Last weekend our Parish along with a number of other Parishes in the region undertook a pilgrimage both individually and as a community, to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Saint John, which has been designated as a special place of pilgrimage during the Jubilee Year.

Throughout the morning, time and space was provided for personal devotional prayer including Stations of the Cross, the Rosary, veneration of holy relics, the Sacrament of Reconciliation and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The morning concluded with the Jubilee Pilgrimage Mass.

On our return journey, through the generosity of the Holy Spirit Parish Women’s Society, we were graciously provided with a nourishing Pilgrim Lunch held at St. Mark’s Worship site in Grand Bay-Westfield. During this time, we were able to share a meal together and discuss our pilgrimage experiences of the morning.

Everyone is welcome to attend any Pilgrimages throughout the year including those designated for specific regions.

If you have not yet had an opportunity to participate in a pilgrimage, listed below are upcoming Cathedral Jubilee Pilgrimages:

- August 2nd: Mary Undoer of Knots Jubilee Pilgrimage
- September 6th: Fredericton Proper Regional Pilgrimage
- October 4th: Our Lady of the Rosary Jubilee Pilgrimage
- November 1st: Saint John Kings and Charlotte County Regional Pilgrimage
- December 6th: Our Lady Star of the Sea of Jubilee Pilgrimage
- December 8th: Diocesan—wide Pilgrimage Day in honor of the Immaculate Conception

Pilgrimages to Diocesan Shrines and Minor Basilica:

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Shrine in Howard (Good Shepherd Parish). Annual Shrine Mass, July 13th, 2025, 3pm.

Saint Francis of Assisi Shrine in Skiff Lake (St. John the Baptist Parish). Annual Shrine Mass, August 10th, 2025, 11am. (More information to come.)

St. Michael’s Basilica (St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Miramichi). Mass for the Vigil of the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, September 28, 2025, 5:30pm.

Bishop Riesbeck continues his Regional Missions in which all are invited to attend. The next Regional Mission will be held in Miramichi from September 29th-October 1st, 2025, at Saint Michael the Archangel Basilica.

As Pilgrims of Hope, the theme for this Jubilee Year, we are encouraged to make personal pilgrimages to the Cathedral at any time during the year. “Jesus said to them, ‘Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while’.” (Mark 6:31)

We would be remiss to not share the deep gratitude and joy expressed by parishioners from the three Parish sites that attended the event by bus that day (St. John the Baptist Parish, St. John Paul II Parish and St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish)—for the opportunity to be a part of this designated regional Pilgrimage. So it is with grateful hearts that we extend our thanks to Bishop Riesbeck, the Diocesan Jubilee Committee, and to Fr. Bill for the opportunity to participate in this special journey, to deepen our faith and to experience God’s presence and love.