveur en cette Année de saint Joseph, en participant aux nombreuses prières et pratiques spéciales dont nous disposons. J’ai joint en annexe à cette lettre des idées pour les paroisses et les fidèles sur la manière de participer plus pleinement à cette Année de saint Joseph.
Recognizing "the gifts of each baptized person" — women and men — Pope Francis ordered a change to canon law and liturgical norms so that women could be formally installed as lectors and acolytes. This January youth leaders with the Diocese of Saint John are gearing up to offer Youth Alpha at the Diocesan level. While various Youth Alphas have been offered locally in different regions, this will be the first offering at the diocesan level. For anyone who has ever thought they might have been happier as a monk or a nun, living the contemplative life, this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is your chance to try it out.
Ahead of the beginning of Lent, on Wednesday, 17 February, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has published a note detailing how Catholic priests are to distribute ashes.
La Congrégation pour le Culte divin et la discipline des Sacrements a fait paraître mardi 12 janvier une note sur le déroulé particulier du mercredi des Cendres, dans les circonstances sanitaires exceptionnelles du moment.
La Semaine annuelle de prière pour l’unité chrétienne sera célébrée du 18 au 25 janvier 2021 sur le thème « Demeurez dans mon amour et vous porterez du fruit en abondance » (Jean 15,5-9). Les ressources, en français et en anglais, peuvent être téléchargées gratuitement à partir du site web canadien pour la Semaine de prière pour l’unité des chrétiens.