Errin Nelson, your enthusiasm and passion for all things education made me WANT to move to Christ the King Academy (CTK). Your continued support in answering questions about faith and the church will forever be a part of my journey. Cindy Freimark, your gentle guidance and continued encouragement of my faith journey is a huge part of my heart. Alyssa Paquette, you offered to be my sponsor, and now my godparent without any hesitation. I am so thankful for you, and I cannot wait see what the future holds for you.

Future Goals and Volunteer Opportunities

Looking ahead, Elizabeth House has several exciting projects in the pipeline. They are fundraising for a new van to replace their aging Toyota Matrix and planning to repaint the entire house. Michelle is particularly excited about their volunteer programs. One such program pairs volunteers with residents to offer guidance and support. “These volunteers work closely with the women to get to know them heart-to-heart, support them in instrumental ways, and follow them when they leave.”

Elizabeth House dreams of expanding to a purpose-built facility with more rooms. “Last year, we were only able to house 4.7% of all applicants,” Michelle notes. A new facility would allow Elizabeth House to support more women and children, providing them with the stability they need to rebuild their lives.

As we began to plan for Mary's Festival last fall, we tried to envision what type of event this could be.  
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It began with the idea that we could utilize the picturesque landscape of St. Mary's University overlooking Fish Creek Park as a venue for a disc golf tournament with Godsquad. However, we also considered how we would appropriately celebrate consecrating our University to our Blessed Mother, which would have happened the day before on the Visitation of Mary. So, we wondered, "why don't we have a festival where we can bring everyone together in an authentic community?"   

We were then inspired to bring in events that would draw in the families: carnival games, bouncy castle, face painting, cotton candy from the Seeds of the Word Community, FacetoFace for youth activities (Gr. 6-8, and Gr. 9-12), a dunk tank (soon to be filled with several priests and a president!) and even a mermaid!  

Of course, the adults needed something to do, so we also plan a Frisbee Golf Tournament with Godsquad (9 am to noon), a beer garden, food trucks, some live music, and Catholic Connect Marketplace where vendors can sell their religious goods or other everyday goods and services that we use and network with the community at large. 
But most importantly, we began to see that Mary's Festival could be more than just a family fun event (although it is that!).

We began to see that the Mary's Festival could be a representation of what we desire this university to be—a place where our Catholic identity is celebrated and authentically lived while at the same time inviting people from all walks of life to share in this joy. St. Mary's University can be a place where not only the surrounding community but the entire city could be revitalized by students whose minds have been expanded and whose hearts have been inspired by the genuine pursuit of the Truth. 

St. Mary's University can be the center of cultural, intellectual, and spiritual revitalization for all in the Diocese of Calgary, and Mary's Festival can be our way of participating in and ushering in its mission and vision. Just as it takes a village to raise a child, so it takes a Catholic community to raise up a Catholic University! 

So, I invite you to bring your family and buy tickets now to share in all the wonderful festivities happening this Saturday, on June 1 from 11 am to 4 pm, but also to be a part of a movement that helps bring forth a strong Catholic university for generations to come.

Written by Fr. Troy Nguyen for Faithfully

Written by Jan Myhre, St. Peter's Parish, Calgary. ​Jan lives in Calgary with her husband Jim.  She is a member of St. Peter's Parish where she volunteers as Sacristan and Extraordinary Minister of Communion.  She enjoys travelling and spending time with her 13 grandchildren. 

In June 1995 Pope John Paul II wrote a letter to all women in which he used the phrase “the genius of women”.  In his letter he reminds us that the "genius of women", not only considers great and famous women of the past or present, but also “those ordinary women who reveal the gift of their womanhood by placing themselves at the service of others in their everyday lives”.

Renewal begins in the hearts of those who love Jesus. Thank you to the women of our homes, parishes and workplaces; to Catholic Women everywhere who witness their love of Jesus in service, faith, social justice and love. 

We need your help!

We are looking for new male and female volunteers for Liturgy of the Word and Rosary prayers in both the Remand Centre and the Calgary Correctional Centre.

• If you are interested in being considered for prison ministry in Calgary, please email [email protected] for the Volunteer Information form and return the completed form to the same address. 

"A synodal Church needs its parish priests," declares Pope Francis, emphasizing the critical role of parish priests in the Church's synodal process. He also elaborates on their importance by noting that priests "know from within the life of God’s people their joys and hardships, their resources and their needs."

The International Meeting 'Parish Priests for the Synod' was held in Rome from April 28 to May 2, 2024, bringing together approximately 200 priests from 100 countries. This event was particularly significant as it symbolized the Church's dedication to actively listen to the voices of parish priests, who are positioned at the forefront of the Church, deeply immersed in the daily lives of the parish communities, and intimately connected with the challenges, needs, and blessings of the people.

This worldwide meeting of listening, prayer, and discernment, promoted by the General Secretariat of the Synod and the Dicastery for the Clergy, along with the Dicastery for Evangelization and the Dicastery for the Oriental Churches, was authentically representative of varied realities within the Church.

​Among the participating priests were individuals like Father Paul Crotty from Australia, who serves as the pastor of a rural community of indigenous people with 30 attendees on Sundays at their underground church — an underground church that was literally dug into the ground. Working alongside him was Father Pham from Hanoi, Vietnam, where 4000 people attend Sunday masses regularly. This diversity was also evident through the presence of priests from South Korea, Croatia, Kenya, Nigeria, Malta, the Philippines, India, as well as Australia and Vietnam, in our roundtable discussions.

The daily schedule of the event was structured from 8 am to 9 pm. Sessions commenced with introductions to the day's theme, followed by dedicated time for meditation and personal prayer. Throughout the day, there were fostered synodal conversations within 18 language-divided working groups, each comprising about 12 priests. These groups engaged in deep discussions and discernment, sharing their insights and perspectives. The activities culminated in plenary presentations where groups shared their collaborative insights and discussions. Moreover, there were also the celebrations of the Eucharist, along with dialogues focusing on the Synod and Synodality. This structure provided us with a meaningful opportunity to engage and share enriching moments together, particularly through the 'conversation in the Spirit' methodology.
 
This method of conversation transformed the dialogues on the rounded table from mere debates into a genuine experience of communal discernment, facilitating deep discussions on the three themes proposed for the parish priests. The first theme, The Face of the Synodal Church, delved into the experiences and understanding of synodality in the life of parishes and dioceses. Shifting to the second theme, All Disciples All Missionaries. we explored the participation of different charisms, vocations, and ministries in the life of local churches. Finally, on the third theme, Teaching Ties, Building Communities, we focused on discernment dynamics for mission and the participation of various groups within parishes and dioceses.

The synodal meeting for priests concluded with a private audience and a moment of dialogue with the Holy Father in the Paul VI Hall, during which he gave three recommendations to the parish priests. Firstly, Pope Francis urged us to embrace our specific ministerial charism in ever greater service to the varied gifts that the Spirit bestows upon the People of God. Secondly, he encouraged the practice of communal discernment, using the method of 'conversation in the Spirit' for this purpose. Lastly, the Pope emphasized the importance of fraternity and collaboration among priests and with bishops. In his closing remarks, before personally greeting each priest, Pope Francis commissioned us to be missionaries of synodality in our parishes and dioceses.
 
The International Meeting for Parish Priests was truly unique experience. While the Church typically invites bishops, theologians, and experts to such events, this time the focus was on listening to parish priests, representing a remarkable shift. As Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the General Secretariat of the Synod, highlighted, “I normally underline that there is no synod without the bishop, but allow me to say today that there is no synod without the parish priest”.

Building on this sentiment, Cardinal Lazarus You, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy, also emphasized that “this meeting does not involve many speeches but rather a lot of listening: mutual listening and shared listening to the Holy Spirit. This is the methodology of the Synod.” This change authentically reflects the spirit of synodality, providing a consistent path for engagement and meaningful exchanges, particularly through the Spirit-guided conversational approach.

This encounter allowed the parish priests, the frontline leaders who directly engage with all members of the People of God, to witness how each local experience contributes as a gift to the universal Church. Many participants expressed enthusiasm for the proposed synodal process, viewing it as an opportunity for growth and renewal in the Church.

​Clergy members from around the world emphasized the importance of actively participating in and promoting synodality within their communities. While challenges such as fear, skepticism, and reluctance to change hindering the acceptance of the synodal process were highlighted, there was also a clear sense of joy and appreciation for this global gathering, as well as for the recognition of the essential role played by parish priests in a synodal church, inviting pastors to embrace their calling as missionaries of synodality.

Written by Fr. Fabio DeSouza for Faithfully. Fr. Fabio DeSouza is the pastor for Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Calgary, and a member of the Diocesan Renewal Leadership Team

From my home in Texas, as I was preparing to share with the search committee a vision for the university, the scripture that came to my mind was the following: See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? – Isaiah 43:19​

​The first time people visit St. Mary’s University, they often say, “Wow! This place is amazing. I had no idea that this was here.” For that reason, those of us who work here often call St. Mary’s a “hidden gem.” Our aim is to help people discover the wonderful community and excellent education that is offered at St. Mary’s. 

​From our campus, we have a stunning view of Fish Creek Provincial Park as well as the Sisters of Providence lands. If you don’t want to drive to the SE Quadrant, consider taking the LRT and getting off at the Lacombe / Fish Creek stop. What a great opportunity we have to come together, in the spirit of renewal and community, to draw strength from one another and to invite others under God’s big, beautiful tent! ​

Written by Dr. Sinda Vanderpool, President and Vice Chancellor, St. Mary’s University, for Faithfully.  ​

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has promoted the National Family and Life Week in Canada during the month of May since 2012. This year it takes place from May 13-19, 2024, and concludes on the Solemnity of Pentecost. The theme for this year is “Love hopes all things”. It is taken from Saint Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians 13:7 “[Love] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

In chapter 4 of the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia, Pope Francis offers a reflection on this passage of scripture by applying it to the lived dynamics of marital and family love so as to encourage fidelity, growth, and the strengthening of family life. A love that hopes all things does not despair of the future. This “speaks of the hope of one who knows that others can change, mature and radiate unexpected beauty and untold potential. It also means that love bears every trial with a positive attitude. It stands firm in hostile surroundings, and involves not only the ability to tolerate certain aggravations, but something greater: a constant readiness to confront any challenge.” (AL #116, 118).

In the Diocese of Calgary one of our three Diocesan Pastoral Renewal Priorities will be to focus our efforts on initiatives to Strengthen Family Life over the next five years. Specifically, to accompany people at all stages of life, to engage families and youth in meaningful ways, and to welcome families to a sacramental life in our parishes, in collaboration with our Catholic schools. This priority emerged first during the Synod listening sessions. There was an overwhelming concern for families, youth and children in the life of the parish community. The experience of family's reflected both ups and downs, and at times, quite serious challenges. Many shared their personal stories of frustration, and aggravation when they had approached the Church for support. Thus, there is a need for a greater understanding and acceptance of the unique circumstances and conditions specific to families in their striving to live a path of fidelity to family love. The challenge for our parishes is to make connections with families that inspire hope through our diocesan pastoral renewal.   

Families need parishes to make intentional efforts to foster relationships with them, help them to connect with other families in the community, and to work to strengthen these bonds. Special consideration also needs to be given in all our outreach activities to gauge how effective they are in addressing the broad spectrum of families’ and their living situations. These differences can include: ethnicity, culture, language, age, marital status, single parents, families with young children, and those without access to or familiarity with the latest technology. In addition, people and family circumstances change over time as we age, and communication modes and styles need to be adapted appropriately to each age group within the family.

There was also a strong acknowledgement that our current culture and society can pose hostility toward the family, to those desiring to live a conjugal love in promoting a culture that is open to life and children. “After the love that unites us to God, conjugal love is the ‘greatest form of friendship’. It is a union possessing all the traits of a good friendship: concern for the good of the other, reciprocity, intimacy, warmth, stability and the resemblance born of a shared life. Those who witness the celebration of a loving union, however fragile, trust that it will pass the test of time. Children not only want their parents to love one another, but also to be faithful and remain together.” (AL #123)
 
This week our Diocese will promote and encourage families to renew and deepen the reality of Christian hope within their lived experience as a family through the theme “Love hopes all things”. The CCCB Standing Committee for Family and Life and its corresponding Office have developed a pastoral toolkit specifically designed for the family, the “domestic church.” Each day of the NFLW 2024 a specific theme will be celebrated, accompanied by prayers and activities for different ages, cultures, and circumstances. The toolkit includes: catechesis; prayer intentions and daily activities for families and parishes; graphic resources with quotes on Christian hope for daily social media campaigns; as well as pastoral suggestions for a Mass to celebrate Family and Life. [Register to receive these in your inbox during the Family Week]
 
In this coming week may the grace of the Renewal in our Diocese reawaken in us, the call of our baptism to be Pilgrims of Hope, especially in the witness and support of our Catholic families. 

Submitted by Maxima Arat, Chair of CCCRS since 2022, and active in charismatic renewal post a spiritual transformation during a Life in the Spirit Seminar in 1992. She attends Corpus Christi Church and serves as lectors in other parishes regularly. A committed participant in church ministries and mother to Maude, Maxima is committed to fostering spiritual renewal and community engagement. 
​Photos courtesy of Maxima Arat, CRSC, and CCCRS. 

In a society that preaches absolute freedom and levels everybody and everything in the name of equality, Catholics often feel like they are living in a desert where there are no points of reference (values) that can secure a path.

Addressing a sense of disorientation and a lure to remembering the "old good times" (the cucumbers in Egypt! ~Numbers 11:5), Fr. Tim Boyle guided us to rediscover a sense of belonging and safety. 

As Christians who pass their days on earth, but are citizens of heaven (Letter to Diognetus), as nomadic people, we find shelter in the tent of the Church: a moving tentthat follows us in our journey, a tent that is secured on the rock of God's trustworthiness, on Jesus, the "amen", the faithful and true witness (Revelation 3). Fr. Tim reminded us that the word 'amen' actually comes from Aramaic and indicates the "peg" that nomads in the desert use to secure the tent, so it means 'a stable support', a reliable foundation for faith.

From this newfound sense of security, Fr. Tim's art of accompaniment led us to "meet" with the people living in this 'desert'. Here, where neighbors are few and far between and life can hang upon a water bag and a crust of bread, it is natural that people should help each other by providing rest and food and drink for the traveler. An example of nomadic hospitality is found in the story of Abraham (Genesis 18:1-10), who, by welcoming three strangers, hosted angels without knowing it (Hebrew 13,2).

During our seven gatherings journey in 2024, Fr. Tim introduced us to 'outsiders' like Zacchaeus and Maria Skobtsova, and thus he helped us let go of our fears and choose, wager on hospitality, on enlarging the tent: "Finding God in a stranger translates into the possibility of divine in every stranger."

As human beings, we share our fragility and the uncertainty of your condition on earth: and as Christians we can recognize the icon of Christ in each and every travel companion. By welcoming others into our tent we share with them the stability of a trustworthy God whom we are walking to encounter (our 'destination'), a God who welcomes everybody and loves everybody, a God who wants to make us partake in His joy (John 15:11) and therefore enlarges His tent for us to be with Him.

Submitted by Cristiana Crestani from St. Martha's Parish in Lethbridge. 

On Good Friday, we direct our gaze towards Christ crucified. The silence of the opening procession, the solemn reading of the Passion and the veneration of the Cross invite us into this mystery of Christ’s crucifixion and death. The shadow of Christ crucified has fallen upon human history, a shadow of suffering but one that comes through the shining light of God’s sacrificial love.

This contemplation upon the cross of Christ, His passion and death have been depicted throughout the centuries by means of art and music. Probably the most well-known image is Michelangelo’s Pieta that is found in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. It is statue of our Blessed Mother seated and holding the dead body of Jesus in her lap. Such art evokes in us the ability to express our faith and to convey the meaning of such scriptural depictions of Christ.   

A number of years ago when I was visiting a Catholic High School in our Diocese, there were some students who were encouraging a fellow classmate to show me a picture of Jesus as a child in the carpenter shop at Nazareth with Joseph. He was somewhat reluctant to do so, however, when I saw the picture, I could see why it had such a profound impact on his fellow students. The sketched picture depicted Jesus as a little child who was bent over and picking up nails from the floor as Joseph looked on. The sun was coming through the window and on the back of the child you could see distinctly the shadow of cross falling on the back of the child Jesus. The picture was a reminder that even as a small child, it was to be the will of the Father that He would give His life on the cross. He was marked by this truth from the beginning of His hidden life in Nazareth and throughout his whole ministry.

In Christ crucified, we see suffering as the ultimate sign of God’s love which is the mystery of the cross. The following dictum is true “those who love will suffer, and those who love as Christ loved will suffer the cross.” Every year when we come to this mid-point in the Tridium of Holy Week, we sometimes face the temptation to rush ahead to the end, to the empty tomb so that we can proclaim Christ’s resurrection. The early Church was able to hold these together in tension. As Christians we cannot proclaim Christ risen without first coming to the Cross. This is the focus of our Good Friday liturgy.
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The cross was soon to be celebrated as the source of their life as a Christian community. It marked and shaped their identity as individuals and as a community. They saw the cross as part of Christ’s mission from the beginning. The cross was present throughout the entirety of his earthly life. He bore the cross of rejection by eating with tax collectors and prostitutes. The cross of misunderstanding in his identity as the Son of God. He associated with sinners and through his ministry to the sick he wanted to chose to heal them and to take away the burden of the cross that they were carrying. Thus, the early Church learned to see their life and witness to Christ through the reality of the cross.

Through Christ’s cross and suffering, God offers to all humanity love and healing. In the Letter to the Hebrews, we are told that “He became the source of eternal salvation for all who believe in him and obey Him.”

In John’s gospel we are told that upon His death a soldier pierced His side and immediately blood and water flowed out. Although what seemed like physical signs of death the early Church saw these as “new signs of birth.” It was from the side of Christ crucified that the Church was born to continue to proclaim this message of salvation and healing. The water symbolized the sacrament of baptism and the blood pointed to the sacrament of the Eucharist, both essential for the life and mission of the Church then and now.

In the public veneration of the Cross today which is integral to the Good Friday liturgy, we are invited to see the salvation that God offers through Christ which points to a new birth of our humanity. A birth that comes from the suffering of Christ which in fact is the mystery of love. A love that embraces our humanity in all its fragility.

It is the choice in our lives that reflects the obedience of Christ in accepting the cross. From a human perspective, there can be many emotions when faced with the cross. Sometimes it is met with anger and outrage by seeing ourselves first as victims, or we respond with denial in not wanting to accept this reality in one’s life, or of fear that I am helpless, vulnerable and not in control.

The cross opens us to those “spaces of suffering” that are part of everyone’s life. It can cast the shadow of suffering over us but it can also reveal the light of God’s love through mercy and forgiveness. Let us contemplate the Cross of Christ that casts not just the shadow of suffering over the world but the light of God’s salvific love which is the true mystery of the cross we venerate.