St. Dunstan's Basilica Parish

Religious Education Classes begin Sept 29. Registration forms are available at the back of the church or can be sent to you via email. Classes are for grades K through 9 and are held on Sunday mornings from 9-10:15 am in the basement of the Basilica. We are in need of catechists for the Grades K/1, Grade 3 and Grade 5 at present. We also need team teachers/substitutes for many levels. Without catechists for these grades we will not be able to offer classes. Please contact Pat Wiedemer for more information at stdunstanscatechism@gmail.com.

Tuesday, September 24 is the 100th anniversary of the First Mass celebrated in the upper church following the rebuilding after the 1913 fire. The regular noon Mass that day will be followed by a time of Exposition and prayer closing with Mid-afternoon Prayer and Benediction at 3 pm.

Monthly First Saturday Gatherings honoring Blessed Virgin Mary will resume in October, following Saturday evening mass at the Basilica. All are welcome. If you have a special interest in Marian Shrines or know someone who visited one, please contact raymaryu@hotmail.com: 902-628-2397.

St. Dunstan's Annual Christmas Concert is scheduled for Friday December 20 at 7 pm, and will showcase the works of acclaimed choral composer John Rutter, including his spectacular "Gloria" as well as  the Shepherd's Pipe Carol, Candlelight Carol, and other favourites. Also on the program will be David Hamilton's cantata "The Wonder of Christmas", which features stunning arrangements such pieces as "The Wexford Carol", "I Wonder As I Wander" and "African Noel". A 60 voice choir accompanied by the PEI Pops! makes this an event not to be missed. Please arrive early to ensure good seating. Admission is by goodwill offering.

A suggestion has been made that children at Mass should be accompanied to the washroom downstairs by a parent rather than going on their own. In the interest of safety, this is a prudent practice to follow. If your child has such a need, please go with them.

1ST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH: Parishioners who are able to donate non perishable food items, please bring them to the weekend masses for the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry. Donations may be left near the angel holy water fonts at the entrance to the church. We hope that you can continue to give generously to support the needy in our parish community.

Automatic debit is an option for those who would like to contribute using that means. Please contact the Parish Office for information.

The church building, which was to become the first cathedral of the newly-formed Diocese of Charlottetown in 1829, was erected on the site of the present church in 1816. It was replaced by a larger wooden building in 1843, which itself gave way to a magnificent stone structure, destroyed by fire in 1913. This year marks the 100th Anniversary of the dedication of our present St. Dunstan's Basilica, the fourth cathedral of the Diocese of Charlottetown. As a way of marking the 100th Anniversary of our Basilica, Confirmation and other catechetics classes from across the Diocese will be invited for tours of our Diocesan Cathedral. Our thanks to the organizers, Charlene Peters and Fr. Art O'Shea.

Scented products such as perfume and cologne can aggravate health problems for some people. Please refrain from wearing scented products at Mass. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

THE-HEART-OF-THE-MATTER: A Marriage Preparation Course for Modern Couples in the Catholic Church: Contact Pat Wiedemer at 902-393-6047 patricia.wiedemer@outlook.com

The bulletins with advertising are going to print late this coming week. The bulletins are free of charge to St. Dunstan's as the costs are covered by the advertisements. If you own a business and would like to get some information or are interested in advertising, please call 902-314-5307. The deadline is Wednesday May 9 at 5 pm. We are encouraging businesses to support our bulletins, and you, the parishioners to support our advertisers. Thank you!

OUR FATHER'S ADORATION CHAPEL is open daily from 6 am - 11 pm except for cleaning on Sunday, 9 am - 1 pm. You may request to have a candle burn in the Adoration Chapel during this time. The stipend is $7. Please contact the Parish Office. This week the candles in the Chapel burn for: Bobby; Special Intention (1). There are several hours available at the Adoration Chapel. Please contact Sharon Kelly - sharonkelly_03@hotmail.com - 902-892- 2494 or Cathy McCann - cmccann@smss.com - 629-4521.

The St. Dunstan’s Basilica Parish refugee committee is in the final stages of a family reunification sponsorship of thirteen refugees from Somalia. Your much-needed tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign will bring stability and hope to a family that has suffered unimaginable adversity. To learn more about the Nuur family, and to donate online, click below.

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/st-dunstans-basilica-parish/kakuma-to-canada/