July / August Bulletin Announcements
YOUNG ADULTS NIGHT Fr. John Ha, our new Vocations Director, 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. The Young Adults Night includes a Holy Hour (6:30pm-7:30 pm), social with food (7:30pm-8:00pm), praise night with vocations testimony (8:00pm-9:00pm), and Compline (9:00pm) on Saturday, August 1st at St. Catherine of Siena Church (620 Rymal Road East, Hamilton, Ontario). Sponsored by the Vocations Office of the Diocese of Hamilton: https://hamiltondiocese.com/vocations/ For more information, please contact: vocations@hamiltondiocese.com
YOUTH MINISTER’S RETREAT SAVE THE DATE! We are inviting all youth ministers, youth ministry coordinators and leaders in youth ministry, to join us for our annual retreat on September 19 at Mount Mary Retreat Centre in Ancaster. More information and how to register will be shared as soon as possible. In the meantime, if you are interested in attending or have any questions, please reach out to us: youthministry@hamiltondiocese.com.
ReSTART: Moving Forward Struggling after a divorce or separation? ReStart can help you move forward with support, education and positive encouragement from our experienced facilitators. Our 11-week program offers help to anyone seeking to heal and move forward. The new sessions run from Tuesday September 22 – Tuesday December 1, 2026 and will be held at the Chancery Office at 700 King St. West in Hamilton in person. Cost is $35 for materials, but no one is turned away. Registration can be found at https://hamiltondiocese.com under Upcoming Events for September, or contact Sarah at 905-528-7988 ext. 2249, e-mail familyministry@hamiltondiocese.com.
ENHANCING SELF-ESTEEM Healthy self-esteem is linked to positive mental health outcomes, which is so important to each of us. Our program provides the opportunity to increase your self-awareness and to learn specific skills for building a positive self-esteem. 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 own future. The program will be offered from Tuesday September 22 – November 24, 2026 at the Chancery Office at 700 King St. West Hamilton. Cost is $35 for materials. Registration is online at https://hamiltondiocese.com and can be found under Upcoming Events, or contact Sarah at 905-528-7988 ext. 2249, or e-mail familyministry@hamiltondiocese.com.
CCYMN NATIONAL CONFERENCE The Canadian Catholic Youth Ministry Network is excited to announce that registration is NOW OPEN for the National Youth Leadership Conference, taking place October 2–4, 2026, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. All youth ministry leaders, volunteers, clergy and all those serving young people across Canada will gather for prayer, learning, networking and inspiration. More details and how to register can be found on their website: https://www.ccymn.ca/national-conference.html.
WALK WITH JESUS: Retreat 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 core. The retreat will be offered from 9 am to 4 pm on Saturday, October 10 or Saturday, November 7th. The $20 fee includes lunch. Registration is required for set up and lunch. You can register on the Diocesan home page at https://hamiltondiocese.com under upcoming events (look for the date retreat of the date), or by calling the office at 905-528-7988 ext. 2249.
MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT Healthy marriages matter! Proven benefits include having a support system, learning to grow with another, having increased happiness levels and physical benefits, all proven in research. Keeping your marriage healthy and strong requires love, but also time spent fine tuning your marriage and reconnecting. Join us November 21st for a day to reconnect and spend time with the one you love! Registration can be found online at hamiltondiocese.com, under Upcoming Events, or contact Sarah at 905-528-7988 ext. 2249, or e-mail familyministry@hamiltondiocese.com
Registration & Formation:
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 2026. 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 https://www.hamiltondioceselearns.com.
FRASSATI LEADERSHIP PROGRAM Calling all those entering Grade 10 in September 2026! Are you looking to grow in your faith? Do you want to explore what it means to be a Catholic leader? The Frassati Leadership Program may be for you. Join other Grade 10 Catholic leaders 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/
WYD 2027 The Diocese of Hamilton is blessed to have 82 young pilgrims preparing to travel to Seoul, South Korea next summer as a part of the 45th International Celebration of World Youth Day. To learn more about this pilgrimage of faith and how you can support the young people of our Diocese, visit us at: https://wyd.hamiltondiocese.com
Youth Ministry Certification Program We are currently accepting enrollment for the Youth Ministry Certification Program, which begins in September 2026. 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: https://www.hamiltondioceselearns.com
Ongoing Ministries & Opportunities:
CATECHETICAL CORRESPONDENCE PROGRAM 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/DOHCCC
PROJECT RACHEL Struggling After an Abortion? Either your own, or someone else’s? Do you feel alone, emotional, or angry and in need of support? Project Rachel is available to help. This confidential service allows people to work through their feelings on an individual basis, with a trained counsellor, to find hope and healing. Please contact us at 905-526-1999 or toll free at 1-888-385-3850.
RESTART: Refresh, Renew, Revive Support Group Struggling after divorce or separation — as others are? Join us for learning, support and fun on Friday evenings. Held the 2nd & 3rd Fridays of each month. These get-togethers offer continual support and insights for people as they journey through the divorce/separation process and beyond. For summer sessions or gatherings, register here: 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 The expression “the family that prays together stays together” is one that most people have heard. Popular sayings make sense when we see the truth in them, but this one is backed up by research! When we pray together at home (before meals, before bed, in the morning) and attend Mass, we are connecting on a deep level that helps a family have increased unity. So, enjoy the more relaxed summer days and holidays, but don’t let prayer and attending Mass take a holiday because their benefits are a wonderful addition to this great season!
MARRIAGE TIP OF THE MONTH Couples are so busy today with their jobs, taking care of children and sometimes looking after elderly parents that time is very precious. Often what gets put on the back burner is time to focus on their marriage. All these responsibilities are much better managed with a healthy relationship, so taking time together has a positive impact all around. Schedule time for a coffee, a short or long walk, a chat at the end of the day, prayer, or dinner for two, anything that is just for the two of you. Your marriage matters — don’t let making it a priority take a backseat to everything else on the to-do list!