To highlight the 91th World Mission Sunday, 22 October 2017, the Most Reverend Vincent Nguyen, Auxiliary Bishop of Toronto and ponens with the Pontifical Mission Societies for English Canada, and the Most Reverend André Gazaille, Bishop of Nicolet and ponens with the Pontifical Mission Societies for French Canada, have each prepared a message to indicate how evangelization is at the heart of the Christian vocation and also to help promote the national collection.

His Eminence Jean-Louis Cardinal Tauran, President of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue, has issued its annual message to mark the Hindu celebration of Deepavali. The text is entitled "Christians and Hindus: Going beyond tolerance". Deepavali (also called Diwali) celebrates the victory of truth over falsehood, light over darkness, life over death, good over evil. The celebrations last three days and mark the beginning of a new year, a time for family reconciliation, especially among brothers and sisters, and adoration of the Divine. The date for the feast can vary. Hindu communities in Canada begin their celebrations of Deepavali this year on 19 October.

Link to the Message

The 2017 Forum for Canadian national Catholic movements and associations was held in Châteauguay, Quebec, at Manoir D'Youville, 6-8 October 2017. Hosted every three years by the Standing Committee for Relations with Catholic Movements and Associations of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), this provides a unique opportunity for national Catholic organizations to share and discuss their activities and charisms with one another and with the Bishops on the Standing Committee. This year, the theme was "Co-workers in the vineyard". The gathering brought together representatives from over 25 national Catholic organizations from across Canada who engaged in three major discussions: the formation of leaders in the Church, the different faces of social, material and spiritual poverty present in Canada, and the use of social media in the Church's mission of evangelization.

CCCB Publications has released a new edition of the French-language Ratio formationis sacerdotalis nationalis for the formation of priests in Canadian French-language seminaries and formation centres. Entitled La formation des candidats au ministère presbytéral, this revised version of the formation program reflects the many events that have shaped the socio-cultural and ecclesial context of French-speaking Canada over the past years. The new publication is an essential reference for all those who accompany future priests in their formation for French-speaking and bilingual dioceses as well as institutes of consecrated life and societies of apostolic life, in addition to being a basic resource for all those involved in formation. It is also invaluable for French-speaking priests who will find in it guidance and criteria to help them in discerning and deepening their journey of faith, strengthening their ecclesial commitment, and living their priestly ministry in the Church.

The Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, hosted a World Congress on "Child Dignity in the Digital World", 3 to 6 October 2017. Father Hans Zollner, S.J., President of the Centre for Child Protection of the University, chaired the congress which brought together experts and Bishops from several countries, including Canada. At the opening, His Eminence Pietro Cardinal Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, gave an address entitled "The Holy See and Its Commitment to Combatting Sex Abuse Online". The last day of the congress, Pope Francis addressed the participants during an audience at the Vatican. The participants issued a final declaration which includes urgent calls to action. Salt + Light Television was on hand throughout the week to cover the congress and do interviews.

Link to the address of Pope Francis
Link to the final declaration of the World Congress
Link to the address of Cardinal Parolin

The Diocese of Saint John, New Brunswick, is celebrating its 175th anniversary during 2017. To mark the occasion, a solemn Mass was presided on 1 October 2017 by His Eminence Gérald Cyprien Cardinal Lacroix, Archbishop of Québec and Primate of Canada. The concelebrants included the Most Reverend Robert Harris, Bishop of Saint John; the Most Reverend Lionel Gendron, P.S.S., Bishop of Saint-Jean-Longueuil and President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB); the Most Reverend Luigi Bonazzi, Apostolic Nuncio to Canada; all the Catholic Bishops who belong to the Atlantic Episcopal Assembly; the Most Reverend Scott McCaig, C.C., Bishop of the Military Ordinariate of Canada, and Msgr. Frank Leo, Jr., C.S.S., General Secretary of the CCCB.

The Saint Paul University Alumni Association, Ottawa, named the Most Reverend Donald Bolen, Archbishop of Regina, 2017 Alumnus of the Year. Archbishop Bolen holds an Honours B.A. in religious studies from the University of Regina, together with bachelor's and master's degrees in theology as well as a licentiate from Saint Paul University. The tribute took place on 29 September 2017 during the annual gathering of the Association in the presence of a number of dignitaries. These included the Most Reverend Terrence Prendergast, S.J., Archbishop of Ottawa and Apostolic Administrator of Alexandria-Cornwall, as well as Chancellor of Saint Paul University; the Most Reverend Luigi Bonazzi, Apostolic Nuncio to Canada; the Most Reverend Gilles Cazabon, O.M.I., Bishop Emeritus of Saint-Jérôme, and Dr. Chantal Beauvais, Rector of the University.

Link to the Website of the University

(CCCB – Ottawa)... The Catholic Bishops of Canada have concluded their 2017 Plenary Assembly, which began on 25 September at the Nav Canada Centre, Cornwall, Ontario. On the last day of their annual meeting, the Bishops agreed to extend the mandate and membership of the Canadian Catholic Aboriginal Council. The day began with the celebration of the Eucharist presided by the Most Reverend Anthony Mancini, Archbishop of Halifax-Yarmouth, who has completed his second two-year mandate as CCCB Co-Treasurer.

(CCCB – Ottawa)... On the fourth day of the Plenary Assembly of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), the Commission for Doctrine led a reflection on the elements and nature of pastoral accompaniment. This session of pastoral animation began with a recapitulation on the themes presented the day before by Cardinal Marc Ouellet in his second reflection on the Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia and was followed by discussions in breakout sessions. Later in the afternoon, the Bishops reflected on the situation in the Middle East from the perspective of the persecuted Christians in the region. This second session of pastoral animation was led by the Commission for Justice and Peace.

(CCCB – Ottawa)... On the third day of its meeting, the Plenary Assembly of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) elected the Most Reverend Lionel Gendron, P.S.S., Bishop of Saint-Jean-Longueuil, as its next President, and the Most Reverend Richard Gagnon, Archbishop of Winnipeg, as its next Vice President. The incoming Executive Committee also includes two Co-Treasurers: from the French Sector, for a second term, the Most Reverend Luc Cyr, Archbishop of Sherbrooke, and from the English Sector, for a first term, the Most Reverend William Terrence McGrattan, Bishop of Calgary. The Bishops reflected also for a second time during this Plenary on Amoris Laetitia, the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on love in the family. The guest speaker for this reflection was again His Eminence Marc Cardinal Ouellet, Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, and Archbishop Emeritus of Québec.

(CCCB – Ottawa)... On the second day of the Plenary Assembly of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), the Bishops travelled to Ottawa in the afternoon for a Solemn Mass at Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica to celebrate the feast of the Canadian Martyrs, the secondary patrons of Canada. In addition to marking the 150th anniversary of Confederation by consecrating Canada to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Eucharistic celebration also highlighted the 50th anniversary of the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace - Caritas Canada.

(CCCB – Ottawa)... The annual Plenary Assembly of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) began on 25 September and will continue until 29 September 2017 at the Nav Canada Centre, Cornwall, Ontario. The meeting is chaired by the Most Reverend Douglas Crosby, O.M.I., Bishop of Hamilton and CCCB President. Bishop Crosby, who presented his annual report at the opening session, will conclude his term as President at the end of this Plenary. The day began with the celebration of the Eucharist, presided by Bishop Crosby.

The Bishops reflected on Amoris Laetitia: the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on love in the family. The guest speaker was His Eminence Marc Cardinal Ouellet, Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, who is Archbishop Emeritus of Québec.