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This news is to alert you of two recommendations, 429 & 430, in the current government's 2025 Budget.  These recommendations target the charitable status of religious organizations (including Christian churches) as well as 'pro-life' organizations (pregnancy care centres, etc..) Recommendation 429: No longer provide charitable status to anti-abortion organizations. Recommendation 430: Amend the Income Tax Act to provide a definition of a charity which would remove the privileged status of “advancement of religion” as a charitable purpose. Click on the title to take action!

The Diocese of Whitehorse is hosting a Diocesan Lent Retreat from March 11 to March 14, featuring renowned speakers Dr. Renato Versace and Mrs. Anna Poda, who will discuss various important topics including the role of women, family life, children's education in the digital age, and other contemporary issues from a Catholic perspective. Sessions are open to anyone aged 16 and older and will be conducted in Italian with English translation available. An evening session will take place on March 11 at 7 p.m. at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Registration is free, and attendees are encouraged to RSVP. For more information, email at [email protected].

The government’s recent initiative seeks to remove the charitable status of our churches, which would place significant financial strain on all non-profit Catholic organizations and parishes. As a result, we would no longer be able to issue tax receipts. Additionally, the Cardinal has addressed the initiative to expand Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) in Canada.

Every weekday morning during Lent, we will gather at 6 a.m. to pray the Divine Office, led by the Neocatechumenal Community. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to begin the day with the official prayer of the Church.

Please click here for more info and to RSVP!

On Tuesday, February 11th, we will celebrate World Day of the Sick. A special Mass will be held at 7 p.m. on that day. Those who are weak, elderly, or struggling with serious illness are invited to receive the Anointing of the Sick.

Funeral Mass Announcement on December 30th for Margaret Taggart. Good morning. I am here to announce the holding of a funeral Mass for my mother, Margaret Taggart. Margaret was a dedicated parishioner of Sacred Heart for many decades and earned the respect and love of many of you here." "The Mass will take place tomorrow, Monday, December 30th at 2pm here at Sacred Heart. A prior period of prayer and reflection will begin at 1pm for those wishing to participate. In lieu of flowers, donations to Mary House would be appreciated. —Ian Taggart, brother of Ingrid Taggart

Jubilee Vigil On Friday, Dec 27th we will have an evening Vigil for the Jubilee year at 7pm. We will start with a catechesis/explanation of Jubilee history, and explanation of indulgences. After that we will do the exposition of the blessed sacrament, followed by the common prayers. Please come to prepare for the year of blessings!

OPENING OF JUBILEE YEAR 2025 The 2025 Jubilee will officially open on December 24, 2024 at 7pm, with the rite of Opening of the Holy Door of the Papal Basilica of St. Peter by the Holy Father, who will then preside over the celebration of the Night Mass of the Lord's Birth inside the Basilica. In our diocese Jubilee year will be inaugurated on Dec 29th, Sunday. Our celebrations will start with the 930am procession from the Chancery. It will be followed up by a solemn Mass at 1030am. Finally, after the mass we will gather for a potluck and companionship in CYO hall. The other masses on the morning of Dec 29th, namely, at 9am and 12pm will be cancelled so we can be united in this beautiful celebration which will open a year of hope, and holiness.

I. NOVENA MASS ADVENT (SIMBANG GABI) SCHEDULE @SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL:: The Advent Novena Mass will take place from Sunday December 15, 2024, Sunday to Monday December 23, 2024. The mass will be celebrated daily at 7pm, except for Saturday when it will be at 5pm. @OUR LADY OF VICTORY PARISH: Please contact Our Lady of Victory Parish for their Novena Mass schedule for the Church in Porter Creek: Fr. Leo Llames Chancellor Tel: 867-667-2052 Email for general inquiries: [email protected] website for futher information (May be needing updates soon): https://www.rcdw.ca/contact-us.html

During Advent, from Monday to Friday, there will be morning prayers from the Office of Readings, led by the Neocatechumenal Way. They will be held every day at 6 a.m. in the Cathedral. Everyone is welcome. The Church will be opened at 5:45 am.

Come join the Sacred Heart Schola Chant Choir for the Rorate Mass on Saturday, December 14th at 9:00 am. This is a candle lit service that gets its proper name from the first word of the Introit (Entrance antiphon): "Rorate caeli désuper et nubes pluant justum" ("Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the just").The Rorate mass is held in honor of the Virgin Mary for the season of Advent.The Rorate Mass originated during the Middle Ages as one of the various popular Advent devotions to the Blessed Virgin and was entirely candlelit and remains so today. As one of the themes of Advent is the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, the emergence of these devotions to the Blessed Virgin helped to provide more occasions to dwell upon and give thanks for this mystery.

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe and National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples - Thursday, December 12 - A special Mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Cathedral at 5pm, followed by a potluck and pinata. All are welcome. For more info, contact the Diocese of Whitehorse at [email protected] or 867-667-2052.

In Advent, we prepare for the coming of the Lord. In His first coming, John the Baptist prepared the way for the Lord by calling everyone to repentance. Following his example, we too begin Advent by confessing our sins and reconciling with the Lord. Penitential Service - Dec 4th, Wednesday, at 7pm

Bishop Gary Gordon, who was the bishop of the Diocese of Whitehorse from 2006 to 2014, is coming to the diocese to lead a retreat for the diocesan staff. We are taking advantage of his visit to invite His Grace to give a talk on Advent, titled "Pilgrims of Hope." The talk will take place on Tuesday, December 3rd, at 7:00 PM, and everyone is invited!