Quid Novum - Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton

Quid NovumJune 25, 2013Winning Foursome – The talented foursome of Tony Brinco, Tony Rodrigues, FatherMarinaldo Batista, all of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, and Father Mitch Fidyka of St. Michael-Resurrection and Assumption parishes emerged victorious at the annual archdiocesan golf funday. Details inside.In this Issue …Office of the ArchbishopEmergency Campaign for Syrian RefugeesHelp for victims of southern Alberta floodsOrdinationsCommunications & PRAlberta Catholic DirectoryQN vacationPastoral CareCalled to Protect workshopsYouth EvangelizationOne Rock/WYD@home FestivalEvangelization & CatechesisStewardship ReflectionsSocial JusticeTruth and ReconciliationTRC IntentionsJustFAITH 2013-14Newman Theological CollegeCertificate in Catholic StudiesParish & Community NewsSeeking BVM Statue ConferenceDeclare It! Seminar

Office of the Archbishop …Emergency Appeal for Syrian RefugeesCanada's Bishops and the Canadian Organization for Development and Peace haveannounced a joint emergency campaign to help refugees from the conflict in Syria.In a letter signed by Archbishop Richard Smith, president of the Canadian Conferenceof Catholic Bishops, the bishops note that Pope Francis has appealed to Catholiccharitable organizations to cooperate in providing humanitarian aid for Syrians whohave lost homes, are displaced, or are refugees."Therefore, together with the Pope and all the Bishops of Canada, I invite you,through prayer and in works of charity, to be in solidarity with the people of Syria intheir many sufferings due to war, violence and displacement," Archbishop Smithwrote in the June 19th letter. "As a community of faith, let us pray to God to bringjustice, peace and healing to the region. Let each of us do what we can to provide assistance and aid toour suffering brothers and sisters in Syria and its neighbouring countries."Donations made through Development and Peace will assist the extensive work being carried out in theMiddle East by Catholic charities and development agencies, particularly Caritas Internationalis.Caritas Internationalis and CCODP estimate the number of Syrians inside the country needing assistanceto be about 7 million. A third of Syrian hospitals are not functioning. Some 7,000 Syrians each day fleeto Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt. It is believed this humanitarian crisis in Syria has alreadyclaimed some 90,000 lives.The special joint emergency campaign for Syria begins Sunday, June 30, 2013, and will continuethroughout the summer. It will culminate with a day of prayer and fasting for the people of Syria andall the Middle East on Saturday, September 14, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.For more information on this special campaign or to make an online donation, visit the Development &Peace website at http://www.devp.org/en/emergencies/syria. Parishes can also order special collectionenvelopes through the website. All donations should be sent to Development and Peace by September14.The Archbishop’s letter of invitation to Canadian Catholics is included with this issue.Help for Flood VictimsOur thoughts and prayers are with our brothers and sisters who have been affected by the recent floodsin southern Alberta. The Diocese of Calgary is accepting financial donations to assist the victims.Donations can be made by sending a cheque payable to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary,earmarked "Calgary Flood Relief fund," to the Pastoral Centre, 120 - 17th Ave SW, Calgary AB T2S 2T2.Donations can also be made online through the diocesan website at http://www.calgarydiocese.ca.Bishop Fred Henry thanks all for their generosity and rescue efforts. Anyone who is skeptical about thehuman condition, says Bishop Henry, only has to open their eyes to see how amazing people are!A weekly publication of the Office of Communications and Public Relations | communications@caedm.ca | June25, 2013 2

Newman Theological College …Faith Formation – online, at home, on your scheduleThis year Newman Theological College has expanded its online Certificate inCatholic Studies programs. We offer a comprehensive selection of courses onvarious aspects of the Catholic faith, open to students of all backgrounds and education levels. Allcourses are offered online, so you can study from the comfort of home and work around your personalschedule. Each course runs five weeks and costs just $70. Take an individual course for interest, or worktoward one of six specialized Certificates in Catholic Studies that will help you in church ministry.Registration is open now; visit www.newman.edu for details.Please share the poster included with this issue.Development Office …Masters, Pastors & Hackers 2013A total of 42 archdiocesan employees, clergy, friends and family members enjoyed beautiful weather, agreat steak barbecue and prize extravaganza at the Masters, Pastors & Hackers Tournament on Friday,June 21, at Eagle Rock Golf Course near Beaumont. Daryl Boyden and David Gledhow (above) added tothe fellowship and fun by handing out ice cream bars and beverages to golfers on Hole #1, courtesy ofConnelly-McKinley Funeral Homes.Congratulations to Aimee Anderson and Deacon Pat Hessel for winning the longest drive competitions,Father Mitch Fidyka for being closest to the pin, and Vittorio Cerminara for making the longest putt. BestTeam prize went to Father Marinaldo Batista, Father Mitch Fidyka, Tony Brinco and Tony Rodrigues.Most Honest Team honours went to Joanne Ritcey-Devaney, Anthony Payoe, Diane Rouleau & LauraHessel.Thanks to Connelly-McKinley, McCuaig Desrochers LLP, Melton Foundation, Bavaria BMW, GrantThornton, RBC, Doyle and Company Chartered Accountants, Telsco Security Systems and Sysco Canada,who generously supported the event. See you next year!A weekly publication of the Office of Communications and Public Relations | communications@caedm.ca | June25, 2013 5

Information from the United Nations Human Refugee Agency indicates already more than 1.6 millionSyrians are seeking refuge in foreign countries. Over 1 million of these have registered as refugees since thebeginning of 2013. Three-quarters of these are women and children. The vast majority are completelydependent on aid, arriving with little more than the clothes on their backs. The numbers of destitute peopleplace unprecedented strains on the communities, infrastructure and services of the host countries. It isestimated that by the end of 2013, half the population of Syria will be in need of aid. This includes ananticipated 3.45 million Syrian refugees and 6.8 million Syrians inside the country, many of them displacedfrom their homes. 4Catholic efforts to assist SyriaIn addition to the work of CCODP with its sister Caritas agencies around the world, CCODP will be workingwith CNEWA-Canada 5 and Jesuit Refugee Service 6 as well as other Catholic agencies in the region to bringaid to the victims of this humanitarian tragedy. Here in Canada, a number of dioceses and religiouscommunities are working to bring Syrian and other Middle Eastern refugees to our country to find newhomes and safety. These collaborative initiatives are worthy of our assistance, encouragement and support.Fasting and praying for Syria and the Middle EastOf course, all our efforts must be supported by intense prayer. When we fast and pray for the people of Syriaand the Middle East on 14 September, let us lift up to the Lord the needs of the Syrian homeless andwounded, their broken families and shattered lives, and pray for an end to the hostilities and for lastingpeace.Please check with your diocese and parish about plans to participate in the joint emergency collection forSyria, and to be part of our 14 September day of prayer and fasting for Syria and the Middle East. Moreinformation on the campaign and the day of prayer and fasting can be found on the websites of the CCCBand CCODP. 7Pope Francis has said that “The destiny of the Syrian people is a concern that is close to my heart.” Thisconcern, found also in our own hearts, is the motive for our solidarity in prayer and works of charity. Thankyou for your support.Yours sincerely in Our Lord,+ Richard W. SmithArchbishop of Edmonton andPresident of the Canadian Conferenceof Catholic Bishops4 UNHRC (United Nations Human Refugee Agency), “Stories from Syrian Refugees: Discovering the human faces of atragedy” {http://www.data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/syria.php}.5 http://www.cnewa.ca.6 Jesuit Refugee Service, http://www.jrs.net.7 http://www.cccb.ca.