Dear Friends,

On Thursday, May 9th, thousands of Canadians will be walking in the March for Life on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. The march had first began in 1998, with only several hundred. This year’s march will be our 27th; this is an achievement of perseverance, but certainly not an achievement that we have had to march for so long with practically no progress in the defense of the truth.
The Catholic Church has always protected the Dignity of life from Conception to natural death. As the ‘Pastoral Constitute on the Church in the Modern World’ (Gaudium et Spes) says, “Life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of Conception…” (Gaudium et Spes, 51). Therefore, it is our duty whether it is by giving witness, support or to pray for prolife causes. We are to seek in the most effective way to protect the sacredness of life. It can often be a temptation of apathy to think that someone else will step in and do it and that we do not need to do anything. But it is a grace of personal conviction to take matters into your own hands; even if its as simple yet vital as prayer.
The Prophet Isaiah also gives us a beautiful quote saying, “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will never forget you!” (Isaiah 49:15-16) Here our Lord shows his concern for each child in the womb of a mother. He says, ‘borne’ and not ‘given birth to’ this show that God’s love for the child (and a mother’s love for the child) begins at the moment of conception. God remember these individual children and how bless would we be to be the ones God recognized as the defenders of these unspoken voices.
Therefore, I encourage you to be a voice for these unborn; whether its by attending the March for Life. Or Praying for these souls and the for the Prolife Cause. On Thursday, May 9th there will be a Mass at Saint Peters-in Chain Cathedral at 7:30AM. The bus will leave to Ottawa immediately afterwards. Although you can not attend the March it would be nice to attend the Mass, and if you cannot do either – I do encourage you to pray, at least three Hail Mary’s.

Together in Prayer

WEEKLY NEWS

Feast day of Our Lady of Lujan
Wednesday May 8^th is the feast day of Our Lady of Lujan, she is the Patroness of the Institute and as such has played a preeminent role in fostering her vocations and sustaining her missionaries. In short, wherever the Institute has gone, Our Lady of Lujan has gone with her, and with her has spread the devotion to her. Join us on Wednesday for Holy Mass at 8AM at St. John the Baptist and all are invited to breakfast after the Holy Rosary.

Mass Time Change
On Thursday May 9^th the Holy  Mass will be at 7:30 AM at Sacred Heart Church.

Sacred Heart Choir
Christine Helferty has taken direction of the choir for the 9AM Holy Mass at Sacred Heart Parish. All voices (including children aged 10+) are invited to join! No previous experience necessary. Please contact Christine by call or text at 343-369-8739 to learn more or to sign up.

Friday Adoration at Sacred Heart
Every Friday there is adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at Sacred Heart in reparation for the offences made to the Sacred Heart of Jesus from 1:30 to 6:30PM and confessions from 5:00 to 6:30PM.

Catholic Missionary Children Oratory
For Children 7-12 years old. Saturdays 10:30 AM to noon at St. John the Baptist. For info or to register contact Sr. Inmaculada at stjohnandsacredheart@gmail.com 

Altar Boy Group at Sacred Heart
1st & 3rd Fridays of the Month, 6:15 – 8:30 PM.

D IOCESAN &O THER NEWS:

March For Life
In Ottawa, May 9, 2024.  The day begins with 7:30 am Mass at the Cathedral. Bus leaves from there at 8:15 am, returns approx. 9 pm.  Cost $35 per person, $50 per family and $10 students.  To reserve please call Elizabeth, 705-292-7056. Please consider a donation if not attending.

Outreach to the poor vocations event
All young adults are invited to join Fr. Stephen DeCarlo in an outreach to the poor vocations event on Saturday, May 18th, at Santa Cruz Parish in downtown Toronto. From 9AM-4PM, we will join the Hamilton-based Sisters of the Poor of Jesus Christ in service to the poor and experience a real taste of religious life. There will be time for Mass, Adoration, and a vocations Q&A hosted by Fr. Stephen and the Sisters. There is no cost associated with this event and any interested persons are invited to contact Fr. Stephen at frstephendecarlo@peterboroughdiocese.org

St. Mary’s Lindsay—Pro-Life Lunch and Learn
Join us at St. Mary’s Church, Lindsay, on May 19th for a Pro-Life lunch and learn. Mass at 11AM, lunch at 12 noon in Parish Hall, Speakers from 1PM to 3:00PM. Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3:00PM.

Priestly Ordinations often happen in the month of May, which means that many of our priests are celebrating important anniversaries. Congratulations to Father Jim Sercely, who reaches the milestone of 50 years of priestly ministry this week! Other notable anniversaries include Father Tom Lynch and Father Richard Woloszyn (40 years), Father Paul Gemmiti and Father Brian McColl (30 years), Father Gerry Campeau (25 years) and Father Sany Seshaiah (20 years). May God continue to bless them all in His service!

Fr. Tom Ordination Anniversary Fr. Tom’s 40^th Anniversary of Ordination will be celebrated on Sunday May 26^th at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral. Mass 10:30AM reception to follow at Bishop Doyle Hall across from the Cathedral. All are welcome.

Martyrs’ Shrine 2024 Spring Gala
Featuring Keynote – His Grace Archbishop Francis Leo on June 12, 2024 at 5:30 to 9PM. Special performance by the St. Michael’s Choir School.  Martyrs’ Shrine The new director of the Martyr Shrine in Midland Orilla is Father John O’Brien SJ, who is well known in our area as a former headmaster of Our Lady of the Wayside School and former editor of our diocesan magazine, the Catholic Herald before being called to the priesthood. https://martyrs-shrine.com/spring-gala/