News

Tuesday, February 11^th marks the 28^th World Day of the Sick.  Coinciding with the optional Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes, this date is set aside by the Church to remember those who are ill, their caretakers and those who minister to them.  In his message for this day, Pope Francis reflects on Jesus’ words: “Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest” (Mt. 11:28).  “Why does Jesus have these feelings (of mercy and love for those who suffer)?”  The Pope asks.  “Because he himself became frail, endured human suffering and received comfort from his Father.”

Read Pope Francis’ message in its entirety.

On Monday, 13 January 2020, the Government of Canada, through the Department of Justice, launched a two-week general public consultation on the expansion of eligibility criteria for euthanasia/assisted suicide (which the Government refers to as "Medical Assistance in Dying"/MAiD).

The consultation invites the public to share their views with the Government on the legislative changes under consideration regarding the expansion of eligibility criteria for euthanasia/assisted suicide. The consultation – available online or in PDF format – closes on Monday, 27 January 2020, at 11:59 p.m. (PST).

• Online survey in English
• PDF version in English

To read the full article from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) click here.

On Sunday, January 12, the Church marks the end of the Christmas season with the celebration of the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

Over the season of Christmas, the Church celebrates three feasts which mark the revelation of God to humanity: Christmas as the Incarnation of God, Epiphany as the revelation of God to the Gentiles through the visitation of the Magi and the Baptism of Jesus as the revelation of the Trinity (Jesus Son of God present at the baptism, the descent of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove and the voice of God the Father announcing that this was His Son in whom He was well pleased).

On January 1st, the Church celebrates the World Day of Peace. This observation was introduced by Pope Paul VI in 1967 and was first observed on January 1, 1968. Each year the Pope issues a message for the World Day of Peace, which has a specific theme chosen by him. The theme of the message for this 52nd World Day of Peace is “PEACE AS A JOURNEY OF HOPE: DIALOGUE, RECONCILIATION AND ECOLOGICAL CONVERSION”.

On January 1, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. This, the highest title of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was given to her at the Council of Ephesus in 431 A.D. and is the oldest feast of Mary celebrated by the Catholic Church. In the Canadian Church it is a Holy Day of Obligation, which means that Mass attendance is required.

December 18, 2019

Dear Parishioners:

Thank you for your prayerful support over the last few months.   Although it wasn’t known by any of us until early October, your prayers for a new bishop culminated in my appointment.   I assure you, your prayers have been deeply felt.

On this Feast of the Nativity of our God as one of us, I pray that you may draw close to him as he has drawn close to us.   It is in this intimate communion with our God that we are truly blessed, knowing that, no matter our circumstances, he has loved us from the beginning.

May God bless you and your families this Christmas and may this New Year be marked by new opportunities to grow in faith, hope and charity.

Yours in Christ,

(Most Reverend) Bart van Roijen

Bishop of Corner Brook and Labrador

BVR/smw

The annual Christmas message from the President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), Bishop Lionel Gendron, P.S.S., was released on Monday, December 9, 2019.

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE 2019

The Most Reverend Richard Gagnon

Archbishop of Winnipeg

President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops

Dear Friends,

Reconciliation is a much used word in our present-day culture, but we seldom ponder in our hearts what a treasure and mystery reconciliation really is. In the Christmas season, its meaning and implications are vividly concrete as the birth of Christ brings a new light and a saving grace to our capacity to be reconciled and be reconcilers in our daily life.

In this liturgical season, we enter the Gospel scenes with new insights as we see and hear the angel choirs in the heavens and witness the shepherds experiencing a life-changing moment; in contrast, the inn does not have room for Mary and Joseph. The shepherds hasten to the manger to see what they are told, amaze others when telling them what they see, and when returning home, glorify and praise God for what they saw and heard. On the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God, we are told that, in a most unique and life-giving way, Mary treasured the words said of her Child and ponders them in her heart.

Welcome and congratulations to Bishop Bart van Roijen on the occasion of his ordination and installation as Bishop of the Diocese of Corner Brook and Labrador. The ceremony of ordination and installation took place at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Redeemer and of the Immaculate Conception on Mount Bernard Avenue in Corner Brook on Thursday, December 12 at 7pm.

Please pray for God’s blessings upon Bishop van Roijen as he begins his new ministry as Bishop of our Diocese.

Click here to watch the Mass of Ordination and Installation.

On December 12, Catholics celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, Empress of Latin America and Protectress of the Unborn Child.

The National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples is celebrated annually on December 12, the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas. The Canadian Catholic Indigenous Council celebrates this day of prayer, solidarity and reconciliation by issuing an annual message. This year, the reflection by the Council draws on theme of the United Nations 2019 year of Indigenous Languages. "We all like to be spoken to in our mother tongue. So too in the faith, we like to be spoken to in our "mother culture", our native language (cf. 2 Maccabees 7:21,27), and as a result our hearts become better disposed to hear the Word of God."