In keeping with the spirit of the “World Day of the Sick” (Saturday, February 11th), a celebration was held at St. John Catholic Elementary School on Wednesday, February 8th,at which time students, staff, and invited guests joined together to take part in a prayer service honouring their community. Reverend Jim Ketzler from St. John the Evangelist Church led the service in which statues and crucifixes that were donated by the Sisters of St. Joseph from the former St. Joseph Health Centre (General Hospital) were blessed and then distributed around the school. As well, there were special blessings for all health care providers and the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick for all those who were present and in need. “At the beginning of the school year, all of the principals gathered together with Bishop Simard, Senior Administration and our parish partners, to put together pastoral plans for our schools,” Tricia Dowdall-Cerilli, Principal of St. John stated. “We had discussed many options, but we knew that this was definitely something we wanted to celebrate as we were so honoured to be gifted these crucifixes and statues from the hospital. Seeing as in the month of February, we celebrate the virtue of empathy – we knew that the timing was perfect for us to bring our community together, and take part in such a wonderful, meaningful celebration.”
St. John Catholic Elementary School Supports St. John the Evangelist Parish
Father Mathieu, Parish Priest of St. John the Evangelist in Garson accepted a cheque from Toni Kritz-Roque, the grade 2 teacher from St. John Catholic Elementary School last week. The school raised the money through gift donations from staff and students that were used to make baskets and then raffled off. As well, local business donated gift certificates for the school’s gift tree. Tickets were sold and a total of $1500 was raised to support the parish. The parish is using the money to purchase malaria nets for children in third world countries. Each net costs ten dollars and can potentially protect a small family or groups of children from malaria.
Relay for Life to be hosted by St. John Catholic School
On Friday, June 12, 2009 from 9:15-11:45, over 400 students, teachers and parents from the St. John Catholic School community will rally together to help raise funds by holding a Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life at our school.
The Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life involves participants who take turns walking, running or strolling around a track. Proceeds are used to fund cancer research and community services for people living with cancer and their families.
Most Reverend Robert Harris Appointed Bishop of Saint John, New Brunswick
The Holy Father, Benedict XVI has recently announced the appointment of the Most Reverend Robert Harris, as Bishop of Saint John, New Brunswick. Since his episcopal ordination on December 12, 2002 until today, Bishop Harris has served as the Auxiliary Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie.
Bishop Plouffe has declared “Bishop Harris will be missed by many in this diocese and personally, I am losing a very loyal and dedicated immediate collaborator. Even though his episcopal ministry among us was brief, we will always remember him for his kind and sensitive approach to people and challenges. We wish him well as he undertakes his new responsibilities and assure him of our prayers and most sincere gratitude.”
Bishop Harris becomes the twelfth Bishop of the Diocese of Saint John. Founded September 30, 1842 it is the seventh oldest Roman Catholic Diocese in Canada. Belonging to the Metropolitan See of Moncton, the Diocese serves a population of 115,400 Roman Catholic dispersed over a territory of 60,000 square kilometres, including seven counties and three principal regions: Saint John, Fredericton and Miramichi.
The fifty-eight parishes and thirty-two missions are served by 67 diocesan priests, 13 religious priests, 2 deacons, 1 religious brother and 139 religious women.
During his time in the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie, Bishop Harris served as Vicar General, Co-ordinator of Pastoral Services (both English and French sectors), Associate Judicial Vicar of the Matrimonial Tribunal, Chancellor and Director of Vocations. At the level of the Ontario Conference of Catholic Bishops (OCCB) as well as the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishop (CCCB), Bishop Harris has served on several Episcopal Commissions, Councils and Committees.
The date of his installation will be announced in the near future.
Bishop Harris’ letter to the faithful of our diocese can be read here.