Pope Francis will make a pastoral visit to Canada from July 24 to 29, 2022.

Calling all Catholic Families! The 2022 Catholic Family Retreat will be hosted on Saturday, July 30; Sunday, July 31 and Monday, August 1 at Sacred Way Farm (745 Kells Road, Powassan, Ontario). Join us for prayer, worship, Adoration, family games, activities and inspiring talks. Optional camping on site is available too. For more information, a complete itinerary of the weekend events, to see our guest speakers and to register your family, please visit: holynamestalphonsus.com/familyretreat. The 2022 Catholic Family Retreat is proudly presented by Sacred Way Ministries, Holy Name of Jesus Church, North Bay; St. Alphonsus Liguori Church, Callander; & St. Joseph Church, Powassan.

WORLD YOUTH DAY 2023 - LISBON, PORTUGAL JOIN US! The Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie is inviting all Catholic young adults aged 18-35 to participate in our Pilgrimage to Lisbon, Portugal for World Youth Day from July 30 - August 9, 2023. We will participate in World Youth Days activities, catechesis sessions and festivals, a Prayer Vigil and Sunday Mass with the Pope, take a day trip to Fatima where the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared and meet millions of other Catholic young people. For prices, dates, itinerary, requirements and registration, visit: Deadline to Register is August 8, 2022.

The Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) is currently holding its 2022 Convention in Toronto. The Episcopal Commission for Social Action (CEAS), a long-time Peruvian partner of Development and Peace ― Caritas Canada, has written an open letter to the convention delegates. CEAS is the official organization of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference that works for the defense and promotion of human rights in the light of the Gospel and the social doctrine of the Catholic Church. In an open letter, Bishop Jorge Izaguirre Rafael, president of CEAS, addresses important issues concerning the Peruvian mining sector, in which Canadian companies play a major role. The letter is published on the Development and Peace website.

“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.

A Virtual Lenten Retreat The Season of Lent is a time of withdrawal and of preparation. We withdraw from ordinary life to pause and reflect on the last days and death of Jesus and we prepare our hearts to joyfully greet the Risen Christ on Easter morning. During this virtual silent retreat via Zoom, scripture, journaling, silence and prayer will guide us into deeper meaning of Lent and Easter. Friday, March 4th: 7:00 PM - 7:45 PM Saturday, March 5th: 9:15 AM - 10:00 AM Saturday, March 5th: 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM A Zoom presentation facilitated by: Janet Norman Register at: shalomssm@shaw.ca Deadline for registration: Wednesday, March 2 Your freewill offering helps to support our ministry.

Do you have questions about your faith?

Have questions regarding the Synod on Synodality? Rahai attempts to answer these questions through simple sketches presented to you in a short and fun way. Here's all you need to know- right from what does synodality mean to what can you do. We look forward to hearing from you in the comment section below #synod #synodality #listeningchurch

Dear friends, I am pleased to invite you to an online prayer service being co-presided by Bishop Thomas Dowd of the Sault Ste. Marie Diocese and Archbishop Anne Germond of the Anglican Diocese. Together we will pray for Christian unity. Date: Thursday January 20, 2022 Time: 7:00 p.m. Zoom link: tinyurl.com/unity2022

The Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph Vocation Animation Committee is hosting an online event with S. Nathalie Becquart on January 14, 2022

The word Synod typically refers to an event, a gathering of the Pope with his cardinals, bishops, and other invited experts. They come together to discuss topics or themes chosen by the Pope. Through prayer and open discussion, they discern how the Holy Spirit may be calling the Church to move forward. Recent synods have been on the themes of the family and the vocation of young people, for example.

Over the past year, a national conversation on the tragic history of residential schools in Canada has unfolded throughout our country. The Catholic Bishops of Canada are profoundly saddened by the residential school legacy and remain fully committed to working with Indigenous Peoples and communities across the country to support healing and reconciliation.  We also sorrowfully acknowledge the historical and ongoing trauma and the legacy of suffering and challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples that continue to this day. These pages will provide an update on the latest initiatives as we walk together toward healing and reconciliation. In particular we have assembled a number of resources related to the December 2021 Delegation to Rome. This encounter with the Holy Father will include Indigenous survivors, Elders, knowledge keepers and youth meeting with Pope Francis. This space will provide updates regarding the delegation in addition to providing relevant information for educational and spiritual resources, assist the media in their coverage and inform anyone interested in learning more about the ongoing journey to healing and reconciliation.

Pope Francis is inviting the universal Church to participate in this important Church event. In our diocese, we will mark the opening of the Synod on the third Sunday of Advent. In January 2022, you will be invited to participate during the consultation phase, by sharing your ideas about the Church. Let us pray for the success of the Synod and may we welcome the Holy Spirit to guide us on this synodal journey together.

National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Aboriginal People and Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe - Patron Saint of the Americas Feast Day Sunday, December 12, 2021 Immaculate Heart of Mary Church 1082 Hwy 17E, Garden River, Ontario Celebration of the Mass - 11:30AM All are welcome!!

Each week, beginning on Sunday, 21 November 2021, the Solemnity of Christ the King, the CCCB will release a video recording of a Bishop in Canada reflecting on the Gospel Reading for each Sunday of Advent.

A bit of news we have today, a BAKELESS BAKE SALE is on the way. On these busy days, now who would bake? Pies, Cookies or even a cake? You`d be surprised if you counted the cost, of materials, heat, and the time you have lost. Cooking for a sale is extra work, yet nobody really wishes to shirk. So we have thought of a plan that is very grand, and feel quite certain you will understand. Will you in an envelope please put a price, of a pie or cake or something nice? Without fuss or bother you have done your part, we are sure you will give with a willing heart? This is the end of our little tale, please wish us success for our ( BAKELESS BAKE SALE ) PLEASE RETURN YOUR ENVELOPE BY DECEMBER 12th. It can be put in the Sunday collection basket or brought to the church office

The annual celebration of World Youth Day has been moved from Palm Sunday to the Feast of Christ the King. Click on the picture for more info.