AUGUST 20, 2023
Montreal — August 20, 2023
Next month throughout Christian churches, the “Season of Creation” begins, which extends from September 1 to October 4.
This will be an excellent opportunity to discover new information in the wake of a summer that exhibited all manner of extremes in terms of climate phenomena; and in addition will provide an occasion to join forces with others interested in finding solutions!
Here are several ideas to stimulate your personal and collective reflections and actions:.
- Read and meditate on His Holiness’s message for September 1, World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation 2023, inspired by his sojourn last year at Lac Sainte-Anne, Alberta, in the course of his visits among the Indigenous peoples of Canada.
- Explore the toolkit “Season of Creation in a Box” provided by Canada’s Green Churches Network: https://greenchurches.ca/. This facilitation and educational guide is structured around three themes: biodiversity, wetlands and energy. Suggested prayer times are also proposed.
- Invite your parish or movement to become members of the Green Churches Network and to identify actions to be undertaken throughout the year. Numerous parishes have become members – as is the Archdiocese of Montreal.
- Find inspiration in this Celebration Guide for the Season of Creation prepared by an ecumenical committee and recommended by the international Laudato Si’ Movement: https://seasonofcreation.org/
- Watch the film “The Letter.” (Click here for free access and organize a forum after the screening)
- Participate in implementing the Roadmap to net zero GHG emissions Quebec (ZéN) drafted by the Front commun pour la transition énergétique du Québec (Quebec common front for energy transition), members of which include the Quebec Catholic dioceses’ social justice ministers (Table de pastorale sociale des diocèses catholiques du Québec).
- Join one of the four ZéN communities on the diocesan territory: Ahuntsic-Cartierville en transition, ClimAction Lachine, Laval ZéN, and L’Assomption-D’Autray, or join some other territorial community with a similar mission (new announcements coming soon…)
- In solidarity with your local trade union, start a new project for a just transition in the workplace (Transition juste en milieu du travail) or join an already existing project.
“But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” – Amos 5:24
AUGUST 8, 2023
Montreal — August 8, 2023
Archbishop Christian Lépine will celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the 7:30 p.m. Mass on Tuesday, August 15, at Mary Queen of the World Cathedral. During the celebration, the diocesan mission of evangelization will be entrusted to the Virgin Mary, Star of the New Evangelization.
“Mary is present, guiding us along the path leading to the New Evangelization. At times, this can feel as though it is a journey through the “desert” (Rev 12:1-6). Just as stars appear brighter in the desert night so, too, the sky spanning our journey is brilliantly lit by Mary’s light, Star of the New Evangelization; we follow her confidently,” said Archbishop Lépine.
The Archbishop will also lead a “Jericho March” following the Mass “to bring down the walls in our hearts separating us from God and from others.’’ This procession is inspired by the biblical account in Joshua 6:1-27 in which the Israelites marched around the walls of Jericho seven times carrying the Ark of the Covenant. On this day, the assembly will process behind a statue of Mary, who is the Ark of the New Covenant, circling the interior of the cathedral seven times.
About the Feast of the Assumption
Catholics observe the Feast of the Assumption on August 15 to honour and seek the Blessed Virgin’s intercession; the feast celebrates the assumption of Jesus’ Mother – body and soul – into heaven. The word “assumption” is derived from the Latin “assumere,” meaning “to take up, to take away.”
In reference to the Feast of the Assumption, it means that Mary is “taken up” into heaven.
The feast celebrates the death and bodily assumption or the “taking up” of the Mother of Jesus Christ into heaven, where she intercedes as Queen of Heaven.
The Eucharistic celebration will also be broadcast live live via both, the diocesan Facebook page and the diocesan YouTube channel: Catholic Church in Montreal.
juLY 16, 2023
Montreal — July 23, 2023
The third World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly will be celebrated this year on Sunday, 23 July 2023.
Pope Francis inaugurated this World Day to be celebrated by the universal Church each July, either on or near the liturgical Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, grandparents of Jesus, to help “treasure the spiritual and human wealth that has been handed down from generation to generation.”
The theme chosen by Pope Francis for this year’s World Day is “His mercy is from age to age” (Luke 1:50), underlining the relational interconnection between old and young. This theme is particularly well suited to the upcoming World Youth Day in Lisbon, which will take place from 1 to 6 August 2023.
Together, young and old, let us be protagonists of generosity in our world and witnesses to the love of Christ, a love that is both fruitful and supportive.
Resources to promote World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly 2023
The CCCB Standing Committee for Family and Life, in collaboration with its corresponding Office, produced a 30-second video that captures a group of high school students visiting a retirement home. This heart-warming interaction between young people and the elderly illustrates this year’s theme and encourages us to find concrete and creative ways of drawing closer to the elderly.
Dioceses, eparchies, parishes, priests, religious, families and educators are all invited to share the CCCB promotional video on your social media platforms or in other creative ways!
