Recent News

Catholic Centre - "I am pleased to announce the appointment of Anita Vander Aa as the new Administrative Coordinator to Catholic Schools of the Manitoba Catholic Schools Office. This appointment will be effective October 4, 2021. 

Anita has been serving as the Executive Director of the Catholic School of Evangelization in St. Malo. Prior to her work at the CSE, Anita was the librarian at St. Boniface Diocesan High School. Anita is a parishioner of Holy Cross Parish in St. Boniface.

We welcome Anita to the Catholic Centre Manitoba Catholic Schoosl Office." Read Archbishop Gagnon's memo here.

Archdiocese of Winnipeg - In response to proposal 17 of our Archdiocesan Synod, a Revision Commission appointed by Archbishop Richard Gagnon revised the Norms for Parish Pastoral Councils. These Norms were approved by the Council of Priests and promulgated by Archbishop Gagnon this past August. The Norms took into effect on September 1, 2021. Click here to view the Revised PPC Norms. 

Archdiocese of Winnipeg - Reverend Aloysius Anyichie, a priest from the Archdiocese of Onitsha, Nigeria, is now in residence at St. Augustine's Parish in Brandon. Very Reverend Barry Schoonbaert is re-appointed Dean of Interlake Deanery, and Very Reverend Eric Zadji is re-appointed Dean of South Winnipeg Deanery. Deacon Philip Durant has retired as a Permanent Deacon. Click here for the memo from Archbishop Gagnon.

Archdiocese of Winnipeg - "Thursday, September 30, 2021, is Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This day is meant to honour the victims and survivors of Canada’s residential school system along with their families. This day is also a day that marks the importance of the relationships between the First Peoples of this land and the non-Indigenous People of Canada. It also presents an opportunity to listen to and reflect on the stories within our Indigenous and First Nations communities. I would encourage everyone to take part in community-organized activities marking this first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation." Click here for the full memo from Archbishop Gagnon.

Archdiocese of Winnipeg - Effective September 1, 2021, Tannis Scott will become the Administrative Assistant to the Financial Administrator. Tannis has been serving as the Administrative Coordinator to Catholic Schools.

Archdiocese of Winnipeg - "On July 16, 2021, Pope Francis promulgated an Apostolic Letter, motu proprio, Traditionis custodes, containing new norms governing the celebration of the Tridentine Mass (the Latin Mass prior to the Second Vatican Council)... In reviewing this new Apostolic Letter, we have determined to take some time to study the new norms prior to making any definitive decisions." Please click here to view the full letter from Archbishops Richard Gagnon and Albert LeGatt.

In the Community - Development and Peace, the social justice organisation of the Catholic Church in Canada needs your help in response to the recent earthquake in Haiti. Development and Peace — Caritas Canada’s partners, the Institut de Technologie et d’Animation (ITECA) and Caritas Haiti have sprung into action. In three stricken departments, Caritas Haiti is participating in various coordination activities under Haiti’s national risk management plan, which has been activated to help the population. ITECA has sent relief trucks and assessment teams to the affected regions. Today, our partners once again need your support to intensify their relief efforts and to develop such durable long-term recovery solutions. Link: Haiti needs our support | Development and Peace (devp.org).

Archdiocese of Winnipeg - We welcome you back to our weekly Friday Report! In this week’s edition, Archbishop Gagnon answers questions regarding the upcoming federal election (12:09) as well as the most pressing issues currently “on his desk” as Archbishop of Winnipeg (15:01).

Resources:

• Read the latest Archdiocesan COVID-19 updates, here.

Ask the Archbishop a Question:

If you would like to ask Archbishop Gagnon a question, reach out to us at communications@archwinnipeg.ca or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

News Release from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, September 17, 2021

Ottawa - In consideration of the ongoing public health recommendations on gatherings regarding COVID-19, as well as concern for the health and safety of all involved, the 2021 Plenary Assembly of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), taking place from 20 to 24 September, will meet by videoconference for a second consecutive year.

Within the virtual format, Bishops will address a number of important subjects, including the pastoral priority of healing and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, to which the Bishops of Canada remain fully committed. Over the course of the week, other key topics to be discussed include how to re-engage or continue the mission of the Church following the coronavirus pandemic; family and life initiatives; and the multi-phase journey leading up to the 2023 Synod of Bishops entitled “For a Synodal Church: Communication, Participation and Mission”. In addition, the new Apostolic Nuncio to Canada, the Most Reverend Ivan Jurkovic, will deliver his first address to the Bishops of Canada by videoconference. The Bishops of Canada will also conclude the election process for the new CCCB Executive Committee consisting of a President, a Vice-President and two Co-Treasurers, one from each the English and French Sector.

As with the virtual format for the 2020 Plenary, deciding to organize the meeting by videoconference necessitated additional consideration regarding its timetable and agenda. Owing to a condensed agenda, topics of general interest – typically featured on the first day-and-a-half of past in-person meetings – will be postponed until next year and likewise precludes the participation of invited observers and guests from a number of national Catholic organizations, as well as accredited representatives of the media as in years past.

A summary of the discussions and key decisions from the Plenary will be issued at the conclusion of the meeting.

What is the Plenary Assembly?

The Plenary Assembly is a gathering of approximately 90 Bishops from across Canada. The meeting involves discussion on a broad range of topics affecting the Catholic faithful in Canada. In normal circumstances, it includes the President’s annual report and an address by the Apostolic Nuncio to Canada, as well as reports from the CCCB’s various commissions and committees. Decisions taken by the Plenary Assembly represent the highest instance of authority within the CCCB. The Most Reverend Richard Gagnon, Archbishop of Winnipeg and CCCB President, will preside over the meeting.