New Bishop for Hamilton Diocese

Friday morning, the Vatican announced that the Holy Father appointed Bishop Douglas Crosby, currently Bishop of Corner Brook Newfoundland and Labrador as the Bishop of Hamilton.

The Holy Father also accepted the resignation of the Most Reverend Anthony F. Tonnos, in accordance with the Code of Canon Law which sets the mandatory age of retirement for Bishops at 75. Bishop Tonnos, who turned 75 in August, has led the Diocese of Hamilton since 1984.

Bishop Crosby was born on June 28, 1949, in Marathon, Ontario, after becoming a member of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate Bishop Douglas Crosby was ordained to the priesthood on September 27, 1975, at the Holy Canadian Martyrs' Parish, Ottawa. After serving as CCCB General Secretary from 1996 to 1997, he was ordained Bishop in Ottawa on January 2, 1998, and installed two days later as Bishop of Labrador City-Schefferville.

In 2007, he was named Bishop of the newly established Diocese of Corner Brook and Labrador, which comprises all parishes and missions in the former Diocese of St. George’s on the Island of Newfoundland, in addition to those in the territory of Labrador which had previously been part of what used to be the Diocese of Labrador City – Schefferville.

Bishop Crosby has been very involved in liturgical questions both nationally and internationally. He is currently a member of the CCCB English Sector Commission for Liturgy and the Sacraments, and has previously served as the Commission’s Chairman. As the previous CCCB representative on the International Commission for English in the Liturgy (ICEL), he has also served as its Secretary and Vice-Chair.

The Diocese of Hamilton has a Catholic population of 559,290 in 155 parishes and missions, served by 122 diocesan priests, 88 priests who are members of religious orders, 24 permanent deacons and 281 religious Sisters and Brothers.

We offer our prayers and best wishes to Bishop Crosby on this new pastoral assignment as well as giving thanks for the lengthy service of Bishop Tonnos. May he enjoy a well deserved retirement! One would expect an auxiliary bishop to be appointed to assist Bishop Crosby in his ministry - the timing of which only the Vatican knows..

Fall 2010 - Untold Blessings

As we begin the Fall, we will begin a new tradition in Padre's Posts....once per month postings. In the past I have tried to post every week, however it is becoming a little more difficult to do that, however, I committ to posting once per month for sure. We hope soon to begin thru the parish an Electronic Newsletter - this will also be a great source of keeping everyone "posted" on the great things happening at St Mary of the Visitation Parish, Cambridge.

UNTOLD BLESSINGS
In St. Matthew’s Gospel (6:25-33), we are reminded that God has planned “untold blessings” for all of His faithful. When I pray about our Family of Faith, I see these blessings constantly being sent forth. God is blessing our community - with growth, with new ample facilities, with vision for our future, with appreciation for our past.

As the signs of Fall arrive, let us spend some time thinking about God’s Untold Blessings. They are present everyday, but we have to know how to see them, how to appreciate them, how to envision them and how to seek them for our life !

We have planned a schedule full of opportunities for your entire family, not to add to your calendar, but to help you take notice and experience God’s Untold Blessing for you. Whether you are a child, teen, young adult, older adult, couple, single, widowed, man, woman, mother or father, new parishioner or you have been here for a while...there really is something for everyone - I hope that you come be with us !

May Our Lady of the Visitation continue to be our inspiration, model and guide.