 As a long-standing tradition, the Bishop of Calgary and the Office of Vocations have brought together the current seminarians and their parents for a Christmas supper. Last December, it was held at St. Cecilia’s church with a delicious meal provided by the Catholic Women’s League and the Knights of Columbus of that parish. This event, which honours both parents and their seminarian sons, demonstrates the importance of strengthening family life to support vocations to the priesthood in our Diocese. A particularly edifying part of this gathering is the speech by the parents of a recently ordained priest. This personal sharing of the experience of these parents is offered as a support for the parents of the current seminarians as they navigate their own son’s journey towards the priesthood. Knowing how other parents have successfully supported their sons over the many years of discernment and formation demonstrates that, as a local Church, we are here to help one another. This year, the parents of the newly-ordained Fr. Peter An accepted this role for which we are truly grateful. Here follows the speech of Fr. Peter’s mother, Jinhee An. With her husband, Sungchan An, at her side, she described her experience as the mother of a son called by God to be His priest.
That one week was the most painful time of my life. My baby was kept isolated in an incubator and all I wanted to do was hold him. I kept pleading, “Please save my child. If You let him live, I will do anything.” Written by Sr. Dianne Turner, Office of Vocations. Photo credit: Fr. Cristino Bouvette.
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Sr. Margaret Mary wrote: “My life has been blessed with a richness and great variety. I began my teaching career in Toronto at St. Bernard’s School, just newly opened in 1956. What an initiation since the school was not totally finished and certainly not prepared for the huge influx of students I had in a grade 1 class, and ended up with a steady stream of newcomers throughout the year, totalling 60 pupils! Many Italians were immigrating to Canada at that time. The next year was easier with 40 students.” In 1958, Sister moved to St. Benedict’s School, where she remained for ten years. In 1973, she was assigned to Oyen, where she served on the Assumption Parish Council and the Catholic Women’s League. Some studies at the University of Calgary were followed by Sister teaching Grades 3 and 4 in addition to her parish commitments and teaching catechetics in Acadia Valley, Youngstown and Oyen. A small FCJ community on 8 Ave. N.W., Calgary, began in 1983 under the leadership of Sr. Margaret Mary. About her ministry at that time, she wrote: “After leaving Oyen in 1982, I branched out into parish work, an enriching and life-giving experience which developed new initiatives within myself. Ascension Parish in Northwest Calgary was a brand new ecumenical venture in partnership with the Lutherans. During the initial years before the church was built, we had Mass on Sundays in St. Bede School and shared an office with the Lutheran congregation in the Beddington Mall. The ecumenical church known as Sandstone Ecumenical Centre was not in operation until February 1988. I had the joy of being at Ascension for 8 years until August 1990.” Sr. Margaret Mary greatly appreciated a sabbatical year in Arnprior, Ontario, before she and Sr. Alice Sheridan were asked to begin serving at St. Anthony’s Parish, Kitimat, B.C., where she was the Religious Education Coordinator from 1991- ’98. Working with students, catechists, teachers, and parents was challenging and rewarding. She recalled: "In particular, I loved Sacramental preparation. The people in Kitimat were warm and friendly, and we became very much part of their lives.” After Kitimat, “I was missioned to Edmonton, where we moved into the newly renovated house on December 3, 1998. This was my home until 2001.” At that point, Sister was asked to go to Sacred Heart Convent in Calgary for a year. On August 30, 2002, she returned to Kitimat to join Sr. Elizabeth Poilievre, whose contract as principal was for another two years. The Sisters FCJ left Kitimat on July 15, 2004. “It was a sad departure, for with the arrival of a new young priest, I was quickly immersed in the life of the parish and had enjoyed reviving old friendships. However, I was back in Edmonton, 82 Ave., and the opening of a new home, a second place in Edmonton to be known as Emmaus. A special blessing and celebration were held.” In Edmonton, Sister Margaret Mary participated in St. Anthony’s Parish CWL, helped welcome a refugee family, and continued to share her gentle leadership skills in the community. The winter of 2005 was a wonderful time of renewal for her as she immersed herself in the FCJ Australian communities. To visit Australia had been a long-time dream of Sister Margaret Mary’s. In 2011, she received an Outstanding Volunteer Service Award from Catholic Social Services, Edmonton. Since 2016, Sr. Margaret Mary has been part of the Sacred Heart Convent community in Calgary. She resides at Providence Care Centre and recently celebrated her 98th birthday with family and FCJ Sisters. Of her life, she wrote: “Mine was a simple life: no brilliant academic achievements, no extraordinary teaching ability, but it has been a good life for which I am forever grateful.”  Sr. Margaret Mary's (left) 98th Birthday Written by FCJ Sisters at Sacred Heart Convent, Calgary.
 Over the break, I found myself watching the Christmas classic It’s a Wonderful Life, truly one of the most beautiful movies ever made. You probably know the story, or if you don’t, I highly recommend watching it. In the movie, George Bailey is a bright and ambitious young man who wants to make a name for himself and see the world. His plan has one big problem, though. He just has too good a heart. Time and again over the years, he sacrifices his dreams to serve and care for his family and community. Unfortunately for George, he doesn’t realize just how much good he has done, and so he eventually begins to despair. Thankfully, God sends the bumbling angel Clarence on a mission to save George by showing him what life in Bedford Falls would be like if he had never lived. After seeing this, the movie ends with George racing through his hometown and back home to his family, bursting with joy and gratitude for the very life he had once wanted to escape I have been reflecting on where we are with parish renewal right now. Although each parish is in a different place, many are currently in the process of launching new initiatives and action items. It’s hard work. Probably not everything is going according to plan. Sometimes you may not even receive a thank-you for your efforts. For the most part, we also aren’t yet seeing the fruits of these initiatives. It takes time. This is a planting and tending stage, a labour of love that requires patience and trust. My prayer is that one day each of you is granted the blessing George received, and that you will know just how much of an impact you are having, because it is significant. Parish communities are being strengthened, new people are being welcomed, families are being supported, and the saving love of Christ is reaching hearts in ways we may not yet see. I would like to share two things with you today.
The second thing I would like to share is that Ron Huntley, who is currently journeying with our Parish Renewal Team leaders, has recently released a new book titled Road to Renewal: How Faith, Vision, and Courage Are Fuelling a Church Comeback. The book gathers the voices of twelve pastors and lay leaders who have led their parishes along the path of renewal. What emerges is not a model or a program, but honest voices from the field, people who are learning as they go and sharing what has helped them continue moving forward. The book is available on Amazon for those who are interested. As we begin this new year, I am thankful for the full year of the Jubilee of Hope we have just lived. My hope is that the grace we received continues to shape our daily faith and deepen the renewal already taking root across our diocese. Written by Ryan Schmidt, Director of Renewal, Diocese of Calgary.
 At the start of the 2025–2026 school year, the Diocese of Calgary launched the Feed the Hungry School Outreach Program, a new initiative aimed at addressing food insecurity among students and families within its Catholic school communities. Through targeted funding, the program supports practical, school-based responses that ensure children are nourished, supported, and better able to learn. As part of this initiative, Calgary Catholic School District received $60,000 to support a designated school in providing a four-day-per-week lunch program. This funding ensures consistent access to nutritious meals for students who might otherwise arrive at school hungry, helping to remove a significant barrier to learning and overall well-being. Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools received $20,000 to support its Grocery Cards to Support Families in Need program. This initiative assists families experiencing food insecurity by providing grocery gift cards, enabling them to purchase food and essential nutritional items with dignity and flexibility. Medicine Hat Catholic Schools received $120,000 to establish and deliver a school-based food program at St. Mary’s School in Medicine Hat. This investment strengthens the school’s capacity to respond directly to student needs through a structured and sustainable approach to daily nutrition. Reflecting on the impact of this support, Shari Gustafson, Principal of St. Mary’s School in Okotoks, shared: “Children are not truly available for learning when their tummies are hungry. It is heartbreaking to see nearly empty lunch kits in a world of abundance.” She emphasized that the program provides not only food assistance but also dignity, stability, and hope for families in need. Gustafson further described the response within her school community: “There were hugs, hearts overwhelmed, and it was clear that they knew they were loved, they mattered, and they belonged.” She added that the support has made “a tangible and meaningful difference” and stands as a living witness to the Gospel call: “For I was hungry and you gave me food” (Matthew 25:35). The Feed the Hungry School Outreach Program is available to all five Catholic school districts within the Diocese of Calgary through an application process. The initiative reflects the Diocese’s ongoing commitment to caring for the most vulnerable and to forming school communities rooted in compassion, justice, and faith in action. www.feedthehungrycalgary.ca Photo created with the assistance of Gemini Nano image generator.
 As St. John Paul II taught, the Rosary is a "compendium of the Gospel" with a contemplative character, meditating on the mysteries of the Lord's life alongside Mary, who treasured God's Word in her heart. Each mystery is announced, followed by a proclamation of a related biblical passage, a pause for silent meditation, and then the decade prayers. This practice inserts Rosary elements into the celebration of the Word, fostering Lectio Divina and joyful contemplation of Christ's Incarnation. Pray the Joyful Mysteries, which radiate the joy of the Incarnation and align with the Gospel's opening mysteries. Opening Prayers Sign of the Cross Leader: O God, who caused the light of truth to shine forth in the heart of your Church through the grace of the Holy Spirit, grant that, on this Sunday of the Word of God, we may meditate on your Word in the Rosary and proclaim its riches. Our Father, Hail Mary (3), Apostles' Creed, Glory Be. First Joyful Mystery: The Annunciation
Second Joyful Mystery: The Visitation
Third Joyful Mystery: The Nativity
Fourth Joyful Mystery: The Presentation
Fifth Joyful Mystery: The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
Hail Holy Queen. Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Sign of the Cross. Photo created with the assistance of Gemini Nano image generator.
 Photography by Bandi Szakony, for the Diocese of Calgary.
Following his ordination, he completed a graduate degree in philosophy at the University of Ottawa, followed by an education degree at the University of Alberta. He taught science and religion at St. Anthony’s College and Archbishop O’Leary High School in Edmonton for seven years. In 1972, Friar Kevin spent a sabbatical year at Corpus Christi College in London, England, where he completed a diploma in Religious Education. It was during this year that he met his father’s large Irish family for the first time. A deep bond formed, and there were numerous visits with his Irish family over the years. Upon his return, Friar Kevin was appointed Director of Religious Education for Edmonton Catholic Schools (1973-1995) and served as Provincial Minister to the Franciscans of Western Canada (1982-1992). He served as the Guardian in three friaries over the years. Upon his retirement from Edmonton Catholic Schools, Friar Kevin returned to studies and graduated with a Master of Theology from Regis College in Toronto through their “Integration for Ministry” program. Friar Kevin’s latter years were spent in retreat ministry at St. Michael’s Retreat Centre (Lumsden, SK), from 1996-2007, where he founded and chaired an interchurch board composed of the Anglicans, Evangelical Lutherans and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Regina, which operated the Centre. From 2007 he served at Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre (Cochrane, AB) in various capacities, including Director of the Centre (2007-2015). In a second retirement, he continued to work with the addiction program and remained active with spiritual direction. Friar Kevin touched many people along his journey. He enriched the lives of his family and friends, presiding over many baptisms, weddings and funerals. He was humble, kind, charismatic, approachable, wise and had a special way of bringing people together. He had a gift of making everyone around him, no matter their age or beliefs, feel welcomed and loved, embodying the Franciscan mission in his daily life. Friar Kevin died peacefully, with family at his side, in the Foothills Hospital during the early hours of December 19th. He was 87 years of age. He was predeceased by his parents and his two brothers, Tom (Annette Laplante) and Michael (Betty Lou O’Rourke). He leaves to mourn his Franciscan brothers, his nieces and nephews – Kevin, Bryan, Larry and Erin Lynch, Nicole Mackenzie and Dawn Marie Crouse and their families, cousins in Saskatchewan, many Irish relatives and treasured friends. Visitation and Prayer Service will take place at Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre chapel (41160 Retreat Road, Cochrane, AB), on Sunday, December 28th, at 7:00 pm. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Monday December 29th at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church (10 River Heights Drive), in Cochrane, AB, followed by a lunch. Interment will follow after lunch at the Franciscan cemetery at the retreat centre. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre, Box 430, Cochrane, AB, T4C-1A6, in memory of Friar Kevin. The funeral will be live-streamed Adapted from Mount St. Francis's blog
 On Saturday, December 6th, along with parishes across the Diocese, almost 100 people gathered in the Hall of Holy Family Parish in Medicine Hat to partake in the live-streamed Advent Renewal Retreat. Following opening remarks by Bishop McGrattan and a Lectio Divina led by Ryan Schmidt, Archbishop Terrence Prendergast provided information and reflections focused on the Retreat theme of Advent Listening: How the Word Forms Hearts for Discipleship and Mission. Over the course of this 2.5-hour Retreat, and following the ‘Conversation in the Spirit’ approach, there were 2 opportunities for small group discussions. As part of hosting at Holy Family Parish, our Parish Renewal Team and Parish Pastoral Council provided each small group (6 or less people per group) with ‘worksheets’ to capture summary comments of:
Trust and Surrender
Overall, those attending the Retreat felt that discipleship is not about perfection but about openness to God’s call, lived daily through trust, joy, and community. By saying “yes” together, the parish can grow as a living witness of Christ’s love. There was specific appreciation for the ‘Conversation in the Spirit’ approach to small group discussions, noting that it provided a calming, spiritual ‘space’ for each person to speak and be heard, lending to more fulsome conversations. We certainly felt that this was a great Advent Renewal Retreat, in format, presentation, engagement, learning, and fellowship. We hosted a soup-and-sandwich buffet following the retreat to allow for further reflection, sharing, and fellowship, and that was great, too! The event will be spiritually helpful for each person who attended, and the information gleaned will help inform our parish renewal goals and actions. A big Thank You to all who organized, presented, attended, participated, and served for this Advent Renewal Retreat. God is Great!! Written by Howard Snodgrass & Sandra Richard, Co-Leads, Parish Renewal Team at Holy Family Parish, Medicine Hat.
 Pope Leo - Papal Audience During our Pilgrimage of Hope, Leisha and I escaped the Florentine rain to pray a rosary in Santa Maria del Fiore. We had completed the first decade when a pilgrim group from Texas entered and prepared to offer a Mass in English, an unanticipated blessing! In his homily, Rev. Jean-Oscar Nlandu said: “The journey of faith goes through struggle. What is hope? Hope is a refusal to let suffering have the last word.” My faith life flashed before my eyes. When I was 16, I immaturely understood faith as a series of impossible propositions, like the Apostle’s Creed we had made to start the rosary. We believe in a Creator of Heaven and Earth who sent His only Son to be immaculately conceived, crucified, and buried. The Son descended into Hell and rose on the third day. We also believe in the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life in a world to come. At 16, faith was a checklist, and I didn’t believe in everything on the list, so I didn’t have faith. I then left my Father’s house and ventured into the wilderness. Years later, when I found myself eating pig slop and became curious about returning to my Father’s house, faith became a precious commodity. My main concern became figuring out what spiritual payment I needed to make to acquire this thing called faith? Then, during marriage preparation 18 years ago, Deacon Botari said to me, “I don’t know any priest or deacon who doesn’t have a problem with aspects of the faith; that’s where they concentrate their prayer and contemplation.” Precisely. Because the journey of faith goes through struggle. Here’s how I now understand that journey. Faith and hope work together like two wings lifting the soul toward divine union. Faith is propelled by God's revealed truths—the eternal reality whispered through Scripture. Faith soars beyond reason’s doubts to pierce the veil of the unseen, but (to mix metaphors) this is a turbulent flight, evidenced in Mark 9:24: "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.” Faith does not eliminate doubt but places trust in the story of salvation already revealed — the Incarnation, the Resurrection, and the sacraments that continue to pulse with Christ's Blood. Faith enables me to struggle with the divine mysteries I don’t and will never fully understand. Prayer and contemplation are the tools of struggle that allow me to embrace the divine IS. I do not need to delay my trust. I can completely trust now, even if I don’t completely get it. If faith is the intellect’s assent to revelation, then hope is its active will. Hope is the irresistible longing that lifts me from the now to the not yet. Faith accepts truth, and hope yearns for the fullness of truth in the heavenly homeland amid and beyond our earthly trials. Hope, according to the Catechism, “sustains him during times of abandonment” (1818). When God feels absent, when the effort doesn’t seem worthwhile, hope continues to pull me toward the narrow gate. Hope resides, not in wishful thinking, but in actions that align with faith’s acceptance of the promise. Here’s how this plays out in discipleship: I find the resurrection of Jesus easy to believe. My faith comes from core facts about Jesus that almost all scholars agree on. Jesus was crucified, and His tomb was found empty. His followers believed they had experiences with Christ after his death, proven by their willingness to suffer death for their belief that they had met the risen Christ. Not one of Jesus’s early disciples ever recanted, and as Beckwith suggests in Return to Rome, Jesus’s resurrection is the ONLY explanation that makes sense for the saints’ behaviour and the endurance of the persecuted church. Jesus’s resurrection revealed the reasonable basis for faith when Doubting Thomas placed his fingers in Jesus’s wounds. After Jesus ascended, however, and the Apostles were alone on their pilgrim journeys in hostile lands, hope gave St. Bartholomew the willingness to be skinned alive, and St. Simon the Zealot the courage to be sawed in half. And just like the irony of exalting the cross, Michelangelo depicts a glorious Bartholomew carrying his skin like a tattered old costume, and a muscular St. Simon is the patron saint of lumberjacks. That’s what hope looks like; winking at the suffering involved in discipleship because suffering is not the last word. I have struggled in my diaconal journey, but hope has kept my pilgrim feet keep walking. As the pilgrim’s scallop shell models, our individual journeys will eventually converge at that place where we are completely united to God and each other in love. No matter how far I walk, I always arrive at the beginning, and in the beginning was the Word.
Written by Jason Openo for Faithfully. Photos courtesy of Jason Openo.
My parents were very supportive of my desire to enter Religious life. I entered the novitiate of the community in Medicine Hat and my three years of formation there confirmed God’s call to me. As a professed Sister, I taught senior and junior High School students for eight years and then was asked to lead the formation programme for the community. I was in that role for six years. I had always deeply desired to become a counsellor, and with the support of my community, I went to Ottawa to take a Masters degree in Pastoral Counselling. For 10 years in Edmonton, I did individual and marital counselling at the Pastoral Institute, an ecumenical counselling centre. It was very important and broadening for me to work with our Protestant brothers and sisters. During that time, a colleague and I worked with women’s spirituality groups and facilitated ecumenical women’s retreats. Most of my life in the community has been spent in service to the community itself through leadership positions: twice as Provincial Leader, one term on the General Council, and more years than I can count as Local Coordinator in various communities of our Sisters. As I reflect upon my many years of Religious life, I am filled with awe and deep gratitude for God’s unfailing daily fidelity and loving presence in my life. People often say to me: "Thank you for your fidelity," but it is God who is faithful to me. It has been a very rich life. Every new ministry, even though it called me to uproot my life, has been filled with such blessings. I thank and praise this great God of ours! Written by Sr. Yvette Plessis, SCSL
 On Saturday, November 22, 2025, St. Peter’s Catholic Church welcomed the Diocese of Calgary’s second Renewal Gathering for Lay Associations. Co-chaired by Ryan Schmidt and Janet Lymer, the gathering brought together 96 registered participants representing 41 lay associations. The room carried a simple message: the Holy Spirit has already planted a wide range of charisms in our Diocese, and renewal will grow faster when we stop working in isolation. The day began where renewal must begin: at Mass. From there, we moved into a steady rhythm of testimony and table dialogue, starting with the Diocese’s Year 3 Renewal video, “Lighting the Fire of Renewal.” Its message: You are called, You matter, You belong set the tone for everything that followed: encounter is personal, witness is public, and both require conversion. 
 Lay associations are not add-ons to parish life. They are the baptized living the Church’s mission through discipleship, service, and evangelization across southern Alberta. Gathering together made this visible, as diverse charisms met in prayer and dialogue, revealing how our gifts are meant to complement one another. Through testimony and Conversations in the Spirit, participants listened deeply and discerned where the Lord may be leading next.
Carla Hamarsnes: Renewal begins on our knees Carla Hamarsnes (Apostoli Viae) offered a candid testimony of returning to the Church after leaving as a young adult. She described the intensity of her search, daily Mass, reading, online formation, events, devotions, and a strong sacramental life, yet still feeling that deep interior transformation remained out of reach. The turning point came through daily mental prayer, setting aside intentional time and space for Christ. Her witness highlighted a clear message: parish renewal is sustained not by programs, but by personal, faithful prayer.
Walking forward together If there was one clear takeaway from the day, it was this: renewal will not be “delivered” to us. We will live it into being: through prayer, through encounter, and through witness. Lay associations are already carrying much of this work across the Diocese. The invitation now is to strengthen our collaboration: share resources, cross-promote events, partner with parishes, and keep returning to the Eucharist and to personal prayer as the source of fruitfulness. As we continue walking this renewal journey, called, loved, and sent, may our many charisms become one clear witness: Jesus Christ is alive, and His Church is being renewed.
Yesterday, today, and forever… The goodness of the Lord never ceases to amaze me as His love and mercy work very powerfully in my ministry as His priest: unworthy yet chosen by the Lord; unworthy but graced by a new life in Christ in the priestly service; unworthy, however, called to serve our community. My vocation began in our family. My father was a civil engineer, Elias Canete, who died when I was 5 years old, and my mother, Fidela Canete, was a registered nurse. I am the third of four siblings. My mother died in March 2021 during the peak of COVID when I moved to St. James, Calgary, from Taber. My parents were deeply involved in their communities and the people they worked with. I saw love and passion in their hearts, finding meaning and purpose in their noble service and humble works. Attending regular Sunday Masses in the Church, praying the rosary, and helping parishioners in need became the family’s regular routine and tasks. So, when I took the exam and passed the entrance exam to St. Anthony High School Seminary, my Mom was so happy. I was 12 years old when I started my seminary years. It was through my mother’s encouragement, daily prayers, and support that helped me sustain my vocation. Moreover, with my grandmother’s constant guidance and influence through prayers and love for the Sacraments, I pursued my vocation. With the grace of God and the support of friends, close families, and prayer warriors, I did finish my studies. However, it is through the maternal intercession of Mary, Our Mother of Perpetual Help, that my love for the priesthood has been sustained. Now, I look back with gratitude to the three great women who influenced and continue to impact my priestly vows and commitment: my mother, grandmother, and Mary, my spiritual mother. In the church of St. Mary’s, Brooks, we have a beautiful icon of Mary, Our Mother of Perpetual Help, holding the hand of her Son, Jesus. The serenity of Mary’s face reflects not only maternal love but a depth of peace in the midst of knowing. Mary holds both joy and sorrow in her arms just as Jesus invites His disciples, and me, to do. 25 years of service… I see and live the best and worst of my life. I encounter the highs and lows of my journey. I walk with people who were wounded but healed. In a day of my life as a priest, I celebrate the joy of baptism and later on administer the anointing of the sick and pray for the dying. At the end of the day, I find comfort and consolation in the words of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, “Everything is grace in the eyes of our God,” with family, friends, and fellowship nourishing the gift of my service in the Lord. I would like to share with you a beautiful letter I received in our priests’ retreat this year 2025 from the Triumph Retreat Team. It begins saying: Dear Fr. Eli, I love you. I have called you by name. You are mine. Before I formed you, I knew you. And before you were born, I consecrated you. You did not choose me. I chose you. (John 15:6) Because you are precious in my eyes, I love you. I have loved you with an everlasting love so I continue to show you my constant love. How can I abandon you when my love for you is so strong? (Jeremiah 31:3) Written by Fr. Eli Canete
Each parish ministry has shaped me both as a priest and a person. Everywhere I have served, people have welcomed me with love, and I have always tried to give my very best, whether as an associate pastor or as a pastor. Some unforgettable memories include the 100th Anniversary of St. Rita’s parish in Rockyford, where we built outdoor Stations of the Cross and welcomed Bishop McGrattan to celebrate the anniversary Mass. Another memorable moment was walking from Rockyford to Calgary over two days to raise funds for the One Rock Youth Festival. My favourite scripture passage comes from the beatitudes: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven” (Matthew 5:3-12). These words have guided my spiritual life and pastoral ministry from the beginning. I thank God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for calling me to the Priesthood. Through the years, I have come to understand His love more deeply and have found great joy in serving His people. I also thank my family, who were my first seminary. My parents and siblings practice their faith with devotion and simplicity. Their example and prayers helped me to listen to God’s call and follow it faithfully. The priesthood is a precious gift, both to us who are called and to the entire Church. Without the priesthood, we would not have the Eucharist, the sacrament of Reconciliation, or the blessings that accompany life’s most important moments. A priest walks with people from birth to death, often quietly and without recognition, but always as a servant of Christ. I am humbled to share in the mission of Jesus, the Eternal High Priest. Finally, I express my heartfelt gratitude to all the people of God whom I have met in my ministry. Every parishioner, every family, and every community has touched my life in a meaningful way. As St. Paul beautifully says, “I give thanks to my God every time I remember you. I always pray with joy for all of you.” I thank God, my family, my brother priests, and all the faithful for their support over these 25 years of priesthood. Please continue to pray for me, as I will continue to pray for all of you. Written by Fr. Joseph Showry Raju Nagothu
 From December 5–7, Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish welcomed Bishop McGrattan for a pastoral visit marked by prayer, encounter, and genuine closeness with the parish community. Such visits are a long-standing practice in the life of the Church, offering the Bishop an opportunity to walk with his people, listen attentively, and encourage the faithful in their shared mission. For our parish, his visit was a special moment of grace, an encounter that, in some way, reflects Christ's visit and redemption of his people. We pray that his presence among us, together with the blessing he imparted, may instill in each of us a renewed warmth of charity and kindness, the precious fruits of the Holy Spirit. The visit began on December 5, when Bishop McGrattan met with parish staff, visited a sick parishioner in their home, and spent time in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. He also visited St. Anne’s School to meet with the children and teachers of the Polish School. These encounters help strengthen the vital relationship between parish and family in supporting the education and formation of our young people.
On December 6, the Bishop began the day by celebrating the Holy Eucharist and preaching to the parish community. He then dedicated the day to meeting with various parish groups: the Rosary Society, Bible Study group, Knights of Columbus, Lectors and Collectors (Ushers), Families of Nazareth, St. Thérèse of Lisieux Family/Society, Padre Pio Prayer Group, Knights of the Immaculata, and the Altar Servers. He also enjoyed lunch at the Dominican Sisters’ House. The day concluded with another celebration of the Eucharist and meetings with the Parish Council and the Parish Renewal Committee. These encounters highlighted the collaboration between the Bishop and our parish groups, as well as the diverse spiritual activities that help strengthen our community. On December 7, Bishop McGrattan celebrated Mass and preached to the parishioners. He addressed all those involved in parish ministries, recognizing their dedication, sacrifice, and unique contributions to the life of the Church. He also met with parishioners and with both the children’s and adult choirs. On behalf of the entire congregation, we express our heartfelt gratitude for his pastoral visitation. His presence was a true joy and a special blessing for our community. May the words he shared with us be a source of courage, a light for our path, and comfort in our trials. He brought encouragement and hope to everyone involved in pastoral work and to all the people of the parish.  Written by Jane Wylotek, Parish Council member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Calgary. Photos courtesy of the Our Lady Queen of Peace, Calgary.
Written by Fr. Lawrence Manolache.
Life is about rules, exactly like traffic rules. We can get from one point to another in life, without suffering collisions or accidents and arrive somewhere if we respect those rules. Life conditions are like traffic conditions, combined with weather conditions.
We sometimes get upset that our progress in life is very slow or even stagnant. That happens mostly when all participants in life want to make the same progress at the same time on the same street of life and some of the participants resort to selfish methods and obstruct the flow, the progress of others. That was Communism for me. We are indignant until we reach the point where we see the cause of the congestion that those several individuals entered in collisions, because of their unfair way of getting advantages in life, because they wanted that progress of life in a much faster, exclusive way and they ended up creating some congestion of social progress. Other times, we are the ones who neglect the maintenance of “this car”, this life of ours, and eventually get broken, stagnant, without fuel, without energy. When we find ourselves on the edge of the life road, someone will eventually stop and give us some help, but the wilderness very rarely has such opportunities, so I have learned to stick with the road and not go wild in life. So, I understood that life has its rhythm, and if we want to play in the great orchestra of life, we must catch onto that rhythm and respect that. From a very young age I understood that sound is communication, creator of beauty, expression of life, LOGOS. Thus, enchanted, fascinated by the beauty of sound, full of curiosity where the sound’s coming from, I began my analytical, almost philosophical studies, without much academic help, but in a very natural, organic way, with the props and examination of the sound-giving instruments created by God, through which my heart captured the sound waves of creation that resonate and vibrate in the soul of each of us mostly when we are synchronized, attuned and in harmony with God’s will. In the sounds made by the waves of the sea, as growing up in Constanța, a seashore city of Romania, by listening to the falling dried leaves in autumn, through the singing birds, in everything that moves, there is a sound of creation, that I could recognize and attribute to God's will. Acceptance of this creative message of nature and harmonizing my life to that, gave me the sense of immense peace that at the age of nine I already felt urged to share with everyone, to make others aware of that beauty. That was the point of understanding my calling. I understood that the Great Symphony of the entire Universe, whose composer is God Himself, is sung by everything that is set in motion. We are all participants in this great symphony as musicians, and particularly, we human beings are gifted to learn and understand, to read, so we are all called to respect the musical charts, to play by its rules and to be very attentive to the Conductor of this Great Universal Orchestra, who is the Holy Spirit. I am now training and working hard to be selected to play and sing in the Heaven’s Choir, where the traffic conditions are perfect and smooth, for everyone in Heaven is on auto-pilot mode, driven by God’s nature.That is the PERFECT LOVE.  Image: Gemini It may come as a surprise that long-standing protections for good-faith religious expression could be weakened under proposed changes to Bill C-9, raising concern that even sincere expressions of Christian belief could be misunderstood or challenged. Bill C-9 has passed the first and second readings and is now undergoing review by the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, with the latest proposed amendment referenced above, subject to a vote possibly as early as this afternoon. Given all that could be at stake if the amendment passes, the Permanent Council of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has sent an open letter to the Prime Minister, with other government officials in carbon copy. What you can do right now
Related articles: Source: CCCB & Archdiocese of Edmonton
Rerum Novarum Partners has secured a license to bring this film to Calgary as a community screening. Tickets will be approximately $7, and if the event generates any profit, half will be donated to the St. Vincent de Paul Society in support of those in need.
Screening Details Triumph of the Heart - Introduction and Viewing Sat, Jan 10, 2026, at 7 pm | Cardel Theatre – Quarry Park 180 Quarry Park Blvd, Calgary To get tickets, email [email protected] This screening is an invitation to come together as a community to reflect on faith, courage, and the enduring power of love. Parish groups, families, and individuals are warmly encouraged to attend and invite others.
I shared my dream of becoming a nun with my mom, and she advised me to finish my studies first since I was still too young to enter the convent. Her words of encouragement gave me the conviction to pursue my goal, and I was convinced that I’d find my true calling once I’d completed my education. I studied at Bicol College of Arts and Trade, earning a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology. During my college years, my dream of being a nun seemed to slip away. I was committed to fulfilling my responsibilities in school, which involved a daily routine of studying, rising early, and attending classes. I had a supportive group of friends who regularly attended the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena on Wednesdays. Although I did not join them, I felt that God had instilled a sense of direction in my life. My six-month practicum for my degree was completed in Manila, where I gained valuable experience and skills. Back in my hometown of Naga, I established my own small business through God’s blessing and my family's unwavering support. As my small business generated income, I found myself drifting away from my aspiration to become a nun, and it rarely crossed my mind anymore. A friend, however, invited me to attend a “Search-In” event hosted by the Daughters of Mary, Mother of the Church Institute. This was a turning point for me, as it reignited my dreams and encouraged me to reflect more deeply on my vocation. After attending the event, I took the time to share my feelings with my mom, and although she didn’t say much, the time we spent together was truly special and comforting. Months passed, and I went to see Fr. Mario Villaraza, SDB, our parish priest, because I needed him to write a recommendation for me to enter the convent. He refused to give me the recommendation. He told me I was only visible at Sunday masses, not at any other church activities. So, I joined the afternoon choir, as my main goal was to obtain a recommendation from him. After expressing interest in joining the choir, I received the required letter from him. I sang in the choir until I joined the community of Sisters. When I was scheduled to enter the convent, I suffered a severe headache that lasted two weeks and forced me to postpone my plans. This unexpected setback turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as it gave me more time to reflect on my vocation and prepare myself spiritually for this big step. I believe that when God extends a calling, His grace follows it. For me, that calling was to a life of religious devotion, where I’ve discovered the peace and love I was searching for in Jesus. Twenty-seven years have passed since I entered the convent, and what a blessing it’s been. I recently celebrated my 25th anniversary of vows as a Daughter of Mary, and I’m filled with gratitude for this remarkable journey and my vocation. It has been a blessing for me to be here in Canada serving with my Sisters in the Diocese of Calgary. My advice to young women searching for their vocation is to pray a lot and reflect about it. They should ask for guidance from a Vocation Director or a faith-filled friend. It really helped me to visit the community of Sisters that I joined. God bless you. Written by Sr. Gloria Orcena Sarol for Faithfully.
  On Friday, November 21, at St. Mary’s Cathedral, the Diocese of Calgary celebrated a beautiful and historic liturgy: the consecration of Lauretta Dearing to the Order of Consecrated Virgins Living in the World (Ordo Virginum). Lauretta is the first woman in our diocese to be received into this ancient vocation, which dates back to the early Church and is lived today in the world through prayer, service, and a deep spousal commitment to Christ. Bishop William T. McGrattan presided at the Mass and preached on the meaning of this vocation for Lauretta and for the whole Church. He reminded the faithful: “God has called her to be more closely united to himself and to be dedicated to the service of the Church and of mankind.” He invited the congregation to consider the spiritual fruit of this consecration, saying: “Think of the good she will accomplish by her prayers and good works, and the abundant blessings she will obtain from God for holy Church, for the human society, and for your families.”
Photography by Bandi Szakony, for the Diocese of Calgary.
 The first time our committee saw the Loreto Crypt. Fr. Wilbert surprised us with the announcement. Written by Sara Francis, Diocesan Miscarriage Care Committee The Diocese of Calgary is set to unveil its first-ever eternal resting place for miscarried babies. All are invited to join Bishop William McGrattan for the opening blessing of Loreto Crypt Sanctuary for little souls in Queen’s Park Cemetery at 4 p.m. on December 10, the Memorial of Our Lady of Loreto, followed by a reception at Our Lady of Peace Maronite Church in Calgary. A black marble crypt with gold etching has the capacity to house one thousand containers for the remains of babies under 20 weeks of gestation. Catholics and non-Catholics alike are welcome to inter the remains inside the crypt with the understanding that this is a ministry of the Catholic Church. This above-ground burial (technically an entombment in a crypt) is being made available as a dignified permanent resting place for miscarried babies. The crypt can be opened year-round to support families in real time. Use of the crypt is provided at no charge; the City of Calgary Cemeteries will cover all associated burial costs for openings conducted during regular operating hours. Services requested outside normal hours will be subject to applicable overtime fees. Babies can be memorialized on a registry accessible on the diocesan website by scanning a QR code on the crypt. Families may also choose personal alternative memorialization options available through the funeral home or the cemetery office. Families are encouraged to contact their funeral home, who will make arrangements through the Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary and Queen’s Park Cemetery for interment in the Loreto Crypt at Queen’s Park Cemetery. The committee is deeply grateful that funeral homes are offering the entirety of their professional services and suitable containers at no cost for families facing the loss of a child. On behalf of the Calgary Diocese Miscarriage Care Committee I am honoured to share this significant news. For seven years Mike and Amber Franco and myself (Sara Francis) have been patiently awaiting and persistently working toward this burial place. We are grateful for the countless people along the journey who have supported our vision. Our committee was formed in January of 2019, after both of our families independently contacted the Diocese, looking for the best burial options for our babies, but there was no simple answer. Right from the outset, Bishop McGrattan and Moderator of the Curia Fr. Wilbert Chin Jon supported our desire for a diocesan-sanctioned burial place. As Catholics, we hold the conviction that life begins at conception. And since we couldn’t parent our children here on Earth, we longed to provide them a dignified eternal resting home. More than a decade ago with the support of the late Bishop Fred Henry, a separate Miscarriage Liturgy Team began its mandate to host an annual liturgy for miscarried and stillborn babies and early infant loss. This team had tried to establish a permanent resting place, but faced roadblocks around securing a space. Fast forward to this May, Fr. Wilbert asked our committee to meet at Queen’s Park Cemetery. We parked along a cemetery road, got out and Fr. Wilbert pointed to the crypt, surprising us with the good news. The City of Calgary had an extra crypt in its inventory and the Diocese was prepared for the opportunity to purchase it. I exclaimed, “It’s a miracle. After all this time, it’s as if the crypt just fell out of the sky from Heaven!” “Yes, it’s like the Miracle of Loreto,” replied Fr. Wilbert. And the name stuck: Loreto Crypt, "A Sanctuary for Little Souls." According to tradition, in the 13th Century, angels moved the Holy House of Nazareth (site of the Annunciation and home of the Holy Family) to Loreto, Italy. The crypt looks like a house, and I hope families can envision their children resting in the eternal love of the Holy Family within their Holy House. The Incarnation – God taking on human form – happened at the Annunciation, when the Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would conceive the Son of God in her womb. Because both these events happened hidden in Our Lady’s Holy House, our tiny children, though hidden from this life, are seen by Christ and have the hope of Heaven. This crypt has a special connection to the lasting legacy of the Francis Pontificate. In 2019, the late Pope Francis visited the shrine of Loreto and officially added the optional memorial of Our Lady of Loreto to the Roman Calendar – the same year our Miscarriage Burial Committee was formed. Then seven years later, Pope Francis designated 2025 as the Jubilee Year of Hope – the last year of his pontificate before he died and the year of the Loreto Crypt launch. Waiting has been a significant theme for our committee, and so, in the years of waiting for this burial place, our committee broadened its ministry. With the invaluable support of the diocesan Pastoral Ministry team, we continued to host the annual Miscarriage, Stillborn and Infant Loss liturgy in the autumn and organized a healing retreat in the spring. We created a webpage on the Diocese website and we offer spiritual friendship to those going through such loss. Like any good mission, the plot thickens under the strain of setbacks: changing committee members and diocesan staff, postponing plans during the Covid crisis, and growing our own families all impacted our personal capacity to work on the project, and yet, thanks be to God, we remained pilgrims of hope. And so in these darkest days of the calendar year, in this time of Advent and in these final weeks of the Jubilee Year of Hope, it’s our most tiny vulnerable pilgrims who are lighting our path, pointing us toward the ultimate hope of Heaven. We pray that the gift of this crypt blesses grieving families and stands as a tangible symbol of the dignity due every human life, starting from conception. All are loved by the Father simply because He wills us into earthly existence and eternal rest.
“You Are Not Forgotten”: Diocese reflects on Red Wednesday Mass for persecuted Christians11/30/2025  Christians around the world continue to face violence, discrimination, and forced displacement simply because they profess the name of Christ. Earlier this month, on Wednesday, Nov 19, 2025, the Diocese of Calgary gathered at St. Mary’s Cathedral for the Mass for Persecuted Christians. Bishop William T. McGrattan celebrated the liturgy at 5 pm in unity with Red Wednesday, the worldwide day of prayer for persecuted believers. Priests from across the Diocese concelebrated with him, along with Fr. John Jwad of the Chaldean Catholic community, whose people continue to live the daily reality of persecution. As he began his homily, Bishop McGrattan referred to the 2025 Aid to the Church in Need report, which tracks the status of religious freedom around the world. He highlighted the scale of suffering by pointing to the number of countries identified in the study. “Twenty-four are actively being persecuted in violent ways,” he said, “and at thirty-eight are experiencing forms of lack of freedom and discrimination.” He added, “What is staggering is that this is affecting close to 5.8 billion people.” He noted that many of these situations are driven by “authoritarianism political machines,” creating cycles of oppression, displacement and instability across entire regions. Reflecting on the readings, the Bishop spoke about the Gospel scene of Christ’s pierced side. “The piercing will bring new life,” he said, pointing to the three testimonies named by John: “blood, water and spirit.” He explained that “it is in the water that we are redeemed and made children of God,” and that “it is in the blood of Christ that we participate in the sacrifice of the suffering that we celebrate in the celebration of the Eucharist.” These signs, he said, “are to be given also as signs and symbols of life for all humanity.” He reminded the faithful that “this is the faith that conquers the world,” a faith that moves believers to offer support and welcome: “It is God’s love revealed in Christ, which we are asked to give as support and welcome to those who experience persecution and come to us, a country that experiences freedom.”
Although Red Wednesday has passed, the call to prayer and solidarity continues. Let us remain committed in remembering persecuted Christians and standing with them in faith and compassion. 
 Photography by Bandi Szakony, for the Diocese of Calgary.
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