SIGNS OF HOPE 2024 IN REVIEW
“Eveninthebusynessofourdailyliveswedesiretogetin thethickofthings,becauseweknowthatwe’rehappiest andmostfulfilledwhenweparticipateinthemissionlike Jesus,Maryandthesaints.Weneedtobeequipping, empoweringandmotivatingforevangelization-it’sone ofourprinciplesasadiocese.”
-BishopChristianRiesbeck,CC
(Homily,December9,2024,SolemnityoftheImmaculateConception) and making disciples of others.
OUR VISION: Led by the Holy Spirit, all the faithful (clergy, consecrated and lay) have a deep and personal relationship with Jesus and his Church; all parishes are welcoming, invitational and vibrant communities where people are evangelized, discipled, and missioned to go and make disciples of others (Matthew 28:19-20).
Family Adoration to close the Pentecost Vigil at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Mass at the Villa Madonna during the Diocesan Youth Rally
Increased interest and participation of youth as Altar Servers.
Corpus Christi Eucharistic procession attended by over 100 participants in Saint John
Miramichi Confirmation kick off at Camp Sheldrake.
Mass at St. Michael the Archangel Basilica in Miramichi.
EVANGELIZATION
Growing curiosity and interest in the spiritual life, personal growth in faith, and a lived expression of faith
First steps towards establishing family-based model of catechesis in pilot parishes across the diocese, including the launch of CCO Discovery faith studies focused on the accompaniment and faith formation of parents.
Over 80 youth, chaperones, and clergy participating in the annual Steubenville Atlantic Conference.
Increased offerings for youth, including youth rallies, summits, NET retreats, and accompaniment of youth leaders.
A very fruitful and beautiful young adults retreat at the Villa Madonna Retreat House planned and led by the young adults community.
Creation of a digital mailing list to keep people informed (2,108 active and verified emails, 65% average open rate and 15% average click rate)
Launching of a digital magazine, Evangelii Gaudium, published quarterly in full colour with local content from all regions of the diocese to help spread the Joy of the Gospel through witness and faith.
Greater reach and engagement through diocesan communications platforms (Facebook overall reach/views increase of 785%, interactions increase of 161%, follows increased by 119%; Instagram reach increase of 202%)
Growth of programs of initial proclamation and faith formation in parishes throughout the diocese, including the first ever Cathedral Alpha mentored by leaders from Holy Spirit Parish which included over 60 participants.
Participants were drawn into deeper relationship with Jesus through programs of initial proclamation including Alpha.
Youth participants for the Steubenville Atlantic LEAD formation prepare in prayer for the journey to Halifax
Catholic Young Adults of Fredericton hosted several beautiful and well attended Summit Nights
Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO) hosted a mission for young adults and a night of adoration, talks and prayer for the entire diocese.
Striving for Holiness - Catholic young adult retreat at the Villa Madonna Retreat House.
Bishop Riesbeck received a warm welcome from parishioners at St. Timothy’s Church (St. Croix Parish) in Campobello.
Exult 2024. A powerful evening of worship, preaching and encounter led by the Exult Ministries team of seminarians from the Companions of the Cross
Growing community among young adults in the diocese, especially in the Fredericton and Saint John regions.
Synod reflection sessions, including training and guidance in the Conversation in the Spirit process of spiritual discernment (and two quotes in the CCCB final report from the Diocese of Saint John diocesan report!)
DISCIPLESHIP R
Accompaniment and ongoing formation of the catechists, youth ministry leaders and other parish leaders to encourage personal discipleship and mission in parish settings.
Called for More program with CLI including diocesan-wide Disciple Maker Index survey for parish renewal.
Each parish priest receiving the opportunity for engagement with a coach mentor to assist in developing a personal growth plan for his priesthood and the parish he is assigned to.
Annual priests’ retreat with Most Rev. Guy Desrochers, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Moncton as retreat master.
Annual catechists’ retreat providing an opportunity for catechists throughout the diocese to deepen their relationship with Jesus.
Convocation for priests and administrative staff providing professional development for our priests and parish/diocesan staff.
Accompaniment of Cathedral Pastoral Visioning Team to help grow the Cathedral in its role as mother church of the diocese and a centre of constant missionary activity.
Six youth accepted to Steubenville LEAD (leadership formation) and six youth accepted to Alpha Leadership Collective to help build leadership skills among high school aged students.
Young adults share a meal with Bishop Christian Riesbeck, CC during the CCO Mission in March.
A relic of the True Cross from the diocesan archives was unveiled at the Cathedral on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.
Bishop Riesbeck leads the rosary on All Souls’ Day and blesses the cemetery
Knights of Columbus Council 937 Coats for Kids donation to Center for Youth Care SJ. The Knights of Columbus have donated over 1250 coats in N B
St. Vincent de Paul Centre at the Cathedral, which serves the physical needs of the most marginalized in the city of Saint John and is undergoing renovations to
Marian procession and May Crowning Mass, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Focus on Life Mass was held at St. Dunstan’s Church in Fredericton. Following Mass, a prayer walk to the New Brunswick Legislature was held where they joined in silent prayer.
MISSION
Two seminarians entering their spiritual year at St. Augustine’s Seminary in Toronto.
Four candidates preparing for admission to Holy Orders as Permanent Deacons.
Diocesan celebrations of the Chrism Mass and Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.
Refugee centre continuing to support refugees with applications and settlement within our diocese.
Ongoing and important work of our dedicated archivist to preserve and maintain the history of our diocese, with positive feedback from people who visit or seek information from the diocesan archives.
G O
Move of diocesan archives – including a large volume of books and archival material - to the Villa Madonna (a monumental undertaking that presented many challenges but has yielded good results!)
Updated Protocol for Responsible Ministry with implementation of ongoing formation and policies.
Updated administrative policies to better assist pastors and staff in the mission of the parishes with consistency and accountability among parishes across the diocese. Streamlined accounting system to create automation and efficiency.
Increased support to parishes through policy creation and accounting expertise.
Creation of a united accounting team where all contribute to the success of the mission.
Continued support of St. Vincent de Paul Centre at the Cathedral, which serves the physical needs of the most marginalized in the city of Saint John and is undergoing renovations to help reach even more people with services that are desperately needed (including a meeting space and planned drop-in center).
Progression of work on Steepleview Apartments, set to open in the Fall of 2025, which will contain 56 affordable apartments, a community room, a Knights of Columbus Council chambers, and an early learning childhood center at the corner of Cliff and Waterloo streets.
9 projects funded in all regions of the diocese through our Indigenous Reconciliation Fund, totalling $277,880
Diocesan opening of the Jubilee Year Pilgrims of Hope December 29, 2024 (Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph) at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Planning for Jubilee year activities, including regional missions and pilgrimages to the Cathedral as an official place of pilgrimage throughout the year, as well as diocesan shrines on their feast days.
We give thanks to the Lord for his outpouring of grace in 2024, entrusting the Jubilee Year to his abundant mercy with expectant faith for a renewal of hope in our diocese in 2025!
GraciousFather, youarethehopethatdoesnotdisappoint.
MayweexperiencethegraceofthisJubileeYear asanoutpouringofdivinemercy fortherenewalofhearts intheDioceseofSaintJohn.
Maywebenourishedinprayer andthroughfrequentencounterswithJesusChrist inthesacraments,especiallytheEucharist.
EmbracingthejoyoftheGospel, maywebecultivatorsofhope inaworldindesperateneedofthesavingloveofJesus.
Anchoredinhope,maywebeledbytheHolySpirit totakeupourbaptismalcall,joyfullylivingoutthemission, proclaimingtheGoodNewsofJesusChrist, andmakingdisciplesofothers.
Throughourworksofmercy,maywebesignsofhope tothosewhoexperiencehardshipsofanykind, toprisoners,thesick,theyoung, migrants,theelderly,thepoor.
MayMary,MotherofHope,intercedeforallherchildren tobePilgrimsofHopeduringthisYearofJubilee.
ThroughChristourLord,Amen.
✠ChristianRiesbeck,CC BishopofSaintJohn
JUBILEE
