“You are invited to participate in a Prayer Walk for Peace in a Time of War on Sunday March 20th, beginning at 2pm. People of all faith groups and religious affiliations will be walking  to show solidarity for the people of Ukraine, offering prayers at each of five stops along the route. Please invite your family, friends and neighbors to join in this community event.  If members are unable to participate by walking they could drive to one of the church locations and join in the prayers. All participants are encouraged to wear a blue/yellow ribbon - the colours of the Ukrainian flag. All prayers will be offered outside. With the lifting of restrictions for outdoor gatherings we will not need to worry about numbers, but encourage participants to do their best to distance and wear a mask. There will be an ‘Alms Box’ for people to make a donation towards the relief effort in Ukraine. Unfortunately no tax receipts will be provided. All proceeds will be given to Fr. Michael Hayes of the Ukrainian Catholic Church to distribute through their channels.  Our pilgrimage - a Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrow) will start at St. Luke’s Cathedral on Brock Street with a word of welcome from the Mayor’s office, opening prayers from Fr. Michael Hayes of St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, and prayers in the Anglican tradition.  We will then proceed along Albert Street and head towards St. Andrew’s United Church where prayers will be offered in that tradition by the Rev. Eun-Joo Park, followed by prayers in the Jewish tradition led by a member of the synagogue.  The next stop will be Zion Lutheran Church on Wellington street where Pastor Brad Mittleholtz will offer prayers. We will then proceed back to Precious Blood Cathedral stopping in the parking lot behind Precious Blood at the Sault Mosque where Imam Saber Kilani will offer a prayer and reading. We will conclude at Precious Blood Catholic Cathedral where Fr. Chad Franklin will lead prayers.  We are most grateful to the Sault Ste. Marie Police Services for their generosity in providing us with a police escort for this walk. We are also grateful for the tremendous support each faith group has given to this endeavour and the Mayor’s office. Dress warm! Bring a friend. Pray for the suffering people of Ukraine. May Peace Prevail on Earth.”

You are invited to attend a Rosary Rally Procession starting at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish and walking over to the Cross at St. Basil’s School on Saturday, March 19th, the Feast of St. Joseph. We will meet at 11:15 a.m. in the parish parking lot and will proceed over to the Cross at 11:30 a.m. At 12 noon, we will be praying along with many other Canadians from across our country who are also gathering at this time. Let us pray for God’s peace in the world and for order in our Nation. St. Joseph, Patron Saint of Canada, Pray for us. For more information please call Claudette at 705-971-4244. Please Note: It is preferrable for you to leave your car at the Cross and drive with a family member or friend to Our Lady of Good Counsel to walk in the Procession.

In light of the recent events in Ukraine, Bishop Dowd has published a message offering his personal thoughts concerning the reality the world is witnessing today.