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.
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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.

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.”

Written by FCJ Sisters at Sacred Heart Convent, Calgary.

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

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

• Leader: The Angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will conceive the Son of God. 
• A reading from Lk 1:28-38
  And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’ But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.’ Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her. 
• Leader: Let us pause for meditation to ponder Mary's fiat, her belief in God's Word, and her blessedness.
• Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, Glory Be, O My Jesus (Fatima Prayer).

Second Joyful Mystery: The Visitation

• Leader: Mary visits Elizabeth, and John leaps for joy in her womb
• A reading from Luke 1:39-45
  In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leapt for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.’ 
• Leader: Let us pause for meditation to see Christ present in Mary, bringing joy through God's Word.
• Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, Glory Be, O My Jesus.

Third Joyful Mystery: The Nativity

• Leader: Jesus is born in Bethlehem, announced as news of great joy.
• A reading from Luke 2:1-20
  In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
  In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
• Leader: Let us pause for meditation to contemplate the Saviour's birth as the Father's merciful love entering history.
• Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, Glory Be, O My Jesus.

Fourth Joyful Mystery: The Presentation

• Leader: Mary and Joseph present Jesus in the Temple. 
• A reading from Luke 2:22-38
  ​When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”  Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
• Leader: Let us pause for meditation. Mary offers the Word-made-flesh; how do we present our lives to God?
• Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, Glory Be, O My Jesus.

Fifth Joyful Mystery: The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

• Leader: Mary and Joseph find the boy Jesus among the teachers.
• A reading from Luke 2:46-49
  After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
• Leader: Let us pause for meditation. In the Father's house, Jesus reveals his mission of prayer and Word; Mary treasures this in her heart. 
• Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, Glory Be, O My Jesus.

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.
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Sign of the Cross.