 For 25 years, Mission Mexico has been a testament to the faith and generosity of the people of Calgary, reaching out to the poorest of the poor with compassion, hope, and charity. Since 2000, the Diocese's outreach in Guerrero, Mexico, has supported health care, education, and emergency assistance among Indigenous communities, accompanying families with compassion and solidarity.
Bursaries for underprivileged students Mission Mexico gives a helping hand to students who wish to continue their education and return to their villages with professions and skills that can improve life for all. Xalpitzahuac Health Project The project assists people from the Xalpitzahuac region with medical costs and travel to hospitals in cases of dire need. Schools Mission Mexico has helped support education through two schools:
Mission Mexico provides one-time emergency assistance to families facing accidents, house fires, emergency medical care, unexpected family expenses, or dire hunger needs.
For a quarter of a century, Mission Mexico has remained a visible expression of faith in action, bringing hope and practical support to individuals, families, and communities in Guerrero. Through education, health care, and emergency assistance, the mission continues to respond with compassion to those most in need.
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As a child I came to believe that I wasn’t “good enough” to be loved. I felt unworthy of love and didn’t love myself. When I was about nine, I connected with some of the older kids from my school that were often in trouble. I got involved with them as I wanted to be cool, feel good about myself, and fit in. When I was about twelve, I stopped attending church. I had very little, if any, understanding of who Jesus was and was influenced by society's negative portrayal of Catholicism. Rejecting the church led me to reject God. I stopped believing in Him and began to feel alone. I wouldn’t allow others to get close to me out of fear of being hurt or rejected. My favorite song at the time had the words "I am a rock, I am an island, and a rock feels no pain." I was that rock that was all alone. I kept up a facade of “toughness” in order that others wouldn’t know how vulnerable and afraid I really was. Trying to be cool and hanging out with the wrong kids eventually led me to drinking, doing drugs and committing petty crimes. I was 13 years old the first time I got drunk, 14 the first time I tried LSD, and 15 when I began to smoke dope. My teenage years and high school were difficult for me as I continued to suffer from low self-esteem and continued to feel unloved and unworthy of love. I considered suicide on more than one occasion and lived for whatever pleasures I could get for myself, not caring for others and not caring about myself. It was during those years, though, that my mom was growing closer to Jesus through involvement with the Charismatic Renewal. She was often praying for me and tried to tell me about Jesus, but I never gave her the time of day. I was sure she was wrong, and there was no God. I believed the church was full of hypocrites and didn't want anything to do with it. Around that same time a friend told me he believed in Jesus, and I remember thinking that if God were real, I would be able to find that out myself, without anyone telling me what to believe. That was a point of grace in my life. Through mom and my friend’s witnessing for Jesus a crack had opened in my unbelief. I began to think about God from time to time, wondering whether he was real and I became open to listen to others who spoke about Jesus. It was during that time that I received several ‘signs’ from the Lord, drawing me to believe in Him. There isn’t space here to elaborate on all that the Lord did to help me believe, but I will share one major event. One day, as a young adult, after returning home from work, I was lying on my bed wondering about God's existence. Suddenly, in an instant and from out of nowhere, I felt myself being loved, being treasured, being cherished by someone else, and that someone else was within me.
Submitted by Peter Worsley
As families arrive with increasingly complex needs, Elizabeth House continues to provide longer-term, multi-level support through advocacy, system navigation, one-on-one mentorship, coaching, and high-intensity solution-focused care.
The impact of this support is reflected in the experiences of the women who call Elizabeth House home. One resident shared: I remember when I just moved in, I was from a stranded situation on the verge of giving up but they came to my rescue. I was going through depression but with their help, from volunteers with childcare, counselling therapy, and a peaceful environment I was able to bounce back to my feet." Support continues beyond a family's stay through the Women's Empowerment Committee, a participant-driven initiative created by Elizabeth House alumni. The committee fosters mentorship, community-building, knowledge sharing, and emotional support.
It is a community where mothers and children receive practical support, build meaningful relationships, and are accompanied as they work toward greater stability. It is a community made possible by your prayers, volunteer service and financial support. Want to help? To make your donation go even further, give to Elizabeth House through the Birdies for Kids presented by Rogers Charity Classic program. Donations made through the Birdies for Kids website will be matched up to 50%. Donate until mid-August 2026 at rogerscharityclassic.com/elizabeth-house. 
“I will never forget you.” This promise from Isaiah 49:15 is the theme for the 6th World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, celebrated on Sunday, July 26, 2026. Established by Pope Francis in 2021 and now carried forward by Pope Leo XIV, this Day calls the Church to honour grandparents and elders not with occasional gestures, but with lasting closeness, gratitude, and care. The Vatican Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life is asking all the faithful to place emphasis on closeness: reaching out directly to those who live alone, are staying in care homes, or have no visitors. It is an opportunity for everyone, especially the young, to spend time with grandparents, elderly family members, and above all, those who are completely isolated. Resources:
Simple ways to celebrate In your parish:
In your home:
Sources: Message of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV for the Sixth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly (15 June 2026); Pastoral Toolkit, Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life.
 I was born into a Catholic family and baptized as an infant. I attended a Catholic primary school, where, along with my classmates, I received the sacraments of Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation, before moving on to a public high school. I believe my faith has always lived quietly in my heart, yet I often wonder—was I truly paying attention in religion classes or was I simply too young and immature to understand fully the message my teachers were trying to impart? Regular Sunday Mass wasn’t a priority in my teens and early adult life. Were the sacraments just a ritual? Was transubstantiation real? Did I really believe in persona Christi? I don’t think I really thought about it, but something kept pulling me back. That pull became stronger when I married and had children of my own. There was a drive in my soul that said it was imperative to have my children baptized. There was no question; my children must attend a catholic school. I needed them to know and understand love – God. Still, even then, I had not yet grasped the bigger picture of my own faith. When my children were young, I wanted to volunteer at our parish. My parish priest reminded me of my role as a parent, teaching my children the faith was more important, and my time would come to be able to volunteer. I began volunteering as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. When my friend who coordinated the ministry was dying of cancer, she asked me to take over her role. From there, I served with Inn from the Cold and spent time visiting the shut-ins. Each of these roles drew me closer to my faith and deepened my understanding of the love God offers each of us. However, it wasn’t until Deacon Luis invited me to join the RCIA team as a catechist at St. Luke’s parish that I realized just how little I truly understood my faith. I was embarrassed! I remember confiding in a priest about how inadequate I felt, calling myself a Catholic while knowing so little. He gently shared that even as a priest, there were times when he too felt embarrassed for not knowing everything about the faith. In that moment, I realized there was hope for me yet. I am not a public speaker! I get up in front of a group of people and can’t recall what I was meant to say; I can’t even breathe. So, the thought of standing in front of a group of adults guiding them on their journey to learn and understand the Catholic faith was beyond my ability. Yet with the gentle guidance and encouragement from my RCIA team of catechists, I learned that I didn’t have to stand in front of a group of people to lend support or to share what it is to be Catholic. I could sit with the smaller groups encouraging and guiding conversation through a lesson. I could ask questions that would bring out what that shy person at our table was afraid to ask in the larger group. I could add to the topic that my fellow catechist was presenting, encouraging others to speak out and get the conversation going. It was amazing to learn that there was more than one way to share what God has given us: to enlighten others of the gentle love that Jesus taught, to be able to open the eyes of others about how the Holy Spirit quietly talks to us, if we only know how to listen.
In the seven years that I have been involved in RCIA my faith has grown, my personal understanding of my faith has blossomed, taking my heart and mind into greater heights in spreading the Good News in a gentle way that encourages others to see what God is offering each of us. It was empowering to learn that I could teach by example and that a gentle word of encouragement could be a strong catalyst in helping another take that next step in their journey towards embracing the faith to which God has called us. I am humbled to know that when God called me, this time I had the courage to say: “Here I am, Lord; Your servant is listening.” Submitted by Carol D’Amico
 Feed the Hungry is a diocesan outreach ministry that offers weekly meals, care packages, and compassionate accompaniment to individuals and families in need, creating a place of dignity, welcome, and community.
For many volunteers, serving is more than an act of charity—it is an expression of faith. As one longtime volunteer reflected, “A Sister once remarked to me that being a Feed the Hungry volunteer and serving our guests is ‘a wonderful way to pray.’ That has become my point of perspective on the program, galvanizing my desire to serve my brothers and sisters, while mentoring those who join us to do the same.”
Guests come for a meal. They leave fed in ways they didn't know they were hungry. Because here, food is never just food. It is dignity. It is being known by name. It is a community that does not fix you, but refuses to abandon you.In this space, something unexpected happens. Guests come for a meal. They leave fed in ways they didn't know they were hungry. Because here, food is never just food. It is dignity. It is being known by name. It is a community that does not fix you, but refuses to abandon you.
Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF) In 2025, approximately $1 million was disbursed to five different projects in the Treaty 7 region. The donations for the IRF have been received from the parishioners of the Diocese of Calgary through the Together in Action Campaign. A total of $3 million is expected to be disbursed over three years. Projects funded in 2025:
For more information about the Together in Unity Circle and IRF funding opportunities, visit: catholicyyc.ca/IRFfunding 
How to donate
 On Friday, June 27, 2025, the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Fr. Peter An was ordained to the sacred priesthood by Bishop William T. McGrattan at St. Mary's Cathedral in Calgary. One year later, as he celebrates the first anniversary of his ordination, we asked him to reflect on the joys, challenges, and graces of his first year of priestly ministry. His thoughtful answers offer a glimpse into the heart of a young priest and the deep joy of following Christ's call. What has surprised you most about being a priest? Perhaps the amount of joy that it brings me. The priesthood is not without its struggles and adversities, just like any other vocation. But the assurance that I am abiding in the will of God offers me the kind of joy and peace that the world cannot take away. Was there a moment this year when you thought, “Wow, I’m really a priest now”? Some time after being ordained, I booked an appointment with a priest from another parish for confession. After he absolved me, he asked me to hear his confession. I remember thinking, "...right." Can you share a pastoral encounter or experience from this year that has stayed with you and why? The people of God who sincerely love the Lord and the Sacraments continue to remind me of the fullness of the ministry that I live. The people who confess with contrition and the people who reverently receive the Eucharist make me think that if God called me to the priesthood for even one of these people, my vocation is already full and complete. How has celebrating the sacraments changed your relationship with Christ? While I remain the same person in the way I talk, walk, etc., when I celebrate the sacraments, Christ acts through me in persona Christi Capitis, and the sacramental reality is the Lord's. When I say the words "This is my Body... This is the chalice of my Blood," or "I absolve you from your sins," it is Christ who speaks. Each time I say, "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof" with the people, I am reminded of how unworthy I am of this mission and grace, the reality that this gift is for God's people, and it draws me into deeper surrender and service. How has priesthood changed the way you see people? It is very easy for anyone to complain about others, rather than contemplating and reflecting on the wounds of others. Such wounds may be expressed and revealed through their actions, words, and behaviours. The love of Christ cuts to the heart of our pain and longing and calls us to His Sacred Heart. As a priest, this yearning of the people has become much more evident for me, and it calls me to a greater depth in attentive and authentic listening. What would you say to a young man who is wondering whether God might be calling him to the priesthood? Jesus calls His disciples with a simple phrase: "Follow me." Within these words is the universal call for us to follow and imitate Christ in the way that He revealed and lived. Does your heart yearn to follow and imitate Him in His ministry as a shepherd? As a divine physician? Does your heart resonate and burn with His pierced Sacred Heart? Then follow Him.
The teachings, virtues, and meanings of the Catholic faith truly settled into my heart and mind. Instead of feeling like I was completing a program, it felt like I was building a lasting relationship with God and gaining a much deeper understanding of what it means to live faithfully. Throughout the year, I found myself opening my heart, eyes, and ears more fully to God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. There were many moments during classes, discussions, prayer, and reflection where I felt genuinely moved and inspired. The RCIA process encouraged me not only to learn about faith intellectually, but also to live it in a practical and meaningful way every day. It helped me recognize the importance of patience, humility, forgiveness, and trust in God’s plan. These lessons have impacted the way I approach my family life, my work, and my relationships with others. As a relatively new parent, this journey became even more important to me. Balancing family responsibilities, work, and personal growth can often feel challenging, but RCIA helped me find a healthier perspective on life. One of the greatest blessings I gained from this experience was learning how to let go of things I cannot control and place more trust in God. Instead of carrying unnecessary stress and worry, I have learned to focus more on faith, gratitude, and moving forward with purpose. That mindset has brought a greater sense of peace and stability into my life. The program also helped me better understand the importance of family and community. My faith journey is no longer something that only affects me personally; it has become something that positively shapes the way I care for my wife, my child, and the people around me. I want to continue building a strong spiritual foundation for my family and to lead through kindness, compassion, and faith. RCIA reminded me that faith is not meant to be lived alone, but within a community that supports and uplifts one another. I felt that support throughout the entire year from the instructors, parish members, and everyone involved in the program.
I am incredibly grateful for the time, effort, and dedication that the RCIA team at Holy Family Parish invested into helping people like myself grow spiritually. Their guidance, patience, and willingness to answer questions created an atmosphere where learning felt comfortable and meaningful. They made it possible for individuals at different stages of faith to grow together while feeling respected and encouraged. Today, my faith has never felt stronger. I feel more grounded, more hopeful, and more confident in the path God has placed before me. RCIA has given me a stronger sense of direction and a renewed appreciation for the blessings in my life. Most importantly, it has helped me continue striving to become a better husband, father, community member, and follower of Christ. This past year has been a true blessing, and I will always be thankful for the journey that began at Holy Family Parish. Submitted by Joshua Marshall, Holy Family Parish, Medicine Hat | Photo courtesy of Joshua Marshall
 What a blessed day! The Providence Sisters opened their convent doors to welcome 17 women to spend a few hours with Religious Sisters from various communities. As some of the participants shared, they truly enjoyed spending time with the Sisters and everyone who came. This annual event offers a real opportunity for single women to meet Sisters and explore what it means to be in the Religious life in our Church. Because so many women registered for the event, we had to find a way to accommodate them. The Providence Sisters’ dining room only seats 20, leaving insufficient room for the women and the Sisters to be together. We decided to divide the participants into two smaller groups, placing one group in another meeting area to make it easier to interact with the Sisters over tea, sweets, and conversation. Halfway through tea, we switched the groups so that the young women could meet all the Sisters present. Our conversations were full of interesting topics. Many of the women shared their own faith journey and what had inspired them to visit the Sisters. Some of the questions they asked included: What is the formation process for entering religious life? What is the age limit for entering the convent? The Sisters shared about their own communities, allowing the women to see that these communities have different charisms and missions that serve the needs of the Church. Perhaps through these conversations, the women will sense a call to Consecrated life and recognize a resonance in their hearts for a specific community. Providentially, the rain and hailstorm that sprang up during the tea was over by the time we were to head outside. We were led by Sisters and the women participants in the Rosary Walk around the convent grounds, ending at the Sisters’ Lourdes grotto. It was truly beautiful to pray the Rosary together in the sunshine and fresh air after the rain. Our next vocation event for single women to explore Consecrated Life in the Church is planned for Saturday, September 26th, 2026, at St. Luke’s Church, from 8:30 am to 4 pm. This is the Fiat Retreat, which focuses on discerning God’s will in our lives. If you are single and willing to explore the life of a Consecrated woman, please save the date and watch for the advertisement of the Fiat Retreat in September.
 Written by Sr. Dianne Turner, OSE, Assistant Director of Vocations.  On one beautiful evening in May, the Friends of Elizabeth House Foundation hosted the Second Annual Blooms and Blossoms Fundraising Dinner. All proceeds from the dinner support Elizabeth House, a non-denominational outreach program of the Diocese of Calgary. The venue was awash in purple as the signature color of the House. The evening’s host, Cathy Sandau, is the President of the newly formed Foundation whose sole purpose is to raise funds and awareness for this exceptional program. The evening began with a speech and grace shared by Sister Pat Derbyshire, one of the founders of the House almost 30 years ago. Sister Pat shared the story of how the Sisters of Charity of St. Louis came to be in France in 1803, where care was provided for victims of poverty and injustice. After dinner, Michelle Haywood, who manages the House, spoke about exciting opportunities to support more women. Currently, the House can only assist 8 pregnant and parenting moms at a time, resulting in almost 95% of the women who apply being redirected to outreach. Michelle then introduced Jackie, a former resident, who delivered a heartfelt speech focused on resilience and hope.
The evening was capped off with a fun competition among the tables and prizes awarded. The silent auction, 50/50 and merchandise sales were all very well received by guests. The organizers were so pleased with the outcome of the dinner, with almost $22,000 donated! With the support of Roger’s Birdies for Kids, this donation will be matched up to 50%. Mark your calendars for the third annual dinner on May 30th, 2027, at the Calgary Italian Cultural Centre. We hope to see you there!
Submitted by Cathy Sandau and Friends of Elizabeth House Foundation. Photos courtesy of Elizabeth House.
St. Peter's Parish in Milk River held its second annual Mini Camino Walk on June 5, 6, and 7. Over the course of the three days, participants walked 12, 13, and 14 kilometres while reflecting on three different scripture passages as they made their way to St. Isidore's in Allerston. The Mini Camino brought together people of all ages, with participants ranging from just 3 years old to 81. While some walkers completed the full Camino, others joined for only part of the journey, and everyone was welcomed regardless of the distance they walked. The event also drew participants from outside the parish, with walkers travelling from Picture Butte and Foremost to take part. The weather cooperated throughout the three-day walk, and participants had the opportunity to spend time in quiet reflection while enjoying the natural beauty of the route. Surrounded by beautiful scenery and peaceful surroundings, participants appreciated the chance to walk together in faith while taking time for personal reflection. The second annual Mini Camino Walk was another opportunity for people to gather, walk, and reflect as they journeyed to St. Isidore's in Allerston.
Photos courtesy of St. Peter's Parish, Milk River and Church of St. Isidore's, Allerston
 At the Easter Vigil on April 4, 2026, Mike and Loralie Hilles were baptized and welcomed into the Catholic Church by Fr. Jerald D’Souza, OCD, at St. Thomas More Parish in Calgary. Before their conversion, Mike and Loralie believed in God and attended church occasionally. They valued family and living with good intentions, yet there remained a quiet sense of longing. They felt a restlessness in their hearts for something deeper that at that time, they could not fully define. “Our journey was gradual and deeply personal,” they shared. Through conversations, reading, and witnessing the faith of others, they were drawn to the depth and reverence of Christian teaching. As they explored their questions about truth and faith, they became increasingly convinced that God was leading them toward something greater. They said that it was “the consistency, depth, and reverence found in the way Scripture was understood, lived out, and shared by those around us,” that stood out to them. They recognized that Jesus was calling them not only to believe in Him, but also to enter more fully into His Church. Being received into the Church at the Easter Vigil was, in their words, “a meaningful and emotional experience.” It brought a strong sense of belonging and gratitude for God’s patience and guidance throughout their journey. Since entering the Church, Mike and Loralie have found their relationship with prayer deepening and their awareness of God’s presence growing in everyday life. While they know their journey of faith is only beginning, they are grateful for the ways God has patiently guided them through questions, uncertainty, and discovery. Looking back, they can see how the Holy Spirit was at work throughout their journey, turning their longing into belonging and bringing them home to the Catholic Church. Photo credit: St. Thomas More Parish, Calgary.
 School is almost out, and yesterday was the first official day of summer. After the rainfall this spring, the flowers are blooming, and the grass is green and growing. It is hard not to feel the excitement of coming rest and vacation. This has been an incredible year for Renewal in the Diocese of Calgary. While I know that many days have been filled with hard work, meetings, events, recruiting, and coordinating, we have come so far, and much fruit is beginning to grow. The other day, when the Bishop asked me how things were proceeding, I told him that each day I feel like I am only taking a few steps, but looking back, I realize that we have crossed an entire field. Since the fall, 49 of our parishes have launched the execution phase of their Renewal Plans, representing more than 1,000 unique action items across the Diocese. After reviewing the spring reports from our Parish Renewal Teams, we learned that 75% of these items are either complete or underway. This is incredible news, and it means that real, concrete improvements and growth are happening in our parishes. I cannot express how impressed and inspired I am by this. Renewal is no longer simply an inspiration or an idea. It is happening right before our very eyes. Since the fall, we have also held many events that you supported, helped to run, and attended. These included our ongoing monthly PRT Chair Meetings and the Advent Retreat with Archbishop Prendergast. We also held four Lenten Renewal Gatherings focused on communication, as well as the first-ever Renewal Conference, attended by 700 participants and featuring Bishop Scott McCaig, with a focus on evangelization. In addition, our PRT Chairs and many pastors participated in Leadership Formation with Ron Huntley, culminating in our inaugural Leadership Summit at the end of May, which brought together 100 key leaders from most of our parishes. I know the schedule was demanding, and I want to express my deep appreciation to each of you who helped organize or attended these events. There is much on the horizon this fall. Parishes will be preparing for their annual Renewal Plan reviews in October, PRT meetings will resume, and new ongoing formation in evangelization will be introduced. We will also continue to collaborate with Ron Huntley to strengthen our leadership capacity and further enhance the impact of our Renewal Plans. A new rural Renewal strategy will also be developed to provide special attention and support to our important parishes outside the city. We will also begin asking more challenging Renewal questions, such as whether we have developed parish improvement plans or truly transformative Renewal Plans that advance our three priorities: Making Missionary Disciples, Becoming a Church of Encounter and Witness, and Strengthening Family Life.
 Worship Renewal Conference
You have worked extremely hard, however, and it is time for rest and restoration. I love this time of year on the farm. This past week, I walked my pasture to check all the fences. The grass is deep green and growing tall, in some places waist high, and it blows in the wind like waves on the sea. After treating the cattle and checking the horses, I opened the back gate of the pens and let them run. After a long winter, they sprinted through the gates with joy and galloped away, quickly checking all their favourite places. Soon, they were gone from sight. Young calves disappeared entirely into the deep grassland. Over the coming months, they will spend much of their time out there, resting and eating to their hearts’ content. I may not see them back at the pens for days on end. I couldn’t be happier for them. Special thanks to our Pastors, Deacons, PRT Chairs, Ministry Leaders, Parish Staff, and Volunteers. I thank you from the bottom of my heart and wish you a summer filled with rest, retreat, and beautiful summer pastures, wherever they may be for you. Written by Ryan Schmidt, Director of Pastoral Renewal. Photos: St. Albert the Great PRT, Feed the Hungry at St. Mary's Cathedral, Worship Renewal Conference, and Ryan's farm.   During Lent, Catholics are called to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, not as isolated practices, but as a way of turning our hearts more fully toward Christ and toward those He places before us. For the Calgary Catholic Education Foundation (CCEF), this year’s Lenten Appeal was a powerful expression of that call, supporting students in the KARA program. KARA is delivered inside the Calgary Catholic School District at St. Anne’s Academic Centre. The program, founded nearly 40 years ago by Catholic women, supports pregnant and parenting teens as they continue their education while caring for their children. These young women carry responsibilities far beyond what many students their age are asked to bear. They are students, mothers, caregivers, and young women of hope. Their perseverance deserves more than admiration. It deserves practical support, encouragement, and a community willing to walk beside them. Through the CCEF, our Catholic community is encouraged to bear witness to these young people’s courage and strength. The Calgary Catholic Education Foundation proudly champions the KARA program by building relationships, inviting community support, and helping secure resources that strengthen the students’ experience. This work matters because it allows the school to remain focused on what it does best: caring for and educating students. Fundraising should not be a burden on teachers, school staff, or students. CCEF’s role is to carry that work forward on behalf of Catholic education so that the school community can focus on formation, learning, dignity, and care. Through the generosity of donors and the beautiful partnership with Catholic Women’s League ministries in parishes across Calgary and the area, CCEF awarded four post-secondary bursaries of $1,500 each to KARA students. These bursaries will help support the recipients as they take the next step in their education and continue building a stronger future for themselves and their children. The support of several of the CWLs in the Calgary Diocese has been especially moving. Across many parishes, CWL members live out their ministry quietly, faithfully, and effectively, and their service is rooted in prayer, community, and action. In supporting KARA students, they offered a clear witness to the dignity of every young mother and every child. They responded in a very practical and deeply compassionate way by donating baby items most needed by the students and their children. Their generosity helped fully stock the KARA pantry for several months, easing the pressure of securing essential baby supplies and allowing students to keep their attention where it needed to be: on their children, their studies, and their future. Gift cards were also donated, enabling students to make choices for their own families with dignity. That matters. True charity does not simply provide help; it honours the person receiving it. It recognizes that young mothers know their children's needs and deserve the respect to respond to them directly. This is the Church at work.  It is easy to speak about being pro-life, pro-family, and pro-education. It is much more powerful to show it. The CWL ministries did exactly that. They helped turn compassion into concrete support. They reminded these young women that they are not alone, that their children are cherished, and that their education still matters. For the students who received bursaries, the impact reaches beyond immediate financial support. A post-secondary bursary says something important: you matter and we care. Our Catholic community believes in your ability to continue learning, growing, and providing for your family. CCEF is deeply grateful to every donor, parish ministry, and CWL member who contributed to this appeal, which reflects the heart of Catholic education. Your generosity has helped strengthen young families and affirm the God-given dignity of both mother and child. Submitted by Janet Lymer, CFRE, Executive Director, Calgary Catholic Education Foundation & Communications Director, Calgary CWL Diocesan. Photos courtesy of Janet Lymer.
 “I would drink every weekend,” Joseph recalled. “I would suffer and hide my pain in a joint and I would smoke weed. I would try to search for all this fake love in girls and hookup culture. And I would think that all these things were what I needed to make myself happy.” This was how 21-year-old Joseph Silvestro spent much of his teenage years. He spent years searching for happiness and comfort in the world's distractions, but it ultimately left him feeling empty. He recalls carrying a deep sense of loneliness that couldn’t be filled by worldly things, yet believing that the Church was reserved for people who had their lives together. Joseph believed he was too far gone for God. "I thought I was too broken for God's love," he said. "I thought the Church was a place where perfect people hung out, and I could never fit in there." He reached a point where he had convinced himself that God had forgotten him, and his heart grew hardened. Yet even when he could not bring himself to pray, someone else was praying for him. Joseph credits his sister for playing a pivotal role in his return to the faith. He likened her to St. Monica, who famously prayed for the conversion of her son St. Augustine. While Joseph did not recognize it at the time, God was quietly at work in his life through his sister, who was faithfully praying for him every day. Gradually, he began to find his way back to the Church. He started attending Mass again and encountered young Catholics whose faith challenged many of the assumptions he had carried. "I met young people who were truly flourishing in their faith," he said. "Young people who were beautiful, who didn't need all these worldly things that I had become so attached to." Surrounded by young adults who loved their faith and lived it joyfully, a different vision of life revealed itself to Joseph: one rooted not in the temporary pleasures that once consumed him, but in a relationship with God. "We have a God who is so madly in love with us," he reflected. "He just wants us to come back." That realization transformed his understanding of both God and himself. For years, Joseph had believed that his mistakes and failures made him unworthy of God's love. Through a renewed encounter with Christ, he discovered the opposite was true. "I learned that there's no such thing as being too broken for God's love," he said. "God's love is an everlasting love."
For Joseph, these passages reveal the heart of the Gospel: God never stops pursuing his children, no matter how far they may wander. And he hopes that his story will reiterate the truth that no one is beyond God’s reach.
"You're never too broken," he said. "Even if you think you are." Joseph encourages those who are struggling with their faith to take a small step toward God by coming back to Mass. And if even that seems too difficult, he encourages them to simply call out to God in prayer. "Ask the Lord to come back into your life," he said. "Ask Him to show His love to you." Joseph's journey is a reminder that God's mercy is not reserved for the perfect but offered freely to all who seek Him. Even in moments of doubt, loneliness, or distance from faith, the invitation remains the same: to take one small step toward the God who never stops calling his children home.
Several months ago, a young man from our parish approached me and asked if I would be willing to serve as his sponsor for Confirmation. I was both honoured and surprised by the request. His parents arranged a dinner for my wife and me, giving Joseph an opportunity to interview me for his confirmation requirements. On the eve of the Confirmation, I attended the Friday morning Mass at our parish. I was considering taking the Sacrament of Confession, but with so much on my plate I told myself I would postpone it until next week. Joseph was in Mass with his father and two younger brothers. I noticed them lining up for confession after communion, and I realized I needed to go that day to demonstrate to the young man I was sponsoring that men must attend confession and to support him as he did.  The next day was Confirmation day. We arrived early to rehearse for the 50+ young people who would be confirmed. While speaking with the sponsor beside me, I learned that he was the uncle of the young man he was sponsoring. It made me wonder why Joseph had chosen me, especially since he had an uncle who was a priest and another uncle from Kelowna who was present for the Confirmation. When I asked him who had suggested me as a sponsor, he said he was the one who had chosen me. The reason he chose me After the ceremony, we all went to the family home for a celebratory lunch. I spoke with Joseph’s grandfather, who told me that Joseph had seen me at church services, Masses, and BBQs, and that was why he had asked me. It reminded me of the work I had done with youth at risk of falling into gangs. I had long realized that what I did and how I lived mattered more than what I said. I also recognized one of the men at our recent men’s breakfast as that quiet servant who always helps, and that I saw his example! So, men, my message to you today is that young men are watching you. Make sure that you see them and greet the young people with a smile and let them know they are loved at church. We are reminded at the end of Mass with the instruction: “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.” Submitted by Sean Lynn, St. Peter's in Calgary; God Squad | Heroic Men Canada.
 Steve Chapman served as a Calgary police officer for many years. Regularly confronted with tragedy, loss, and the darker realities of human life, he found himself struggling not only with the demands of his profession, but also with questions about God and suffering.
Recently, Chapman, a parishioner of St. Cecilia Parish in Calgary and now a school trustee, shared how his faith was challenged and ultimately transformed through his experiences on the front lines of policing. Chapman called Police Service “a very intense world of violence and inhumanity.” He recounted that during one particularly difficult period working in traffic enforcement, he attended 65 fatal collisions in just three years. He recounted the tragedies he witnessed - a mother walking along a sidewalk who was struck and killed by an impaired hit-and-run driver, and a 10-year-old girl standing on a street corner who was fatally injured when a truck failed to complete a turn properly. Faced with such heartbreaking situations, Chapman found himself wrestling with difficult spiritual questions. This constant exposure to loss left a deep mark on him. "I didn't understand why a God of love was allowing this to happen," he said. Over time, those unanswered questions began to harden his heart. Feelings of resentment took root as he struggled to reconcile the suffering he witnessed with his belief in a loving God. "It really created bitterness and anger," he said. This emotional burden affected not only his faith, but also his ability to serve others. Rather than helping him become a stronger police officer, the anger left him feeling closed off from the people he encountered each day. Fortunately, Chapman found support through spiritual mentors who helped him work through his doubts and frustrations. Through their guidance, he slowly came to a new understanding of faith. Rather than needing answers to every question, he realized that he could still trust God even amid suffering and uncertainty. "I reached the point where I didn't have to understand to allow God to work," he said. That realization became a turning point. Chapman found his perspective changing as he began to reflect more deeply on who God is and how God remains present even in moments of pain and disillusionment. While the tragedies he witnessed did not disappear, his heart began to soften. Instead of allowing himself to be consumed by anger, he discovered a renewed capacity for compassion. "It made me a better police officer," he said. The change was especially evident in his interactions with grieving families and victims. He found himself able to offer empathy and presence to those experiencing unimaginable loss, rather than focusing primarily on justice or accountability. "It made me more compassionate," Chapman reflected. "I could bring compassion to the families and the victims." Looking back, Chapman sees this transformation as one of the most important lessons of his life. Through experiences that once threatened to destroy his faith, God gradually led him toward a deeper trust and a greater understanding of mercy. For him, faith was not found in having all the answers. It was found in learning to trust God amid uncertainty and allowing that trust to shape the way he cared for others. Today, he hopes his story serves as a reminder that even when suffering raises difficult questions, God can still work within the pain to transform hearts.
The 2026 Sabbatical Year Commissioning Mass for the Seeds of the Word community was celebrated on June 2, 2026, by Bishop William McGrattan. The special Mass marked the conclusion of their nine-month sabbatical program, during which companions shared their discernment and plans to live out their faith. Below is a message from the Seeds of the Word: The commissioning Mass was celebrated by Bishop William McGrattan for our Sabbatical year companions, people who, for the past nine months, have been living with our community, studying the Bible, and discerning God’s will for their lives.
Let us all continue to pray for our beloved companions as they walk this path that the Lord has placed before each one of them, so that they may remain faithful and that He may be glorified.
Living up in Banff is like living in a postcard. I have the tremendous privilege of being able to escape to somewhere beautiful at any moment. The options are endless - a jaunt over to Bow Falls, a bounce over to Twojack Lake… The opportunity to go and bask in the beauty of God’s creation is unparalleled. Most of my little explorations are impromptu in this way, with no deeper meaning. However, last Saturday, I thought I’d go and take a little mini-pilgrimage to somewhere at the fringes of our local church - the church of the Most Holy Trinity, at Bankhead, Alberta. Bankhead is one of hundreds of little towns that once dotted the country, and whose memory is now a faint watermark. Extremely few, if any, people are alive today who ever lived there, but it was once a sizeable coal mining town of almost a thousand souls, nestled on the eastern side of Cascade Mountain. Cascade contains sizeable deposits of anthracite coal, the highest quality available, and in an era when steam engines ruled the rails, a ready supply of high-quality coal was necessary to ensure that the Canadian Pacific Railway trains made their way up and over the Continental Divide. Founded in 1903, Bankhead was poised to become the centre of industry in the Bow Valley, with a population equal to that of its neighbours in Banff and Canmore. It was planned as a thoroughly modern town, with a municipal water and sewer system, electricity and streetlights; neither Banff nor Canmore could boast of such luxuries yet. Sure, Bankhead was a mine town, but it was going to be a model mine town, one that its residents could be proud of. Occupying pride of place in the town was the church of the Most Holy Trinity, built in 1908, an elegant edifice on a concrete foundation, complete with a rose window over the front door. The Bow Valley missions had no resident pastors of their own, but Fr. Anthony Zyla, OMI, would visit regularly for Masses, as much of Bankhead was Catholic, and those who were not often had the means to travel to the Protestant churches in Banff. To visit Bankhead today, one could not draw more different conclusions at first glance. The mine closed in 1922, and most of the town’s inhabitants moved away, their bright homes moved into Banff or beyond. The rhubarb that the Chinese slag pickers had planted in little market gardens to sell now grows wild among the slag heaps. The streetlights and tennis courts are long gone.  Photography: Solomon Ip
The birches and spruces grow tall now along the foundation - divinely assigned to delineate where the hallowed walls had been. What was once the sanctuary or sacristy is now overgrown, and the walls of the parish hall in the basement are marred with graffiti. And yet, one knows instinctively that this had once been a place of communion between God and His people. One senses a peace that surpasses human understanding, more so than in the mine ruins below. Holy Trinity meant something to the faithful who worshipped there, and it can be felt to this day. So, what does this mean for a Christian pilgrim of 2026, a century after the last Mass was held? For me, the key is in the church’s namesake itself. We give glory to God the Holy Trinity Who was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be. God is infinite; we are not. As grand as the cathedrals of the world are, and as dear as our parish churches are to us, there will come a day when they are no more. Centuries or millennia from now, human society will have changed its trappings innumerable times over. The houses of God we have built will need replacing at best, or be abandoned to time at worst.
Written by Solomon Ip, St. Mary's Parish, Banff.
Hymn texts from “All My Hope on God Is Founded.” Author: Joachim Neander; Translator: Robert Bridges (1899). The last planned decade of your career has a way of feeling both powerful and unfinished at the same time. You've got the wisdom, the passion, the hard-won experience. You work smarter. You finally see the fruits of everything you've poured into your work. The finish line feels close, and honestly, it feels good. Then life does what life always does. It changes. For me, it happened fast. I had responsibilities, a clear direction, a sense of control that felt almost comfortable. I thought I had it figured out. And then, right in the middle of the track, a sinkhole opened up. No plan could correct it. Starting over wasn't a choice; it was the only option. There was real grief. The kind that doesn't stay in your head. It moves into your chest, into your body, spinning and gaining weight. Losing a plan hurts, even when no one else quite understands why. But underneath the grief was a harder question: What if the future I was holding onto wasn't the one God had in mind? I kept coming back to something St. Alphonsus Liguori wrote: "He who trusts in himself is lost. He who trusts in God can do all things." That cut right through me, because honestly? I'd been trusting in myself; in my plans, my timeline, my version of success. A Christian in business learns to see crisis differently. The Lumen Institute puts it beautifully: "Every crisis contains a hidden invitation - an opportunity for purification, a call to detach from worldly success, or a chance to exercise heroic virtue" (Lumen Institute Monthly Circle, May 2026). I want to believe that. I'm learning to live it. The turning point came when I stopped making plans without God and started actually surrendering. Not vaguely but concretely, out loud: "Okay, Lord. If this isn't Your way, show me a new path and help me to follow Yours." That's where devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus went from being a beautiful tradition to being a lifeline. The Sacred Heart isn't just an image. It represents the whole interior life of Jesus: His love, His virtues, His very Person. His is a heart that is both overflowing and wounded. That matters deeply when your life feels like it's been turned upside down, because it means you're not being asked to trust a distant, abstract God. You're being invited to trust a Heart that loved completely, was rejected, suffered and kept loving anyway. Once I understood that, my next step became clear: If I was going to start over and build something new, then prayer had to be the foundation. So, my first act in launching my new business, my new practice, will be to consecrate it to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
June is the month we celebrate the Feast of the Sacred Heart. So, here's my personal invitation to you: if you own a business, lead a team, or show up to work every day trying to live your faith, consider consecrating it. You are called. You matter. Also, the people around you, the ones watching how you lead and love, they belong, too. "O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You." Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus O most holy Heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing, I adore You, I love You, and with lively sorrow for my sins, I offer You this poor heart of mine. Make me humble, patient, pure, and wholly obedient to Your will. Grant, Jesus, that I may live in You and for You. Protect me in the midst of danger. Comfort me in my afflictions. Give me health of body, assistance in my temporal needs, Your blessing on all that I do, and the grace of a holy death. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You. Amen." Written by Dr. David Cichon, a husband, father of six, and a dentist in the Diocese of Calgary. He serves on the board of Heroic Men Canada (God Squad).
 The theme of discernment at the Third Annual Diocesan Vocations Rally was certainly well-presented to the over 350 participants at St. Michael’s Church in Calgary on Trinity Sunday. It really began on Friday before the Vocations Rally with the 40-Hour Adoration for Vocations in the small chapel. Every year, the St. Michael’s community sponsors this devotion. This year, the over-30 table displays from Religious communities and other Catholic organizations were open early for exploring various vocations. An often-expressed comment made to Consecrated men and women is that they are too seldom seen in our Diocese. This offered a real opportunity for people to meet them and engage in conversation with them.
The Sunday Mass offered for Vocations with Bishop McGrattan and a number of concelebrating priests was truly beautiful with the seminarians serving at the altar and members of the St. Francis Xavier Chaplaincy choir providing the music. Thank you to Fr. Edmund and the St. Michael’s community for hosting this vocations event. The St. Michael’s volunteers who helped with preparing the lunch, coffee, and in many other ways were wonderful.
We need to have an awareness of our own identity. Fr. Bryan explained that it is crucial that we do not jump to a conclusion about who we are until we have done sufficient exploration of what lies in our heart. He also cautioned against too much exploration and never making a decision. Once we know ourselves adequately, then we can make a good discernment of the vocation to which we are called. Fr. Bryan explained that vocational discernment is not about arriving at a fixed outcome but engaging in the process, like the disciples on the road to Emmaus with Jesus. One participant shared afterward that Fr. Bryan’s talk was “an affirmation of our body-soul unity, that everything we experience is not just purely bodily or purely spiritual, but always both. And part of discernment is sifting through those experiences in light of God’s calling for me.” The second presenter was Dr. Michelle Diment, a certified Spiritual Director trained through the Avila Institute and the Lanteri Centre for Ignatian Spirituality. She is a parishioner of St. Albert the Great parish. Hearing from a member of our own diocese was truly a blessing, knowing that we have such talent among us.
Written by Sr. Dianne Turner, OSE - Assistant Director of the Office of Vocations
Photography by Luke Fuentebella, for the Diocese of Calgary.  Photos: Archdiocese of Edmonton
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