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May 13, 2022 – Earlier today, the Vatican formally announced that Pope Francis will travel to Canada from July 24-29, 2022. The historic visit, focused on Indigenous healing and reconciliation, will be the fourth papal journey to Canada and the first since Saint John Paul II’s visit in 2002. Bishop Raymond Poisson, President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) welcomed the formal confirmation of the visit on behalf of Canada’s Catholic Bishops: “We are immensely grateful that the Holy Father has accepted our invitation to continue the journey of healing and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples of this land. In late July, Pope Francis will have the opportunity to visit Indigenous Peoples here in their homeland, as he promised when he met them recently in Rome. We pray for the health of the Holy Father as we undertake the intensive planning for this historic visit.” On April 1, 2022, Pope Francis apologized for the Catholic Church’s role in Canada’s residential school system. The Holy Father expressed “sorrow and shame” for the abuse and lack of respect for Indigenous identities, culture and spiritual values in the residential school system. The Holy Father’s apology was informed by private encounters between March 28th and April 1st with 32 Indigenous Elders, knowledge keepers, residential school survivors and youth representing the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), the Métis National Council (MNC), and the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK). Given the vast landscape of Canada, the limited time period for the visit and considering the health of the 85 year old Pontiff, the Vatican has announced that Pope Francis will adopt only three communities as a base for his Canadian visit: Edmonton, Quebec City, and Iqaluit. The locations will limit travel for the Holy Father while still allowing an opportunity for both intimate and public encounters, drawing on participation from all regions of the country. Edmonton is home to the second largest number of Indigenous Peoples living in urban Canadian centres. In addition, 25 residential schools were located in Alberta, the most of any province or territory in Canada. Iqaluit, with close to 8,000 people, is home to the highest population of Inuit (3,900) of all Canadian cities with more than 5,000 people. Pope Francis was personally invited by Inuit delegates to visit the North during their meetings in March. Quebec City provides an eastern hub for those who may wish to travel to see Pope Francis, especially Indigenous Peoples of the East. The region is also home to Ste. Anne-de-Beaupré, one of the oldest and most popular pilgrimage sites in North America, drawing Indigenous Peoples and others from throughout Canada and around the world each year. While dates and general locations have been confirmed by the Vatican, specific sites and a formal program will be developed in dialogue with Indigenous partners at the local and national level. Given the focus on Indigenous healing and reconciliation, the Holy Father is expected to visit the site of a former residential school and other locations of particular significance.

HOLY ANGELS' SPRING GARAGE SALE All proceeds to Ukraine Holy Angels' Spring Garage Sale will be held on Friday, May 13, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and on Saturday, May 14, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. We would appreciate your donations of gently used clothing, small appliances, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom items, craft supplies, toys, books, and sports equipment. Please, no large furniture or appliances. Donations may be dropped off in the church basement, via the elevator, on Wednesday, May 11 and Thursday, May 12, from 10:00 a.m. till 3:00 p.m. each day. For further info, please call Antonette at 519-631-8904. Thank you for your support!

Holy Angels’ CWL Membership 2022 Once again it is time to renew your CWL membership for 2022. New members are aways welcome. Membership dues are $25.00. Stamped envelopes maybe found at the back of the Church. Envelope users you will find a colored envelope marked  CWL in your box. Please complete the front of the envelope and return with your dues. Return your membership at the church office, using the collection basket or mailing or dropping your membership at the address : Louise Perrier 11 Circlewood Dr. St Thomas, ON, N5P0A6 Pick up can be arranged by calling 519-637-1584

Membership is now due and payments of dues can be given to Sue Zimmer 519-773-2568 - Liz McConnell 519-773-5773 - Ginette Richer - Mary Verhaeghe dues are $25 - please put your money in the envelope from your offertory envelope box or use a plain envelope but remember to clearly print your name on the envelope  Thanks so much - Sue Zimmer 

The latest Issue of the Diocese of London's newsletter, Missio, has been posted on the diocesan website. This issue contains: Bishop Fabbro's most recent Truth and Reconciliation updates in English and French An interview with Truth and Reconciliation Committee co-Chair, Kathy Furlong Holy Week in the Diocese and a look back at Holy Week during the pandemic Upcoming events and opportunities in the Diocese

To all Elgin Roman Catholic Family of Parishes [ERCFP] Parishioners. No employee of ERCFP will ever email you asking to send them gift cards, or payments from an email account. Please be aware of these scam email! Keep a sharp mind: - Check the email Address, if it is NOT from a dol.ca email do not reply! - Never send gifts, or money to unknown people online. - Call the Main Office at 519-631-3640 if you are ever unsure about the person you are communicating with. One of the Office Staff will be able to connect with the person and confirm information.

As announced in his letter to the faithful on Friday, Bishop Fabbro and Auxiliary Bishop Dabrowski will be joining Pope Francis, other bishops and the faithful from around the world in consecrating Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary this Friday, March 25, after the noon Mass at St. Peter's Cathedral Basilica (approximately 12:30). The Mass and consecration will be livestreamed on the Cathedral's YouTube Chanel. As Bishop said in his letter: "We need to pray for a change of hearts that will lead to reconciliation and so that 'enemies may speak to each other again, adversaries join hands, and peoples seek to meet together' The faithful who are not able to join in the consecration on Friday may offer one decade of the Rosary to our Blessed Mother for this intention."

The January-February issue of Missio was published earlier this week. It focuses on the Synod with articles by Fr. Paul Baillargeon, Linda Staudt and Julian Paparella as well as additional article about the early days of the Catholic Women’s League in the Diocese by Archivist Debra Majer. You can read the issue at this link. Please promote it on your parish websites as well. Promotional graphics for websites are available by replying to this email.

A prayer for peace in Ukraine Development and Peace appeals and prays for peace in Ukraine and calls the faithful to stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people. As an organization committed to justice and peace, we strongly condemn all acts of military aggression. In a video message posted on the morning Russian troops attacked, Tetiana Stawnychy, president of Caritas Ukraine, said “It’s hard to believe in the 21st century that we were waking up to the sounds of explosions and of air raid sirens….” Expressing great sadness at the worsening situation in Ukraine, Pope Francis has called for a global day of fasting and prayer for peace in Ukraine on March 2, Ash Wednesday. In the coming days, large numbers of people will likely end up displaced, needing help with meeting their basic needs. We have therefore made an immediate allocation of $75,000 to help with the provision of food, shelter, medical care and transport to safe locations. In addition, we ask for your solidarity and support to help us respond to the needs on the ground. Last but not least, thank you for joining us in praying for peace.

You can read Bishop Fabbro's December 10, 2021 letter to the faithful by clicking the Title above. You can also watch Bishop Fabbro's homily concerning the synod for a synodal church 2021 - 2023. https://youtu.be/ryH052_J2M0 or watch it on the Diocesan webpage www.dol.ca

Bishop Fabbro is pleased to announce the following pastoral appointments and changes which will take effect 1 January 2022. On November 13, 2021, with thanks to God, the Diocese of London was able to celebrate the ordination of six men to the Permanent Diaconate. The celebration was presided over by Bishop Fabbro with Auxiliary Bishop Dabrowski, several priests, deacons and families in attendance. It was like many occasions, joyous, solemn and spiritual. We offer our most heartfelt thanks to these men who have chosen to devote themselves to their faith and be of service to their communities.

A committee has been established by Bishop Fabbro fulfilling his commitment toward listening and reconciliation in our diocese. More details in his letter.

Online scammers are on the prowl. They take advantage of the goodness of Christians. They will disguise themselves as priests and religious and then ask for gift cards. They are very good at what they do. WE NEVER ASK FOR GIFTCARDS! Please do not respond to any emails asking either urgently or for a favor. Pray for their conversion and pray for those who have been violated by this terrible crime!

Brett Powel is a well-respected Catholic Leader who works for the Archdiocese of Vancouver and also has his own Catholic Leadership Company. The most recent article he has published is an excellent outline of why we in the ERCFP are moving toward the model of Family and youth ministry for our family of parishes. Let us pray for renewal in families and our family of parishes. Fr Graham Find the article by clicking on the title.

Information regarding the needs of each of our Parishes was gathered at the session in the April, May and June months of 2019. The challenges we are facing as a family of parishes seems to be a daunting task to overcome and yet overcome we must. Your input during the session was most valuable and we know we have to adapt to overcome the challenges. Your prayers and your involvement will propel us forward in our Mission – Jesus said, “Go make disciples….I am with you always.” We invite you to view these documents, Please Click the Title to Access these Documents.

The following will be the daily mass schedule for the ERCFP Monday 8 am Holy Angels’ & Live Streamed Tuesday 8 am St Anne’s & Live Streamed 10 AM Our Lady of Sorrows Wednesday 8 am St Anne’s & Live Streamed 12 pm Holy Angels' Thursday 8 am St Anne’s & Live Streamed 10 AM St. Mary's Friday 8 am St Anne’s & Live Streamed 12 pm Holy Angels' 1st Saturday 8 am mass at OLOS, Aylmer followed by Exposition and Reconciliation 3rd Saturday 9 am mass at St Mary’s, followed by Exposition and Reconciliation On those days, there will not be a mass at Holy Angels'

You’re invited … Over the coming weeks, the process of designing your Hospice will begin! Hospice of Elgin will be designed to reflect the hearts, minds, and voices of our community. While we won’t get specific with questions of paint colours or table linens, we will be listening for key ideas about what matters most at end of life. We would love to hear from you. If you are interested in participating in a virtual meeting, comment below and email Kimberley Howcroft at Kimberley.howcroft@elginhospice.com Sign up today as spots are limited! Follow us closely & be part of the conversation in designing Elgin County’s first Hospice.

Take a tour through our photo album. If you have photos you would like to submit, contact the office.

The Ontario Government has outlined revised capacity limits for our churches. The capacity limit is now restricted to how many people can get in the church with proper social distancing. It is no longer based on a percentage of the maximum capacity. Based on our experience previously, with social distancing, we know the maximum numbers allowed in each church and extended worship space. Registration for mass is still necessary so that we can manage the limits for each church. Similarly, we continue with protocols that have been in place for some time including: masks must be worn to protect others hand sanitization to protect the Priests and others answering the COVID-19 questions before coming to Mass We look forward to seeing you back in church and we continue to pray that restrictions will be lessened in the future.

We arepleased to announce that we have found an Event Manager for the St Anne Centre. Sharon Lechner, of Events by Sharon, will start immediately. Sharon brings a wealth of experience and knowledge around event planning. She has been running her own Event Planning business - Events by Sharon- for the past 10 years and has planned and delivered on many large events in the area including L'Arche, Elgin-St. Thomas Community Foundation, Tall Ships Festival and many more. As well, Sharon is a certified meeting planner (CMP) and has certification for Virtual Meetings and Events (VEMM). She is professional and a delight to her clients. In her role, Sharon will be the main contact for the Centre's clients (internal and external) and will plan and execute the events. She will coordinate with the client, caterers, decorators, bartenders, and others involved in delivering successful events. Sharon will also look at promoting and marketing the Centre to gain more business. This is great news for the St. Anne Center. As COVID restrictions are lessening, it provides the Centre with the potential for new and returning clients. Please welcome Sharon to her new position! If you have current or upcoming needs for any event, please contact Sharon at the SA Centre phone number 519 631-5210.