Diocese of Pembroke - Decree on the Code of Pastoral Conduct for all Priests, Deacons, Seminarians,
Employees & Volunteers
January 24, 2018

Specific application of the policy at
Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Petawawa

CODE OF PASTORAL CONDUCT: on January 24, 2018, we received from the Bishop’s Office a Decree entitled “Code of Pastoral Conduct”. The decree was promulgated and signed by Bishop Michael Mulhall and by the Chancellor, Father Michael Smith. The decree is directly applicable to priests, deacons, seminarians, employees and volunteers engaged in ministries and services in the Diocese of Pembroke. It’s intent is to assist all in upholding Christian values and conduct as they minister to, or work with the People of God. The code is effective February 1, 2018 and has been distributed among our parish staff and will be disseminated among all those engaged in volunteer ministry in the parish.

In order that we may be in complete compliance with the letter and spirit of the ‘Code of Pastoral Conduct’, the following is important to note:
 
Effective Immediately:

All appointments with Father Steve or any parish staff member or volunteer will only take place during regular office hours in the Parish Centre. Father Steve will meet with individuals or couples in the Parish Centre in our meeting room (formerly the chapel) with the door open at all times. The parish secretary and the director of religious education will always be made aware of individual or group meetings taking place with Father Steve and will have full view into the room from the hallway. No group or individual appointments will take place in the priest’s house.

The Mass of all ages

1345 As early as the second century we have the witness of St. Justin Martyr for the basic lines of the order of the Eucharistic celebration. They have stayed the same until our own day for all the great liturgical families. St. Justin wrote to the pagan emperor Antoninus Pius (138-161) around the year 155, explaining what Christians did:

"On the day we call the day of the sun, all who dwell in the city or country gather in the same place.

The memoirs of the apostles and the writings of the prophets are read, as much as time permits.

When the reader has finished, he who presides over those gathered admonishes and challenges them to imitate these beautiful things.

Then we all rise together and offer prayers* for ourselves . . .and for all others, wherever they may be, so that we may be found righteous by our life and actions, and faithful to the commandments, so as to obtain eternal salvation.

When the prayers are concluded we exchange the kiss.

Then someone brings bread and a cup of water and wine mixed together to him who presides over the brethren.

He takes them and offers praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and for a considerable time he gives thanks (in Greek: eucharistian) that we have been judged worthy of these gifts.

When he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all present give voice to an acclamation by saying: 'Amen.'

When he who presides has given thanks and the people have responded, those whom we call deacons give to those present the "eucharisted" bread, wine and water and take them to those who are absent.^"

(Catechism of the Catholic Church)