Recent News

Archdiocese of Winnipeg - The Provincial Government has updated COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings for the Winnipeg Metropolitan Health Region. Parishes in the North Winnipeg, Central Winnipeg, and South Winnipeg deaneries, as well as Notre Dame Church (Selkirk), Christ the King Church (Stonewall), St. Joseph's Church (Stony Mountain), St-François Xavier Church (St-François Xavier), St. Theresa's Church (West St. Paul), and St. Margaret's Church (Little Britain), are affected by these new restrictions.

Archdiocese of Winnipeg - Upon election and presentation by their respective deaneries, the Archbishop is pleased to appoint the following deans (vicars forane):

1. Very Reverend Robert P. Polz, Central Winnipeg Deanery;
2. Very Reverend Patrick Neufeld, Parkland Deanery (reappointment);
3. Very Reverend Christopher R. Dubois, Westman Deanery.

Archdiocese of Winnipeg - "In most of our parishes the beginning of the school year marks the return to catechetical programs. Our catechetical programs include regular sessions along with special sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation.  Parish catechism programs rely on the cooperation of pastors/administrators, catechists, parish leadership, parents and indeed all parishioners.  It is obvious that this year’s catechism program will be like none other than we have known. That being said, all parishes should provide plans for catechesis regardless of the size of the catechism class." Click here for the memo from Archbishop Gagnon.

St. Dominic's Parish, Neepawa - On September 6, 2020, the Parish of St. Dominic in Neepawa celebrated at its Sunday  Mass the 65^th Anniversary of Religious Profession for Sr. Aline Comeau, who has resided in Neepawa since 1999. Archbishop Richard Gagnon was the main celebrant, assisted by the Pastor, Rev. Mark Filips. Also in attendance were Sr. Dores (who is the local Religious Superior of Les Filles de la Croix/Sisters of the Cross) and Sr. Marie.

A proud Manitoban, Sr. Aline entered her two formation years with the Sister of the Cross in 1953 and pronounced her First Vows on August 15, 1955.

Sr. Aline has worked and volunteered within the Archdiocese of Winnipeg in a number of positions including as Pastoral Worker in Swan River and Roblin. She has also prepared children for sacraments, offered retreats for Confirmation, and held positions on the Parish Pastoral Council, Deanery Pastoral Council and Archdiocesan Pastoral Council. 

In spite of COVID-19 restrictions, a number of people came out to show their love and support for Sr. Aline, and to mark this wonderful moment in her life. After renewing her consecration to God and to the service of His Church, Sr. Aline said: “Today, I am very grateful to the Lord for these rich experiences.”

--

We are grateful to Fr. Mark Filips for this article on Sr. Aline Comeau's 65th Anniversary of Religious Profession. If you have a faith story to share, please contact us at communications@archwinnipeg.ca.

Archdiocese of Winnipeg - Let us give thanks to God for the gift of the ministerial priesthood! Let us remember in our prayers Reverend Vincent P. Herner who celebrates his 40th anniversary of ordination to the ministerial priesthood on August 22. May he continually be blessed with good health and faithfulness to the Lord and the mission of His Church. 

Archdiocese of Winnipeg - "As you have, no doubt heard, the Provincial Government is seeking to ease restrictions for faith-based gatherings.  The new guidelines state that site capacity will “be a maximum of 30% or 500 people, whichever is lower”.  The guidelines go on to state that physical distancing of at least two metres must be maintained. The guidelines also state that physical distancing between individuals, between households or between groups travelling to the event together will continue to be required. The restrictions related to singing in choirs will continue as well.

This change does not apply to social gatherings, weddings and funerals, or other organized gatherings or events.

Note:  Please look carefully at your church’s physical capacity to see if you are able to increase your numbers.  These Provincial Guidelines are to come into effect on July 25, 2020."

--

The above is taken from a July 23, 2020 memorandum from Archbishop Gagnon.

Ottawa - The Most Reverend Richard Gagnon, Archbishop of Winnipeg and President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), opened the first ever virtual Plenary Assembly of the Bishops of Canada earlier today, welcoming more than 80 Bishops logging in from dioceses and eparchies across Canada. The Bishops, who are meeting by videoconference in light of the existing health and safety restrictions regarding COVID-19, are following a streamlined agenda to focus on the most essential ecclesial and administrative matters for the Conference. Read more from the CCCB website.

The Church in Canada -The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) is holding their annual Plenary Assembly this week, September 21-25. More than 80 Bishops from dioceses and eparchies across Canada are expected to take part in the meeting, which due to the coronavirus pandemic will be held via videoconference.

Archbishop Richard Gagnon of Winnipeg is president of the CCCB, and will preside over the daily meetings. Speaking with Vatican News ahead of the Plenary, Archbishop Gagnon explained how the Covid-19 crisis is affecting this year’s gathering. Click here for the Vatican News interview with Archbishop Gagnon.

The Church in Canada - In view of Pope Francis’ Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Christus Vivit (2018), the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops is developing a pastoral letter addressed to young people. The pastoral letter will seek to reflect and respond to the hopes, joys, and fears that young people experience in society and in the Church today. In order to prepare the letter, it is important to engage in a conversation with young people and youth ministers from across the country to gather their input. This will allow the Bishops to assure young people, in a pastoral letter, that Christ lives and is with them, that they are valued, and that they have reason to hope. 

To establish a process for reaching out to young people, the Office for Evangelization and Catechesis has assembled a working group which includes representatives from the Canadian Catholic Youth Ministry Network (CCYMN), the Catholic Organization for Life and Family (COLF), and the National Coordinator for the Canadian Delegation to World Youth Day. 

 Beginning in October 2020, a series of virtual conversations will be coordinated through the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis and facilitated by members of the Canadian Catholic Youth Ministry Network. All Dioceses/Eparchies are asked to invite two representatives to participate from each of the following age groups 12-15, 16-19, 20-25. A session will be held for each age category to ensure a broad perspective and qualitative feedback from the representative age groups.  There will be sessions for both French and English sectors.

Directors for Youth Ministry and Diocesan/Eparchial representatives are invited to facilitate, in consultation with their local Bishop, the selection of the youth participants and join in the conversation as well. 

Attached, please find a poster with all of the information regarding the purpose of the conversations, the dates, and the registration form.  Once the registrations have been completed, a facilitator from the CCYMN will contact you with specific information for the sessions themselves. An announcement about this event has been sent to Diocesan/Eparchial Bishops. 

For more information on the initiative please contact Mrs. Marg Shea-Lawrence, Director of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis at m.shea-lawrence@cccb.ca. Click here for the poster.

Manitoba Catholic Schools - Our Manitoba Catholic Schools are ready to welcome students back! The Schools follow provincial guidelines as outlined in the document, "Welcoming Our Students Back: Restoring Safe Schools". For individual school reopening plans, please go to the Manitoba Catholic Schools website.

St. Paul's College - Join the 1000+ University of Manitoba students who annually choose to become a Paulinian by becoming a member of St. Paul’s College. The College offers a unique, small community experience within the larger University of Manitoba community and is a hub for your academic, social, and spiritual needs. Sign up as a member today! 

In the Community - The Catholic Health Alliance of Canada (CHAC) will soon be celebrating its second annual National Catholic Health Care Week (NCHCW)  from Sunday, October 4 to Saturday, October 10, 2020.  This year, National Health Care Week seeks to build understanding, connection and trust about our mission and contribution as a Catholic health community in Canada’s pandemic response.

In the Community - Thank you for your supporting our Pro-Life Ministry here in Manitoba. Our mission is to restore the culture of life by providing life-affirming education to Manitobans. Click here to view our Fall 2020 Newsletter.

Winnipeg, Manitoba - We Are Neighbours is a tri-diocesan community chaplaincy that seeks to welcome returning prisoners and families in a spirit of hospitality, encouragement and respect. This ministry of mercy will begin with two sites: at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Church and the Holy Eucharist Parish Centre. Click here to view the flyer for more information. For questions and to be involved, contact Greg Dunwoody, Community Chaplain, at 204-232-2502 or at chaplain.wan@mymts.net. 

In the Community - The Deacons of Manitoba have recently published a newsletter aimed at connecting the diaconate community, as well as inviting a free of exchange of ideas with the rest of our Archdiocesan communities. To reach out to the Deacons, please contact Deacon Jim Frater (jrfrater@mymts.net) or Deacon Michael Cordova (michaelmartincordova@yahoo.com). Click here to view the newsletter.

Universal Church - COVID-19 has created many difficulties for all of us, yet our Christian commitment to those in need continues even during these times of the pandemic. Throughout the year, there are a number of important National Collections that are taken up to assist the poor and disadvantaged. It was impossible to schedule these collections as we normally do, so below is a listing of these important National Collections for consideration of parishioners of the Archdiocese. If you have parish envelopes, please consider a donation to these worthy causes if you have not already contributed. For those without the Sunday donation envelopes, please consider how you may help further this good work as well. All donations go to your parish and will be designated to the particular need in each case. The following is a listing of these collections:

1) Development and Peace: In normal times the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace takes up a Share Lent Collection for its work in the developing world assisting local projects and works related to justice among the oppressed. Canadians have been very supportive of this work of the Church and are encouraged to continue to do so. This year’s theme is: Recovering Together. Please have a look at their Web Site: www.devp.org

2) Pontifical Holy Land Collection: Pope Francis has asked that the faithful continue to support this collection which normally is taken up on Good Friday. The Christian presence in the Holy Land goes back to New Testament times but has been undergoing great difficulty for decades and many people have left due to persecution, discrimination and financial hardship.

3) World Mission Sunday: This National Collection covers the missionary work of The Society for the Propagation of the Faith, the Society of Peter the Apostle, the Holy Childhood Association, and Missionary Union of Clergy and Religious. This collection goes to the needs of the poorest dioceses in the world such as: formation of catechists, vocations, health care, support of churches and parish facilities where there is a lack, transport of pastoral workers etc. The theme for this year is: “Here I am, send me”.

4) The Needs of the Church in Canada: This National Collection is designated to assist the poorer dioceses in Canada in the north. These local churches have small populations and huge territories. They are not able to survive on their own without the help of Catholic Missions in Canada and through the Needs of the Church in Canada collection.

5) The Pope’s Pastoral Works: This collection, commonly called Peter’s Pence, goes towards the Pope’s outreach throughout the world for natural disasters, humanitarian crisis and assistance to the poorest of the poor.