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We celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary each year on August 15. This Feast commemorates the death of Mary and her bodily assumption into heaven.

Father Christopher Paul Rushton, OMI, died peacefully on July 30, 2018, surrounded by saddened members of his Religious community, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Predeceased by his parents, Louis and Eileen Rushton, and two brothers, Norman and Brian, he is mourned by his remaining brother, Pat (Joan) of Almonte, ON, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Father Chris ministered in Labrador on and off for over 30 years, mainly serving the Innu community of Sheshatshiu.

He will be waked at St. Patrick’s Church, 440 King Street East, Hamilton, ON on Friday, August 3, 2018 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., with prayers being offered at 8:30. His remains will be transferred to Holy Canadian Martyrs Parish, Ottawa, for Vigil and prayers at 7:00 p.m. and Mass of Resurrection, on Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at 11 a.m. followed by the burial at 2 p.m. at St. Theresa’s Oblate Cemetery in Arnprior, ON.

The diocese offers condolences to the Lacombe Province of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Father Chris's brother and his family, and to his other relatives and many friends, including the people of Sheshatshiu and Natuashish.

Father Christopher Paul Rushton, OMI, died peacefully on July 30, 2018, surrounded by saddened members of his Religious community, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Predeceased by his parents, Louis and Eileen Rushton, and two brothers, Norman and Brian, he is mourned by his remaining brother, Pat (Joan) of Almonte, ON, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Father Chris ministered in Labrador on and off for over 30 years, mainly serving the Innu communities of Sheshatshiu and Natuashish.

He will be waked at St. Patrick’s Church, 440 King Street East, Hamilton, ON on Friday, August 3, 2018 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., with prayers being offered at 8:30. His remains will be transferred to Holy Canadian Martyrs Parish, Ottawa, for Vigil and prayers at 7:00 p.m. and Mass of Resurrection, on Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at 11 a.m. followed by the burial at 2 p.m. at St. Theresa’s Oblate Cemetery in Arnprior, ON.

The diocese offers condolences to the Lacombe Province of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Father Chris's brother and his family, and to his other relatives and many friends, including the people of Sheshatshiu and Natuashish.

May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.

The CCCB has issued a statement marking the 50^th anniversary of the Encyclical Humanæ Vitæ, which falls on 25 July 2018. The text, titled The Joy of Married Love, presents the teaching of Humanæ Vitæ in an accessible and uplifting style aimed at inspiring and providing encouragement to married couples. It was developed jointly between the CCCB’s Commission for Doctrine and The Catholic Organization for Life and Family (COLF).

Click here to read the statement in its entirety.

Today the diocese received a note from a family of 10 in western Pennsylvania telling us that as part of their nightly devotions during the last two weeks of July they will be praying for  Bishop Hundt and the needs of the diocese.

In expressing his gratitude to the family Bishop Hundt said "Your thoughtfulness is greatly apreciated and your prayers are a wonderful blessing for me and the diocese.  With gratitude and prayers for God's blessings upon you..."

Let us continue to pray for one another as we journey together in faith.

Last week, the Cannabis Act was passed by the Senate and received Royal Assent, thereby legalizing marijuana for recreational use in Canada. On Monday, June 25, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) issued a statement on the legalization of cannabis, which comments on what the CCCB worries will be the effects of using and promoting the use of marijuana for recreational purposes, reiterating the information and insights already expressed in its prior “Statement on Canada’s Opioid Crisis and Drug Addiction”, as well as highlighting the important evidence-based concerns raised by a number of community professionals and the Holy See.

The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is observed nineteen days after Pentecost; this year that falls on Friday, June 8. Since 2002, a special Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests is also observed on this day.

On the second Sunday after Pentecost, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, also known as the Feast of Corpus Christi, which is Latin for “the body of Christ”.

This feast day commemorates the Eucharist, the meal in which we partake of the Body and Blood of Christ. The Eucharist is at the heart of our Catholic faith and traditionally, holds a special place among the sacraments.

Trinity Sunday, which is celebrated a week after Pentecost Sunday, honours what is referred to in Paragraph 234 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church as “the central mystery of Christian faith and life” - the Most Holy Trinity. This year we celebrate Trinity Sunday on May 27.

On Sunday, May 20, the Church celebrates Pentecost. This Solemnity  comes fifty days after Easter and ten days after the Ascension of Jesus. Pentecost, which marks the end of the Easter Season, celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles.

Following Mass on Pentecost Sunday, the Easter cross is removed from the sanctuary, signifying that the Easter Season has come to an end. The Paschal candle will be moved to stand next to the Baptismal font. It will be used during the celebration of Baptism, when the candles of the newly baptized are lit from it. It may also be placed near the body of the deceased at a funeral Mass, as a reminder that we entered into the death of Christ through our Baptism and we will rise again with Him in glory.