Bill C-7, which will expand the eligibility criteria for euthanasia and assisted suicide, passed in the Legislature and was sent to the Senate for approval. In the Senate further changes were made that would allow MAID (Medical Assistance in Dying) to occur more often by removing the “reasonable foreseeability of natural death” criterion currently in the Criminal Code. It will also allow MAID for those who are suffering from mental illness. Senator Denise Batters spoke quite eloquently last week as the third reading of the Bill was occurring in the Senate. Please take the time to listen to her words as she lays out her thoughts and passionately defends the vulnerable in our country: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7empfv36HM&feature=youtu.be
While it will be challenging to stop the proposed changes now, it is not too late for Catholics to make their voices heard. Please encourage your parishioners to watch this video clip by posting it on your website, mentioning it at Mass and sending this clip out to your e-mail list. Ask people to contact their Member of Parliament and let them know that the changes proposed to Bill C-7 go too far, beyond what the courts called for and now puts at risk all persons suffering from mental health or disabilities, the very people we should be most want to protect.
I mentioned these amendments and Senator Batters’ intervention in “From the Vineyard” on Friday. The video will provide you with some great insights for sharing this topic with your parishioners. I am also linking to the fact sheet about Bill C-7 that the CCCB produced late last year. I believe it is important that we alert our people to these important and troubling developments and encourage their active response.
In Christ,
Bishop Daniel Miehm
Office of the Most Reverend Bishop Miehm
The Ontario government has returned most Health Units to the colour-coded framework of pandemic health restrictions. The following information details how this will impact the Parishes and Missions of the Diocese of Peterborough.
PARISHES SERVED BY PETERBOROUGH, HASTINGS-PRINCE EDWARD, HKPR, DURHAM AND SIMCOE-MUSKOKA HEALTH UNITS
Parishes served by these five regional Health Units will return to the threshold of 30% capacity for churches on Tuesday, February 16, 2021.
PARISHES SERVED BY NORTH BAY-PARRY SOUND DISTRICT HEALTH UNIT
The North Bay–Parry Sound District Health Unit is one of the regions that will remain in lockdown until at least Monday, March 8, 2021. Therefore, churches will continue to be limited to a maximum attendance of 10 people. (including the priest and the liturgical ministers)
Parishes in the North Bay–Parry Sound District Health District:
St. Joseph Parish, Powassan
St. John Mission, Nipissing
St. Patrick Parish, Kearney
Holy Spirit Mission, Burk’s Falls
St. Peter the Apostle Parish, Parry Sound
Mission of St. Peter, (Killbear) Nobel
Sacred Heart Parish, Trout Creek
St. Augustine Mission, South River
St. Mary Mission, Port Loring
Holy Family Parish, Britt
St. Therese Mission, Pointe au Baril
St. Michael Mission, Rosseau
Mass for the Third Sunday in Lent from the Cathedral of St. Peter-in-Chains in Peterborough, ON
+Most Reverend Bishop Miehm celebrates the Mass for the Third Sunday of Lent at the Cathedral in Peterborough. (March 7, 2021)
Celebrant: +Most Reverend Bishop Miehm
Cantor: Fr. Paul Massel
Cantor and pianist: Kelly Robertson
Lector: Deirdre Thomas
Cathedral Technician: Steven Moore
The YouTube link below will be live starting on Saturday, March 6, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. Please join in prayer!
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops presents Journey through Lent with the Most Rev Gerard Bergie, Bishop of St. Catharines. Join us as we reflect on...
La Conférence des évêques catholiques du Canada présente Cheminer ensemble durant le temps du Carême. Réfléchissons ensemble avec Monseigneur Marcel Damphous...
The 2021 theme – "Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit." (John 15:5-9) – calls us to pray and to work for reconciliation and unity in the church, with our human family, and with all of creation. Drawing on the Gospel image of vine and branches, it invites us to nourish unity with God and with one another through contemplative silence, prayer, and common action. Grafted into Christ the vine as many diverse branches, may we bear rich fruit and create new ways of living, with respect for and communion with all of creation.
Please click the link below for some resources from the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity to prepare for the celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2021 next week:
