100TH ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE NEWS

1. PARISH 100TH ANNIVERSARY MASS: One of the major highlights of our Centennial Celebrations is the Mass that is scheduled for Tuesday, June 5, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. in the Cathedral. Bishop Anthony Daniels will preside at this Celebration. In attendance also will be Archbishop Martin Currie, Archbishop Emeritus Alphonsus Penney, and Bishop Peter Hundt, as well as Priests and Laity from across the Diocese, representatives from the Religious Orders of the Christian Brothers, Sisters of the Presentation, Sisters of Mercy, and other guests. Please circle this significant date on your calendars and make every effort to attend. Following Mass, an informal reception will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion on Queen Street.

2. CHOIR FOR 100TH ANNIVERSARY MASS ON JUNE 5: The first Choir Practice for this special Mass will occur on Sunday, May 13, at 8:00 p.m. following the Evening Mass. Since this is a celebration of 100 Years of Faith, Hope, and Love all former choir directors, accompanists, and members, as well as former and current music ministers are invited to participate in this “Anniversary Choir”. All are welcome and encouraged to come and help make our 100th Anniversary Mass an especially joyous event.

3. PARISH MISSION: The Liturgy Committee has engaged Father Philip Chircop to lead
a Parish Mission from May 26 to May 29. Father Chirop was born on the Island of Malta
in the Mediterranean Sea and is a Priest of the Jesuit Order. He has advanced degrees in Pastoral Theology, Communications and Spirituality. He has worked in various capacities in high school, university, and parish settings. More recently he has been involved in retreat work and spiritual direction. We are very fortunate to have Father Chircop lead us in a parish mission during this special year.

4. CENTENARY MEMORABILIA: Souvenirs highlighting our 100th Anniversary will be sold throughout May month before and after the Sunday Masses at both entrances to the Cathedral. Key chains and fridge magnets will be sold at $2.00 each in the former baptistry near the side entrance and in the vesting room near the main entrance. These souvenirs will also be available at the Parish Office. (An anniversary plate depicting the three parish churches of the past 100 years should be available for purchase by mid-May.) The amount collected will help defray the expenditures for our centenary celebrations. All contributions will be very much appreciated.

5. NATIONAL CATHOLIC BROADCAST MASS: As part of our 100th Anniversary Celebrations, the Cathedral Parish will help sponsor a National Broadcast Mass on Tuesday, October 16, 2012. Since October is known as a ‘Marian month’ the Anniversary Committee has deemed this an appropriate time for this special Mass and a fitting way to honour those who have gone before us in faith (Bishops, Priests, Religious, Lay Men and Women, among them our parents and other loved ones), as well as to ask God’s blessing on our parish community as we move forward, striving to pass on the legacy of faith that we have received. Part of the total amount collected from the sale of key chains and fridge magnets will help sponsor the National Broadcast Mass.

6. RECEPTION FOR JUNE 5TH CELEBRATIONS: A meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 9, 7:00 pm at the Diocesan Centre for parishioners who are assisting in the planning of the reception. We encourage parishioners to come along and help with the planning.

            

PILGRIMAGE TO ROME. The Diocese of Grand Falls is sponsoring a pilgrimage to Rome (October 16-22, 2012) for the canonization of Blessed Kateri Tekawitha. Kateri died in 1680 at the age of 24 having lived a heroic life in her newly embraced faith. Included in the tour cost is flight from Gander to Rome return, coach service while in Rome, 5 night's accommodation, 2 meals daily, tour of Rome, the Vatican Museum, the Roman Forum, the Colosseum, Basilicas of St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran, St. Paul outside the Walls, one of the Catacombs, etc. The cost is approximately $3000.00. For more information, please contact Father Brian (ocybrian@gmail.com [please put 'Kateri' in the subject line]) or call or text 709-427-6075. Only 25 spaces are available and a $300.00 deposit (before May 18) will reserve your space.

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STEUBENVILLE ATLANTIC. Registration is ongoing. If any high school student wants to know more about this weekend retreat (where there's fun, music, food, great talks, and a Christian atmosphere) Google Steubenville Atlantic, 2012. If you want to know more about how to register, email (ocybrian@gmail.com) or text (709-427-6075) Fr. Brian. The conference is in Nova Scotia on August 3, 4 and 5. We leave mid-week so everyone can have a chance to rest before the conference actually begins. The total cost for the weekend is $185.00; that covers the cost of the bus, boat, accommodation at Saint Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, most meals and just about everything else that is not personal.                                                                       

  DIOCESAN POLICY ON OFFERINGS: The diocese policy regarding offering on the occasion of a baptism, marriage and funeral is as follows: Baptism - $25.00; Marriage - $100.00 and Funeral - $200.00. This policy has been established to provide some uniformity throughout the diocese. These offerings will be given to the parish and not to the priest. If parishioners wish to make an extra offering to the priest, this must be clearly indicated. Parishioners need to be aware that no one will be deprived of the sacraments because he/she cannot pay.