JANUARY 12, 2023
Happy Feast day of Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys, pioneer of the New World!
Marguerite Bourgeoys is a historical figure of New France (today, the Province of Quebec, Canada).
Originally from Troyes, France, she contributed, alongside Jeanne Mance and Paul de Maisonneuve, to the development of Ville-Marie (Montreal) and established New France’s first school.
Marguerite aspired to a more just world. She formed respectful bonds with the First Nations, welcomed immigrants, including the Filles du Roy (King’s Wards), and taught them how to survive in the new continent.
Marguerite Bourgeoys was canonized in 1982 by Pope John Paul II and thus became the first female saint of Canada. An important Quebec religious figure, she, among other things, participated in the construction of the first chapel in Montreal. She also founded a Catholic religious congregation.
JANUARY 4, 2023
Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
Monday, January 9, 2023, at 7:30 p.m.
You are cordially invited to take part in a Eucharistic celebration for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, presided over by Archbishop of Montreal His Excellency Msgr. Christian Lépine.
The Mass will be held at
7:30 p.m., Monday, January 9, 2023,
at Mary Queen of the World Cathedral,
located at the intersection of René-Lévesque Blvd. W. and Mansfield St.
“Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was an outstanding figure for the Catholic Church. He was an expert theologian and a good shepherd who was always simple, open and caring. He was a great witness for this Church, whose work is to proclaim Jesus Christ and maintain a dialogue with the contemporary world,” stated Archbishop Lépine, currently in Rome to attend the funeral Mass for Pope Benedict XVI, who died Dec. 31.
The Mass will also be livestreamed on both
the Diocese of Montreal’s Facebook page
and YouTube channel.
December 24, 2022
Christmas Flowers
We are very grateful to all those who made a donation to the parish for the purchasing of the Christmas Flowers and trees that decorate our Church and Sanctuary, and create a festive atmosphere for all our worshippers.
Be assured that you and the particular requests you have mentioned will be remembered throughout the Christmas season in prayer.
Susan O’Reilly
Pat Hermosa,
John Stewart
Angelita Magtibay
Frances de Verteuil
Joven Gaco and Family
Jana Pogacnik
Janet Macklem
Mr and Mrs Enrico Moscatelli
Judie Jokinen
(Anonymous): For the Soul of Jim Donaldson
(Anonymous): Prayers for Will , Jill and Val Bodak
Bridget Ramaseder: In memory of Frank and Johanna Ramaseder, and Ann Ramaseder
Helene Mc Cormack: In memory of Edith, John and Andree Mc Cormack
N. Chukwu and Family: For their Family and for God’s protection and direction;
and for all the faithfully departed: Christopher Chima, Mary Chukwu
Pablo Gonzalez
Lynn and John Pecknold
Teresa Rochon
Anna Romano for the Romano Family
Nan Carlin: In memory of her beloved parents and all deceased loved ones
Barbara Cefis: In memory of Alberto and Giovanna Cefis; Antonio and Adele Santilli; Piero and Turno Zanutign; Angelo and Mimi Chiarot
Robert Lopez: For Alex Ang, Antonio Ang, Daniel C. Lopez, Aurora Castillo, Luciano and Justina Lopez, Horacio Limgo, Uy Kin, Kristoffer Limgo, Ricardo and Teresita Lopa, Edilberto Perez, Leonardo Umale, and Bobby Tan.
Bill Curran
David and Martha Barrington
December 13, 2022
COP15 – Biodiversity – Christian and interreligious participation
— by Diocese Montreal
On Saturday, December 10th, participants in the great March for Biodiversity and Human rights were rallying on Parc Avenue when an unusual-looking figure arrived. It was a giant smiling puppet in a monk’s habit with a rope for a belt… Who could it be? Ah, yes! It was St. Francis of Assisi, straight from his parish in Mercier-Est!
He was carrying a placard with the message: “Let’s protect our mother earth.” In the spirit of the great Franciscan family and of the Pope who adopted the saint’s name, along with brothers and sisters from Development and Peace, the Social Action Office and the Laudato Si Movement, he brought up the rear of the march, lending his support and blessing to efforts to protect biodiversity on the part of civil society and national delegations.
His presence provoked various reactions along the way: some of distrust, but more of joy and gratitude, particularly from children; from a lady member of the Franciscan laity; from fans of l’Évangile en papier (the seventies program on Radio-Canada); and from a British journalist who was reminded of his trip to Assisi. Saint Francis listened to the speeches of the Indigenous and the organizers, applauding these people who had braved the cold to come out and loudly proclaim their love for the lands under their nations’ protection, and their deep desire for justice.
Earlier, at 7:30 in the morning, members of the Social Action Office and some who had come from far away to attend the COP15 began the day by joining the faithful at Mass in the Cathedral, with Bishop Alain Faubert presiding. His homily helped rekindle hopefulness, celebrating the prophets, particularly identifying those of today, and discussing COP15 on biodiversity. Two participants presented the Prayers of the Faithful. The Canticle of Creation opened the liturgy of the Eucharist , symbolizing the Lord’s unbreakable covenant with humanity and with the created universe. The celebration is available for viewing on the diocesan YouTube channel.
The small group then shared breakfast with Bishop Faubert. Once finished, they busied themselves creating signs along with others from civil society and then went off to join the march.
The Laudato Si Movement was represented at both the Mass and the walk for Biodiversity by by Anna Johnson (North America), who was visiting from Seattle, Agnes Richard (Canada) and Caroline Kiiru from Kenya (International). One member of the inter-religious delegation, Amy Echeverria, had worked to gain authorization for the first officially recognized interreligious delegation to a Conference of the Parties to a UN treaty: this COP15-Biodiversity in Montreal. Ms. Echeverria serves as the International Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Coordinator for Columban Missionaries and Co-coordinator of the Ecology Taskforce of the Vatican COVID-19 Commission. Joe Gunn represented the (Canadian) Joint Ecological Ministry (JEM). Kim Gottfried Piché and Louise Royer of the Social Action Office were delighted to welcome them all.
You can follow the delegation at: https://www.biodiversity.faith/events.
On Dec 12, members have met the Executive Secretary of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, Ms. Elizabeth Mrema.
There are inter-religious events all week at the Faith Pavilion at Place Québec in the Palais des Congrès that authorized participants can attend or alternatively, you can participate in events online.
COP15 needs the prayers of the faithful! Novalis, which publishes three weekly prayer intentions reflecting current events, has chosen this one for the third Sunday of Advent:
“From December 7 to 19, Montreal is hosting the COP15, which will endeavour to adopt a new global framework for improving the preservation of biodiversity. In order to accomplish this, the record number of countries participating must learn their lessons from the failures of the previous game plan.
For the international leaders gathered to discuss the issues of biodiversity: that the care of our common home may be their priority, let us pray.” – Come, Lord, and save us!
october 23, 2022
Msgr. Gazaille is pleased to present our newly appointed 7th bishop of the diocese of Nicolet: Msgr. Daniel Jodoin
— by Diocese Montreal
On the Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist, His Holiness Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Msgr, André Gazaille, 6th bishop of Nicolet, and appointed his successor, Msgr. Daniel Jodoin. At the time of the appointment, Msgr. Jodoin was bishop of the diocese of Bathurst in New Brunswick.
Msgr. Gazaille had been the bishop of Nicolet since September 11, 2011. He submitted his resignation to the Holy Father when he reached 75 years of age, as prescribed in the Code of Canon Law (Can. 401)
Msgr. Daniel Jodoin was born in Granby on March 2, 1957. Following his years of primary school at Saint-Luc school (1962-1969) and secondary school at the Séminaire du Verbe Divin in Granby (1969-1974), he studied at the Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf in Montréal (1974-1976) and the Université de Montréal’s École des Hautes Études commerciales, where he acquired a BA (1979) and an MBA (1982). Having passed the entrance examinations and completed a professional internship in a Montreal chartered accounting firm, he became a member of the Ordre des Comptables Agréés du Québec (CA) on November 6, 1981. Msgr. Jodoin joined the Missionnaires du Verbe Divin (Divine Word Missionaries) from 1982 until 1986, and entered the Séminaire Saint-Paul in Ottawa, where he received a BA in theology (1986). Following pastoral placements in various parishes in the dioceses of Saint-Hyacinthe and Sherbrooke, he was ordained a deacon on June 5, 1992 and priest for the archdiocese of Sherbrooke on October 3 of that same year. He studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome from 2000 to 2002 and received a licentiate in dogmatic theology, more specifically in ecclesiology. Msgr. Jodoin speaks English, French, Italian and Spanish, and is conversant in Latin and Greek.
Msgr. Jodoin exercised his priestly ministry in the following parishes in the archdiocese of Sherbrooke: as vicar for Saint-Joseph (1992-1994); parish priest for Notre-Dame-De-Lourdes, Saints-Anges de Ham-Nord et Saint-Fortunat (1994-2000); parochial administrator for Saint-Julien (1999-2000); parochial administrator and parish priest for Saint-François-d’Assise (2002-2009); parish priest for Très-Saint-Sacrement (2005-2006), Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption (2005-2008). Sainte-Famille (2005-2009) and Saint-Philémon (2009). When the parishes were merged, Msgr. Jodoin became parish priest for the new Bon-Pasteur parish on January 1, 2010. Beginning in 2009, he was also head of the Office du clergé and coordinator of the pastoral region of Sherbrooke. In June 2002, he was appointed rector of the archdiocese of Sherbrooke’s Grand Séminaire des Saints-Apôtres.
On January 22, 2013, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI appointed Msgr. Jodoin bishop of Bathurst, New Brunswick. His episcopal ordination took place on April 25, 2013, on the Feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist in Sacré-Coeur Cathedral in Bathurst.
The role of a diocesan Bishop
The diocesan Bishop is the chief teacher, sanctifier, and shepherd of God’s people. Most Bishops are given a diocese to govern spiritually, making sure the priests, deacons, pastoral workers and catechists in their diocese are preaching the Gospel and teaching sound doctrine to the flock. He is the principal teacher. The Bishop is the primary dispenser of all the sacraments. He has oversight of the liturgy.
He possesses the fullness of Orders, so that the fullness of Christ’s grace can flow through in sacramental form, to the sanctification of the faithful. Through his relationships with the priests of his diocese, the Bishop is able to shepherd the people of his diocese. The Bishops have been given a special outpouring of grace, to continue the work that the Apostles started. (Source: CCCB.ca)
october 15, 2022
Archbishop Christian Lépine presides at Eucharistic celebration to mark the occasion
— by Diocese Montreal
Radio CPAM was created to meet the urgent need for an intra-community communications service for Montreal’s Haitian population in the years following the Duvalier dictatorship, an era which saw the emergence of various weekend radio programs hosted by community stations.
It was generally believed that the fall of that dictatorship would bring about some meaningful change in the situation in Haiti. Unfortunately, the country’s misfortunes continued and in fact have persisted to this day. Weekend programming was simply no longer adequate for the needs of Montreal’s Haitian community.
Then, with the closure of several AM radio stations in the 1990s, it was possible to build a radio station for the city from the ground up, with an antenna and a 1,000-watt transmitter and comprising studios set up over a Kim Phat food store in Montreal’s east end. Finally, in 2013, the station received permission to increase transmission power to 10,000 watts.
CPAM’s mission is to operate an ethnic French-language radio station in Montreal providing programming that caters to the needs of French-speaking ethnic communities of Haitian, Latin-American and African backgrounds in the greater Montreal area.
For this great success, CPAM wishes to thank the Lord, who has allowed our mission to prosper for 20 years. In keeping with the solemnity of that wish, CPAM has called on Archbishop Christian Lépine to preside at a Eucharistic celebration to mark the occasion.
Your presence is important to us, and you are cordially invited to take part in this Mass with us:
On Sunday, October 16, 2022
At 2:30 p.m.
At Mary Queen of the World Cathedral, located at the intersection of René-Lévesque and Mansfield.
September 25, 2022
Ordination of Msgr. Frank Leo,
new Auxiliary Bishop of Montreal
— by Diocese Montreal
“When a local Church welcomes a new bishop, is that good news?” asked Archbishop Christian Lépine of Montreal of the 1,500 faithful gathered in the capacity-filled Cathedral on the evening of Monday, September 12. Judging from the standing ovation received by the proclamation of the appointment and the applause that followed this question, yes, it is indeed good news! Msgr. Frank Leo is a diocesan priest in Montreal. He is Vicar General and Moderator of the diocesan Curia of Montreal, and possesses an impressive background.
He is warmly welcomed as Auxiliary Bishop of Montreal! His ordination completes the trio comprising Bishop Alain Faubert, Archbishop Christian Lépine and him.
But is it such good news for the interested party himself? The laughter and facial expressions in response to this question reflect the fact that this ministry is no sinecure. Archbishop Lépine went on, pointing out valid reasons why it is not good news. The new Auxiliary Bishop now becomes effectively bound: bound to the apostolic succession, bound to Jesus Christ in service and, like Him, bound to give of his life even to the death. Still, is it not good news to be at the service of the highest of causes out of love? To pray to and contemplate Jesus Christ alive and active among his people? To experience the twofold passion for Jesus Christ and for his Church? Isn’t the Church worth giving one’s life for?
Bishop Frank Leo’s answer to this election is “Yes.” In Biblical parlance, the election is God’s choice, and comes with the responsibility to act in his Name. According to ecclesial tradition, election is God’s choice, expressed through a complex process which, in the case of an auxiliary bishop, begins with a request from the local bishop and culminates with a decree issued by Pope Francis. This election, combined with the anointing which is part of the episcopal ordination, is enacted by the Holy Spirit, who forever thereafter imbues the personality of the one having received it.
As a sign of his acceptance of the election, Bishop Leo answered ‘Yes’ to the call spoken by Archbishop Lépine and the two bishops performing the ordination with him, Msgr. Serge Poitras and Msgr. Douglas Crosby. In accordance with the ritual, Bishop Leo prostrated himself, a symbolic allusion to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The episcopal college forming a circle in front of the balustrade, the gentle embraces and laying on of hands, the beauty of the music and the singing, the prayerful and vocal participation of the faithful gathered together in spite of the heat – all these elements combined to confer on the moment and on the Eucharistic celebration a divine intensity.
Seated among the congregation were more than one hundred priests, some forty bishops, among whom were several of the Eastern rite and several Bishops Emeriti. The latter included Bishop Jude St-Antoine; Cardinal Gérald Cyprien Lacroix, Archbishop of Quebec; Representative of the Apostolic Nunciature Msgr. Antons Prikulis; Anglican Bishop of Montreal Mary Irwin-Gibson, and many other representatives of a wide diversity of faith communities; civil authorities and dignitaries including representatives of the diplomatic corps; men and women of consecrated life; relatives, friends, colleagues and many faithful from the Italian Canadian community. The liturgy included French, English and Italian, as well as a number of Latin chants. The ceremony was streamed on Salt + Light Media and can be viewed on the Montreal Diocese YouTube channel.
Bishop Leo spoke in conclusion. He expressed thanksgiving and praise, as well as heartfelt thanks to his family and the parishioners from his home parish of Notre-Dame-de-la-Consolata. He reaffirmed his commitment, with and like Our Lady, to bring Christ to the world. He asked that we pray for him.
If present circumstances endure, he will be well supported in accomplishing the mission!
