A Winning Feast: St. Martha’s Parish BBQ celebration of Renewal

Like all the parishes in the Diocese of Calgary, our parish, Saint Martha's, has been diligently working on the Parish Renewal over the past few years. We continue to ask the Holy Spirit to guide us, and it has been a wonderful journey meeting with one another under the spiritual guidance and prayers of our pastor, Father William Monis, and our Deacon Bruce Barnett. We tried to follow the guidelines and timing set out by the diocese and were happy to submit our results on schedule.

We didn't expect to win the draw for the barbecue, as many other hardworking parishes were competing for the same prize. We were very surprised on June 14 when our name was drawn from the hat. Many people got together to form a committee to organize this event. The response from the volunteers was tremendous! The barbecue took place on Friday, August 29, which was perfect timing. Bishop McGrattan was to be in Lethbridge in the morning for the opening school Mass for the Holy Spirit School Division staff.

We began with a beautiful Holy Mass at 5 pm with all our Lethbridge priests concelebrating. Not only was the Mass so beautiful, but Bishop McGrattan also used this time to install our new pastor, Father Valentine Suum, who joined us on August 1.

It was a very meaningful celebration, and all present appreciated the opportunity to be part of the installation. Our parish is comprised of many cultures, and one of the elders from the Blackfoot Confederacy, Martin Eagle Child, requested that his group make a presentation to our bishop and our two new priests at the conclusion of Mass.

After the final blessing, the First Nations group, in their traditional outfits, processed into the church to the sound of drumming to present a blanket to each of Bishop William, Father Valentine, and Father Luke. It was very powerful and all were moved.

After Mass, everyone went outside to enjoy the fellowship at the barbecue. We had over 200 people, and the weather was perfect. Many volunteers prepared, cooked, and served the food to our hungry guests. Bishop McGrattan was a gracious host as he went from table to table talking to the people. One person joked that the bishop was "working the room." We were delighted that many of our friends and clergy from All Saints Parish in Lethbridge were also able to join us for this special event, as we are all in this together.

We are very grateful to the diocese for all it has been doing to lead us throughout the Renewal, and we thank them for their hospitality in sponsoring this great event. It has been very positive, and we will all continue to move forward as we continue this journey.

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Written by Teresa Spearman, St. Martha's Parish Renewal Team in Lethbridge. Photography courtesy of Matthew Visuals & Saint Martha's Parish.