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PENTECOST MESSAGE 2020
“Listen To What the Spirit
Is Saying to the Churches”
(Rev 3:22)
Fr. Raymond Lafontaine, E.V., Episcopal Vicar to the English-speaking faithful and director of the Office for English Pastoral Services, shares his message and offers his wishes for the feast of Pentecost.
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CATHOLICS THANK POPE FRANCIS
FOR LIVE-STREAMED MASSES
Messages and videos have poured in from around the world to thank Pope Francis for accompanying the faithful with his live-streamed daily Masses during these difficult months of Covid-19 lockdown.
Source
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PARISHES OFFERING MASS AND/OR
OTHER MINISTRIES ONLINE
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MONTREAL TO PARTICIPATE
IN POPE'S WORLDWIDE ROSARY:
SATURDAY, MAY 30, 11:30 a.m. (EDT)
 Pope Francis will lead the Rosary from the Lourdes Grotto in the Vatican Gardens on Saturday, May 30, beginning at 11:30 a.m. Montreal time (5:30 p.m. Vatican time) in unison with Catholic shrines around the globe; the prayer will be live-streamed.
Shrines around the world have been invited to participate, including Montreal's Mary Queen of the World Cathedral. Archbishop Christian Lépine, together with two priests, will represent the Montreal minor basilica by joining the prayer broadcast. A live video montage of participating shrines will be made available to viewers worldwide as well as to the Holy Father during the prayer via a large screen installed in the gardens.
The names of each participating shrine will be identified as they are aired.
The complete program can be viewed in several languages via worldwide high definition streaming at the following links:
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ECUMENICAL PENTECOST PRAYER:
MAY 30, 3 p.m. (EDT) via ZOOM
 Amid the unique challenges and opportunities of this year’s COVID-19 pandemic, the Canadian Council of Churches (CCC) is hosting an online ecumenical Pentecost prayer service that will allow us to “come together in one place” (Acts 2:1) in ecumenical friendship and prayer.
Leaders of CCC member churches from coast to coast to coast will gather with us as we look together to an uncertain yet hope-filled future. Prayers, Scripture readings, and reflections will be offered in English and French.
Learn more and register at the link below (FR/EN):
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ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA PARISH:
LIVE SESSION - PENTECOST EDITION
 Looking to spend some time in prayer through 'at-home' praise and worship at the end of your day? Consider taking some time to connect with God and give Him thanks through prayer and music led by choir members of St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish.
Join us for the Pentecost edition of our Live Sessions series on Saturday, May 30, 7 p.m. via the parish Facebook or YouTube links below:
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VIGIL MASS OF PENTECOST
Archbishop Christian Lépine of Montreal will celebrate the Vigil Mass of Pentecost on Saturday, May 30, at 7:30 p.m.
The bilingual Mass will be celebrated "in camera' (privately) at Mary Queen of the World Cathedral and can be followed live on Salt + Light Television: https://seletlumieretv.org
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses… to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
"It is the Holy Spirit who is the very Life-source of our life. We ask for the grace to be renewed on this eve of Pentecost, for without the Holy Spirit it is impossible for us to be Christian. For Christians, it is the incredible discovery of a new source of strength, the Spirit of God, which was bestowed in superabundance at baptism," says Archbishop Lépine. "For the Church to be fully alive, the Holy Spirit is given to us. The Spirit strengthens, consoles, inspires, invigorates. He enkindles a vibrant, joyful faith within us. He is the best of spiritual guides," he added.
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MONTREAL DIRECTED RETREATS:
PRAY WITH SCRIPTURE ONLINE
 Welcome to all who desire to deepen your relationship with God. Come and join us, and learn how to pray with scripture in the way of Saint Ignatius of Loyola.
During this time when many of us are confined to our homes, Montreal Directed Retreats (MDR), supported by the English Speaking Catholic Council (ESCC), is offering weekday morning online sessions. The sessions will be free and accessible to all via the cloud platform Zoom.
Each session will include a short teaching on the Ignatian method of prayer, listening to a Scripture reading and entering into the experience. Following a quiet time, there will be opportunity for sharing (optional). The sessions are 45 minutes in duration and run from Monday to Friday, 10:30 a.m. each morning.
If you wish to join us, please register online below.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at Montreal.Directed.Retreats@gmail.com.
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WORLD MIGRANT AND REFUGEE DAY 2020
 “It’s not about numbers, it’s about people. If we meet them, we’ll get to know them. And if we know their stories, we’ll be able to understand them.”
- Pope Francis
Pope Francis has selected “Forced like Jesus Christ to flee” as the theme for the 106th World Migrant and Refugee Day (WMRD) which will be celebrated on Sunday, September 27, 2020. His reflections originate in the experience of Jesus Christ and his parents as displaced persons and refugees. Find out more about WMRD online via the Migrants & Refugees Section - Integral Human Development website: https://migrants-refugees.va/
OUR TEAM IS GLOBAL
The M&R Section helps the Church worldwide to support those who are forcibly displaced by conflict, natural disaster, persecution or extreme poverty; and those who fall victim to human trafficking.
MONTREAL'S LE PONT TEAM RECEIVES PERSONAL HANDWRITTEN MESSAGE FROM POPE FRANCIS
 Dated and signed by Pope Francis April 17, 2020, the handwritten thank-you note scribed in Italian was received May 14 in Montreal by the co-ordination team of the temporary housing centre, Le Pont. Co-ordinators Alessandra Santopadre and Arthur Durieux are largely involved with the day-to-day operations of the centre, which is situated in the rectory of Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Parish in Montreal's east end. The centre has been welcoming asylum seekers since October 2017 and shelters mostly women and children who have come here searching for a better life.
We congratulate Alessandra and Arthur for the special and well-deserved  recognition of their tremendous dedication and efforts in ensuring a home for asylum seekers and refugees in need. (Pictured here: A. Santopadre (left) and A. Durieux, after receiving food donations to be distributed to asylum-seeking and refugee families. PC: Le Pont)
A translation of the message reads:
"Dear Alessandra and Arthur. I would like to thank you for your invaluable work at the Le Pont welcoming home on behalf of so many immigrants and refugees in Montreal. Keep their hope alive. God bless you. Fraternally, Francesco."
(Image below, PC: Le Pont)
LE PONT NEEDS YOUR HELP
With the closure of many food banks and store shortages, we have recently identified two important needs for Le Pont:
1) Food aid for families
2) Maintenance and disinfection products for the residence
Please consider donating items from the suggestions listed at the following link under "Le Pont needs your help": https://www.diocesemontreal.org/en/archdiocese/le-pont
IMPORTANT TIPS
• Donations can be deposited on Mondays and Wednesdays at Le Pont.
• Please call in advance to notify our co-ordinator(s).
• We are located at 2700 Lacordaire St., Montreal, H1N 2M6 / entrance via the yellow door at the back of the building
HOW TO CONTACT US:
1. Tel: 514-715-5847
2. Email: lepont@diocesemontreal.org
3. Email: asantopadre@diocesemontreal.org
Thank you so much for your generous help!
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SINGLE MOMS' VIRTUAL
WEEKEND OF REFLECTION
Join us for a weekend of reflection, prayer, community and rejuvenation.
The exclusively virtual weekend will include:
- Three sessions for mothers
- Saturday afternoon interactive session for children - give Mom a break!
- Pizza dinner
- Closing Mass
- One-on-one spiritual conversation
The weekend is free of charge including the pizza dinner! If you can't attend all sessions of the weekend, we understand. Join us for the activities when you can. The weekend will run from Friday evening, June 5, 7:30 p.m. - Sunday, June 7 at noon.
Please click the link below to view an outline of the weekend schedule and session details. If you are interested in attending please complete the registration form in the link below
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FRIENDS OF MERCY
PRAYER MINISTRY
 The Friends of Mercy, a prayer ministry created by the SASMAD-Pastoral Home Care Services network invites you to submit your prayer requests. Is there someone you have special concern for? We are praying for all our volunteers, beneficiaries, health care and front-line workers!
Send your prayer requests to our new e-mail at: misericorde.mercysasmad@gmail.com.
ABOUT SASMAD-PASTORAL HOME CARE SERVICES (ENGLISH SECTOR)
Our mission is a response to the Gospel call of Matthew 25, to visit the sick and to meet Christ in that encounter. Pastoral home care volunteers visit anyone who is lonely, elderly, sick or homebound, and offer a listening ear, spiritual accompaniment and a community connection. A basic training program as well as ongoing formation is offered to our volunteers.
During this time of pandemic, much of our regular ministry has transitioned to online platforms and telephone communication. For more information, contact Cathie Macaulay, co-ordinator for the English sector at: Cathie Macaulay – English Sector
cmacaulay@diocesemontreal.org
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THEOLOGIA BOOK MINISTRY
 During these challenging times, spiritual reading and prayers can be a great source of hope, courage and consolation. Theologia remains at the service of the Community through our online store, with FREE SHIPPING on all orders. Order online, or call Samia: (514) 694-3564. We remain united in prayers with the Saints.
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COMING THIS SUMMER:
PERSONALLY DIRECTED RETREATS ONLINE
3-8 Day Guided Retreats
June 29 to July 7, 2020 or July 10-17, 2020
Facilitated by the Villa Saint Martin Team
Cost: 25$/Day
You can make a 3-Day, 5-Day, or 8-Day retreat, depending on your availability and needs. When registering, please choose a timeframe for desired length between June 29-July 7 or between July 10-17. We will put you in touch with a person who will be able to accompany you as your guide during this period.
These virtual retreats are guided by the dynamics of the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Because they are “personally directed,” each retreat is different, with each retreatant following a unique path with the assistance of a personal spiritual guide. Each day of your retreat, you can have a meeting over Zoom or Skype with your spiritual guide. This meeting will assist you in preparing your prayer times, in arranging and creating space for silent reflection, and in discovering passages from the Bible and other sacred texts that can help you in prayer so that you can encounter anew the Lord who awaits you in this precise moment in your life. You can also learn how to review your prayer and your day so that you can become more mindful of how the Spirit moves within you.
33-Day Guided Retreats (Full Ignatian Spiritual Exercises)
June 28 through July 31, 2020
Facilitated by the Villa Saint Martin Team
Cost: 3200$ (On-site, if available) / 900$ (Online)
This summer, you can make the full month of Ignatian Spiritual Exercises (33 consecutive days) from the comfort of your own home! The Spiritual Exercises ground the spiritual formation of every Jesuit. For five centuries, countless people seeking a deeper encounter with God in their lives have found the Spiritual Exercises to be a foundational and life-changing experience. If you have already made a silent retreat or a retreat in daily life, perhaps you may benefit from the opportunity to walk with the Lord through the full Spiritual Exercises through our 33-day program. People who have already made a shorter retreat (or 18th/19th annotation exercises) can apply to participate in this experience, which require the participant’s full availability from June 28 through July 31.
Apply using the link below. After your application has been received, and if you are admitted to the program, a member of our team will contact you and explain to you the spiritual direction process and will provide instructions that will set you up to meet daily with a spiritual guide through Zoom or Skype over the course of the retreat. For those who wish to participate in the 33-day Exercises on site at Villa Saint Martin, we will inform you on June 1 when we expect to be able to open our doors and under what conditions it might be possible to make the retreat on-site.
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Postings for The Grapevine weekly newsletter are gathered by the
Office for English Pastoral Services (OEPS), Archdiocese of Montreal.
It is recommended to submit postings two to three weeks in advance.
If you wish to have your event included,
write to us at thegrapevine@diocesemontreal.org
Know anyone who may wish to subscribe?
Share the link below:
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Keep up-to-date with diocesan news, press releases and pastoral letters pertaining to the current COVID-19 crisis, found here:
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In addition to The Grapevine, we encourage you to submit your event for posting onto the diocesan online calendar found here:
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