Welcome to our News Page! Here you will find news stories from the Archdiocese of Winnipeg, the Church in Canada, and beyond! We also invite you to submit your own articles to our Communication Services Office. Selected articles may be included here, as well as our Weekly News Bulletin sent to all parishes in the Archdiocese. Questions and submissions may be sent to:
communications@archwinnipeg.ca
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Catholic Centre PersonnelArchdiocese of Winnipeg - We are pleased to announce the appointment of Christine Garcia as the receptionist/administrative assistant of the Catholic Centre. This appointment is effective Friday, September 23.
Welcome to the Archdiocese of Winnipeg, Christine!
UNWIND: A Youth Minister's Retreat“Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
- Matthew 11:28 -
Last week, the Youth and Young Adult Ministry Offices of the Archdiocese of Winnipeg and the Archdiocese of St. Boniface collaborated to hold a retreat for our youth ministers and coordinators. The retreat took place at Light of the Prairies Retreat Centre from August 29th-31st. Throughout this 3-day retreat, our youth ministers participated in prayer, sessions, praise and worship, team-building activities, group discussion, and fellowship.
The theme for this retreat is Unwind, inspired by the Bible verse from Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” The three sessions of the retreat focused on the three parts of this verse.
“Come to me” - God continues to invite and call us to him. We are invited to come to the Lord just as we are, no matter what happens in our lives. He asks us to be with him without hesitation and to allow him into our hearts. Through this, we can surrender ourselves to the Lord and get through the toughest storms.
“You who are weary and carrying heavy burdens” – Sometimes we get overwhelmed, challenged, and discouraged. Whether it may be our sins, burdens, or heavy crosses, Jesus continuously invites us to unite our burdens with him and help with what we are carrying.
“I will give you rest” - Being a servant is not about always being on the go and occupying all our time with things to do - it is also about knowing when to pause and rest. We need spiritual, mental, and physical rest to continue our mission. God calls us to remain in him, abide in him, and be content with him. As we rest, we are held in the loving arms of our Father.
Our days at the retreat were filled with moments of encountering the Lord. Youth ministers were led into Adoration and given an opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation on the first day, thanks to Fr. Gerard from Light of the Prairies. He also celebrated daily mass on the second and third days.
Youth ministers were led into an Emmaus Walk, an activity inspired by the Road to Emmaus Bible passage (Luke 24:13-35). Through the Emmaus Walk activity, they could pray for one another, share their stories, and walk together. Team building activities highlighted the importance of trust, communication, teamwork, and serving one another. There were also opportunities to rest, unwind, and care for ourselves. Group discussions and fellowship gave room for our ministers to break bread with one another and share the love of Christ. On the last evening of the retreat, we hosted an appreciation dinner for our ministers, which celebrated the gift of one another and our service in youth and young adult ministry.
This retreat gave a constant reminder that God always calls us back to him. No matter where we are in our lives or what we are going through, we are called to rest in God and surrender our burdens to him. Praise God for a fruitful retreat, and praise God for our youth ministers and coordinators! We ask for your prayers as we navigate the year together with the young people of the Church.
For more information and updates on the Youth and Young Adult Ministry of the Archdiocese of Winnipeg, please follow us on Instagram and Facebook: @OYYAMWinnipeg or email us at youth@archwinnipeg.ca.
Seminarians' Newsletter: Vol. 2, Issue 3Archdiocese of Winnipeg - We are pleased to bring you the latest edition of the Seminarians of the Archdiocese of Winnipeg Newsletter. In it, you'll find reflections from our three seminarians on their summer and their current season of discernment. Please keep them in your prayers.
Bishops of Canada Gather in Cornwall for 2022 Annual Plenary AssemblyOttawa, ON - Bishops from across the country will gather in Cornwall, Ontario, next week for the 2022 Plenary Assembly of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB). The gathering will bring together 72 Bishops for in-person meetings for the first time since 2019.
CNEWA CANADA disbursements to Ukraine reach $5.5 million CAD since the beginning of 2022Ottawa, ON, September 26 , 2022 — The Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) has distributed more than $5.5 million CAD in emergency aid to Ukraine. With the help of its local partners including the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Caritas Ukraine and the Ukrainian Catholic University, CNEWA donations are reaching people both in large cities and in remote villages throughout Ukraine.
Launched during the early days of the initial attacks in late February, CNEWA’s fundraising efforts have intensified thanks to the significant generosity of Canadians and their willingness to help CNEWA’s partners in Ukraine to respond to the crisis.
“We are seeing large numbers of individuals are displaced and in desperate need of help,” said Anna Dombrovska, Project Officer at CNEWA Canada. “We are working closely with our partners on the ground to ensure that help is reaching those who need it most.”
Since the start of the campaign, Canadian contributions have helped to fund aid convoys, shelters for the displaced, hospitals, care for people with special needs and provisions of basic supplies for families. Other important efforts have included offering rehabilitation and psychological support services as well as funding volunteer programs.
As the war continues, CNEWA’s focus remains on helping people affected by the war to survive the cold winter in light of the looming energy crisis in Ukraine.
CNEWA Canada reiterates its call for financial support from Canadians coast to coast to coast. Contributions can be made online at cnewa.ca or by phone at 1-866-322-4441. Cheques can be mailed to CNEWA Canada at 223 Main Street, Ottawa, ON K1S 1C4, and marked “Ukraine” in the memo. Tax receipts will be issued for donations of $10 or more.
Learn more about CNEWA Canada’s efforts in Ukraine by visiting cnewa.ca or by following the organization’s social media platforms. (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)
Bishops of Canada Deepen Their Commitments to Walk Together with Indigenous Partners on the Healing and Reconciliation JourneyCornwall, ON, – The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), gathered in Plenary Assembly this week, agreed upon a series of next steps related to the painful legacy of residential schools. This work builds on previous commitments to promote access to records, educate clergy on Indigenous cultures and spirituality, and contribute $30 million to healing and reconciliation initiatives across Canada.
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Informed by the recent Papal Visit, the Delegation to Rome, and conversations with Indigenous partners at the local, national and regional levels in the past year, the Bishops of Canada pledged their commitment to:
Continue our dialogue and build relationships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples
Universal Synod National Synthesis for Canada ReleasedThe Church in Canada - The first phase of the “Synod on Synodality,” listening at the diocesan level, has concluded. Synthesis Reports were prepared by each of Canada’s four Regional Episcopal Assemblies - Western, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic regions. These four regional reports were then received by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) and used to draft a national synthesis, which has been submitted to the General Secretariat of the Synod of the Holy See on 15 August 2022.
The national synthesis document is divided into 11 sections, collectively reflecting on the major themes of this process and the voices heard.
Click here to read the full media release.
Click here to read the Synod on Synodality - National Synthesis for Canada.
Click here to read the Synod on Synodality - Local Synthesis for the Archdiocese of Winnipeg
Events to Mark the 2nd National Truth and Reconciliation DayIn the Community - There will be a number of events around the community to mark the 2nd National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
If you have an event you would like to add to this list and news bulletin, please email communications@archwinnipeg.ca
Orange Shirt Day: Indigenous Residential School Museum of Canada - September 30, 2022
Join Long Plain First Nation at the Indigenous Residential School Museum of Canada on September 30, 2022, for a day of walking together in healing. A Reconciliation Walk will begin at 9:30 am at City Hall to honour the journey of survivors and remember those who didn't make it home. A Round Dance and Pow-Wow Dancers will take place afterwards. Lunch and snacks will be provided. For more information, please contact Lorraine Daniels at 204-239-6464 or Patsy Myran at 204-390-5344.
Honouring Our Learning Path Towards Truth and Reconciliation
Ahead of the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation, join Reconciliation Education in an important conversation with Dene Elder & Survivor Margaret Reynolds (Saskatchewan) with celebrated Anishnaabe film actor, hip hop artist and activist for reconciliation, Samian (Québec). Both, are featured in the online course, 4 Seasons of Reconciliation. Click here to register for FREE.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at the Children's Mueseum
This is an opportunity to recognize and commemorate the legacy of residential schools – the impacts of which are still being felt in communities across Canada. As a member of the City of Winnipeg’s Indigenous Accord, the Children’s Museum stands with Indigenous communities and wishes to honour Survivors and the children who never made it home. Join us with FREE (first come, first served) general admission on a journey of education and reflection with Louis Riel Institute for a Métis Moccasin workshop and Métis Paper Vest workshop on September 30 from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Guests of all ages are encouraged to wear an orange shirt to help raise awareness of the impacts of residential schools and in remembrance – every child matters.
In honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, WAG-Qaumajuq in partnership with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation will be hosting a day of special programming.
Join us for an NCTR 1-hour national broadcast, followed by a book launch of with Dr. Sean Carleton, and take part in a public discussion on what you need to know about the history and legacy of Indian Residential Schools.
Open to the public. General admission fees will be donated to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. Self-identifying Indigenous peoples are always welcome, free of charge.
Rossbrook House Executive Director to receive Queen’s Platinum Jubilee MedalWinnipeg, MB - Rossbrook House Executive Director Patty Mainville will be among the first of 70 Manitobans to receive Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal, created by the Province of Manitoba.
The presentation will be held at Government House by the Honourable Janice C. Filmon, Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba at a ceremony on September 26, 2022.
The Platinum Jubilee Medal celebrates the 70th anniversary year of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the Throne, which began on February 6, 2022. One thousand Manitobans will be receiving the medal and Patty will be one of the first seventy presented with this honour.
The award is presented to those Manitobans who have dedicated themselves to family, community, and country. Patty retired last spring from a 25-year career in Education. Both her work and her volunteer activities have focused on reconciliation. She began working at Rossbrook House as Executive Director September 6, 2022.
“I am honoured to be recognized for the reconciliation and community work I have been involved in over the years,“ Patty said. “Truly, it has always been a team effort in bringing projects and programs to fruition. Being an Anishinaabe from Treaty 3, it has been a passion and my life work to pave a way for our Indigenous youth and strengthen communities. I will accept this medal on behalf of everyone I have worked with and the youth that continually teach me every day. Miigwetch.”
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is the 70th anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the thrones of seven countries, including Canada. She was the first monarch in Canada’s modern era to celebrate the milestone. Queen Elizabeth II passed away September 8, 2022.
About Rossbrook House:
In 1976 Sister Geraldine MacNamara and a group of inner-city young people created Rossbrook House. In the decades since, it continues to be a safe place for children and youth to belong, play, learn and become…
Development and Peace - Updates from Around the WorldA message from Development and Peace - Caritas Canada:
Since Ukraine is the topic of the week at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly, Development and Peace — Caritas Canada, the official international development organization of the Catholic Church in Canada, would like to seize this opportunity to draw your attention to our efforts to help the victims of the war since last February:
In addition, over 200 non-governmental organizations called on world leaders who were meeting in New York this week to take decisive action to end the global hunger crisis. We are therefore also sharing our activities this summer to help our brothers and sisters in sub-Saharan Africa:
Regarding the Development and Peace current campaign on due diligence for Canadian companies operating abroad, please see this article on a persecuted journalist in Honduras, as well as our Events page.
Last but not least, we would like to thank you for your support of our appeal for donations in response to the unprecedented flooding in Pakistan. The mentions of our appeal last week in your communications have greatly helped the Pakistani people.
Refugee Support Request from St. Paul's CollegeIn The Community - Earlier this year the Jesuit Refugee Service turned to St. Paul’s College and asked for their help. The College has earned a reputation for changing and uplifting the lives of those in need, particularly refugees from war-torn areas of our world. Currently, there is a family (names not disclosed for privacy and safety purposes) from Afghanistan who requires our immediate assistance. College Assembly agreed to be of assistance.
A young family fled Afghanistan because they worked with the Jesuit Refugee Service. A little over a year ago, on August 14, 2021, the Taliban took over Bamyan Province, forcing this family, as well as the staff, including a Jesuit priest, to flee to the Baba Mountains, where they camped for a week and facilitated the escape of women out of the country. Eventually, out of fear of being in danger, the family relocated to Pakistan.
The College's target is to raise $30,000 or more to support this family's safety in Winnipeg. So far, the College is at almost 50% of its goal.
If you would like to make a gift in support of our efforts, you can drop off a cheque made out to St. Paul’s College Foundation Inc. with Lisa McCausland, our Director of Community Development, in room 213 or leave your donation in the mailbox in the General Office. Please indicate in the memo line that it is for the Refugee Initiative. You can also make your gift by going online to CanadaHelps.org (Using the drop box, click number 3 Refugee Support.)
Thank you for responding to this call. Pray for this young family, and for our students and College community.
Click the image for more information.