 Priest Assignment; Deacon Assignment; Clergy Personnel Announcements; Pastoral Assignment; Priests Move
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 Have you had that dreaded request, “Can you give a short presentation on…?” Where do you begin? What do you need to do to be successful? As a public speaker for over 40 years, here are some of my observations. Step 1: Say "yes" Step 2: Develop your plan and your research.
Step 3: Develop your speech.
Step 4: Practise your speech
Step 5: Deliver your speech with confidence — you are well prepared and your message will be appreciated. For more information on public speaking, consider joining a public speaking club like the Heart of the Rockies Toastmaster Club that meets on Monday nights to allow you to work on and develop your speaking and presentation skills. Written by Deacon Daniel Deck. Deacon Dan has been a permanent deacon in the Diocese of Calgary since 2008, and has been doing public speaking for over 40 years. Dan joined Toastmasters in 2021 and has seen his confidence and presentation quality continue to improve steadily. For more information about Heart of the Rockies Toastmaster Club (initiated at the request of Bishop McGrattan as a renewal initiative) - contact Deacon Dan at [email protected].
St. Francis Xavier Chaplaincy (SFXC) is a young adult ministry (18-35) in our Diocese that has been active since it began in 2019. One of the key hopes of the Chaplaincy is to go out on mission, just as our namesake, St. Francis Xavier, went out publicly to spread the Gospel. This year, our members hit the streets of Calgary during the Lilac Festival to do exactly that — inviting people to our Encounter Accompaniment series, which is running every Thursday in June. The series is meant to introduce people to the Catholic faith — not only those we met at Lilac Festival, but really anyone looking to learn the basics. We ended up speaking to hundreds of people! We gave out 79 New Testament books, 39 Bibles, over 100 SFXC pamphlets, rosaries, and Ultimate Relationship (UR) booklets. All 50 RCIA pamphlets we brought were snapped up too. Even if no one had signed up for the Encounter series, we’d still have called this a huge win — planting seeds in people’s hearts and getting them thinking about God and the Catholic faith. However, it was even better: 177 people took our survey and 84 said they’re interested in coming to one of our Encounter events!
Our first Encounter Accompaniment event took place on June 5 at St. Mary’s Cathedral hall, where Fr. Troy introduced the kerygma (the core message of the Catholic faith) to those who attended. About 70 people showed up — and thanks to a generous donor, everyone got free Vietnamese subs too. It was a small way to show the love of God — not only through the message being shared, but through the warmth of our community. We’ll be hosting two more sessions on June 12 and 19 at St. Mary’s Cathedral hall. Our final session will be on June 26 at Sacred Heart Calgary, where we’ll have an Adoration night and throw a celebration party to wrap up the series. If you know anyone aged 18-35 who might be interested, please pass this along! My email is at the bottom of this article. This year, we launched all kinds of small group studies — including Theology of the Body, Healing of the Whole Person workshop, Philosophy Club, CCO Faith Studies, Men’s formation, and book studies on Dante’s Inferno and Fruitful Discipleship. Our Young Professionals group kicked off a Church History course and a public speaking club called “Logorators.” Our Young Families chapter started a monthly Mass and Formation event and a Mom & Dad’s group. We’ve also had tons of social events — our annual dance, summer/Stampede BBQ, monthly board game nights, bi-weekly Sunday Socials after Mass, and bi-weekly sports nights. Beyond this, we offer members plenty of ways to volunteer — through our monthly Mustard Seed program, Sunday Socials program, Choir formation, Altar Serving, and other opportunities throughout all of these ministries and events. Here’s the heart of what we do:
 The beautiful thing is: this isn’t just staff-driven. Our members are the ones driving so much of this. They spearhead initiatives, give their time outside of work, and pour themselves into this mission — because they believe in what the Chaplaincy is about:
We’ve got plenty more ideas and plans on the horizon. If you’d like to support us and help make it all possible — we’d love to have you on board. To learn more about SFXC, visit https://www.sfxc.ca/ or follow us on Instagram @sfxchaplaincy. We also have a donation campaign running for two weeks starting June 9 — and all donations will be matched! If you’d like to contribute, visit https://www.catholicyyc.ca/donatetosfxc.html. Written by Jaime Gayos, SFXC Coordinator. To contact him, email [email protected]
Before my conversion, I had returned to Jesus because of a vivid dream, one I still struggle to fully describe, but that changed everything. Until then, I was living a secular life. Though I had known Jesus in childhood through my grandmother, I had turned away in my youth, disheartened by prejudices, poor examples, and inconsistencies in the faith I saw. I felt ashamed after my dream because I knew I was wrong. Waking up that morning, I knew I had encountered something sacred. I was overwhelmed and confused, but I felt sure the Holy Spirit was guiding me. So, I followed that prompting, diving into Scripture, seeking out conversations with Christian friends, listening to teachings online, and repenting. This all took place during the COVID years, when church life was difficult to access, but my hunger to know God only deepened. In 2023, we started visiting Protestant churches, hoping to find a spiritual home. Yet each time, I left feeling uncomfortable and unsettled. The sermons often felt like TED Talks. The music was concert-style. Something was missing. I didn’t know what at first, but I later realized I was longing for transcendence, reverence, and spiritual structure. I wanted more than inspiration. I wanted tradition. I wanted truth. When my middle daughter said she wanted to attend a Catholic high school, I reluctantly decided to go to Mass with my sister-in-law, who is Catholic. That first Mass felt different: quiet, reverent, and sacred. It wasn’t trying to entertain, it was pointing me to God. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I had come home. We began attending a small parish in our neighbourhood and eventually joined the RCIA program that fall. My two younger children and I went through the process together, and it felt like being embraced after a long journey. What struck me most was the richness of Catholic tradition, the depth of its teachings, the reverence shown to Mary and the Saints, and the groundedness of its moral clarity. Unlike the confusion I had grown used to in secular culture and even in some Christian spaces, the Catechism offered definitive, thoughtful answers. Catholicism doesn’t shy away from hard truths; it proclaims them with love and confidence.
Written by Robyn Okenfold, newly baptized in 2025 at St. Pius X Parish, Calgary.
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I cope, I grow, I manage—but it’s always with me. I accept that. This is not a “Jesus cured my depression” story. I still fight that battle daily. Yet what happened four years ago was a call out of the darkness. I awoke in the middle of the night with very dark, troubling thoughts. I couldn’t shake them. I couldn’t fall back asleep. It was around 3:30 a.m., and I felt compelled to go for a run in my neighborhood. Running wasn’t unusual for me—but certainly not at that hour. I put on my shoes, left a note on the table for my family, and quietly slipped out the door. My usual jogging route takes me past Saint Patrick’s—one of the most prominent and historic churches in Medicine Hat. If you're from here, you know it's a beautiful city landmark. As I ran down the street, fighting the demons in my mind, I felt drawn to cut through the parking lot and sit on a bench—not from physical exhaustion, but from complete mental defeat. I sat there in the darkness, looking up at the statue of St. Teresa of Ávila. I had nothing left but to completely surrender and pray—either to be struck dead or to be helped by the Holy Spirit. That cry into the void wasn’t met with the death I begged for—but with a radiant warmth inside me. It felt like a spiritual fire had been lit in my chest. A veil that had blinded me my entire life was suddenly torn away, like a bandage ripped from my eyes. From that night forward, I began studying theology with the fervour of a hyper-focused child—specifically Catholicism, as I’d always felt drawn to its rich traditions and deep historical roots. I read works from early Church Fathers and Saints—Augustine of Hippo, Thomas Aquinas, Catherine of Siena—names that especially stood out. I read books by Bishop Robert Barron, watched his Catholicism documentaries, and followed his weekly homilies. I began a loose but dedicated prayer routine. After a couple of years feeling the transformative power and wisdom granted through faith, I started attending mass at the very church where my journey had begun. I went alone. I had no close Catholic friends. In fact, many people around me despised the Catholic Church—due to its troubled past, its scandals, and the way it’s portrayed by the media and entertainment industry. But I wasn’t deterred. In today’s world, proclaiming any faith is an act of rebellion—let alone Catholic faith. I’ve always been the rebellious type. Judgment from others rarely dents my determination to follow my own path. Last year, after attending mass for several months, I reached out to the church office to ask about being baptized and becoming a full member. Deacon Terry set up a meeting, and I shared the same story I’m now sharing with you. After we exchanged contact information, he told me RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) classes would begin in the fall—and that my name was now on the list. From September to April, I attended the weekly classes, went to mass two or sometimes three days a week, and even joined the church choir. I now sing and rehearse with them weekly. Through it all, I’ve found an amazing community, new friendships, and unspeakable blessings. The acts of service in which I've been able to participate in—both for others and for the broader community—have already begun to change my life and open my heart in ways I can’t fully explain. On Saturday night, during the Easter Vigil mass, I was baptized, confirmed, and received my First Communion—surrounded by friends, family, and nothing but love, both around me and from above. Thank you all. Bless you all. Also, thank you for reading my testimony to Jesus. Written by Justin Quinton for Faithfully. He was baptized into the Catholic Church at St. Patrick’s Parish in Medicine Hat during the Easter Vigil of 2025.
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Mary, Mother of Hope: Jubilee Marian Week in Banff & Canmore Join us for a sacred week of prayer, pilgrimage, and celebration during the Jubilee Marian Week at the Rockies!
 Our new Holy Father’s words in his first homily to the College of Cardinals contains much food for thought and prayer as we prepare for the great feast of Pentecost and develop our pastoral renewal plans. “We are called to bear witness to our joyful faith in Jesus, the Saviour. It is essential to do this first of all, in our personal relationship with the Lord, in our commitment to a daily journey of conversion, then to do so as a church experiencing together our fidelity to the Lord and bringing the good news to all. … Reflection:
Let us pray the Novena to the Holy Spirit with these actions in mind.
 I’ve always been a bit of a dreamer. Since I was young, I’ve been fascinated by books like “Set All Afire” by Louis de Wohl. If you haven’t read it, this novel, which tells the story of St. Francis Xavier’s missionary journeys, is a page-turner and will set your heart on fire, too. St. Francis traversed much of Asia, through storms at sea, jungles on foot, risking life and limb to spread the Gospel of Christ. And he succeeded. Sometimes it's hard to connect the dots, but the Renewal Plans being created by your parishes are contributing to this very same mission of saving souls. Keep an eye out as the Parish Renewal Team in most parishes is sharing a draft of their Renewal Plan with you at any time. You won’t be asked to sail the ocean or dodge poisonous snakes (so far as I know). Still, the plan will be filled with action items to help your parish create more missionary disciples, strengthen family life and foster an urgent sense of mission by becoming a Church of encounter and witness. Just like in Asia in the time of St. Francis Xavier, so many souls in our families and communities are aching for the healing love of Christ, and our Lord is asking us to help Him reach them. If we pursue our Renewal Plans with vigour, they will bear fruit and change lives, and we will know the joy of helping this to happen. As you review the draft Renewal Plan for your parish, think and pray about the action items you see and give feedback to your Renewal Team. Do they meet the needs of the parish? Do they go far enough? A key to a good plan is to have action items that you can count on to have an impact. One way to evaluate an action item is to ask, "What concrete result will this action achieve?” If you have no way of determining whether the action has been accomplished, that means it's too vague and risks not making a real impact. For example, if an action item states simply, “Be a parish that prays”, it is too vague. However, if it includes main steps similar to “Each lector commits to spend 30 minutes weekly in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament”, it has become specific, causing a concrete action and therefore result to occur. Similarly, “Be a more welcoming parish” is too broad if left at that. However, if it is replaced by, or has as a main step “Establish a greeter/usher ministry”, it has become something actionable, concrete. You will know if you did it or not. If our parish plans are filled with action items that accomplish objectives and are measurable, we will see our parish take great strides. The same goes for our own personal renewal. Big change starts with small, concrete steps—like committing to a daily prayer time or inviting someone back to church. Vague goals won’t get us far, but specific actions done with love transform our lives! When St. Francis Xavier arrived in India, he did so with a specific actionable plan. First in Goa, and then beyond. And if we were to put it in one of our Renewal Plans, it would look like this: ==== Action Item: Evangelize Goa Main Steps:
Responsible Person: Francis Xavier ==== As our parishes finalize their Renewal Plans, let us ask the good Lord to give each of us the same love for souls as St. Francis Xavier! Written by Ryan Schmidt, Director of Pastoral Renewal, Diocese of Calgary.
Painting: André Reinoso, St Francis Preaching in Goa, 1619, oil on canvas, 96 × 162 cm, Museu de São Roque/Santa Casa da Misericórdia, Lisbon.
Submitted by Guillermo and Monica Fiebelkorn, Schoenstatt Apostolic Movement
Urbi et Orbi on Thursday, May 8, 2025
Short Bio of Pope Leo XIV The first Augustinian Pope, Leo XIV is the second Roman Pontiff - after Pope Francis - from the Americas. Unlike Jorge Mario Bergoglio, however, the 69-year-old Robert Francis Prevost is from the northern part of the continent, though he spent many years as a missionary in Peru before being elected head of the Augustinians for two consecutive terms.
First Augustinian PopeThe new Bishop of Rome was born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, to Louis Marius Prevost, of French and Italian descent, and Mildred Martínez, of Spanish descent. He has two brothers, Louis Martín and John Joseph. He spent his childhood and adolescence with his family and studied first at the Minor Seminary of the Augustinian Fathers and then at Villanova University in Pennsylvania, where in 1977 he earned a Degree in Mathematics and also studied Philosophy. On September 1 of the same year, Prevost entered the novitiate of the Order of Saint Augustine (O.S.A.) in Saint Louis, in the Province of Our Lady of Good Counsel of Chicago, and made his first profession on September 2, 1978. On August 29, 1981, he made his solemn vows. The future Pontiff received his theological education at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. At the age of 27, he was sent by his superiors to Rome to study Canon Law at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum). In Rome, he was ordained a priest on June 19, 1982, at the Augustinian College of Saint Monica by Archbishop Jean Jadot, then pro-president of the Secretariat for Non-Christians, which later became the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and then the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue. Prevost obtained his licentiate in 1984 and the following year, while preparing his doctoral thesis, was sent to the Augustinian mission in Chulucanas, Piura, Peru (1985–1986). In 1987, he defended his doctoral thesis on "The Role of the Local Prior in the Order of Saint Augustine" and was appointed vocation director and missions director of the Augustinian Province of “Mother of Good Counsel” in Olympia Fields, Illinois (USA). Mission in Peru The following year, he joined the mission in Trujillo, also in Peru, as director of the joint formation project for Augustinian candidates from the vicariates of Chulucanas, Iquitos, and Apurímac. Over the course of eleven years, he served as prior of the community (1988–1992), formation director (1988–1998), and instructor for professed members (1992–1998), and in the Archdiocese of Trujillo as judicial vicar (1989–1998) and professor of Canon Law, Patristics, and Moral Theology at the Major Seminary “San Carlos y San Marcelo.” At the same time, he was also entrusted with the pastoral care of Our Lady Mother of the Church, later established as the parish of Saint Rita (1988–1999), in a poor suburb of the city, and was parish administrator of Our Lady of Monserrat from 1992 to 1999. In 1999, he was elected Provincial Prior of the Augustinian Province of “Mother of Good Counsel” in Chicago, and two and a half years later, the ordinary General Chapter of the Order of Saint Augustine, elected him as Prior General, confirming him in 2007 for a second term. In October 2013, he returned to his Augustinian Province in Chicago, serving as director of formation at the Saint Augustine Convent, first councilor, and provincial vicar—roles he held until Pope Francis appointed him on November 3, 2014, as Apostolic Administrator of the Peruvian Diocese of Chiclayo, elevating him to the episcopal dignity as Titular Bishop of Sufar. He entered the Diocese on November 7, in the presence of Apostolic Nuncio James Patrick Green, who ordained him Bishop just over a month later, on December 12, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, in the Cathedral of Saint Mary. His episcopal motto is “In Illo uno unum”—words pronounced by Saint Augustine in a sermon on Psalm 127 to explain that “although we Christians are many, in the one Christ we are one.” Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, from 2015 to 2023 On September 26, 2015, he was appointed Bishop of Chiclayo by Pope Francis. In March 2018, he was elected second vice-president of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference, where he also served as a member of the Economic Council and president of the Commission for Culture and Education. In 2019, Pope Francis appointed him a member of the Congregation for the Clergy (July 13, 2019), and in 2020, a member of the Congregation for Bishops (November 21). Meanwhile, on April 15, 2020, he was also appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Peruvian Diocese of Callao. Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops On January 30, 2023, the Pope called him to Rome as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, promoting him to the rank of Archbishop. Created Cardinal in 2024 Pope Francis created him Cardinal in the Consistory of September 30 that year and assigned him the Diaconate of Saint Monica. He officially took possession of it on January 28, 2024. As head of the Dicastery, he participated in the Pope’s most recent Apostolic Journeys and in both the first and second sessions of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on synodality, held in Rome from October 4 to 29, 2023, and from October 2 to 27, 2024, respectively. Meanwhile, on October 4, 2023, Pope Francis appointed him as a member of the Dicasteries for Evangelization (Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches), for the Doctrine of the Faith, for the Eastern Churches, for the Clergy, for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, for Culture and Education, for Legislative Texts, and of the Pontifical Commission for the Vatican City State. Finally, on February 6 of this year, the Argentine Pope promoted him to the Order of Bishops, granting him the title of the Suburbicarian Church of Albano. Source: Vatican News  We have a new Pope!With joy and thanksgiving, the Diocese of Calgary joins the universal Church in celebrating the election of Pope Leo XIV (Formerly Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost) as the successor of Saint Peter. Elected on Thursday, May 8, 2025, Pope Leo XIV now begins his ministry as the Vicar of Christ and visible head of the Catholic Church on earth. We give thanks for the faithful leadership of Pope Francis and now entrust Pope Leo XIV to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Pope Leo XIV was born in Chicago, Illinois, on 14 September 1955. As a member of the Order of Saint Augustine (O.S.A.), in which he held various leadership positions, he dedicated many years of service to the Augustinian missions in Peru as a priest and seminary professor. He was eventually appointed Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, by Pope Francis. As a Bishop of the Church in Peru, he served as Vice President and member of the Permanent Council of the Peruvian Bishops’ Conference. In 2023, Pope Francis appointed him as Prefect of the Dicastery of Bishops and elevated him to the College of Cardinals. Pope Leo XIV holds a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome." ~CCCB Let us continue to pray for Pope Leo XIV, that he may be strengthened by God’s grace to serve with wisdom, humility, and courage.
It has been a tradition, as a private devotion, to ask for the grace of the Holy Spirit. This practice is especially suitable during the Eastertide. To do so, families may use the following prayer.
 Thank you to all who joined us for the Memorial Mass for Pope Francis and prayed for the repose of his soul. It was a beautiful liturgy that brought together a full church and a deeply moving reflection from Bishop McGrattan. Representing the Canadian bishops at the funeral in Rome, Bishop McGrattan shared a personal and hope-filled reflection. He recalled, “It was an honour… to witness the devotion and love that the people of God have for Pope Francis.” He reminded us that memorial Masses are not simply moments of remembrance, but acts of faith that unite us in prayer and strengthen our belief in the Resurrection. Reflecting on the timing of Pope Francis’ death, Bishop McGrattan shared, “This, I think, is the first gift that Pope Francis received — that his passing was in the Octave of Easter… where the whole Church is focused on the promise of the Resurrection.” As we look ahead to the conclave, Bishop McGrattan reminded us that we are not simply waiting for the next pope—but for the next successor of Peter. Let us continue to pray for Pope Francis, for the cardinals, and for the Church, trusting in God’s mercy and the promise of new life.
Photos courtesy of John Factura
A Joyful Invitation: Ordination Mass of Rev. Mr. Peter An to the Sacred Priesthood of Jesus Christ5/3/2025
In the midst of a growing housing crisis, the calls for help we receive are heartbreaking—and becoming more desperate. Families are being separated and shelters are overwhelmed. Pregnant women and women with newborns are amongst the most vulnerable and typically are the most difficult to find housing for because of their unique needs. Elizabeth House remains one of the few programs in Calgary that specializes in housing and support for women and infants during the critical perinatal period between pregnancy and the first two years of life.
Elizabeth House is my safe place... the first one in my life." Opening an 8th bedroom means one more family has a chance to stay together. It also means more furniture, more storage, and more supplies. We’re raising funds to make that room available as soon as possible.
Written by Elizabeth House Team
A message from Bishop McGrattan: I join all Canadians in offering my deepest, heartfelt sympathies to the victims, families, and all those impacted by the violence that occurred at the Lapu-Lapu Day Festival in Vancouver this past weekend, during one of the most joyful and special gatherings of the Filipino community.
 Something special has returned to St. John the Evangelist parish in Calgary: a newly painted statue of Our Lady of Walsingham graces our parish, bringing beauty, history, and a deep spiritual connection to one of the most beloved Marian devotions of the English-speaking world. But this statue’s journey to us has its own story—one that speaks of patience, providence, and the rich heritage of our Catholic faith. The statue, hand-carved in Oberammergau in Germany, was purchased during the COVID-19 pandemic. To save money, Fr. Robert-Charles Bengry, our parish priest and Dean of the Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter in Canada, chose to buy it unpainted, thinking he’d get to it soon enough. “We’re a small and poor parish,” he explains. A few years passed, and with parish life always demanding his attention, the task unfortunately remained unfinished. But as the Jubilee Year arrived, Father knew it was time to finally bring it to life. “Truth, goodness, and beauty are so very important to us as Ordinariate Catholics of the Anglican tradition,” Fr. Bengry says, “and so I’m happy to have been able to beautify the parish in this way.” For many Catholics, Our Lady of Walsingham may not be a familiar title, but her story is deeply rooted in our shared Christian history. In 1061, the Virgin Mary appeared to a noblewoman in England, requesting that a replica of the Holy House of Nazareth be built. That simple home became one of the greatest pilgrimage sites in medieval Christendom. Sadly, during the English Reformation under King Henry VIII, the shrine was destroyed, and devotion to Our Lady of Walsingham was nearly lost. But love for Our Lady can never truly be extinguished. Over time, her shrine was restored near to the ruins, and today, it remains a place of deep prayer and encounter with Christ. “Our Lady wanted us to know Christ through the Holy House, ultimately through the family home, the domestic Church,” Fr. Bengry reflects, adding, “and isn’t that something we need today, in this time, in this culture?” For Catholics of the Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter—originally for those who come from an Anglican heritage but now with a greatly broadened mission—Our Lady of Walsingham is especially dear. She is our patroness, a mother who has walked with us on our journey home to full communion. “God has been so very good in bringing us home to the Catholic Church,” Fr. Bengry says. “As a thank-you of sorts, we’d love to welcome diocesan Catholics this Jubilee Year and introduce them to Our Lady of Walsingham.”  This Jubilee Year brings a special invitation. St. John the Evangelist has been designated by Bishop Steven Lopes (our Ordinariate Bishop) as a pilgrimage site, meaning the faithful can receive a Jubilee Indulgence by making a pilgrimage here, praying before the Blessed Sacrament, and fulfilling the usual conditions of sacramental confession, Holy Communion, and prayers for the Holy Father’s intentions. The newly installed statue is more than a beautiful image—it holds a relic, a fragment of the ruins from the original Walsingham shrine site. To stand before Our Lady here is to stand in spiritual and physical connexion with centuries of faith and devotion. And there’s another unique touch: the holy water at St. John’s always contains water from the sacred well at Walsingham. “It’s very special,” Fr. Bengry notes, a tangible link to the graces of that ancient place of pilgrimage.
Submitted by St. John the Evangelist Parish Office
 Throughout the Gospels, we read of people’s encounters with Christ, where He invites them to “come and see” who He is. Jesus continues to extend this invitation to each of us today — but how easy is it for us to “stay” in relationship with Him when trials come our way? Furthermore, what does it look like for us to follow in Christ’s footsteps, seeing our interactions with others as opportunities to reveal the Father's love to them? The theme of this year’s Beloved Daughters Ministry conference is “Come and Stay: Relationships Rooted in Love.” As Rikka, Maria, and Jessica (the founders of Beloved Daughters Ministry) were praying and reflecting on the theme, they considered the many roles women hold. As daughters, friends, mothers, and sisters, women are presented with ample opportunities throughout daily life to cultivate and maintain authentic relationships. Yet often, comparison, fear, insecurities, and responsibilities can get in the way of developing these relationships. Maria, Rikka, and Jessica have been friends for over ten years. They can attest to the challenges of nurturing their friendship while fulfilling multiple roles and responsibilities. In the midst of it all, they strive to remind each other that disagreements are opportunities to grow in virtue — to help one another become saints and truly see each other in God’s image. Having previously volunteered together in youth and young adult ministry, we saw the formation of Beloved Daughters Ministry as an opportunity to journey alongside other women as we grow in our identity as beloved daughters of God. As we’ve mentioned at just about every one of our events, we are on the same journey as every other woman — we don’t have it all figured out.
Slowly but surely, each of us is learning that every disagreement offers the opportunity to stay, be present, and see things from another’s point of view. We can each attest that this is often challenging and frustrating in the moment. Yet by God’s grace, He continues to open our eyes to truly see one another as daughters of Christ, rather than turning inward on ourselves. This has expanded our capacity to extend love and mercy to each other. Vulnerability has led us to listen more deeply, empathize, and understand. There is a natural delight that comes with sharing life and choosing to stay with the friend placed before us. Planning ministry events together reminds us that we are on the same team. We share the same mission: to grow in love for Christ and to share that love with others. This ministry has provided space and opportunities for us to grow in holiness and virtue. More recently, as we plan our upcoming conference, we have also been reminded of the simple joy of having fun together! Sharing laughter has helped us not to take ourselves so seriously — and to remember that when we live under the freedom of being beloved daughters, God’s grace makes up for all that we lack. Within the Father’s love, there is freedom to make mistakes and to allow Him to transform them into opportunities to increase our capacity to give and receive love. Written by Jessica, Beloved Daughters Ministry, Calgary.
Editor's note: We're excited once again to share a glimpse into Holy Week ministry in the North! This year, Fr. Kevin Tumback of All Saints Parish in Lethbridge joined Fr. Tim Boyle in serving the Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith during Triduum. Dive into Fr. Tim's reflections from Gameti, NWT—a moving witness to lives poured out in service, sacrifice, and love. Enjoy the story and photos from Fr. Tim, and video reels from Fr. Kevin.  On Wednesday of Holy Week, I walked into St. Paul’s Church in Gameti, NT, and found the Easter candle still burning after a funeral two weeks earlier. I thought of St. Paul’s wish for us..
When Fr. Kevin and I arrived in Yellowknife, Bishop Jon Hansen brought us to visit Jim Lynn in the hospital. His wife, Julia, sat faithfully by his side. Jim had served for many years as a priest before marrying and continuing his ministry as a chaplain in Yellowknife’s jail — a man who has truly emptied himself in service.  On Holy Thursday, I anointed Therese and her husband Louis, who is now diagnosed with terminal cancer. During the service, their children laid hands on them in prayer — a family who has spent their lives loving and serving one another.  Later, I visited Chantel, a young mother who chose life even when she knew her baby would have special needs. Cai, her little one, can now lift his head and eat soft foods. Though Cai’s father is no longer with them, Chantel continues to pour herself out, raising her four children with unwavering strength. 
 On Easter Sunday we renewed our baptismal promises and welcomed little Cai into the Church — into a life of walking the path of self-giving love.  Chantel, Cai, and Fr. Tim On Easter Monday, the community gathered once more — this time to honour Pope Francis, who had passed away. They drummed and sang honour songs, then lined up to strike the old church bell 88 times in his memory — another life fully spent in service of Christ and his people.
What an unforgettable week— a journey into the mystery of being emptied... so that Christ might fill us. "It is accomplished."  Watch Fr. Kevin's reels
Statement by the Most Rev. William T. McGrattan, Bishop of Calgary, and President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops on the Passing of Pope Francis It is with profound sadness that I join my brother Bishops, as well as the Catholic faithful in Canada and those around the world, to mourn the loss of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025 in Rome at the age of 88. When the Cardinals elected him to the See of Peter in March 2013, Pope Francis invited us on that first night to “always pray for one another, for the whole world, that there may be a great spirit of fraternity.” Over the past 12 years of his Petrine Ministry, his pastoral witness and leadership of the Catholic Church as the 266th Successor of Saint Peter marked the Church, the world and our Canadian society with the values of the Gospel. Francis’ frequent consoling image of the Church as “a field hospital” brought us a message of hope, peace, compassion and mercy. He desired the Church to be close to the people, to be present in ways that reflected the mercy, forgiveness and care of Christ. He challenged us to become missionary disciples of faith, hope and love and announce the joy of the Gospel to the world.
Pope Francis desired the Church to be more effective in its pastoral outreach. To promote greater communion, participation and mission in the life of the Church. Francis began by renewing the process and outcome of synods, involving mutual listening and dialogue in which everyone has something to learn. He often stated that to be synodal is the conversion that God expects of the Church in the 21st century. During his pontificate he made over 40 apostolic journeys around the world and issued many Encyclical Letters and Apostolic Exhortations on contemporary themes such as evangelization in modern society (Evangelii Gaudium), love within marriage (Amoris Laetitia), environmental stewardship (Laudato Si’), human fraternity (Fratelli Tutti), as well as young people and vocational discernment (Christus Vivit). He advanced the Church’s ongoing commitment to address sexual abuse, in meeting with victims around the world in order to promote both justice and healing in their lives. He initiated processes to improve accountability and transparency in the management of the Vatican’s finances. He restructured the Roman Curia (the administrative departments of the Holy See) around the priority of evangelization, the Church’s central mission, and promoted a more participatory, synodal Church. “Trust in God’s infinite mercy” was the guiding vision throughout Francis’ papacy, as captured succinctly in his final Encyclical Letter “On the Human and Divine Love of the Heart of Jesus Christ” (Dilexit Nos). Pope Francis yearned for the Church’s message of mercy to be ever present among marginalized people, those on the existential and geographical peripheries of society. He was a tireless advocate for the poor, migrants, the disabled, the elderly, and those struggling to find their place within the Church. A defining moment for Canadians of Pope Francis’ papacy took place during his five-day Apostolic Journey to Canada in 2022 when he apologized to Indigenous Peoples for the abuse, cultural destruction, and forced assimilation associated with the former Indian Residential Schools. In his [own] words, it was a “penitential pilgrimage” – a journey of 5,700 km with events in Edmonton, Quebec City, and Iqaluit. It reflected his respect for Indigenous Peoples, and the Church’s commitment to continue walking together on the path of truth, justice, healing, reconciliation, and hope. Pope Francis opened two Jubilee Years during his pontificate: an extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy in 2015 and the Holy Year of Hope which began on Christmas eve, 2024. As Bishop of Rome, Francis demanded much while preaching about a God of mercy, by engaging joyfully with nonbelievers, atheists, agnostics, skeptics, and those on the peripheries of life – many who thought that Christianity has nothing left to offer in the circumstances of life. His was truly “a journey of fraternity, of love, of trust among us.” We thank God for the legacy Pope Francis has given us – one that encourages us to live our faith with greater conviction and that guides us as Christians to build relationships of trust and greater compassion with others. In this time of grief, I invite the Catholic faithful to join their local Ordinary and their pastoral ministers in praying for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis. Let us give thanks to God for giving us such a good shepherd, an eloquent teacher of the joy of the Gospel, a humble witness, and a fellow pilgrim of hope. May the love and hope that Pope Francis found in the Risen Lord continue to radiate through our lives, and may he receive the reward promised to good and faithful servants who were heralds of the Good News of the Kingdom of God. Mon, April 21, 2025 With deep sorrow, Bishop McGrattan joins the Bishops of Canada and the faithful around the world in mourning the death of Pope Francis, who passed away in Rome on Easter Monday, Apr 21, 2025, at the age of 88. In his tribute, Bishop McGrattan reflects on Pope Francis’ legacy as a humble shepherd who called the Church to mercy, dialogue, and missionary discipleship.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, As President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, I extend to you the ancient Orthodox Easter greeting: “Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen!” Each of the Gospel accounts of that first Easter morning presents us with the testimony of Mary Magdalene, Peter, and the Beloved Disciple, who encountered the astonishing reality of Christ’s Resurrection. Their despair, sorrow, and sense of loss gave way to newfound hope. The seeds of these Gospel events continue to be sown in our lives today, serving as a sure sign of the Risen Lord’s presence and the power of His Resurrection at work in our world. In this Jubilee Year of Hope, Pope Francis calls upon all the baptized, each with their unique gifts and ministries, to take co-responsibility in ensuring that the many signs of hope bear witness to God’s presence. Each year, our Holy Week celebrations lead us through the proclamation of the Word into the sacramental presence of Christ. This rich spiritual journey invites us to embrace the mysteries of our salvation with renewed faith and devotion. We walk the path of Christ’s Passion and death on the Cross, enter the silence of Holy Saturday, and then rejoice in the hope awakened within us as we renew our baptismal faith at Easter—professing our belief in Christ’s victory over death and the promise of eternal life. This is the enduring presence of the Risen Christ in the life of the pilgrim Church—a presence illuminated by the Holy Spirit with the light of hope. It is a flame that burns continuously, “like an ever-burning lamp, to sustain and invigorate our lives” (Spes Non Confundit, no. 3). May this light of hope, peace, and new life shine through our witness of Easter faith in the ordinary moments of family life, our parishes, schools, and workplaces. In this Jubilee Year of Hope, may we proclaim with renewed boldness: “Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen!” After a pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Outdoor Way of the Cross with the Roman Catholic Bishop William T. McGrattan is returning to the heart of downtown Calgary on Good Friday, April 18, 2025, at 8:30 am, beginning at St. Mary’s Cathedral (219 18 Ave SW). Held annually for more than 35 years (prior to the pandemic), the Outdoor Way of the Cross is a prayerful, family-friendly devotional walk through the streets of downtown, refl ecting on the Passion of Jesus. Last year, this spiritual event was briefl y revived at St. Mary’s University. This year marks a return to the heart of the city, and organizers hope to once again welcome 2,500 to 3,000 participants, as experienced in pre-pandemic years. Along the route, participants pause for prayer, refl ection on scripture, and contemplative singing—offering a public witness to Christ’s journey to the Cross and how we need to be present to the spiritual and social challenges faced in our communities today. For directions, parking, and route details, visit: www.catholicyyc.ca/wayofthecross Temporary road use and brief amplifi ed sound may occur as the group passes through the neighbourhood. A safety team, First Aid volunteers, and members of the Calgary Police Service will be present to support the event and ensure the safety of all. Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather and to join at any point along the route. All are also welcome to attend the Good Friday liturgies at St. Mary’s Cathedral at 12 pm and 3 pm, celebrated by Bishop McGrattan.  |
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