New Quick Links
in response to COVID-19 crisis 
ONLINE DONATIONS
NOW AVAILABLE The Diocese of Whitehorse is now accepting online donations via our partner Canada Helps, which is equipped to issue instantaneous tax receipts. Your generosity enables us to serve our communities, care for those in need and accomplish the mission entrusted to us by the Lord. Click on the button above to donate online. 
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NEWS AND UPDATES:
* This information is current to September 16th, 2020 at 2:00 pm. Please check back regularly for updates. Thank you.
Farewell to Msgr. Marc Lalonde
Bishop Vila would like to thank Fr. Marc for his dedicated service as Pastor of Our Lady of Victory Parish. He will be leaving on Monday, September 14th, 2020 and beginning a new ministry with the Archdiocese of Rimouski in Québec. We are grateful to God and to him for serving in our Diocese for the last two and a half years. Please keep him in your prayers. 
Catholic School Council Elections
Nominations for school council positions will be open on Sept. 14th and closing on Sept. 24th, 2020. We invite all parishioners and parents who are 18 years of age & older and Canadian citizens to consider running for council for any of our three Catholic schools: Vanier Catholic Secondary School, Christ the King Elementary or Holy Family Elementary School. School Council Forms and information are available at the schools, or on the Elections Yukon website (https://electionsyukon.ca/en/content/school-elections), or by contacting their office at 867-667-8683. A dedicated and faithful school council will help ensure a robust Catholic Education system in our community . Please consider putting your name forward. (Polling date will be Oct. 5th if required) Download CEAY's Understanding Catholic School Councils - A Roadmap In Memory of former Anglican Bishop Terry Buckle
We would like to share with you the sad news that former Anglican Bishop Terry Buckle passed away this week. Please read this letter from Bishop Vila to Most Rev. Lesley Wheeler-Dame Bishop of Yukon. 
Sacred Heart Cathedral Renovation Project & Benefactor Program
Sacred Heart Parish Council and the Diocese of Whitehorse invite you to be part of the Cathedral renovation project through the Benefactor Program. As you may be aware, the Cathedral is in dire need of upgrades in order to make the building more comfortable and energy efficient. Planning and fundraising are moving ahead this fall. Click here to read Bishop Vila's letter describing the project. Read more about Sacred Heart Parish Council's 2020-21 Benefactor Program and how you can contribute to window upgrades. (*Please make donations payable to Sacred Heart Parish) Access the Energy Efficiency Assessment of the Cathedral which was completed this past June 2020. This information is also posted on the Sacred Heart Parish website. If you have any questions, please contact Fr. Slawek at the parish office. Thank you for your support of this project. 
Sunday Homilies
Bishop Vila has invited Fr. Giuseppe Scollo, a professor of Sacred Scripture in Toronto, to share his Sunday homilies with us. Please join us every Sunday by clicking here to read the homilies. We hope this will help you as you reflect on the Sunday readings and gospel. 
World Day Against Trafficking of Persons
On this World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, July 30th, please unite in prayer with Catholics around the globe and reflect on our responsibilities to protect the vulnerable. Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, "recognizes the fact that human trafficking is a deep-seated and pervasive phenomenon", and unfortunately, the situation has gotten worse during this Coronavirus crisis. Therefore, let us pray earnestly for the victims, and also for those responders who minister to them and who are involved in prevention, rescue, rehabilitation, reintegration and raising awareness. You may refer to this article from the Vatican News for more insight into this issue. Holy Mass Recordings For those of you who are unable to attend Sunday Mass or a Lay Communion Service in person, we invite you to watch the recorded Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral in Whitehorse. The Mass will be videotaped during the Saturday 5 pm Mass, then posted that night on the Roman Catholic Diocese of Whitehorse Yukon YouTube channel, as well as on our Facebook page. Our hope is that this will provide you with a better quality video for viewing. As of this Sunday, July 19, 2020, we will no longer be livestreaming the Sunday Mass on Facebook. We thank you for your patience with this, and may God bless you and your families. 
St. Theresa's Catholic Mission Reconstruction
In August 2018, devastating wildfires in Northern BC destroyed many homes, including the church and rectory of St. Theresa's Catholic Mission in Telegraph Creek, BC. Thanks to the generosity of donors, and the hard work and dedication of staff and volunteers, rebuilding of a new church and rectory began in May 2019. Click on the link to view photos of the on-going progress of the reconstruction of St. Theresa's. Increased gathering limit for Masses
THE GATHERING LIMIT FOR MASSES AND LAY COMMUNION SERVICES IN YUKON HAS BEEN RAISED AS OF JUNE 1, 2020. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL PARISH FOR MORE INFORMATION. Physical distancing, sanitizing protocols, and health recommendations remain in place. Sacred Heart Cathedral now has a gathering limit of 50. Advance sign up is recommended but drop-in's will be accommodated if space allows. Additional Saturday evening and Sunday Masses have been added and weekday Masses at 12:10 pm have resumed (Monday to Friday). The French weekday Mass is on Wednesday at 5 pm. The schedule and advance sign up information is posted on the Sacred Heart website. their website. Our Lady of Victory Parish now has a gathering limit of 25. Advance sign up is preferred but drop-in's will be accommodated if space allows. Holy Mass is celebrated on Saturday evenings at 7 pm and on Sundays at 10 am. Weekday Masses are Monday to Friday at 6 pm. Contact the parish at olov.whitehorse@gmail.com or call (867) 334-6697 for more information. For Mass and Lay Service schedules at all our parishes and missions in the Diocese during COVID-19, click here to go to our page. Sunday Mass will continue to be live streamed from our Facebook page. We thank you for your patience and understanding during this process and may God bless you and your families. 
Thank you for prayers and fasting during Covid-19
Bishop Vila would like to thank you all for your sacrifice of prayer and fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays for the last three months during the Covid-19 crisis. Although it cannot be said that the pandemic is over, we are grateful to witness the fruits of our prayers in the gradual improvement of the global pandemic situation and in the lifting of restrictions in our own local communities. This period of prayer and fasting will end on June 30, 2020. However, as much as you are able, you are welcome to continue to fast and pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet on Fridays at 3 pm as per Roman Catholic tradition. As our churches are now open with a greater capacity, you are also invited to come to the church to pray before the Blessed Sacrament and celebrate Mass in person, offering prayers for those people who are still suffering and being affected by the Covid-19 situation on a variety of levels. May God bless you and your families, and give you strength with whatever crosses you may be bearing at this time. 
World Day of Sanctification for Clergy
On Friday, June 19, 2020, The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, we invite you to unite with the Catholic Faithful around the world by encircling our clergy in prayer and imploring the protection and loving care of Our Lady, Mother of all priests, for all her priestly sons. We thank God for this great gift we have received, that is the priesthood of Jesus Christ, and we offer our prayerful support to them. Click links below for prayer resources: 
Corpus Christi Procession
You are invited to join in the procession to celebrate Corpus Christi Sunday on June 14, 2020. The procession will be held immediately after the 10:30am Holy Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Whitehorse. Note: As per the recommendations of Yukon Health Services, we ask that children 5 years & younger, adults 65 years & over with underlying medical conditions, and adults 70 years & over, not join in the procession. You must also maintain two metres physical distancing unless you are from the same household, and please practice proper hand sanitizing procedures. Important Message from Bishop Vila
Most Rev. Héctor Vila has announced the reopening of publicly-celebrated Masses and Lay Communion Services within the Diocese of Whitehorse starting Pentecost weekend (Saturday evening, May 30th, 2020). This is being done in accordance with Yukon and British Columbia government orders and recommendations which are currently in place in order to ensure your safety and that of the wider community. Note that due to gathering size limitations and other factors, Mass schedules may be changed, and in some cases, advance sign-ups may be required. Please check with your Pastor or Lay Pastoral Associate for more details and up-to-date information. We will do our utmost to keep you informed through our website. Bishop Vila's recorded message is posted below. It can also be viewed on our Facebook page or on YouTube. Thank you for your charity and understanding as we navigate this process. Yukon Catholic Schools Celebration Mass 2020
Please join in celebrating the school year as well as our graduates! There will be special guests! Featuring the VCSS Class of 2020 as well as the kindergarten and gr. 7 classes from HFES & CKES!.
Watch by livestreaming on the Roman Catholic Diocese of Whitehorse Facebook page on Wednesday, May 20, 2020 at 12:00 noon. YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD! 
Download Celebration Mass poster here.
Day of Prayer, Fasting and Works of Charity for Humanity
Pope Francis has accepted the proposal from the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity for May 14, 2020, to be a Day of Prayer and Fasting and Works of Charity, so that believers of all religions and transitions may unite spiritually to implore God to help humanity overcome the coronavirus pandemic. The communiqué from the Committee to the Faithful is available here in English and in French. 
Consecration of Canada to the Blessed Virgin Mary
On Friday, May 1, 2020, Canadian Bishops will be consecrating Canada and their dioceses and eparchies to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Please join Bishop Hector Vila this Friday at 4 pm by live stream from Sacred Heart Cathedral in Whitehorse as he consecrates the Diocese of Whitehorse (Yukon and Northern BC) to our Mother Mary. In preparation for this event, please find below the links to a letter addressed to all faithful from the Holy Father for the month of May, issued on 25 April 2020. In this encouraging letter, Pope Francis invites everyone to pray the Rosary at home during May, the Month of Mary, and offers two prayers to be recited at its conclusion. English: Letter from Pope Francis for the month of May Français: Lettre du Pape François pour le moi de mai You may also find useful the following links to the Litany of Loreto which will be recited daily at Sacred Heart Cathedral during May: Litany of Loreto in English and Litanie lauretane en français. Holy Mass Live Stream Schedule - Sundays at 9 am
Please join us every Sunday at 9 am for the Facebook live stream of Holy Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral in Whitehorse. This new schedule will start with the Mass on Sunday, April 26th which is being offered for the victims of the tragic shootings in Nova Scotia this past weekend. Our prayers and deepest condolences go out to their family members and friends. 
Witnessing to the Love of Christ
Parishioners in the Diocese of Whitehorse have recorded messages of hope and encouragement. We thank them for taking the time to do this and we invite you to view the recordings by clicking here. 
Special Days of Prayer and Fasting
In solidarity with people in our communities and around the world who are being affected by the Coronavirus situation, Bishop Vila designated Wednesdays and Fridays as days of prayer and fasting within the Diocese of Whitehorse. This began during Lent, and it will continue during the duration of the Coronavirus crisis. We invite you to join in the recitation of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Holy Rosary as well as to pray additional prayers on these days from your homes, during the Divine Mercy Hour if possible starting at 3:00 pm. Divine Mercy Novena
The Divine Mercy Novena will begin on Good Friday (live streamed from the Cathedral) and end on Divine Mercy Sunday. We invite you to join us in this beautiful devotion which will bring grace to many souls. [Link to Divine Mercy daily intentions or download single page prayer sheet] 
Formed Live
Spend part of your Holy Week with Formed at FORMED LIVE. Not a subscriber? Click here for instructions on how to subscribe through the Diocese of Whitehorse. Holy Week Live Stream Mass Schedule
Celebrate the Holy Week Masses with the Diocese of Whitehorse. Click here to view the schedule.
Ethical Issues at the End of Life
During the period of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute (CCBI) is producing a series of emails and messages, examining various topics such as ethical issues at the end of life and matters of conscience for reflection and consideration. Visit the CCBI website to view these articles as they are released. 
Palm Sunday Mass
The Palm Sunday Mass will be live streamed on the Roman Catholic Diocese of Whitehorse Facebook page from Sacred heart Cathedral in Whitehorse on Sunday, April 5, 2020 at 9 am. *All live streaming of Masses on the Saturday evening are suspended until after the Easter Season. The Holy Week and Divine Mercy Sunday Mass live stream schedule link is posted in the right sidebar. You can also visit the Sacred Heart Cathedral website for more information. 
Pope Francis' Message to Young People
On the occasion of the 35th World Youth Day, 2020 which is being held at the Diocesan level this year, the Holy Father delivers this message with the theme, "Young Man, I say to you, arise!" (Lk 7:14) Please see links below: Pope Francis' entire message (Vatican Website)
Summary of the message (Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life) 
L'Arche International independent inquiry into Jean Vanier - CCCB Statement
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has released a statement on the subject of allegations against Jean Vanier. Click here for the English and French versions of the document. For more information, you can also visit the websites of L'arche International and L'Arche Canada. 
Cremation and Funeral Liturgies -
New CCCB Pamphlet A new pamphlet released by the CCCB this January 2020 has been developed for the Catholic faithful and to specifically assist and advise the bereaved or others involved in planning funerals. It provides basic information on the Church’s perspectives on death, praying for the deceased, mourning, funerals and cremation. The pamphlet also summarizes the Church’s directives on the presence of the cremated remains within the funeral and on the proper respect to be shown for the disposition of the cremated remains. Please contact your local pastor or parish before you begin planning for a Catholic funeral or if you have any questions about funeral liturgies and cremation. Download the pamphlet here. Or visit our Funerals and Burials page for more information on the Catholic Church's perspective on Cremation and Funeral Liturgies. 
World Day of the Sick 2020
Holy father has recently released his message to mark the 28th World Day of the Sick which is to be celebrated on February 11, 2020. In his message entitled, “Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest" (Mt 11:28), Pope Francis urges that “what is needed is a personalized approach to the sick, not just of curing but also of caring, in view of an integral human healing”. The message is available in several languages on the Holy See website. 
Letter from CCCB President to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
CCCB President Archbishop Richard Gagnon has written a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in which he expresses the serious concerns of the Bishops of Canada regarding the proposed changes to the current legislation, as well as the survey itself. This letter is in response to the federal consultation on the expansion of eligibility for assisted suicide/euthanasia (“Medical Assistance in Dying – MAiD) which ended on January 27, 2020. Click here to read the letter in English or in French. |
New Quick Links
in response to COVID-19 crisis 
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