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Holy Trinity is a small parish in the heart of the mountains in southwestern Alberta. We’ve been part of this parish for six years, and before that, we were involved with All Saints Parish in Lethbridge. We are glad to be engaged in the Renewal Process. We felt inspired by the initial meeting and presentation that the Diocese held at St. Martha’s Church in Lethbridge. Father Joe is also encouraged by the Renewal Process. Even though we are a small parish with not much activity, we are taking small, concrete steps to create an atmosphere of belonging. We want the focus to be Christ-centered in a practical way—calling people to community, building friendships, and exploring possibilities for spiritual growth.
Written by Marie & Steve Burger, Parish Renewal Team Members at Holy Trinity Parish, Blairmore. Photo courtesy of Holy Trinity Parish.
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It’s not every day that a priest, a deacon, and a seminarian take the stage as the evening’s headlining performers. But that’s exactly what happened on August 16th, when St. Mary’s Cathedral hosted its summer renewal gathering. After the 5 pm Mass celebrated by Bishop McGrattan, parishioners were invited to the Parish Hall, where they were greeted with live music and an array of sandwiches and refreshments. The band, featuring Fr. Avinash Colaco, Deacon Greg Barcelon, and other members of the parish community, set the tone. Praise and worship songs, led by seminarian Peter An and other parishioners, provided a beautiful start to the evening’s entertainment. The band later performed several classic hits that kept the dance floor packed all night! The evening also provided an opportunity for parishioners to express their gratitude to the beloved Associate Pastor, Fr. Julian Studden, on his retirement, and to welcome Seminarian Peter An, who will be with the parish for the upcoming year. 
 Meanwhile, outside, the children had their own section filled with games, a bouncy castle, arts and crafts, balloon animals, and face painting. There were laughter all around. The line for face painting also kept the volunteers busy, and the crafts table was never empty as kids’ worship songs played in the background. This renewal event offered activities for all ages—an important aspect recognized by the organizing committee. The youth and adult volunteers ensured that the children were kept busy, safe, and happy, allowing their parents to enjoy time in the hall with the community. It was heartwarming to see Bishop McGrattan engaging with the children at various stations, even taking time to sit at the craft table to make paper fish alongside them. 
The efforts of many parish groups and individuals were key to the evening’s success. The call for volunteers was shared after weekend Masses leading up to the event—and it worked! Both new and seasoned volunteers stepped forward, making it a true community effort. The sight of so many hands coming together to clean the hall after the event was, in itself, inspiring. The success of the Summer Gathering, which saw over 500 volunteers and participants, is a strong indication of the need and desire for continued pastoral renewal at St. Mary’s Cathedral.
Written by Glenda Anderson, Parish Renewal Team Member at St. Mary's Cathedral. Photos courtesy of St. Mary's Cathedral Parish.
The Seeds of the Word Community inaugurated its 3rd annual Sabbatical Year Program at the St. Francis Xavier Chaplaincy Mass, presided by Bishop McGrattan, on Sep 8, 2024. Seven companions are beginning their nine-month journey, during which they will go through the Bible, study the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and receive human formation. This program is designed to help them draw closer to the Lord, experience His healing love, and discern where He is calling them within the Church. It was a great joy for us to begin this year with the support of our Bishop, as well as the St. Francis Xavier Chaplaincy community, as the goal of the Sabbatical Year is to raise up missionary disciples for the Church, as Bishop McGrattan highlighted in his homily. At the end of Mass, the Bishop blessed the Bibles that the Companions will use during this time, to remind them that it is truly the Word of God that they will be in contact with each and every day throughout their journey. Beginning the Sabbatical Year are: Dreyton Kuffler, Jean-François and Ana Church (along with their children Naomi and Josef), Giselle Boudreau, Katia Van de Mosselaer, Carina Sprinkhuysen, and Isabelle Caddel. 
Dreyton, in sharing about why he chose to do the Sabbatical Year, said that after having received so much from God over the past year, in thanksgiving he wanted to give back to God some of his time and allow God to work in his life during these next 9 months. For more information about the Sabbatical Year, visit: seedsoftheword.org/sabbatical-year. Written by Sr. Clarisse from the Seeds of the Word. Photos courtesy of Bandi Szakony.
 Just east of Banff, near the start of Highway 93, thirty one intrepid hikers gathered to trek up Stanley Creek and gaze up at the Stanley Glacier.
Some of us explored the caves, while others admired the waterfall or simply took in the views. The top of our hike was our lunch spot, a small meadow which looked up to the Stanley Glacier. While not as massive as the Columbia Icefield between Banff and Jasper, it’s impressive to see a glacier that even summer heat can’t fully melt. Each winter, new snow adds to the ice, continuing the glacier’s growth. 
The descent proved to be a bit more challenging, as the loose scree (small rocks along the slope) left more than one hiker with dirty pant legs. But once we were down from the glacial overlook, we made the final hour-long trek through the trees back to the parking lot, where our companions awaited the last hikers.  I am deeply grateful to our organizing team and to the faithful from St. Gabriel’s, along with all the diocesan parishioners, who joined us on this memorable hike. In this season of Renewal, it is truly uplifting to experience the strength of our diocesan community—to share the gift of presence and embody a church rooted in encounter and witness. Our next fundraising event will be a special dinner on Friday, October 25, 2024 at the St. Gabriel’s School gym in Chestermere. If you feel moved to support our efforts in building a new church, please visit: saintgabrielparish.ca Written by Fr. James Hagel, pastor of St. Gabriel the Archangel parish in Chestermere. Photos courtesy of Fr. James Hagel, Andreas Berko, and Pat Cooper.
Bishop William McGrattan celebrated two significant liturgical events for seminarians Peter An and Andre Boudreau on their vocational journey. On August 9, 2024, at St. Mary’s Cathedral, he presided over the Mass for Installation to the Ministries of Lector and Acolyte for seminarian Peter An. This Mass is an important step for candidates as they move closer to Holy Orders. As a Lector, Peter is entrusted with proclaiming the Word of God during Mass, while his role as Acolyte involves assisting at the altar, helping priests and deacons, and distributing Holy Communion as well as bringing the Blessed Sacrament to the sick or shut-in. These roles in divine worship highlight his progression toward the priesthood. Peter An currently serves at St. Mary’s Cathedral in his final stage of formation, the newly implemented Vocational Synthesis Phase. 
Later, on August 23, 2024, Bishop McGrattan celebrated the Mass of Admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders for Andre Boudreau at St. Luke’s Church where he has been assigned for summertime pastoral experience on the weekends. The Rite of Admission to Candidacy is another important milestone in a seminarian's journey. This rite allows Andre to declare publicly his intention to persevere in his formation in order, one day, to receive the sacrament of Holy Orders, first as a deacon and eventually as a priest. The rite includes three key elements: the call to candidacy, the candidate's scrutiny, and the candidate's blessing. Andre Boudreau is currently studying at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Edmonton for his fourth year of formation and just began his first year of theological studies.
We invite you to join us in prayer for Peter An, Andre Boudreau, and all 13 seminarians in our Diocese. May God, who has started this good work in them, guide it to fulfillment! (cf. Phil 1:6) Photos courtesy of Jun Li (Installation of Peter An as Lector and Acolyte) and Victor Panlilio (Candidacy of Andre Boudreau).
As the new school year begins, our Catholic schools and communities across the Diocese are alive with excitement, faith, and the shared hope for a year filled with growth, learning, and grace. During last week’s School District opening Mass, Bishop McGrattan reminded teachers and staff that "it is a time to focus on those you will serve, especially the students and their families who are seeking an authentically Catholic education within our Catholic schools." As we embark on this year, the bishop acknowledged the challenges that may lie ahead—whether through experiences of persecution, affliction, or suffering. He emphasized that, as St. Paul taught, these trials are opportunities to strengthen our faith.
The Bishop also highlighted that "all of your work, efforts and accomplishments will always be fulfilled by His power and grace." The growth in charity and unity within our Catholic schools is not solely the result of human effort but is deeply dependent on the grace of God. "These simple signs that can foster the growth of the Catholic faith must become evident in the teachers, staff, students, and their parents within our Catholic schools.” Our diocesan Pastoral Renewal invites us to deepen our relationship with God, recognizing that we are Called, we Matter, and we Belong. "I hope that in this coming year you will in fact experience this same spirit of Renewal within your classrooms," says Bishop McGrattan, encouraging us to rediscover our passion for the vocation of Catholic education. He referenced Dr. Brett Salkeld’s Educating for Eternity, which offers an expanded vision of teaching that integrates faith into every aspect of the curriculum—an approach that is not merely an additional task but a central element of our mission. 
Holy Spirit Catholic School Division staff had a blessed day on August 28, 2024 as they held our Opening Mass for the 2024/2025 School Year in Lethbridge. "We're excited to move forward with Year 3 of our Faith Plan with a focus on Proclaiming Our Faith. Thank you to everyone who helped make this glorious day a huge success!! We look forward to welcoming students into the classroom next Tuesday on September 3, 2024, for the first day of school!" (Photos: Holy Spirit Catholic Schools Facebook) 
 Calgary Catholic School District staff gathered at parishes across Calgary to celebrate the District Opening Mass. "It was wonderful to gather as a community and kick off the 2024-2025 school year. We are blessed!"
 Opening Mass at Ascension Catholic Parish, Calgary In this video, Monique Baker, Director General of the Conseil scolaire FrancoSud, highlighted the start of the school year in the FrancoSud School District, where around 4,000 students will return to 16 schools. Staff are ready to offer a year of learning and enjoyment, with various educational, cultural, sports, and social activities planned. Monique also thanked parents for their support and trust, wishing all families a wonderful school year. Watch video Christ the Redeemer (CTR) Catholic Schools teachers from across the division gathered in Okotoks for our opening professional development day on Aug 26, 202 marking the start of the new school year. The day began with a Mass and a blessing from Bishop McGrattan, continuing our cherished tradition. The focus of the day was our Catholic faith, with the afternoon dedicated to professional learning and teacher planning. "We pray for our teachers and staff as they prepare to welcome our most precious gift - the students of CTR - on Wednesday, August 28!" | (Photos: CTR Facebook) “Heavenly Father, as we gather together to prepare for this new academic year, we ask for Your blessing on all of us. May Your Spirit set our hearts ablaze with love of You - love that we can share with our students, their families and each other. Bless our planning and be with us each day.”
 CTR welcomed 32 new teachers to the CTR family this new school year. The teachers gathered for two days of learning, orientations and collaboration. On the final day, CTR staff extended a traditional farewell blessing to the teachers as they look ahead to welcoming students to the classroom next week (photo above). Photos: CTR Facebook
MHCBE: "Yesterday our friends at Southland Transportation hosted two “My First Ride” events for our school division. The program is intended to teach first riders or new students about school bus safety and allow them to ride the bus for the first time prior to the first day of school... Wishing our students a wonderful first ride next week!" | Photos: MHCBE Facebook.  Thirteen new teachers begin their journey as educators in MHCBE Catholic schools. "We look forward to seeing them in our classrooms and hallways this school year. Please join us in welcoming them to our MHCBE family!"  Clear Water Academy, a Catholic private school in Calgary: "As we prepared to welcome students to school this week, we began by preparing our hearts and minds. Faculty Faith Day, led by our amazing formation team, was an enriching time for faculty to worship, reflect, and build community. We look forward to the start of the 2024-25 school year!" (Photos: Clear Water Academy Facebook)
The reinstallation of our Sacred Heart statue at St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church in Brocket, Alberta is a deeply significant event that resonated with the parish community, while symbolizing both continuity and renewal in our spiritual life. The Sacred Heart of Jesus, representing Christ's love and compassion for humanity, holds a special place in Catholic devotion, and its presence now high above and facing outward, serves as a constant reminder of these virtues. The reinstallation of such a statue is more than just an aesthetic enhancement; it is a spiritual and communal milestone that reflects the enduring faith of our Piikani people. The process of reinstallation often begins with careful planning and preparation. This involves both logistical considerations, such as the statue’s transport and artistic repair work as well as spiritual preparations, such as prayers and blessings. The statue may have been temporarily removed for restoration and repair, but its return was eagerly anticipated by many parishioners. The reinstallation symbolizes the return of something beloved and familiar, yet renewed and restored, reflecting the cyclical nature of spiritual life—constantly renewing while maintaining deep roots in tradition.
Many Catholics have a strong personal devotion to the Sacred Heart, and the statue serves as a focal point for prayer, reflection, and the offering of intentions. Its reinstallation will reignite these devotions, encouraging parishioners to deepen their relationship with Christ through the Sacred Heart. The statue thus becomes a source of spiritual nourishment, inspiring acts of love, compassion, and service across the community.
We are truly blessed to have such a devoted group of individuals who consistently go above and beyond to support St. Paul’s. Their generosity and selflessness do not go unnoticed, and we are deeply thankful for everything they do. May God continue to bless them abundantly for their kindness and dedication. Together, we look forward to continuing our mission of faith, service, and love. Thank you, God Squad, for being near to us at the heart of St. Paul’s Parish. In conclusion, the reinstallation of the Sacred Heart statue at our church was a profound event that blended the practical with the spiritual. It was a moment of continuity, where the past and present meet in the shared devotion of our community. As the statue was placed once again in its rightful place, it stands as a beacon of faith, reminding all who travel on Highway 3, of the enduring love and mercy of Christ. The rededication not only restored a beloved religious icon to its place of honour, but also reaffirmed the faith and unity of the Piikani people and its supporters, ensuring that the light of Christ’s love continues to shine brightly in our midst. Written by Deacon Tom O'Toole, St. Paul's Parish, Brocket, AB.
 We believe in a God who “travels the paths of history and shares in the life of humanity.” A term that captures this belief is the word “synodality.” The term comes from the Greek words “syn” meaning “together” and “hodos” meaning “way” or “journey.” So, synodality is a “journey taken together”; it describes how God accompanies us and how we are called to accompany one another in Christ. In October 2021, Pope Francis convened a gathering of religious, cleric, and lay persons from around the world, to discuss and discern how the Church could better embody synodality. In his opening homily, Pope Francis described synodality as having three components - an openness to encounter others and God, heartfelt listening to the other, and spiritual discernment. He said, synodality called us to be open, courageous, and willing to let ourselves be challenged by the presence and the stories of others. The Holy Father asked: “Are we prepared for the adventure of this journey? Or are we fearful of the unknown, preferring to take refuge in the usual excuses: ‘It’s useless’ or ‘We’ve always done it this way’?" So, synodality refers to the involvement and participation of the whole People of God in the life and mission of the Church. The blueprint for how we are called to embody synodality is what the Calgary-wide Pastoral Renewal is all about. It is a process that creates opportunities for us to encounter God and one another, to empower us in the art of listening to God and one another, and how we, together, can discern how God is calling us to live by the words and deeds of Jesus. Phase One of our synodal journey (October 2021-April 2022) has been completed. At that time, Pope Francis mandated that a process of encounter and listening be established in every diocese throughout the world, so that the People of God could voice their thoughts and feelings on two questions: #1: How is this “journeying together” happening today in your local Church? and #2: What steps does the Spirit invite us to take in order to grow in our “journeying together”?  As a follow up to this initiative, the Diocese of Calgary launched a parish-wide survey. In June of this year, St. Michael's Parish in Calgary was invited to participate in the Diocesan-wide survey. Of the 1826 weekly attendees at Sunday Mass, 1288 filled in the questionnaire. Our participation rate was 70.54% - much higher than what the experts had predicted! Our parish is now ready to take the next step of Renewal journey. Our focus is shifting to three pillars that will help support and focus our efforts. These three pillars are: #1: Being missionary disciples in Christ, #2: Being a Church of encounter and witness, and #3: Strengthening family life. In the next three weeks, the three pillars of pastoral renewal will be explored. We are part of a faith community that is deeply synodal in nature. We have embarked upon an extraordinary, historic journey toward discovering how to be Church in the third millennium through a process of encounter, listening, and discernment where we celebrate that everyone is called, that everyone matters, and that everyone belongs.  St. Michael's parish at Feed the Hungry, June 2024 Written by St. Michael Catholic Community Parish Renewal Team. Photos: St. Michael's, Calgary.
 Photo courtesy of Annie Chirka, St. Peter's, Calgary The following links on FORMED.org will take you to testimonies, teachings and stories that will help to deepen your understanding of the priorities of the Diocese of Calgary’s Pastoral Renewal. The links are all video or audio links. We encourage you to view and share as we come to understand and embrace the priorities of renewal. Form Missionary Disciples in Christ
Strengthen Family Life
Be a Church of Encounter and Witness
 A 50th Anniversary… a time for celebration, praise, and thanksgiving for Holy Spirit Parish in Calgary, established on August 18, 1974, by Bishop Paul O’Byrne to meet the needs of the growing Catholic population in the southwest quadrant of Calgary! Our Beginning: Growing with the Spirit Quickly outgrowing the space at St. Benedict School, a fundraising campaign, "Growing with the Spirit," was initiated with the participation of the entire parish. The result was a move into a beautiful church on June 25, 1988. Fr. David Meadows shared, "I think one of the most memorable moments in the history of Holy Spirit was the actual construction and building of Holy Spirit Church in 1988. And then eventually paying off the debt." Although beautiful, this building still required a lot of work, as the offices, meeting rooms, kitchen, etc., were not complete. Once again, parishioners stepped up with another fundraising campaign, "Together in the Spirit." As before, parishioners generously gave their time, talent, and treasure, which included building a retaining wall, crafting the first set of Stations of the Cross and candlestick holders and ambo, painting the interior, and assembling pews. A fire in May 1998 once again demonstrated the resolve of the parishioners, as the church was restored by the fall of that year, allowing the parish community to resume as usual. Through all these years, the Holy Spirit has continually invited parishioners to grow in their faith by offering their time and talents, whether in Sunday or weekday liturgies, beautifying the environment, leading Bible studies, prayer groups, rosary making, sacrament preparation, catechesis and RCIA/RCIT, youth ministry, pastoral care, sponsoring families, or being members of the Knights of Columbus or the Catholic Women’s League.
During the COVID years, a small group of parishioners kept the parish functioning so that Sunday and daily Mass could be celebrated, despite the toll the virus took. With that in mind, the 50th Anniversary Committee decided to focus on “rebuilding,” with "Life in the Spirit" as the theme. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, a year-long celebration was planned, with hospitality and prayer at the core. Reflecting on the spirit of our parish, Anna Glynn, a long-time member and former parish secretary, shared how Fr. Joe Toole would remind her, "always remember that when someone comes to the office, you are the face of Christ." This profound guidance shaped not only her years of service but also continues to resonate with our parish community today. It’s a powerful reminder of the role we all play in embodying the love and compassion of Christ, in being a Church of Encounter and Witness. Beginning in April, a month before the kickoff, parishioners were asked to become part of a pictorial/history book, inspiration magnets were distributed to all the students of our three schools, names of parish families were displayed on “Flames” on our church windows, a beautiful anniversary banner was designed and made by three talented women, 800 anniversary rosaries were made by our rosary makers and distributed at our anniversary Mass on Pentecost, and 5 beautiful Travelling Prayer Crosses were made and donated by two families. These crosses were blessed by Bishop McGrattan and are traveling weekly from home to home as parishioners pray for the needs of the parish and the community.  A Hopeful Future Our 50th Anniversary Mass, celebrated on May 19 , 2024 with Bishop McGrattan as the celebrant and a congregation wearing red, lifted their voices in grateful praise and thanksgiving as the year-long celebration began. Each month, different activities are planned to strengthen our congregation as a family where all are called, belong, and matter, so that life in the Spirit continues to grow. In this season of Pastoral Renewal, Fr. Meadows expressed, "My hope for the future is that the parish will continue to grow and to be able to meet the challenges and needs of an ever-changing world." As our church community prays before each weekend Mass, “Come Holy Spirit,” we hope to continue bringing His presence to the community for the next 50 years and beyond. 
 I started working at St. Gerard’s Parish in Calgary in 2021 and soon came to know the spirited community there. Each parishioner brings a unique gift, contributing to the warmth, faith-filled essence, and camaraderie that you feel as you walk in. Getting to know them personally is the best part of my job. Rozi Zorko is a long-term member of St. Gerard’s Parish. At 99 years old, she still drove to daily morning Mass! I was impressed and convinced that I had to meet her personally. One morning, as I was sitting at my desk, I saw her park her car. I wanted to meet this legend before she reached the entrance. As I stepped out of the office, she tripped on the pavement, just a few steps from the church entrance. Oh no! Gordon, our maintenance guy, and I rushed to assist her. She graciously stood up like nothing had happened. When I asked her if she was okay, she replied, “I am fine!” Thankfully, she truly was, and we escorted her to the door. I also got to know her daughter Mary, who informed me that Rozi was turning 100 in August 2021. However, Mary was having trouble getting a special certificate for Rozi’s 100th birthday from the Papal office in Rome. Due to time constraints, I managed to create a 100th birthday certificate to honor her, with a signature from our pastor, Fr. Ignatius Tran. The following year, thanks to the assistance of the Bishop's Office, I finally got Rozi her official 100th birthday certificate from Pope Francis. I believe it’s important to recognize milestones with simple gestures that mean a lot. This led to the celebration of monthly birthday and wedding anniversary celebrations every Friday after the 9 am morning Mass, as well as the posting of special occasions in our weekly newsletter and on our monitors.  Rozi at her 102nd birthday with her daughter Mary. Celebrations like Rozi’s birthday bring the community together. We are called to be a Church of Encounter and Witness every day. At St. Gerard’s, visitors and strangers are always welcome to share a meal and their story. A family member visiting her mom had this to say: “One time when we attended Mass, a lady named Rozi had her 102nd birthday, and we were invited by her daughter to attend the party afterward.” The minute you walk into our space, you are part of our family! Pull up a chair—we’re here to listen to your experience. Mary graciously shares a few details below about her mom, Rozi, on her 103rd birthday, August 24, 2024. Please join me and the community in celebrating Rozi’s wonderful milestone.
 Parish Renewal – a concept and process that we at St. Augustine’s see as a great need. With great enthusiasm, we began our process of Renewal at St. Augustine's Parish, guided by the Diocese's framework. We assembled a team consisting of our Catholic school administrators, parish staff members, and other parish community members who represented various groups. As we considered the three areas of pastoral renewal, our immediate attention was drawn to the third focus area. We recognized the need to strengthen our families' faith lives, their connection to the parish, and to collaborate with the schools in encouraging the faith life of our young people. We also understood that this process needed to be approached with an eye toward the first two pastoral priorities. As a first step, a strong effort was made—and continues—to be very present in our Catholic schools during important events, with participation by either our pastor or deacon in religious education classes. However, as the parish became very busy with the Lenten and Easter seasons, we experienced a bit of a lull in the renewal process. It was felt that we needed a significant event to kickstart things again. With the advent of the parish survey, we decided it was critical to truly understand where our parishioners were at so we could begin to focus our attention on their needs, the gaps they might see, and base our future plans on those results. Already in progress was a new venture for us: a Corpus Christi procession throughout our town on the day of our young children’s First Communion. We took a deep breath and prayerful approach, knowing that the same date would also mark the kickoff of the renewal survey. It was all hands on deck. Planning for First Communion and Corpus Christi was already well underway, so the question became how we could piggyback on these events. 
Recognizing that this would be a day when many people, both active and inactive, would be present, we prepared our parishioners for three weeks leading up to June 2, 2024 (Pastoral Survey Sunday). We made strong pulpit announcements about the survey and the need for everyone to make their voices heard. The church was plastered with posters about the survey, and the week before, we placed copies of the QR codes throughout the pews and on the walls of the church.
 Sometimes, when we set out on a new initiative, we can forget the positives of what we already do. We feel it is critical to remember that we have a vibrant and faith-filled parish to continue building on. As we think of renewal, we are also drawn to all that we do, or are beginning to do, within our parish to encourage and involve our parishioners. Below are just two examples, but there are many more. The first is new to us; the second is always ongoing!
 Friar Aldin's First Vows, 2022 (Mount St. Francis, Cochrane)
 Priest Assignment; Deacon Assignment; Clergy Personnel Announcements; Pastoral Assignment; Priests Move
 You could ask yourself: Why has Bishop McGrattan spearheaded this Diocesan Renewal? There are many reasons and causes, but as Catholics, we believe that, in the end, it is God who wants to renew the Diocese and to renew us: renewing us in our love for Him, our love for families, and our love for the faith. In this light, Ascension Catholic Parish went on a seven-week thematic journey each weekend during the Easter Season with a Series on the Eucharist. It was a chance to underline what we believe on Jesus’ own Word: that Jesus remains truly present among us, the Bread of Life. It aimed to deepen our understanding and increase our devotion, recognizing Jesus’ profound, constant love for his daughters and sons.  The Series Fr. Daniel Wilson LC and I began the Series reminding us why Eucharistic devotion is so central to our faith, and in the subsequent weeks helped us to delve into its meaning and significance. To go through the topics that were discussed is, in itself, a mini-renewal of our understanding of this Sacrament: Each week, the Greeters and Ushers helped to give our small cards to every parishioner, as a reminder of the theme. It was a way of saying that you belong, you are called, you matter. On the back of the card, we had two points to chat about on the way home from Church: What did Jesus teach us? and What is Jesus saying to me today?
My chest ceased into a tight ball that evening in October when Dad told our family he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Just three weeks previous, his childhood friend had died of stage 4 pancreatic cancer. And in just three weeks my parents planned to move from their Winnipeg home to Calgary to be closer to me and my two siblings and our families.
The Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Back in October, my mother, Joyce Loftson, had noticed my father had unusually bright yellow skin; skin that was becoming increasingly itchy all over. Often pancreatic cancer is not caught until it’s in a late stage because it grows hidden without warning signs. But by God’s grace, Dad’s growth was obstructing his bile duct, causing noticeable symptoms. His family doctor ordered up the scans and tests, and he got into the queue for a Whipple surgery. Whipple surgery is a major operation to remove the head of the pancreas, part of the small intestine, gallbladder and bile duct. Surgical consultations in Winnipeg began at the same time my parents were packing up their U-Haul. With much prayer and discernment, they decided to go ahead and move to Calgary, giving up their surgery spot, and being placed back on the waiting list in Calgary. For me, it felt like a race against time to remove this growth before it spread any further. The move would delay the surgery but ensure Dad had a home in which to recover.
 Sanctification through Suffering I was struck by my parents’ fortitude, courage, humility, and surrender throughout this entire diagnosis and treatment. While Dad couldn’t formally begin his ministry right away in Calgary post-Whipple surgery, he intentionally accompanied his hospital roommate Debbie. As a fallen away Catholic, Debbie began joining my parents for Mass upon discharge. In his suffering, Dad taught his family the value of faith and gratitude, never complaining about his lot. He remained hopeful and positive, pushing himself to do small things with great love; like getting up to sit at the dinner table with us when it felt excruciating to walk or nearly impossible to bend his swollen hand to hold a fork from the effect of the chemotherapy drugs.  Ordained as a Permanent Deacon by Archbishop Albert LeGatt of Archdiocese of St. Boniface. Cancer had overshadowed my parents’ move from their lifelong hometown – a huge transition at their age. It’s the place where my mom served as a dietitian for 40 years. It’s the place where my dad owned and operated independent toy stores for two decades, and worked as an accountant in the Winnipeg film industry after completing a late-in-life film degree. It’s where my parents met and raised their children: Christopher, Samantha, and myself. It’s where my Dad had his conversion from essentially atheism to Catholicism in his 40s. On August 9, 2018, he was ordained a permanent deacon for the Archdiocese of St. Boniface. He credits my mom’s steadfast faith for being the gateway to God working in his life. And he credits my mom’s steadfast support for anchoring and buoying him during his cancer journey.
 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops Participants. Photo: Vatican News. In preparation for the second session of the Synod on Synodality which will take place in October 2025, dioceses in Canada were tasked with highlighting 2-3 themes from the 2023 Synod Synthesis Report, using prayerful discernment with the Holy Spirit to reflect and summarize their insights. The CCCB's May 2024 synthesis report highlights eight key themes: the Church's mission, becoming a listening and accompanying Church, enhancing structures of participation, embracing diversity, recognizing women's roles in the Church, adopting a synodal approach to formation, focusing on Christian initiation, and acknowledging the role of people in poverty as protagonists in the Church’s journey. 
 "Our Lady of the Rockies hosted the '40 Hours Devotion for Vocations' from July 26-28," shares Fr. Pilmaiken Lezano, pastor of the Shrine Church of Our Lady of the Rockies in Canmore. "The Shrine received an outpouring of support for this event from parishioners and pilgrims." Thanking seminarian Solomon Ip who was based in Banff during the summer, Father Pilmaiken expressed his gratitude, "Solomon joined us to cover some of the spots available – the challenging times close to and after midnight." Reflecting on the devotion's impact, Fr. Lezano notes, "Many graces came out of this experience, and I hope that after these 40 Hours of Devotion for Vocations, the hearts of the youth of the Bow Valley may be set afire to serve the Lord by being consecrated to Him."
Photos courtesy of Our Lady of the Rockies, Canmore & Solomon Ip.
Some surprising things happened when the Religious Sisters of the Calgary Diocese invited young women to tea on June 29, 2024. So many young women showed up that the dining room of the Providence Sisters’ convent was packed with Sisters and guests, all happily engaged in interesting conversations. Since we had asked that those under 18 be accompanied by a responsible adult, three mothers came with their girls to join in the visit. Two of those mothers brought five little girls with them.  Sr. Huong, a new Precious Blood Sister in our Diocese, found the event delightful and inspiring. She was happily surprised by the number of young women and mothers with their little girls who were interested in meeting Sisters from various communities and engaging in conversations about Religious Life. "We have different missions and charisms in the Church, but this gathering expressed how we can work together and help one another in the name of Jesus. We took part in order to ‘be there’ for these young women, to help them to further their understanding of and appreciation for this great gift of a Religious Vocation," said Sr. Huong. The tour of the Providence convent took participants throughout the building, into the chapel for prayer, to see a bedroom, and even outdoors to the Marian grotto (more prayer!) and the cemetery. While outside, we had an unexpected visitor: Bishop McGrattan, who spoke to the participants, though he was unable to join us for tea and treats after the tour. Finally, we arrived at the tea and treats. There was an overflowing number of women and girls present, so we moved the young girls and their mothers to a separate room, and two of the Sisters went with them. After some time of tea and conversation, the young women and the Sisters engaged in an exploration of the Religious communities present, while the young girls were invited to use drawing paper and felt pens to draw themselves as if they were to become Sisters. Despite being encouraged to consider a number of Sisters they might know, they all decided to depict themselves in brown Franciscan habits!
Sr. Carol, a Precious Blood Sister, expressed her joy and gratitude for the event: "Our Diocese is blessed to have a great variety of Religious Communities in various ministries for the service of God and His people. It was a joy and privilege to spend this afternoon with the Sisters and with all the participants. May God’s Spirit bestow the gift of a Religious Vocation on many young women of our day, we pray." As we said farewell to the young women, mothers, and girls, we gave them a going-away present: an envelope containing brochures for many Sisters’ communities. Hopefully, through the grace of God, many of these young women and girls will be called to Religious life for the sake of our Diocese. It would be a great blessing to have more Religious Sisters here among us. 
 Written by Sr. Dianne Turner, Assistant Vocation Director. Photos courtesy of Serra Calgary and Noëlle McCusker.
 Have you ever been asked to give a speech? Perhaps it is to say “Thank you” for a gift, or to toast the bride and groom at a wedding, or to introduce an idea to a group. Maybe you have been called upon to witness to your faith in Christ or explain why you are a Catholic. How do you organize your thoughts to make engaging, memorable, even humorous, comments for your audience? How do you overcome the shaking knees, the rambling thoughts, the need to say “umm” in between? Let me tell you about Toastmasters and what I learned. I had been giving presentations for years, but I was like a golfer who went out twice a year and whacked the ball down the fairway, not consistent, not effective, but eventually would get the ball onto the green. Yes, I could give speeches, but I needed to do better. In 2021, I was invited to join a new Toastmasters public speaking club, initiated at the request of Bishop McGrattan. Knowing that there are more than 400,000 Catholic speakers in the Diocese, he wants to encourage us to become better speakers. Bishop McGrattan supports Toastmasters as an excellent way to support the faithful in our role as witnesses to the Gospel, a theme central to our ongoing diocesan renewal. You may be wondering, what happens at Toastmasters? What makes “Heart of the Rockies” Toastmasters special?
 Toastmasters International is the parent organization that supports Toastmasters clubs around the world. Club members gather in person or online to practice their speaking skills using professionally developed education programs. These programs guide the members through speech preparation, from planning and structure to delivery using effective vocal variety, gestures, courage, and confidence. Basically, you learn how to give engaging speeches to any size of audience. Heart of the Rockies takes the tools of Toastmasters and applies them using a Christian spirit. Members share their experiences and skills in a safe and fun environment. They become equipped to live out the invitation from the Gospel according to St. Matthew: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20) We, at Heart of the Rockies, invite you to join us for one hour each week to grow in your skills as a witness of Christ to the world. Heart of the Rockies meets online Monday evenings from 7 to 8 pm and is open to everyone ages 18 and older. For further information on how to connect or to visit Heart of the Rockies Toastmasters club, please email me at [email protected]. As a long-term toastmaster and member of Heart of the Rockies once said, “Toastmasters told me to be better, and I am better because of Toastmasters!”
 I remember the first time I visited Mount St. Francis, affectionally known as "The Mount." As I drove down Retreat Road, a sense of calm enrobed me. The “Shalom” sign brought warmth that even the cold, biting December day couldn’t snatch away. Friar Dan welcomed my family and me at the door, and I just couldn’t stop smiling. Though this had to be the quietest I’ve ever been in my entire life (I’m usually quite noisy, but a silent retreat was in progress), I felt joy, goodness, and community bubbling around me. A small group of Franciscan Friars arrived in 1949 to a ranch in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. I learned that the land, along with the original sandstone house, was purchased by the Franciscans on March 10, 1949. Through a generous donation of the surrounding land by Mr. Clair J. Cote, The Mount secured nearly 500 acres of land which includes a ravine, grasslands, and part of the big hill. Following the establishment of accommodations, retreat ministry began on August 15, 1949, initially catering to the clergy of the Diocese of Calgary and later explanding to include retreats for all. Over the years, continuous retreat ministry has been made possible through partnerships with the Sisters of St. Elizabeth, the Sisters of St. Louis, and countless lay men and women. Since then, Mount Saint Francis Retreat Centre has served as a spiritual sanctuary, an embodiment of peace, healing and prayer. 
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Catholic Pastoral Centre Staff and Guest Writers Archives
September 2024
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