On the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec City and the arrival of the Catholic faith in this part of North America, our Holy Father Benedict XVI has entrusted to the Archdiocese of Quebec the celebration of the 49th International Eucharistic Congress which will take place from June 15 to 22, 2008. This will be a celebration for the entire Church in Canada.

In preparation for the Eucharistic Congress, each diocese in Canada will hold a series of events. In the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie, there will be a number of diocesan events for all regions and sectors which will take place in the Spring of 2008.

In the meanwhile, the organizers of the Eucharistic Congress have launched a pilgrimage of the Ark of the New Covenant which is currently travelling throughout Canada in order to provide the opportunity for Catholics to unite in prayer for the success of the Congress. The visit of the Ark in various locations throughout this country also gives us the opportunity to learn more about the preparations for the Congress and to prepare spiritually for the celebration of this historic event.

The Ark of the New Covenant will be arriving in the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie in March 2007 and will spend two days in each of our geographic regions.

• Schedule of the pilgrimage of the Ark of the New Covenant in the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie

More information about the 49th International Eucharistic Congress and about the pilgrimage of the Ark of the New Covenant can be found on the website of the Eucharistic Congress website.