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NEWS FROM THE DIOCESAN SERVICES - October 1st, 2024

NOTICE OF DEATH
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Abbé André Picard on Saturday night, September 28, 2024.
André lovingly served our diocesan community. His dedication, wisdom, humour and commitment to us will remain etched in our hearts.
We join him, his family and the Gatineau presbyterate in prayer at this difficult time. Funeral details will be announced shortly.
May he rest in the peace of the Lord.
CANADIAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS GATHER FOR ANNUAL PLENARY ASSEMBLY
From September 23 to 27, 2024, the Plenary Assembly of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) held its annual meeting, bringing together 79 bishops to deliberate, discern and discuss the life of the Church in Canada.
Reports from the gathering can be found in the videos here...
The second edition of the Archbishop's brunches will start on October 6 in Papineauville. As in previous years, profits generated will be donated by the Novatio Foundation to community organizations and parishes. We warmly invite you to enhance this event with your presence. Buy your ticket now!

THE ORDINARY JUBILEE OF THE YEAR 2025
The CCCB Ad hoc Committee for the Preparation of the Jubilee has developed several resources to assist dioceses, eparchies, parishes, Catholic schools, movements and associations, and all those wishing to celebrate the Jubilee Year. Here's a toolkit to help you live the Jubilee of 2025:
INVITATION - CARING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
To close the Time of Creation 2024 and launch the movement to safeguard the environment, Mgr Paul-André Durocher will preside over a bilingual Eucharistic celebration on Friday, October 4, 2024 at 7:00 pm at Our Lady of Annunciation Church, 189 Rue Archambault, Gatineau-Hull, QC J8Y 5E3.
You are all invited.
REVITALIZING VOCATIONAL PASTORAL CARE
Addressing the Vocational Crisis in Our Diocese of Gatineau
The drastic decrease in the number of servants of God in our Church, particularly in Gatineau, underscores the urgency of developing effective vocational pastoral care. This pastoral care aims to help young Christians discern their divine calling and the mission assigned to them by God. The situation is critical, as presbyteral ordinations are now very rare and religious are becoming increasingly scarce. Today's youth, faced with a multitude of career choices and societal challenges, need support to align their life project with their faith.
Vocational pastoral care must achieve several objectives: helping young people understand their personal vocation, fostering a personal encounter with God, and encouraging engagement in the Christian community. To do this, it can employ various methods, such as individual guidance, spiritual retreats, workshops, and living testimonies.
Challenges include increasing secularization, diverse aspirations, and a lack of resources. To implement this pastoral care, it is crucial to pray for vocations, raise awareness in parishes, involve young people, use modern media, and train facilitators. Such efforts are essential to guide young people in their quest for vocation and strengthen the life of the Church.
For questions or more information,
819 771 8391 ext. 307.
"MARY, THE SAINTS AND SCRIPTURE" WEBINAR SERIES
The CCCB Ad hoc Committee for the Preparation for the Jubilee 2025 is hosting a two-part series titled, "A Great Symphony of Prayer" which will enable the faithful one meaningful way to participate in the Year of Prayer which was announced by Pope Francis on 21 January 2024.

NATIONAL DAY FOR TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION
On National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, the Novatio Foundation invites you to act by wearing an orange garment or symbol to pay tribute to the children who never returned home and the survivors of residential schools.
To promote healing and reconciliation initiatives, the Novatio Foundation supports the Archdiocese of Gatineau, which has committed to contributing $100,000 over five years to the $30 million fundraising campaign for the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund, a fund established by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. Novatio has already donated $40,000 to this fund. If you would like to support the Foundation and the Archdiocese in this commitment, you can donate, specifying that it is for the Reconciliation Fund. For more information, please contact the Novatio Foundation at 819-771-8391, ext. 323, or philanthropie@diocesegatineau.org.
Invitation/convocation to the Foundation's 2024 AGM, October 24 at 7 p.m.
NEWS FROM THE PARISHES AND MOVEMENTS
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.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO FIND OUT ABOUT ACTIVITIES IN FRENCH?
In this English version of the diocesan bulletin, we are sharing information which is relevant to our English-speaking parishioners. If you want to find out about retreats and resources, which are available in French only, we invite you to look here.
CONTACT
BOZICA DOMITROVIC, Communication technician
domitrovicb@diocesegatineau.org / Telephone: 819 771-8391, ext. 308
ADRESSE
180, boulevard du Mont-Bleu, Gatineau (Québec) J8Z 3J5
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