Mission Statement
The office of stewardship of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Thunder Bay
exists for the purpose of educating the local church, clergy and laity, towards
stewardship.
Through an annual campaign ("SHARING THE CHALLENGES") to fund
diocesan services, we reach out to open minds and hearts to the understanding of giving as
an expression of our gratitude to God.
While we respect each person's attitude and decision as regards financial
giving to the Church, we continue to strive to broaden the horizons of this important
element of church membership.
My Dear Sisters & Brothers in Christ:
 |
This past year,
we have celebrated the "Year of the Eucharist" and we are using excerpts from
this theme for our "SHARING THE CHALLENGES" campaign. The theme, from Pope John
Paul II, reminds us of the unity we share as the Body of Christ which is the Church. It
also reminds us of our need, as a body, to work together in order for the body to function
properly. Each of the parts of the body shows concern for the other parts. When they all
work in harmony, sharing their gifts and talents, much is accomplished.
In the same way, we are the Catholic Church, which is not
only our parish community, but the larger Church, our diocesan family in Northwestern
Ontario. This diocesan family consists of approximately 75,000 Catholics living and
working in over 42 parishes and missions from Marathon to Fort Frances and to Kenora.
|
The sharing of our time, talents and treasure
helps our diocesan family function so that the Gospel of Jesus Christ might be proclaimed.
Once again, I am appealing to your generosity
for this year’s campaign. As you know, needs increase each year. While maintaining
good stewardship and a budgetary agenda with all the traditional programs and projects, we
see a greater need to support our seminarians as they prepare for the priesthood. This is
an investment for the future of our diocese. At present, there are three young men
studying to be priests for our diocese. They are hometown boys, two from Thunder Bay
parishes and one from Fort Frances. Your generosity helps the diocese to ensure their
education in theology for their future work as our pastors.
In addition to seminarian training, your support assists our many other projects such as
helping the poor, helping families, enhancing Catholic education, the formation of our
deacons, and social services. Your annual contribution is essential for this Church work.
I want to thank you most sincerely for your
past generosity. I know that as "one body in Christ" we will again make Him
present in the good works that we do as a diocese. God bless you all.
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Rev. Fred J. Colli,
Bishop of Thunder Bay
Descriptions
of Allocations
Adult Faith Formation
The Adult Faith Office, located in the Catholic Pastoral Centre in Thunder
Bay, arranges educational workshops and seminars, facilitates training for lay leaders,
and runs a resource centre and library.
Return to 2005 Allocations
Office of Worship/Liturgy
The Office of Worship & Liturgy enhances the liturgical celebrations
of the parishes, offers resource materials and arranges the annual liturgy workshop.
Return to 2005 Allocations
Diocesan Missionaries
Our missionaries travel throughout the diocese, strengthening the faith of
the Church and extending the kingdom of God.
Return to 2005 Allocations
Office of Catholic Education
The Office of Catholic Education works with Catholic school boards to
promote diocesan initiatives, help design policies and aid professional development. It
serves as a vital link between the diocese and Catholic schools.
Return to 2005 Allocations
University Chaplaincy
The chaplain at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay is Sr. Alice Greer. She
counsels students, faculty and staff members in a personal and spiritual manner. She helps
them work through family issues, grief, etc. She also facilitates the weekly Mass for
students at the Avila Centre
Return to 2005 Allocations.
Youth Ministry
The diocese's Youth Ministry Office is located in the Catholic Pastoral
Centre, Thunder Bay. Its purpose is to aid the religious development of young people
through workshops and parish retreats. It provides opportunities for faith community
experiences and training for young people. It encourages and enhances youth ministry at
the parish level.
Return to 2005 Allocations
TEC Ministry
This diocesan youth retreat program has
existed in Thunder Bay since 1977. Sixty retreat weekends have been held since its
beginning. TEC provide teens, 17 and up, with an experience of the Paschal Mystery, the
core teaching of our faith. Leadership formation and prayer activities are also held.
National TEC conventions are held regularly in the US and are attended by some of our
local “tecites.” Youth that
have experienced TEC are often motivated to take on leadership positions in schools,
parishes and communities.
Return to 2005 Allocations
Family Support Services
The Catholic Family Development Centre is located at 36 Banning Street in
Thunder Bay and is under the direction of John Cosgrove. The centre's trained counselors
provide families with support programs, parenting skills, communication skills and
counseling. The centre provides a wide variety of workshops and educational opportunities
to promote, preserve and encourage the basis of a healthy society - families!
Return to 2005 Allocations
Marriage Tribunal
The Marriage Tribunal offices are located at the Catholic Pastoral Centre.
Sr. Shirley Grexton and Cathy Dahlin offer confidential assistance to persons requesting a
declaration of nullity. The process is designed to offer healing and hope.
Return to 2005 Allocations
Refugee Settlement
D.O.O.R.S. to New Life refugee and immigrant settlement centre is located
at 208 South Archibald Street in Thunder Bay. Under the direction of Mary Kozorys, the
caring staff assists needy refugees and recent immigrants to Canada with clothing, housing
and some old-fashioned hospitality.
Return to 2005 Allocations
Catholic Action / St. Vincent de Paul
The Catholic Action / St. Vincent de Paul store is located at 129 Miles
Street East in Thunder Bay. Ideally situated in the city's downtown south side, the store
provides clothing, furnishings and appliances for the poor. Money is also allocated to the
Dew Drop Inn soup kitchen and the youth drop-in on the city's north side.
Return to 2005 Allocations
Vocations Promotion
Promotes vocations to the priesthood with the goal that each parish in the
diocese will have a resident priest.
Return to 2005 Allocations
Ongoing Education - Priests
Our diocese's priests need to continually deepen their knowledge and
enhance their skills in order to better serve God's people and the community at large. The
diocese's Ongoing Education for Priests program is designed to help our priests do their
work even better.
Return to 2005 Allocations
Seminary Education
This fund assists in the education of seminarians and the
promotion of vocations to the priesthood and religious life. The cost of educating a
seminarian is quite substantial — close to $15,000 a year. This fund will help pay
for this.
Return to 2005 Allocations
Ongoing Education - Deacons
Like our priests, the diocese's deacons need to constantly deepen their
spirituality and update their knowledge and training in order to serve God and His people
even better. This is what Ongoing Education for Deacons is all about.
Return to 2005 Allocations
Priests' Pension Fund
The Priests' Pension Fund is meant to ensure a secure retirement for the
priests who have served our diocese so well. Usually, retired priests continue to help
meet the needs of God's people in many ways.
Return to 2005 Allocations
Priest Infirm Fund
In the Diocese of Thunder Bay, we have two priests who are
ill and who need special care. This fund will help pay for at least one of them in
a special care facility. It is a way for the Church to say thank you for the many
years of service given by priests who served when pensions, etc., did not exist. Special
care for our infirm or disabled priests is the responsibility of the Church community.
Return to 2005 Allocations
Diaconate Program
The Diaconate Training Program has been a success story for our diocese.
Over the past several years, over 20 men have been trained for the permanent diaconate and
over 10 women have been trained for the ministry of service. Deacons and Ministers of
Service fill many ministry needs in our diocese.
Return to 2005 Allocations
[ BACK TO TOP ]
