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 Or use the QR Code:
|
NEWS AND UPDATES:
CHRISM MASS
You are all invited to join Most Rev. Héctor Vila and his priests in the diocese at the Chrism Mass on Tuesday, March 31st, 2026 at 5pm at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Whitehorse.
What is a Chrism Mass? PASTORAL LETTER FOR EASTER 2026
We wish you a blessed Holy Week and invite all the Faithful of the Diocese to read Most Rev. Héctor Vila's letter to you for this Easter 2026.
Pastoral Letter for Easter 2026 Lettre pastorale pour le dimanche de Pâques 2026 
COLLECTION FOR THE NEEDS OF THE HOLY LAND
On behalf of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, we would like to highlight the urgency of the Collection for the Needs of the Holy Land, which will take place in Catholic churches across Canada on Good Friday (April 3rd). We also invite you to deepen your prayer for peace and for those who endure hardship, drawing on God as the source of all hope. Please click on the links below to read the letter from the Prefect, His Eminence Claudio Cardinal Gugerotti, concerning the current situation in the Holy Land. Letter in English Lettre en français https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-03/cardinal-gugerotti-good-friday-collection-appeal-holy-land.html BILL C-9 - COMBATTING HATE ACT
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) issued an open letter on December 4th to Prime Minister Mark Carney urging the government to halt its plan to remove the long-standing religious-text exemption from Canada’s hate-speech laws. The letter was also sent to key federal officials. Catholic leaders warn that eliminating this protection could place legitimate religious teaching and pastoral ministry at risk.
Multiple faith communities—Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, and others—have expressed unified alarm. They caution that removing this defence could chill ordinary religious speech and create uncertainty for homilies, catechesis, pastoral counselling, marriage preparation, youth ministry, and online evangelization. You are urged to contact, by phone or email, your Member of Parliament and/or Senator expressing your opposition to removing the religious-text exemption in Bill C-9. Share your concerns about how the amendment could affect preaching, teaching, pastoral care, and the Church’s public witness. Yukon MP - Brendan Hanley Prince George-Peace River- Northern Rockies - Bob Zimmer Yukon Senator - Pat Duncan BC Senators 
PRAYERS FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST
“For peace in the Middle East: that the Lord may touch hearts, guide leaders toward dialogue and reconciliation, and bring comfort to all who suffer because of war. " In light of rising tensions and the risk of an escalating armed conflict, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement calling the Catholic Faithful to prayer for peace in the Middle East. 
ENTERING THE LENTEN SEASON
Lent begins on Wednesday, February 18th with the Ash Wednesday celebration. As we enter the lenten season, we invite you to visit our Lent 2026 webpage. There you will find a variety of information and resources for your journey, as well as special activities happening in our various parishes and missions in the Diocese of Whitehorse. We also invite you to read the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV's message for Lent, as well as watch the weekly 'Journey Through Lent' videos presented by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB). These videos are available in both English and French. 
34th WORLD DAY OF THE SICK
On 27 January 2025, the Vatican released Pope Leo XIV's message for the 34th World Day of the Sick, which will be celebrated on Wednesday, 11 February 2025, liturgical memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes. This year’s theme for World Day of the Sick is “‘The compassion of the Samaritan: loving by bearing another's pain.’” For more information: CCCB Media Release and resources Classroom activities (elementary and high school) Download prayer card (pdf) Our Lady of Lourdes Novena (beginning Feb 2nd) The story of Our Lady of Lourdes 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.
CCCB SUPPORT FOR BILL C-218
Protecting persons with mental illness The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has issued a public statement in support of Bill C-218 (which seeks to stop “MAiD” for mental illness alone), and "encourages the Catholic faithful, in communion with their local Bishop, and all people of goodwill, to express their support for the same. The CCCB further calls on the government to allow free conscience voting on this matter, given its profound moral and social implications." Please visit the CCCB website to read the entire statement: In english: https://www.cccb.ca/media-release/cccb-statement-on-bill-c-218-no-maid-for-mental-illness/ En français: https://www.cecc.ca/communique-de-presse/declaration-de-la-cecc-concernant-le-projet-de-loi-c-218-rejet-de-l-aide-medicale-a-mourir-pour-les-troubles-mentaux/ 
BLESSED MARIE-ANNE BLONDIN BURSARY
The Diocese of Whitehorse is pleased to administer this annual bursary established by the Sisters of St. Ann in honour of their foundress, Blessed Marie-Anne Blondin. The purpose of the bursary is to offer financial assistance to lay women of the Diocese of Whitehorse for:
DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FORM For information, visit our Blessed Marie-Anne Blondin Bursary webpage. You can also contact the Diocese of Whitehorse at [email protected] or 867-667-2052. To learn more 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. 
WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY 2026
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026 will take place in Canada from the 18th to the 25th of January, 2026. This year’s theme is “There is one body and one spirit, just as you were called to the hope of your calling.” (Ephesians 4:4) CCCB media release: In English: https://www.cccb.ca/media-release/2026-week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity/ In French: https://www.cecc.ca/communique-de-presse/semaine-de-priere-pour-lunite-des-chretiens-en-2026/ For resource materials and more information about the WPCU 2026, visit www.weekofprayer.ca/2026-wpcu-resources/ 
PASTORAL CARE ONLINE TRAINING PROGRAM
Offered by the Diocese of Victoria We thank the Diocese of Victoria for making available to our diocese this free online Pastoral Care training program. The training is for those who are interested in being pastoral care visitors to the home bound and shut-ins, and in hospitals and long-term care facilities. It’s also for those who wish to gain skills to help care for their family members, friends, and neighbours, or as a personal undertaking. Nine sessions will be held via Zoom on Saturday mornings from 9:30 – noon PST (10:30am - 1pm Yukon time), starting on January 24 and running until March 28, 2026 (with no session on March 7). Participants will require a phone number and email address, a computer, tablet or smart phone with speakers, microphone and webcam, a reliable Internet connection, and access to Zoom. The registration deadline has been extended. Please contact the Diocese of Whitehorse office at [email protected] or 867-667-2052. 
Click on the links below for further details, or contact the Diocese of Whitehorse.
Announcement Descriptions of each session Poster Pope Leo XIV has emphasized a pastoral approach characterized by humility, service, and a focus on the needs of the marginalized, particularly those most vulnerable and suffering. In this Pastoral Care training program, participants learn how to accompany the lonely, sick, elderly, palliative, and the dying.
|
Helpline: 1-855-675-8749.
It is confidential and free.
|
Location |
Contact UsSt. Kateri Pastoral Centre
Roman Catholic Diocese of Whitehorse 5119 – 5th Avenue Whitehorse, YT Y1A 1L5 Phone: (867) 667-2052 Fax: (867) 667-4713 Email: [email protected]
|
