 This year, as we mark the Year of St. Francis and celebrate National Volunteer Week, we are drawn again to a simple and challenging call: serve one another humbly in love (Galatians 5:13). St. Francis showed us that renewal in the Church begins not with grand plans, but with small, faithful acts of love lived each day.
In our parishes, this is already happening. In quiet acts of service, in faithful presence, and in generosity often unseen, our volunteers help make Christ known. Through their willingness to serve where needed, they foster a spirit of welcome, reverence, and care that shapes the life of our communities. To our volunteers and parish ministers: Thank you for your steady and faithful witness. In a time when the Church is called to renewal and mission, your service becomes a concrete expression of the Gospel. You show us that the call of every baptized person is not distant or abstract, but lived here and now, in love freely given. Please keep our volunteers and parish ministers in your prayers this week. You are invited to take a moment to share a note of thanks with those who serve in your parish, affirming their vital role in parish life and renewal.
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 When Multiply the Hope launched across the Diocese of Calgary in December, it was more than a fundraising initiative. Inspired by the Jubilee Year of Hope, it became a shared invitation to strengthen our parish communities and invest in their future. Just a few months in, the response has been strong. Through the generosity of parishioners and the support of the Diocese, more than $7 million has been raised in qualified matching funds, reaching over 58% of the overall campaign goal. Already, 56 parishes are participating, with many others discerning how they may take part. At the heart of this initiative is something simple but powerful. Every dollar given to a parish’s Building Fund or Repairs and Maintenance Fund is matched by the Diocese, up to each parish’s goal. Each gift goes twice as far.
Our parishes are more than buildings. They are spiritual homes for individuals and families, for newcomers, seniors, and those returning after time away. They are where the Eucharist is celebrated, where people encounter Christ, and where communities grow in faith and service. Yet many parishes carry financial pressures, whether through existing debt or the ongoing costs of maintaining their facilities. Multiply the Hope offers a way forward by easing these burdens and helping parishes plan with greater confidence. Looking ahead together Participation across the Diocese continues to grow. Most participating parishes are already working toward or have completed their matching goals, reflecting both strong engagement and growing confidence in the initiative. Parishes are moving forward with long-awaited projects, strengthening spaces for worship and community life, and preparing responsibly for the future. For many, the matching component has made the difference, turning what once felt out of reach into something possible.
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Catholic Pastoral Centre Staff and Guest Writers Archives
April 2026
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