Diocesan workshops
Diocesan Workshops And Events (December 2019)
Parenting Tip of the Month – For Catholics, Christmas is about so much more than gifts: it is the promise, through the birth of Jesus, of goodness and light coming into our lives. Do your children know this is the focus of Christmas? Advent and Christmas are perfect times to highlight the “reason for the season”. Read stories about the Advent wreath so they understand what each candle symbolizes; read the story of the Nativity (more than once!); be sure the tree is adorned with symbols of the faith; read family Advent reflections daily during Advent; attend Mass and reflect on the readings each week, including Christmas Day. Faith sets a foundation on which to stand and Christmas is a perfect time to bring Christ into your family activities!
Marriage Tip of the Month – At Christmas we gather with love ones to share gifts, eat great food and build joyful memories. Sometimes we get caught up on the glitter and glam of the season and forget to take time as a couple to decide how much money, time and energy we can expend during the season. This year why not sit down in advance and decide how much you can do as a couple/family. Weave into your plans time for the two of you to take a quiet moment with each other. During Advent and Christmas, take time to pray and share important faith moments with each other. Trying these initiatives could make this Christmas your best yet!
Healing After an Abortion: It Is Possible – Caring hearts are available to help you deal with the difficult feelings that often come after an abortion. At Project Rachel we offer a confidential service allowing people to work through their feelings and find hope and healing. Please contact us at 905-526-1999 or toll free at 1-888-385-3850.
Friday Night Support Group for Persons Separated or Divorced – Would it help you to have people around you to understand what you’re going through? Would you like to hear some ideas that will encourage you and help you to develop new ways of coping with the stresses in your life? The Hamilton Diocesan Support Group meets the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month and they can help! No need to register just come and join us at the Chancery Office at 700 King St. West, Hamilton from 7 – 9 p.m. For more information call the Family Ministry Office at 905-528-7988 ext. 2249. There is NO COST, but great learning, caring and support!
CCYMN Hope Comes Home Conference – The Canadian Youth Ministry Conference is being hosted Friday, February 21st to Sunday, February 23rd, 2020 in Hamilton. Through keynote addresses, workshops and prayerful collaboration with one another, we look forward to unpacking the fruits of the Synod, and finding ways of applying the Apostolic Exhortation- Christus Vivit to day-to-day ministerial and Parish life. We invite anyone working alongside young people to join us, including priests, religious, youth ministers, youth ministry volunteers, teachers, chaplaincy leaders and teams, and individuals working for catholic service agencies. There are bursaries available for those wishing to attend but may not be able to due to financial constraint. For more information about the conference, to register, or apply for a bursary please visit www.hopecomeshome.com. If you have any questions please contact Nicole McCowell, Interim Director of Youth Ministry, at nmccowell@hamiltondiocese.com or 905-528-7988 ext.2245.
Diocesan Workshops And Events (April 2019)
DIOCESAN WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS – APRIL 2019
PARENTING TIP OF THE MONTH: Parenting Tip 111 – April ushers in spring with its new growth and warmth and this year the celebration of Easter. Easter reminds each of us of God’s infinite love, that after suffering comes the joy of the Resurrection and that God will never abandon His people. Help your children understand that Easter is so much more than the Easter Bunny; it is our moment of Salvation. God can be a constant stabilizing force in your children’s lives if they learn to rely on him, so teach them how to pray, how to talk to God and how to embrace the gift of faith we celebrate this Easter.
Grief Relief – Has someone you cared about died? Are you grieving the loss of the person’s presence in your life? Are you wondering if these feelings are normal? You are not alone! “Grief Relief” – is a six week educational and support series dealing with grief, offered on Wednesdays, April 24 to May 29th at the Chancery Office, Hamilton, from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Facilitator: Karen Hulley, RP. Cost is $35. You are free to attend all sessions, or any one or more as you are able. To register call the Family Ministry Office: 905-528-7988 ext. 2249, or go to www.hamiltondiocese.com.
Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass June 9, 2019 – Are you celebrating your 25th, 40th, 50th, 60th, or 60+ Wedding Anniversary in the year 2019? If you are, join couples from across the Diocese of Hamilton for a Mass on Sunday, June 9, 2019 at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King at 1:30 pm. (Space allows room for Anniversary couples only – those married 60 years or more may bring 1 guest if you require assistance). Please refer to the poster in the back of the church for information on how to register for the celebration, or go to www.hamiltondiocese.com.
Friday Night Support Group for Persons Separated or Divorced – Would it help you to have people around you to understand what you’re going through? Would you like to hear some ideas that will encourage you and help you to develop new ways of coping with the stresses in your life? This Support Group meets the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month. No need to register just come and join us at the Chancery Office at 700 King St. West, Hamilton from 7 – 9 p.m. For more information call 905-528-7988 ext. 2249. There is NO COST.
Struggling from an Abortion Experience – There is Help – Are you struggling with an abortion decision – either your own, or someone else’s? Do you feel alone, emotional, or angry? Project Rachel is a ministry of healing for any person suffering pain or problems from an abortion experience. This confidential service allows people to work through their feelings and find hope and healing. Please contact us at 905-526-1999 or toll free at 1-888-385-3850.
Are you Getting Married? The Diocese of Hamilton offers three education options for those marrying: Marriage Preparation, Catholic Engaged Encounter, or Remarriage (where one or both people have been previously married). Find out more about these options on the Diocesan website at www.hamiltondiocese.com. The first step after engagement is to meet with your parish priest; then book one of the marriage preparation options. Book your course early to avoid issues finding a date that works for you.
Fighting poverty is big business. But who profits the most? Join us March 19th at 7:30pm at St. Michael’s Church, 80 University Avenue West, Waterloo, for the screening of the film Poverty Inc. Drawing from over 200 interviews filmed in 20 countries, Poverty, Inc. unearths an uncomfortable side of charity we can no longer ignore. For more information visit: https://hamiltondiocese.com/chancellor/library/reeljustice
Join us for a special screening of the film Pope Francis: A Man of his Word. Written and directed by Academy Award nominee Wim Wenders, the film provides a personal journey, combining archival footage with direct interviews with Pope Francis in which he responds to questions about death, social justice, immigration, ecology, wealth inequality, materialism, and the role of the family. April 9, 2019, 7:00pm at Holy Rosary Parish, 175 Emma Street, Guelph. For more information visit: https://hamiltondiocese.com/chancellor/library/reeljustice.
Diocesan Workshops And Events (October 2018)
MINISTERS OF THE WORD Workshops sponsored by the Liturgy Office take place on Saturday, October 20, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Kitchener, and on Saturday, November 3, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Burlington. See the Liturgy Office website for more information or call the Liturgy Office at 905-528-7988 ext. 2236.
GATHERED TO SING The Liturgy Office will be hosting a workshop for all parish choir directors and members of parish choirs on Monday, October 29 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., at St. Augustine Parish in Dundas. New music from the forthcoming national hymnal, Music for Catholic Worship and other resources will be explored. See the Liturgy Office website for details or call the Liturgy Office at 905-528-7988 ext. 2236.
CATECHESIS CONNECTIONS Are you a catechist? Do you help pass on the faith to others? Join us as we consider the connection between evangelization and catechesis with the help of a new book by Daniella Zsupan-Jerome, “Evangelization & Catechesis: Echoing the Good News Through the Documents of the Church”. Short chapters, great stories, helpful reflection! Wednesday evenings Oct. 10, 24, Nov. 7, 14 & 21, 7 – 8:30pm at St. Gregory’s Parish, Cambridge. Cost is $35, and includes the text. Please register by Oct. 3rd. Online registration available. For information visit www.hamiltondiocese.com or call Monica at 905 528 7988 ext. 2238.
CATECHETICAL CORRESPONDENCE COURSES Programs are available for children from Kindergarten through to High School not currently receiving religious instruction. Preparation for First Communion and Confirmation for children not in Catholic Schools is also available. Families work through the programs at home. Contact Monica in the Catechesis Office at 905-528-7988, ext. 2238. Visit www.hamiltondiocese.com and click on the Catechesis Office for more information, printable registration forms or to register online.
THE REEL JUSTICE FILM FESTIVAL The Reel Justice Film Festival is back, starting with a screening of the film Romero. Oscar Romero was martyred in 1980 for his passionate stand against social injustice and oppression in his country. He will be canonized on Oct. 14, 2018, the first Salvadoran saint. Reel Justice is a partnership between Development & Peace and the Bishop Farrell Library & Archives, showcasing films with a social justice message. Join us at the Chancery Office, Hamilton on October 19, 2018 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
GRIEF RELIEF Are you grieving the loss of the person’s presence in your life? Are you wondering if these feelings are normal? You are not alone! “Grief Relief” is a six week series dealing with grief, offered on Tuesdays from 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. at St. Patrick Parish, Burlington from Sept. 25 to Oct. 30, or at the Chancery Office, Hamilton from October 23rd to November 27th from 1:00 – 3:30 p.m. Facilitator: Karen Hulley, RP. You are free to attend any or all sessions as you are able. To register call the Family Ministry Office: 905-528-7988 ext. 2249, or go to www.hamiltondiocese.com
DIOCESAN FAMILY FORUM Do you have ideas on how to support families in our Diocese? We want to hear from you! “The family is the community in which, from childhood, one can learn moral values, begin to honor God, and make good use of freedom. Family life is an initiation into life in society. (CCC #2207)” Join us on October 20th. Call Lena at 905-528-7988 ext. 2249, or go to www.hamiltondiocese.com .
STRESS IN YOUR MARRIAGE? Retrouvaille is a program for married couples that feel bored, frustrated or angry in their marriage. This program has helped countless couples experiencing marital difficulty. For confidential information about or to register for the program beginning with a weekend on October 12, 2018, call 905-664-5212 or email hamiltonretrouvaille1@cogeco.ca or visit the website at www.retrouvaille.org.
Impact on Young Minds – Video Games & Social Media, Healthy or Harmful? How do you keep your children safe in this age of 24 hour connection? All parents, caregivers, and grandparents, even youth themselves, are welcome to attend a presentation on Thursday, Nov. 8th from 7 – 9 p.m. by Brian Janes (registered psychotherapist). This workshop at the Chancery Office, Hamilton, will look at the impact of video games and social media on the developing brain, provide an overview of some of the social dangers present on the web and suggest guidelines and boundaries to help children’s access to screen time remain healthy. To register call Lena at 905-528-7988 ext. 2249, or visit www.hamiltondiocese.com.
STRESS IN YOUR MARRIAGE? Retrouvaille is a program for married couples that feel bored, frustrated or angry in their marriage. This program has helped countless couples experiencing marital difficulty. For confidential information about or to register for the program beginning with a weekend on October 12, 2018, call 905-664-5212 or email hamiltonretrouvaille1@cogeco.ca or visit the website at www.retrouvaille.org.
Grandchildren Grow Up: Beyond Toys to Real Life Issues We live in a rapidly changing world where children are experiencing and hearing about issues often beyond what adults know! Let’s talk about some of them, including same-sex attraction, gender identity, healthy sexuality and how to help our grandchildren navigate the “stuff” of their lives. Present or future grandparents, and other interested people are welcome to attend. This presentation will be given by Teresa Hartnett at Holy Rosary Parish, Burlington, on Wednesday, Nov. 7th from 1:30 – 3:30 pm. To register call Lena at 905-528-7988 ext. 2249, or go to www.hamiltondiocese.com
Marriage is Good for Your Health – Part Two! Back by popular demand, we are offering another Saturday to share time with your spouse! Take some time for your marriage relationship and spend a day learning about The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work. This is part two of the program, created by Dr. John Gotman, but if you missed the first session you will still learn lots as we look at the principles in more detail. The enrichment day will be facilitated by Mrs. Teresa Hartnett and Dr. Wendy Hofman on Saturday, Nov. 10th from 10 – 4 p.m. at the Chancery Office, 700 King St. W. The cost for the program is $50 per couple and includes lunch. Register by calling 905-528-7988 ext. 2249, or on the Diocesan website: www.hamiltondiocese.com
Friday Night Support Group for Persons Separated or Divorced
Would it help you to have people around you to understand what you’re going through? Would you like to hear some ideas that will encourage you and help you to develop new ways of coping with the stresses in your life? The Hamilton Diocesan Support Group meets the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month. No need to register; just come and join us at the Chancery Office, Hamilton from 7 – 9 p.m. For more information call the Family Ministry Office at 905-528-7988 ext. 2249. There is NO COST.
PARENTING TIP 108 Children learn about life and themselves from every interaction they have with others, but the most profound impact comes from family. A study published by Psychology Press titled, Social Understanding and Social Lives, argues that the quality, as well as the quantity of conversations adults have with their children concerning thoughts and feelings, helps children’s social understanding to grow. As parents we have the ability to help our children identify, cope with and manage their thoughts and feelings. We do this by helping them recognize thoughts and feelings as they arise and then by providing them with ways to manage their inner selves. This leads to children healthy in mind, body and spirit – so talk it through, your kids are listening! (From Family Ministry Office, 905-528-7988 ext. 2250)
MARRIAGE TIP 88 The fall harvest is a result of work undertaken throughout the spring and summer. Watering, nourishing, protecting from insects and the weather all contribute to a healthy yield. Why then do we sometimes forget that relationships too need to be cared for? Do we nourish, protect and nurture our spouses? Care for them gently and speak softly? As St. Francis de Sales said, “The worst way of speaking is to speak too much. Therefore speak little and well, speak little and gently, speak little and charitably, speak little and amiably.” A harvest of love can fill every relationship, but it takes commitment and purposeful work to keep our love strong. (From Family Ministry Office, 905-528-7988 ext. 2250)