Advent 2023 resources
(+ Simbang Gabi Novena Masses) 
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NEWS AND UPDATES:
Light of Life Video Series Ends
The Light of Life video series which began in December 2020 has come to an end with the closing of the three year liturgical cycle (Years A,B,C). We would like to thank Fr. Bartek Palczewski, Fr. Antonello Murgia, Fr. Mauricio Sanjines, and Fr. Jorge Lopez for their time and devotion o this online ministry. The Diocese of Whitehorse is looking at beginning a new video series in the future. In the meantime, you may still access the former videos on our YouTube channel. 
DIOCESAN CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE
Traveling in the Yukon and Northern BC this Christmas? Join us at any of these Masses throughout the Diocese of Whitehorse. (Click here for schedule) CHRISTMAS GREETINGS FROM BISHOP HECTOR VILA
CALLED TO LOVE:
Education in the Faith, and Vocation within the Family Session 5 of the Called to Love catechesis program for adults and parents will be held this Friday, December 15th, 2023 from 7 to 8:30pm in the CYO Hall at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Education for Chastity and Self- Mastery – Presented by Bishop Héctor Vila 
BISHOP VILA'S PASTORAL LETTER
For the Season of Advent 2023 Bishop Héctor Vila extends his greetings in this Pastoral Letter to all parishioners in the Diocese of Whitehorse as we enter this Advent season of preparation for the birth of Christ. Pastoral Letter for the Season of Advent 2023 Lettre pastorale pour la saison de L'Avent 2023 Have a blessed Advent season. 
ADVENT 2023 WEBPAGE *NEW
As we approach the season of Advent, we invite you to visit our Advent 2023 webpage for a variety of resources to help prepare your heart for the coming of Christ. 
THE NATIVITY SCENE
An 800 Year Tradition (1223 to 2023) In celebration of the 800th anniversary of the Nativity scene, we invite all parishioners in the Diocese of Whitehorse to send us a picture of your Nativity scene to be posted in our Nativity scene photo gallery on this website. Photos may be emailed to [email protected] To learn about the beautiful history of the Nativity scene from the time of St. Francis of Assisi, please visit our Nativity scene webpage. CALLED TO LOVE:
Education in the Faith, and Vocation within the Family Session 4 of the Called to Love catechesis program for adults and parents will be held this Friday, November 24th, 2023 from 7 to 8:30pm in the CYO Hall at Sacred Heart Cathedral. In the Light of Vocation – The Vocation of Marriage and The Vocation to Virginity and Celibacy. Presenters: Joshua and Denise Grimard, Missionary Family in Telegraph Creek BC CCCB FAMILY HOLINESS VIDEOS
Recordings of the CCCB “Concrete Ways to Renew Practices of Family Holiness” webinar held on June 3rd, 2023 are now available on the CCCB YouTube channel in both English and French. This webinar featured Mons. Philippe Bordeyne, President of the Pontifical John Paul II Theological Institute for Marriage and Family Sciences, Rome, Italy.
This is a beautiful supplement to our local diocesan Called to Love program which is held every second Friday from 7 to 8:30pm in the CYO Hall. of Sacred Heart Cathedral. For more information, contact the Chancery at [email protected].
The next session (3) will be this Friday, November 10th at 7pm. The topic will be Human Love as Self-Giving: Love and Human Sexuality, presented by Fr. Leo Llames. 
CALLED TO LOVE:
Education in the Faith, and Vocation within the Family Session 2 of the Called to Love catechesis program for adults and parents will be held tomorrow, Friday, October 27th, 2023 from 7 to 8:30pm in the CYO Hall at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Presentation of the document "The truth and meaning of human sexuality - Guidelines for Education within the Family" from the Pontifical Council for the Family. Presenter: Myriam Lafrance 
PEACE IN THE HOLY LAND
Appeal of the Holy Father During his weekly General Audience on October 18th, the Holy Father made an appeal to all Christians to set aside Friday, October 27th, 2023 as a day of prayer and fasting for peace in the Holy Land. You are encouraged to participate in this sacrifice, and to pray for the victims and for an end to this conflict in Gaza . * * *
Appeal of the Holy Father “Today too, dear brothers and sisters, our thoughts turn to Palestine and Israel. The number of victims is rising and the situation in Gaza is desperate. Please, let everything possible be done to avoid a humanitarian disaster. The possible widening of the conflict is disturbing, while so many war fronts are already open in the world. May weapons fall silent! Let us heed the cry for peace of populations, of the people, of the children! Brothers and sisters, war does not solve any problem: it sows only death and destruction, foments hate and proliferates revenge. War cancels out the future. I urge believers to take just one side in this conflict: that of peace. But not with words — with prayer, with total dedication. With this in mind, I have decided to call for a day of fasting and prayer, of penance, on Friday 27 October, to which I invite sisters and brothers of the various Christian denominations, those belonging to other religions and all those who have at heart the cause of peace in the world, to join in as they see fit. That evening, at 6 p.m., at Saint Peter’s, we will spend an hour of prayer, in a spirit of penance, to implore peace in our time, peace in this world. I ask all the particular Churches to participate by arranging similar activities involving the People of God.” 
THE FOUR CONSTITUTIONS OF VATICAN II
Webinar Series Registration is now open! In preparation for Jubilee 2025, the year 2023 is dedicated to Vatican II. The CCCB Office for Evangelization and Catechesis will host a webinar series, "The Four Constitutions of Vatican II", inviting the faithful to reflect on the meaning of these documents for the life of the Church today. Simultaneous interpretation (French/English) will be available for all four sessions: 1. "Sacrosanctum Concillium" — Msgr. Murray Kroetsch, PH, VG (Tue 7 Nov — 1:00-2:30 pm EST) 2. "Dei Verbum" — Bishop Yvan Mathieu, SM (Tue 14 Nov — 1:00-2:30 pm EST) 3. "Gaudium et Spes" — Sr. Donna Geernaert, SC (Tue 21 Nov — 1:00-2:30 pm EST) 4. "Lumen Gentium" — Dr. Catherine Clifford (Tue 28 Nov — 1:00-2:30 pm EST) All webinar sessions will be recorded and packaged with a reflection guide for later release. If you wish to attend any of the webinar session or to be notified when session recordings are made available, please register here. 
CONFLICT IN THE HOLY LAND
In response to the escalation of the conflict in the Holy Land, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has released the following statements. Please pray for peace in the Gaza Strip and especially for all those who are affected. CCCB Statement re. Conflict in the Holy Land (English) CCEC Escalade du conflict en Terre-Sainte (French) 2023 NATIONAL TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION DAY CCCB Statement to the Catholic Faithful
"The Executive Committee of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops welcomes the 2023 National Day of Truth and Reconciliation as an opportunity to reflect on the tragic legacy of the former Indian Residential Schools and to pray for a continued path of healing with our Indigenous Peoples." Click here to read the full statement in English or French 
LIFE CHAIN 2023
Life Chain is a peaceful pro-life witness that takes place annually across North America. Last year, almost 300 communities participated across Canada, representing all ten provinces and one territory. Participants prayed for an end to abortion and for those impacted. There will be a Life Chain 2023 event in Whitehorse on Sunday, October 1st from noon to 1pm at the corner of the Alaska Highway and the top of Two Mile Hill. For more information about Life Chain, visit https://www.campaignlifecoalition.com/life-chain. Life Chain poster (Whitehorse) 2023 CCCB PLENARY ASSEMBLY UPDATES
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) is working in partnership with Salt & Light to produce daily videos of the Plenary Assembly. We will be posting the YouTube videos here everyday. For recordings of all the meetings in both English and French, visit the CCCB_CECC YouTube channel.
POLISH FAMILY BEATIFIED
On September 10, 2023, nine members of the Ulma family in Poland were beatified for their martyrdom when they harboured Jews during World War II. What is beautiful and unique is that this beatification of an entire family, including an unborn child, is the first of its kind. The beatified family members are Jozef and Wiktoria Ulma, and their children Stanisława, Barbara, Władysław, Franciszek, Antoni, Maria, and an unnamed child who was born at the moment of Wiktoria's martyrdom. For more information: Vatican News (10 September 2023) The Ulma Family Museum of Poles Saving Jews in World War II 
CCCB 2023 ANNUAL PLENARY ASSEMBLY
Press release Next week, from September 25 to 28, 2023, the Plenary Assembly of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) will gather in King City, Ontario, for its annual meeting, bringing together 79 Bishops to deliberate, discern, and discuss the life of the Church in Canada. Below are links to the press release from the CCCB describing what will be discussed at the meeting. Please pray that God will bless them and their work during their annual assembly in Ontario this coming week. 
POPE FRANCIS' SEPTEMBER 2023 INTENTION
For people living on the margins "Let's stop making invisible those who are on the margins of society, whether it's due to poverty, addictions, mental illness or disability. let's focus on welcoming them." - Pope Francis 
if you are not already subscribed to Encounter, the newsletter of the CCCB Office for Evangelization and Catechesis, Select Subscribe here!
The Holy Father's Apostolic Visit to Canada:
Looking Back One Year Later Today, July 26th, as we celebrate the Feast of Saint Anne and Saint Joachim, we reflect also on His Holiness Pope Francis' visit to Canada one year ago in July. CCCB Press Release: The Holy Father's Apostolic Visit to Canada - Looking Back One Year Later CECC Communiqué de press: La visite apostolique du Saint-Père au Canada - Rétrospective un an après * * * * * 
We are also pleased to share with you the link to the official trailer of the Salt + Film Media film,
WALKING TOGETHER: INTO ONE BEAT, a documentary on Pope Francis' historic penitential pilgrimmage of healing and reconciliation to Canada, which will be premiering on Thursday, July 27, 2023 at 8pm EST on Salt + Light TV (Trailer | Walking Together: Into One Beat | Salt + Light Media (slmedia.org)) 
III World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
«His mercy is from age to age» (Lk. 1:50) is the theme chosen by the Holy Father for the III World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly and for the Message, that bears the date of the Feast of the Visitation and is made public today. This year’s celebration dedicated to grandparents and the elderly will take place on Sunday, July 23, just days before the start of World Youth Day in Lisbon. Resources from the Bishops of Canada: In English: https://www.cccb.ca/faith-moral-issues/family-and-life/grandparents-and-the-elderly/ En Français: www.cecc.ca/foi-et-questions-morales/famille-et-vie/grands-parents-et-personnes-ainees/ 
Press Release from the Bishops of Canada - World Youth Day in Lisbon : August 1-6 2023
Bishop Vila is thrilled to announce that he will be joining the 5,000 Canadian Youth who are going to meet with Pope Francis in Portugal! Click here to read the Press Release in English https://www.cccb.ca/media-release/5000-canadian-youth-join-pope-francis-in-portugal-for-world-youth-day/ Cliquez ici pour lire le Communiqué de Presse en Français https://www.cecc.ca/communique-de-presse/5-000-jeunes-canadiens-et-canadiennes-se-joignent-au-pape-francois-au-portugal-pour-les-jmj/ 
A Rosary of Reconciliation
The Catholic Women’s League of Canada is offering an opportunity for prayer, reflection and healing through praying a Rosary of Reconciliation on National Indigenous Peoples Day. You are invited to join this online prayer event to raise your voices in prayer and meditation on the continuing need for reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in Canada. All are welcome. The Rosary of Reconciliation, featuring the Glorious Mysteries, will take place online on Wednesday, June 21 at 6 pm CDT. (4pm Yukon Time) To register, please click on the following link: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6782654566473493087 
St. John the Baptist Church (Carcross, Yukon)
Mass update Note that there will be no Mass at St. John the Baptist Catholic Mission in Carcross, Yukon on June 11th and 18th. Please join us for Holy Mass in Whitehorse. Thank you. 
The Month of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
The month of June is dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, a symbol of love, communion and compassion. The devotion of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is celebrated by Catholics throughout Canada and around the world. Message from Most Rev. Héctor Vila: Let us be channels of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (03 June 2023) Litany of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus "Devotion to the Most Sacred Heart is the extraordinary remedy for the extraordinary needs of our time.” -Pope Pius XI, 1928 Family & Life Webinar - June 3, 2023
Join us for the CCCB webinar, "Concrete Way to Renew Practices of Family Holiness" on Saturday, June 3, 2023 from 10 to 11:30am Yukon time (1 to 2:30pm EDT). This webinar will be presented in French with LIVE simultaneous translation in English. Click on either image to view the poster and register, or click here to go directly to the registration page.
Catholic Education Week - May 15 to 19, 2023
The Catholic Education Association of Yukon (CEAY) is celebrating Catholic Education Week beginning May 15th, and Catholic Education 'Wear Blue' Day on Thursday, May 18th. For more information about Yukon Catholic Schools, visit CEAY's website at ceayukon.ca, or our Catholic Education in Yukon webpage. 
CCCB News Release on euthanasia/assisted suicide federal legislation for persons with mental illness
In the context of the National Week for Family and Life, the Permanent Council of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has issued both an Open Letter to the Government of Canada and a Message to the Catholic Faithful on federal legislation which, by 17 March 2024, will permit persons living with mental illness to access euthanasia. Link to CCCB News Release: "CCCB Permanent Council Issues an Open Letter to the Federal Government and a Message to the Catholic Faithful on Permitting Persons Living with Mental Illness to Access Euthanasia/Assisted Suicide” (May 9, 2023) Message to the Catholic Faithful on Permitting Persons Living with Mental Illness to Access Euthanasia/Assisted Suicide Open Letter to the Government of Canada on Permitting Persons Living with Mental Illness to Access Euthanasia/Assisted Suicide The CCCB encourages you, the faithful, “to witness to life, to tend to and accompany the sick, to resist pressure to support or participate in ‘MAiD,’ and to pray that our law makers may see the harm in what they are permitting to take place.” Links to resources: Euthanasia & Assisted Dying and Palliative Care 
Family & Life Daily Prayers with the Saints
Celebrate National Family & Life Week each day beginning Monday, May 8th, 2023 with daily prayers and activities featuring a different Saint each day. Click here to read and download the activity sheets. 
National Family & Life Week - May 7 to 14, 2023
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) invite the faithful in Canada to celebrate the joy and beauty of family and life by seeking out new and creative ways to live out this call in our daily lives. Visit our Family & Life Week webpage for links to prayers, family activities and resources, and articles on this topic. 
* The deadline to register has been extended to May 15th, 2023
Feast of St. Kateri Tekakwitha – April 17, 2023
Today we celebrate the Feast of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha who was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on October 21, 2012, in Rome.
"Kateri impresses us by the action of grace in her life in spite of the absence of external help and by the courage of her vocation, so unusual in her culture. In her, faith and culture enrich each other! May her example help us to live where we are, loving Jesus without denying who we are. Saint Kateri, Protectress of Canada and the first native American saint, we entrust to you the renewal of the faith in the first nations and in all of North America! May God bless the first nations!” Pope Benedict XVI – Sunday October 12, 2012, St. Peter’s Square 
Bishop Vila's Pastoral Letter for Easter 2023
Diocesan Easter Triduum Mass Schedule ** updated April 4th, 2023** *Click on image to download PDF 
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: [email protected] 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
