Events

People are encouraged to wear purple to show support for survivors of domestic violence and raise awareness about “the intersection between brain injury and interpersonal violence.” The colour purple symbolizes courage, peace and survival, and wearing it helps to show survivors they are not alone and that a supportive community exists for them.

Catholics worldwide are invited to pray for and give on World Mission Sunday, observed the second last Sunday in October. Organized by the Pontifical Missions Society, the funds collected assist approximately 1,250 mission dioceses globally. Pastors and pastoral workers are invited to encourage a missionary spirit among all people of God, promote missionary vocations, and collaborate spiritually and materially in the church’s mission work, including support for all the dioceses in Canada’s northern regions (Ordo). Members are urged to respond by donating and by praying for missionaries who have responded to God’s call in this special way.

The feast day of Saint Pope John Paul II is October 22. His abundant charisma was matched only by his immense intellectual gifts, which he put at the service of fighting for human dignity and freedom. As the turmoil of the twentieth century gave way to the twenty-first, John Paul II fought to keep Christ the centre of the human race’s yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He travelled on apostolic journeys to 124 countries, inaugurated the World Youth Day celebrations, and established diplomatic relations, becoming known as a defender of human rights and peacemaker.

International Religious Freedom Day is observed annually on October 27. Let us pray for the millions of people of faith around the world who face threats of violence and imprisonment for simply living out their faith. As citizens and Catholics, we acknowledge that religious freedom is rooted in human dignity. Through practicing our faith and respecting others, we can come together to serve the communities in which we live. We ask God to continue giving us the freedom to love Jesus, and to be his arms and hands in the world  

The International Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians is observed each year on the first Sunday in November. It is an opportunity for the global body of Christ to unite in prayer for our persecuted Christian family members. May He grant those in dangerous areas who are hurting His sustenance, comfort, and peace, every today. The day is dedicated to praying for Christians who face persecution around the world. Resources are available for individuals and participating churches at idop.ca.

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed on November 2nd is a day of remembrance and prayer for the faithful departed—relatives, friends and all who are no longer living.

On November 3rd, the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Martin de Porres, a Peruvian Dominican brother who lived a life of humble service and charity and became the first Black saint of the Americas. He was praised for his unconditional care of all people who were sick or in need, regardless of race or wealth, welcoming them into his home and eventually founded orphanages. St. Martin died in 1639 and was canonized by Pope John XXIII on May 6, 1962.

Remembrance Day: Canadians “pause in silence to remember those who died in war and to pray for the victims of aggression and inhumanity throughout the world. It is a day to pray for peace and to consider what we are doing as individuals, as a community and as a nation to bring God’s peace into the world.” This is a day when a believing community should rededicate itself by prayer and action to the ideals Jesus gives us in the Beatitudes (Ordo 2023-2024) Members are invited to pause and pray the attached prayer in remembrance. ascensionofourlord.ca/in-our-parish-2020-11-08/