The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) continues to post possible homily ideas and prayers of the faithful to help link the Sunday liturgy with the national pastoral initiative for life and family. The proposed texts for the month of June 2018 include suggestions from the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi), 3 June, to the Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John Baptist, 24 June, which also celebrates him as special patron of French Canadians. As usual, the suggestions for homilies and prayers can be easily adapted for family prayer, as well as for personal prayer or for use with other groups or organizations. The texts for the month of June are available on the special Life and Family webpage, under the section "Documents and activities proposed by the CCCB".

The entries at the 2018 Cannes International Festival of Film included the world premiere of Congo: A Political Tragedy / Congo, la tragédie politique. Using historical photographs and film footage to chronicle the political history of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the feature-length documentary is by Patrick Kadi Kabeya, its producer, co-writer, videographer and editor, and Mina Malu, its co-producer, co-writer and narrator. Both their families are from the DRC. Narrated in French with English subtitles, the film is the first in a series of three and documents the history of the country, from the arrival of the first European settlers to its struggle for independence. First screened at the Festival international du film panafricain de Cannes, the documentary is by KM Media, in partnership with the African Popular University (UPAF) in Geneva, Switzerland.

On 20 May 2018, the Solemnity of Pentecost, the Holy See released the Message of the Holy Father for World Mission Sunday which will be celebrated this year on 21 October. In his Message, on the theme Together with young people, let us bring the Gospel to all, the Holy Father writes: "The Synod to be held in Rome this coming October, the month of the missions, offers us an opportunity to understand more fully, in the light of faith, what the Lord Jesus wants to say to you young people, and, through you, to all Christian communities."

Link to Pope Francis' Message

(CCCB – Ottawa)... His Holiness Pope Francis today appointed Father Pierre-Olivier Tremblay, O.M.I., Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Trois-Rivières. At the time of his appointment, the Bishop-elect was Rector of the Shrine of Notre-Dame-du-Cap in Trois-Rivières. He will assist the Bishop of Trois-Rivières, the Most Reverend Luc Bouchard.

Ottawa, Ont., 16 May 2018 – Catholic Near East Welfare Association Canada (CNEWA Canada) launches today a year-long campaign to raise awareness on the struggle of Christians living in the Middle East and to raise funds to support the many works of the local churches. CNEWA's "Christians Can't Survive Without You" campaign includes direct mail appeals, e-marketing and other digital channels as well as advertisements and parish-based initiatives across the country. In its campaign, CNEWA Canada invites people to be as generous as possible. The funds raised will go toward groups and local church partners in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine and Israel.

Link to the news release of CNEWA Canada (PDF)

To mark the beginning of Ramadan and its conclusion (Id al-Fitr), the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue has issued a message entitled Christians and Muslims: From Competition to Collaboration. The message is intended to be shared with Muslims and those working in interfaith dialogues. The celebration of Ramadan began this year in Canada on 16 May and will continue for 30 days until it concludes with the celebration of Id al-Fitr on 15 June 2018.

Link to the message

(CCCB – Ottawa)... His Holiness Pope Francis today named the Most Reverend Raymond Poisson, currently Bishop of Joliette, as Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Saint-Jérôme. As Coadjutor Bishop, he will assist the current Diocesan Bishop of Saint-Jérôme, the Most Reverend Pierre Morissette, and succeed Bishop Morissette when he eventually resigns and his resignation is accepted by the Holy Father. In accordance with the Code of Canon Law, this usually happens once a Bishop reaches 75 years old. The Holy Father has likewise appointed Bishop Poisson as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Joliette.

"Creation" now has its place in the church's calendar of activities. "Season of Creation" extends from September 1st to October 4th and the Green Churches Network has developed an ideal resource to help Christians give thanks to God for the goodness of Creation and care for it. This year's theme is: "Look at the birds of the air and the lilies of the field" (Matthew 6:25-33). This month of September will be an opportunity to reflect, pray and act to care for the environment.

Link to the news release of the Green Churches Network (PDF)
Link to the resources

At its Third Annual Dinner on 7 May 2018, the Canadian Council of Imams honoured Mr. Kyle Ferguson, Advisor for Ecclesial and Interfaith Relations with the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB). He was awarded for his interfaith outreach and his friendship with the Council of Imams. Mr. Ferguson likewise serves as the Secretary for the CCCB Commission for Christian Unity, Religious Relations with the Jews, and Interfaith Dialogue, which assists in coordinating the eleven dialogues sponsored by the CCCB, including eight ecumenical and three interreligious. Two other recipients were also honored at the gala: the Honourable Linda Jeffrey, Mayor of Brampton, Ontario, and Dr. Aliya Khan, Professor of Medicine at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario. The CCCB congratulates Mr. Ferguson for his exceptional and tireless work in ecumenical and interfaith ministry.

The Catholic Organization for Life and Family (COLF) has released on its website its annual message for the National March for Life, to be held this year in Ottawa on 10 May 2018. In its message entitled "Pro-Life All. In.", COLF writes that "from the first moment of conception to natural death, every life is sacred. May we, the friends and defenders of life, be united as one in upholding this truth while we can, striving at whatever cost to build a truly inclusive society – one which respects and embraces all, that is every single human person."

Link to COLF's Message
Link to the website for the 2018 National March for Life

The Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario (ACBO) has published a pastoral letter for Catholic education, entitled Renewing The Promise. The letter has been published during Catholic Education Week, 6 to 11 May 2018, and was officially launched yesterday, 7 May 2018. In its introduction, the Bishops state that "Catholic schools offer an extraordinary contribution to the social and environmental fabric of our society and world. In partnership with parents, who bear the primary responsibility for the education of their children, all those who work in Catholic education are called upon to reflect, in a faithful and discerning fashion, God's presence in this world."

Link to the pastoral letter (PDF)
Link to the bilingual webpage for Catholic Education Week 2018

The sixth National Week for Life and the Family will take place 13 to 20 May 2018. As Catholic dioceses and eparchies together with family life groups across Canada prepare to celebrate this National Week on the theme "Love: Encountering the Other", the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) again posts possible homily ideas and prayers of the faithful to help link the liturgy each Sunday with the national pastoral initiative for life and family. The proposed texts for the month of May 2018 include suggestions from the 6th Sunday of Easter, 6 May, to the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, 27 May, including suggestions for the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, 13 May, and Pentecost Sunday, 20 May. As usual, the suggestions for homilies and prayers can also be easily adapted for family prayer, as well as for personal prayer or for use with other groups or organizations. The texts for the month of May are available on the special Life and Family webpage, under the section "Documents and activities proposed by the CCCB".

Link to the resources for the 2018 National Week for Life and the Family