ARE YOU NEW TO OUR PARISH? WELCOME!
Welcome to those who want to make our parish their faith home. You may have come from other places. You may have been “away for a while”. Be assured that we love to have you among us. We would appreciate it very much if you identified yourself at Mass. It would also help if you would take the time to fill out a registration form. The next time you are with us, you may leave it in the collection basket or give it to one of the ushers or to the priest. Thank you and welcome.

NEXT SUNDAY, MAY 6th - FIRST COMMUNION CELEBRATION
Next Sunday a number of our younger parishioners will join us at the Table of the Lord for the first time. Naturally, that is an important event in their faith journey, but it is equally important for their families and for us as a parish community.

We have been preparing for it in a number of ways. Their parents have had a few meetings. We have had the children and their parents together in preparation for the event. We also have had two Sunday’s where we as a parish included them in our Sunday Eucharist and where we focussed on an important aspect of our being Christian. Let us hope that it all contributes to strengthening the bond between us and Jesus Christ, but also the bond with us as Christ’s Body, his Church.

INTERNATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS - QUEBEC CITY, JUNE 15th - 22nd, 2008
What is an International Eucharistic Congress? It is a gathering of Roman Catholic Christians from all over the world. They gather in order to celebrate the fact that, however diverse and however widespread they are, they have one treasure in common, a treasure that unites them: the living Lord Jesus. That is the faith reality celebrated Sunday after Sunday in local parishes all over the world. He is the center of life for all local Churches, for the Diocesan Church, and for the Universal Church.

That celebration of their unity in Jesus Christ consists of a great variety of activities, the most important ones being liturgical celebrations, times of prayer and reflection, catechetical sessions, a project highlighting the bond between the Eucharist and involvement in the world.

Such an International Eucharistic Congress will be held in Quebec City next year, June 15th - 22nd, 2008. The last time such a Congress took place in Canada was in Montreal in 1910. The theme for next year’s Congress is The Eucharist, gjft of God for the life of the world. That theme will be the focus for the various activities during the Congress and in preparation for the Congress.

The theme is also expressed in the logo that has been chosen for the Congress and that will identify future announcements pertaining to the Congress:

• The logo is formed by a cross which divides the body of Christ into four parts, whence the notion of the Eucharistic sharing, of bread broken as well as a reference to the four cardinal points of the earth.
• In its form, the logo represents a stylised boat, symbol of the universal Church, and also symbol of Quebec City, since it was via the river that faith was implanted in Quebec.
• The lines refer to water, mixed with wine.

DIOCEAN LAUNCH FOR THE INTERNATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS - MONDAY, MAY 28th, 7:30 p.m. IN ST. MARK'S CHURCH IN AYLMER
Our Gatineau Diocese will officially launch the year-long preparation for next year’s International Eucharistic Congress with a celebration presided over by Archbishop Roger Ebacher in three different locations, thus accommodating as many people as possible, one in Thurso (May 26, 8:00 p.m.), one in St. Joseph Cathedral in Hull (May 27, 7:30 p.m.), one specifically for the English speaking Catholics of our Diocese in St. Mark’s in Aylmer: Monday, May 28, 7:30 p.m.

Let us make sure we have a good representation from our parishes there.

NATIONAL COLLECTIONS FOR THE CONGRESS - JUNE 10th, 2007 AND MAY 25th, 2008
Naturally, an event of this kind incurs great expense. The Congress operating budget has been set at close to $10 million. To date, over $5 million has been raised by generous contributions from the Knights of Columbus, Canadian religious communities, Caisses Populaires Desjardins, the Government of Canada, the Government of Quebec and the City of Quebec. These contributions arc not sufficient to cover the operating budget. That is why the Catholic Bishops of Canada have agreed to hold two national collections on the Feast of Corpus Christi, June 10, 2007 and May 25, 2008.

Special envelopes for that purpose will be provided.

You want to participate in the 2008 International Eucharistic Congress? If you are or if you want to have more information about it, please, let us know.

TO HELP US REFLECT ON THE STEM CELLS ISSUE
Who among us hasn’t heard of the term Stem Cells? Medical research using these infinitely small elements of the human body promises miracle cures for terrible illnesses. As with any new scientific findings, they also raise new ethical questions.

The Catholic Organization for Life Family (COLF) has put a brochure together for those who wish to know more about this type of research and to better understand the moral dimension of the issue.

A number of these brochures are available at the entrance to the church. If we run out, we’ll order more.

FIRST COMMUNION
Next Sunday May 6th, OLV, 9:00am.

NEXT PREPARATION SESSION FOR FIRST COMMUNION
May 5th, 9:00 AM. OLV Practice First Communion Rite.

TO THOSE INTERESTED IN THE FUTURE OF OUR LADY OF THE LIGHT CHURCH
The Mayor of the Municipality of Mulgrave and Derry, Mr. Michael Kane, has approached the Fabrique of St. Malachy church in Mayo concerning the possibility of transferring Our Lady of Light church to the Municipality of Mulgrave and Derry. The Mayor is interested in preserving the site for historical purposes as well as its possible use as a municipal hall. Please note the exploratory nature of this contact. No formal proposal has been made.

Before proceeding any further on this issue, the Fabrique of St. Malachy church is of the opinion that those interested in the future of Our Lady of Light church should have the opportunity to express their views on this possible transfer. The Fabrique would like to invite all those interested to an open meeting to be held in St. Malachy church on May 15, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.

OUR LADY OF THE ANNUNCIATION PARISH
A Spring Auction will be held on Tuesday, May 8th at the Church Centre, 189 Archambault Street, (Hull Sector) Gatineau. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. for viewing, auction is from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Admission is $1.00 and includes refreshments.To donate goods or for additional information, phone 771-4613 or 777-6416.