July 2021 Newsletter
Greetings once again from Concerned Lay Catholics in Canada and we hope you are having a restorative summer. Here are some items from the month of July.
New CLC group launches!
This month we want to share with you exciting news of the launch of a new CLC chapter in the St. Catharines Diocese. It is named CLC Niagara-Haldimand. Read more about it here
The Church and the Residential Schools Crisis
On-going concern among Catholic laity about our church’s handling of the Residential Schools Crisis means CLC will continue to share news and information to help lay Catholics act on their concerns and advance the cause of healing and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in Canada.
This month we shared an inspiring homily on the subject from Fr Burke of St Marguerite Parish in Sydney, Nova Scotia as well as some helpful new resources developed by the Archdiocese of Toronto. You can find that post here
We also posted an article explaining inter-generational trauma and epigenetics to answer questions we have been receiving. You can find that post here
An explanation from the Anglican Church about the residential schools settlement agreement as brokered by the Canadian government was published: https://www.anglican.ca/news/anglican-entities-financial-obligations-under-the-residential-school-settlement-agreement/30015677/
Kairos is an ecumenical group in Canada working for justice. In collaboration with Indigenous elders, knowledge keepers and educators, Kairos offers an excellent interactive educational activity for use by parishes and other groups. It is called the Blanket Exercise. You can learn more here: https://www.kairosblanketexercise.org/
Finally, you can find many other resources on our page dedicated to the issue of the church’s role in the abuse at Canada’s residential schools. https://concernedlaycatholics.ca/residential-school-survivors
Synod on Synodality
we encourage lay Catholics in Canada to think about what the proposed synod could mean for you. Here are a few articles to help you do that. Look for more from us on this subject in the coming months. And let us know if you have ideas! Read more.
The Synod is Coming: What is Synodality?
Synodality and the Laity: Ask the people what they think. The Tablet April 10, 2021
Rite or wrong?
The Holy Father’s motu proprio (directive) regarding the use of the pre-Vatican II form of the liturgy stirred some hearts this month. We offered a couple of items that put the directive in a larger perspective.
https://concernedlaycatholics.ca/articlesandlinks/its-not-about-the-latin
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/church-we-reflections-francis-restricting-latin-mass
Monthly Book Suggestion
Looking to the Laity: Reflections on Where the Church Can Go from Here
Edited by Anne Louise Mahoney. Novalis, 2021
The Church landscape has shifted greatly since the Second Vatican Council ended in 1965. Many people have lost trust in the institution. Others find it irrelevant. Those who remain, however, have much to offer the Church they love. Today’s laity is engaged, educated and committed to building God’s kingdom….READ MORE
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And please remember always in your prayers those who have suffered abuse at the hands of our church.
Until next month, stay well and stay safe.
Blessings,
Concerned Lay Catholics in Canada