October Bulletin Announcements
Upcoming Events:
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. 16th (evening), 17th and 18th because no marriage is beyond hope. For more information visit www.retrouvaille.org, email: hamilton@helpourmarriage.org, or call 905-664-5212.
OPEN HOUSE: Bishop Farrell Library & Archives The Bishop Farrell Library & Archives invites you to an Open House, Oct. 17th from 2:00pm–5:00pm and Oct. 18th from 10:00am–2:00pm. We are located at 698 King St. West, on the beautiful 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!
MEN DISCERNMENT GROUP Fr. John Ha, our Vocations Director, invites all young men in the Diocese of Hamilton to join the Priesthood Discernment Group. Come for prayer, fellowship, and conversation as we explore God’s call together. Whether you are just beginning to ask questions or have been considering the priesthood for some time, you are welcome. Feel free to invite a friend who may be interested. You do not need to have all the answers—simply come with an open heart.
Meetings are at two locations: in Hamilton on Friday, November 6, 2026, at 6:00pm at the Chancery Office
(700 King St W, Hamilton, ON L8P 1C7) and in Kitchener-Waterloo on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 10:00am at St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church (80 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3C7). Sponsored by the Vocations Office of the Diocese of Hamilton. Visit hamiltondiocese.com/vocations. For more information, contact vocations@hamiltondiocese.com.
WALK WITH JESUS: A Retreat Day for Parents Who Have Experienced the Death of a Child – The loss of a child is a most challenging event in the life of any parent. This grief is acute and challenging. The Diocese of Hamilton invites you to join us for this healing day. Whether the loss is recent or some time ago, we know this day will help to restore your inner peace. The retreat will be offered from 9:00am to 4:00pm on Saturday, November 7th at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Hamilton. The $20 fee includes lunch. Registration is required so we can plan for handouts and food. You can register on the Diocesan home page at hamiltondiocese.com under upcoming events (look for the retreat date), or by calling the office at 905-528-7988 ext. 2249.
YOUNG ADULTS NIGHT Fr. John Ha, our Vocations Director, invites all young adults in their 20s and 30s across the Diocese of Hamilton to an evening of prayer, fellowship, and praise music. Come meet other young adults and find encouragement as you discern and live out God’s call. Join us at on Saturday, November 7, 2026 from 6:30pm–9:00pm at St. Francis Xavier Church (304 Hwy 8, Stoney Creek, ON L8G 1E6). Bring a friend—all young adults are welcome! Sponsored by the Vocations Office of the Diocese of Hamilton. Visit hamiltondiocese.com/vocations. For more information, contact vocations@hamiltondiocese.com.
DISCOVERING NEW PATHS FOR YOUR MARRIED LIFE Healthy marriages matter and marriage enrichment helps keep them strong! Proven benefits include having a support system, learning to grow together, having increased happiness levels and better physical health; all proven in research! Keeping your marriage healthy and strong requires love, but also time spent fine tuning your relationship and reconnecting. Join us on Saturday, November 21st at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Waterdown for a day to reconnect, discover new ways to deepen your relationship and spend time with the one you love! Registration can be found online at hamiltondiocese.com, by looking for the date under Upcoming Events, or contact Sarah at 905-528-7988 ext. 2249, or e-mail familyministry@hamiltondiocese.com
Ongoing Ministries & Opportunities
RESTART: Refresh, Renew, Revive Support Group – Struggling after divorce or separation – as others are? Join us for learning, support and fun on two rotating evenings each month. These get-togethers offer continual support and insights for people as they journey through the divorce/separation process and beyond. Please be sure to look at the monthly calendar for dates and to register for all sessions at: https://sites.google.com/view/hamilton-restart/home , or contact Sarah at familyministry@hamiltondiocese.com, or 905-528-7988 ext. 2249. We look forward to seeing you!
Monthly Family Ministry:
PARENTING TIP OF THE MONTH #185 October is the month in which we celebrate Thanksgiving, a chance to remember all that we are grateful for in our lives. It is a perfect time to have children focus on the good things in their lives: the people they love and care for and who love and care for them, their friends, the ability to go to school, having a place to live and food to eat, to name a few. It is also a time to remind them to thank God for their gift of life and faith.
(From: Teresa Hartnett, Family Ministry Office; 905-528-7988 ext. 2250)
MARRIAGE TIP OF THE MONTH #165 An attitude of gratitude has proven to bring more happiness and contentment to a person’s life. Expressing gratitude to your spouse for their love and all they bring to your life has a two-fold benefit, it makes them feel respected and appreciated and it helps you see the goodness in your relationship. Sometimes we forget to recognize the many wonderful things our spouse brings to us, so take the time to do so and see how your relationship can flourish! (From: Teresa Hartnett, Family Ministry Office; 905-528-7988 ext. 2250)
World Mission Sunday:
4 October 2026 · Bulletin insert
PREPARING FOR WORLD MISSION SUNDAY: “One in Christ” Today Jesus speaks of a vineyard entrusted to tenants (Mt 21:33-43). The Church is that vineyard. Pope Leo XIV’s theme for World Mission Sunday, two weeks away, begins here: we are one in Christ before we are sent. The Alleluia verse says, “I have chosen you from the world to go and bear fruit that will remain.” This week, pray for the unity of our parish and of the whole Church. Mission begins when Christ lives in us.
11 October 2026 · Bulletin insert
PREPARING FOR WORLD MISSION SUNDAY: “The invitation is for all peoples” Isaiah sees a feast the Lord prepares “for all peoples” (Is 25:6). In the Gospel the king sends servants to the highways so that the wedding hall may be filled (Mt 22:1-14). Mission is that invitation carried to every nation. Next Sunday is the 100th World Mission Sunday. Please plan to pray for missionaries and to support the second collection for the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, which aids young Churches in more than 1,100 mission territories.
18 October 2026 · Bulletin insert
WORLD MISSION SUNDAY: “One in Christ, united in mission” Today the whole Catholic world keeps the 100th World Mission Sunday. The psalm sings, “Tell his glory among the nations” (Ps 96). Pope Leo XIV reminds us that no baptized person is exempt from mission, and that if unity is the condition of mission, love is its essence. A second collection is taken up today for the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. Your gift, joined to those of Catholics everywhere, supports seminarians, catechists, chapels, healthcare, and the poor in young Churches. Pray also for new missionary vocations. Father, make us one in Christ, united in mission. Amen.
25 October 2026 · Bulletin insert
AFTER WORLD MISSION SUNDAY—The mission continues: “Mission to love” Jesus names the whole Law: love God with all your heart, and love your neighbour as yourself (Mt 22:34-40). Pope Leo XIV says the same of mission: it is the proclamation, living, and sharing of God’s faithful love. Last Sunday we prayed and gave with the universal Church. This Sunday we take that offering home: welcome the stranger, reconcile a division, speak of Christ with gentleness. The collection has been taken; the mission has not ended. Mary, Queen of Missions, make us instruments of peace.