 When Sean's family moved from Regina to Calgary, he found himself facing a deep sense of loneliness. Feeling alone, and questioning whether God had a plan for his life, what he did not realize at the time was that God had never left his side.
Sean recently shared his story after attending the Diocesan Renewal Conference, Evangelization at the Heart of Renewal, held last April 17 and 18 at St. Michael Catholic Community. Sean shared how a season of loneliness and isolation became the place where he encountered God's presence. Sean, who now serves at Ascension Parish, moved to Calgary a few years ago with his family. The transition was difficult. Naturally introverted, he found it challenging to form friendships and build connections in a new city. "I did my final year of high school in Calgary," he recalled. "I made no new friends and made no connections." Over time, the loneliness began to take a toll. "I started doubting God's plan and the goodness of that plan," he said. The struggle continued after high school when he enrolled as an English major at St. Mary's University. He said that this was a “grueling time” for him, and not because the classes were hard, but he explained, “because I felt so alone, and so isolated” Feeling broken and increasingly desolate, his relationship with God also suffered. While he continued attending Mass on Sundays because his family made him, he felt removed from his faith and eventually stopped believing that God was actively present in his life. "I just felt very disconnected from God," he said. Then one night, at one of the lowest points of his life, he cried out to God in prayer. "God, why do you let me feel so alone?" he remembered asking. "Why do I feel so isolated, even when my family is around me? I just feel so lost. I just feel so useless. And I don’t know where my life is heading. God, send me help." In that moment of vulnerability, something unexpected happened. "After I cried out to Him, I felt this warm presence," he said. "It felt so comforting." Although his circumstances did not change overnight, the experience marked a turning point. He began to sense that God had heard his prayer. Not long afterward, his siblings invited him to attend a Christian Life Program through Singles for Christ - the young adult ministry of Couples for Christ. He accepted the invitation and soon found himself surrounded by a community of people who shared his faith. Through the program, he began forming meaningful friendships and faith-filled relationships. The connections he had long prayed for slowly started to grow. And looking back, he sees the program and the relationships he's made as God's answer to his prayer for help. “God was sending me reassurance that He is there in my life, watching over me,” he said. That God had not abandoned him. What once felt like evidence of God's absence became, in hindsight, a reminder of His faithfulness. Even during the years when Sean doubted his presence, God was quietly at work, leading him toward healing, community, and a deeper relationship with Him. Today, Sean hopes his story will encourage others who may be struggling with loneliness or wondering where God is amid their pain. "I hope that you can feel the same way," he said, "that God is there to reassure you as long as you call out to Him." For him, the answer to his prayer was not only the friendships he found but the rediscovery of a God who had been present all along.
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 Photos: Archdiocese of Edmonton
 Joyce Loftson, Felicity Francis, and Sara Francis (L-R) What’s in a name? That’s the question I pondered with my mom and daughter at this year’s Beloved Daughters Conference, themed: ‘Who You Say I Am’ at Our Lady of Fatima Parish, May 22-23, 2026. A few years ago, I attended the very first Beloved Daughters Conference on my own, admiring the multigenerational groupings of mothers and daughters and sisters. I prayed that I, too, would one day attend with my family; this year, that prayer was answered. My 13-year-old daughter and many of her friends attended for the first time. What a gift to welcome them into this community of faithful women spanning our diocese! That’s truly the genius of this annual retreat – it manages to serve a broad range of ages and stages. The Sisters of Life gave profound and engaging talks. Sr. Fidelity painted the picture of a homeless woman profoundly moved by a Sister who unexpectedly knew her name. Our very own locally grown Fr. Cristino Bouvette tilled the soil of my heart. Quite literally, I had laughter and tears pouring out of my eyes as he revealed his heart, candidly sharing about the meaning behind his names. Following his talk, I went straight for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and then availed myself of the one-on-one prayer ministry. I went in hoping for healing, without expecting too much. Never underestimate what God can do with an open and willing heart. I came away poured out, emptied, and renewed, so I could return home ready to be filled again.  Submitted by Sara Francis, Beloved Daughters Lay Association. Photos courtesy of Sara Francis and Beloved Daughters.
I was 18 when God spoke to me. It was early fall, and I was at a retreat centre deep in the woods of central Alberta called Ephphatha House. On the grounds was a large chapel with a massive stained-glass picture of Jesus known as the “Divine Mercy.” It’s a painting of a vision that a young Polish nun, St. Faustina Kowalska, saw in prayer: an image of Jesus standing in a doorway, with two rays of light emanating from His chest, and an inscription below His feet that reads: “Jesus I trust in you.” His stained-glass eyes would follow me as I walked from one side of the chapel to the other. There was Jesus gazing at me, and here was I, a beggar at his feet, hungover, lonely, and empty. I looked up at this Stained-Glass Gaze of Jesus and felt this sensation of love in a way that I hadn’t encountered before. Then he spoke: “Kevin, I love you. Take up your cross and follow me.” It was in that moment that I knew everything I was looking for was found in Jesus. The desire for belonging, for freedom, peace, joy, happiness … all of it was found in Jesus. I gave Him the only answer I could ever possibly utter: “Yes.” That’s how Jesus transformed my life. Shortly after this event I became filled with a missionary fervour that sought to proclaim His love to the ends of the earth. Now, 30 years later I am married with three children and my wife and I both share this missionary fire.
Three years ago, my wife and I decided to leave full-time employment for the sake of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus. Our ministry is called Boats on Fire Catholic Ministries, and we seek to abandon all things for the sake of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus. The heartbeat and evangelical fire of our ministry is found in peripheries. Whether that be in the slums of Mexico City or the hard-to-reach areas of Canada and even throughout the prairies, God has called our ministry to teach the great story of Jesus and his Church throughout Canada and beyond. One area where we’ve encountered significant fruit is by facilitating simple revival events for parishes. Our goal with these events is to keep them very simple and have three components:
I look forward to being with you this summer! Written by Kevin Philip, Boats on Fire Ministry
 Throughout my four years of diaconal formation, I have asked Jesus to reveal His presence to me in the Eucharist. My empirical brain fought hard against the word “real,” however, and for many months now, my prayer life has centred around my hunger to experience the real presence. When I started formation, I intellectually understood the profound symbolism of how the Eucharist creates unity from diversity. I believe St. Augustine was the first to note that Our Lord gave us His Body and His Blood under the species of things that are made one out of many. A loaf of bread is made from many grains of wheat, and a bottle of wine is made from many grapes. In a similar way, the unified Body of Christ is established from the diversity of its individual members. I also revered the Eucharist as a great charity. “Do you wish to honour the Body of Christ?” Thomas Merton asks. “Then do not disdain him when you see him in rags.” Merton further observes that “it would be of little value for an individual to be united to the Head of the Mystical Body if he were not, by that fact also, united with its members.” Merton is saying here that the Eucharist is not a private experience. Rather, Holy Communion manifests an interconnected obligation between Creator and creature where we cannot separate Jesus’ real presence in the Eucharist from His real presence in other people. The Eucharist offers us the perfect charity of eternal life while demanding that we demonstrate charity in this one. Once, I was lost in a used bookstore and found a beautiful little volume entitled The Aquinas Prayer Book. Aquinas will forever be attached to the Feast of Corpus Christi because of the poem Pange Lingua which includes that delicious line: “faith for all defects supplying, when the feeble senses fail.”
Aquinas proclaimed that the Eucharist animated every aspect of his life and gave meaning to his death by calling the Eucharist the “delight and pleasure of my soul, my strength and salvation in all my temptations, my joy and peace in every trial, my light and guide in every deed, and my final protection in death.” St. Thomas would pray when he elevated Jesus in the host, “I trust what God’s own Son has said.” Amen. That’s a powerful, simple prayer. I trust what God’s own Son has said: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst…I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world” (John 6: 35, 51). Merton notes that in the parable of the king who made a marriage feast for his son, “there is always difficulty in getting the guests to assemble.” It’s difficult, yes, but the wedding banquet remains a gathering force that I experience every time I serve as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. Since being installed as an Acolyte by Bishop McGrattan last September, I have served as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at least twice a week. In this ministry, Jesus uniquely revealed His substantial presence to me in the intimate encounter of distributing His Body and Blood to those who accept the invitation to the banquet and follow his commandment to “do this in memory of me.” As the pilgrims come with outstretched hands or on bended knees, layers of alienation, separation, and self-concern fall away. My heart dissolves into Trinitarian Love like the Eucharist that dissolves on my tongue. Awe and wonder replace my futile attempts to understand God. Instead, I see His supernatural power at work restoring those who love Him. In a world where I can trust nothing else and least of all myself, I trust what God’s own Son has said: “that they may be one just as we are... as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us..." (John 17:11, 21). When I feed the spiritually hungry God’s supersubstantial bread, I stand as dumbstruck as Job when God asked him: “Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars, that he spreads his wings to the south?” No. It is not by my understanding that in this place where words and feeble senses fail, I know Jesus descends to feed us, fill us, and give us the strength to follow Him in the Eucharist. Written by Jason Openo, St. Patrick's, Medicine Hat, Permanent Diaconate Candidate for the Diocese of Calgary.
Under the leadership of Dr. Scott Morrison, the university’s newly appointed president, the physical work on campus is well underway. Shovels are hitting the ground this spring to build a dome-style facility featuring two full-sized basketball courts that will finally provide a permanent home for the St. Mary's Lightning Athletics teams. St. Mary's is also preparing to take over the neighbouring Father Lacombe Care Centre site, with extensive renovations underway to add 10 new classrooms and roughly 80 on-campus student residences. The most important work, however, is what’s happening on the inside - in people’s hearts. With mass and adoration taking place weekly, the work of the Holy Spirit is evident, palpable. There’s a vibrancy on campus that draws students in. As in my own life, the Lord has laid the foundation and now asks us to join Him in this endeavour. Yet as with any great work of God, it will take time, along with the prayer and sacrifice of many, to bring His plan to fruition. What’s more, the Lord desires MANY souls to be involved, working together to build on the foundation of Christ, our cornerstone: a house of prayer to withstand the storms and challenges of the modern world. And this is where you come in, by making a commitment to pray with us. We invite you to join in this work so that we can build something bigger than ourselves, a Catholic community where each person is nurtured: mind, body, and spirit, and where all who enter feel loved and seen. That’s really what’s at the heart of every truly Catholic endeavour and at the heart of St. Mary’s. To that end, the St. Mary’s Prayer Guild began as a grassroots effort among friends to support spiritually the vision of St. Mary’s University becoming Canada’s preeminent Catholic university. Rooted in faith and community, the Guild invites members to a simple yet powerful commitment: to pray each week for the university's intentions. Now more than 250 members strong, the Prayer Guild continues to grow as more people join in lifting up St. Mary’s through prayer, carrying its needs to the Lord. Trusting that God has a profound plan for the university, the Guild seeks to support that mission by engaging the hearts and prayers of the wider Catholic community. Submitted by Kelley Holy, Prayer Guild of St. Mary's University, Calgary.
 Group 10 Deacons with their wives and the Formation Team members Ordination to the Permanent Diaconate is not the end of formation. It is the beginning of a deeper life of service, discipleship, and ongoing conversion. This reality was beautifully lived out by the members of Group 10 of the Permanent Deacons as they recently completed the three-year Post-Ordination Formation Program of the Permanent Diaconate of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary. The group consisted of: Deacon John and Kerry Arbeau, Deacon Bruce and the late Patricia Barnett, Deacon Ferdie and Malou Gayos, Deacon Randy and Marie Gritter, Deacon Thomas and May Ha, Deacon Brian and Linda Kinahan, Deacon Peter and Cyndi Lilienthal, Deacon James and Helen Manzara, Deacon Carlos and Melrose Perez, Deacon Ricardo and Gladys Rosero, Deacon Andrew and Irene Ross, and Deacon Rey and Pam Tadifa. Many people are familiar with the four-year Permanent Diaconate Formation Program leading to ordination. Running from September to June each year, the program is grounded in the four pillars of formation: human, spiritual, theological, and pastoral development. Candidates dedicate an average of 35 hours each month to formation weekends, supervised pastoral ministry, personal study, retreats, and spiritual gatherings. They are guided by presenters from a wide range of backgrounds, including faculty from St. Mary's University, experienced members of the diaconate community, and mentors from local Toastmasters organizations, to strengthen their communication and preaching skills. What is less known, however, is that the journey continues well beyond the ordination ceremony. Following ordination, newly ordained deacons and their wives enter a further three-year period of ongoing formation designed to deepen their identity as ordained ministers and strengthen their ministries within the Church. In addition to regular diocesan Study and Retreat Days shared with the wider diaconate community, the newly ordained group gathers for additional days of instruction, prayer, reflection, and fraternity. Throughout these past three years, Group 10 journeyed together through topics such as Diaconal Identity, Catholic Social Teaching, the Ministry of Charity and Justice, pastoral leadership, sacramental ministry, and the practical realities of serving in parish life. Equally important was the opportunity for the deacons and while ministering in their various parish assignments and communities. These gatherings became more than simply instructional sessions. They became moments of fraternity, mutual encouragement, prayer, and accompaniment — a continuation of the unique bond first formed during their years of initial formation. Particularly moving throughout this journey was the loving memory of the late Patricia Barnett, whose presence and witness remain part of the story of Group 10’s formation journey. Her faith and support continue to be remembered with gratitude by the entire community. Written by Deacon Greg Bercelon, St. Mary's Cathedral.
 The Dominican Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, who run a day care for young children in Calgary, recently welcomed two visiting Sisters from their convent in the United States: Sr. Charbel Joseph, their Vocation Director, and Sr. Felicity, her companion. Sr. Charbel comes annually to Calgary for vocation promotion for her community and visits schools to meet with students to help them respond to God’s call in their own lives. This year, these two Sisters visited several schools in Calgary and Strathmore to speak about vocations and discernment. We were warmly welcomed by the staff and administration of the schools. Our only regret is that we could not visit all the Catholic high schools in our Diocese. Their presentations were engaging and personal, as they shared their own vocation stories and responded practically to questions from both students and teachers. A video by Fr. Mike Schmitz, “What’s My Vocation?,” was also helpful in explaining the various types of vocations in the Church.
Written by Sr. Dianne Turner, OSE for Faithfully. Photos courtesy of Sr. Dianne.
When James first moved to Canada from Sri Lanka three and a half years ago, he had to adjust quickly to a new country, culture, and way of life. “Moving to a new country meant leaving behind familiarity, my home, my culture, and the life I once knew, and stepping into something completely new where I had to learn, adapt, and grow quickly,” he shared. Now a Grade 12 student at St. Mary’s High School, James serves as a mentor in the Sacraments Preparation program at St. Mary’s Cathedral. He also volunteers with youth, at the hospital, and at church as an altar server, experiences that have helped shape the person he is becoming. His faith journey, however, did not begin with certainty. “When I was younger, I didn’t know what faith really was, so I just went for the sake of going to church,” he said. Over time, through both hardship and service, his understanding of faith deepened. One of the most difficult moments in his life came when he was diagnosed with cancer. “It was a time filled with fear, uncertainty, and a lot of unanswered questions,” James shared. “There were moments when I didn’t understand why things were happening the way they were, and it tested me in ways I never expected.” The experience affected him physically, mentally, and emotionally. It also became a turning point in his relationship with God. “During that period, I began to see things differently,” he said. “I started to appreciate life more, and I became more aware of the people who were supporting me, my family, doctors, and community.” More importantly, James began to recognize God’s presence in his life in a deeper way. A verse that became especially meaningful to him was from St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” “This became something I truly understood through experience, not just words,” he said. Looking back now, James can see how the Gifts of the Holy Spirit were already at work in his life, even before he fully understood them. “When I was going through cancer treatment and facing fear, uncertainty, and difficult days, I experienced the gift of fortitude, the strength to keep going even when I felt weak,” he said. He remembers moments when he wanted to give up emotionally and physically but somehow continued to find the courage to move forward one day at a time. “When my family and I moved from Sri Lanka to Canada, I experienced the gift of wisdom and understanding,” he said. “Adapting to a new country, culture, and way of life was not easy, and there were times when I felt lost or disconnected.” Through that experience, he learned to grow, listen, and become more understanding toward others who may also feel alone or different. Through volunteering with youth, helping in the community, serving at church, and spending time with people going through struggles of their own, James shared that he also began to understand the gift of counsel. “I learned how to support people, encourage them, and simply be present for them when they need someone,” he said. He has also learned that the Holy Spirit does not always work in dramatic ways. “Sometimes the gifts appear quietly, through patience during difficult times, through kindness when someone needs encouragement, or through the strength to continue even when life feels unfair.” For young people preparing for Confirmation, James hopes they understand that the Gifts of the Holy Spirit are not simply ideas to memorize for a class. “They are gifts that can truly shape your life if you are open to them.”
His own experience has taught him that faith does not mean never struggling. It does not mean having every answer or pretending that everything is fine. “One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned through my life is that when life becomes difficult, painful, or uncertain, it is very easy to question God and even question your own faith,” James said. He knows what it is like to ask difficult questions. “Why is this happening to me?” “Where is God in all of this?” “Will things ever get better?” “I’ve asked those questions too many times,” he said. But through those questions, James began to understand faith in a deeper way. “Faith is not truly tested during the easy moments of life,” he said. “Faith is tested during the moments when we feel lost, afraid, or overwhelmed.” Trusting God during those times, he admits, is not always easy. “I learned that trusting God does not mean having all the answers or pretending everything is okay,” he said. “Sometimes trust simply means choosing not to give up, even when life feels uncertain and difficult.” Through illness, immigration, service, and mentoring others, James has come to understand that faith grows with us. It can be tested in painful moments, strengthened through community, and expressed in quiet acts of love. “Looking back now, I realize that some of the hardest moments in my life became the moments that strengthened my faith the most.” For James, faith is still growing. And as he continues to serve, mentor, and walk with others, he trusts that God and the Holy Spirit will continue to guide him. “Faith is not about never struggling,” he said. “Faith is about continuing to trust, continuing to grow, and continuing to move forward, even during the moments when life feels hardest.” Submitted by St. Mary's Cathedral Sacrament Preparation team.
A Vatican Media documentary traces the roots of Robert Francis Prevost in the United States, from his childhood in Dolton to the schools, parishes, and communities that shaped him. Featuring memories from his brothers, classmates, confreres, teachers, and longtime friends, the documentary offers a personal look at the life and faith of the man now known to the world as Pope Leo XIV. As Alberta’s largest Catholic school district, the Calgary Catholic School District serves approximately 64,000 students in 120 schools across Calgary and the surrounding communities of Cochrane, Airdrie, Chestermere and Rocky View County. The CCD supports students from kindergarten to Grade 12 through their mission and vision of "Living and Learning in our Catholic Faith, so that students, centred in Christ, realize their full potential." The 2024–2025 school year was filled with opportunities for students to grow in faith, give back to their communities, and celebrate important milestones. Highlights from the year include:
Together, these achievements reflect the Calgary Catholic School District's ongoing commitment to faith, service, and supporting students as they learn, grow, and thrive.
 Michelle once asked God to prove He was real. What she did not realize then was that God had already been pursuing her. At last month’s Diocesan Renewal Conference "Evangelization at the Heart of Renewal," held Apr 17 and 18 at St. Michael Catholic Community, Michelle responded to the call to share her testimony after hearing Bishop Scott McCaig speak on evangelization and the importance of sharing how God has worked in our lives. Michelle, a parishioner at St. Bonaventure Parish in Calgary, had grown up Catholic. Her family was prayerful, faithful, and active in the life of the Church. But as a child, she struggled to understand why any of it mattered. “I came from a really good Catholic family, very prayerful and always talked about God,” she recalled. “I think I had a rebellious spirit when I was a kid.” While her family loved going to Mass and taking part in “all these extra things,” Michelle often found herself asking why. She had questions about God, the Church, and Jesus, but felt that the answers she received did not fully satisfy her. “I didn’t understand anything about the Catholic Church,” she said. “And me being a kid, I thought I knew everything.” Eventually, Michelle drifted from the practice of the faith. She stopped going to church regularly and began living what she described as a secular life. She explored New Age spirituality and considered herself a “spiritual person,” but something was still missing. “At some point I realized that it was unsatisfying, not really knowing if God was real or not,” she said. In that uncertainty, Michelle remembers praying honestly: “If you’re real, show me. Prove it to me that you’re real.” Since Catholicism was all she had ever known, she decided to give the Church one real chance. She began going back to Mass, even if at first it was “a little bit unwillingly.” Then, during the pandemic, a friend invited her to join an online Alpha group. “I just said yes to an invitation that my friend had given me,” Michelle said. At the time, she was at one of the lowest points in her life. She had been laid off and felt she had very little left. But in that small online group, she encountered people who spoke to her about Jesus. “They were talking to me about Jesus, and I really didn’t know who Jesus was,” she said. “I didn’t know if I believed in him or not.” Then one day, someone in the group told her, “Jesus still heals today.” Michelle had been living with persistent neck pain for eight years. When the Alpha group asked if they could pray for healing, she agreed. “Couple days later, I realized that the pain in my neck was gone,” she said. “That’s when I realized that God has been with me this whole time and God was pursuing me,” she said. “God had answered my request of proving it to me that he was real.” From that moment, Michelle knew she could not simply return to the way she had been living. Her faith was no longer something inherited from her family or something she had to figure out only from a distance. It had become personal. “Because I realized that God could see me, I was like, I can never go back to my old life,” she said. Today, Michelle often thinks of Psalm 139, the psalm of the inescapable God who searches and knows each person completely. “He searches me, and he knows me,” she said. “And he’s always pursuing me.” Based on Michelle’s video testimony recorded at the Renewal Conference, Apr 17–18, 2026.
Let us pray:
 After moving from Ontario to Calgary, I came to the church while looking for schools for my children. All three of them attended Christian schools at different times, but honestly, we didn't really understand the Bible at all. I used to not believe. I used to think God was superstition. I grew up hearing Bible stories, but they felt like fairy tales to me, not real. It wasn't until I joined the RCIA program at Ascension Catholic Parish that those "fairy tale" scriptures suddenly became real. Two thousand years of wisdom had been walking beside me all along, teaching, guiding, and leading me. Yet where human limits end, God's beginning starts. Through what we Christians call "God's plan," I was simply fortunate to have God's arrangement bring me to a genuine opportunity to draw closer to Him. I believe everything is in His hands. After my baptism, I still often feel unworthy, unable to follow Christ's teachings fully. There is so much wisdom in the scriptures that I still cannot live up to, but I learned one thing: if you don't understand, it's okay. Just obey first. One evening, during evening prayer, I was deeply lost. I didn't know if what I was doing was right. I wanted to help a loved one who had left me and betrayed me, but I wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do, whether I would be hurt in the process, whether I could calmly and properly comfort someone who had betrayed me. I didn't know what to do. In the middle of my prayer, I suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to read the Bible. It really wasn't an ordinary thought. There was a sense of urgency. I didn't refuse it, but I also didn't know which passage to read. I wasn't familiar with the Bible, didn't know the context, didn't recognize any of the characters. But I felt a prompting: just open to a random page, and I would know. I opened to a page at random and read: "Go in peace. The mission you are on is under the eye of the LORD." (Judges 18:6). I was stunned. I had been lost because I didn't know if it was right to help someone who had betrayed me with no sign of remorse. I admit I was still anxious, but this verse made me think deeply for a long time. The very first part of it told me: Go in peace. When I felt unseen, when I felt unnoticed, He was watching. He knew. He affirmed me. Article & photos by West Wong, baptized at Easter Vigil, Ascension Catholic Parish.
 Those who have visited Mount Saint Francis Retreat Centre in Cochrane (The Mount) in recent months may have already encountered the joy of Fr. Guylain Prince, OFM. Originally from Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Fr. Guylain brings with him a deep love for Scripture, a gift for contemplative prayer, and a rich understanding of the world into which Jesus was born. With his bright smile, big laugh, and joyful Franciscan spirit, his presence at The Mount has been a blessing, especially in this special year of St. Francis of Assisi. Over the last few months, I have seen him laugh wholeheartedly at his own jokes, delight in the sight of a squirrel scuttling about, preach deep and meaningful homilies, and sing beautifully during retreats. Last December, I had the privilege of sitting with him in the friary at The Mount and listening to the story that brought him here. We spoke about his life, his vocation, his move from Eastern Canada, and his hopes for this new mission at Mount Saint Francis Retreat Centre. An encounter that changed everything Fr. Guylain grew up in a Catholic family, but as a young teenager, he set his faith aside. His young mind was filled with physics, computer science, and music. As a young drummer, he loved being around instruments, and while in college, he remembers spending time near the campus ministry office, partly because of the beautiful room and the access to music. At that time, this was his limited contact with the faith. Then, during an Easter weekend retreat in 1982, everything changed. The retreat focused on the reenactment of the last days of Jesus. On that Saturday morning, Fr. Guylain had such a striking experience of God that faith became real, vivid, and impossible to ignore. He calls it “the experience of the obvious.” For the next two years, he found himself hesitating between the Pentecostal, Evangelical, and Catholic Churches. In the end, his Baptism won. At the age of 19, he reintegrated into the Catholic Church and chose to live according to the beautiful heritage handed over to him at Baptism. That same week, he received the Franciscan Tau, the T-shaped cross adopted by St. Francis of Assisi as a sign of conversion, penance, and the passion of Christ. Fr. Guylain took it as a sign that he was being called to Franciscan spirituality. A Franciscan life rooted in Scripture and prayer Fr. Guylain returned to Montreal and joined the Franciscans as a postulant while continuing to work for the Diocese of Churchill-Hudson Bay. As a novice, he spent an extraordinary year in formation and continued to grow in the Franciscan way of life. He later worked for the Canadian Bible Society for more than 10 years, publishing books, organizing diocesan Bible gatherings across French Canada, and coordinating 15 to 22 biblical weekends each year. Through it all, contemplative prayer remained at the centre of his life. Hermitages, silence, and the Jesus Prayer tradition became the backbone of his devotion and way of living. He later moved to the Diocese of Joliette, where he answered the call to the priesthood. Newly ordained, he moved to Trois-Rivières, where he served for 14 years as rector of the new shrine dedicated to Good Father Frédéric Janssoone. There, Fr. Guylain became deeply involved in furthering the cause of canonization of Blessed Frédéric, a Franciscan priest whose life and mission remain very close to his heart. The Holy Land and the world of Jesus For many years, Fr. Guylain was asked by the Commissary of the Holy Land to lead tours there. He eventually agreed to go with a group almost 10 years ago. What began as an introductory trip grew into a deep love for the land walked by Jesus. He went on to spend six months in formation, studying Aramaic, the socio-cultural context of Galilee, archaeology, and geography. His time in the Holy Land eventually inspired him to begin doctoral studies. In 2017, Fr. Guylain began his doctoral thesis in Scripture, focusing on the historical Jesus within Second Temple Judaism, the world in which Jesus was born, grew up, preached, suffered, died, and rose again. He is set to complete his doctoral studies in the coming year and looks forward to sharing this knowledge with those who are interested. His love for Scripture also extends to the apocalyptic discourse of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark, as well as the books of Revelation and Daniel. For Fr. Guylain, this scholarship is not simply academic. It is part of a deeper desire to help people encounter the Word of God more fully, with both the mind and the heart. A new mission at The Mount At Mount Saint Francis Retreat Centre, Fr. Guylain is beginning a new mission of retreat ministry, prayer, and teaching. He is passionate about breaking open the Word online and plans to do more of this through his new Facebook page, “From the Friars’ Hermitage.” Along with leading retreats, he also leads a contemplative prayer group every Tuesday evening at 7 pm at Mount Saint Francis Retreat Centre until the end of June. He also hopes to share more about the life and witness of Good Father Frédéric Janssoone with the faithful here in Western Canada. Blessed Frédéric was born in northern France in 1838 and entered the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor in 1864. He was ordained a priest in 1870, served in the Holy Land for 12 years, and later became closely associated with the Sanctuaire Notre-Dame-du-Cap, Canada’s National Shrine to Our Lady of the Cape. His legacy in the Holy Land is remarkable. After centuries in which public devotion along the Via Dolorosa had been forbidden, Good Father Frédéric helped re-establish the practice of praying the Stations of the Cross along this sacred route. That tradition continues to this day, with the Franciscans walking the route to the Holy Sepulchre every Friday afternoon. In Canada, Good Father Frédéric helped increase devotion to Our Lady of the Rosary, revived the Third Order of St. Francis, supported the re-establishment of the Order of Friars Minor in Canada, and encouraged pilgrimages to Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1988, and the Church continues to pray for his canonization. His simple apostolic prayer, “Let me bring to you, whoever comes to me,” continues to inspire Fr. Guylain and the Friars of the Holy Spirit Province. Through his story, his learning, his contemplative prayer, and his love for Scripture, Fr. Guylain’s presence at Mount Saint Francis Retreat Centre is already enriching the life of The Mount and those who come there. In this jubilee year of St. Francis of Assisi, his life is a reminder of the joy, simplicity, prayer, and encounter at the heart of Franciscan life. Written by Cecilia DeMello for Faithfully.
 Priest Assignment; Deacon Assignment; Clergy Personnel Announcements; Pastoral Assignment; Priests Move
 By the fall of 2024, St. Peter’s Parish was carrying a debt of around $5.2 million, the result of a major church renovation completed several years earlier. The loan required substantial monthly payments and, if it had continued on its regular schedule, could have remained with the parish for more than 20 years. This financial burden was limiting opportunities for ministry growth and missionary outreach. What initially appeared to be a long-term challenge became a remarkable chapter in the history of our parish as it prepared to celebrate its 50th anniversary the following year. When Fr. Fabio presented the full weight of the debt to the parish community, a small group of parishioners began to examine with him the possibility of a Building Fund Campaign. This first moment of discernment helped them see that what had once seemed like a long-term burden was beginning to take shape as a shared challenge the community could face with faith, generosity, and a clear plan. In that sense, this initial effort reflected the spirit of Renewal: helping the parish look honestly at what was holding it back, strengthening shared responsibility, and freeing the community to focus more fully on its mission. In October 2024, a Building Fund Campaign Committee was formed, bringing together professionals from different fields to guide the parish’s effort to eliminate the debt. From the beginning, the vision extended beyond fundraising. The goal was not only to reduce the debt but also to strengthen the bonds of community, increase engagement, and foster a greater sense of shared responsibility for the future of the parish.
During the planning stage, the campaign gradually developed a clear identity. The slogan “This Is My Church” was chosen to express personal stewardship and shared responsibility. Dedicated blue envelopes, promotional materials, donation stations, banners, and regular communications helped make the campaign visible throughout the parish. The original objective was ambitious. Based on giving patterns and historical contributions, it appeared possible to eliminate the debt within approximately five years. Yet even before the campaign officially launched, an unexpected development changed everything. An anonymous parishioner came forward with an extraordinary offer: every dollar donated toward the debt would be matched, up to $2.6 million. Suddenly, the amount the parish needed to raise was cut in half. What had initially seemed like a five-year journey now appeared achievable in a much shorter time. The anonymous donor proposed a one-year matching campaign, inviting the parish to respond with generosity, confidence and a shared commitment. The campaign was launched in March 2025, and the first weekend of each month was designated as a Building Fund weekend, with a dedicated collection and campaign activities to promote awareness and encourage participation. Parishioners responded with remarkable generosity. Contributions arrived through many channels, including envelope donations, e-transfers, online giving, securities and shares, pre-authorized giving, Donation Stations with card payment machines, grocery card commissions, fundraising activities, and support from ministries. Throughout the campaign, numerous fundraising initiatives were organized. These included a religious book sale, the sale of replicas of our parish Marian Grotto, a parish garage sale organized by the CWL and the Knights of Columbus, a Stampede Dinner and Dance, Taste of St. Peter’s, and other community events. While these activities generated financial support, they also served the broader purpose of bringing parishioners together, creating opportunities for fellowship, and helping the parish experience a stronger sense of community. As the campaign progressed, another extraordinary opportunity emerged. Through the Diocese of Calgary’s Multiply the Hope, a matching initiative to help parishes focus more fully on Renewal, we received an additional $775,000 in matching support toward debt reduction. Combined with the anonymous donor’s commitment, every dollar given in the final stretch of the campaign became four dollars toward debt repayment. Parishioners embraced the opportunity with enthusiasm.
Behind the financial success was a clear pastoral vision: stewardship, generosity, and parish renewal were deeply connected. This vision shaped the campaign’s approach, so that fundraising was always integrated with parish life, fellowship, and the growth in communion among ministries and parishioners. By Easter 2026, the goal that had once seemed audacious had become reality. On May 23, the Vigil of Pentecost, the parish celebrated this achievement with A Taste of St. Peter’s, a multicultural outdoor parish gathering attended by almost 500 parishioners. More than 90 families brought traditional food from 25 different countries. It was a moment of fellowship, cultural richness, and belonging, reflecting the sense of community that had been strengthened throughout the campaign. The achievement was the result of many factors: the generosity of parishioners, the dedication of volunteers, the commitment of ministries, the support of the Diocese of Calgary, the extraordinary matching gift of an anonymous donor, and the coordinated work of the Building Fund Committee. Yet many parishioners also saw something deeper at work—a common purpose, the experience of walking together as a community, and a confidence that God was guiding the parish through this journey. Written by St. Peter's Communications Team for Faithfully.
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Catholic Pastoral Centre Staff and Guest Writers Archives
June 2026
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