|
NEWS FROM THE DIOCESAN SERVICES - February 6, 2024
.png)
32ND WORLD DAY OF THE SICK (FEBRUARY 11, 2024)
The CCCB Office for Family and Life is pleased to announce that new pastoral resources are now available to help you promote World Day of the Sick. The kit includes the CCCB press release (January 29, 2024), the Pope's message, a video, social media resources, a prayer card and pastoral suggestions for families and parishes. To access the dossier, please click on the following links:
.png)
GOOD LENT!
Ash Wednesday (14 February) marks the beginning of Lent 2024. Far from being a time of sadness, it is in fact a time of discernment, hope and grace. The Gospel of Ash Wednesday helps us rediscover the three fundamentals of Lent: praying, sharing and fasting. Praying means breathing and living to the rhythm of the Father, the Son and the Spirit. It means letting yourself be seduced by the Word of God. Sharing is being attentive to others. Of course we can share things like our time, our talents, our money, bread, useless leftovers that we get rid of... but sharing is fundamentally about putting ourselves at the service of others. There is more joy in giving than in receiving, as the Book of Acts reminds us (Acts 20:35). Fasting: why fast? To fast is to enter into the Spirit's impulse to detach ourselves, to free ourselves from everything that can hinder our relationship with the Lord, our listening to his word, his presence in our lives...
During this Lenten season, the diocesan pastoral animation committee will be offering you some short reflections on the theme suggested by the magazine Vie liturgique: Viens, Seigneur ! Ouvre-nous le chemin.
First Sunday in Lent: "Lord, teach me your ways".
We are invited to take to the road alongside Jesus. It's a long journey that will take us, following him, to different places in our search for God: first in the desert, then in the Temple, and finally in the city of Jerusalem. So we are called to be vigilant, not to take ourselves for others, but to respect what we are: beloved children of God, sometimes strong and free, but also fragile.
Some questions for reflection
-In Jesus' temptations in the desert, what is it that sheds light on my own temptations?
-At this point in my life, what desert could I go to in order to clarify my choices and refine my discernment?
-What words and actions of Jesus in this story can inspire me to follow him to the end of my journey?
DIOCESAN DIRECTORY
The directory on our website is up to date.
If you have a correction to report, please contact Anne N'Guessant at secdir@diocesegatineau.org.
NOVATIO FOUNDATION : How we can share those blessings with others
As Lent draws near, we are called to revisit the fundamental aspects of our faith. This season signifies a period of spiritual renewal, prompting us to reflect on the many ways that we have been blessed and consider how we can share those blessings with others. It is a time for us to open ourselves to feeling the presence of Christ within our hearts, and allowing that presence to guide, support, and inspire our actions.
One of the most significant and lasting ways you can contribute is through a gift in your will. Your gift to the Novatio Foundation not only helps those in need but also provides essential resources to support others on their faith journey, so that we may each to encounter and embrace the great mystery of God's love.
Link to the special newsletter for the first annual campaign
NEWS FROM THE PARISHES AND MOVEMENTS
LOOKING BACK BY DESMOND SAMUEL KAMARA (DEZ)
This book describes the education of Dez Kamara in faith, hope, and hard work. Starting from his early schooling and the educational values of his stern but loving father, Dez's educational journey takes him from boarding school to the disruptions of the civil war in Sierra Leone to his move to pursue his education in Canada.
Dez is now a member of St. Aloysius parish, Gatineau, QC. At the parish's pancake supper, Tuesday, February 13, 2024, 5:30 p.m., Dez will have a table with copies of his book to purchase or a sheet to sign if you wish to order the book. In the near future, a special first Sunday of the month 'Meet & Greet' after the 11:00 a.m. Mass will be held in the hall for an opportunity to discuss the contents of the book with Dez. More information...
ANNOUNCEMENTS/INVITATIONS TO SHARE
This section is for the sharing of announcements/invitations from parishes and movements in the diocese. If you have an activity to share or advertise, please send a note to Bozica Domitrovic on Friday before the newsletter release.
CONTACT
BOZICA DOMITROVIC, Communication technician
domitrovicb@diocesegatineau.org / Telephone: 819 771-8391, ext. 308
ADRESSE
180, boulevard du Mont-Bleu, Gatineau (Québec) J8Z 3J5
 |