September Announcements
OPEN HOUSE The Bishop Farrell Library & Archives invites you to an Open House, Sept. 20th from 2:00 - 5:00 and Sept. 21st from 10:00 - 2:00. We are located at 698 King St. West, on the grounds of the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King. Join us to view The Saint John’s Bible, learn about our services, and pick up a few good books! Open to All!
YOUTH MINISTRY CERTIFICATION PROGRAM We are currently accepting enrollment for the Youth Ministry Certification Program, which begins in September 2025. Join us as we explore the Practical strategies for youth ministry and the accompaniment of young people in our diocesan community. To review a full course list and for more information, please visit: www.hamiltondioceselearns.com
FRASSATI LEADERSHIP PROGRAM Calling all those entering Grade 10 in September 2025! Are you looking to grow in your faith? Do you want to explore what it means to be a Catholic leader? The FrassatiLeadership Program may be for you. Join us as we reflect on the foundations of Catholic leadership and foster opportunities for you to grow in your own faith and leadership skills. For more information and to register please visit: https://hamiltondiocese.com/office/pastoral-offices/youth-ministry/frassati/
DID YOU KNOW… Children in our parishes benefit from the Catechetical Correspondence Program each year for ongoing religious education and preparation for the Sacraments. We need volunteers to support the program! If you are willing to accompany these children in their learning journey, please reach out to the Office for Evangelization and Catechesis at catechesis@hamiltondiocese.com . To learn more about the Catechetical Correspondence Program, please visit: https://bit.ly/DOHC CC
ENHANCING SELF-ESTEEM - This program provides the opportunity to increase your awareness and to learn specific skills for building positive self-esteem, which will assist you to feel stronger in all areas of your life. Issues covered during the course include taking responsibility for your own thoughts and feelings, positive ways to behave assertively and setting realistic goals for your future. The program takes place on Tuesdays from Sept. 23 – Nov. 25 from 7-9 pm at the Chancery Office at 700 King St. West Hamilton. Cost is $35 for materials. For registration online: hamiltondiocese.com and look under Upcoming Events, or contact Sarah at 905-528-7988 ext. 2249, or e-mail familyministry@hamiltondiocese.com.
WHEN LIFE CHANGES PARTS ONE AND TWO – Has someone you cared about died? Are you grieving the loss of the person’s presence in your life? Are you looking for relief from the feelings associated with the loss of this loved one? You are not alone! The Hamilton Diocese offers two six-week grief programs for your support. Part one of the program will be offered again on Wednesdays from Nov. 5 to Dec. 10. For those who have taken part one, part two will be offered from September 10 to October 15, 2025. Both programs will run from 7:00-8:30pm and will be held at the Chancery Office, Hamilton. To register online: hamiltondiocese.com under Upcoming Events or call the Family Ministry Office at 905-528-7988 ext. 2249.
STRUGGLING IN YOUR MARRIAGE? FIND HOPE WITH RETROUVAILLE – Retrouvaille is a marriage program that helps couples who are struggling to restore their marriage and rebuild a loving relationship. Retrouvaille helps to improve communication, build stronger marriages and aids couples to reconnect. Join us for our upcoming weekend Oct. 17 (evening), 18 and 19th because no marriage is beyond hope. For more information visit www.retrouvaille.org, or email 1013r@helpourmarriage.org, or call 905-664-5212.
RESTART: Moving Forward Our 10-week program offers education and support to anyone seeking to heal and move forward after divorce or separation. The sessions will run Tuesdays from Sept. 23 – Nov. 25 from 7-9 pm and are held in person at the Chancery Office, Hamilton, in person. Cost is $35 for materials, but no one is turned away. Registration online: hamiltondiocese.com under Upcoming Events, or contact Sarah at 905-528-7988 ext. 2249, e-mail familyministry@hamiltondiocese.com.
RESTART: Refresh, Renew, Revive Support Group Struggling after divorce or separation? Join us for learning, support and fun on Friday evenings on the 2nd & 3rd Fridays of each month at the Chancery Office in Hamilton These get-togethers offer continual support and insights for people as they journey through the divorce/separation process and beyond. Register at https://sites.google.com/view/hamilton-restart/home, or call 905-528-7988 ext. 2249.
HEARTACHE TO HEALING - GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP - St. Michael Parish, Waterloo Grief support provides companionship on the long journey through the grief process. Our support group follows the process developed by Dr. Bill Webster, an experienced leader in grief counselling. All who have suffered a loss are welcome, regardless of how much time has passed since your loss. We have two programs to engage in: Monthly informal drop-in support - available at St. Michael Parish, Waterloo on the 2nd Wednesday of the month; 7pm in the Parish Resource Centre/Library. When Life Changes Part 2 - A six-week program which includes both theory and sharing. (To join the program, you must have completed Part 1 already). The program runs Wednesday evenings from October 15th to November 19th at 7pm, at St. Michael Parish, Waterloo. Registration is required by October 3rd; do so by contacting our Parish office 519-884-9311, or email parish@stmichaelw.ca.
Act II (Separated & Divorced Support Group) - Our Act II monthly informal support group that meets on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 7:30 pm, in the Resource Centre/Library at St. Michael’s Parish Waterloo. With the support of others, you can begin to heal the emotional, social and spiritual devastation of divorce. Join us anytime you can; registration is not required. Visit our website (www.stmichaelw.ca/separated-and-divorced), or contact our Parish office 519-884-9311, or email parish@stmichaelw.ca for more information.
ADULT FAITH FORMATION THROUGH VLCFF The Diocese of Hamilton is proud to partner with Dayton University’s Virtual Learning Community for Adult Faith Formation (VLCFF) to offer certificate programs for ministry and enrichment for adult faith formation. We are currently taking enrollment for the Youth Ministry Certification Program and the Catechist Formation Program for the Diocese of Hamilton, which begins in September 2025. Three and five week e-seminars are also available at a discounted rate for all adults in the Diocese looking to further their learning. For more information about our programs, and how to register, visit us at www.hamiltondioceselearns.com
YOUNG ADULTS NIGHT IN SEPTEMBER Young Adults Night – Hanover Fr. Mark Morley invites all young adults (ages 20s and 30s) of our diocese to attend an evening of prayer, fellowship and praise music in support of your vocations on Saturday, September 6th at Holy Family Parish (352 – 10th Avenue, Hanover, Ontario). The Young Adults Night will begin with a Holy Hour (7:00pm-8:00pm) in the church and will continue in the school with a social with food (8:00pm-8:30pm), praise night with vocations testimony (8:30pm-9:30pm), and Compline (9:30pm). Sponsored by the Vocations Office of the Diocese of Hamilton. For more information, contactvocations@hamiltondiocese.com.
FALL WORKSHOPS FOR LITURGICAL MINISTERS
Lectors Workshop: In this workshop, participants receive formation in Liturgy and Ministry, Techniques to Proclaim the Word of God, and an opportunity to practice. It is ideal for parishioners new to this ministry and a good refresher for experienced Ministers Participants receive a mandate from the Bishop of Hamilton. The cost is $35 and includes lunch. Workshops run from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday, October 4, 2025, St. Michael Parish, Waterloo, and Saturday, November 1, 2025, St. Paul the Apostle Parish, Burlington. Register through the Diocese of Hamilton website under Upcoming Events/Workshops https://hamiltondiocese.com/events/2025/08/minister-of-the-word-formation-workshop-3/
Extraordinary Ministers of Communion: In this workshop, participants receive formation in Liturgy, Eucharist and Ministry, Spiritual Preparation, Diocesan Norms and Guidelines, and an opportunity to practice. It is ideal for those who are new to this ministry and a good refresher for experienced ministers. Participants receive a mandate from the Bishop of Hamilton. The cost is $35 and includes lunch. Workshops run 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday, September 20, 2025, St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, Owen Sound, and Saturday, October 18, 2025, St. Joseph Parish, Guelph, andSaturday, November 22, 2025, St. Raphael Parish, Burlington. Register through the Diocese of Hamilton website under Upcoming Events/Workshops
https://hamiltondiocese.com/events/2025/08/extraordinary-minister-of-communion-formation-workshops-4/
Children's Liturgy of the Word: Children's Liturgy of the Word is a rite which takes place during Mass and is a way to help children participate in the liturgy meaningfully. This age-appropriate liturgical experience prepares children to participate fully in Mass especially after receiving their First Communion. The workshop includes The cost is $35.00. It is offered on Saturday, November 8, 2025, St. Matthew Parish, Oakville, ON, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Participants register through the Diocese of Hamilton website under Upcoming Events/Workshops.
https://hamiltondiocese.com/events/2025/08/childrens-liturgy-of-the-word-ministry-formation-workshop-2/
RCIA 101 – Hamilton Each year, parishes welcome new members through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). This formation workshop is a four-part introduction and walk-through designed for any team member (Director, Coordinator, catechists, support team, etc.). It is a good introduction for new team members and an opportunity for existing team members to learn more about the ritual and share experiences. This four-part series starts on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at the Diocese of Hamilton Chancery Office, Hamilton, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm and continues each Tuesday until October 14, 2025. Participants register using the Diocese of Hamilton website under Upcoming Events/Workshops. https://hamiltondiocese.com/events/2025/08/rcia-101-introduction-to-the-rite-of-christian-initiation-of-adults-for-parish-facilitators-2/
Extraordinary Ministers of Communion to the Sick
Extraordinary ministers of Communion bring the Eucharist to the faithful who are ill and deprived of their rightful and accustomed place in the parish community. This short workshop covers the ministry of Extraordinary ministers of Communion to the sick. It is offered from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on the following dates: Friday, September 19, 2025, St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, Owen Sound, and Thursday, October 2, 2025, Blessed Sacrament Parish, Kitchener, and Thursday, October 9, 2025, St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, Waterdown. Participants register through the Diocese of Hamilton website under Upcoming Events/Workshops.https://hamiltondiocese.com/events/2025/08/extraordinary-minister-of-communion-to-the-sick-homebound-and-hospitalized-formation-workshops-2/
PARENTING TIP OF THE MONTH #171 Children thrive on routine and in truth, so does the whole family. During the summer we can be a little more relaxed on bedtime, eating and even clean up routines, but the rest of the year that can cause lots of challenges. As school begins, now is the time to sit as a family and set out your daily routines and expectations. Stick by them because once they become routine, everyone in the household will benefit! (Family Ministry Office; 905-528-7988 ext. 2250)
MARRIAGE TIP OF THE MONTH #151 In the busy schedules we often adhere to, we can let our time as a couple slip away, compromising it to accomplish other necessary things. The mistake of that is that we can become disconnected, distant and less in synch with each other. Take the time to schedule couple time and don’t compromise, unless it is an emergency. Your relationship will flourish and spill over to other aspects of your life! (Family Ministry Office; 905-528-7988 ext. 2250)