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.

Development and Peace – A Voice for the Voiceless (continued from last week’s bulletin). In March 2007, the much-anticipated Report on the National Roundtables on Corporate Social Responsibility and the Canadian Extractive Industry in Developing Countries was released. The advisory group who wrote the report recommends establishing a Canadian corporate social responsibility framework that would provide a more systematic way of encouraging mining companies to act in a responsible manner. The proposal is divided into five sections and presents incentives and ways of improving the management of mining projects in the Global South and their impacts on host countries. An ombudsperson for the South In addition to establishing common standards of corporate social responsibility, the Roundtables Report breaks new ground. If its recommendations are adopted, an ombudsperson’s office for mining and other extractive industries will be created. It will be mandated to investigate complaints against Canadian companies concerning the violation of established social and environmental standards. Creating an ombudsperson’s office would be a real benefit for the communities of the Global South. They would finally have access to a public grievance mechanism when Canadian mining companies disregard their rights. Next week, you’ll be asked to sign a postcard, calling on our government to adopt the recommendations of the Roundtables report, including the immediate establishment of an ombudsperson’s office. Included with today’s bulletin is an action sheet with stories of Ecuador and of the Democratic Republic of the Congo where having an ombudsperson would have made a difference when local communities were in conflict with mining companies. Please read this action sheet carefully and be prepared to sign the postcard next week! The actions of Canadian companies throughout the world reflect on all Canadians. As we are one body in Christ, so must we be able to hear the cries of our sisters and brothers to the South. If you would like to know more about the Report and the social responsibility framework, there are three documents at the church entrance: Backgrounder 1, Backgrounder 2 and a Reflection on the six principles which were presented in the 2006 campaign.

NOVEMBER - THE MONTH IN WHICH WE REMEMBER THE DECEASED
November is traditionally the month in which we give more attention to the remembrance of the deceased. Christians do so in a unique way based on what is central in our faith: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

You will see for all of the month of November the so-called Book of Life at the front of the church. The Book of Life contains the names of deceased parishioners and relatives. Some additional pages are provided at the back of the book for that purpose, unless you decide to make up your own book.

It is our way of expressing our faith that the dead find peace with God and will be raised to life when the Lord Jesus comes in glory. The Book is placed next to the Easter Candle which speaks of the ultimate victory of life over death, of light over darkness, in the dead and risen Jesus. We are called to share in that victory.

ALL SOULS MASS - OLV
In rememberance of the deceased members of OLV and St. Malachy, there will be a mass at OLV on Thursday, November 1st at 7:00 pm.

INVITATION TO THE FALL ZONE WORKSHOP NOVEMBER 17TH
Two and a half years ago, on the Feast of Pentecost, our Bishop Roger Ebacher presented the Church of Gatineau with a visionary document Discovering Jesus Christ the Path to Freedom. It was meant to provide us with an outline of the catechetical project that would mark the pastoral life of our Diocese for the next 10-15 years. All the parishes in our Diocese are struggling with it. For the English parishes the English Zone Pastoral Council (which brings together representatives of our parishes) has put on three workshops to familiarize ourselves with the vision of the above mentioned document.

It has been tough going, especially in light of the immense challenge the Bishop gave us when he asks us to move from the practice of preparation for the sacraments to the practice of formation to the Christian life. This is not to stop preparing for sacraments, but to set all these efforts in a larger context, namely that of formation to the Christian life. After all, sacraments function only properly in the context of the Christian life. Formation in that Christian life is the real challenge today; it is not just for children, but for youth and adults as well, simply because it is a life-long process for all of us.

On Saturday, November 17th, those who have a leadership position in our English parishes and all other interested parishioners are urged to once again come together to continue the journey. The session will again take place at Our Lady of the Annunciation Church in Hull from 9:00 a.m. until noon on Saturday, November 17. Let us be there!

THANK YOU
The Wardens of OLV would like to thank the organizers and all who helped in any way to make the fundraiser dance of last week a success. A total of $700.00 was raised to help defray the costs of fuel at OLV.

OFFICE HOURS

Monday and Thursday:	1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday and Wednesday:	9:00 – 10:00 a.m.

Telephone messages are picked up on a regular basis throughout the week.