ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF CALGARY - Blog

ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF CALGARY

Congratulations Fr. Quinn Gomez!

5/28/2023

Photo credit: Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary, Lincoln, Nebraska

Congratulations to Fr. Quinn Gomez, FSSP from Calgary on being ordained to the Priesthood for the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter on May 26, 2023, by His Excellency Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone at North American Martyrs Catholic Church in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Fr. Cristino Bouvette had the privilege of attending the Ordination and receiving a priestly blessing from the newly ordained priest. Fr. Gomez also invited Fr. Cristino to preach at his first Mass the next day. Despite joining the Fraternity, Fr. Gomez wants to remain connected with his home diocese. You can view the Ordination photos here | Video

Finding our home

5/27/2023

For converts, the journey on the road to Roman Catholicism is as varied as their individual personalities and experiences. My journey was a rather circuitous route, due in part to a neurological disorder – but I’m getting ahead of myself.

Our three children are now adults, but when our youngest was just starting school, she began displaying sudden twitches and jerky movements which seemed out of her control. Our initial concern soon turned to alarm as the movements became more pronounced, and as she also began making odd sounds as well. We checked with our family doctor, who referred us to a pediatric psychiatrist over the Christmas break. After a lot of listening and observing, he gave us his diagnosis: Tourette Syndrome.

In some ways it was a comfort to have a name for the condition, but we also felt anxious about what the future might hold. My husband and I read everything we could get our hands on about Tourette Syndrome and found out that most people learn to cope with this neurological disorder, though it isn’t an easy condition to live with. We also learned that the involuntary movements and sounds are called motor tics and vocal tics.

School became a nightmare for our daughter. She felt humiliated, confused, sad and, most of all, concerned about “disturbing” the other students with her frequent vocal and motor tics. Finally, we made the decision to homeschool her, in an attempt to salvage our collective sanity. I quit my teaching job.

Laura & Bill Locke

I’ve noticed that, from my childhood, when faced with distressing experiences I seek solace in books. This was no exception. As we launched into the new experience of homeschooling, I buried myself in my spare time in the works of authors I have long loved, including C. S. Lewis. One line from Lewis’ book The Problem of Pain had a profound impact on me: “Pain removes the veil. It plants the flag of truth within the fortress of a rebel soul.” As I sat one day at our dining room table, reading and absorbing those words with my twitching, barking daughter beside me working on her math lesson, it did indeed feel as if a veil was being ripped off my old perceptions of myself, of God, and of the world. I knew I needed to go deeper and find a better way to cope with this new reality.

C. S. Lewis led me to one of his favorite authors, G. K. Chesterton, whose books I ate up with an eagerness that my husband found rather baffling. Fascinated by Chesterton’s conversion to Catholicism, I then started reading the works of other notable converts – Cardinal John Henry Newman, Dorothy Day, Thomas Merton, and Scott Hahn. My concept of our relationship with God was challenged by their insights.

I grew up in the United Church, and my husband and I attended Protestant Churches with our children during the early years of our marriage. But after reading the stories of famous converts to Catholicism I felt drawn, like a magnet, to a little Catholic church in our neighborhood. I had never been inside, even though we had lived just two blocks away for almost twenty years. My husband decided to join me, and as we entered the church building together one Sunday, as Mass was about to begin, we had absolutely no idea what to expect.

At first it felt very foreign, but we kept attending. Before long, we found ourselves signed up for a Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults course (RCIA), with a group of other spiritual explorers. We were increasingly captivated by what we heard every Tuesday night at the RCIA class. In the Catholic Church we found people who were unafraid to gaze on Christ’s suffering, and as I followed their gaze, I was confronted with a love that shook me to the core. I felt like I finally understood Chesterton’s astute comment: “The Catholic church is bigger on the inside than it is on the outside.”

In the prayers and practices of the Roman Catholic Church I discovered a timeless connection, reaching back to the apostles, which backfilled missing elements in my faith. Discovering the writings of the early Church Fathers, and reading about the lives of the Saints, enriched and deepened my spiritual growth. And in the Eucharist, I fully embraced the invitation to come, eat, drink, find strength, accept forgiveness, and embrace God’s love.

My husband and I are both grateful that in the Catholic Church, we’ve found our home.

*Post Note: Homeschooling turned out to be a wonderful and very enjoyable experience for us. Our daughter’s condition has improved, in no small measure because of her own maturity, self-awareness and self-acceptance. We continued homeschooling right through to grade 12, and she graduated with Honours. She also received the Premier’s Citizenship Award for her volunteer activities.

St. Joseph Parish's Centennial Garden

Laura Locke is an educator, journalist, and editor of a free online eMagazine called Kolbe Times: Faith, Arts & Justice (kolbetimes.com). She is also the author of A Lamp on the Hill: St. Joseph’s Parish 1912-2012 (Calgary Public Library). Laura is married to Bill, who is publisher of Kolbe Times, and they have three amazing adult children and one beautiful grandchild. Laura and Bill enjoy biking, cooking, and volunteering together. They received the Sacrament of Confirmation and were welcomed into the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil in 2007. In 2014 they became members of the Order of Secular Franciscans.

Photos courtesy of Laura & Bill Locke.

Restoring the Feminine Heart

5/21/2023

As the highly anticipated "Restoring the Feminine Heart" Women's Conference approaches (May 26-27), the Beloved Daughters Ministry team shares with Faithfully about their event and the ministry's mission. Read on to discover what this exciting conference has in store.

Beloved Daughters

For those who have never heard of the Beloved Daughters Ministry, it's a lay-run women's ministry established in 2020 to support women at every stage of life as they rediscover their identity as beloved daughters of God.

Initially created to host annual women's conferences within the Diocese of Calgary, the ministry adapted to an online presence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through social media platforms, they share blog posts (written by many local women), weekly Sunday reflections, and host Advent and Lenten mini-retreats at various parishes. The ministry offers connection, relatability, and encouragement to women, helping them stay rooted in the truths of their identity in God.

“Restoring the Feminine Heart”

The ministry conference team, guided by prayer and discernment, has carefully chosen the perfect topic and speakers for this inaugural event. With the theme “Restoring the Feminine Heart”, they are eager to delve into the true identity and unique gifts that women possess.

"We hope to be able to provide the beginnings of restoration and healing to women who have experienced wounds in these areas, especially where in today’s society there is much confusion and distortion regarding the identity of the individual." said Rikka, one of the founders of the Beloved Daughter Ministry. The team also hope to shed light on God’s thoughtful design in creating humans male and female in His image and likeness, as well as the gift that we are to each other.

Women going to the conference will be examining how pressures from society, others, and even themselves, have hindered the ability to live out their truest identity. They will unpack how they can freely live out of the giftedness of our femininity.

Jake & Heather Khym. Photo courtesy of: Heather Khym.

Jake & Heather Khym

The team is beyond excited to welcome guest speakers Heather Khym (most commonly known as a co-host on the Abiding Together Podcast) and Jake Khym (Registered Psychologist and co-host of the Restore the Glory Podcast).

Jake and Heather Khym are a married Catholic couple from Abbotsford, BC. They are the founders of Life Restoration Ministries. Their ministry is devoted to creating opportunities for Jesus to encounter people, empowering disciples to deepen their faith. They achieve this through evangelization and formation focused on unlocking the heart. On their podcasts, Jake and Heather regularly share personal stories of their own journey towards healing and restoration with great vulnerability.

When asked why Jake & Heather Khym for their first women’s conference, Rikka revealed, “The three of us first heard Jake Khym speak at Rise up 2014 in Calgary and his message blew us away. He spoke into each of our hearts differently, but prominently.”

The launch of the all-female Abiding Together Podcast, featuring Heather Khym, piqued the team's interest even more. One of their team members found great healing through listening to the Restore the Glory Podcast, hosted by Jake Khym (a registered counselor), and Dr. Bob Schuchts (a registered psychologist).

“In listening to the honesty and relatability in which they share their experiences, combined with their professional and ministerial background, we immediately knew that having them speak at this conference would be just what was needed to create an environment of hope and healing for the attendees at our conference.”

"We believe that Jake and Heather can beautifully demonstrate the harmony and unity that can exist within relationships as we each journey towards wholeness."

It’s more than a conference

“As women we often put the needs of others first, often to the point of burn out. But we cannot freely give of ourselves without first allowing ourselves to be and receive before our loving Father.”

Beloved Daughter’s ministry yearns for all women to have the opportunity to learn more about who they are as a beloved daughter of God. “To develop an understanding of our identity is essential to laying a solid foundation for all that we do.” said Jessica.

Attendees at this event can look forward to engaging speakers with experience in hosting women's conferences and healing retreats. They will also enjoy fellowship and community with women from Calgary and surrounding areas. Expect to worship the Lord in Mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, praise and worship, as well as to receive the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Moreover, local Catholic vendors will have items available for sale, adding to the overall enriching experience.

Maria, Jessica, and Rikka, Beloved Daughters Ministry

A Pentecost Gift

Mothers, daughters, grandmothers, granddaughters, aunts, nieces, sisters, and girl-friends! If you are a woman over the age of 18 then there is a place for you at this conference! Nursing infants, and female adolescents 14 years and older coming with their mother or guardian, are also welcome.

Maria added, “This conference is sure to be an enriching and impactful weekend filled with connection, rest and restoration. You can look forward to being amongst a community of lovely women gathering, learning and praying together!”

It is truly a gift for our Diocese to have this conference offered in Calgary, and especially on the weekend of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit will be present and ready to shower the women in attendance with an abundance of graces!

“Restoring the Feminine Heart” Women Conference - May 26- 27, 2023 (Friday evening & Saturday all day). It will be held at St. Luke’s Parish in Calgary, AB.

To purchase a ticket to the “Restoring the Feminine Heart” Conference you can visit their website at: www.beloveddaughtersyyc.com

Making an Informed, Moral Choice

5/17/2023

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In preparation for the upcoming provincial election, the Catholic Bishops of Alberta wish to encourage all members of the Church to engage in the electoral process. By means of this letter, we offer to our Catholic faithful a reminder of important principles and concerns, which stem from the social doctrine of the Church, to guide the discernment of choices that accord with the Gospel’s vision for the right ordering of society.

We are one human family. Yet, in recent years especially, division has in many ways marred our common life. The Word of God calls us to see the other as our neighbour and pursue initiatives that promote justice among peoples. We look to our political representatives to work with us all as peacemakers in our communities, province, and nation.
Seeking together the common good. Elected officials ensure the common good when they seek to create a human environment that enables citizens to exercise their rights and fulfill their corresponding duties. The Church, through Catholic education and healthcare, her parishes, and many charitable and social service works, seeks to promote the flourishing of a just and human society. Let us continue to advocate for the support of our Catholic institutions in their service of the common good.
Freedom of conscience and religion. Conscience recognizes the obligation of every individual to seek the truth and live in accordance with it. Freedom of religion embraces not only the act of worship but also public witness to the truth as expressed in the tenets of faith. Those elected to govern must respect these liberties and uphold them.
The dignity and sanctity of every human life. We expect elected officials to recognize and respect human dignity by defending and promoting inalienable rights. First among these, and foundational to all others, is the right to life from conception to natural death.
Concern for poor and vulnerable persons. The litmus test for society’s moral health is the attention and care given to the needy among us. How do those seeking political office plan to address the serious matter of homelessness, for example, or what priority will be given to welcoming immigrants and refugees? How shall we offer care and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges or living with terminal and/or debilitating illnesses?
Walking with the Indigenous Peoples. During his visit to Alberta in 2022, Pope Francis apologized for harms of the past, advocated for the rights of the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples of this land, welcomed the wisdom of their traditions, and praised the beauty of their cultures. This election campaign period presents an opportunity to encourage those running for political office to join the walk with Indigenous Peoples along the pathway of truth, healing, justice, reconciliation, and hope.
Care for God’s creation. Stewardship of our common home is a constitutive element of the Christian faith. The protection of both people and planet carries ethical demands that cannot be ignored. We are called to engage in dialogue with holders of political office on this important issue, and work with them to care for the world, which God has entrusted to us.

As Catholics, we have a moral obligation to be involved in the democratic process for the good of the human community. The considerations offered above can help each of us make voting choices that accord with our Catholic identity and moral values.

Please join with us in prayer for those elected to public office. They are assuming a heavy responsibility, often at great personal sacrifice. May they be granted the strength and wisdom to govern in accord with the precept of charity in service of the life and well-being of everyone.

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Catholic Bishops of Alberta
Most Reverend Richard W. Smith, Archbishop of Edmonton
Most Reverend William McGrattan, Bishop of Calgary
Most Reverend Gary Franken, Bishop of St. Paul
Most Reverend Gerard Pettipas CSsR, Archbishop of Grouard-McLennan
Most Reverend David Motiuk, Bishop of the Ukrainian Eparchy of Edmonton

Métis Moochigan in Lethbridge

5/15/2023

Dustin Gamble and Christobel (Bel) Piche

The noise is deafening and nobody minds. What started as a traditional Métis dance called “Drops of Brandy” has morphed into dozens of elementary students twirling arm-in-arm and jigging wildly to live fiddle and guitar music. It’s a gleeful melee in the true spirit of Moochigan.

Moochigan, according to organizer and Métis member Jorin Gaudet, is a Métis word which describes a kitchen party, a gathering where food is shared, music is played, and people come together to dance and celebrate. Gaudet, who originally hales from the Métis community of Paddle Prairie in Northern Alberta, said he came up with the idea “to bring Métis culture to life” within his school. Gaudet is a Grade 6 teacher at Our Lady of Assumption (OLA) School of Holy Spirit Catholic School Division in Lethbridge. With collaboration from his friends, and support from a raft of groups and organizations, Gaudet planned an afternoon of activities for the 150 students of OLA.

Jorin Gaudet, teacher and organizer of the Moochigan

Students heard stories from an elder, learned about traditional instruments from music scholars and cheered on a pair of youthful jiggers who stamped and spun with time honoured dance steps. Students also ate a typical Métis meal including bannock and pemmican plus learned a few words of Michif, a Métis language. To end the event, students participated in a skit depicting a kitchen party. They were encouraged to use their newly learned Michif words and finally to join in the dancing and general celebration.

Commenting on the event, principal Meghan Calder said, “We have very diverse student population so they’re always open to new ways of doing and learning. Couple that with physical activity, great music and great guests and it’s easy for them to get involved.” Calder went on to say she was pleased her coworker had agreed to share his cultural heritage. She first learned about it when she and Gaudet taught at the same school years earlier. She encouraged him then, and since, to teach others about his culture. “This is really Jorin’s day,” Calder said. For his part, Gaudet said the event was almost like going home!

Samples of Metis traditional clothing and artifacts

Daniel Beeson-Bergeron and Monique Giroux

Students clearly enjoyed the various activities but the whole event was intended for a larger purpose. Principal Calder explained that the school is committed to furthering Truth and Reconciliation principles by finding creative ways to learn about First Nations and Métis peoples. This goal is echoed by the Canadian Council of Catholic Bishops in their pastoral letter to the Métis “That We May Walk Together”. In it the CCCB pledges to facilitate opportunities to make Métis history known. “You have spoken clearly of the need to tell your stories, to make your history, spiritual, and cultural traditions more widely known,” the document says. It then goes on to invite Catholic educational institutions, seminaries and religious houses to partner in this endeavor.

The Moochigan held at OLA School involved several of Jorin Gaudet’s personal friends and fellow Métis. They spoke about their experiences and shared interesting information on traditional tools, dances, music, food preparation, cultural symbols and much more. Gaudet himself explained to students that the dark coloured sash he wore was a memorial to a sad time in Métis history after the Riel Rebellion. Elder Roderick McLeod shared his sadness too saying that he was reluctant to openly identify as Métis throughout much of his youth because of the discrimination Métis peoples endured. He welcomed the current openness to learning about First Nations, Metis, and Inuit cultures.

On the other end of the age spectrum, Dustin Gamble is not Métis but has learned the intricate footwork of traditional dances from his friend Christobel Piche who has been dancing since she was eleven. Wearing beaded buckskin accessories, the pair enthralled students with their energetic performances. They told their audience that Métis was “a very beautiful, very inclusive culture”. Gamble said, “Whether you’re Métis of not, you can still be a part of the picture, you can still have fun and jig”. The students and staff of OLA School took this message to heart as they joyfully danced the Moochigan to a close.

Elder Roderick McLeod

Written by Alice Matisz for Faithfully. Alice lives in Lethbridge with her husband Don. She is a member of All Saints Parish where she volunteers to bring the Eucharist to a long term care home. She enjoys reading, writing, baking and painting.

Photos courtesy of Alice Matisz.

Celebrating Our Lady of Fatima Feast Day

5/14/2023

On the 106th Anniversary of Our Blessed Mother’s apparition to three humble shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal, Our Lady of Fatima Parish welcomed Catholics from all across the Diocese of Calgary to honour her holy feast day. And just like in Fatima, the crowds appeared!

The church, which was constructed by immigrants from Portugal, was filled with devoted followers of the Blessed Mother. The sanctuary and narthex were overflowing with people who participated in the Rosary, Holy Mass, and candlelight procession. It was clear that the believers were deeply respectful and fervently praying, which indicated that the graces poured through Mary’s Immaculate Heart at Fatima are still being bestowed upon her children today. In each “Ave Maria” and “Holy Mary,” the faithful from across the diocese and from different cultural backgrounds wholeheartedly and with one unified voice entreated to their mother, presenting her with their spiritual bouquets of roses.

In Father Fabio’s homily, he emphasized that “in Nazareth, the Virgin Mary brought the Son of God into the world. But in Fatima, Mary's mission was different: to bring the world to Christ, with a call to conversion, indicating that the Blessed Mother's devotion points out to Christ, our Saviour.”

The message of Our Lady at Fatima continues to live in the hearts of her children, whom she protects within the intimacy of her Immaculate Heart. This universal call to holiness in which the Blessed Mother draws us ever closer to her Beloved Son resounded even more strongly this Saturday. Their smiles and tears were evident signs of their devotion and closeness to the Blessed Mother. Let us, with each passing day, always remember Our Blessed Mother’s most sweet requests: to pray the rosary daily and to do penance to console Her Immaculate Heart and the Sacred Heart of Her Divine Son, Jesus!

In October 13th, the Portuguese-speaking Catholic community of Calgary will celebrate the last apparition of Our Lady of Fatima.

Submitted by Caterina Avila, Our Lady of Fatima Parish. Photos courtesy of Our Lady of Fatima, Parish.

2023 Catholic Education Week

5/14/2023

Let us celebrate Catholic Education Week (May 14-19) this month with the provincial theme "As for us, we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.” (Micah 4:5). Catholic Education Week also provides a special opportunity to thank each one of you for your extraordinary service on behalf of Catholic education!

Suggested Activities for Catholic Education Week and links to prerecorded reflections of Alberta Bishops - Download PDF
2023 Catholic Education Week Letter from the Bishops of Alberta (English/French)

Walking Together in Catholic Education

5/14/2023

GrACE Summit 2023 in Edmonton, AB. Photo credit: ECSD.

Last week I attended the 2023 GrACE Summit – Walking Together in Catholic Education which was held in Edmonton. Grateful Advocates for Catholic Education (GrACE) was formed in 2018 as collaborative initiative of the Catholic school trustees and superintendents with the Alberta bishops. Its mission is “to inspire, invigorate and embolden the spirit of Catholic education in order to unite, engage, educate and communicate with one voice on its behalf”. This week we celebrate Catholic Education Week in the province of Alberta. The theme “Walking Together” was taken from the scripture passage “As for us, we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever.” (Micah 4:5). In the Alberta Bishop’s letter, we stated that this week “affords us the welcome opportunity to reflect on the crucial role Catholic schools play in educating our children and young people, by creating formative communities of love and care that witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ”.

What makes a Catholic school distinct and relevant in our current society? These schools are communities of faith and learning. They can be diverse in their configuration i.e., public, private or charter, yet focused on coming to know the truth, the goal of all learning through the use of reason which is animated by a faith and belief in God. In fact, Catholic schools are not intended to be exclusively for Catholics. They are school communities for all families, imbued with a Catholic world view, a Christian anthropology of the human person as being created in the image of God, a faith infused curriculum of learning, the Gospel witness of prayer and service which promotes a focus on community through a spirituality of communion.

Catholic schools are not institutions of propaganda as some would argue nor are they to be controlled by ideologies, or educational trends of a government agenda. The Catholic educational tradition offers experiences of learning that allow for both evangelization and the catechetical support of young people in their faith through celebrating encounters that are centered in Christ. However, the task of education is broader. It is to promote a wholistic experience of learning that forms and completes the person, preparing them for life, to appreciate the value of their life and that of others by offering to society values and goods that they willingly share for the benefit of others through service. This is the distinctly Catholic approach to education which enhances the human formation and mature development of the next generation of young people as they grow in knowledge and wisdom.

In recent years there has been a growing “educational emergency” in public education. It is marked by the increasing difficulty of transmitting the basic values of life, what is truth, what is good, what is beauty, to our young people. At the core of this “emergency” is the misconception that truth is relative, that what I subjectively believe to be true for myself is the “truth” and that it must be accepted by others. Pope Francis identified this tension and challenge for Catholic educators – “Dialogue, in fact, educates when a person relates with respect, esteem, sincerity of listening and expresses themselves with authenticity, without obfuscating or mitigating one’s identity. We cannot create a culture of dialogue if we do not have identity.” The Catholic identity of our schools, the witness of our Catholic school teachers who engage in this dialogue through their teaching can transform a society and culture which is becoming more relativistic and secular.

The Catholic school curriculum of learning needs to address this important dialogue while balancing the relationship between religious enquiry and catechesis in the Catholic faith. This initiative of dialogue is distinctly Catholic in identity which we offer to society. Catholic schools have a core curriculum of learning where religious faith can permeate all subjects. For Catholic students, this might also serve as a pathway of catechesis which must always respect a wider and more meaningful integration within their family and the life of the Church. It is a curriculum which is primarily “knowledge-based” for those students who are not part of the Catholic tradition. It invites them to be reflective, to grow in religious literacy and knowledge while being open to a human formation that reflects the Christian understanding of the human person, their inherent dignity and destiny.

Catholic schools both public and private have the potential to contribute to the cultural enrichment of society. Despite the hostility and indifference towards religion these schools serve as a witness to the importance of religious belief as a critical voice of dialogue in civic society. Therefor Catholic schools have a unique opportunity to teach about the value of religion, belief in God and through Christ to know how we are to transform the values of a wider society.

The key to the future mission and identity of our Catholic schools is the commitment of the parents and teachers to see Catholic education as an enrichment of our culture. Education by its nature invites an openness to other cultures, without the loss of one’s fundamental identity. This is the rich tradition of Catholic education in Alberta and the mission of our schools to inspire, invigorate and embolden this Catholic identity for future generations. This week let us speak with one voice in walking together for Catholic Education.

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Resources:

Suggested Activities for 2023 Catholic Education Week and links to prerecorded reflections of Alberta Bishops - Download PDF
2023 Catholic Education Week Letter from the Bishops of Alberta (English/French)

Most Rev. William T. McGrattan
Bishop of Calgary

May 14, 2023

Expansion access to MAiD

5/9/2023

Together with the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), Bishop McGrattan is urging the faithful to continue to oppose the expansion of MAiD in Canada. The CCCB has just issued an Open Letter to the Government of Canada and a Message to the Catholic Faithful on May 9 re: Permitting Persons Living with Mental Illness to Access Euthanasia/Assisted Suicide. We ask you to share the Bishop's message with your friends and family:

2023 Daily Prayers for Families #NFLW

5/7/2023

Let us spend the National Week of Family and Life (NFLW) 2023 united in prayer, reflection, and action, demonstrating our active support for family and life. Indeed, families are “guardians of life” when we love one another within our families and in wider society when we show kindness toward and care for the vulnerable and marginalized.

Note: Day 1 can begin anytime! We want to ensure everybody has the opportunity to join in and take part in this wonderful experience. Don't worry if you missed the start of NFLW, you can join in and start participating in the daily prayers and activities from any day.

Day 1

Prayer Intention: For single parents | God of love and tenderness, we pray for single parents, that you may be their guide, their protector, and their safe refuge. Grant them the grace to provide for the emotional, physical and spiritual needs of their children. In your loving mercy comfort all single parents in times of need and bring healing to their unique suffering. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Activity for families
Single parents can often struggle with feeling isolated or marginalized. If you know someone who is a single parent in your community or church, consider extending yourself to them and their children. You can reach out to them to introduce yourself and get to know them. Other ideas could be dropping off a meal, offering babysitting for an hour, or inviting them over for dinner.

In the parish community
In your parish community, is there an opportunity to establish a network of single parents and their children with others in similar situations? Monthly prayer events or online scripture studies can be a good way to bring single parents together with each other, as well as other families.

Today’s prayer intention and family activity was developed in collaboration with Momentum, a ministry supporting Catholic single mothers.

Day 2

Prayer Intention: For those living with mental health challenges, including mental illnesses | Loving Jesus, you walk with us along the valleys and peaks of life. Be near to those living with mental health challenges, including mental illnesses. May they hear the still, small voice of calm whisper through the silence,“You are loved. You are not alone.” Strengthen and sustain caregivers and others who accompany those living with mental health challenges, including mental illnesses. May the joy of your Resurrection offer lasting hope and healing, as we await the coming of your kingdom where you live and reign with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

Daily Activity for families
As a family, take time to check in on your individual mental health and share it with each other while practicing active listening. If you were to describe how you are feeling as a colour, what would it be and why? Recognizing that it’s okay not to be okay, are you experiencing a season of flourishing or of languishing? Can you care for your mental health together today? Perhaps go for a walk, have a kitchen dance party, make a visit to a Eucharistic chapel, bake your favourite muffins, or take a holy nap!

In the parish community
In your parish community, is there an opportunity to organize an outreach program or event to promote the wellbeing of every person? Wellbeing is about supporting the mental, physical, and spiritual health of persons and
families. What are some creative ways your parish community can promote wellbeing? Some examples could include a time of Eucharistic Adoration followed by a time of hospitality and fellowship. For an example ministry, see more information below about Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries.

Today’s prayer intention and family activity was developed
in collaboration with Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries,
a ministry equipping the church to support mental health and
wellbeing.

Day 3

Prayer Intention: For marriage accompaniment and enrichment | Heavenly Father, I thank you for the gift of my spouse and for the gift of each one of our children. You know our hearts and our needs. You know we desire to live faithfully our promises to you and to each other. We oftentimes find ourselves hurting each other and creating wounds in each other’s heart that we never wanted to cause. We recognize the gaps in our family caused by selfishness that have made us live distantly from you and each other. We want to invite you to fill our hearts with your presence and make us a family united in you. Inspired by the example of the Holy Family may our family always be a living gospel, giving witness to your love in our world. Amen.

In the parish community
In your parish community, is there an opportunity to connect with couples preparing for marriage with couples who have been married for a number of years? What can the parish community facilitate to celebrate and recognize couples who have been married one year, or two years? An example is to host a special Mass for couples celebrating one year of marriage alongside mile-stone anniversaries like 10, 25, or 35 years of marriage. Host a special reception following Mass!

Today’s prayer intention and family activity was developed in collaboration with Witness to Love, a Catholic marriage mentoring and preparation program.

Day 4

Prayer Intention: For persons with disabilities and their families | Father in heaven, you created us in your divine image. May every person living with a disability experience true belonging in a loving community. Guide us to pursue our call to work for justice and fullness of life for all persons with disabilities. Graciously help us to open new and creative spaces to invite all persons to participate meaningfully in parish and community life. Help us to contribute to the Church and, together, be a sign of the unity of the Body of Christ. Amen.

Daily Activity for families
On 3 December 2022, in his message for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Pope Francis spoke about a “magisterium of fragility ... a charism by which you—dear sisters and brothers with disabilities—can enrich the Church. Your presence ‘may help transform the actual situations in which we live, making them more human and more welcoming. Without vulnerability, without limits, without obstacles to overcome, there would be no true humanity.’”

As a family, watch together the 4-minute video below. You will get to know a priest from Australia who was born legally blind and is a witness to a joyful faith lived within human fragility and limits. “We” not “they,” disability in the life of the Church www.bit.ly/IamChurch

Discussion Questions for Families

What surprised you about Fr. Justin Glyn, SJ?
In your own life, do you live with certain limitations or vulnerabilities? How does your faith help you with these experiences?
After hearing Fr. Justin’s story, do you have any ideas about how to open creative spaces to promote the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in your faith community?

In the Parish Community
In your parish community, can you identify ways to open creative spaces for persons with disabilities to foster a sense of belonging for everyone? For some practical ideas in your parish, explore “Beyond the Ramp: A Parish Guide to Welcoming Persons with Disabilities”, written by Connie Price.

Additional Resources

David Rizzo, Faith, Family and Children with Special Needs
Megan Gannon, Special Saints for Special People: Stories of Saints with Disabilities
For Catechists, teachers, parents, families: Loyola Press Resources for Special Needs Ministry: Special Needs | Loyola Press

Day 5

Prayer Intention: For an increase of good palliative care and end-of-life care | Compassionate and healing God, We pray for all those who are sick and those nearing the end of this earthly life. Draw near to them and extend your consoling presence. Bless them with family and friends to care for and accompany them, skilled caregivers to ease their suffering and lessen their burden, and volunteers to lend a listening ear and steady presence. May your loving embrace be a light to their lives. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Daily Activity for families
Start a conversation in your family about what’s most important to you at the end of life. Health care and end-of-life planning conversations are a powerful entryway to connect meaningfully about life and death. Note: This activity is most appropriate between young adults, parents and grandparents; however, mature teenagers may also find these types of conversations helpful.

In the parish community
In your parish community, have you launched the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops' Horizons of Hope: A Toolkit for Catholic Parishes on Palliative Care? The open access program includes a facilitator’s guide and four modules that are easy to follow and offer high-quality medical and theological information on palliative care. It is so important to talk about end-of-life are today—don’t delay in opening these conversations in your parish community.

Day 6

Prayer Intention: Offering compassion for those grieving the loss of little ones | O loving God, out of the depths, we cry to you. Your Spirit intercedes for us even when we do not know how to pray. Come near to those who mourn the loss of a preborn infant or child, for you know our hearts and share our tears especially in times of grief and sorrow. Guide us with your grace to recognize you are always with us, even as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Almighty God, who knew us and formed us in the womb, we ask that you enfold every grieving heart and every child in heaven into your tender loving care; by your Spirit, we ask for your kindness and grace. Amen.

Daily Activityfor the family
Create a ‘Rooted in Love’ Memory Garden Start with talking about how each family member feels about having a memory garden to honour their sibling. Young children can help plan and draw what it might look like. Choose a special tree and plant it together as a family and create a garden so everyone can contribute and participate.

You can symbolize the family unit with pots or other objects such as DIY stepping stones for each family member. Hummingbird feeders and wooden hand-painted bird feeders can attract feathered friends to visit. Be creative and decorate pots, stones etc. with pens or paint. Use ribbons to represent memories, laminate drawings or pictures and hang them off branches.

Make it your own! You may wish to include a statue of the Holy Family and/or design a Rosary garden using painted rocks. Add a prayer bench and table to read, journal or meditate with a candle. It can be healing to sit around a firepit and pray together.

Here are ideas on how families can decorate the tree together;

Advent | Jesse Tree Symbols and/or a numbered bag for each day of Advent with a surprise such as mini pieces to create a small nativity scene to display under the tree
Christmas | Have children create their own decorations using clear ornaments and add mini outdoor lights
Valentine’s Day | Hang hearts and notes of love and gratitude for family members to find
Lent/Easter | Use Easter eggs with scripture verses inside for each day of Lent, have an Easter egg hunt
Birthdays | Add streamers, have a picnic in the yard that includes birthday cake

Additionally, the same plant/tree can also be sent to extended family members so they can also be part of honouring the lost child. Flower seeds can also be sent to those who are farther away. It's a beautiful way to remember loved ones and also create a new life and memories together. How meaningful would it be to exchange pictures of the memory gardens each Christmas?

In the Parish Community
In your parish community, can you find ways to gently raise awareness and support for those grieving the loss of preborn and born children?

Sometimes the best people to lead these outreach programs and initiatives are those who have also experienced the grief of losing a child. Consider working closely with these parents and families and seeking guidance from them in your pastoral approaches and ideas.

Today’s prayer intention and family activity was developed in collaboration with Elizabeth Ministry BC, which offers faith-based, peer support after loss of a baby during pregnancy, at birth, in infancy and toddlerhood. Visit Elizabeth Ministry BC’s website here: elizabethministrybc.ca

Source: National Life & Family Week Daily Prayers & Activities, CCCB, 2023

Evening of prayers for Syria

5/6/2023

A beautiful evening of prayers for Syria was held on Friday, May 5, 2023 at St. Mary's Cathedral. Archbishop Joseph Tobji from Aleppo, Syria, Bishop McGrattan, priests, deacons, and faithful from the oriental churches in Calgary and the Diocese attended the event. In addition to the ongoing conflicts, people in Syria are also facing the aftermath of a devastating earthquake and the tragic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these immense challenges, the people of Syria are bravely rebuilding their lives. We express our deep appreciation to everyone who participated and prayed with us for our brothers and sisters in Syria.

A special thank you to Fr. Daniel Fares, the chief organizer, volunteers and staff of St. Mary's Cathedral for the beautiful reception after the prayers. Let us continue to keep the people of Syria in our thoughts and prayers.

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) invites all faithful to respond generously to the emergency aid campaigns launched by CNEWA and three other Catholic organizations who are working with partners in the region and know the local reality. Donate online here

Photos and videos courtesy of Our Lady of Peace Maronite Church and Office of Communications.
More photos are available here.

In memoriam: Fr. Gilles LeBlanc

5/6/2023

Funeral Mass of Fr. Gilles LeBlanc was celebrated on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at Sacred Heart Church in Calgary followed by a graveside service at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Father Gilles LeBlanc was born on May 18, 1949, in Bouctouche, New Brunswick. He is pre-deceased by his parents Frederick and Suzanne LeBlanc and his brother Paul LeBlanc. He is survived by his siblings: Andrea Acherly, Ronald LaBlanc, Gladys Bordage, John LaBlanc, Reggie LeBlanc. He was ordained a priest in 1985. He passed away peacefully on May 2, 2023 at Providence Care Centre.

Visit the obituary page at https://www.evanjstrong.com/obituary/FrGilles-LeBlanc

Fr. Gilles LeBlanc's Pastoral Assignments

Father Gilles LeBlanc was ordained a priest on April 26, 1985, at St. Mary’s Cathedral by Bishop Paul J. O'Byrne. Fr. LeBlanc began his pastoral assignments as an Assistant Pastor at St. John’s, Calgary, in June 1985, followed by St. Mark’s in Calgary in August 1985, serving until 1987. He then served as an Assistant Pastor at St. Ann's in Blairmore from July 1987 to 1988. In 1989, he accepted a pastoral assignment as Pastor of St. Andrew’s, Vulcan, Champion, and Carmangay, where he served for two years. Later in his ministry, Fr. LeBlanc was assigned at St. Anthony’s in Calgary from 2006 until July 2008. His last pastoral assignment was at St. Patrick’s in Medicine Hat from August 2008 until his retirement in June 2010.

Read "Custodians of Beauty" - featuring Fr. Gilles LeBlanc
Watch video "Co-Creating with God"

Please join us in remembering Fr. Gilles by viewing these beautiful photos of his funeral mass, captured by Victor Panlilio. Let us all pray for his eternal rest and the souls of all the faithful departed, and may they find peace in the loving mercy of God.

Photos courtesy of Victor Panlilio | See all photos here

Keeping our spaces clean & tidy

5/5/2023

The space around us often reflects the state of our being. If our spaces are cluttered, this may mean that we are not on top of things or may feel overwhelmed with the demands of life.

One secret to keeping our spaces clean and tidy is to maintain little habits that help us to organize our lives and to avoid procrastination. For example, the habit of immediately returning a tool in the toolbox after each use will prevent tools from sitting around for days or weeks where they should not be. With this habit, unnecessary disasters and time-consuming problems are averted.

>>> Watch this video for daily habits that help keep our home clean and tidy.The space around us often reflects the state of our being. If our spaces are cluttered, this may mean that we are not on top of things or may feel overwhelmed with the demands of life.

Consider this...
“But all things should be done decently and in order.” 1 Corinthian 14:40

When we are able to maintain order in little things, we are present to the moment.

He is risen. Christ is truly risen!

5/1/2023

Invited by Bishop McGrattan, I am taking this opportunity to write about my fellow pastor, Rev. Ephrem Kardouh, BSO. He belongs to the Basilian Salvatorian religious order in Lebanon and I believe many of you had been blessed by his fruitful ministry and presence in Calgary before his current pastoral assignment. Currently, Father Ephrem works along with me in the Melkite parish of Lincoln, Rhode Island, USA.

The life of a priest is filled with unpredictability and unique tasks each day, from baptisms to anointings of the sick. A priest is called to be all things to all people, following St. Paul's teaching, "To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some" (1 Cor 9:22b). With a deep commitment to serve and glorify God, a priest works tirelessly to fulfill the spiritual needs of the people.

Fr. Ephrem was ordained in 2013 by Eparchial Bishop of Newton for Melkites in the United States, Bishop Nicholas Samra. He was sent to Calgary at the time when the Canadian government announced it would open its door to 25,000 Syrian refugees. Fr. Ephrem played a crucial role in creating a welcoming home for Syrian refugees in Canada, working alongside the Calgary Catholic Immigration Services. In 2015, he started the community of St. Basil's Melkite Catholic Church in Calgary, while also serving as a healthcare minister for the Diocese of Calgary, providing pastoral ministry and sacraments to those in need in Calgary hospitals. Fr. Ephrem has fond memories of the kindness, generosity, faith, and love he experienced while serving in Calgary. In 2019, he accepted a pastoral move to St. Basil the Great Melkite Greek Catholic Church in Lincoln, Rhode Island, to assist his predecessor, Fr. Joe, who had been ill.

Father Ephrem arrived during a difficult time, with a rocky path to pastoral life due to COVID and a pending church roof problem that had persisted for four years. Nevertheless, he accepted the challenge, organized the Finance and Parish Advisory Councils, and dove deep into the issue. Now, two and a half years later, everything is thriving. Recently, we celebrated his 50th birthday on February 18th, with hopes and prayers for an incredible year ahead. May the next 50 years be even better than the first - he is now 18,262 days old!

To backtrack, Father Ephrem considered himself a pastor in training during his first ten months with us, which was a difficult transition from one church to another. He quickly discovered that there is so much about local church ministry that cannot be taught in the classroom, reminding us to keep it humble and have a mentor.

Despite changes being necessary in any profession, Father Ephrem approached his role with respect, competency, integrity, vision, and love for God. He followed the one-year rule, taking time to learn, listen, build relationships, and gain trust during his first year with us. After that, he took charge and continued to serve with his whole heart.

He organized the most successful two-day festival on the church grounds in July 2021, as well as a Food Fair in October 2021 to generate more funds for the major maintenance expenditures.

Father Ephrem has an incredible talent for capturing 100% of the parishioners with his inspiring homilies. His computer science skills are equally impressive - we are now known for having one of the best parish websites and electronic bulletins in the Eparchy. His weekly electronic bulletin, consisting of around twenty pages, is eagerly anticipated by parishioners as well as others.

One of his dreams also came true. He was able to receive an overwhelming response to begin Bible Study. These sessions are held every other Wednesday in person, and on Thursday, via zoom respectively. Total participants including many young people, as well as immigrants, number about 50.

Creating a meaningful space for the community is important to Father Ephrem. He enhanced the Baptism Room by combining it with St. Elias Church, which was forced to close in December 2015 due to lack of attendance and later sold. The new space, now called St. Elias Chapel, is used for Divine Liturgy, Baptisms, and other small liturgical services throughout the week. This union of the two churches has brought the congregation together as a single corporate body once again.

We had just celebrated an incredible Holy Week in the Byzantine Melkite Church, first one after COVID intrusion, where we honoured the dramatic events of the Passion beginning with Palm Sunday and culminating in the joyous Resurrection. Palm Sunday Divine Liturgies were attended to the fullest, with grand processions featuring children carrying candles and palm branches - our symbols of victory. On Holy Wednesday evening, the Holy Oil of Penitents was blessed and used for anointment. Soon after, the Last Supper was commemorated in the Byzantine Melkite Church with the Washing of the Feet of 12 men representing the Apostles.

On Thursday, we remember the portrayal of Judas betraying our Lord, the suffering of the Lord, and His crucifixion. It's similar to the Tenebrae service in the Latin Church, where one candle is extinguished after each of the six gospels (shortened from 12).

Friday is dedicated to commemorating the Funeral and Burial of Christ. In contrast to the Latin Church's tradition, the Byzantine Rite performs this ceremony with all the pomp and majesty due to a King. It is a magnificent liturgical service, second only to Easter Sunday. During the ceremony, 12 bearers carry the Tomb or Epitaphion, followed by 12 women carrying a shroud around the Church three times. Finally, the Epitaphion is displayed in the middle of the Church for veneration, and faithful parishioners approach to take a blessed carnation as a memory of Our Lord’s burial, giving off sweet fragrance.

The climax of Holy Week is the Divine Liturgy of Easter Sunday in the Byzantine Melkite Church. The processional part held in the Narthex of the church, called the Hajmah, reminds us of the Triumphal Resurrection of our Lord at dawn, and the opening of the gates of heaven to the liberated souls of the Just.

While the Latin Church sings the Alleluia during the Easter season, the Eastern Churches echo with the joyful hymn, "Christ is risen from the dead, and by his death, he has trampled upon death, and has given life to those who are in the tombs."

A priest has the sacred power to serve God's people, lead them to union with God, and teach them, shepherd them, offer pastoral care, spiritual guidance, and sanctify them through the Sacraments. There are two book ends in the life of a priest: Begin with prayer and end the day with prayer.

Father Ephrem has tirelessly and lovingly dedicated himself to the work and responsibilities of our Parish, with no days off in almost three years. Despite the immense workload, he remains committed to the needs of the people.

Since joining us, Father Ephrem has been profoundly touched by the faith, humility, love, and generosity of St. Basil's community. We pray that God will bless Father Ephrem in his ministry here for many more years to come!

Vertical Divider

Written by Rt. Rev. Exarch Joseph S. Haggar, Pastor-Emeritus, for Faithfully.

Father Joe celebrated his 57 years of Ordination on March 13, 2023, and is truly called in the Eparchy, the “living history of our diocese." Did you know? On February 13, 2003, Fr. Joe received a personal phone call from St. Pope John Paul II, appointing him as Eparch of the Melkite Eparchy of St. Sauveur of Montreal and all of Canada, following the recommendation of His Beatitude Patriarch Gregory III and his Holy Synod. However, due to his health condition, Father Joe respectfully declined the offer in person with His Holiness. May God bless Fr. Joe with health and happiness in his ministry.

Photos courtesy of St. Basil Parish, Rhode Island, USA

What if religious life is for me?

4/23/2023

I did not think much about the question the first time because I was confident that religious life was not for me.

I have been actively involved in the Church and a charismatic community called Singles for Christ. I was trying my best to walk the talk and live the faith. I want to be a living witness to how I overcame trials and used them to fuel the desire to become a better version of myself.

I never mentioned the stirring within about religious life to family or friends but to my spiritual director. At the time, I was advised to process the idea: know the reasons for pursuing the vocation and that I was not running away from something. I took the advice to heart. Yet at the back of my mind, maybe this is just a phase in my life, and eventually, this question will gradually disappear from my thoughts. However, in the past six years or so, the question stayed. It lingered. I would ask this question during my quiet time, prayer time, when I am on the bus, train, or driving, especially when I see religious people, and I would laugh at myself every time. There is no way I am heading in that direction!

Azenette being blessed by the Sisters of Providence community at Providence Centre Chapel on February 18.

At a retreat organized by CFC-Singles for Christ, I had the opportunity to hear a Sister of Providence speak about their mission. Their charism of serving the underprivileged - those who are ignored, victims of injustice, marginalized, and voiceless - spoke deeply to me.

Over time, the asking, “What if religious life is for me?” became frequent. I want to believe that the best tool for discernment is action. So, I mustered the courage to act and reached out to the Sisters of Providence.

In November 2021, I started my Come-and-See journey with the Sisters in Calgary, and by February 2022, I moved to Edmonton to continue the journey. I was immersed in community life. The experience became an occasion of growth and self-knowledge—an opportunity to understand others and myself. I felt loved and supported by the Sisters, and it caused me to appreciate the vocation to religious life.

On February 18th, 2023, I entered as a candidate and the ceremony was held at the Providence Centre Chapel in Edmonton, with friends, family, Sisters of Providence, and Sisters from other congregations present.

As I continue to learn about myself in the context of religious life, I trust in divine providence in this journey of unfolding the question that led me here, “What if religious life is for me?”.

Azenette and the Sisters of Providence

Azenette Trongco, Candidate

Written by Azanette Trongco, a new candidate with the Sisters of Providence community. Azenette grew up in Bukidnon, Philippines and immigrated to Canada in 2010. She is both a teacher and a healthcare worker, most recently having worked in the healthcare field in Calgary.

Photos courtesy of Sisters of Providence.

A future of hope

4/16/2023

Click here to read the Impact Report (Web or printable)

The Diocese of Calgary is pleased to announce the release of the 2022 Impact Report, which highlights the fruits of your generosity and of our work together over the past year. Your financial donation and service have made a significant difference in the lives of those in our community and beyond.⁠ ⁠

Please take a moment to read the 2022 Impact Report by visiting catholicyyc.ca/2022impactreport -⁠⁠ We hope that it will serve as a testament to the incredible work that we have accomplished together and as an inspiration for all that we can achieve in the future.

Thank you again for your unwavering support and generosity towards serving our community and spreading the good news of God's unconditional love!

Fr. Tim's Holy Week in Gamètì

4/16/2023

Located 200 kilometers north of Yellowknife on the shore of Rae lake, Gamètì is a vibrant and colorful village settled in the early 1960s by people like Fred and Mary Ann Bantia of the Tłı̨chǫ Dene peoples. His parents picked the location due to its accessibility to their trap lines, plentiful fishing, and proximity to migrating caribou, at least until six years ago. Before settling in Gamètì they lived on the land following a familiar trail across the north. Gamètì was their first permanent home. In contrast, Brendan and his wife Crystal, along with their five children, were born and raised in Gameti; it is their only home. Their eldest daughter will leave for university in the upcoming fall.

These are some of the people that Fatima Lee introduced me to when we landed at the little airport outside the village for Holy Week. Fatima is the pastoral coordinator for the area. The only way in and out of Gameti in the summer is through its airstrip, and during the rest of the year, the winter road brings in larger supplies but is only open for two months. Easter weekend was the last weekend the people of Gameti could make the six-hour drive to Yellowknife. Many said they were taking advantage of the nice weather to make one last trip before it was shut for the summer. So we were warned attendance at church might be slim.

Picture of the Winter Ice Road to Gamètì (above), and Gamètì's colourful homes (below).

Fred and Mary Ann Mantla, first ones to build a home in Gamètì, and Fatima.

Fr. Tim and Fatima, Pastoral Leader

Brendan and Crystal

Fatima visits the community every month. The last time a priest had been in Gamètì was July 2022. On most Sundays, they have a lay-led Sunday celebration of readings. Fatima knows the community well and she filled me in on the different families and the challenge of building a faith community in such an isolated place. We prepared the church for Holy Thursday but no one came, so Fatima and I celebrated the beginning of the three days on behalf of all the missing members!

Good Friday was a beautiful spring day. I went looking for wood for the Easter fire, and stumbled upon a snow-covered cemetery. I stopped a passing truck to inquire about kindling and met Cory and his wife, the parents of one of the babies to be baptized that Sunday. Cory later delivered a bag of kindling to me. Before the Good Friday service, I joined a small group of locals who carried the cross around the village on this holy day. A few more people came for our Good Friday service.

Caribou carcasses on tarp.

Holy Saturday brought good news! The son of Therese and Louie brought home three caribou from the trail. This will provide food for many in the community. Fatima and I met with two families to help them prepare for their children’s baptism this Sunday. We invited the community to come to the Easter Vigil and proposed that we begin with Feeding the Fire. Done regularly across communities in the north, this event is designed to remember their ancestors and ask them for strength. A small bowl was prepared, and Gabriel lit the fire. Some brought food for their ancestors. We blessed the fire and sang a Litany of the saints. We added the names of many of their beloved dead to our chants and asked them also to remember us. We then lit the Easter candle and gathered around the flame, sang a shortened Exsultet, and listened to some of the stories of our faith journey, rewritten in simple language. Finally, we renewed our vows, and a pine bough was used to sprinkle us with Easter water.

Cory bringing wood for Easter fire

Gabriel and Therese by the Easter fire bowl

On Easter Sunday, almost fifty members of the community gathered. We sang an Easter hymn and a refrain to the Gloria. Therese, fresh from preparing the caribou meat for drying, translated the Gospel and homily into Tłı̨chǫ. We went on to celebrate the baptisms of Cory junior and Talina, and the genuine smiles on their faces were signs of Easter joy!

Therese translating the Gospel to Tłı̨chǫ during Easter Mass

Welcoming Cory Junior!

Worshipping community during Easter Sunday Mass

Written by Fr. Timothy Boyle, Vicar for Clergy, Diocese of Calgary.

Our Diocese supports communities like Gamètì and others across the North. If your parish would like to get involved with one of these communities, please contact Fr. Tim Boyle at timothy.boyle@calgarydiocese.ca.

Our Resurrection Faith

4/10/2023

Today we enter the Octave of Easter. The days of this coming week are celebrated as Solemnities which invite us to relive liturgically the experience of Easter.

This week will be especially significant for the 32 individuals who received the Sacraments of Initiation at St. Mary’s Cathedral Easter Vigil. That evening we heard the Gospel of Matthew proclaimed and how the women who were going forward to see the tomb as the first day of the week was dawning. They discovered that the stone had been rolled away, they entered the empty tomb and thus came to believe in the resurrection. This was the first way in which the faith and belief in Jesus’ resurrection was received. The empty tomb is the first step in their journey of faith.

Then the Angel instructed the women to go forward and to tell the disciples to return to Galilee where they will see him. It is through these post-resurrection appearances of the risen Lord that the women, the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, Peter by the shore of Galilee, Mary, Thomas and the apostles gathered in the upper room came to believe. This was the second way in which their faith in Jesus’ resurrection was confirmed.

Gradually as the disciples came together and shared these experiences of the risen Lord, they were drawn by the Holy Spirit to remember their first encounters with the earthly Jesus in Galilee. They began to recall what he had taught them, that he must first undergo his passion, a death on the Cross and be raised up on the third day. In rereading the Old Testament scriptures in light of the risen Lord they also both confirmed and strengthen their resurrection faith. This was the third way in which they came to believe and give witness to Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.

These pathways of experience allowed for the disciple’s hearts to be strengthened in the faith of the resurrection and how the Holy Spirit empowered them to pass this witness on to successive generations. Pope Francis in his Easter Vigil homily reflected on why it was so important for the disciples to return to Galilee. First, it was necessary for them to leave the enclosure of the upper room. To let go of their fear, to emerge from hiding and a state of paralysis so as to embrace a new future in going forward. Secondly, they were being led to retrace their steps, to return to where they first encountered Jesus in Galilee and where they received the personal call to follow him as his disciples. He noted that this signifies a return to “the grace of the beginnings, to regain the memory that regenerates hope, the ‘memory of the future’ bestowed on us by the Risen One.”

Each year during Holy Week I make it a pastoral priority to meet with those who will be baptized and confirmed at the Easter Vigil. It is an opportunity for me to listen to their Galilee experiences and how they had come to know the Lord personally. It is sometimes the circumstance of one’s life. For the young adult or university student it may be the simple search for meaning and purpose. In others it is the example of a person’s faith such as the witness of a spouse, friend or family member. It is when we recall in our lives this encounter with the Lord, the beginnings of the foundation of our faith and belief, that we respond like the first disciples to the Lord’s call to return to Galilee to celebrate the Risen Lord. This can strengthen each of us in moving forward in lives of faith and our belief in the resurrection.

The Gospels which we will hear proclaimed during this upcoming Easter Week recall the richness of these post-resurrection accounts of Jesus to the disciples in Galilee. This is the Easter experience which caused the disciples not to proclaim the tragedy of Jesus death but rather in sharing their resurrection faith in the promise of eternal life with a joy, hope and confidence given through the gift of the Holy Spirit.

As we move forward together in this Easter season let us be remined of Pope Francis exhortation that, “this is what we are asked to do: to remember and keep going forward,” and, “rediscover the grace of God’s resurrection within (us)”. It is through the renewal of our baptismal promises at Easter, and in receiving and believing the Word of God during this Easter season that our ‘resurrection faith’ can be strengthened.

+Most Reverend William T. McGrattan
April 10, 2023

Doctrine of Discovery

3/30/2023

Papal Visit 2022, Maskwacis. Photo credit: CCCB.

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (“CCCB”) is grateful that the Dicastery for Culture and Education and the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development have issued a Joint Statement addressing the concept of the “Doctrine of Discovery,” including the question of certain papal bulls of the 15th century which, according to some scholars, served as the basis for the aforementioned ‘doctrine.’

Contrary to this claim, numerous and repeated statements by the Church and the Popes through the centuries have upheld the rights and freedoms of Indigenous Peoples, for example the 1537 Bull Sublimis Deus. Indeed, Popes in recent times have also sought forgiveness on numerous occasions for evil acts committed against Indigenous Peoples by Christians. Having heard a strong desire from Indigenous Peoples for the Church to address the ‘Doctrine of Discovery,’ today’s Joint Statement from the two Dicasteries further repudiates any concepts that fail to recognize the inherent rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Specifically, the Joint Statement affirms:
“In no uncertain terms, the Church’s magisterium upholds the respect due to every human being. The Catholic Church therefore repudiates those concepts that fail to recognize the inherent human rights of indigenous peoples, including what has become known as the legal and political ‘doctrine of discovery’.”

The Joint Statement further emphasizes that the ‘Doctrine of Discovery’ is not part of the teaching of the Catholic Church and that the papal documents under scrutiny by some scholars – particularly the Bulls Dum Diversas (1452), Romanus Pontifex (1455) and Inter Caetera (1493) – have never been considered expressions of the Catholic faith. At the same time, it acknowledges that these papal bulls did not adequately reflect the equal dignity and rights of Indigenous Peoples; that they were manipulated for political purposes by competing colonial powers; and that Indigenous Peoples suffered the terrible effects of the assimilation policies of colonizing nations.

Furthermore, the Joint Statement expresses support for the principles in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the implementation of which would help to improve the living conditions of Indigenous Peoples, to protect their rights, as well as to support their self-development in continuity with their identity, language, history, and culture.

The CCCB, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and the Pontifical Committee for Historical Sciences are together exploring the possibility of organizing an academic symposium with Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars to further deepen historical understanding about the ‘Doctrine of Discovery.’ This idea of a symposium has likewise received encouragement from the two Dicasteries that issued today’s Joint Statement.

In closing, the CCCB echoes Pope Francis’ statement from Quebec City in July 2022, cited in today’s Declaration, that “never again can the Christian community allow itself to be infected by the idea that one culture is superior to others, or that it is legitimate to employ ways of coercing others.”

30 March 2023

READ VATICAN STATEMENT on DOCTRINE OF DISCOVERY

Solidarity Sunday 2023

3/20/2023

March 20, 2023
Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Solemnity

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Lent is the season of conversion. Through fasting, prayer, and almsgiving we seek an inner transformation to deepen our relationship with God, our fellow human beings, and with all creation.

We are reminded in Isaiah (58: 6-7): “Is not this the fast I choose: to loosen the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house, when you see the naked, to cover them and not to hide yourself from your own kin?”

For 55 years Development and Peace-Caritas Canada has engaged deeply in this work of seeking justice, building relationships, and advocating for the poor and the oppressed. Although, uncomfortable at times, the prophetic nature of the work of Development and Peace challenges us to consider our own role in social, economic, and environmental inequities that harm or impact those beyond our national borders.

A new campaign cycle, Create Hope, will be the guiding theme for the next five years. This was inspired by Pope Francis’ 2021 address to the World Meeting of Popular Movements, in which he stated, “you have the ability and the courage to create hope where there appears to be only waste and exclusion.”

In this first year, the campaign’s focus will be, Create Hope: Stand for the Land. We stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in the Global South who defend their homelands by protecting the land, waters, and environment that sustain not only themselves, but the planet as a whole.

Since 1967, the CCCB has set aside the Fifth Sunday of Lent as Solidarity Sunday, which this year, falls on March 26, 2023. I urge you to make a life-changing impact by giving generously. Contributions can be made online at www.devp.org/donate, by mailing a cheque, by phone at 1- 888-234-8533 or by using the donation envelopes available in your parish. I also encourage you to consider becoming a monthly donor through Share Year-Round at www.devp.org/shareyearround.

Let us open our hearts this Lent and heed the call of the Holy Spirit to renewal in the midst of a struggling world.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

+William T. McGrattan
Bishop of Calgary

Click here to download the PDF version of this letter.

Most Rev. William T. McGrattan
Bishop of Calgary

March 20, 2023

Food Loss & Waste

3/18/2023

This young lady was in my daughter's class. She often stood outside our family home looking abandoned and anxious after being dropped off by her mother without any kind of call or discussion. It was becoming increasingly clear that she did not have enough to eat. Our family became a safe harbour for her – we would welcome her in and offer her sustenance.

Every day, she collected a breakfast bar from the school’s reception area - sometimes her only source of nourishment for that day. But she was not alone. It’s hard to believe there are children in Canada who go hungry. But in Calgary alone, one out of three children go hungry every day in schools.

Social justice is one of the pillars of the Catholic Women’s League (CWL) as well as being an essential aspect of our faith. All people are made in the image of God and so possess an equal and inalienable worth. Because of this essential dignity, each person has a right to all that is needed to allow him or her to live their full potential as intended by God.

Food is an essential human right, yet too many people around the world are still going hungry. Hunger should not be an issue in a world of plenty – it's something that can be addressed and prevented with the dedication of resources and commitment to addressing the underlying causes.

It is our shared responsibility as global citizens and Christians to ensure that everyone has access to adequate food so that no one goes hungry. The Catholic Women’s League has been looking into ways to reduce food loss and waste as a possible solution.

But what is the difference between food loss and waste, you may ask?

Food loss takes place at production, postharvest and during the processing and distribution stages, as well as waste from hotels, restaurants, and institutions. 82% of food loss and waste is created in these sectors. Food waste happens at the retail and consumer food level. They represent 18% of food loss and waste.

In Canada, 11.8 million metric tonnes or 32% of food loss and waste is totally avoidable, and this has been costing Canadians $49.5 billion dollars annually, equating to 3% of Canada’s Gross Domestic Product.

If this food loss and waste was redirected, it would feed every Canadian for almost 5 months!

We know that fighting hunger requires much more than just providing food. The root causes of food loss and waste that occurs in Canada is a culture of accepting food loss and waste.

Four million Canadians have insufficient access to food. We need to support children and families not just with food but with societal change that develops sustainable solutions for reducing and redirecting food loss and waste in Calgary and Canada to feed those who are hungry.

In 2022, the National Catholic Women’s League passed a Resolution at their National Convention urging the Federal Government to enact federal legislation to reduce food loss and waste in the agri-food industry, including the industrial, commercial, and institutional sectors.

Reducing food loss and waste at each step along the food supply chain can save Canadians money, approximately $110 billion annually. This number includes the water, land and energy resources used to produce food.
Secondly, closing the gaps in food loss and waste is critical in addressing Canada’s food security and sustainability.
Thirdly, law would provide a guiding framework that would guide and coordinate change across the Canadian food Agri supply chain. Presently, no ministry or level of government has ultimate responsibility or accountability for food loss and waste.

Please consider uniting with the CWL membership in addressing the issue of FLW in Canada. The following link provides templated letters to the Prime Minister of Canada as well as federal Ministers who hold portfolios that could create and change legislation to apply a coordinated and integrated approach that adds value and a life cycle solution to food loss and waste.

A letter is also templated to the Premier of Alberta. No postage is necessary to send any of the letters. (Click here to access the letter templates)

Let's work together to make a difference this Lenten season! Signing a joint letter to both the federal and provincial governments urging them to reduce food loss and waste, will help secure our Canadian food supply and feed the hungry. By taking this action, we can create a positive impact toward eliminating food insecurity in Canada. Together we can make an invaluable contribution to society and make a lasting change that will benefit those in need for years to come.

Written by Jeannette Nixon for Faithfully. Jeannette Nixon is a wife to Bill Hannah of 41 years, mother to her amazing daughter Catherine, and grandmother to adorable grandson Casey. She is a member of St. Patrick's Parish in Calgary. She has completed Masters of Theological Studies from Newman Theological College in Edmonton, and Masters of Sacred Art from Pontifex University in Atlanta, Georgia. Jeannette spearheaded the food loss and waste resolution with a team of CWL Members from St. Patrick's Parish in Calgary. In her spare time, Jeannette likes to create sacred art, advocate for food loss and waste, sew and participate in aqua lane walking. She loves being a Catholic and tries to emulate the CWL motto - Catholic and living it!

If you would like a presentation on FLW with your CWL Council or your Parish, please contact Jeannette at jknenvjro@outlook.com.

Written by Jeanette Nixon
March 20, 2023

Learn about The Order of Consecrated Virgins Living in the World

3/8/2023

Since the time of Jesus, women have been drawn to follow a life of chastity in imitation of His celibate life and the life of His Virgin Mother, totally dedicated to the plan of the Father. In this vocation to consecrated virginity within the Catholic Church, women dedicate themselves as virgins to follow Christ more closely. These women, called “brides of Christ”, have given themselves totally and exclusively to God. While living in their own homes and maintaining responsibility for their own livelihood, they enhance their devoted lives with the Liturgy of the Hours, and pray for the Bishop’s intentions and the needs of the Diocese. It is a beautiful, life-enriching commitment that has been carried out since ancient times. Some of the early virgin Saints, such as St. Agnes, St. Anastasia, St. Lucy, and St. Agatha, are mentioned in the Roman Canon of the Mass (Eucharistic Prayer 1).

Having listened to the requests of women seeking to fulfil this vocation as Consecrated Virgins, Bishop McGrattan has now established in our Diocese the Order of Consecrated Virgins Living in the World. Consecrated Virgins can be found around the world and both Popes St. John Paul II and Benedict XVI gave beautiful exhortations to assist them in living out their holy resolution.

As Pope St. John Paul said: “The state of consecrated virginity makes the praise of Christ more spontaneous, listening to His word quicker, service to Him more joyful, and the occasion of offering Him the homage of your love more frequent. Yet consecrated virginity is not a privilege, but rather a gift of God, which implies a strong commitment in following Him and being His disciple” (International Conference of Consecrated Virgins, Rome in audience with Pope John Paul II, 2 June 1995).

Pope Benedict XVI added: "That your whole life may be a faithful witness of God’s love and a convincing sign of the Kingdom of Heaven. Take care always to radiate the dignity of being a bride of Christ, expressing the newness of Christian existence and the serene expectation of future life. Thus, with your own upright life you will be stars to guide the world on its journey" (Pope Benedict XVI’s address to the participants in the International Congress-Pilgrimage of the Ordo Virginum 2008).

Some may ask how this way of Consecrated Life differs from that of women Religious (Nuns and Religious Sisters). A characteristic of this form of life is the insertion of consecrated virgins in the particular Church (the Diocese), and thus in a specific cultural and social context. Consecration reserves them to God without distancing them from the environment in which they live and in which they are called to give personal witness (Ecclesiae Sponsae Imago 37).

When a woman enters a Religious community, she is then bound by obedience to the mission of that community and may be placed wherever the community has a mission or may be cloistered in a monastery and thereby apart from the world although still very much concerned with its needs through her prayer. The Consecrated Virgin living in the world is immersed in the culture of her society and lives out her vocation among its people. She does not wear distinctive clothing and her work can be of any sort that is appropriate for a disciple of Christ. She may choose to live with other virgins, or alone, or with her family, but she does not have the same commitment to community that a Religious Sister or Nun does through her vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

Advice from Fr. Cristino for those who feel called to the vocation of Consecrated Virginity: “Those discerning should ask themselves why they feel drawn to total consecration to Christ outside of a Religious community of women living the same lifestyle, and what draws them to making a public declaration of their interior vow versus keeping it private.”

Written by
Sr. Dianne Turner

March 13, 2023

Learn more about this unique vocation here.

Parish Visits: Recognizing the Work of God in the Parishes

3/6/2023

At the beginning of the year, I resumed the canonical and pastoral practice of making an official pastoral visit of the parishes in the Diocese of Calgary. This past weekend I was at St. Luke’s parish where I also celebrated the Rite of Candidacy for our seminarian Peter An who is presently in his pastoral internship year at the parish.

According to the Code of Canon Law, the Bishop is expected to make routine visits to the parishes of his diocese in order to familiarize himself with the pastoral needs of his people: “The Bishop is bound to visit his diocese in whole or in part each year, so that at least every five years he will have visited the whole diocese.” (Code of Canon Law, c. 396.1). The pastoral visit enables me to maintain personal contact with the People of God. It is an occasion to reinvigorate those engaged in pastoral ministry, outreach, and evangelization and to evaluate the effectiveness of those structures within the parish designed to serve these various pastoral areas.

For the parishes, the Pastoral Visit can be an event of grace, reflecting in some way the visit of Christ who visits and redeems His people. The visit is normally organized and directed by the parish priest and staff so that they can coordinate the meetings and ensure that parishioners who are involved in liturgical, catechetical, spiritual, and pastoral outreach might come together to showcase and witness to their specific involvement through the parish. The visit helps the parishioners to gain a greater awareness and appreciation of the ministries and services within the parish and the gift which the parish is in being a community of families united in Christ.

Typically, the Pastoral Visit takes place over three days. Friday morning and part of the afternoon is spent visiting Catholic institutions within the parishes. The Catholic schools are a significant part of the parish community and one that supports the parents who are the primary educators of their children. I meet with administrative staff, student councils, chaplains, teachers, and the students. This helps me to see how to strengthen the triad relationship of parish, school, and family in the education and formation of our youth. The other important institutions that are visited are the hospitals, retirement, and nursing homes. This also enables me to meet with the parish pastoral care ministers who reach out to the sick and the elderly.

On the Saturday I address those involved in parish ministries, to recognize the dedication and sacrifice of parishioners, their best practices, and the unique contribution of their parish to the life of the Diocese, where I can also offer encouragement for future work. The importance of co-responsibility in the leadership of the parish by the priests and laity in offering pastoral programs of formation, outreach, and service is essential if the parish is to fulfill its mission. Sunday is dedicated to the celebration and preaching at the Masses.

As the bishop I am privileged to see first-hand through the Pastoral Visit of a parish the lived experience of the parishioners, to hear their concerns, encourage them and to offer any insights on the spiritual and liturgical life or the potential apostolic activities that might strengthen the parish. No parish exists for itself and must always be reminded of being open to the Spirit and to the “wealth of best practices” that might be found in the other parishes within the Diocese. The recent experience of the Synod has awakened this reality in the Diocese by stressing the importance of listening and understanding how to be parish communities of encounter and witness. The importance of collaboration among parishes will be essential so that we do not become isolated but rather open to sharing in both the resources and challenges that we face as a Diocese.

The Pastoral Visit of a parish can also promote a lived experience of the new evangelization. To highlight the need to form parishioners as missionary disciples in fulfilling the essential identity of the Church by promoting the knowledge and witness of the Faith and to embrace its mission through the various forms of pastoral outreach.

Pope Francis has always encouraged the shepherds of the Church to have “the smell of the sheep”. Through the Pastoral Visit of a parish, it has been my experience that this has in fact been a reality for me as a bishop. In the coming years I hope to be present to many more of our parishes in and through a Pastoral Visit.

Written by
Most Rev. William T. McGrattan
Bishop of Calgary

March 6, 2023

Rite of Election: Chosen by God

2/26/2023

Rite of Election, Feb. 26, 2023. Photo credit: W. Anderson.

On Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023 the whole community gathered to witness something truly special: a joyous Rite of Election that welcomed 170 catechumens into St Mary's Cathedral as members of the Elect! This event marked the culmination of their profound spiritual journey and preparation for receiving Initiation Sacraments at Easter Vigil.

Signing the Book of Elect. Photo credit: W. Anderson.

What's happening during the Rite of Election?
During the Rite of Election, the Church recognizes those who possess the dispositions that make them fit to take part in the initiation sacraments. The catechumens are introduced one by one to the bishop and other attendees, and here they express their wish to receive the sacraments of initiation and become a missionary disciple. With these testimonies, the Bishop accepts the judgement of the Church and invites the catechumens to offer their names for enrolment.

In the Rite of Enrolment of Names, the catechumens inscribe their names in the Book of the Elect as a pledge of fidelity, followed by the Bishop's declaration, "I now declare you to be members of the elect, to be initiated into the sacred mysteries at the next Easter Vigil." From this moment onwards, the catechumens are known as "the elect" until they receive the Sacraments of Initiation.

The Bishop also calls to the Godparents, urging them to accept the responsibility entrusted to them in the Lord. He asks them to show their support and love for the chosen individuals by providing guidance and instruction so that they may partake in God's sacraments.

Let us pray to the Lord for all the Elect and for ourselves, that we may be renewed by one another’s efforts and together come to share the joys of Easter.

SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THE RITE OF ELECTION

An appeal from the Ukrainian Catholic Bishops in Canada - 2023

2/23/2023

Read the appeal from the Ukrainian Catholic Bishops in Canada, on the occasion of the one-year commemoration of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (24 February).

Read Letter
Give to Emergency Reflief Funds for Ukraine
How to support Ukrainian refugees in our Diocese

24 February 2023

AN APPEAL BY THE UKRAINIAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS IN CANADA MARKING THE ONE YEAR COMMEMORATION OF THE RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE

To the Reverend Fathers, Religious Sisters, Venerable Monastics, People of Ukrainian Descent, and all People of Good Will:

You shall not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day…” [Ps. 91:5]

Glory be to Jesus Christ!

Dearly Beloved in Christ!

Today, on our calendars we mark a year since a new stage of the Russian-Ukrainian war began with brutal cruelty and destruction, cynicism and falsehood. Every day of the past year has been a repetition of February 24, adding to the bitter statistics of losses and multiplying the grief experienced by many. Thousands of innocent men, women and children have lost their lives; many have been tortured, held in prisons and camps, and forcibly deported. Millions are forced to wander around the world, having lost everything, seeking refuge far from their homes. Many cities and villages have been erased from the face of the earth, leaving only traces in the history and memory of those who lived there. Countless are the deep emotional wounds from the losses, tragic memories, and longing for relatives, inflicted by the war on those who survive and are suffering - especially the children!

This war is not limited to the context of armed battles, but also occurs in the struggle for consciences, spiritual values and ideals with all the evils that war entails. Most importantly, it requires from everyone a clear choice for good or evil. The war challenges us to demonstrate our love for Ukraine, for its God-given freedom, political and human rights. War challenges the very sincerity of our love for our neighbor and the Lord God. Every Ukrainian in and outside of

Ukraine is called to discover a deeper awareness of his or her national, political and ethnic identity. The enemy are those who want to stop this process and plant other values which contradict the truths of the Christian faith, the foundations of our spirituality and our Ukrainian identity. And they are looking for all kinds of insidious ways to achieve their goals.

We, the Ukrainian Catholics in Canada, call upon all people of good will to steadfastly resist the spread of the evils of war, the killing of innocent people, and the destruction of the nation of Ukraine. Let us draw our strength from the Lord at all times in our struggle (cf. Ps. 26:1). As the Apostle Paul says , let us gird ourselves with the belt of faith and take the armor of justice, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the spiritual sword to "resist the wiles of the devil" and "against the principalities, against the authorities, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against the spirits of malice in the heavenly spaces" (Eph. 6:11-12). Fervent and constant prayer to the Lord is our weapon against which enemy forces are powerless, and with it we draw the grace of God. We pray not to succumb to feelings of hopelessness and oppression, excessive worries and cares (cf. Ps. 137:7).

Let us take the psalmist's words, "Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path" (Ps. 118:105) closer to heart and listen to God's voice in our lives. The word of God teaches us goodness, truth, love, understanding and ability to make right decisions that are sometimes very difficult, especially during times of deep tragedy and loss. In His word, we will find God who is near to us in solidarity, offering us comfort and healing.

Let us continue our works of mercy for the needy in Ukraine and those who seek refuge here in Canada, as a humble manifestation of our sincere faith and for the greater glory of God. In doing so, we share the time and talents with which the Lord has blessed us, knowing that everything will return a hundredfold. By giving temporal goods now, we will receive eternal goods in the future.

In solidarity and compassion with our brothers and sisters in Ukraine, who continue to suffer from the lack of food, water and other basic necessities of life due to the ongoing war, let us renew our practice of fasting and abstinence to remind ourselves of the many blessings we enjoy in our peaceful, daily lives here in Canada.

More than ever, we need to support each other through prayer, kind words and good deeds. A person who receives something through you will thank the Lord and praise Him always. "Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Heavenly Father" (Mt. 5:16).

The outcome of this war is crucial and will have global significance and consequences. We pray for victory, which will be realized only when we put all our efforts together. Let us unite, pray, and work for the common good! Let this Lenten season be an opportunity to reach new spiritual heights and to better ourselves so that we can carry out our part in bringing to an end the tragedy of war.

May God bless the Ukrainian people both in their homeland and throughout the world. May He grant them the strength of a strong Christian faith, of enduring good health and the support of a multitude of people of good will. May He grant victory over evil and peace to Ukraine!

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

+ Lawrence Huculak, OSBM
Metropolitan Archbishop of Winnipeg
Apostolic Administrator of Saskatoon

+ David Motiuk
Eparchial Bishop of Edmonton
Apostolic Administrator of New Westminster

+ Bryan Bayda, CSsR
Eparchial Bishop of Toronto

+ Andriy Rabiy
Auxiliary Bishop of Winnipeg