Reminder: Bishop Riesbeck invites the faithful of the diocese to celebrate our patronal feast day, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, and gather for a concelebrated Mass tonight, Thursday, December 8, 6:30 pm, at the Cathedral. A reception will follow in the rectory.

The Most Reverend Christian Riesbeck, C.C., Bishop of Saint John announces the following clergy assignments:

Rev. Dr. Michael McGowan is appointed Chancellor of the Diocese effective January 1, 2023.

Rev. Douglas McNeill completes his term as Episcopal Vicar for Temporal Affairs, effective December 9, 2022. Temporal Affairs will become the responsibility of the Vicar General, Msgr. Brian Henneberry.

Rev. Douglas McNeill is appointed Pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, Saint John, effective February 15, 2023.

Rev. Ralph McRae, EV, is appointed Rector of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Saint John, effective February 15, 2023.

The Most Reverend Christian Riesbeck, C.C., Bishop of Saint John announces the following parish changes:

Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Fredericton, is merged in an extinctive union with Our Lady of Peace Parish, Fredericton. Our Lady of Fatima Church will close after a final Mass has been celebrated there on January 8, 2023. St. Anthony’s Church, Fredericton, St. Theresa’s Church, Fredericton, and St. Patrick’s Church, Stanley, will remain.

An announcement on Our Lady of Hope Parish / Paroisse Notre-Dame de l’Esperance, Miramichi will be forthcoming.

Reminder: There will be no 9 am Mass tomorrow, Thursday, November 24.

You still have time to add the names of your deceased loved ones to our Remembrance Book. To add someone who has died since last November, email us at stpiusx@nb.aibn.com, and we will add them to the list. If you do not have email access, please write/print out your list of names, and place it in the collection basket. Your loved ones will be added to the book and remembered at all Masses during November.

Our final day to accept applications for Christmas Baskets is tomorrow, Tuesday, November 15, between 9:30 am – 12:30 pm in the parish hall. Please use the parking lot entrance. (The side of the church facing towards Millidgeville.) When applying for help, MASKS ARE MANDATORY, and only ONE ADULT MEMBER OF EACH FAMILY should come. Please bring proof of address and identification (Medicare Cards) for all family members living in your home.

It is time to think of those who need help with Christmas dinners. As in previous years, we are looking for help with donations. We have placed pink envelopes marked “Christmas Dinners For Needy Families” on the tables at all entrances. We encourage you to use one of these pink envelopes when you donate. If there are any questions, please call the parish office (653-6830). If possible, we would like to have all donations in by the end of November.

The monthly meeting of the Holy Redeemer CWL will be held in the parish hall on Monday, November 14, at 2 pm. All members are invited to attend.

Deacons serve the Church as ministers of Charity, the Word, and the Altar. The Diocese of Saint John is introducing the Permanent Diaconate. Men aged 35-60 years who feel called to discern this vocation may attend an information session at Sainte Anne-des-Pays Bas, Priestman Street, Fredericton, on Saturday, December 10, from 10 am-12 pm. Please RSVP to Fr. Ralph McRae, Episcopal Vicar for Clergy, (rmcrae@dioceseofsaintjohn.org or 653-6803). Additional information, including eligibility requirements, is available at the link below:
https://dioceseofsaintjohn.org/permanent-diaconate

A letter from Bishop Riesbeck announcing the establishment of a permanent diaconate program in the diocese: