2022 Annual Impact Report
For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope." 
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Easter is a time of hope and joy in our lives. This year I share with you a message of hope through this 2022 Annual Impact Report. I am grateful for the witness of faith and the spirit of hope that is evident in the Diocese of Calgary.
When we take the time to review with gratitude the work of God in our midst we can appreciate the blessings that we have received. This impact report reminds us of His presence in this past year through the Spirit of love and service which shows forth the life of the Church in the Diocese of Calgary. Our future is always in the hands of God as Jeremiah reminded the people, “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” God has a plan for each of us, a plan that is for our benefit and in which we discover the gifts of joy and hope. May this report renew our trust in the Lord and move us forward in being committed to our mission of outreach and service as a diocese. As we celebrate this Easter season, let us hold on to the hope that comes from our faith in Jesus Christ. Let us trust in God's plan for our lives, even when sometimes we do not fully understand it. And let us share this hope with others, so that they too may come to know the love and grace of our risen Saviour. May the peace and joy of Easter be with you all. Sincerely yours in Christ, Most Reverend William T. McGrattan Bishop of Calgary |
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Since the beginning of October, over 100 school faith leaders and administrators from 91 Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD) schools have responded to the Bishop’s call to accompany the parishes in preparing children and their families for the reception of the Sacraments. During the season of Advent, over 1500 children in grade 3-9 experienced the depth of God’s love in the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
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We give thanks to all parents, pastors, catechists, schools and parish staff, volunteers, and all participating students! You have blessed us with your support and participation, and we could not have achieved this without you!
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Pope Francis visited Canada from July 24 to 29, 2022 to listen and dialogue with Indigenous Peoples, address the impact of colonization and the participation of the Catholic Church in residential schools, and connect with the Catholic community in Canada. Together as the Diocese of Calgary, we unite our efforts in working with the Indigenous Peoples in the pursuit of truth, justice, healing, and reconciliation.
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Summary of operations
Our donation revenue in 2022 increased comparative to the prior two years which were impacted by the pandemic. Revenue continues to normalize to pre-pandemic levels which demonstrates the continued generosity of the faithful in supporting the mission of the Diocese and our parish communities.
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Working togetherThank you for the sharing of your gifts. The Diocese and the parishes strive to be good stewards and have provided dedicated service through the collaboration of clergy, religious, lay staff, and volunteers.
As of December 2022, there are 155 lay staff and 90 clergy serving in the Parishes. There is a total of 13 lay staff in the Catholic Pastoral Centre, 25 lay staff in supporting diocesan programs, 11 clergy and 5 religious sisters. 
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Together in Action (TIA) supports pastoral outreach through diocesan, and national programs. This annual diocesan appeal invites the 68 parishes of the Diocese in fulfilling the mandate of the Pastoral Constitution of the Church in the Modern World that the local church be engaged in works of service to humanity.
In 2022, TIA returned to its pre-pandemic goal of $2 million as we have committed to raise $600,000 each year over the next 5 years for the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund. This is our contribution to the $30-Million National Financial Pledge of the Bishops of Canada. The Diocese has begun the process of establishing a Regional Indigenous Reconciliation Fund Committee, which will base its work on guidelines established nationally. The Committee is in its very early stages and is currently working towards developing terms of reference as well as processes and guidelines to support the “call for project funding” that will promote healing and reconciliation initiatives within our region. The Committee has both local Indigenous and Diocesan representatives who will review proposed local projects and make recommendations for funding from the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF). |
Parish Priests respond to requests for Sacraments for the sick and the dying in their parishes. Three cities in the Diocese require a system to support their ministry in the high volume of requests in hospitals, hospices, and care homes 24 hours a day.
In the City of Calgary, where there are many hospitals and health facilities, dedicated hospital priest chaplains provide on-call service to emergency calls. Prior to the pandemic, the ministry of the priest-chaplains was supported by parish lay pastoral ministers and coordinators who would visit patients and who may also provide Holy Communion upon request. 
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The Prison Ministry of the Diocese has contributed to conducting 100 Bible studies in 2022 with over 650 people attending. The Catholic program was scheduled bimonthly regardless of holidays for a total of around 26 sessions. In 2022, the Diocese had 11 volunteers engaged in the Prison Ministry (Calgary).
You can also find opportunities to serve at the Lethbridge Correctional Centre. This is a collaborative effort between Christian ministers, working together ecumenically in order to provide spiritual guidance and support to those incarcerated.
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Feed the Hungry (FTH) is an outreach program located in downtown Calgary and has been operating for over 25 years. Due to the pandemic, FTH was not able to host the weekly sit-down Sunday meal, but continued to serve our community by providing weekly curbside meals and care packages to over 300 guests. FTH was able to resume Sunday dinner on Thanksgiving weekend in 2022 and has since welcomed back up to 350 guests each week for a hearty sit-down meal and hamper package pickup.
Our guests continue to face moderate to severe food insecurity, often skipping meals or going without food for an entire day. We are grateful to our Sponsors and Volunteers who make this much-needed program possible. Donations to Feed the Hungry through the Birdies for Kids website are matched up to 50% - donate here - or donate directly below. 
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Thanks to the generosity and dedication of our staff, volunteers, and donors, Elizabeth House continues to be a sanctuary for young pregnant and parenting women experiencing homelessness. Despite the increased complexity and urgency of the challenges our residents face, our ability to respond with generosity, compassion, and grace has remained steadfast, thanks to our faith and community.
Among other successes, in 2022 we increased the length of stay, focused on creating a trauma-informed environment of support, strengthened partnerships and referrals and relaunched our volunteer program. Together, we are navigating the effects of poverty, stigma and isolation for young, mother-led families. Elizabeth House is so much more than shelter. Here the women are welcomed into community, receive connection and rest, and are encouraged to practice faith and healing one day and one conversation at a time. Donations to Elizabeth House through the Birdies for Kids website are matched up to 50% - donate here, or donate directly below.
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To mark the second anniversary of the Dedication of the Shrine Church of Our Lady of the Rockies, the pilgrim statue of Our Lady of the Cape, Queen of Canada, Queen of the Holy Rosary visited the Diocese of Calgary from May 22 to June 2, 2022. Learn more
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The St. Francis Xavier Chaplaincy (SFXC) promotes faith, formation, and fellowship for young adults within the Diocese in outreach to university students, young professionals, and young families.
In Calgary, the priest-chaplain connects with all of the universities in the city, collaborating with Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO) and St. Mary’s University to support these young adults. An associate chaplain in Lethbridge provides the same support. SFXC supports Bethany House for women (4 members) and St. Henry House for men (5 members). They hold regular meetings each week, for respective gatherings of catechetical formation and fellowship. Weekly RCIA sessions seek to welcome new young adult Catholics into the community. |
The Office of Vocations assists in the discernment of men called to the diocesan priesthood by supporting the formation and education of seminarians for ordination to the priesthood.
The Office also supports women and men called to the religious/consecrated life. In 2022, the following were some of the initiatives in support of women religious:
The Formation of Permanent Deacons is a 4-year Diocesan program of formation which assists married and single men to discern this vocation as an ordained ministry of service in the Diocese. The program integrates human, spiritual, theological and pastoral elements in order to assist candidates in identifying their vocation as Christ the Servant. The academic and pastoral dimensions of the program are offered in collaboration with St. Mary’s University and the participation of diocesan priests and deacons. 
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Diocesan priests receive a monthly salary with deductions for taxes, CPP, and EI. They join the diocesan pension plan through a monthly contribution which is matched by their parish or by the Diocese. The normal age for receiving the pension is between 68-71 years of age. When priests retire, in consultation with the Bishop, many continue in ministry by replacing in parishes when needed.
The Diocese provides priests with various options for their residence in retirement. Some live independently providing for their own living accommodation, some live in parish rectories, and some live in the Dorchester Square in downtown Calgary where the monthly rental expenses are aided by a subsidy from the Diocese. Retired priests that require more assistance due to health and age may choose to reside in the St. Jean Vianney section at Providence Care Centre. They pay a monthly fee for their residency with the difference for the full cost covered by the Diocese. Priests in ministry who are convalescing and require temporary support and assistance may also receive this care. 
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Read Mike MacDonald's stories and posts for Mission Mexico
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for your participation in the Diocesan Phase of the Synod on Synodality
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Thank you for your participation in the Diocesan Phase of the Synod on Synodality in 2022, and for the renewed commitment to grow together as a family of faith, hope and charity in the vocation and mission of Christian holiness through the Church and within the world. Come, Holy Spirit!
Similar to the experience of the first disciples who did not know how their journey with Jesus would unfold, many of us had never even heard of the word “synod” or “synodality” when our Bishop called us to join him and the People of God across the Diocese to engage in a process of encounter, listening, and discernment that is both ancient in its origin but also new in practice for many. With complete trust and obedience to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, we began the synodal journey together, meeting in small groups in parishes, communities, schools, listening to the Word of God, sharing with one another that which was most intimate in our hearts – the longing to grow closer to Christ and His Church |
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You are now able to donate to these special collections online under its heading on the giving page of the Diocese.
Thank You Volunteers & Donors!
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We thank you on behalf of those who benefit from the ministries, services, programs, and outreach of the parishes and the Diocese. Your commitment to provide financial support and to serve is very much appreciated.
May the Lord bless you for your generosity. Photos in the Impact Report are courtesy of Bandi Szakony, Fr. Iqbal Khursid, Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD), Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Canada Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), St. Francis Xavier Chaplaincy, Alice Matisz, Wade Anderson, St. Mary's Cathedral, Mike McDonald, Feed the Hungry Calgary, and the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton.
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