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.

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/

Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (Christ the King)

Celebrate those who generously give their time and talents and encourage members to discover a new opportunity to serve.

The Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus honours the heart of Jesus Christ as a symbol of His passionate love for humanity. It is often depicted as a flaming heart encircled by a crown of thorns. The national theme, Ignite Your Passion, Empower His Mission, follows the Sacred Heart and calls us to share in His passion. Let us honour Him by enthroning the Sacred Heart in our homes and dedicating ourselves and our mission to Him through divine charity and service. National Chairperson of Service Karen Rossiter  

The month of June, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, became a popular devotion in the late 1600s. The Heart, with droplets of blood, encircled by thorns, with flames and a cross at the top, and surrounded by divine light, is symbolic of the heart of Jesus and His sacrificial love for humanity. The World Day for the Sanctification of Priests coincides with that of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Members are invited to pray for priests and for personal holiness and a loving heart in imitation of Jesus.  

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.

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