In his Apostolic Letter, Porta Fidei Pope Benedict XVI announced a Year of

Faith which will begin on October 11, 2012, the fiftieth anniversary of the

opening of the Second Vatican Council, and which will end on November 24,

2013, the Solemnity of Christ the King. Pope Benedict hopes that the Year of

Faith will “help Catholics appreciate the gift of faith, deepen their

l ti hi ith G d d t th th i it t t h i f ith ithrelationship with God and strengthen their commitment to sharing faith with

others.” This Year of Faith is meant to turn us once again to the Lord Jesus,

to rediscover our faith and to encourage us to be faith-filled witnesses whoto rediscover our faith and to encourage us to be faith filled witnesses who

inspire others. It is a special opportunity for us to look again at the

Catechism of the Catholic Church and the documents of the Second Vatican

Council.

Six Six themes for our Year of themes for our Year of FaithFaith

• THE FAITH WE BELIEVE (Focus on the Creed) October – November 2012

• THE FAITH WE LIVE (Focus on Faith in Action) December 2012 – January 2013

• THE FAITH WE PROFESS (Focus on Easter) February – March 2013

• THE FAITH WE CELEBRATE (Focus on Sacraments) April – June 2013

THE FAITH WE SAVOUR (Focus on Rest & Reflection) July August 2013• THE FAITH WE SAVOUR (Focus on Rest & Reflection) July – August 2013

• THE FAITH WE SHARE (Focus on Evangelization) September – November 2013

ThursdayThursday, October 11, 2012 at 7:00 p.m, October 11, 2012 at 7:00 p.m..• Opening Celebration of Evening Prayer at the Cathedral of Christ the King with guest speaker and reception to follow.p

Thanksgiving WeekendThanksgiving Weekend• Be sure to get a copy of our booklet for study and reflection on our Baptismal Creed which will be made available for distribution to all Catholic households on Thanksgiving Weekend. A study guide will be available for use by faith sharing groupsguide will be available for use by faith sharing groups.

Advent Advent • Be sure to read the bulletin insert which will be sent to parishes outlining the many ways that Catholics in Hamilton Diocese are caring for others, serving the poor, and working for justice. g , g p , g j

Check the Website in DecemberCheck the Website in December• Parishes will be invited to share the good news of how they are living their faith by submitting brief descriptions (and pictures) of their social outreach projects for our Diocesan Website.

Saturday, January 19, 2013Saturday, January 19, 2013• The Discipleship Office will host a meeting of young adults to study and reflect upon the Canadian Bishops’ Message to Young Catholics on Social Justice. Location to be announced.

Lent Lent 20132013• Watch for Bishop Crosby’s Lenten Pastoral Letter.

Easter Sunday. March 31, 2013Easter Sunday. March 31, 2013• Join your parish community on this day when simple baptismal pins will be distributed to all Catholics in our Diocese who renew their baptismal promises at Easter. Thursday, October 11, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.

Saturday April 13 2013Saturday April 13 2013 Saturday, April 13, 2013Saturday, April 13, 2013• Don’t miss our one day conference on the Sacraments which will take place at the Hamilton Convention Centre. Keynote speakers and workshops sessions. Details to come.

Sunday, June 2, 2013Sunday, June 2, 2013 Sunday, June 2, 2013Sunday, June 2, 2013• Annual Celebration of Marriage Anniversaries at the Cathedral of Christ the King.

Summer 2013Summer 2013Don’t leave for vacation without your Bookmark Prayer Card which will be available in• Don t leave for vacation without your Bookmark Prayer Card which will be available in parishes at the end of June with suggested books, DVDs and movies on faith issues to enjoy during the summer months.

October 29October 29--31, 201331, 2013• The focus of the annual Priests’ Seminar will be on evangelization. Following this, a similar seminar will be offered for all lay leaders in the Diocese. Details to come.

November 24, 2013November 24, 2013f h l h l b f h f h d• Join us for the closing Eucharistic celebration for the Year of Faith and commissioning rite

which will take place on the Feast of Christ the King. Location to be announced.