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NEWS AND UPDATES:
Diocesan Christmas Mass Schedule
December 24th, 2019 to January 5th, 2020 Click here to download the schedule Thank you to the Ex Corde Foundation
The Diocese of Whitehorse gratefully acknowledges and gives thanks to God for a generous grant received from the Ex Corde Foundation of the Diocese of Hamilton.
The Ex Corde Foundation was established by Bishop Douglas Crosby, O.M.I. in 2012. The Ex Corde Foundation focuses on finding ways to help parishes, organizations and communities prosper through financial support of a range of initiatives. The Diocese was awarded a grant of $15,000 which will be used towards replacing the windows of St. Mary’s church and rectory in Dawson City, Yukon. New, high R-value rated windows will make the buildings more energy-efficient and will help in significantly reducing heating costs. We extend our gratitude to the Board members of the Ex Corde Foundation who are helping us bring this project to fruition. Let us keep them in our prayers as they continue their work. You can read more about the foundation on their website at www.excordefoundation.com. Our Lady of Carcross Grotto
Most Rev. Héctor Vila, along with the parishioners of St. John the Baptist Mission, would like to invite you to visit the new Our Lady of Carcross Grotto in Carcross, Yukon.
A Mass was celebrated by Bishop Vila and Msgr. Marc Lalonde with lay faithful on Saturday, October 27th, 2019. This was followed by the Blessing of the Grotto and a potluck. This statue of the Virgin Mary, which once belonged to the Catholic Church in Old Crow, has now been transferred to St. John the Baptist Church as a gift to the people of Carcross. Bishop Vila would like to thank Ron and Maryanne Ratz, and everyone else who was involved with the creation of this Grotto. Click here to view the photo gallery of the statue of Our Lady, the construction of the Grotto, and the Blessing. Voting as a Catholic - Federal Elections 2019
Click here to download the two-sided pdf document of both guides.
Farewell to Maureen Denis, Director of Maryhouse
Click here to read Bishop Vila's farewell letter to Maureen.
Vocations and Seminarians in the Diocese of Whitehorse
Most Rev. Héctor Vila would like to bring to your attention his initiative for the incardination of priests in the Diocese of Whitehorse. Bishop Vila's letter to the Faithful is posted below. You are also welcome to read the description of Redemptoris Mater Seminaries where he hopes to train future priests. Thank you for your prayers for the success of this plan. 
Many thanks to the missionaries of the Diocese of London
Bishop Vila would like to extend a big thank you to Fr. Steve Marsh and the Diocese of London missionaries who spent six days in Dawson City working at St. Mary’s Church. With the help of Gregg and Pam Janiga, Stella Martin and Fr. Manuel Parnis, and despite rainy weather, the group was able to replace the roofs on the rectory and garage. They also built a beautiful, new fence on the perimeter of the St. Mary’s property (about 400 ft) and received rave reviews from locals on their work. We are grateful to Fr. Steve Savel of the Diocese of London who facilitated this mission trip, and to Most Rev. Ronald Fabbro, Bishop of London, for his continuing pastoral and financial support. Next time you are in Dawson City, you are welcome to drop by St. Mary’s to view the work which has been done. (Please click here for photos of the projects) 
Celebration in memory of Fr. William Judge S.J.
(April 28, 1850 - January 16, 1899) St. Mary's Catholic Church in Dawson City held a celebration in memory of Fr. Judge on Sunday, May 5th, 2019. The event began with a Mass at 10:30am presided over by Most Rev. Héctor Vila, and was followed by a short pilgrimmage to the gravesite of Fr. Judge. Fr. Manuel Parnis organized the event and Yukon historian and author, Michael Gates, was also in attendance. Click here for photos of the event. You can also read more about it in the Whitehorse Star article (May 22, 2019) 
Update on the Joint Review of Development & Peace Partners
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) and the Canadian cAtholic Organization for Development and Peace (CCODP) have provide an update on the review of Development & Peace International Partners via a joint statement. The statement is available in both English and French. Diocesan Lenten Retreat - March 2019
Most Rev. Bishop Vila with staff and volunteers at the Diocesan Lenten Retreat held in March 2019. The retreat was led by Most Rev. Albert Thévenot, Bishop of the Diocese of Prince Albert.
Annual Day of Prayer & Awareness Against Human Trafficking
(Feb. 8, 2019 – Feast Day of Saint Bakhita) Pope Francis has called human trafficking a crime against humanity and has urged everyone to unite efforts to eliminate the crime and to free the victims. In December 2014, Canada moved in a positive direction on this issue by adopting the Bill C-36 Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act (PCEPA). With the general election coming up this fall of 2019, Canadians need to know that this law must be strengthened and enforced throughout Canada. Any movement to legalize prostitution or decriminalize the buying would only further marginalize our Indigenous women and youth, as well as increase prostitution and human trafficking in our country. In the spirit of Pope Francis and St. Josephine Bakhita, who was a victim of trafficking herself, you are invited to join with others in promoting the Buying Sex Is A Crime social media campaign and vignettes. You can view the vignettes by clicking on the link buttons below. Statement on Hydration & Nutrition for Patients
The Catholic Bishops of British Columbia and Yukon have issued a statement on the provision of water and food for patients, particularly in circumstances when patients are dying. Click here to download the statement. Statement on the Legalization of Marijuana
from the Bishops of British Columbia & Yukon Click here to download the statement The new St. Mary Magdalene Log Church in Dease Lake, BC
Click here to view photos of the construction and Consecration of the new church 
Day of Prayer for Victims of Sexual Abuse
Following the sex scandal involving several members of the episcopate and the clergy within the Catholic Church, the Diocese of Whitehorse will be having a Day of Prayer for victims of sexual abuse on Thursday, October 11th. We do this for the consolation and healing of abuse victims around the world, and to ask for the protection of us all from the evil of abuse and secrecy.
CCCB Releases New Document to Protect Minors
and Vulnerable Adults from Sexual Abuse Visit the CCCB website for more details or click on the images to download the document.
CCCB Statement on the Legalization of Cannabis
On 19 June 2018, the Senate passed Bill C-45, the Cannabis Act. On 21 June 2018, the Bill received Royal Assent, thereby legalizing marijuana for recreational use in Canada. In response, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has issued a “Statement on the Legalization of Cannabis/Marijuana for Recreational Use.” This statement, provided in English and French, was approved by The Most Reverend Lionel Gendron, P.S.S., Bishop of Saint-Jean-Longueuil and CCCB President. It comments on what the CCCB worries will be the effects of using and promoting the use of marijuana for recreational purposes, reiterating the information and insights already expressed in its prior “Statement on Canada’s Opioid Crisis and Drug Addiction”, as well as highlighting the important evidence-based concerns raised by a number of community professionals and the Holy See. Please click on the links below to view the statements. Statement by the CCCB on the findings of the Pennsylvania Investigating Grand Jury
Letter from Most Rev. Bishop Vila to Parishioners within the Diocese of Whitehorse (August 31, 2018)
In response to the recent news relative to the scandal of abuse and cover ups in the United States and elsewhere in the world, the Executive Committee of the CCCB has decided to publish a statement in English and French. This document is in communion with the Holy Father’s statement and Letter to the People of God, and in reference likewise to the Statement of the President of the USCCB, Cremation and Funeral Liturgies
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has recently revised the resource, Cremation and Funeral Liturgies, both as a pamphlet and an info sheet. This resource may be used by priests, deacons, others who lead funeral liturgies, parishioners and even funeral directors. Please click on a link below to access these resources. *Note that it is not currently available in French Daily TV Mass
The National Catholic Broadcasting Council (NCBC) and the Archdiocese of Toronto are now partnering to make the Daily TV Mass available to Catholics across Canada who are not able to attend Mass at their local parish. To learn more about the Daily TV Mass, click here to download their brochure. You may also visit their website at www.dailytvmass.com. Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia
Amoris laetitia (English: The Joy of Love; En français: La joie de l'amour) is a post-synodal apostolic exhortation by Pope Francis addressing the pastoral care of families. ... Amoris laetitia also includes an extended reflection on the meaning of love in the day-to-day reality of family life.
We invite you to view these nine 7-8 minute web-based videos developed by the CCCB Office for Evangelization and Catechesis (OEC) and the Catholic Organization for Life and Family (COLF) to assist with the study of Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia. They are available in both English and French (see buttons below). The videos and associated discussion guides are designed to be used by individuals in their homes or in groups gathered in diocesan, parish or school settings. Pope Francis invites us to study the document carefully when he says, “…I do not recommend a rushed reading of the text. The greatest benefit, for families themselves and for those engaged in the family apostolate, will come if each part is read patiently and carefully, or if attention is paid to the parts dealing with their specific needs” (AL, n. 7). |
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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