(CCCB)…The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is celebrated in Canada from January 18 to 25, 2009.

Inaugurated in 1908 at the initiative of Rev. Paul Wattson, an Episcopalian priest of the United States who would later join the Catholic Church, the event is celebrated all around the world.

An Ecumenical Committee, coordinated by the Commission on Faith and Witness of the Canadian Council of Churches has prepared a resource for celebrating this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity that includes readings and prayers for each of the eight days inspired by the universal theme, "One in My Hand” and adapted to the Canadian socio-cultural realities.

This year’s theme, chosen by an international Joint Committee of the World Council of Churches and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity “is rooted in the experience of the churches in Korea. In their context of national division the churches have turned for inspiration to the prophet Ezekiel, who also lived in a tragically divided nation and longed for the unity of his people.”

During the Week of Christian Unity and throughout the year, the faithful of the Church in Canada and around the world are asked to pray for unity among Christians. “The hope inspiring this prayer,” instructs the resource guide for this year’s celebrations, “is that all people in the world will become God’s people; God will be their God; and people will be given the happiness of joy and prosperity when confrontation, conflict, and division are surmounted and unity is achieved.”

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) is a member of the Canadian Council of Churches.

Useful Links

Pontifical Council for promoting Christian Unity
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/weeks-prayer-doc/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_20080630_week-prayer-2009_en.html

World Council of Churches
http://www.oikoumene.org/en/news/upcoming-events/ev/se/article/1722/week-of-prayer-for-christ-5.html

Canadian Council of Churches
http://www.ccc-cce.ca/english/faith/week.htm

Pray without ceasing: The importance of prayer for Christian Unity
http://www.cccb.ca/site/images/stories/pdf/pray_without_ceasing_2008.pdf

History of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
http://www.weekofprayer2008.org/centenary-celebration-articles.html

(CCCB – Ottawa) – On 5 January 2009, Pope Benedict XVI accepted the resignation of Most Reverend François Thibodeau, C.J.M., as Bishop of Edmundston, New Brunswick, and named as his successor Most Reverend Claude Champagne, O.M.I.

(CCCB – Ottawa) – On 5 January 2009, Pope Benedict XVI accepted the resignation of Most Reverend François Thibodeau, C.J.M., as Bishop of Edmundston, New Brunswick, and named as his successor Most Reverend Claude Champagne, O.M.I.

Bishop Thibodeau, who has headed the Diocese of Edmundston since January 1994 and who turned 69 in July 2008, is leaving office for reasons of health.  At the time of his new appointment, Bishop Champagne was Auxiliary Bishop of Halifax, a position he has held since June 2003.

Born 22 July 1947 in Lachine, Quebec, Bishop Champagne studied philosophy and theology in Ottawa before earning a doctorate in mission studies at the Gregorian University in Rome. He was ordained a priest in 1975.

Subsequently, he served as professor at Saint Paul University, Ottawa, as well as being involved in youth ministry and vocations work and also with French-language Cursillo groups in the Archdiocese of Ottawa. He has done pastoral work in Eastern Ontario (Saint Albert and Marionville, both in the Archdiocese of Ottawa) and was provincial superior of the Ontario and Western Quebec province of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate from 1996 to 2003.

Bishop Champagne has been an active member of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB),  and is currently serving as one of its two episcopal representatives on the Governing Board of the Canadian Council of Churches, as well as on the National Council of the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace. He is a member of the CCCB Commission for Christian Unity / Religious Relations with the Jews / Interfaith Dialogue, as well as of the Canadian Catholic Aboriginal Council.

The Diocese of Edmundston has 27 diocesan priests, 8 religious priests, 94 religious Brothers and Sisters, and 12 lay pastoral workers, serving some 52,000 Catholics in 32 parishes and missions.

(CCCB – Ottawa) – On 2 January 2009, Pope Benedict XVI accepted the resignation of Most Rev. Raymond Roussin, S.M., Archbishop of Vancouver. Archbishop Roussin, who turned 69 in June 2008, is leaving office for reasons of health.  With this announcement, Most Rev. Michael Miller, C.S.B., who has been Coadjutor Archbishop since 1 June 2007, became the new Archbishop of Vancouver.

(CCCB – Ottawa) – On 2 January 2009, Pope Benedict XVI accepted the resignation of Most Rev. Raymond Roussin, S.M., Archbishop of Vancouver. Archbishop Roussin, who turned 69 in June 2008, is leaving office for reasons of health.  With this announcement, Most Rev. Michael Miller, C.S.B., who has been Coadjutor Archbishop since 1 June 2007, became the new Archbishop of Vancouver.

Archbishop Miller was born in Ottawa, Ontario, on 9 July 1946, and ordained to the priesthood by Pope Paul VI on 29 June 1975.

A member of the Congregation of St. Basil (C.S.B.) since 1965, he received a bachelor’s degree in theology from the University of St. Michael’s College, Toronto, in 1974. Two years later, he received a licentiate in dogmatic theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and, in 1979, his doctoral degree.

From 1979 to 1992, he was professor of theology at the University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Houston, Texas.  From 1992 to 1997, he worked in the Vatican Secretariat of State before returning to the University of St. Thomas, where he held the position of President.

In 2003, Pope John Paul II appointed him Secretary of the Congregation for Catholic Education, at the same time naming him Archbishop.  The Congregation for Catholic Education oversees norms for seminaries, Catholic universities and colleges, and Catholic schools. On 1 June 2007, he was named Coadjutor Archbishop of Vancouver.

The Archdiocese of Vancouver is served by 189 diocesan and religious priests, 143 religious Brothers and Sisters, and one permanent deacon serving a population of approximately 402,310 Catholics in 90 parishes and missions.

This morning in the Holy See Press Office there was a presentation on the Instruction of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith Dignitas Personae on certain bioethical questions. 

The Instruction forms part of the ordinary Magisterium of the Pope and is of a doctrinal nature.  It encourages biomedical investigation that respects the dignity of all human beings and of procreation.

The document contributes to the formation of conscience, not only of believers but all those who are open to the argument as presented.

Dignitas Personae deals with questions such as techniques involved in assisting fertility, in vitro fertilization, the freezing of embryos and eggs, embryo reduction, and pre-implant diagnosis.

Click here to read the summary of the document 

Click here to read the full text

(CCCB – Ottawa)… Pope Benedict XVI today named Bishop Jean-Pierre Blais as Bishop of Baie-Comeau, Quebec.  Since his episcopal ordination in January 1995, he has served as Auxiliary Bishop of Quebec City. He succeeds Bishop Pierre Morissette who was named Bishop of Saint-Jérôme, Quebec, on 5 July 2008, after having served as Bishop of Baie-Comeau for 18 years.

(CCCB – Ottawa)… Pope Benedict XVI today named Bishop Jean-Pierre Blais as Bishop of Baie-Comeau, Quebec.  Since his episcopal ordination in January 1995, he has served as Auxiliary Bishop of Quebec City. He succeeds Bishop Pierre Morissette who was named Bishop of Saint-Jérôme, Quebec, on 5 July 2008, after having served as Bishop of Baie-Comeau for 18 years.

Bishop Blais was born in Saint-Anselme, Quebec, on 21 May 1949. Ordained to the priesthood in 1974, he holds a master’s degree in theology from Laval University, Quebec City, and has also studied in education. He has been involved in pastoral ministry at the parish level and also in the educational system, and held the position of director of Office de catéchèse du Québec for eight years.  He has also served on the French Sector Commission for Christian Education of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The Diocese of Baie-Comeau has 41 diocesan priests, 11 priests who are members of religious communities, 8 permanent deacons, 62 religious Brothers and Sisters and 24 lay pastoral assistants, serving a population of over 86,800 Catholics in 56 parishes and missions.

(CCCB – Ottawa)… Following a unanimous resolution by the 2008 Plenary Assembly, Archbishop V. James Weisgerber, President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), has sent a congratulatory letter to Father Thomas Rosica, C.S.B., Chief Executive Office of the Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation.

“The Foundation is to be commended for its efforts both to proclaim Jesus Christ and make him known as well as to show how Catholic Christians strive to live their faith in Christ today,” Archbishop Weisgerber wrote.

In his letter, the CCCB President cites the resolution by the Plenary: “That the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops express to Salt + Light Television sincere congratulations and gratitude for outstanding work in the Catholic media and for the quality of its programming.”

Salt + Light was established in 2003, as a kind of legacy from World Youth Day, held in Toronto in July 2002. Through television production, digital television, satellite distribution and the internet, the Foundation in just five years has already achieved its goal of “providing Catholics with the opportunity to connect with their Catholic beliefs and celebrate their faith which is lived out in parish communities every day.”

Salt + Light is  Canada’s first Catholic television network, broadcasting 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with totally Catholic content, and with its productions in both of Canada’s official languages.

(Ottawa – CCCB)… Following an invitation by the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (CCODP), in collaboration with the Commission for Social Affairs of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), a delegation from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) met in Ottawa on 2 December with members of the Canadian Parliament. The two Catholic Bishops and a religious Sister drew attention to atrocities occurring in the southeast region of the country, near Goma.

Meeting with members of Parliament. From left to right: Bishop Fulgence Muteba, Archbishop Brendan O’Brien, Bishop Fridolin Ambongo and Sr. Marie-Bernard Alima Mbalula.

(Ottawa – CCCB)… Following an invitation by the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (CCODP), in collaboration with the Commission for Social Affairs of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), a delegation from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) met in Ottawa on 2 December with members of the Canadian Parliament. The two Catholic Bishops and a religious Sister drew attention to atrocities occurring in the southeast region of the country, near Goma.

“Our people are suffering and we need your help,” said the head of the delegation, Bishop Fridolin Ambongo, during a luncheon meeting with MPs from three of the federal political parties. Bishop Ambongo is Chairman of the Commission for Justice and Peace of the DRC Bishops’ Conference.

The two visiting Bishops asked that Canada participate in peacekeeping. “The troops that currently make up the United Nations’ peacekeeping mission in the DRC are ineffective,” explained Sister Marie-Bernard Alima Mbalula, secretary of the country’s Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace. “Even worse, a number of UN troops have been involved in serious ethical violations which have shaken the people’s trust.”

Meeting with representatives of the CCCB and Development and Peace. From left to right: Bishop Luc Cyr, from the diocese of Valleyfield ; Bishop Fridolin Ambongo; Bishop Fulgence Muteba; Sr. Marie- Bernard Alima Mbalula; and Mr. Denis Tougas, from Entraide missionnaire.

The delegation called on Canada to invest in humanitarian relief efforts, as well as help provide controls for the extraction, processing and sale of the country’s natural resources. In addition, they asked for Canadian logistical support, particularly in helping train police. The three representatives of the DRC Conference of Bishops as well want Canadian help to ensure that treaties and accords already signed are respected. “We cannot allow the existing mechanisms for dialogue to be forgotten,” insisted Bishop Fulgence Muteba, Chairman of the country’s Episcopal Commission for Social Communications.

In spite of the current political crisis on Parliament Hill, the Congolese delegates, accompanied by Archbishop Brendan O’Brien of Kingston and Chairman of the CCCB Commission for Social Affairs, were able to meet with Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon, who was especially interested and concerned about the facts being reported.

Sister Mbalula talked about the atrocities she had witnessed personally. “Rape is being used as a weapon of war. It is a form of genocide, because many of the aggressors are HIV positive,” she said. “Since hostilities resumed this fall in the province of North Kivu, more than 1.5 million people have fled from their homes. In Goma, I saw more than 25,000 people crammed into camps, without shelter or food. I have even seen women giving birth in pouring rain.”

The Congolese delegation shares a meal with representatives of the CCCB and Development and Peace.

In the evening, the delegation visited the CCCB offices, where Bishop Ambongo expressed his gratitude to the CCCB and CCODP for their welcome, and shared his hope that the Bishops’ Conferences of Congo and Canada remain in close contact.

(CCCB – Ottawa)… A delegation representing the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Ukraine, Metropolitan Volodymyr (Sabodan), met with representatives of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), at the CCCB offices on 1 December 2008.

From left to right: Very Rev. Mykolay Danylevych, Rev. Peter Galadza, Mother Seraphima and  Very Rev. Kyrylo Hovorum.

(CCCB – Ottawa)… A delegation representing the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Ukraine, Metropolitan Volodymyr (Sabodan), met with representatives of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), at the CCCB offices on 1 December 2008.

The purpose of the visit to Canada was to promote and encourage better understanding of Ukrainian Orthodox culture, while the visit to the CCCB offices was to foster dialogue between the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church in Canada. The delegation was headed by the Very Reverend Archimandrite Kyrylo Hovorun, Chair of the Department of External Church Relations of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

The delegation also included Very Reverend Mykolay Danylevych, Vice Chair of the Department of External Church Relations, and Mother Seraphima, Abbess of St. Michael’s Convent, Odessa, Ukraine, and Chair of the Commission for Church and Culture.

The CCCB was represented by Most Reverend Brendan O’Brien, Archbishop of Kingston and a former President of the Conference; General Secretary Msgr. Mario Paquette, P.H.; Associate General Secretary Mr. Bede Hubbard, and Dr. Sylvain Destrempes, Senior Theological Advisor. Dr. Destrempes is one of two CCCB representatives on the North American Orthodox – Catholic Theological Consultation, as well as serving as CCCB staff on the Canadian Orthodox – Catholic Bishops’ Dialogue. Rev. Peter Galadza, Professor of Liturgy in the Sheptytsky Institute of Eastern Christian Studies, Saint Paul University, Ottawa, facilitated the meeting and provided translation services. Father Galadza is the other CCCB representative on the North American Orthodox – Catholic Theological Consultation.

From left to right: Msgr. Mario Paquette, P.H., General Secretary of the CCCB; Very Rev. Kyrylo Hovorum; Most Rev. Brendan O’Brien, Archbishop of Kingston ; Mother Seraphima; and  center) and Very Rev. Mykolay Danylevych.

That same evening, the Ukrainian Orthodox delegation formally presented two facsimile copies of the 16th-century Peresopnytsia Gospel book, the first translation of the Gospels to include elements of modern Ukrainian. One facsimile copy was presented to the library of Saint Paul University, Ottawa; the other to the Library of Parliament. The presentations were made in the Parliament buildings, with the guests of honour including the Most Reverend Seraphim, Archbishop of Canada of the Orthodox Church in America; His Excellency Ihor Ostash, Ukrainian Ambassador to Canada; the Honorable Peter Milliken, Speaker of the House of Commons; and Mr. James Bezan, member of Parliament for Selkirk — Interlake, Manitoba.

(Ottawa – CCCB)… Following a practice in place for some years, the members of the Executive Committee of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) met with their counterparts from the Canadian Religious Conference (CRC) on 27 November 2008 at the Ottawa offices of the CCCB. The aim of the annual visit is to help foster good relations between the Bishops and women and men religious in Canada.

From left to right: Most Rev. James Wingle, Sr. Anne Lewins, O.S.U. and Sr. Annette Noël, S.P.

(Ottawa – CCCB)… Following a practice in place for some years, the members of the Executive Committee of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) met with their counterparts from the Canadian Religious Conference (CRC) on 27 November 2008 at the Ottawa offices of the CCCB. The aim of the annual visit is to help foster good relations between the Bishops and women and men religious in Canada.

The participants discussed various questions of common concern which face the Church and society. These in particular included the follow-up to the 2008 International Eucharistic Congress and the recent Synod of Bishops on the Word of God, as well as the different national and international networks that assist the CCCB and the CRC. There was also discussion on questions involving justice, peace and mission, as well as possible areas for engagement.

Meeting between the CCCB and CRC Executive Committees

Four CRC representatives participated: its President, Father Yvon Pomerleau, O.P.; Past President, Sister Donna Geernaert, S.C., Vice President, Sister Anne Lewans, O.S.U.; and Director, Sister Annette Noël, S.P. The CCCB representatives were its Vice President, Bishop Pierre Morissette; Co-Treasurers Bishop Paul-André Durocher and Bishop James M. Wingle; and General Secretary Msgr. Mario Paquette, P.H. Because of unforeseen circumstances, CCCB President Archbishop V. James Weisgerber was unable to attend.

(CCCB – Ottawa) The season of Advent begins 30 November 2008. The Publications Service of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops offers individuals, families and parish communities a diverse collection of printed and web resources to help enhance and celebrate the season of Advent and Christmas.

(CCCB – Ottawa) The season of Advent begins 30 November 2008. The Publications Service of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops offers individuals, families and parish communities a diverse collection of printed and web resources to help enhance and celebrate the season of Advent and Christmas.

Click on your area of Interest:

• Parish, family and school resources
• Bibles
• Prayer and reflection
• For liturgists, students, and those seeking inspiration
• Online resources

Parish, family and school resources

The Liturgy and Appointment Calendar includes all Catholic, liturgical, and civic holiday information for easy scheduling while also displaying the verses prescribed for the Sunday Gospel acclamation. Covers November 30, 2008, the First Sunday of Advent, and ends January 3, 2010.

Fling Wide the Doors : An Advent and Christmastime Calendar Art. Pray every day of Advent and Christmas with the beautiful 40-door calendar that includes a prayer guide. Each door opens to reveal a saint or biblical image. Available in two sizes: Family size (30.5 cm tall), Community size (45.7 cm tall).

Build Your Own Bethlehem A Nativity Scene and Activity Book for Christmastime. Start a new tradition in your home or classroom with this sturdy, re-usable nativity scene and activity book at Christmas..A wonderful, engaging hands-on activity for children.

School Year, Church Year: Customs and Decorations for the Classroom. This amazing book will walk you through the school year, give you a quick course on the Church year, and suggest customs you can use with children of all ages from Advent to Easter, fall to summer.

Bibles

My First Bible, the perfect selection of bible stories to share with children.

The NRSV bible, available in Catholic Edition and Go-Anywhere formats.

The positively gorgeous Saint John’s Bibles-each page beautifully illuminated by an artist’s hand.

A popular family resource, Blessing and Prayers for Home and Family, includes prayers and blessings for every occasion, helpful pastoral notes, special sections on Advent and Christmas (including meal prayers, blessings for families and children, and seasonal considerations), along with thoughtful reflections on the Christmas season.

Keeping Advent and Christmastime is a small prayer book containing morning, evening and night prayers; meal prayers, as well as a variety of blessings for the seasons of Advent and Christmastime.

For liturgists, students, and those seeking inspiration

An Advent Sourcebook contains a rich assembly of texts, including texts from Scripture, poetry, hymns, homilies, letters, fiction, folklore, and liturgy.

A Christmas Sourcebook is an ideal resource for homilists, musicians and liturgists. It makes a great gift for any individual or family. Printed on fine paper and specially bound to open fully for easy reading and display.

Online resources

The CCCB offers several online resources by the Episcopal Commission for Liturgy:

• Advent – Joy and Hope is an excellent preparation for Christmas, clearly outlining what Advent is about and what individuals can do throughout the season to prepare for the celebration of Christmas
• Celebrating the season of Advent
• Celebrating Christmas
• Music for the Sunday Assembly – Year B offers wonderful song selections from Catholic Book of Worship III, the officially approved English-language hymnal for the Church in Canada, to help celebrate the Advent and Christmas liturgies.