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NEWS AND UPDATES:
10 years of pontificate
The Digital Synod launches an online prayer initiative to mark the tenth anniversary of the pontificate of Pope Francis on March 13. Read all: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-02/prayer-initiative-for-10-years-of-pope-francis-pontificate.html Pledge to pray for the Holy Father: https://www.decimus-annus.org/site/index Statement from Bishop Vila on the
10th anniversary of Pope Francis' pontificate 
Lent 2023
We wish you a blessed Lenten season. Visit our new Lent 2023 webpage for information, links to resources, and downloadable documents to prepare your heart during this Lenten season. 
Pastoral Letters on Reconciliation
with Indigenous Peoples The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has produced four Pastoral Letters on Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in both French and English: Pastoral Letter to the First Nations, Pastoral Letter to the Inuit in Canada, Pastoral Letter to the Métis, and Pastoral Letter to the People of God in Canada. These letters are meant to open channels of conversation between the Church and the population (Indigenous, parishioners, all). It is therefore necessary to remain in prayer and constant discernment through the Holy Spirit in order to be ready to have those conversations with the greatest love and charity. All four letters may be accessed in both English and French on the CCCB webpage "That We May Walk Together". Click on the images below to read the Pastoral Letter to the People of God in Canada (Lettre pastoral au peuple de Dieu du Canada)
Earthquake Disaster in Syria and Turkey
In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake of February 6, 2023, millions of people in Syria and Turkey are now seeking emergency shelter in convents, parish halls and schools. Your generous and prayerful support is essential in this critical moment — it could be a lifeline for those women, children and elderly people who have nowhere else to turn. Please consider lending a helping hand during this difficult time. The national Catholic organization dedicated to addressing the crying needs of our world, has partners in the Caritas family who are already mobilized on the frontlines of the earthquake disaster in Turkey and Syria. https://www2.devp.org/en/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=3&gl=24591 Call Toll-free: 1-888-234-8533 or Email: info@devp.org 2. Donate through CNEWA https://cnewa.org/ca/work/emergency-syria/ Let us pray: For the people of Turkey and Syria suffering from the devastating earthquakes. May they experience the Lord in their midst through the support of the global community during this time of great loss, Let us pray to the Lord. 
Human Trafficking in Canada
February 8th is the Feast Day of St. Josephine Bakhita and also an International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking. As Catholics, we should be aware of the reality of human trafficking and sexual exploitation in our own community amongst the most marginalized, especially our women, youth, and children. Canada's “Protection of Communities Exploited Persons Act (PCEPA - 2014)” is currently under review in parliament. For more information on the progress of this bill and what you can do to ensure it stays in place in Canada, visit defendignity.ca. You can also visit our new Human Trafficking & Sexual Exploitation webpage for more resources by clicking here. 
Congratulations to Most Rev. Héctor Vila
Congratulations to Bishop Vila on the 7th Anniversary of his Episcopal Ordination (February 7th). We are grateful for his spiritual guidance and care of the people of God in Yukon and Northern BC. Our prayers are with him as he continues his work in our Diocese of Whitehorse. 
31st World Day of the Sick - February 11, 2023
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick will be offered at all Masses at Sacred Heart Cathedral and Our Lady of Victory Parish in Whitehorse this coming Saturday, February 11th and Sunday, February 12th. Anyone who is in need - physically, mentally, or spiritually sick; the elderly; those struggling with addictions of all kinds, etc. - is welcome to receive this anointing. For those living outside of Whitehorse, the Anointing of the Sick will also be offered in parishes and missions throughout the month of February where a priest is visiting. Note that on this special day, we also consider the important role of palliative care in caring for the sick. Visit our palliative care page for more information.
Announcement of Death of Fr. Oscar Pauwels, OMI
We would like to share with you the news of the passing of Fr. Oscar Pauwels, OMI On January 22, 2023. Fr. Pauwels served in the Diocese of Whitehorse for many years. Please click here for more information. 
Feast Day of St. Francis de Sales
On this 24th day of January, the Feast Day of St. Francis de Sales, we invite you to reflect upon His Holiness Pope Francis' Apostolic Letter, Totum Amoris Est (Everything Pertains to Love), which the Vatican released on Dec. 28th, 2022 to mark the 400th anniversary of the death of this doctor of the Church. You can also learn more about St. Francis de Sales through the four-part video series on Formed.org. 
*Deadline to register is May 1, 2023
Pope Francis' Message
For the 31st World Day of the Sick World Day of the Sick is celebrated each year on February 11, the liturgical memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes. Pope Francis invites us "to reflect on the fact that it is precisely through the experience of fragility and illness that we can learn to walk together according to God's style of closeness, compassion and tenderness." Click on the image below to read the Holy Father's Message.
The CCCB's corresponding statement, along with resources, can be found on the cccb.ca website.
Message from Bishop Vila
World Day of Missionary Childhood As the Holy Father greeted all missionary boys and girls on the feast of the Epiphany and World Day of Missionary Childhood, I too join my voice to highlight the role of missionary children in our Diocese. To all our children who are living and defending the Gospels, children of our families in mission and every child who is aiming at holiness of heart in missioning for the love of Jesus Christ: know that you are fully fledged and necessary witnesses of the love of God for all generations and most especially yours. My prayers and the prayers of the whole Church are with you, accompanying you in your joys and through your sacrifices. May our Heavenly Father strengthen and sustain you now and forever. + Héctor Vila Bishop of the Diocese of Whitehorse On this day of the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, the Church recognizes that children are agents of evangelization in their own unique way, and should be accorded the dignity they deserve to serve the Church as witness of the Gospel. 
Continental Stage of the Synod on Synodality
As we move into the Continental Stage of the Synod on Synodality, we are pleased to inform you that Bishop Hector Vila has put a team together of five delegates to participate in the Synod.
These Catholic Faithful will reflect on what The Holy See has manifested in the working document, '“Enlarge the Space of Your Tent”' and will be attending the North American Virtual Continental Assemblies meetings in January and February 2023. We encourage you, as people of God, to continue walking together in the three-year synodal process to discern more deeply what the Holy Spirit is saying to the Church today. Please pray for our delegates as they contribute to this important work. Synod: Church leaders welcome Document for Continental Stage (Vatican News (Oct 28, 2022) Working Document for the Continental Stage (Oct 27, 2022) CCCB North American Continental Phase FAQ Spiritual Testament of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
August 29, 2006
Statement from Bishop Vila
Following the news of the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI by the Holy See. A special Mass for the intention of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI will be celebrated by Bishop Vila at Sacred Heart Cathedral,
on Thursday January 5th at 12:10pm. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
The Holy See has announced that Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI passed away today, December 31, 2022 at 9:34 in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican City.
We join in mourning the loss of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, faithful disciple of Christ and defender of our Christian faith. Let us pray for the repose of his soul.
56th WORLD DAY OF PEACE
Click here for His Holiness Pope Francis' message: LVI World Day of Peace 2023 - Francis (vatican.va) |
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. | ||||||||||||||
