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Some surprising things happened when the Religious Sisters of the Calgary Diocese invited young women to tea on June 29, 2024. So many young women showed up that the dining room of the Providence Sisters’ convent was packed with Sisters and guests, all happily engaged in interesting conversations. Since we had asked that those under 18 be accompanied by a responsible adult, three mothers came with their girls to join in the visit. Two of those mothers brought five little girls with them.  Sr. Huong, a new Precious Blood Sister in our Diocese, found the event delightful and inspiring. She was happily surprised by the number of young women and mothers with their little girls who were interested in meeting Sisters from various communities and engaging in conversations about Religious Life. "We have different missions and charisms in the Church, but this gathering expressed how we can work together and help one another in the name of Jesus. We took part in order to ‘be there’ for these young women, to help them to further their understanding of and appreciation for this great gift of a Religious Vocation," said Sr. Huong. The tour of the Providence convent took participants throughout the building, into the chapel for prayer, to see a bedroom, and even outdoors to the Marian grotto (more prayer!) and the cemetery. While outside, we had an unexpected visitor: Bishop McGrattan, who spoke to the participants, though he was unable to join us for tea and treats after the tour. Finally, we arrived at the tea and treats. There was an overflowing number of women and girls present, so we moved the young girls and their mothers to a separate room, and two of the Sisters went with them. After some time of tea and conversation, the young women and the Sisters engaged in an exploration of the Religious communities present, while the young girls were invited to use drawing paper and felt pens to draw themselves as if they were to become Sisters. Despite being encouraged to consider a number of Sisters they might know, they all decided to depict themselves in brown Franciscan habits!
Sr. Carol, a Precious Blood Sister, expressed her joy and gratitude for the event: "Our Diocese is blessed to have a great variety of Religious Communities in various ministries for the service of God and His people. It was a joy and privilege to spend this afternoon with the Sisters and with all the participants. May God’s Spirit bestow the gift of a Religious Vocation on many young women of our day, we pray." As we said farewell to the young women, mothers, and girls, we gave them a going-away present: an envelope containing brochures for many Sisters’ communities. Hopefully, through the grace of God, many of these young women and girls will be called to Religious life for the sake of our Diocese. It would be a great blessing to have more Religious Sisters here among us. 
 Written by Sr. Dianne Turner, Assistant Vocation Director. Photos courtesy of Serra Calgary and Noëlle McCusker.
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 Have you ever been asked to give a speech? Perhaps it is to say “Thank you” for a gift, or to toast the bride and groom at a wedding, or to introduce an idea to a group. Maybe you have been called upon to witness to your faith in Christ or explain why you are a Catholic. How do you organize your thoughts to make engaging, memorable, even humorous, comments for your audience? How do you overcome the shaking knees, the rambling thoughts, the need to say “umm” in between? Let me tell you about Toastmasters and what I learned. I had been giving presentations for years, but I was like a golfer who went out twice a year and whacked the ball down the fairway, not consistent, not effective, but eventually would get the ball onto the green. Yes, I could give speeches, but I needed to do better. In 2021, I was invited to join a new Toastmasters public speaking club, initiated at the request of Bishop McGrattan. Knowing that there are more than 400,000 Catholic speakers in the Diocese, he wants to encourage us to become better speakers. Bishop McGrattan supports Toastmasters as an excellent way to support the faithful in our role as witnesses to the Gospel, a theme central to our ongoing diocesan renewal. You may be wondering, what happens at Toastmasters? What makes “Heart of the Rockies” Toastmasters special?
 Toastmasters International is the parent organization that supports Toastmasters clubs around the world. Club members gather in person or online to practice their speaking skills using professionally developed education programs. These programs guide the members through speech preparation, from planning and structure to delivery using effective vocal variety, gestures, courage, and confidence. Basically, you learn how to give engaging speeches to any size of audience. Heart of the Rockies takes the tools of Toastmasters and applies them using a Christian spirit. Members share their experiences and skills in a safe and fun environment. They become equipped to live out the invitation from the Gospel according to St. Matthew: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20) We, at Heart of the Rockies, invite you to join us for one hour each week to grow in your skills as a witness of Christ to the world. Heart of the Rockies meets online Monday evenings from 7 to 8 pm and is open to everyone ages 18 and older. For further information on how to connect or to visit Heart of the Rockies Toastmasters club, please email me at [email protected]. As a long-term toastmaster and member of Heart of the Rockies once said, “Toastmasters told me to be better, and I am better because of Toastmasters!”
 I remember the first time I visited Mount St. Francis, affectionally known as "The Mount." As I drove down Retreat Road, a sense of calm enrobed me. The “Shalom” sign brought warmth that even the cold, biting December day couldn’t snatch away. Friar Dan welcomed my family and me at the door, and I just couldn’t stop smiling. Though this had to be the quietest I’ve ever been in my entire life (I’m usually quite noisy, but a silent retreat was in progress), I felt joy, goodness, and community bubbling around me. A small group of Franciscan Friars arrived in 1949 to a ranch in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. I learned that the land, along with the original sandstone house, was purchased by the Franciscans on March 10, 1949. Through a generous donation of the surrounding land by Mr. Clair J. Cote, The Mount secured nearly 500 acres of land which includes a ravine, grasslands, and part of the big hill. Following the establishment of accommodations, retreat ministry began on August 15, 1949, initially catering to the clergy of the Diocese of Calgary and later explanding to include retreats for all. Over the years, continuous retreat ministry has been made possible through partnerships with the Sisters of St. Elizabeth, the Sisters of St. Louis, and countless lay men and women. Since then, Mount Saint Francis Retreat Centre has served as a spiritual sanctuary, an embodiment of peace, healing and prayer. 
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 On the two-year anniversary of Pope Francis’s penitential pilgrimage to Canada, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has provided an update on the steps that the Catholic Church in Canada has taken to respond to the Holy Father’s calls for a future of justice, healing, and reconciliation. It encourages Catholics across the country to continue to listen to and support residential school survivors and Indigenous communities on this journey. Read their message below: Letter to the People of God Wednesday, July 24 2024 Two years ago this month, Pope Francis stood before an assembly of Indigenous Elders and former residential school students in Maskwacis, Alberta. He offered a profound and heartfelt apology to the Indigenous Peoples, and sought God’s forgiveness, for the suffering endured in Canada’s residentials schools. On this anniversary, we find ourselves reflecting on the profound sorrow Pope Francis expressed for the devastating effects of the residential school system on Indigenous communities, and on the journey of reconciliation and healing we have embarked upon together. Two years later, the Pope’s words still compel us to recognize this painful legacy and walk alongside the Indigenous Peoples in a spirit of repentance, solidarity, and hope.
Financial Support for Indigenous PrioritiesReconciliation calls for a deep understanding and respect for Indigenous culture, identity, and priorities. In 2021, the Bishops of Canada pledged to raise $30 million for projects that support healing and reconciliation. These initiatives are identified and selected by Indigenous Peoples at the local level and overseen by the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF). We are pleased to announce that the Fund has already raised over $15 million, and is therefore ahead of its five-year timeline.
Transparent Access to RecordsPope Francis emphasized the significance of uncovering and recognizing truths about the historical injustices faced by residential school survivors and their families. Truth must come before reconciliation and all dioceses are strongly encouraged to make their relevant records available to Indigenous researchers and communities, in order to help them find the truth they seek. To support this work, we have established Guidelines for documentation and access to relevant records, including mission, sacramental and burial records, to help Indigenous Peoples identify the facts pertaining to their loved ones. This work is supplementary to that of other Catholic entities that administered or operated residential schools established by the Government of Canada and who have made relevant documents available to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. This painstaking work will take time, and, with you, we are committed to the journey of truth. It is incumbent upon us to assist survivors and their communities in finding healing from traumas they suffered. We join the Holy Father in his prayer “that Christians and civil society in this land may grow in the ability to accept and respect the identity and the experience of the Indigenous Peoples.”[1] Continuing the Dialogue with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples We are deeply grateful for the relationships we have established with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples. We want to continue to walk side by side in solidarity. Since each Indigenous community brings unique gifts and challenges, local dioceses and parishes play a fundamental and leading role in fulfilling this commitment. Above all, this means walking together by a humble and open listening to the wisdom and counsel of Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers. As Bishops, we have established structures within the CCCB to support dialogues and foster greater understanding of Indigenous cultural, linguistic, and spiritual traditions and values. We also wish to develop academic collaborations to understand the concepts commonly associated with the “Doctrine of Discovery”, as well as to engage with the Canadian government on shared concerns, such as the Indigenous belongings currently held at the Vatican museums. Embracing the Path of Unity and HopeAs we continue this journey of truth and reconciliation, we also acknowledge the many difficult conversations taking place around the country regarding our painful legacy. For example, we know that some have called for more rigorous investigations into reports of unmarked burial sites, which we had to confront as a nation three short years ago. Let us keep in mind that this deep desire for truth and transparency resides first with Indigenous communities and residential school survivors. Decisions to study this history are best made locally by Indigenous leaders, who have the most direct understanding of the needs of their respective communities. Many resources can be made available to explore and understand residential school history, such as archival and archaeological research. We encourage dioceses and all Catholics to support their local Indigenous communities in this sensitive work. We invite all parties to move forward in mutual transparency, respect, humility, compassion, patience, and trust. Our aim must be to help Indigenous Peoples seek and know the facts pertaining to their loved ones and community ancestors. By working together in these and many other ways, we are all prepared to advance more effectively along the path of reconciliation. When Pope Francis visited our country, he called the Church in Canada to firm action and an irreversible commitment to the new path we are forging with the Indigenous Peoples of this land. The way of reconciliation and hope is one that must be walked together. That is why we shall continue to listen to and support survivors and Indigenous communities during this journey. We are grateful to all who accompany us on this path of healing and reconciliation. Photo credit: Papal Visit 2022
Graduating from high school was an amazing achievement for me. As was the day my wife and I got married in 2002. What a glorious day that was! Looking back, my wife and I chuckle at how we were babies compared to the adults we are now. We had 2 beautiful kids, a son and a daughter. We attended the LDS church sometimes and both kids were baptized in the Mormon faith, but that was as far as it went. I got a job in the oilfields as a journeyman pipefitter and worked there for 15 years. The job was physically and emotionally stressful. I began drinking to cope with pain from injuries and trauma from accidents I witnessed. It was all part of the ‘oilfield culture’. Because I was gone from home for long stretches of time, I struggled with a new addiction: pornography. In 2013, I was arrested for drunk driving. I don’t remember much, but I do remember the amount of heartache and money it cost my family. This almost destroyed my marriage. So, I decided to get sober. I have a lot of regrets about this period of my life, but the two biggest are that I didn’t get to enjoy my kids growing up and I was a terrible husband. God bless my wife (we have been married 22 years) for being such a strong and wonderful woman. Eventually, I lost my job in the oil patch due to the industry downturn. I got a job in Medicine Hat, which meant our family was finally together. My desire for pornography lessened but didn’t stop. COVID arrived, and it was hard on our teenage children, especially my son, who fell down the wrong path. He dropped out of school, and there seemed to be total disorder in our home. In June of 2023, when my son got into serious trouble, I felt that I failed as a husband, a father, and a human being. It was a very low point in my life.
Written by Ray, a parishioner of St. Patrick's, Medicine Hat. Abridged by Alice Matisz. Photos courtesy of Ray and St. Patrick's Parish. For the unabridged story, email [email protected] for a copy.
Deacon Marc began his formation with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver in September 2019 because he lived there at that time. After moving to Calgary for family reasons, mid-program in June 2022, he received special permission to continue his formation with the Archdiocese of Vancouver because their program did not align with the diocesan program in Calgary. While the circumstances might sound simple enough, the mechanics of becoming a deacon from two places at the same time are definitely unique and somewhat challenging. “It was an unusual circumstance for Archbishop Miller and Bishop McGrattan, but the Holy Spirit found a way, and how they both worked together was an example of their ecclesial mindset,” Deacon Marc said. Deacon Marc’s journey to the diaconate actually began much earlier and further afield, in his birthplace of Sydney, Australia. He was challenged while still a teen, by a priest who was a family-friend, to consider the priesthood. Though he did not follow that path, he always felt some calling to serve the Church, even long after emmigrating to Canada with his parents and siblings. Deacon Marc recalls vividly the Mass he attended in Vancouver in 2010 when his parish priest read an announcement from the Archbishop that the Archdiocese of Vancouver was instituting a Permanent Diaconate program. “I felt a twinge of wondering if this was for me, and if this was what God was calling me to.” However, a busy work schedule and prospective relocation to Toronto suspended further response. His 25-year career in the pharmaceutical industry requires frequent travel and occasional relocation. After moving to Toronto, Deacon Marc witnessed for the first time a deacon preaching and serving at the altar. He said, “I was again intrigued, feeling the same feeling as before but knew that Toronto was not going to be my home for long and that I was not in any position to make a longterm commitment. But the thought nagged at me.”
 Ordination of Permanent Deacons, Archdiocese of Vancouver, June 2, 2024 Deacon Marc’s determination, along with time-management and relational skills, may be some of the reasons he has been asked to assist on the Diocesan Renewal Leadership Team and in the Vocations Office at the Pastoral Centre, in addition to serving at his assigned parish of St. Anthony’s. Despite wearing many hats, Deacon Marc finds time to jog or walk, play the trumpet and the occasional round of golf. Deacon Marc's wife Leonora, his grown children and now four grandchildren are his first priority but he also prioritizes Mass (“There’s nothing better!”). “I’m a regular guy,” Deacon Marc said. “I love Jesus, I love my family, I like sports…and the occasional beer is also a great thing!” He goes on, “I’m excited to begin serving the diocese and really want to be that connector between the clergy and regular people (like me), showing that we really can have a personal relationship with Jesus while striving to become who we are meant to be. That is His greatest desire for us.”
In the spring of 2024, the renewal team led the Pastoral Renewal Survey in our parish. Since we had surveyed our parish twice in the past year, we were familiar with the process. We quickly assembled our team and surveyed the parish using the diocesan Pastoral Renewal Survey. The ELCPAP project spawned several committees to carry out its recommended strategies. Most of our Parish Renewal Team has been added to the Unity Committee. This committee is tasked with creating a plan to guide cultural change in order to strengthen parish unity.
The Diocesan Renewal Leadership Team has been a great support during our winding journey. At the recent Provincial CWL convention, Bishop McGrattan explained our Diocesan Renewal Process. A CWL member from another diocese questioned the Bishop about the support given to the parishes. I was able to explain to her further, explaining the various supports that we have been given. One of the supports I enjoy is the monthly #Renewal Zoom Lunch and Learn meetings. They are a great way to hear what other parishes are doing and ask questions of the Diocesan Renewal team. We always get the message that; We are Called, We Matter, and We Belong. This summer, All Saints Parish will hold several parish BBQs. By uniting over a shared meal, we can get to know each other and celebrate our faith. Our renewal team looks forward to hearing the results of the diocesan survey in the fall. Will our ELCPAP surveys help us focus on the themes that the diocesan survey identifies? Perhaps the two roads will converge for a while. In any case, All Saints Parish will continue to follow its winding road to renewal and unity.
 Last June, hundreds of parishioners at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Calgary were bursting with joy and colour as they celebrated the Feast of the Lord Holy Christ of the Miracles. Fr. Fabio De Souza, pastor of Our Lady of Fatima, shared, "This feast is very prominent in Portugal. Some even travel back to Portugal or visit for this festival because of its huge significance." For those who are new to this cultural celebration, keep reading. 
 The Monastery of Our Lady of Hope The island of São Miguel, part of the Azores archipelago, is rich in faith, cultural heritage, and historical landmarks. One of its most iconic representations is the revered Ecce Homo, known locally as Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres, or Lord Holy Christ of the Miracles in English. Carved in the early 16th century, this venerated image was a gift from Pope Paul III to two nuns who traveled to Rome to obtain the Bull for the foundation of São Miguel's first female monastery. Located in Ponta Delgada, Azores, the Monastery of Our Lady of Hope houses a striking wooden bust of Jesus Christ, depicting Him during the Passion. This remarkable statue is known for its profound facial expression and the exquisite craftsmanship of its adornments, which include various precious stones. The devotion to Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres gained significant momentum in the 18th century thanks to Mother Teresa de Jesus da Anunciada and has since spread across the Azores and worldwide, including Europe, Central and South America, as well as the United States and Canada. Major Religious Festival Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres is the focal point of the largest religious festival in the Azores and the second largest in Portugal, surpassed only by the Festivities of the Sanctuary of Fatima. This annual celebration attracts pilgrims and visitors from around the globe, especially immigrants from the U.S. and Canada, highlighting the deep faith and cultural traditions of the Azorean people.
Devotion in Calgary This devotion was brought to Portuguese parishes in Canada by Azorean immigrants, making it, alongside the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, one of the most important celebrations for Portuguese-Canadians. "At least 100 people from Edmonton also came to our parish to celebrate this feast," shared Fr. Fabio. "This feast attracts even those who don't usually attend Mass in our parish. They come for this feast because it's the most important devotional event for them, embedded in their culture." After Mass, the faithful gathered outside the church to join the procession, followed by a social gathering in the Parish hall, complete with traditional Portuguese finger food. 
At Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Calgary, the festivities have been organized by the Confraternity of the Lord Holy Christ of the Miracles since 2014. This group promotes the religious celebrations, procession, and social events, attracting many Azorean faithful, including those from places like Edmonton. These gatherings help preserve the Portuguese heritage in Calgary. In this season of Renewal, the festivity highlighted the importance of a sense of belonging, one of the key pillars of Diocesan renewal. "For this event, volunteers came together and invited everyone to join the festivity. With this cultural event, we as a parish attract so many people, including the unchurched," shared Fr. Fabio. The parish is already hoping to hold this celebration in both Portuguese and English to be welcoming to even more people in their parish and beyond. Submitted by Our Lady of Fatima Parish. Photos courtesy of Our Lady of Fatima Parish.
 My earliest memory of St. Bonaventure Parish dates back to before the church was even built. It was just a grassy field, and across the street, we celebrated Mass at St. Bonaventure School. As a child living in the community of Parkland, we attended Mass every Sunday in the gymnasium. Being so young, I thought it was incredibly cool that church was held in a gym. As luck would have it, years later, I would attend that school myself. Fast forward almost 20 years. I was newly married, and my husband Tony and I had just had our first child. We lived in Northeast Calgary, but we knew we wanted to have our baby baptized at St. Bonaventure, where I had celebrated most of my sacraments. We took our four-day-old baby boy to Sunday Mass, and afterward, we instantly knew that this church and its parishioners would become part of our “family.” After my daughter was born and I became a stay-at-home mom, I joined the St. Anne’s Mother’s Group in the parish. I felt called to be with other Catholic women and mothers, and to get to know my faith better. There was babysitting for my kids, so it was a time of gentle peace with like-minded women. We bonded over our faith, our families, a few family recipes, coffee, and some good old-fashioned girl talk. Several years later, I was still enjoying the Mother’s Group, as it was my two hours of time to myself while my kids were at preschool. One day, I needed a pen, so I decided to stop by the parish office to see if I could borrow one. I noticed the parish secretary seemed run off her feet, moving from desk to desk as though she was doing 20 things at once. Jokingly, but also casually looking for a part-time job, I asked if she was hiring. I remember the look on her face; it was as if I had just been the answer to her prayers. She responded, “Yes, as a matter of fact, I am. Are you up for an interview with me and Fr. Bill?”
Written by Michelle Fraser for Faithfully. Michelle has been the Sacrament Coordinator at St. Bonaventure Church for over 22 years. Michelle and her husband Tony are native Calgarians with two grown children. She volunteers at the parish as ministry coordinator for Art & Environment and the Hospitality Ministry. She enjoys travelling with her husband and bicycling. Photos courtesy of Lance Dixon and Michelle Fraser.
With prayer and the Holy Spirit as our guide, we made progress. Parishioners were introduced to and informed about the Pastoral Renewal and its importance through pulpit announcements and email updates. Posters were also put up, including some of our own, which were made on very bright paper to ensure they were not missed. When it came time for the survey in June, we hit the ground running. Promotion of the survey was approached the same way as the Renewal information was shared, with pulpit announcements, information, and reminders via email and posters. On Corpus Christi Sunday, June 2, 2024, we adopted the process of not having the procession after the final blessing at Mass (this had been noted to parishioners in shared information before June 2nd) to give time for survey completion. Father Silvano asked all to stay after Mass and complete the survey, which he noted was not mandatory, but greatly encouraged. All parishioners listened, and we had a great response. We received everyone's completed surveys on the first Sunday of the Survey. Our aspirations and goals had been met, above and beyond, in one Sunday gathering! St. Mary’s parishioners have a deep dedication to our church and to the parish as a community. Their support is unsurpassed when it is needed and asked for! Everyone definitely came together to help achieve a successful end result with the Renewal survey—each and every parishioner is to be commended! We will await the survey results, which will be sent to our parish, as these will continue to guide us on the path of the Renewal process. When the results are received, they will greatly aid us in identifying the areas we need to focus on and address moving forward. The Renewal team will review the results and then present the information to the parishioners, gathering feedback as the journey continues. Although at the beginning, the needs for and presentation of the survey were a tad daunting, prayer, the Holy Spirit, and St. Mary’s parishioners reign supreme! Written by Elaine Carley, Parish Renewal Team chair of St. Mary's Parish in Beiseker. Photo credit: Town of Irricana.
Three challenges have been laid out in the Diocesan Renewal: Form missionary disciples in Christ; Be a church of encounter and witness; and Strengthen family life. These goals are very much in line with the work I'm trying to do with Heroicmen, so I have had the opportunity to spend a lot of time thinking about this mission.
 I reflected that as the father of the groom it was my responsibility to be a loving and authentic representation of the Catholic Church to everyone attending. I always try to see the face of Christ in all people of different walks of life and love them as His children. I wanted them to leave knowing that we are a church of welcome. Deacon Stephen Robinson, who officiated the wedding, did an excellent job of letting them know why we were there in the presence of God to witness a sacrament. We don't have to (and shouldn't) sugarcoat or water down the Gospel. The following day was my youngest daughter's birthday, and she wanted to bring her siblings from Idaho and British Columbia to the Saint Francis Xavier Chaplaincy Mass at the Cathedral. At the end of Mass, the young man seated in front of us turned to my second youngest daughter and questioned how we could worship with the kids making noise and disturbing his "worship experience." He then questioned me and my wife. In that moment, I tried to engage him but realized I was not going to gain any traction. So, I told him that God loves him and that I needed to leave as we were going out for a family dinner. What the young man did not realize was that my daughter had taken in two young nephews who had been seized by Social Services. The boys carried with them the trauma of losing their father this past Christmas, and a mother who is struggling with addictions. I was able to settle one of them during Mass, and he actually fell asleep. We listened to Fr. Troy's homily, where he talked about a man who was lost to drugs and alcohol but found his way back through serving the poor. Fr. Troy then invited us to journey together with the goal of becoming saints. I recall Bishop Scott McCaig saying, “The renewal periods in the Church are messy”, and I wish I could have spent more time talking to the young man to better understand him. We are not always going to come to a definitive answer in that moment. We do have to remain focused on Christ and listen to the Holy Spirit to continue to move forward. We all need to consider how we represent Christ to those visiting our churches, especially our young people. Many young adults are attending for the first time and worry about their kids making noise. We need to let them know they are welcome, as they are the future of our church. There are many others who are lost and don’t know the love of the Father. They might have a grandma or relative praying that someone like you will be a light to their family member. I was inspired and challenged by these lines in St. Patrick’s Breastplate, Prayer for Protection: Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me Let us continue on this path of Renewal by bringing Christ to the world around us!
 We began our 40 Hours Devotion for Vocations last week with so many blessings that we should be grateful for. Within that weekend, the responsorial psalm proclaims to us the greatness of God’s love for each one of us for our families and communities. Our parish is so blessed that on Saturday, June 22, 2024, the daughter of Andrew and Karen Serafini, Sr. Eve Mary (formerly Mary Serafini), had her first vows as a Sister of Life at Sacred Heart Church in Suffern, New York, dedicated to protecting and enhancing the sacredness of human life. Both parents are actively involved in our ministries and organizations. It was also the same weekend that Vicky Oliphant's daughter, Sister Aimee Marie (formerly Lindsay Oliphant), went home to join her mother, Vicky, to visit her grandmother in Nova Scotia, who has health issues. These two consecrated Sisters are powerful testaments of God blessing our families and communities as seedbeds of vocations for priesthood and consecrated life. From the comments, sharing and experiences of our Adorers, they were telling me that spending an hour or two before the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament in continuous prayer was truly renewing and nurturing one’s spiritual life. It was not only moments of personal connection with the Lord, but of deepening one’s intimacy with Him in Adoration. Many, including Bishop McGrattan, had recommended holding it at least once a year in every parish.
I have experienced this improved hearing when hiking three of Waterton’s Front Range Six because each peak taught a spiritual lesson.  Lesson One: Preparation Matters When I accepted the invitation to hike Bertha Peak, I was not fit enough to ascend twelve hundred meters on a 15 km out-and-back trail. I hate being embarrassed more than I hate working out, so I started getting up early and doing a high intensity workout in my basement consisting of thousands of squats and lunges to get my legs, heart, and lungs ready for stairclimbing at high altitude. I then followed my workout with a 40-minute walk with my wife before biking to work. The spiritual parallel is that I also needed to build a routine of prayer and spiritual reading and do it every day (even when I didn’t feel like it). When I started the permanent diaconate program, I did not have prayer routine, but St. Paul tells us to pray unceasingly and give thanks in all circumstances. This takes discipline and practice, and prayer became part of my morning workout. The liturgical calendar exemplifies the need for preparation beautifully. Advent and Lent provide sacred times to make way for the Lord’s presence at Christmas and Easter. The mountaintop experience (like Christmas morning) is short-lived, but the weeks of preparation are essential to experiencing the fullness of incarnational joy throughout the year. Daily prayer, even when it’s dry and boring (perhaps especially when it’s dry and boring) tunes us in to God’s frequency. Lesson Two: It’s Easy to Get into Trouble Mt. Galwey was a relentless, 7-hour battle against gravity that mirrored the truism, “There is no plateau in the spiritual life.” You are either climbing or losing momentum. The Front Range Six are not technically climbs, but scrambles. Erosion creates scree, a collection of broken rocks that can become slippery and dangerous. On the way up, a dislodged piece of shale can quickly turn into a deadly projectile (helmets are recommended). On the way down, I slipped on a slab of dust covered shale and gashed my hip. It was an ordinary step, like the countless other steps I had taken that day. As I scramble towards God, the most dangerous hazards I face are the simple ones, the spiritual equivalent of a sprained ankle. My pride makes it easy to step into sin, and the step that puts my soul in danger will look and feel like every other step I have taken successfully because the devil uses my overconfidence against me. 
This could have been my peak of disappointment, but God revealed to me what he wanted me to see: the reward is not up to me. My job is to put in the work, ascend towards him, and accept what he offers. At the foggy peak, I remembered a question from Rabbi Harold Kushner’s The Lord is My Shepherd: Do you love me because I am God and give you everything you want, or do you love me because I am God? My routine of daily prayer enabled me to receive this message about humility and recognize how often I superimpose my desire on God’s plan. Much of what I see depends upon what I am looking for. If I want to find reasons to doubt God or be angry with the Church, I don’t have to look very hard. But if I trust that God’s love means that he always has something to teach me, I will find that too, not because I am naïve, but because he promised, “Seek and you shall find.” I sought Him in the mountains, and He was there (but He was with me in the basement, too).
In June, we celebrated the Sacred Heart of Jesus where the heart of our Lord is adored as a three-fold symbol of love: human, spiritual and divine. This symbol of love for us as Christians is demonstrated in our commitment to the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. The most common corporal work of mercy is to care for the sick and to accompany those who are dying. This past May I was privileged to participate in an international interfaith symposium "Towards a Narrative of Hope" on palliative care in Toronto. It brought together Catholic Bishops, many other faith leaders, health care providers, and various professionals who are aware of the need to advocate and ensure that our communities provide the best, most comprehensive accompaniment and care possible to the sick and dying, and their families. In the face of euthanasia and medically assisted suicide in our country, this symposium offered an authentic witness of a true compassionate society that values all human life. The following are excerpts from the address that I gave at the symposium. We know that illness or infirmity will touch almost every person and every family in one way or another. How we as individuals, healthcare workers and our institutions respond to the needs of the sick and dying reflects the kind of society we are. It is my firm belief that this symposium on palliative care will make an important contribution to improving our society by exploring how we can all respond more compassionately and holistically to the sick, especially those who are dying, thus opening new horizons of hope not only for individual patients and their families but for humanity as a whole.
Unfortunately, our present culture offers a contrasting narrative and set of values. After receiving a serious health diagnosis, individuals often grapple with feeling like a burden to their families and thus struggle with the sense that their worth as a person has diminished. Many other people experience fear when anticipating the pain of suffering which they may encounter through an illness or the experience of dying. There are other factors that also heighten this reality including challenges related to those living in poverty, those with disabilities who may be alone or marginalized, and those who already have multiple and complex health and relational needs. Families and caregivers can also struggle with keeping up with the demands that are required of them in providing care.
We believe that this vision for humanity opens up the possibility for churches, faith communities and like-minded organizations to play a role in affirming human dignity and advocating for healthcare that adequately responds to this need. Palliative care is multidimensional care in that it brings together people from many disciplines and areas of society. Similar to those gathered at the symposium who are specialists in palliative medicine and research, healthcare professionals, academics in the field of ethics and theology, communication specialists, legal and policy experts, pastoral workers, and volunteers. The Bishops in Canada have been committed to promoting and defending life by consistently speaking against the legal expansion of euthanasia and assisted suicide and by focusing efforts on an effective alternative, namely palliative care. In 2019, the CCCB and partners published Horizons of Hope: A Toolkit for Catholic Parishes on Palliative Care. This parish-based community pastoral resource begins with understanding the experience of death and the dying process, then moves to decision-making about how to seek the appropriate medical, familial and social supports. It continues with the importance of accompaniment at the end of life and finishes with the urgent need to promote Compassionate Communities that are integrated into the wider community of society. The Renewal that has begun throughout the diocese in our parishes can begin to reflect the love of the heart of Jesus in becoming those compassionate communities, and in offering Horizons of Hope: A Toolkit for Catholic Parishes on Palliative Care. |
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Catholic Pastoral Centre Staff and Guest Writers Archives
July 2025
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