On Thursday, August 10, Archbishop Dunn will ordain William (Bill) Grady to the permanent diaconate. The celebration will be at 7:00pm at Saint Mary’s Cathedral Basilica. All are welcome!
In the early Church, some men were called to become deacons, ordained ministers who served the people of God under the direction of the Bishop.
The title “deacon” comes from the Greek word “diakonos,” which means “servant.” Though all Christians by baptism are called to “diakonia,” or service, deacons serve as a public sacramental sign of Christ in and at the service of the world. Like a priest, a deacon is a member of the clergy who shares in the ministry of the Bishop. Unlike a priest, he may also have a wife, a family, and a secular job. The diaconate is a distinct vocation, or calling, to imitate Christ in His service to all humanity, to bring the world to Christ and Christ to the world.
We invite you keep Bill in your prayers as he prepares for this next step in his faith journey.
On Wednesday, June 21, 2023 the priests of the diocese will gather with Archbishop Dunn in Kentville for their annual general meeting. Please keep our priests in your prayers as they review the past year, pray together, and discern pastoral actions for the coming ministry year.
Today, May 23, Father Clarence Thibeau celebrates 75 years of priesthood! Along with this milestone, he will also turn 100 on July 20. Father Clarence still celebrates Mass every day and usually concelebrates on Sunday at Saint Ambrose in Yarmouth. To honour him, the parish will gather to celebrate this wonderful moment in his ministry and recognize his many years of faithful service. Archbishop Dunn will celebrate the Mass of Thankgiving at Saint Ambrose Co-Cathedral with a reception to follow. All are welcome!
Congratulations Fr. Clarence! Thank you for your ministry and may God continue to be your joy and your strength!
The Archdiocese is in the process of seeking permission from Rome to change the patronal feast of the Archdiocese from the Feast of the Assumption (August 15) to the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (December 8). This change is recommended because August 15 is a special day for the Acadians and they are involved in other festivities. As well December 8 is the date of the establishment of the new merged Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth. The clergy have agreed with this change and this announcement is a way to consult all parishioners to see if you have any comments on this change. Please respond to Pauline (
Decrees of Our New Parishes
You can find a list of
Decrees of Our New Parishes
under the "Parishes" tab and click on "Our New Parishes"
or click here.
Archdiocesan Crest
Chancery Contact
Deacon Robert Doyle
Chancellor
(902) 429-9800 ext. 307
Archdiocesan Funeral Guidelines
Archbishop Mancini in collaboration with the clergy, religious and lay faithful of our Church of 
Halifax-Yarmouth prepared the document on Catholic funerals in the Archdiocese of Halifax Yarmouth. The document is titled "Catholic Funerals: Theological and Pastoral Considerations".
The document touches on the frequent experience in our faith communities that funerals draw people with diverse connections to the Catholic faith or faith in general. Liturgical options, specifically the separation of the Funeral Rite (Order of Christian Funerals) and the celebration of the Eucharist, can facilitate a fuller involvement of mourners at Catholic funerals. As well new opportunities are presented to evangelize and catechized a Christian understanding of life, death and resurrection. For the faithful the opportunity to celebrate Eucharist at a memorial Mass within a short time of the funeral liturgy can be much more meaningful experience of communion.
This guidelines addresses issues like eulogies, use of Christian symbols at funerals, cremation, and the celebration of the funeral rite at funeral parlors as well as other points to assist parish personnel in the ministry to those who are grieving.
download: English (pdf) French (pdf)
