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NEWS AND UPDATES:
MAiD* SURVEY: 'NATIONAL CONVERSATIONS ON ADVANCE REQUESTS'
Deadline: Friday, February 14, 2025 You are invited to complete the federal government survey, 'National Conversations on Advance Requests', to provide your feedback on this topic. Complete the Federal Survey THE SURVEY IS OPEN UNTIL FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2025. For information on the topics of medical assistance in dying and palliative care, please visit our diocesan website. Let us continue to pray for respect for life from conception to natural death. Background: MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying) is the term used by the Canadian government for legalized euthanasia and assisted suicide. This past October 2024, Québec implemented a law allowing advance directives for MAiD for patients with capacity-limiting illnesses (dementia, alzheimers). This means that an individual can choose MAiD in advance, and make a decision before they are eligible. The intent is that MAiD be provided in the future after the individual has lost the capacity to consent. While acknowledging that this is not in accordance with the Criminal Code, the Federal government has chosen not to challenge Québec's legislation. Instead, it is launching a series of consultations, including a public survey. 
33RD WORLD DAY OF THE SICK
On 27 January 2025, the Vatican released Pope Francis' message for the 33rd World Day of the Sick, which will be celebrated on Tuesday, 11 February 2025, liturgical memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes. Inspired by the Jubilee Year’s theme of hope, this year’s theme for World Day of the Sick is “‘Hope does not disappoint’ (Rom 5:5), but strengthens us in times of trial.” Also, because of the Jubilee Year, this year’s World Day of the Sick is closely connected to the Jubilee of the Sick and Health Care Workers on 5-6 April 2025 and the Jubilee of People with Disabilities on 28 and 29 April 2025. For more information: CCCB Media Release and resources Catholic Health Association of BC (CHABC) resources and classroom activities Download prayer card (pdf) Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick: The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick will be offered at Masses on February 11th where there is a priest. For more information about this sacrament and to request it, please contact your local Catholic church. 
INDIGENOUS RECONCILIATION FUND UPDATE
The Indigenous Reconciliation Fund Committee for the Diocese of Whitehorse is pleased to announce that the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation will receive $35,000 from the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund for their Old Crow Biathlon Project. Building on Father Jean-Marie Mouchet's historic TEST program, this initiative brings youth and elders together to practice snowshoe biathlon. The project aims to promote youth health, provide alternatives to substance abuse, and prepare participants for competitions like the Arctic Winter Games. By combining traditional skills with athletic training, the program will instill self-pride, responsibility, and cultural connection among young community members. This funding represents a meaningful step in Indigenous reconciliation and community empowerment. We extend a heartfelt thank you to the Diocese of Hamilton for partnering with our diocese in funding this project. Applications to the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund are continually being accepted, please visit our IRF webpage for more information. We also invite you to visit the national IRF Projects page to view other projects across Canada being supported by the IRF. 
PASTORAL LETTER ON THE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
On this one-year anniversary of the publication of the Pastoral Letter on the use of social media, “Let Your Speech Always be Gracious,” the CCCB is pleased to announce the launch of a new CCCB video series and other resources to help readers – individually or in group settings – to unpack the rich pastoral and moral insights of the Pastoral Letter more fully. The videos are available in both English and French. We invite you to read and view the Pastoral Letter and videos which can be found on the CCCB's new webpage: https://www.cccb.ca/.../pastoral-letter-on-the-use-of.../ 
WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY 2025
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2025 will take place in Canada from the 18th to the 25th of January, 2025. This year’s theme, inspired by the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, is “Do you believe this?” (Jn 11:26). Please find below links to the CCCB press release: English: https://www.cccb.ca/media-release/the-week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-2025/ French: https://www.cecc.ca/communique-de-presse/the-week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-2025 
WORLD DAY OF PEACE 2025
The Message of Pope Francis for the 58th World Day of Peace is on the theme ‘Forgive us our trespasses: grant us your peace’. For the World Day of Peace, which falls every 1 January, the Holy Father addresses a Message of good wishes and hope to Heads of State and Government, Heads of International Organizations, Leaders of different religions and every person of good will. Hope, which also characterizes the Jubilee Year, is the preponderant theme of this 58th Message. Pope Francis invites us to look at the many challenges that severely endanger the survival of humanity and Creation with a heart full of hope. To do this, it is necessary to rely on God's mercy. By His forgiving our debts, we will rediscover ourselves all children of the Father, and therefore all brothers and sisters, united on the path of peace. 
BLESSED MARIE-ANNE BLONDIN BURSARY
The Diocese of Whitehorse is pleased to administer this bursary established by the Sisters of St. Ann in honour of their foundress, Blessed Marie-Anne Blondin. For more information about the Sisters of St. Ann and the life and history of Blessed Marie-Anne Blondin please visit the Sisters of Saint Anne website or the CCCB's Blessed Marie-Anne Blondin webpage. The purpose of the bursary is to offer financial assistance to lay women of the Diocese of Whitehorse for:
For more information or to request a printed application form, please contact the Diocese of Whitehorse at [email protected] or 867-667-2052.
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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. 
Helpline: 1-855-675-8749.
It is confidential and free.
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