Pope: peace with Creator, harmony with creation

September 1 begins the month long Season of Creation, ending on October 4.

Bishop Bart has issued the following message regarding a change in the maximum numbers for houses of worship:

"As part of the new health restrictions announced by our office of public health, the maximum numbers for houses of worship are increasing on Monday, August 24th from a maximum of 50 people per service to a maximum of 100 people or 50% capacity, whichever is less. So, for example if your church has a seating capacity of 200 or more, and you are able to accommodate 100 people safely, you may do so. If your church holds less than 200, you can never have more than 50% seating capacity.

We are still stuck with the old requirement for this weekend. This change will go into effect the following weekend."

New guidelines received from our Public Health Office require non-medical masks to be worn in all public indoor places, including houses of worship beginning Monday, August 24th.

This Public Health Order is waived for:

-- Children under the age of 5
-- People with physical or mental health conditions
-- During "services provided" ( i.e. receiving Holy Communion)
-- Showing identification
-- When deemed unsuitable under Occupational Health and Safety Regulations
-- In seated areas, provided physical distancing of 2 meters is being practiced.

Each year on August 15 we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumpstion of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This Feast commemorates the death of Mary and her bodily assumption into heaven.

In his greetings to the English-speaking faithful, Pope Francis encouraged everyone to prepare themselves to celebrate the feast of the Assumption of Mary.

“May she guide our pilgrimage toward the fullness of Christ’s promises,” he said.

“Let us ask the Lord for the grace of the humility of His Servant, so that He might do great things in us as well.”

Generally, Sea Sunday, a day set aside to remember and pray for those whose who work at sea, often away from their families for a long time, is celebrated on the second Sunday of July. A letter from the Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development  can be found under Bishop Bart's Reflections.

A prayer for those whose livelihood comes from the sea and a link to Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) Canada can be found here.

Yesterday, the province's Chief Medical Officer of Health, announced that assuming all continues to go well, we will be moving to Alert Level 2 on June 25th.  That means that places of worship are permitted to resume with restrictions.

Restrictions on numbers and physical distancing and several other things are set by the province; the protocols on how these measures are to be achieved are described in detail in the document from Bishop Bart to the priests and parishes.   Please read it carefully so that you will know what to expect, and please share the information with others.

The Church will continue to dispense anyone from their obligation to attend Sunday Mass.  This dispensation will specifically include: those with any sign of illness, the elderly, those with underlying health issues and those who do not feel comfortable coming (According to labour law, this is equally true of priests).

Because Worship Services are capped at a maximum of 50 people (This number includes the priest and all ministers), all people must pre-register for the Mass(es) they are planning to attend.  Contact your Parish Office for more information .  Parishes will also have a method of taking down names for each Mass, to fulfil contact tracing requirements.  These attendance lists will be kept on record for Contact Tracing purposes only.

Pope's prayer intention for June: Compassion for the world amidst Covid-19 pandemic

On Sunday, May 31, 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.

Bring solidarity to our world in a shared moment of prayer at noon local time on 24 May. Catholics from all across the globe will be united in spirit because "everything is connected"." (from www.laudatosiweek.org)

The Global Prayer can be found at www.laudatosiweek.org/prayer

Pope Francis invites the Church to celebrate Laudato Si’ Week, May 16th to May 24th.  This week honours the fifth anniversary of the publication of the Encyclical, Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home. The theme of the week is “everything is connected.”

A video message from Pope Francis andthe Vatican News artaicle are available here.

You can also visit laudatosiweek.org for more information.