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Issue 16, Vol. 16
Dear God, every good and perfect gift comes from you. We want to thank you for our clergy: our deacons, priests and bishops. Each one is an invaluable gift to the church and the community. We want to thank them for the great sacrifices they make to ensure that we grow spiritually.
Lord, continue prospering each one and his work. Grant him wisdom that he may know how to teach the Word in a way that brings people closer to your son Jesus Christ. Please help him to operate in knowledge and understanding when he counsels people who are going through different challenges in life.
In Jesus’ name, we believe and pray, Amen.
- Adapted from prayer by N. Regoli
"SYNODAL PROCESS" LAUNCHES IN MONTREAL
Pope Francis has launched a worldwide preparation process for the Synod of Bishops to be held October 2023, calling all faithful to take part in discerning the path forward for the Church.
To find out how you can be involved at the local level, tune in to the diocesan launch of this synodal process, which opened with a Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit on Sunday, October 17, 5 p.m. EDT at Mary Queen of the World Cathedral, celebrated by Archbishop Christian Lépine . You may view the recorded event online via the “Catholic Church of Montreal” YouTube channel.
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POPE FRANCIS:
Pray synod ushers in "different church"
As the two-year preparation process for the Synod of Bishops launches in dioceses worldwide this weekend, here is Pope Francis's prayer "for the Holy Spirit to lead the church to renewal", shared during his Oct. 9 opening address at the Vatican's New Synod Hall.
DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE:
Let’s put People and Planet First with Development and Peace — Caritas Canada’s Fall campaign
In Canada, most people can speak out freely when injustice is committed. In many countries of the Global South, however, communities are threatened when they seek to protect their rights, especially their right to a healthy environment. This climate of insecurity is often fuelled by the presence and influence of corporations, some of which are Canadian.
Undaunted, many vulnerable communities fight courageously to defend their rights, their lands and the environment against corporate harm.
This year, Development and Peace’s People and Planet First campaign invites you to stand in solidarity with them and celebrate their work!
To learn more about how you can help, visit: https://www.devp.org/en/campaign/people-planet- first/
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CONNECT CAFÉ
Our virtual Connect Café series continues this month. This prayer ministry in based on Lectio Divina, a contemplative approach to "praying the Scriptures with your heart".
Consider joining us for our next gathering to be held Tuesday, October 19, 7 p.m. EDT. Reflection will revolve around the evening's theme: Jesus sends out the seventy-two (Luke 10:1-9), and includes time dedicated to group sharing for those who wish. The evening concludes with a 200-year-old Salesian family tradition called “The Good Night”:
"This simple practice of sharing a brief thought or message is a spiritual send-off, that helps us to reflect on everyday life with a gospel mentality and builds the family spirit. Salesian communities and ministries worldwide continue this “Good Night” tradition, being adapted to situations of the location." - Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco
Meetings are held virtually on the cloud platform, Zoom. To sign up, simply email: cathyalbano60@gmail.com with your full name, email and phone number.
For more details on the evening's guest speakers, view the full flyer below.
WOMEN'S MONTHLY RETREATS ONLINE
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
9:30 a.m. EDT
Cost: $15
This is a virtual event, animated over the platform, Zoom.
Come join the community of women who attend the monthly retreat days, facilitated by Sr. Pat O’Neill, SNJM and with Fr. Kevin Kelly, SJ who celebrates Mass for us.It is a monthly oasis, where we receive Soul Food for the mind, heart, and spirit.
At the end of the day, we are refreshed, renewed, and inspired.
SYNOD: REFLECTION MEETING
As I think you know, the worldwide Synod officially opens on 17th of October. At the diocese, we too, are called to participate and to contribute. In order to better understand what this means, I invite you to participate at the first of a series of reflection meetings on Tuesday, October 26 from 6:30-8 p.m. (EDT) with Father Fabio Baggio, under secretary of the Vatican's Migrants and Refugees Section. The meeting will be held virtually via the platform Zoom. Please register in advance at the link below. Priests, deacons, catechists, pastoral workers from all sectors are invited to this meeting. Other meetings will follow and we hope they will be in attendance.
The theme of the Synod is “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, and Mission.” The three dimensions of the theme are communion, participation, and mission. These three dimensions are profoundly interrelated. They are the vital pillars of a Synodal Church. There is no hierarchy between them. Rather, each one enriches and orients the other two. There is a dynamic relationship between the three that must be articulated with all three in mind.
The current Synodal Process we are undertaking is guided by a fundamental question: How does this “journeying together” take place today on different levels (from the local level to the universal one), allowing the Church to proclaim the Gospel? and what steps is the Spirit inviting us to take in order to grow as a synodal Church? (PD, 2)
P. Pierangelo Paternieri c.s. v.é.
Director, Office for Cultural and Ritual Communities
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Montreal
Tel.514 925-4300 # 309
diocesemontreal.org
INFORMATION SESSION FOR SENIORS
ST. EDMUND OF CANTERBURY PARISH
105 Beaconsfield Blvd.
Beaconsfield, QC H9W 3Z8
Tuesday, October 26, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall.
Topic: HOW IS YOUR MENTAL HEALTH?
A Presentation Specifically for Older Adults will Cover Topics Related to Aging & Mental HealthPresenter: Dr. Wendy Chiu, from the Geriatric Division, McGill University, will speak on the topic of aging and mental health. She is prepared to answer your questions and provide insight on what to expect, what you can do and how to cope with changes.
Hosted by the Pillars Trust Fund the English Speaking Catholic Council this event will include a break to socialize with others over coffee, tea and cookies and reserve plenty of time to answer your questions.
The event will be held indoors with social distancing measures in place. Masks will be required while seated.
"LIVE YOUR STRENGTHS" ONLINE
RETURNS THIS MONTH
With the arrival of cooler Autumn weather comes a new Live Your Strengths program.
We are inviting participants from all parishes and organizations. We were delighted to welcome participants from both Toronto and Montreal this summer from five different parishes.
Because we had a significant number of participants from a couple of parishes, we were able to keep them together when we broke into small groups. If your parish has a number of people interested in participating please reach out and we will make special arrangements to accommodate you.
Weekly Sessions run Wednesday evenings from 7 – 9 p.m, beginning October 27 through to November 24, 2021.
Don't delay if you think you might be interested. Spots can fill up quickly.
Thank you, blessings always.
Elizabeth Yorski
Co-founder & Chief Learning and Development Officer
EmergentStrengths Ministries
BLANKET EXERCISE ACTIVITY
The diocesan Social Action office is coordinating an in-person Blanket Exercise activity on Wednesday, November 3 from 7-9:30 p.m. at St. Thomas More Parish (980 Moffat Avenue, Montreal, QC H4H 1Y9). This activity is an exercise in building awareness about colonial history and the present reality of Indigenous persons on Turtle Island. Participants will have the opportunity, through the Blanket Exercise, to revisit Canadian history and to reconsider the dynamics in the relationship between Indigenous and non- Indigenous people. The activity is aimed at helping Christians identify avenues of healing and reconciliation. Registration is required, please contact Kim Piché at the social action office if you are interested in participating: KPiche@diocesemontreal.org or register online via the link below. There will be a limit to the number of persons due to COVID-19 distancing protocol measures. 
DIOCESAN MARRIAGE
PREPARATION COURSES
Are you getting married in the church and are looking for marriage preparation courses? The Diocesan Center for Marriage, Life and Family offers marriage preparation courses throughout the year. We offer a comprehensive four-week course covering such topics as: Readiness, Communication, Sexuality, Stewardship and more. Our next session begins November 3rd.
Please visit our website below for more information and to register,
or contact Marriage Prep Co-ordinator Bridget Bagshaw at: bbagshaw@diocesmontreal.org or 514-925-4300 ext. 232 
FATHER JOHN
WALK OF HOPENazareth Community invites you to walk with us on Sunday morning, November 7, 10 a.m. in the Father John Walk of Hope.
Father John, an integral part of Nazareth Community for decades, passed away almost one year ago. He shared his love, kindness and compassion with abandon, and showered every resident, volunteer and staff member with his unrelenting joy. Come celebrate Fr. John’s life and legacy.We will meet 10 a.m. at Cabot Square (Atwater and Sainte-Catherine Sts.)
Please register your participation in the walk at:
johns.ncommunity@gmail.com.
CANADIAN CONFERENCE
OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS:
NATIONAL LITURGY WEBINAR
Eucharistic Transformation:
Communion · Service · Mercy
November 8, 9, 10, 2021
2:00 – 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)Pope Francis called for spreading a “Eucharistic culture,” i.e., “a way of thinking and working grounded in the Eucharist.” Celebration of the Eucharist he said, can be a “cradle of attitudes that generate a Eucharistic culture.” The attitudes he highlights are communion, service, and mercy.
The aim of this National Liturgy Webinar is to reflect more deeply on the meaning of the Eucharist in order to invigorate how we celebrate, live out, and give witness to what the Eucharist means.
Over three days participants will explore the attitudes of communion, service and mercy and how they generate a Eucharistic culture.
Who? This gathering is open to Clergy, Liturgy Committee Members, Pastoral Council Members, Chaplains, and Interested Parishioners. It will be conducted via Zoom videoconferencing. An internet connection is needed.
In sum. The mystery of God’s love ‒ so merciful, extravagant, steadfast ‒ enfleshed in the mystery of Christ is to be embodied now in us, his missionary disciples. For that Eucharist forms and calls us. ~ Father Gil Ostdiek (Keynote Speaker)
ASCENSION OF OUR LORD PARISH
SEEKS PARISH CATECHETICAL LEADER (PCL)
Ascension of our Lord Parish, in Westmount, is looking for a Parish Catechetical Leader to coordinate their home-based catechetical program. This is a part-time position of approximately six flexible hours a week and one Saturday afternoon a month.
The Parish Catechetical Leader will be responsible for the implementation of the home-based catechetical approach, the welcoming and support of families, and the coordination of catechists.
Contact: Fr. Lawrence MacEachen
Phone: (514) 932-3131
Email: info@ascensionofourlord.ca
End date: 01-11-2021
JOB POSTING AT
THE ARCHDIOCESE OF MONTREAL
PASTORAL PROJECT COORDINATOR
(DURING MATERNITY LEAVE)
The Diocesan Centre for Marriage, Life and Family of the Archdiocese of Montreal is working to expand the diocesan evangelization efforts focused on marriage, life and family. The Centre is seeking an Assistant to support the Director in the planning, organization and implementation of the Centre's activities and projects during a maternity leave.
Contact: Ellen Roderick
Email: centreDMVF@diocesemontreal.org
End date: 18-10-2021Postings for The Grapevine weekly newsletter are gathered by the
Office for English Pastoral Services (OEPS), Archdiocese of Montreal.
It is recommended to submit postings two to three weeks in advance.If you wish to have your event included,
write to us at thegrapevine@diocesemontreal.org
Know anyone who may wish to subscribe?
Share the link below:In addition to The Grapevine, we encourage you to submit your
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(PDF available above)
The Catholic Church in Montreal is proud to launch a new publication from Archbishop Christian Lépine.
It is prayer booklet, to make it easier to pray, to read the Bible, to recite the rosary, whether alone, as a couple, as a family, with children and young people.
This booklet is called "FAMILY PRAYER - in every home," published on March 25, 2020, in honour of the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord.
“COVID-19 affects all of humanity in one way or another. Let us take the time to rediscover the importance of prayer in our personal and family lives. Let us open our hearts to God present with us and to his work of salvation. Let us learn, with the help of Jesus Christ, how to grow in solidarity with our families and our society”, Mgr Christian Lépine.
I invite you to use it and distribute it. It is a free PDF document. (The document link is above in red)