 Lent is a sacred season of prayer, sacrifice, and renewal. For families, it’s an opportunity to grow in faith together through meaningful traditions and engaging activities. Below are ways to make Lent come alive for individuals, and families with children. Deepen your family's journey toward Easter.
Praying the Stations of the Cross The Stations of the Cross allow families to walk with Jesus through His Passion in a meaningful way.
Family-Friendly Lenten Activities Help children enter into the meaning of Lent through hands-on activities and traditions.
Lenten Series for Children Formed.org offers a wealth of Catholic content suitable for children, especially during Holy Week and Easter.
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 Lent is more than a season—it’s a journey of the heart, a call to renewal, and an invitation to draw closer to Christ. Whether through prayer, reflection, music, or storytelling, these resources can help you enter into Lent more fully. Let them guide, challenge, and inspire you to embrace this sacred time with depth and purpose. Praying the Stations of the Cross The Stations of the Cross allow us to walk with Jesus through His Passion in a meaningful way:
Books
Playlist for Sacred Music during Holy Week & Triduum Holy Week and the Paschal Triduum invite us to walk with Christ through His Passion, Death, and Resurrection. From the solemn chants of Holy Thursday to the sorrowful strains of Good Friday, the silence of Holy Saturday, and the triumphant hymns of Easter Sunday, these selections capture the essence of this most holy time. Lenten Video Series
 Shrove / Fat Tuesday / Mardi Gras
Easter Sunday Christ is Risen from the dead, glorify Him! Eastern Sunday is the holiest day of the Christian year, the cornerstone of the Christian faith, the definitive centre of all of history. This day marks the victory of life over death and the fulfillment of God’s promise of salvation. This day is the culmination of the Paschal Mystery, bringing joy and hope as Jesus Christ opens the way to eternal life.  Lent comes around yearly, but have you ever stopped to ask what it means and why it matters? We are taking this opportunity to discuss the three pillars of Lent—prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—and highlight the How to Lent series from Formed.org. Through Scripture, each episode explores these disciplines, helping you approach Lent with greater intention and purpose.
A Plenary Indulgence may be received in the Diocese of Calgary by doing the following during the period from December 29, 2024 through December 31, 2025: At least once during the Holy Year:
And, while striving to be free from attachment to sin, carry out any of the following:
 Earlier this week, Bishop William McGrattan, President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), called on the faithful to pray for Pope Francis, lifting the Holy Father in our prayers and intentions during his sickness. "May the Lord, through Our Lady’s powerful intercession, grant him renewed strength, health, and energy in his vocation to serve the Church as the Successor of Peter and the Vicar of Christ on earth." Let us unite in prayer, asking God to strengthen Pope Francis, ease his suffering, and restore him to health so he may continue his ministry for our Universal Church. O God, shepherd and ruler of all the faithful,  Written by Fr. Jonathan Gibson, Associate Pastor of St. Anthony's, Calgary I would like to invite you to join God Squad Canada and Heroic Men for a one-of-a-kind concert on March 17th. God Squad, a men’s ministry active in Calgary for 28 years, sponsored Canadian composer Carlos Foggin to set the Litany of St. Joseph to music. In 1624 St Joseph was declared the Patron Saint of Canada. In 1870 Blessed Pope Pius IX declared him the Patron of the Universal Church. The Pope said of St. Joseph that because of the sublime dignity that was his as the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the earthly father of Jesus, the Church has always “most highly honoured him and praised blessed Joseph next to his spouse, the Virgin Mother of God, and has besought his intercession in times of trouble.” One of the key expressions of this intercessory prayer is the Litany of St Joseph. Litaniae Sancti Ioseph (Latin) is a formal prayer of the Church and was approved for public use by Pope St. Pius X in 1909. In 2021 Pope Francis added seven invocations to the Litany. For the first time, the Litany has been set to music for full orchestra, chorus, soloists and organ. The Jack Singer Concert Hall will be the venue for the concert where the Casavant organ will be featured with the orchestral ensemble and singers. This is a work that will draw the audience into a place of deep reverence and prayer as the text in sung in Latin. The 13 movements of the Litany of St. Joseph will express the full dynamic and tonal range of the musicians and incorporate various musical styles that have a Canadian character to them. Mr. Foggin described the composition this way: “The music captures the essence of rolling hills and gentle rivers, the warmth of summers, the harshness of winter, and the overwhelming majesty of the Rocky Mountains themselves”. So, this universal prayer will have an Albertan character to it inspiring us to a deeper devotion to St. Joseph. This will be an evening where we will be able to give thanks to God for the patronage of St. Joseph while celebrating the premier of a Canadian composition written for the glory and praise of God. Please join us at 7 PM on Monday, March 17 at the Jack Singer Concert Hall. A Month of Blessing: Celebrating St. JosephWritten by Sean Lynn, God Squad Canada Society. As February draws to a close and the promise of spring fills the air, we prepare to celebrate the month of March, traditionally dedicated to St. Joseph. This year’s celebrations are particularly special for God Squad Canada, with a jam-packed week leading up to the Solemnity of St. Joseph on March 19th.
The festivities kick off with the highly anticipated Men's Conference on March 14th and 15th. Held at St. Michael's Catholic Community, this year's theme, "Pilgrims of Hope," promises to inspire and uplift. Attendees will be treated to insightful presentations from two remarkable speakers: Jeff Joaquin and Fr. Dcn. Andrew Bennett. As an added bonus, the conference will feature the always-popular Spolumbo sausages. It is a great opportunity to invite a friend or your sons to build brotherhood and community. The celebrations don't stop there! We invite everyone to a truly unique event: the world premiere of The Litany of St. Joseph in live concert. This special Jubilee Year event will take place on Monday, March 17th, 2025, at 7 PM at the Jack Singer Concert Hall. The concert will feature diverse choirs, including the Vietnamese church choir from St. Vincent Liem, the Nigerian choir, the French choir from Sainte-Famille Church, the St. Francis Xavier Chaplaincy choir, and the Bishop McNally High School choir. Soloist Michelle Todd, who has performed at other venues such as the prestigious Royal Albert Hall, will grace the stage, adding to the evening's brilliance. The highlight of the concert will undoubtedly be the performance of the Litany of St. Joseph in song, commissioned by God Squad Canada and composed by the talented Carlos Foggin. This grand finale will feature a full orchestra, four soloists, and a combined choir, making it an unforgettable musical experience. We also invite you to the Solemnity of St. Joseph Mass with Bishop William T. McGrattan at St Mary’s Cathedral on Wednesday, March 19th. Bishop McGrattan will impart his Apostolic blessing for the Jubilee Year, making this a truly momentous occasion. This March promises to be a time of spiritual enrichment and community building in the Diocese of Calgary. With the Men's Conference, the world premiere concert, and the celebratory Mass, there are opportunities for everyone to participate in this Jubilee Year celebration honouring St. Joseph. Don't miss out on these incredible events!  This year’s Chinese New Year Banquet (Feb 7, 2025) hosted by Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) at the Chinese Cultural Centre was truly a Jubilee celebration! Titled Pilgrims of Hope, this wasn’t their usual parish celebration—it brought together performances and ministries from all over the Diocese. This year, choirs from St. Michael’s, St. Vincent Liem, St. Mark’s, Our Lady of Fatima, St. Luke, and more added to the festivity with their music and messages of hope. One of the night's biggest highlights was the Dragon Dance, performed by both adult and youth groups. The evening also featured a Wushu performance, dances, traditional songs, and an energetic young adults' performance with catchy tunes that had everyone clapping along with "Sweet Caroline." Another standout moment was a skit depicting an immigrant family’s journey to Calgary and how they found a home in the parish community, performed by OLPH’s largest ministry, Catholic Family Fellowship. The generous lucky draw also kept the excitement going throughout the night. Here's a snippet from the performances in a 10-minute video. Deacon Edward Lam and his wife, Anne, who coordinated the event, were pleased with the turnout—over 600 guests and volunteers packed the venue. It was clear the event was beyond sold out, as many observed, “All the tables were packed, barely any room to move; the tables overflowed to outside the hall.” For the Jubilee Year, OLPH's three choirs combined their efforts and sang the Jubilee 2025 Hymn "Pilgrims of Hope" in English, Mandarin, and more languages. This was followed by an inspiring reflection on the Jubilee's blessings, renewal, and hope by Bishop McGrattan. 
 Volunteer Susan Li shared, “Tonight was filled with amazing energy, laughter and chatter, and the aroma of delicious dishes!” From performers to guests, everyone felt the unity and joy of the evening. She added, “The lion and dragon dances were always the cultural highlights, and the lucky draws kept everyone excited. It was a night to remember.” For Val DeGagne, a choir coordinator from St. Luke’s, the night was more than just a performance. “My choir thoroughly enjoyed the evening—fun, food, entertainment—it had it all,” she said. “The hospitality was amazing, and the event was so well organized. And honestly, we don’t often get time to just sit and visit like that, so it was really special.” One guest shared: this is the event she looks forward to all year. “It’s never the same twice, and it’s wonderful to see how a small parish can pull off something this big! And let’s be honest—the food is always incredible,” she said. The traditional 10-course Chinese meal was, as always, a huge hit. This jubilee celebration was a reflection of what we are called to embrace this year — faith, unity, and a deeper connection with one another in Christ. With such an incredible turnout, it’s clear that this beloved tradition will continue to grow and inspire for years to come. Photos courtesy of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. For more photos, click here.
 The Diocese of Calgary continues the journey of pastoral renewal as parishes enter the Parish Renewal Planning stage. Over the past year, communities have engaged in listening and discernment through the Parish Renewal Survey and parish conversations. Now, ministry leaders in parishes across the diocese are preparing to take the next steps in planning and implementation. Parish Renewal Teams across the Diocese On Saturday, Feb. 8, Parish Renewal Teams (PRTs) across the diocese gathered in their parishes to take part in an important formation session. Bishop McGrattan and the Diocesan Renewal Leadership Team joined via Zoom to guide the discussion, outlining the next steps for parish renewal planning. The session reinforced that this is not just another initiative—it is a call to trust the Holy Spirit and step forward in faith. One of the strongest takeaways from the meeting was clarity. Many teams appreciated the structure, and feel more equipped for the next stage. "The timeline was absolutely helpful. Now we have a clear process to follow, and an important reminder: this is about discernment, not personal agendas." "Useful templates and clear instructions so that PRTs do not have to develop their own format." For others, the session provided much-needed reassurance that Renewal is not about rushing to quick solutions, as noted by one participant, "Renewal is a process…it will take time. That’s a relief. It had felt overwhelming at times." Above all, there was a shared sense of commitment—not just from parish leaders, but from the diocese as a whole. One participant shared, "We need to lean on and trust the Holy Spirit to guide us. A lot of work has been put in by the diocesan team to provide us with the direction and tools we made to proceed. The Diocese is committed!" Moving from discernment to action With the vision in place, parishes are now preparing for their Parish Renewal Planning Days. These gatherings will be dedicated times of prayer, reflection, and strategic planning, where ministry leaders will come together to set priorities for their communities. The process will unfold in stages:
For many, this structured approach has brought a renewed sense of confidence. One team member remarked, “This enables us to have a concrete plan to put into fruition what we have been discerning for the past year.” A Shared Journey The orientation session was a reminder that renewal is not meant to be walked alone. Parish leaders, ministry teams, and the diocesan leadership are all co-responsible in this mission. As each parish continues this process, the faithful are invited to pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and to remain engaged in the renewal journey. With faith, trust, and a willingness to cast into the deep, let us pray: For our parish community, called to pastoral renewal, may the Holy Spirit pour forth upon our parish and ministry leaders who will be involved in the planning process. Grant them wisdom, courage, and unity to discern Your will and embrace renewal for the growth of our faith community. May this renewal journey deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ and empower us to be His faithful disciples, bringing hope and love to all we encounter, let us pray to the Lord...  The Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF) are pleased to share Sacred Fire Stories, a short film highlighting Indigenous-led healing initiatives that preserve language, celebrate culture, and support education. This powerful film showcases the real impact of reconciliation in action.
Alongside the film, the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund Annual Report 2024 is now available, detailing the progress of over 200 projects supported by $18.9 million in funds raised since 2022. For more information, visit irfund.ca or contact [email protected]  On Saturday, January 25, 2025, in the context of our diocesan Renewal, Ascension Catholic Parish with Regnum Christi hosted a faith formation day entitled Building a Better Life. This “Integral Formation” Day provided an opportunity to nourish various aspects of the Christian personality. It touched upon four themes, each corresponding to one of four “pillars” of development, namely our human, spiritual, apostolic, and intellectual formation. The presentations offered insights as well as practical tools to deepen the daily living of our faith. The day began with a session on The Language of Apology, led by Eileen Coady. She explored the profound impact of sincerity and vulnerability in relationships. Later on in the morning, Fr. Janick Caouette, LC spoke on Living Our Baptismal Promises. This delved into the extended rite of baptism from the Roman Missal. “Understanding more of the baptismal promises was incredibly insightful,” said one participant, “Everyone should hear them.” Michelle Hoffman guided participants through Ignatian Meditation Using Art, providing a structured and transformative way to pray. We listen to God in his Word, with art helping to open new intuitions, through Beauty. 
The closing session was an invitation to continue learning the Faith. David Keep delivered a moving talk on Intellectual Formation, sharing how learning about his Catholic faith led to his conversion—and to his ongoing journey, of continual conversion. His testimony highlighted the call to strive for holiness in everyday life, and it was “a reminder that growth takes time, guidance, support, and grace.” The day concluded with opportunities for fellowship and moments of quiet reflection, allowing participants to integrate the day’s insights into their own spiritual journeys. Each participant was also given a Jubilee virtue card, encouraging them to entrust themselves to the care of a patron saint for the year. Ascension Catholic Parish plans on continuing to provide content that is engaging, thoughtful, and relevant so that parishioners might develop different areas of their lives. As an activity aimed at personal growth and formation, the Formation Day fosters a greater awareness of the diocesan renewal by both teaching the great story of Jesus and His Church, as well as listening to others’ lived experiences of our life as Catholics. The lay association Regnum Christi was instrumental in organizing this event, in its mission to educate and prepare youth and families for joy-filled lives of mission, service and prayer through excellent integral formation. Other follow-up activities will be arranged over the course of this Jubilee year. Written by Fr. John Paul Luxbacher, LC. To receive invitations to Regnum Christi activities, please feel free to contact [email protected], with the tag “Formation Day.”
Today, on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, the Church observes the World Day of Prayer for the Sick, a day dedicated to lifting up those who suffer and those who care for them. The Jubilee of Hope makes this year's celebration particularly special. In this spirit of hope and renewal, members of the Calgary Catholic Medical Association (CCMA) gathered on February 1, 2025 for their annual breakfast at Heritage Park Railway Café. With Bishop William McGrattan as the keynote speaker, the morning was a rich opportunity for reflection on the theme of holiness, service, and the integration of faith in the medical profession. As Bishop McGrattan highlighted, this jubilee year is indeed an opportunity for healthcare professionals to focus on the perennial challenge to integrate faith in one's life and work of service.
Becoming Beacons of Hope Bishop McGrattan's talk, "Mission of Hope," was a real call to action – an invitation to those in medical field to become beacons of hope. He wasn't just talking about expertise, but about living our faith openly. He reminded us what Pope Francis said in Gaudete et Exsultate (Rejoice and Be Glad) – that holiness isn't some far-off, impossible dream for a chosen few, but something we're all called to. “Holiness is the most attractive face of the Church,” he shared, quoting Gaudete et Exsultate. “To be holy does not require being a bishop, a priest, or a religious. We are frequently tempted to think that holiness is only for those who can withdraw from ordinary affairs to spend much time in prayer. That is not the case. We are called to be holy by living our life with love and by bearing witness in everything we do, wherever we find ourselves.” (GE No. 14) He added, "For healthcare professionals, your daily work is more than a job—it is a vocation, a path to holiness. The long hours, the difficult decisions, the emotional weight of your work—these can all be opportunities to bring Christ’s love into the lives of the sick and suffering. But this kind of witness does not happen by accident. It requires intentionality, prayer, and a commitment to growing in faith."
Bishop McGrattan highlighted that this Jubilee Year is an extraordinary time of grace. Pope Francis, in his Bull of Indiction Spes Non Confundit (Hope Does Not Disappoint - Rom 5:5), calls the faithful to a renewed commitment to the Christian life. Read also: Pope Francis' message for the 33rd World Day of the Sick “Every jubilee year is an invitation to be more intentional in our living of the Christian life. To renew our life and to focus on the many ways that we receive the gift of God’s grace. It is a year to experience the call to conversion, to strengthen the living of the faith, and deepen our relationship with God,” Bishop said. For Catholic healthcare workers, this means resisting the temptation to separate their faith from their profession. The Second Vatican Council warned against this tendency: “One of the most serious errors of our time is to see that religion and faith are not just acts of worship or simply fulfilling moral obligations and that one cannot simply engage in human affairs and think that such activities are divorced or separated from one’s religious life and faith” (Gaudium et Spes No. 43). Rather, faith must permeate every aspect of life—including work. Pope Francis cautioned against an “excess of activity” that lacks adequate spiritual grounding, warning that “without this spiritual permeation our activity can be tiring, burdensome, dissatisfying, and become an unbearable fatigue.” (Evangelii Gaudium No. 82) A Recipe for Spiritual Resilience How can healthcare professionals cultivate this integration of faith and work? Each one of us is called to do the personal work to grow in Holiness. The bishop emphasized that the willingness to grow in this way is an act of love towards God. The ‘recipe‘ he proposed can be found in The Six Daily Habits book by Fr. John O’Brien, SJ, who lives at the Martyr’s Shrine in Midland , Ontario.
Dr. Monique exlaimed, "It was very helpful for us to have the Bishop role model for us some of the daily habits he uses to carry out His own personal Mission as our Bishop. He spoke to us from his heart, which is a powerful way to teach an important message." As we mark this World Day of Prayer for the Sick and journey through the Jubilee Year of Hope, let us take to heart the words of Pope Francis: “Let the grace of your baptism bear fruit in the path of holiness. Let everything be open to God; turn to him in every situation. Do not be dismayed, for you can do this in the power of the Holy Spirit.” (GE No. 15) For those in the medical field who seek a community of faith and support, the Calgary Catholic Medical Association extends an open invitation: Join us in living out this mission of hope. Photos courtesy of Calgary Catholic Medical Association. For more information about Calgary Catholic Medical Association, visit: catholicmedyyc.wordpress.com
 What do candles and Consecrated Life have in common? The faithful of St. Albert the Great Parish who attended the 5 pm Mass on Sunday, February 2, 2025 certainly know. February 2 is an important feast day in the Church’s liturgical calendar, the 40th day after Christmas when we celebrate the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple. This day, also known since the Middle Ages as Candlemas Day, begins with the blessing of the candles as we celebrate Jesus the Light of the World. In 1997, Pope St. John Paul II also dedicated this day as the World Day for Consecrated Life. He wrote that the purpose of this day is “to help the entire Church to esteem ever more greatly the witness of those persons who have chosen to follow Christ by means of the practice of the evangelical counsels” [of poverty, chastity, and obedience] as well as “to be a suitable occasion for Consecrated persons to renew their commitment and rekindle the fervour which should inspire their offering of themselves to the Lord” (St. John Paul II, 1997; Ordo 2024-2025 p. 61) 
At St. Albert the Great Parish, over 40 of the Religious and Consecrated persons in our Diocese were present with Bishop McGrattan to celebrate. What a joy it was to carry a lighted candle as the Religious and Consecrated processed with the Bishop, singing “Christ be our Light”! This was a truly significant action in the liturgy because Jesus Himself calls those vowed to this life “to show that the Incarnate Son of God is the eschatological goal towards which all things tend, the splendour before which every other light pales, and the infinite beauty which alone can fully satisfy the human heart.” (Vita Consecrata 16) Our Bishop in his homily, beautifully explained the origins of this feast day and how it relates to the Consecrated Life in the Church. After the homily the Religious and Consecrated Communities renewed their vows. “The counsels, more than a simple renunciation, are a specific acceptance of the mystery of Christ, lived within the Church.” (Vita Consecrata 16) Bishop McGrattan invited everyone to pray for the Religious and Consecrated men and women present who then stood together and renewed their vows to the Lord.
Not only did we feast together at the Table of the Eucharist, but we broke bread together with a great variety of food at the reception! The generous parishioners hosted this delicious feast with an opportunity to rejoice together and enjoy each others’ company. This was truly a day of joyous celebration! On behalf of the Religious and Consecrated of our Diocese, the Assembly of Women Religious, and the Renewal Team for Religious, thank you to the Salvatorian priests, parish staff, all who had a role in the liturgy, and parishioners at St. Albert the Great parish for making us welcome and offering us a life-giving and beautiful celebration of the Feast of the Presentation and World Day for Consecrated Life. We are filled with gratitude! May the Lord bless you abundantly! Written by Br. Michael Perras, OFM, and Sr. Dianne Turner, OSE. Photos: Victor Panlilio, for the Diocese of Calgary.
 Denis Grady was a beacon of hope, a musician of the soul, and a servant of compassion whose life was a testament to the transformative power of faith and love. Born in Peterborough, Ontario in 1952, his family moved to Oshawa in 1962. It was in Oshawa that Denis learned to play guitar, and began performing at high school dances. Denis's journey was marked by an encounter with God in his teenage years that would shape his life thereafter. He moved west to Edmonton and eventually Calgary in the 1970s. As a gifted musician and spiritual leader, Denis began to use his music as a bridge to connect hearts and heal wounds. With two gospel albums — "Running Too Long" and "Grace in the Strangest Places" — he shared messages of redemption and hope that resonated deeply with those who heard them. He and his guitar became instruments of unity, whether teaching simple songs to children in a remote area, or bringing comfort to those struggling in his community.
In 2002, Denis founded the Franciscan and Friends Mission, embodying the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi by dedicating his life to serving the most vulnerable. It was in these early years of his ministry that my husband and I met Denis. Largely through the experience of seeing how Denis touched the lives of so many people, we ourselves joined him in becoming members of the Order of Secular Franciscans. Denis loved to travel, bringing music and light to places in need—such as Haiti, Mexico, Guatemala, and beyond—always driven by a profound belief that love knows no boundaries. My husband Bill had the privilege of taking him on a mission trip to India in 2018, and will never forget how Denis opened his heart to people everywhere they went. Here in Alberta, Denis was a crucial force in Indigenous reconciliation, organizing art and music events that brought communities together and honored the rich cultural heritage of First Nations peoples. Denis's own journey of recovery from alcoholism became a powerful narrative of grace and transformation. Achieving 40 years of sobriety, he allowed God to use his own personal struggles to reach out to others, proving that no one is beyond the reach of compassion and healing. His home became a sanctuary for those in need, a living testament to his belief that true service means opening one's heart completely. Denis’ family was the cornerstone of his life, and he was a devoted grandfather who radiated joy and pride in his five grandsons. To know Denis was to understand that faith is about unconditional friendship. "Our job is to love, not judge," he would say, a philosophy that guided every aspect of his life and mission. Denis crossed over to be with his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on January 24, 2025, but his legacy lives on through the lives he touched, the music he shared, and the love he spread. In the words of one of his own songs, he was indeed "counting the days"—not with sadness, but with hope, joy, and an unwavering belief in the promise of paradise.
 Since October 2023, our Diocese has been on a journey of Pastoral Renewal, and now, we are entering the Parish Pastoral Renewal Planning phase. This is a start of something extraordinary— a bold step forward as we deepen our commitment to Renewal and venture into uncharted waters. "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." ~Luke 5:4.  Join us in prayer as we prepare for the February 8 meeting of our Pastors and Parish Renewal Teams. This important gathering will offer an orientation to the parish renewal planning process, a spiritual journey centered on Christ. Together, as parish leaders and community members, we will seek God's guidance to develop a renewal plan with concrete actions that will transform our parish life and foster the spiritual growth of all its members. The ultimate fruit of renewal is when the joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus Christ" (Evangelii Gaudium, 1) |
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