June 23, 2022 – Canada’s Catholic Bishops welcome today’s announcement from the Holy See providing further details of the itinerary of Pope Francis’ historic visit to Canada, July 24 – 29, 2022. This will be the fourth papal visit to Canada and the first since Saint John Paul II’s journey in 2002.
The Outaouais region has an abundance of community organizations and volunteers who witness the presence and love of God through their work. Over the past seven years, the Archdiocese of Gatineau has contributed to the mission of non-profit organizations in the area, strengthening the relationship between the church and the community...
The 5th edition of the Religious Heritage Days will take place on 9, 10 and 11 September 2022. The Religious Heritage Council invites parishes to register for the programme. Registration is open until 14 August and all religious traditions, even organisations in converted locations, are invited to register their accessibility and heritage enhancement activities.
The Ecclesiastical Province of Montreal together with the Ecclesiastical Province of Gatineau today released the findings of the Honourable André Denis regarding allegations of sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults from 1940 to 2021 as recorded in the archives of the dioceses concerned...
Today, His Holiness Pope Francis announced the amalgamation of the Diocese of Saint-Jérôme and the Diocese of Mont-Laurier, currently united in the person of the Bishop into one ecclesiastical circumscription and to create the Diocese of St‑Jérôme-Mont-Laurier. The Most Reverend Raymond Poisson is appointed as Bishop of the new Diocese of St-Jérôme-Mont-Laurier. Bishop Poisson was previously serving as the Bishop of both of the formerly separate dioceses of Saint-Jérôme and of Mont-Laurier.
PRESS RELEASE
The Vatican announced this morning the merger of the dioceses of Mont-Laurier and Saint-Jérôme to create a new ecclesiastical jurisdiction: the Diocese of Saint-Jérôme--Mont-Laurier...
In preparation for the 10th World Meeting of Families (WMF), the CCCB Standing Committee for Family and Life is hosting a live and nationwide Rosary for the Family via Zoom Webinar. The virtual event will take place on Sunday, 19 June 2022 at 3:00 p.m. (EDT) and will be facilitated by several families from across the country...
It is with great sadness that Canada’s Catholic Bishops wish to recognize the one-year anniversary of the shocking reports from the site of the former Kamloops Residential School. These triggered a painful and lasting reminder of the ongoing legacy of suffering caused by Canada’s residential school system...
The World Day of Social Communications takes place on Ascension Sunday, 29 May for the year 2022. In his message for the 2022 edition, Pope Francis asks the world of communication to refine its sense of listening...
Vatican formally announced that Pope Francis will travel to Canada from July 24-29, 2022. The historic visit, focused on Indigenous healing and reconciliation, will be the fourth papal journey to Canada and the first since Saint John Paul II’s visit in 2002...
In preparation for the 10th World Meeting of Families (WMF), the CCCB Standing Committee on Family and Life has produced a short promotional video to help bring to life the WMF theme “Family Love: Vocation and Path to Holiness”. Pope Francis has announced that the WMF event will be held in a new way; celebrated not only in Rome, but in all dioceses and eparchies across the world. Organized by both the Diocese of Rome and the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, the WMF will take place 22-26 June 2022 and will coincide with the closing of the Amoris Laetitia Family Year...
The institutions that families rely on to foster children’s growth and well-being —schools, community organizations, health and social services systems, and the like — have been showing signs of wear and tear for some time now. Throughout the last two years, the pandemic has put families to the test, stretching them to their breaking point and placing additional strain on these already-fragile establishments. The consequences of this precariousness are becoming increasingly and alarmingly visible. The elderly are more and more isolated, support networks are as exhausted as parents are, and children are paying the price.
Now that a post-pandemic future is in sight, it’s time to commit to stepping up for families.
This year again, the 2022 fundraising campaign for our parishes ("la dîme") is currently taking place in all 53 parishes of our diocesan Church. With a new theme My Parish...My Neighborhood Spiritual Health Centre, the campaign runs throughout the spring with a reminder in the fall...
Volunteerism is a virtuous circle. As the very essence of a well-functioning society, it touches all causes and more. It changes the lives of those who practice it: the volunteers themselves. Giving yourself is first of all giving yourself a moment of pleasure and well-being...
Since 1974, the Québec Assembly of Catholic Bishops has published its “Message for May 1st” for International Workers Day and the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, their patron saint. Many of the messages address the impoverishment and vulnerability of workers, especially women; increasingly inhuman working conditions; the plight of those who migrate to find work; and the imperative of solidarity with the unemployed....
In solidarity with the Ukrainian Bishops of Canada we invite you to join with The Canadian Council of Churches on April 24, which is Pascha (Easter Sunday on the Julian calendar), to proclaim together that Christ is Risen, that love overcomes fear, and that life overcomes death and destruction...
A sixth wave of COVID, the crisis of climate change, renewed inflation, the war in Ukraine: we have so many reasons to feel discouraged. When will we finally get out of this? ...
Archbishop Paul-André Durocher is pleased to invite all parishioners to gather for the Chrism Mass during which the Oils for the Catechumens and the Oil of the Sick will be blessed and the Holy Chrism consecrated...
As the Church in Canada, we have just lived through a particularly remarkable week: in faithfulness to its mission, however imperfectly, our Church is working within itself and around itself towards reconciliation, for the building of a better world...
Today marks the conclusion of the Indigenous delegation to the Holy See, culminating with an historic apology from Pope Francis for the Catholic Church’s role in Canada’s residential school system...
This weekend, a delegation of 32 Indigenous Elders, knowledge keepers, residential school survivors, and youth will journey together from across the country to meet with Pope Francis.
These delegates, who were selected in collaboration with the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), the Métis National Council (MNC), and the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), bring a depth of lived experience and insight on the legacy of residential schools and the impacts of colonialism, with many directly engaged in the ongoing journey of healing and reconciliation. Delegate names have been published by the AFN and the MNC respectively. The ITK, after consulting with delegates, has opted not to publish a full list of names, although representatives will participate in a media briefing on March 28th...
From March 28 to April 1, 2022, a delegation of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit representatives from Canada will meet with Pope Francis in the Vatican to discuss Catholic involvement in residential schools as well as the lasting impact on Indigenous communities. Salt + Light Media will be in Rome for the event and will be providing updates via our website and Salt + Light TV...
On Friday, 25 March 2022, Pope Francis will consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary during the Celebration of Penance that he will preside over at 5:00 pm (Rome time), in St Peter’s Basilica. Pope Francis wishes to place the people of Ukraine and Russia under the protection of Mary, the Mother of God, with a special liturgical act. To this end, he will consecrate the two countries to the Immaculate Heart of Mary at a penitential celebration. This act has been well received by the Catholic Bishops in Ukraine, as well as by the Russian Bishops...
In March 2022, an Aboriginal delegation will travel to Rome to meet with Pope Francis and share with him the experiences that have had a negative impact on their lives. In addition, Pope Francis has accepted the invitation of the CCCB to visit Canada as part of a pilgrimage of healing and reconciliation....
Convened in plenary, the Catholic bishops of Quebec express their shock and sadness at the war that is currently ravaging Ukraine. They appeal to all Quebeckers, especially Christian communities, to demonstrate their solidarity with the people affected by the war in Ukraine...
A time of synod, a time of Lent, a time of conversion. As long as we decide to follow Jesus, the Holy Spirit will provoke us to go beyond what limits us. He is already instilling the attitudes of Jesus that lead us out into the deep. He leads us through the discomforts that shatter the false certainties that clutter our roads. His benevolence already guides us and makes us aware that he is with us, that he loves us and urges us with Christ to choose life...
In his message for Lent 2022, Pope Francis invites the faithful to sow seeds of goodness, so that we might reap a harvest of salvation for ourselves and others.
“Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest,
if we do not give up. So then, while we have the opportunity,
let us do good to all” (Gal 6:9-10)
“Can the blind lead the blind? Won’t they both fall into a pit?”
Reading I Resp. Psalm Reading II Gospel Si 27:4-7 Ps 92:2-3,13-16 I Cor 15:54-58 Lk 6:39-45
The Executive Committee of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) condemns the escalation of tensions and violence in Ukraine marked by Russia’s invasion, which was seen today, Thursday, 24 February 2022, in the form of militarization and bombing in various Ukrainian cities...
How are we supposed to live with our enemies?
Reading I :1 Sm 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23 || Responsorial Psalm : Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-13 Reading II : 1 Cor 15:45-49 || Gospel : Lk 6:27-38.
On International Women’s Day, Tuesday, March 8th, Aid to the Church in Need Canada (ACN) will be hosting a video conference to present the organization’s latest report, Hear Her Cries—The Abduction, Forced Conversion and Sexual Victimization of Christian Women and Girls...
Established in 1967, Development and Peace ― Caritas Canada is the official international solidarity organization of the Catholic Church in Canada...
Reading I : Jer 17:5-8 || Resp. Psalm : Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6 || Reading II : 1 Cor 15:12, 16-20 || Gospel : Lk 6:17, 20-26
Alleluia, alleluia.
Rejoice and be glad;
your reward will be great in heaven.
Alleluia, alleluia. (Lk 6, 23)
February 11, 2022 will mark the 30th edition of the World Day of the Sick, instituted by Saint John Paul II. This day is dedicated to the sick as well as to the people who assist them on a daily basis: relatives, friends, medical staff. Sick people need care every day, and the meaning of this day is not to encourage those around a sick person to come forward on 11 February. Rather, it is to remind people of the need for a loving presence and compassion on a daily basis for those who are fighting the disease.
« Do not be afraid;from now on you will be catching men» (Lk 5, 10)
Reading I : Is 6:1-2a, 3-8
Responsorial Psalm : Ps 138:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8
Reading II : 1 Cor 15:1-11
Gospel : Lk 5:1-11
With all people of faith, we, the Catholic bishops of Quebec, look forward to the reopening of our places of worship on February 7, 2022. This shows that our public authorities recognize the importance of religious gatherings and activities for a significant number of citizens. It will now be possible for communities to gradually resume their activities and so provide support and comfort to many people...
Following Pope John Paul II’s invitation in 1997, the Church celebrates a yearly Day of Consecrated Life on February 2nd. Pope Francis releases his prayer intention for the month of February, and invites Catholics to pray for religious sisters and consecrated women as they continue in their mission with courage...
Development and Peace ― Caritas Canada is delighted to announce the appointment of Carl Hétu as its executive director. Hétu was picked from a field of strong candidates and appointed unanimously by the national council for a five-year term beginning February 14, 2022...
Canada’s Catholic Bishops have agreed to establish a new registered charity to support and advance healing and reconciliation initiatives. The charity is expected to manage the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund, which will accept contributions from 73 dioceses across Canada in order to fulfill the $30 million financial commitment made by Canada’s Bishops in September...
Reading I || Mal 3:1-4
Responsorial Psalm || 24:7, 8, 9, 10
Reading II || Heb 2:14-18
Gospel || Lk 2:22-40 or 2:22-32
Sunday of the Word: Your words, Lord, are spirit and they are life.
Luke 1, 1-4. 4, 14-21. Nehemiah 8, 2-4a.5-6.8-10. Psalm 18 (19) 8. 9. 10. 15
Reflection of Msg Roger Ebacher, archbishop emeritus of Gatineau
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity takes place each week from January 18-25. The 2022 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on the theme “We saw the star in the East, and we came to worship him” (Mt 2: 2) prepared by the Middle East Council of Churches, offers a propitious occasion to pray with all Christians that the Synod will promote Christian unity.
January 16th, 2022, second Sunday of ordinary time, year C
Saint John, 2, verses 1 to 11 (The wedding at Cana)
The Church, Our Mother, invites us to prepare and live a Synod that will lead us in 2023. To sail together, as the term synod implies, we need to listen to each other. First of all, we need to listen to what the Holy Spirit wants to tell us. Therefore, communication service of the Archdiocese of Gatineau invites you on a great adventure: Like the wind in our sails.
On the Solemnity of the Epiphany, Pope Francis calls on us to lift our eyes up to heaven, like the Magi, to listen to the desire lodged in our hearts, and follow the star that God makes shine above us...
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) continues to post possible homily ideas and prayers of the faithful to help link the Sunday liturgy with the national pastoral initiative for life and family. The proposed texts for the month of January 2022 include suggestions starting from the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, on 2 January 2022, to the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, on 30 January 2022. As usual, the suggestions for homilies and prayers can be easily adapted for family prayer, as well as for personal prayer or for use with other groups or organizations.
Starting December 31, 2021, at 5 p.m., places of worship will be closed, except for the holding of funeral ceremonies. A maximum of 25 people can attend any funeral ceremony indoors.