Let us remember the fallen and pray for all the departed this month, holding together the gift of life, the reality of death, and the hope of resurrection. May our remembrance lead us to gratitude, to peace, and to pray for those who served and those who continue to carry the cost of war. 

Because of the Communist rule in the former Yugoslavia, there was no electricity or shops in our village. Electricity came only in 1985, and a road in 2004. The communist government ignored our village because we were considered “too strong as Catholics.” We even had school on Christmas Day, though I did not attend. The next day, the teacher asked why I had missed school. When I replied that it was Christmas Day, the teacher said, “There is no God and there is no Christmas,” and hit me on the fingers ten times with a stick until blood formed under my fingernails.

Feast days were very important to us. We would go to confession on saints’ days several times a year. The special feast in our parish was for St. Anthony of Padua. The whole Diocese was Franciscan. To honour the saint, people walked on their knees around the church while praying the Rosary. We fasted from meat on Fridays and before special feasts such as Christmas, Saints Peter and Paul, and the parish patronal feast.

We supported the village's poor by cutting hay with sickles and scythes to feed their animals. Families kept sheep, cows, horses, and chickens. When wood was cut for winter, the branches were stored for feeding the sheep. We grew fruit trees and large vegetable gardens to feed ourselves, and we made wine from grapes and brandy from plums to sell, paying taxes, and buying clothing and school books.

In 1973, my cousin was ordained a Franciscan priest. I attended his first Mass, and that is when I first felt called to the priesthood. I was 13 and had just finished eighth grade. I went to our parish’s Franciscan priest to ask about becoming a priest. He asked whether I wanted to be a Franciscan, a Jesuit, or a diocesan priest. I said I didn’t know the difference, we simply called them all “priests.” He then sent me to a Jesuit college, where there was a minor seminary (a high school) for boys.

I studied there for four years, then attended university, where I completed two years of philosophy and psychology and four years of theology. After finishing all exams, the bishop ordained me along with other young men: six were ordained as Franciscans and six as diocesan priests. At my first Mass, the concelebrants were my parish priest, Fr. Pavo; my cousin, Fr. Nikola; and my neighbour from home, Fr. Vlado, who was also the godfather of my first Mass. My mother prayed many Rosaries each day and fasted four days a week for priests and nuns. She was very happy that I became a priest.

At ordination, I promised the bishop that I would obey him and all bishops to whom I would be missioned. After ordination, I spent one year in Bosnia-Herzegovina, then was sent to Australia at the request of the Bishops’ Conference to minister to the Croatian people living there. I had volunteered to go. After a year, my mother came to join me and lived with me until she died in 2012 on the Feast of the Archangels. She and my aunt supported me through prayer and fasting throughout my priesthood.

In Australia, I served at Holy Spirit Parish in Melbourne for six years and then at St. Ana Parish in Perth for four years. Australia is a good country with good people, but I was happy to go to my next mission in Calgary on December 10, 1996. I have been here for 29 years as a missionary priest. It is good work, but difficult, because Croatians in Calgary live across the entire city and beyond. We have both old and new immigrants, two distinct groups with different needs. The newer generations do not speak Croatian as well as the older ones. I try to support the community through Mass and the sacramental life, emphasizing the importance of Sunday Mass.

Every Friday during the school year, we have Croatian school for language learning and catechism. Three teachers instruct the children in the Croatian language, and I teach catechism in both English and Croatian.

I often pray: “Jesus, give me strength for my priesthood and patience for listening to my people.” I am a parish priest, but also a psychologist for parishioners, a taxi driver, and a hospital visitor. I receive many calls for the Anointing of the Sick. Once, I was called three times in one night to the Foothills Hospital. I write reference letters for Catholic teachers and letters for the Croatian Consulate for those seeking citizenship. I help parishioners find work, and I bless homes every year after Christmas.

Because I serve Croatians in both Alberta and Saskatchewan, I travel to Lethbridge before Christmas and Easter for confessions and Mass, and sometimes for funerals, baptisms, and weddings. I also travel to Saskatoon for the same reasons. 

My great joy is celebrating Mass every day, praying the Liturgy of the Hours, and praying the Rosary. I love daily meditation and reading spiritual books. My advice to a young man discerning the priesthood is this: If you become a priest, this community will be so proud of you. The church will be full, and they will respect you. It is easy to think the work is too heavy or requires too much patience, but if God calls you, He will “catch you,” just as He caught me. Pray, and God will show you. I have no problem serving the Church because I pray every day for patience. I have no time for sin because I am so busy. It is the joy of my life. I thank God and the Blessed Virgin Mary for my priesthood.

In September, we were invited to participate in an excellent event for school counsellors, sponsored by the Lethbridge Palliser School District in conjunction with Alberta Social Services. The Edmonton RCMP and police delivered a superb and thought-provoking presentation outlining the growing use of the internet for “grooming” and showing how easily young people can fall into traps set by “fake friends.”

We also learned that youth are now more likely to engage in “sexting” (sending compromising photos of themselves to friends), unaware that these photos can later be used by hackers to victimize or blackmail them. Using artificial intelligence, human traffickers can now produce and distribute pornographic material using a person’s body, gestures, and voice, often without the individual’s knowledge.

If you are interested in learning more or joining our team, please let us know by writing to [email protected].

Our next team meeting is on Monday, December 1st, 2025.

Being accepted into nursing school brought me immense joy, and I dedicated my heart and energy to this new path, feeling once again that I was fulfilling my calling. At this point in time, I was certain that I had found my vocation in nursing and had completely dismissed the possibility of religious life, believing it was not aligned with God's will for me. 

That was until I heard a homily preached by a Dominican friar on November 2, 2022, for All Souls’ Day. There was something about this homily that made me leave the church feeling so passionate about living my life for souls, and only for souls. I began to pray more and offer more sacrifices for the souls in purgatory. Perhaps it’s because the love of God and the love of souls go hand-in-hand that somehow my heart was opening up to Him and His ways again, without me even realizing it.
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Since the day I heard the homily, I kept hearing the words “dòng kín” (Vietnamese for “cloistered life”) deep within the silence of my heart. I brushed this off as a funny thought, but it persisted every single day for about two weeks. During these two weeks, I found myself engaging in conversations with various friends on topics unrelated to religious life. Interestingly enough, these discussions invariably shifted towards religious life.

Out of curiosity, I started researching cloistered Dominican nuns and ended up on the Archdiocese of Vancouver's webpage, looking at the link to the Dominican nuns in B.C. There was something inside of me that couldn’t stand being bothered anymore, so I finally clicked on the link and contacted the vocations director. However, I was still doubtful about this and, upon sending the email, made a small condition with God. I told God that the nun must respond to me within less than 24 hours, thinking that since nuns prayed all the time, they probably would not check their emails often. Then God turned the tables on me as the vocations director responded to me within 12 hours. I chuckled a couple of times when this happened and decided to play along with God a little longer. I met with the vocations director via Zoom, and by the end of the call, she told me I should consider visiting them to see for myself.

I thought there was no way this nun was telling me I might have a vocation to the cloistered life. Yet again, I thought I’d humour God by playing along with Him for just a little more. I booked a flight ticket to Squamish, B.C., in February 2023 to visit the Dominican nuns. I went with the thought that as long as I just go, maybe I could get God off my back about this whole idea of cloistered life.

I arrived on a Saturday by 2 pm, and I remember as I entered the chapel to greet Jesus, I felt a burden lifted off my shoulders. It felt as if I went someplace far away and finally came home. I initially ignored this feeling, thinking that wherever Jesus was, that was home. However, by 8 pm on that same Saturday, I walked back to my room thinking, “God, this is all I ever wanted, but I never knew that I wanted it.” As soon as I thought that I knew what God was asking of me.

I spent the time in the monastery by myself in silence, following the nuns’ schedule while also giving myself ample time for personal prayer and leisure in silence. Perhaps in the eyes of the world, living the same schedule day-in and day-out seems boring; but for me, each day brought about a new adventure with God, making life so fulfilling. Living the life in silence showed me that I can be hidden from the world, yet fully present and attentive to its needs. The silence in the monastery brought a fulfillment and satisfaction in my life in which I have never experienced before. So, when my visit to the monastery was coming to an end, I couldn’t bear to leave.

In obedience to God’s Holy Will, the guidance of my spiritual director, and the recommendation of the monastery, I did leave. Back in Calgary, I focused on finishing my studies in nursing school very diligently. I eagerly counted down the months and days until the time that I could finally enter the monastery as an aspirant. Although it was difficult at times with many temptations, it only solidified my conviction in following God’s will in discerning with the Dominican nuns.
Over the past couple of years, I encountered many different people in the hospital through my schooling and in the work I did with the Serra Club, and everything pointed back to my purpose: to offer myself as a living Holocaust for the sake of souls. I am very grateful for my past discernment with the Dominican Sisters in Houston and for the years spent earning my nursing degree, because it all showed me the need for prayer and that every sacrifice offered is very worthwhile for God’s glory and for the salvation of souls. I can say that everything started because of God’s generosity in being patient with me and even allowing me to play with Him along the way.

I never thought I would ever be called to the cloistered life, but God has a good sense of humour. As someone who desires to be His spouse, I should also have a sense of humour so I can play along with Him. I hope I can spend the rest of my life making God laugh by living the life that I initially thought was funny, offering every moment of it for His glory and for the salvation of souls. Most importantly, I hope that when the time comes, God will also say to me, “My love, what a good sense of humour you’ve got there.”

​I continued to grow in faith through the Mass and spiritual direction from my parish priests. I joined the CWL, which had Bible study and women who lived the faith through the feasts and devotion to the Saints. We met weekly and talked about the Mass, the Liturgical year, the Saints, the Bible; basically, it was an experience of being catechized as an adult. The Mystical Rose Charismatic Prayer Group in Kelowna, where I lived, had Life in the Spirit seminars. I was prayed over and received a deeper inflow of the Holy Spirit. After that, we had weekly charismatic prayer groups where I experienced healing and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This is the foundation of my seeking to follow Christ.

When the time came that my friends were dating, I started to think about marriage, but I had given myself to Jesus when I was 14. I spoke to my parish priest who was my spiritual director at the time, asking for his advice. He said that I had been very young when I had made that gift of myself, not knowing the full implications, and he advised me to date. I tried dating young men, but none of these men were who God wanted me to be with. 

My spiritual director at the time advised me that I might have a vocation to be a Religious Sister. Since I was a teacher, I had school breaks that allowed me to visit various orders of Sisters. I stayed for short times with both apostolic and cloistered Sisters of many communities, but did not feel at home with any of them. My spiritual director advised me to speak to the Bishop of our Diocese, and the Bishop told me to write down a detailed description of what God was asking me to live. Then I made private promises to God to live my Christian life in a dedicated manner.

After my grandmother died, I no longer had any commitments that would keep me in Kelowna. My friend Jean was also searching for where God wanted us to be. She wanted to check out Madonna House in Combermere, Ontario. I did not know anything about that apostolate, though I had met them in Regina, Saskatchewan, many years before. We went to Madonna House, and I never left. The moment I got off the bus, I knew that I was home. My journey of faith led me to become a Staff Member of Madonna House, and I stayed for over a decade. My friend Jean left after a week and became a Sister of Charity.  

Catherine Doherty, the foundress of Madonna House Apostolate, was a great influence in my spiritual life. She had good insight into the souls of the members and guided them well in following the Lord. I am so thankful for the gifts that God gave me there. I learned how to pray the Liturgy of the Hours in the community, to integrate spiritual reading into my life, and to pray for the needs of others. Fr. Francis Martin gave us Scripture classes. Fr. Wild, who was my spiritual director, led me deeper into contemplation and meditation. Jean Fox, the women’s director, taught me about living in community in a spiritual way, how to deal with anger, frustration, and other interpersonal issues. I learned how to repair books, bake bread, make yogurt and cheese, type on a typewriter, spin wool into yarn, and basic drawing techniques. Because of the various departments in the community, I learned different skills that were of great benefit in my future life.

It was time for final promises, and Catherine Doherty and my spiritual director discerned that I was not called to live permanently in the Madonna House community. Catherine sent me out from Madonna House to live in the world as both a contemplative and active person. The only resource I had was a stack of resumes that I could use to find a job. She also advised me to look into consecrated life as a virgin living in the world. So, I came to Calgary, where my father lived in a seniors’ home. I could not find any work or a place to live. In my desperation, I went to the cathedral and prayed to the Lord, asking Him to take care of me. Then, by His providence, God pointed me towards a businessman who had a job for me, and this man also helped me find a place to live. I ended up working for him for about seven years.

During this time, I heard about a group of consecrated virgins living in the United States, and I visited them. I was not prepared, however, to move to another country and give up my Canadian citizenship, which would have been required for me to join them. I continued to live my promises to the Lord that I had made at Madonna House: Poverty, Chastity and Obedience in my state of life. Because of my love for St Francis’ teachings, I became a Secular Franciscan. Each step has brought me into a deeper understanding of who God has called me to be. Nothing is hidden from Him. Now I hear His Voice within me. He is calling me to be a Consecrated Virgin living in the world for the Diocese of Calgary. 

This is what I have learned: when you are trying to discover where God wants you to be, you need to determine what is most important. It is prayer, which includes a time of listening to Him, reading the Scriptures, which is a time of Him speaking to you, and spiritual direction for wise guidance. In all these ways, God will answer your question about who He wants you to be. 

This Sunday, we celebrate the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome, the cathedral of the Pope and “mother and head of all churches in the world.” Built by Emperor Constantine in the fourth century, it was the first public church in Rome. This feast reminds us that every church building is a sign of the living Church and that each baptized person is a living stone in the temple of the Holy Spirit. Let us pray for the Pope, for unity in the Church, and for hearts renewed in faith.  

Ways to commemorate this feast with your family or parish community:

• Join the Sunday Mass in your parish church this weekend. Spend quiet time thanking God for the gift of sacred space and for all who built and serve in your parish.
• Children & family activities here (Unleash the Gospel -52Sundays.com)
  
• Renew your baptismal promises. The Lateran Basilica represents the place of baptism and the promise of heaven. Reflect on God’s mercy and our call to holiness.
• Pray for the Pope and the Universal Church. Unite your prayer with Catholics around the world in gratitude for the Holy Father’s leadership.
• Chant the Akathistos (Akathist) Hymn. This ancient hymn of praise to the Mother of God has been sung at the Lateran for centuries. Singing or praying it together deepens our sense of the Church as a living temple of the Holy Spirit. Youtube | Music
• Reflect on your role in the Church. Write down one way you can help build up your parish as a “spiritual house.”
• Celebrate your parish’s story. Share photos or memories of your parish’s dedication or renovations as a reminder of your connection to the universal Church.

As the years went on, he was sent as associate pastor at St. Michael’s parish in Pincher Creek, then St. Anthony’s parish in Drumheller. His first appointment as pastor was at St. Peter’s parish in Milk River, where he stayed for several years. After this, he was sent to serve as pastor at St. Augustine’s parish in Taber, and then at St. Rita’s parish in Rockyford, where he oversaw the construction of a new rectory.

Then new responsibilities were on the horizon. Fr. John was sent to study Canon Law at St. Paul’s University in Ottawa. From there he received his licentiate in Canon Law in 1989. This degree prepared him for the next assignment that the Lord had in store for him.

Bishop Paul O’Byrne appointed the newly-trained canon lawyer, Fr. John, as Moderator of the Diocesan Curia. In this role, he oversaw various aspects of the Diocese as assigned to him by the Bishop. The Bishop also appointed him as Vicar General, which assigned him the task of overseeing all Diocesan matters under the direction of the Bishop. He held this office throughout the time of Bishop O’Byrne and Bishop Henry. Fr. John retired as the Moderator of the Curia in 2018.

Since retirement, Fr. John has been involved in the administration of the clergy pension plan. He also took part in a committee composed of clergy and laypeople to establish Dorchester Square as a residence for clergy, some of whom are retired. At present, he is still living in Dorchester Square and is helping to manage the administration of this residence.
Over the years, Fr. John enjoyed travelling and was fortunate to be on several cruises, particularly in Europe. On one of those trips, he visited an area in Ukraine near Odessa, the place from which his immediate ancestors came to Canada. His grandfather was the first in the family to come from Odessa to Canada when the Soviet revolution endangered the people of German background. This experience of connecting with his roots was of great worth to Fr. John. 

On Tuesday, October 28, parishioners, families, clergy, and pro-life advocates filled St. Mary’s Cathedral for the Diocese of Calgary’s inaugural Mass for Life, a Eucharistic celebration devoted to honouring the dignity of every human life, from conception to natural death. 

Presided over by Bishop William McGrattan, the Mass invited all to rediscover the heart of the Church’s mission to defend life. In his homily, the Bishop reminded the faithful that the protection of life is not a political stance but a spiritual mission, one rooted in Christ’s sacrificial love. His words made a deep impact, encouraging each person to witness to the Gospel of Life with courage, charity, and compassion.
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Several pro-life and pastoral organizations were present, including  ALIES, the CCCB’s Horizons of Hope Palliative Care initiative, the Catholic Women’s League, 40 Days for Life, the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform, and the Calgary Pro-Life Association. Each offered practical ways for parishioners to learn, pray, and act in support of a consistent ethic of life. After Mass, attendees visited the display tables to ask questions and learn about new opportunities to serve. Organization representatives noted the high level of interest and engagement, describing the evening as a clear sign that this shared mission is sustained by faith and grace.

The Diocese will celebrate the Mass for Life annually, offering the faithful a chance to grow in faith and unity around the Church’s call to protect life. 

Photos by Bandi Szakony for the Diocese of Calgary.

The Red Mass, which was brought back to Calgary by the St. Thomas More Lawyers Guild in 2014, has historical origins in Paris in 1245, or possibly began with Pope Innocent IV in 1243, and is recorded to have taken place in England in 1310.  Regardless of who began the tradition, it has been meaningful in Canada since it was celebrated in Quebec in 1926 to highlight the opening of the Courts.

It is said to be “red” because of the scarlet robes traditionally worn by English Supreme Court justices, and with a deeper theological meaning, symbolizing the coming of the Holy Spirit and commissioning of the Apostles. 

“There is a hunger for fellowship with those who share in the same work, and who share a passion for their faith,” said co-organizer Tom Ross, acknowledging that the celebration of the Eucharist together will be the high point. 

Cardinal Collins is expected to deliver the homily at Mass and will speak about Church topics of recent interest at the reception following Mass, which requires a ticket.

When he was young, Collins, whose mother worked for a lawyer, said he “had thought of being a lawyer,” himself.

“To speak and to be learned in the law, I just thought I would be a lawyer like Thomas More. I thought that would be wonderful.”

With admiration for those in the legal profession, Collins will speak on the key elements that made St. Thomas More an example to follow, not only for his time, but for ours. 

He emphasized that a key commonality that legal professionals today share with the era of Thomas More, who lived from 1478 until he was executed by Henry VIII in 1535, is the issue of conscience.

“We know exactly what he thought about conscience because he wrote letters from the dungeon in the tower to his dear daughter Margaret. He explains in great detail what conscience means,” he said.

“He said he had studied the issue (of Henry VIII’s desire to divorce Catherine of Aragon, and make himself the head of the Church) and was clear on the history of the Church, and the fathers of the Church, and it was clear that Henry’s claim was false.”

“It wasn’t just his ego,” said Collins, referencing media depictions of St. Thomas More’s individual decision, “it was that he had studied the case. Con-science means ‘with knowledge,’ so it wasn’t his ego, it was the truth.”

In the present day, Collins said he recognized that there is a lot of pressure on lawyers to conform in ways not always aligned with our Christian faith.

“That’s a lot of pressure. They’ve got – like Thomas More – families to think about.”

Cardinal Collins pointed out that St. John Fisher, a contemporary of Thomas More, who was also imprisoned and martyred, “could be courageous because he was a celibate and he didn’t have a family to lose.”

“I would say that because he had a family to think about, it was in some ways more difficult for Thomas to lose everything – his position and his money. The money was for the sake of his family.”

Collins emphasized that Henry VIII and his counterparts made great efforts to try to convince Thomas, including to use his daughter Margaret to appeal to his emotions, but that he could not simply change his mind.

“He could not live a lie. He was an honourable man.”

Comparing More’s troubles to today, Collins said, “I would say there’s a lot of pressure on politicians and lawyers, and that they have to be like Thomas. Thomas was careful in how he did things, and he was faithful. He didn’t take unnecessary risks, but when push came to shove, he stood up for the faith.”

Cardinal Collins looks forward to the Red Mass and sounded confident that he could find a lot to say about one of his personal heroes.

“He's a great hero, and there are wonderful lawyers and politicians, and so we should celebrate them and celebrate a model of someone who did it very well and who lives forever. In all the struggles, we can look to Thomas More for guidance.”

Written by Jessica Cyr for the St. Thomas More Lawyers Guild

Priest Assignment; Deacon Assignment; Clergy Personnel Announcements; Pastoral Assignment; Priests Move

The Seven Sisters Apostolate is a Eucharistic Association of women who feel called to strengthen the church by ensuring that a Holy Hour is prayed each day of the week throughout the year for the sole intentions of a specific priest in their Parish.

The Anchoress of our Apostolate is charged with assigning each sister one Holy Hour to pray alone before the Blessed Sacrament for a pastor chosen for us.  Although we pray alone, we gather once a year, close to the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to celebrate with our pastors and sisters and to renew our commitment to the Apostolate.
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On June 28 this year, the Apostolate at St. Luke’s Parish held our third annual Potluck Lunch at the church. Our Pastors, Fr. Fernando Genogaling, Fr. Derek Remus, and Fr. Barnabas Esegine, joined us and offered thanks for our prayers for their intentions. We were grateful for the opportunity to “break bread” together, and judging by the volume of chatter in the room, it was clear that our pastors and all of the sisters of the Apostolate enjoyed each other’s company.

To date, the Seven Sisters Apostolate at St. Luke’s Parish has 42 sisters who pray every week for the priests who shepherd us and for Bishop Rev. William McGrattan.  Although our commitment to pray for our pastors is for one year, the members of the apostolate may choose to recommit for a further year, as many of our sisters have done.

On Saturday evening, Oct 25, 2025, Mission Mexico celebrated their 25 years of service! The celebration took place at St. Anthony’s, where about 45 friends gathered for tacos, burritos, and lively conversation.  
 
We were privileged to welcome Mike MacDonald, who leads the charity’s work in Mexico. After showing the celebratory anniversary video, Mike recounted the impact of his ministry among the poorest families in the mountains of Guerrero, and recalled the recent visit of board members, John Paul and his wife, Harriet.  
 
Board chair Sean Lynn announced that, in honour of the 25th anniversary, the scholarship bursaries will be increased to 64 awards and several one-time projects. This is just one of the many initiatives that parishes can support, whether by fundraising for the bursaries or by contributing to the other projects supported by Mission Mexico.  

It began with a request in Grade 9 to serve at Bishop Francis Carroll’s weekday Masses. Three of the altar servers in St. Joseph’s Parish, Calgary, took weekly turns, serving the Mass and having breakfast with Bishop Carroll before going off to school. Around my 11th Grade, Bishop Carroll, and my pastor, Monsignor Neville Anderson, initiated the plot to have me consider the priesthood. That I couldn’t imagine. Yet upon graduating from St. Mary’s High School, Bishop Carroll registered me in St. Joseph’s Seminary in Edmonton. He counselled me not immediately to buy a black suit but to cooperate with the seminary staff in the discernment of a vocation.
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Five years later, on a stairway landing, the seminary rector, Monsignor Howard Griffin, asked me if this (Ordination through Subdiaconate, Diaconate and Priesthood) was right for me. I had come to a realization that the practice of Faith had enriched my life, and if I could facilitate such enrichment, refuge and identity for others, I should answer yes.  And I did.

Upon ordination in 1965, too young to be entrusted with parish responsibilities, I was asked to serve as a chaplain at Camp Cadicasu for the summer. It turned out to be some 18 years of fun and adventure, attempting to open eyes to the world and the people around them. In the fall of 1965, at the ripe age of 23 and a half, I was assigned to St. Michael’s Parish in Calgary. The following years were spent at St. Mary’s Cathedral, St. Augustine’s, Taber; St. Francis High School, Calgary; St. John’s, Calgary; St. Basil’s, Lethbridge; St. Michael’s, Pincher Creek; and retirement from parish responsibilities in the summer of 2010.

In 2011 until 2021, I served a chaplaincy in the Calgary Catholic School District. Gary Strothers, the superintendent at the time, asked Bishop Henry if he could ask me to help out. Bishop Henry told me as he was leaving the dining room table one evening: “Strothers asked me if he could approach you. I told him, you could do worse.” So, with that resounding endorsement, I served again in a rich, engaging environment. From it, I resigned when they took Bishop Vital Grandin’s name from the second-oldest Catholic high school in the City of Calgary.

It has been a climb, rich in memories and in supportive and challenging relationships with families of origin and families of choice. I am deeply grateful to my Mom and Dad, my sister and brother and all who have engaged in the struggle with me. The Church and beyond have provided enabling encouragement and support. For all those who read this, I hope an abiding experience of gratitude for their outstanding goodness.

Written by Fr. Eric Nelson for Faithfully.

​On Sunday, Oct 5, at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Bishop William T. McGrattan installed four permanent diaconate aspirants into the Ministry of Candidate during the Sunday Mass at noon.
 
The Rite for Admission to Candidacy is an important step for each aspirant on his journey toward becoming a permanent deacon in the Catholic church. Having already completed one year of formation training, this rite is an opportunity for these aspirants to express publicly their intention to continue in the diaconate formation program.
 
Here is the list of candidates who have just begun their second year of formation and were instituted as candidates on Sunday:

• Abdul Kingsley (Spouse: Bukola Abdul) – Our Lady of the Assumption, Calgary
• Florian Bernardo (Spouse: Ydelle Bernardo) – St. Albert the Great, Calgary
• Lars Duck Chief (Spouse: Jocelyn Duck Chief) – Holy Trinty, Cluny AB
• Paul Smith (Spouse: Deborah Smith) – St. James, Okotoks AB

 
We ask the faithful to keep these men and their families in prayer as they continue their journey toward ordination and a life of service as permanent deacons in the Diocese of Calgary.

Written by Deacon Dale Laing for Faithfully. Photography by Victor Panlilio for the Diocese of Calgary. 

After the First World War, a chastened Joe returns to his family’s homestead, desiring to live a quiet life. Decades later, and now ordained in the Diocese of Calgary, Fr. Joe is an itinerant priest in rural Southern Alberta. In 1939, he willingly leaves this peaceful life for the chaos of the Second World War, feeling a call to comfort soldiers on the front lines. But there’s a deeper mission from God which Fr. Joe senses but cannot identify.
 
Galeski does an excellent job of describing the terror of battle and the anger and helplessness felt by victims of violence. However, Fr. Joe’s reactions are completely different from those of his comrades. So, when they are ordered to retreat to safety, Fr. Joe refuses to leave. He responds only to the movement of the Holy Spirit within him, with quiet, inexplicable confidence. At every stage of his increasingly fraught  journey into the heart of occupied territory, Fr. Joe follows his interior compass, no matter how problematic the resulting decisions turn out to be.
 
Galeski contrasts Fr. Joe’s behaviour with that of a young German soldier who has rejected the faith of his family in order to follow Nazi doctrine. These chapters contain graphic details of concentration camp atrocities. The book also contains chilling references to demons, which presumably are included to allude to the general atmosphere of evil which permeated the Third Reich. When Fr. Joe and the German soldier-cum-guard eventually meet, the priest recognizes what his mission was all along. Their confrontation, though harsh, is surprisingly moving, and the consequences far-reaching.
 
In Fr. Joe Benson, Galeski presents an antihero, a person who does not kill, does not hate, seeks neither glory nor vengeance, and refuses to despair. A person who faces violence, not passively, but peacefully. It’s an example worth noting.

Last weekend, on October 18th, our choir, the St. Hildegard Singers, presented a concert centered on the Holy Rosary. We sang all the prayers of the Rosary: the Creed, Our Father, Glory Be, Fatima Prayer, and the Salve Regina, along with ten different settings of the Hail Mary. It was such a beautiful opportunity for all of us to pray to Our Lady in a new way, and we even gave people the chance to have their Rosaries blessed by a relic of the True Cross.

The initial idea for the concert came from our co-director, Nate DeMong. He suggested that we sing ten Hail Marys for the Feast of the Rosary, and we thought, why stop there? Every prayer has a musical version, so we decided to sing them all.

The music was a mix of chant and classic choral works. Some we discovered along the way, such as The Prayer of Fatima by Laurence Rosania, which is a stunning example and quickly became one of our favourites. Others were pieces we already knew, like Victoria’s and Haydn’s Ave Maria settings. We spent many hours listening to choral music on Spotify and YouTube to find the right selections. One of the most memorable pieces was a women's-only version of Ave Maria by Canadian composer Eleanor Daley. The music in that one is so ethereal, it almost makes the air shimmer.

We hope that those who attended the concert left having discovered a new way to pray through music. We also hope the pieces touched them more deeply than words alone could. For any non-Catholics who came, we pray that the experience may have sparked curiosity about the faith. Above all, our hope is that this concert helped people see that the Catholic tradition is rich and full of beauty, and that we can draw from it to bring greater depth and reverence to our liturgies.

The St. Hildegard Singers (SHS) were founded alongside the St. Francis Xavier Chaplaincy (SFXC) in March 2019. The Chaplaincy’s mission has always been to equip young adults to become active disciples who will grow into leaders in their own communities and parishes. SHS not only teaches its twenty members how to be musical leaders but also strives to renew our liturgies through sacred music. 
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If you missed the concert, you can watch the full performance on our YouTube channel.

If you would like to support us and the work that we do, please consider donating here: https://www.catholicyyc.ca/donatetosfxc.html

Written by Maryna Szojka, founder and director of the St. Hildegard Singers at St Francis Xavier Chaplaincy.​

At Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Parish in Calgary, a dedicated group of lay volunteer missionaries live this Gospel every week. Under the guidance of Deacon Ricardo Rosero and coordinator Gladys Alvarez, the Pastoral Care Ministry in Spanish serves those who are ill, elderly, or confined to their homes, bringing them Holy Communion, prayer, and companionship.

“Our commitment,” says Deacon Rosero, “is to foster a more humane and Christian culture in the face of pain, suffering, disability, loneliness, death, and grieving.”

Serving Christ in the sick

Eighteen commissioned Ministers of Communion and an equal number of Silent Apostles, companions who accompany and pray, visit the sick each Sunday. They carry the Eucharist to parishioners who can no longer attend Mass, offering not only the Body of Christ but also presence, comfort, and a reminder that they remain part of the Church.

Throughout the year, the team brings Communion weekly to nearly forty people across the city, whether in senior residences, hospitals, or private homes. Each pair of missionaries covers a different area of Calgary, ensuring that the whole city is reached “in one Sunday,” as Deacon Rosero explains. “Our mission is to bring the Kingdom of God closer to them through our service.”

Special visits are made on holy days such as Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, Christmas, and the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. In moments of serious illness, the pastoral team also coordinates with the parish priest so that the faithful can receive Confession or the Anointing of the Sick.

A ministry of prayer and presence

Prayer remains the heartbeat of this ministry. Each month, parishioners gather for two evening liturgies:

• a Mass for the Sick on the first Tuesday, preceded by the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, and
• a Memorial Mass on the first Wednesday to pray for deceased loved ones.
  
  

Every February, the community joins the worldwide celebration of the World Day of the Sick, praying a novena to Our Lady of Health (Our Lady of Lourdes). During that Mass, all volunteers renew their commitment to serve.

“We pray for the sick, for their families, and for those who care for them,” Deacon Rosero notes. “It strengthens our own faith and the faith of the parish.”

When a patient dies, the ministry accompanies the family in mourning and remembrance. Last year, twelve people who had received Communion from the missionaries passed away. Their names were remembered during the Annual Mass for the Faithful Departed, celebrated on the final Wednesday of Ordinary Time.

Training new missionaries

A milestone this past year was the successful translation and launch of the Pastoral Care Ministry Training Course in Spanish. Deacon Rosero and Gladys Alvarez spent months adapting diocesan formation materials, written originally in English, so that Spanish-speaking Catholics could receive instruction in their own language.

The inaugural five-week course ran in May and June 2025 at Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Parish, with thirteen participants completing certification. All now serve actively in the ministry.

​The new course covers the theology of suffering, pastoral listening, practical guidelines for visiting the sick, and the spiritual significance of bringing Holy Communion outside Mass. Participants also learn how to collaborate with clergy, maintain confidentiality, and accompany families with compassion.

​Beyond their Sunday visits, the volunteers cultivate fellowship and spiritual renewal through regular formation and prayer. They participate in parish retreats, Eucharistic adoration, rosaries, and processions. Twice a year, they attend workshops or spiritual retreats to deepen their understanding of mercy and pastoral care.

Moments of joy and friendship are also part of their rhythm: a summer gathering for volunteers and families, and a Christmas celebration where missionaries give thanks for another year of service.

​Witness of compassion

The Spanish-speaking Pastoral Care Ministry represents one of the many cultural expressions of faith flourishing within the Diocese of Calgary. Its volunteers bridge language and distance to ensure that no one is forgotten.

“Many of our brothers and sisters cannot come to church,” Deacon Rosero says. “When we arrive with the Eucharist, their faces light up. They know the Lord is with them.”

The ministry’s impact is measured not only in numbers, thousands of Communions distributed each year, but in transformed hearts, both of those visited and of those who serve.

As the Church celebrates the Jubilee Year of Hope, the volunteers of Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Parish embody that hope through every visit, prayer, and gentle word offered to the suffering.

“Christ Himself comes to the sick through our hands,” Deacon Rosero affirms. “That is why we serve, with love, reverence, and joy.”

​In this ministry, the diocesan call to Renewal becomes visible. Every visit reminds the homebound and the sick that they matter, to God and to their parish family. And every volunteer, moved by compassion, discovers anew that they too matter in the mission of the Church. 

So, on the second of June, 1970, I came to Lumsden, Saskatchewan, where the postulancy and novitiate were located. I was 39 years old. It was unusual at that time for someone to enter at that age because 35 was the cut off age, but they took the “old boy” anyways because I was already a teacher. They gave me an opportunity to see if I would fit in and I have been here ever since.

I have served as a Franciscan Friar in Edmonton, Winnipeg, Calgary, and Regina, mostly in either pastoral work in the parish or preaching retreats and giving spiritual direction. I am still doing spiritual direction. My preaching took me all over the world: New Zealand, United States, England, across Europe, the West Indies. Here in Canada, it was my work for about 22 years to preach retreats to many Religious communities every summer, both men’s and women’s communities of various spiritual families: Benedictines, Carmelites, and Franciscans. I also preached for a laywomen’s fraternity, the Kingship of Christ, and was the spiritual director for lay Carmelites.

I believe that the foundational success of my priesthood’s ministry is due to the lay people. I was never anywhere that I was not supported by the lay men and women who listened and responded. I made a point of wanting to hear what their hearts wanted to say. I continue to hear from these people even decades later. It matters so much for people to be heard. 

​My advice to people who ask “Father, how do I become close to Jesus?” is to spend time with Him in adoration or in the tabernacle. During our Friars’ retreat recently, we had two hours of adoration each evening and I was there. I also recommend my favourite prayer, the Peace Prayer of St. Francis, which is such a beautiful, heartfelt prayer!
​
My advice to young people about their vocation is: Pray, pray, pray, and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. I carry the young people in my heart. 

​Based on an interview with Fr. Bob Mitchell, compiled by Sr. Dianne Turner, OSE.

Written by Quinton Amundson, The Catholic Register

Calgary Bishop William McGrattan said the Church cannot ignore the profound implications of the rapidly advancing technological revolution that is artificial intelligence.

Speaking at the AI symposium hosted at St. Mary’s University in partnership with the Diocese of Calgary Oct. 17–18, McGrattan emphasized “we must not be an AI-illiterate Church,” urging participants — technology experts, theologians, ethicists, clergy and laity — to avoid both a “paralyzing fear” and an “uncritical embracing” of artificial intelligence.

The Calgary bishop shared a potential AI action strategy that arose out of a previous summit staged in Edmonton this past May by the Mission Collaboration Initiative (MCI). The MCI is a forum created by the Alberta bishops in 2018 to empower key Catholic organizational leaders to advise diocesan shepherds about key issues that could impact the Church’s evangelization mission.

Four pathways forward were formulated through synodal listening sessions, an exercise also conducted throughout the symposium at St. Mary’s.

Path one is education and formation where the Church needs to be open to dialogue and learning, as a sufficient knowledge base will enable Canadian Catholic leadership to effectively present its ethical voice.
​
“This is critical for us to have the sense of confidence and authority when dealing with issues of health care and education,” he said.

McGrattan also stressed that “it is incumbent upon us to double down on the formation of the human person.” We must be mindful of the “competing visions at work in our society and culture” undermining Church teaching about personhood.

“Not to generalize, but we have these ancient heresies that continually resurrect themselves in various forms,” said the native of London, Ont. “The Gnosticism that in some ways the human person is disembodied, that our consciousness, our thinking, is what defines us solely as a human person without reference to the gift of the body. Or the reductionism of the human person to what is just simply material, to what we’ve heard as the temptation of this transhumanism, to actually see our humanity be transformed into a material machine.”

The second path ahead is developing guidelines for the responsible discernments and adoptions in the use of AI.
McGrattan first outlined some of the key ethical considerations — AI challenges. These quandaries include privacy concerns, job displacement, social isolation, idolatry, environmental impacts, algorithmic discrimination and depersonalization. He also detailed the Catholic doctrines, linking with these aforementioned dilemmas, that must be championed during this unfolding sea change.​

The dignity of work principle acutely corresponds with the concerns of mass job displacement. This creed could be promoted by advocating that the affirming value and purpose of labour could be safeguarded by ensuring there are meaningful human-centric roles available for workers who see some of their assignments overtaken by automation.
For example, if AI takes charge of administrative tasks, healthcare workers can devote more time to personalized patient care.

Fostering authentic community and human accompaniment is the third pathway.

Strengthening community life can help to confront the loneliness epidemic at work in society today and could magnify further as AI development continues to proliferate. McGrattan also suggested that cultivating authentic bonds of fellowship can “be a way of mitigating unhealthy dependence and reliance on AI for companionship.”

Pathway four is continued proactive engagement with technology leaders and policymakers.

“The goal here is to have the Catholic Church’s voice heard and also integrated into the development of AI,” said McGrattan.

He concluded by spotlighting AI's potential to advance the Church's mission, such as amplifying evangelization efforts by overcoming language barriers, enriching catechetical formation through personalized learning and freeing clerical staff for more pastoral care.

The next steps for the Alberta bishops are to establish a commission on technology, advocate for the inclusion of AI ethics in school curriculum and Catholic institutions and organize public forums to engage the broader community on artificial intelligence.  ​

Photography by Bandi Szakony for St. Mary's University. 
​More photos: Day 1 | Day 2

At St. Albert the Great Parish in Calgary, Homecoming is a beloved fall tradition, a joyful time when parishioners come together to reconnect, welcome new faces, and celebrate all that God is doing in their midst. This year, however, Homecoming 2025 carried a special focus: Parish Renewal.
 
Our renewal journey has reminded us that renewal is not only something happening within our parish; it begins in each of us. As we come home to our parish family, we are also called to come home to Christ through prayer and personal conversion. That message of “Welcome Home” was visible everywhere throughout the celebration, from the joyful greetings at our doors to the heartfelt words shared from the ambo.
 
Homecoming began with Name Tag Weekend, a parish tradition, where everyone attending Mass was invited to wear a name tag, from work, school, or even a creative homemade one designed by the children. It was a fun and meaningful way to get to know one another better and to recognize that each name represents a unique story of faith that makes our parish family stronger. At the same time, the parish hall came alive with the Ministry Fair, where parishioners explored the many ways to serve, grow, and share their gifts. It was a beautiful expression of how renewal becomes visible through active discipleship and stewardship.
 
The following weekend featured our Volunteer Appreciation Tailgate BBQ a spirited, faith-filled celebration where volunteers and their families came together as one “home team.” Wearing the colors of their favorite sports teams, parishioners shared food, laughter, and fellowship in gratitude for all who serve so generously throughout the year.

Homecoming 2025 concluded with the joyful unveiling of our Parish Renewal Plan, marking a milestone moment for the community. After two years of listening, prayer, and discernment, the Parish Renewal Team presented the plan and invited all parishioners to join this new chapter of faith and mission. Each person received a printed copy of the plan, along with a comfort cross and prayer card featuring the parish’s new Mission Statement.

​Simple reminders that parish renewal begins with personal renewal, and personal renewal begins with prayer. Following each Mass, the parish gathered for fellowship and refreshments graciously hosted by Couples for Christ, while viewing the newly released Diocesan Renewal video, connecting St. Albert the Great’s journey to the wider renewal movement across the Diocese.
 
Homecoming 2025 was more than an event…it was a living expression of renewal and welcome. As we move forward, may every heart at St. Albert the Great continue to be renewed in faith, hope, and love, so that together we may build up the Church and make our parish a true spiritual home for all.
 
Welcome Home, to renewal at St. Albert the Great!

Written by St. Albert the Great's Parish Renewal Team.

A Legacy of Service to Canada
In his opening remarks, the Emcee, Brian Montes, spoke of the deep historical contributions of religious sisters and nuns to the development of Canada. From the earliest days of European settlement, these women were pioneers in building many of the country's foundational institutions. The sisters established the first schools, providing education to countless children, including those in remote and underserved areas. They also played a key role in building hospitals, offering compassionate care long before public health systems were established. Orphanages, too, were built by religious orders, where the sisters provided homes and care for children without families.

But beyond their tangible contributions, the sisters have also been steadfast in their spiritual roles, offering guidance, wisdom, and prayers in every corner of the country. Their quiet yet transformative presence has been a pillar of the Church’s mission, and the Knights of Columbus feel it is essential to recognize their enduring influence.

Unity in Faith
Bishop William McGrattan’s presence at the banquet was a reminder of the unity between the Church’s spiritual leaders and the religious sisters, who form the backbone of so many ministries. His participation spoke of the importance of collaboration between the shepherds of the faith and those who devote their lives to prayer, teaching, healthcare, and charity.

In his address, Bishop McGrattan spoke warmly of the sisters’ dedication and expressed the diocese's deep gratitude for their work. He acknowledged the unique role they play, not only in providing spiritual support but also in being a visible example of Christ's love in action. His words resonated with the room, where there was a deep sense of respect and admiration for the sisters' ongoing efforts.

The event was also an opportunity for attendees to connect and reflect on the shared mission of the Church. Alongside the sisters, consecrated virgin candidates, priests, deacons, and laypeople, all engaged in fellowship, united in their devotion to serving others.

The highlight of the evening was the tribute to the religious sisters. The Knights of Columbus ensured that the event was not only a time of celebration but also one of reflection on the profound courage it takes to embrace the consecrated life. In a world that often prioritizes material wealth and individualism, the sisters' lives of selflessness stand as a powerful counterpoint. They have chosen to live by the vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience, dedicating themselves entirely to the service of God and others.

Of note, five sisters that were celebrating a jubilee of vows were:

• Sr. Margaret Mary Benoit, FCJ          75 years
• Sr. Yvette Plessis, SCSL                    60 years
• Sr. Gloria Sarol, DM                          25 years
• Sr. Szymona Grosicka, OP                 25 years
• Sr. Mae Valdez, SP                            25 years
  
  

As the 46th Annual Sisters Night came to a close, it was clear that the event had once again succeeded in honouring the profound legacy of the religious sisters. This was both a celebration and an inspiration to carry forward the mission of love and service that the sisters embody so beautifully.

Submitted by Renwick de Souza. Photos courtesy of Victor Panilio.