From Fr. Rector's Desk | September 23, 2022

WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES
A World Day of Migrants and Refugees is observed in many places in solidarity with the World Refugee Day promoted by the United Nations and observed since 2001 on 20 June. The January observance was instituted by Saint Pius X in 1914. At the request of several conferences of Bishops, Pope Francis moved the observance to September in 2019. "The phenomenon of migration today is providential opportunity for the proclamation of the Gospel in the contemporary world. Men and women from various regions of the earth who have not yet encountered Jesus Christ or know him only partially, ask to be received in countries with an ancient Christian tradition. It is necessary to find adequate ways for them to meet and to become acquainted with Jesus Christ and to experience the invaluable gift of salvation." (Pope Benedict XVI, 2012)

To read our Holy Father's message on the occasion of 108th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, please click here: Building the Future with Migrants and Refugees.

NEEDS OF THE CHURCH IN CANADA
Every year, the Bishops of Canada appeal for financial assistance. This collection helps each diocese make its annual contribution to the national Episcopal Conference and to the respective regional episcopal assembly (in the Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario and Western regions). Any additional funds from the collection are at the disposal of the diocese for its own pastoral needs.

ORDINATION TO THE DEACONATE
Mr. Matthew Bellerive, one of the seminarians studying for the Priesthood in our diocese, will be ordained a Deacon next month.

The Sacrament of Holy Orders will be conferred in Mass at 7:00 pm on Thursday, October 6, in Sacred Heart cathedral. You are welcome to join in this diocesan celebration.

Please keep Matthew and all seminarians in your prayers.

-Bishop Stephen Jensen

CALLED TOGETHER - Giving, Sharing, Serving 2022-23
On this Commitment Weekend for Called Together – Giving, Sharing, Serving, and our BC Bishops’ appeal in support of Healing and Reconciliation, we want to gratefully acknowledge the gifts already made and to encourage all those who have not yet made a commitment to support these very important works of charity.

Called Together – Giving, Sharing, Serving is more than just another collection. Christian stewards recognize God as the source of all of our many gifts. We are grateful for these abundant gifts and are eager to give back in appreciation to demonstrate our love for Christ and for one another and to assist those who need our support. Many of our smaller parishes, missions and ministries rely on funding from Called Together to help support the work they do, especially as we recover from the financial challenges of the past two years. All of us share as Christ’s disciples in the mission of the Diocese of Prince George.

Many thanks to all who completed a pledge form and have moved us closer to our goal as a parish family.

PLENARY ASSEMBLY OF THE CANADIAN CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS (SEPTEMBER 26-30)
We pray for God's blessings on the Bishops of Canada as they meet this week for their plenary assembly.

READERS, ALTAR SERVERS AND CHOIR
Please see schedule above. If you are not available on the date and time you are assigned, please let Fr. Rector know ahead of time.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

If you are technologically gifted and interested to be part of those who are streaming live the Mass, please contact the parish office. We need you.

We are inviting any interested parishioner to assist in streaming the Mass live via Facebook.

Since the time of pandemic, Leonel Caunan and Dennis Roallos are the ones faithfully doing it. But we need more people to learn how to do it so that when they are not available, we will still have someone who can look after livestreaming.

Livestreaming our Sunday Masses helps those who are unable to come to Church i.e. homebound.

VISIT TO THE HOMEBOUND

Fr. Rector tries his best to regularly visit Catholic residents of Fort George Manor (Thursday) and Simon Fraser Lodge (Friday). If you have family members that you want Fr. Rector to visit, please inform him by calling the parish office. During the visit, Fr. Rector celebrates Liturgy of the Word with Communion. At the request of the residents, he also listens to their confessions and of course, if needed, the Anointing of the Sick.

TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME C

First Reading: Amos 6.1a,4-7

You that lounge and sing shall now go into exile.

Responsorial Psalm:
Praise the Lord, O my soul! (Ps 146)

Second Reading: 1 Timothy 6.11-16

Keep the commandment until the manifestation of the Lord.

Gospel: Luke 16.19-31

You received good things, but Lazarus received evil: now he is comforted, while you are in agony.

CONFESSION TIMES

Priest will be available for confessions before the 5:30 PM (Vigil Mass) and the 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM Sunday Masses. Please see schedule below:

4:45 PM Saturday
8:30 AM Sunday
10:30 AM Sunday

If the schedule above does not meet your availability, please phone the parish office to arrange with your personal schedule of confession with a priest.

SEPTEMBER 2022 PARISH CALENDAR

(Please click the image to see a bigger version of the calendar.)

PG PRO-LIFE SOCIETY LIFE CHAIN
This year’s Life Chain in Prince George will be taking place on Sunday, October 2^nd at the intersection of Highway 16 and Ferry Ave from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM.