2022 Message

As we once again share in my Annual Bishop's Diocesan Ministry Campaign, the theme in this title tells us the direction for this year's campaign. Pope Francis has always reminded us that if we remember our experiences of the past, both good and bad, and if we learn from them, then we can see a clear direction for our future, as an individual person, as a family, and as a community. He said: "All of us benefit from remembering our past. A people which remembers does not repeat past errors; instead, it looks with confidence to the challenges of the present and to the future." This year's campaign hopes to do this for all of us.

Our annual campaign this year carries with it a new category called "Truth and Healing" ministries. This category is a response to our collective efforts as a Catholic community to recognize and acknowledge the events in our past history that have brought pain and separation to our Indigenous peoples. This also includes a note of hopefulness, as we see how in our sharing, we can bring some healing and reconciliation in our Church and in our local communities. This concerted effort is a Canadian wide project featuring local needs and local projects. Our past can bring us some embarrassment, but our desire to move forward in hope, is what the Gospel of Jesus has always prompted us to do together.

The needs our our diocesan family are again highlighted this year, as we bring support and healing to families, to struggling parish communities, to those who are feeling alienated from the Church community and are seeking a welcome back, and to the education and development of our priests, deacons, young people and our liturgical celebrations. As we look at our past experiences and projects, we can see their positive influence on those we supported, and we can see how we can give even better support this year.

Our past gives us wisdom in our thought, and our generosity and sharing, gives us the means to move forward in a positive way and in a compassionate way of serving. As a Church community we know that our Baptismal Call is for all of us to be "bearers of the Good News of Jesus" to the world. We carry on the work of the Lord and His apostles and we share in the 'evangelization' of the world. This is not an easy task in our modern world. There are many obstacles and challenges that face us as a Church. Yet by our generous giving and sharing, we are able to overcome the obstacles, to tackle the challenges, and to proclaim with hope, the promise of our faith in Jesus. Our generous giving and sharing, allows for many smaller parishes to celebrate Mass and the Sacraments for their communities even when they are small and financially challenged.

We remember our past with our eyes fixed on the future. We know that with Christ we can accomplish great works and heal many hearts through our sharing and caring. My dear people, once again I appeal to you and your generosity for this year's Annual Diocesan Ministry Campaign. The needs expressed are important for the growth of our Church communities in northwestern Ontario.

I am extremely grateful for your past generosity and I ask the Lord to continue to bless you and your families for this demonstration of goodness. May our past not block us in emotion or frustration, but may it teach and guide us on how we can work together for a better future in our mission to the Lord and His teachings and in our journey together as His people. This journey requires from us: generosity, compassion, respect, openness, forgiveness and a hope to bring us to new and stronger bonds of love and concern for one another. We are all God's children, which makes us all sisters and brothers in Christ. May this understanding always be our guide and support in all that we do.

Bishop Fred Colli,
Bishop of Thunder Bay