 Join us for a Eucharistic Celebration with Bishop William T. McGrattan, Tuesday, Sep 30, 2025, at 5 pm at St. Mary's Cathedral, on National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. All are welcome! National Day of Truth & Reconciliation On Tuesday, September 30, 2025 Canadians commemorate the work towards reconciliation by honouring residential school victims, survivors, and their loved ones.
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 On Sep 12, 2025, Bishop William McGrattan, president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), wrote to the federal Minister of Finance to raise urgent concerns about proposed changes to Canada’s charity laws. See Pre Budget Consultations recommendations on Recommendations 429 & 430. These changes could remove the long-standing charitable status of religious organizations and place new restrictions on charities.
The Hon. François-Philippe Champagne, M.P. Minister of Finance and National Revenue Department of Finance Canada 90 Elgin Street Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0G5 House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6 Email: [email protected] Dear Minister, I write to you as a follow up to the enclosed letter that you received on 8 March 2025 from the Permanent Council of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) regarding the Standing Committee on Finance’s Budget Recommendations 429 and 430. The CCCB has not received a reply. Therefore, due to the urgency of the matter and in light of the Government’s current preparations for the 2025 budget, I would like, once again, to highlight a few areas of specific concern. Recommendation 429 would introduce a restrictive bias into charitable status, as noted in our March letter. It would impact all charitable organizations in the future whose purposes may not align with those of the current government. The proposed removal of the “privileged status of advancement of religion” in Recommendation 430, in addition to alienating more than two-thirds of Canadians who are religiously affiliated (1), would also alter the well-established common law definition of charitable purpose, which stretches back over 400 years (2). It would further send a disruptive signal to the charitable sector that the principles of charity legislation can be rescinded without adequate consultation, even before their impact on society is fully understood. It is essential to underscore that both Recommendations 429 and 430, if pursued by the Government, would harm the charitable sector as a whole and, in particular, the millions of Canadians who rely on the affected organizations for support. The proposed changes would also create a void within the charitable sector, significantly increasing costs for the federal government and the Canadian taxpayer.(3) The CCCB joins a growing group of other large Catholic charities, including the Catholic Women’s League of Canada, Development and Peace-Caritas Canada, the Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Canada, the Knights of Columbus of Canada, and the Catholic Civil Rights League, together with other organizations, such as the Canadian Interfaith Conversation, the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, the Christian Legal Fellowship, and Imagine Canada. All are united in voicing strong opposition to the Recommendations 429 and 430, which are seen as undue ideological and partisan interference of a discriminatory nature within the charitable sector. Any proposed structural changes to federal charity legislation should be preceded by serious consultation with the stakeholders and not simply based on a committee’s recommendations. As president of the CCCB, I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you and staff members of the Department of Finance to discuss these concerns on behalf of the many Catholic charities that operate in Canada, serving all Canadians, regardless of religious affiliation. Yours sincerely, The Most Rev. William T. McGrattan Bishop of Calgary, CCCB President Notes:
Cc: The Right Hon. Mark Carney, P.C., M.P., Prime Minister of Canada The Hon. Wayne Long, P.C., M.P., Secretary of State The Hon. Pierre Poilievre, P.C., M.P. Mr. Jagmeet Singh, M.P. Mr. Yves-François Blanchet, M.P. Ms. Elizabeth May, M.P. Mr. Ryan Turnbull, M.P. Mr. Jasraj Singh Hallan, M.P. Mr. Don Davies, M.P. Mr. Gabriel Ste-Marie, M.P. Mr. Peter Fonseca, M.P  Just one day after returning from the week-long Plenary Assembly of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, Bishop William T. McGrattan presided at the World Day of Migrants and Refugees Mass on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at St. Mary’s Cathedral. The liturgy, organized with Calgary Catholic Immigration Society, Couples for Christ, and St. Mary’s Cathedral, drew together migrants, refugees, and parishioners to pray in solidarity with people who have been forced to leave their homelands. Pope Leo XIV, in his apostolic message for the 111th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, frames migrants as “missionaries of hope” whose courage and perseverance bear witness to God’s promise of new life. He links this hope to the virtue described in the Catechism (n. 1818), a longing for the ultimate happiness that God has placed in every heart. In his 2025 message for the day, Pope Leo XIV reflected on the witness of migrants and refugees themselves. Migrants, through their courage and perseverance, become missionaries of hope, teaching us that even in the midst of loss and suffering, God’s promise of new life endures.
He recalled his visits to St. Peter’s Square in Rome, where the monument “Angels Unawares” by Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz depicts more than 140 migrants and refugees crowded together on a boat. “You see children, mothers, the elderly, priests, those of different nationalities. Each time I go to that sculpture, I notice parts that are warped. It might be the child, or the elderly. It’s a reminder that people are moved to pray and to touch this statue because of the condition and situation they find themselves in.”
The Bishop reminded the congregation that this parable is not just a story of the past but a living call to examine our own attitudes toward those on the margins. In Calgary, the Church’s response has taken root for decades. The Diocese established the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society in the 1980s, initially to serve Vietnamese refugees, and it continues to welcome people from Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and beyond today. "The need keeps growing for us as a Church to open our doors, and to welcome the stranger." “Our world sometimes needs much more of a witness of welcome and hospitality,” Bishop McGrattan said, “especially to the refugees and the migrants.”
As the homily came to a close, Bishop McGrattan left the faithful with a challenge: to take the parable of Lazarus to heart by looking honestly at their own attitudes. “Are we hospitable? Are we open to receiving those who are most in need, those who are fleeing their countries for safety, stability, or to ensure that their families are kept intact? Many continue to be persecuted. We, as a Church of Christians, must continually respond.” The World Day of Migrants and Refugees reminds us that faith calls us to welcome and solidarity. As Bishop McGrattan urged, may we not take the attitude of the rich man, "but take the attitude of Abraham, who is known as the symbol of hospitality, the image of that who welcomed the strangers in his midst, and was blessed to be in the presence of angels.” Photography: Bandi Szakony.
Playlist for daily updates from the 2025 Plenary Assembly This week (22-26 September 2025), Bishop William T. McGrattan and the members of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) will gather in Montreal, Quebec, for the annual meeting of the Plenary Assembly. What is the meeting of the Plenary Assembly? A meeting of the Plenary Assembly is a solemn and important event in the life of the Church in Canada because it gathers together all the members of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB), who total 80 Bishops of the Latin and Eastern Churches across Canada. The Plenary Assembly of the Conference is its highest instance of authority. Decisions taken by the Plenary Assembly represent the unity of action of all the Bishops of Canada on a national level. Convoked at least once a year, the Plenary Assembly considers a broad range of topics related to the Church’s evangelizing mission, including reports and questions from the Episcopal Commissions and other advisory bodies of the Conference. The agenda, which is set by the Permanent Council, may also include discussions and pastoral reflections on special topics. Elections are held every two years to appoint members to leadership positions within the Conference. This meeting is always focused on how the Bishops of Canada can serve the Church’s mission at the national level. The following are some of the topics that will be covered during that full week of discussion carried out under the guidance of the Holy Spirit:
As is customary, the Apostolic Nuncio to Canada, Archbishop Ivan Jurkovič, will address the Bishops in his capacity as the Pope’s representative in Canada. This year, the formal press conference will be held at the close of the Plenary Assembly meeting on Friday, 26 September 2025, at 11:30 am MT.  Courtesy of CCCB
Name one blessing in your life as a priest. One of my favourite parts of being a priest is being able to share life alongside my parishioners, to be included in moments: sacred moments, happy moments, tragic moments, all the moments life brings as a spiritual father with his people. The blessing of being invited into the lives of the families in my parish brings me joy. People call priests “Father” on purpose, and over time, I have developed a sense of being a spiritual father to my parishioners. This is a true gift that has helped me in my vocation. What encouragement could you offer to young men who may consider the vocation to the priesthood? To offer your life to Christ is a beautiful thing. Keep an open heart and mind to the possibility that God may be calling you to the priesthood. Let God lead you in unexpected ways and to unexpected places. See in the priesthood a life offered to God through sharing Christ with the world. Even if the world does not understand the vocation of a priest, the People of God understand. No matter where you end up in your life, you are called to be of loving service to others and to have a holy purpose in life. You have a place in the church. Continue to pray to discover the place God has in store for you. Thank you, Fr. Matthew, for answering the call of our Lord to be His priest and for all the years of faithful service you have already offered in this Diocese. God bless you. Photos courtesy of Fr. Matthew Emmelkamp.
The Seeds of the Word Community is starting a new chapter. On Tuesday, Sept 9, 2025 the community officially moved into their new home just north of Calgary, now called the St. John Paul II House, a space that gives the growing community room to live, pray, and continue their mission. Blessing of the New House On September 9, Bishop William McGrattan celebrated Mass at the new house and blessed the St. Catherine of Siena Oratory. Fr. Nathan Siray was master of ceremonies, joined by Fr. Fabio DeSouza, Fr. John Peter, and Fr. Troy Nguyen as concelebrants. Members of the Seeds community, along with the new group of Sabbatical Year Companions and their families, were present for the celebration. 
Why the Move? The new house, located at 15206 Township Rd 262 in Rocky View County, was formerly the Divine Mercy Centre. With their community growing, Seeds of the Word needed more space. “As we are growing, there was a need to move to a new location that would better suit and accommodate the needs of our mission,” said Sr. Mary Elisabeth. “We had outgrown the old location, and this new house is a blessing that allows us to continue our mission with greater capacity.” Looking Ahead The change excites the community. “It feels like a new beginning, and we are looking forward to seeing how the Lord will call us and our mission to grow with these new opportunities,” Sr. Mary Elisabeth shared. One detail ties the new residence to Seeds houses worldwide: the yellow wall in the chapel. For the Seeds of the Word Community, yellow is more than a design choice. It symbolizes the presence of God, divine light, faith, renewal, and hope. “In every Seeds house, our chapels share the same colour and pattern,” Sr. Mary Elisabeth explained. “It is intentional, the same cross, the same icons.”  Sisters of Divine Mercy in Bowness While the former Divine Mercy Centre, located north of Calgary, is now home to the Seeds of the Word, the Sisters of Divine Mercy continue their mission from Bowness, where they have been based since last year. Their current residence in Bowness is now the Divine Mercy Centre (7608 39 Avenue NW, Calgary), which includes the Divine Mercy Chapel, a place of perpetual adoration. Situated in Calgary’s Bowness neighbourhood, the Sisters remain closely connected to people from all walks of life in the spirit of accompaniment. They offer perpetual adoration at the Divine Mercy Chapel, provide an online portal for adoration for shut-ins, visit schools and parishes, and host spiritual programs and regular activities of prayer and formation at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, with the support of the pastor, Fr. Matthew Emmelkamp, and the parish community. Founded in 2015 during the Jubilee Year of Mercy by Bishop Frederick Henry, the Sisters of Divine Mercy are a Public Association of the Faithful in the Diocese of Calgary. Their life combines contemplative prayer, especially Eucharistic adoration, Marian devotion, and the Divine Mercy devotion, with active witness to the New Evangelization. To find more information about the Sisters of Divine Mercy, their charisms and activities, visit sistersofdivinemercy.org 
Photos & Video courtesy of Bandi Szakony, Seeds of the Word Community, and Sisters of Divine Mercy.
 On Saturday, September 13, 2025, St. Mary’s Cathedral was filled with joy as 29 couples, many of whom had been married civilly for years, came forward to celebrate the Sacrament of Matrimony. This diocesan celebration, called Sacred Grace, was organized through the collaboration with the Permanent Deacons, the Pastoral Centre, and St. Mary’s Cathedral. For months leading up to the liturgy, the couples had been preparing for this day. They gathered documents, took part in interviews and formation, and prayed together as they readied themselves for the sacrament. Their anticipation showed both at the rehearsal and on the day itself, so much so that Bishop William McGrattan began Mass ten minutes earlier than scheduled! We are grateful for the many people who supported this celebration. Much of the work occurred quietly in the background through countless meetings and preparations: gathering paperwork for each couple, planning the rituals, rehearsing the music, preparing the altar, coordinating the dress rehearsal and reception, and ensuring that every liturgical minister was ready to serve. We give thanks to our permanent deacons, St. Mary's Cathedral's staff, and the Pastoral Centre team, whose careful work in organizing and preparing the paperwork for each couple made this day possible. Couples and guests were welcomed into the church through a white threshold prepared by the Cathedral team, and greeted by ushers with warm hospitality. A choir of youth and young adults from Calgary led the faithful in sacred music, with Gregorian chant antiphons, hymns, and choral works fitting for the occasion, accompanied by the pipe organ. The beauty of the ritual brought glistening eyes to many as the liturgy unfolded. While Bishop McGrattan was the principal celebrant, the couple’s bond in the Sacrament of Matrimony was witnessed by clergy assigned to each couple, who assisted the Bishop as vows were exchanged and rings were blessed. In his homily, Bishop McGrattan reminded the couples that marriage is not only about the bond between two people but about their union with the Lord. “The grace of God and the Holy Spirit have been at work in your lives, calling you together,” he said. “Now, in this sacramental marriage, you are one with your partner and also one with the Church.” Reflecting on the first reading from Tobit, Bishop McGrattan drew attention to Tobias and Sarah praying together on their wedding night. “Every prayer should begin with gratitude,” he said. “Tobias acknowledges that their union was intended by God from the very beginning. I hope for all of you that the words of Tobias will ring true, that you grow old together.” The Bishop also spoke about the challenges of marriage, noting that fidelity in difficult times reveals God’s own fidelity. “Even in your challenges, where you are faithful to one another, you are nearer to God,” he said. He reminded the couples that marriage is both for mutual love and for openness to life. It is the vocation of spouses to become co-creators with God and to witness to the faith within their families, the “domestic church.” This is the grace of sacramental marriage: a bond that God transforms into a sacred covenant, reflecting His eternal love. While civil marriages are legally valid, the Church teaches that they “lack this sacred dimension unless celebrated within the Church.” 
It is the presence of the Lord, who reveals Himself and the gift of His grace, that will render your marriage full and profoundly true.” ~Pope Francis The day was a truly visible sign of God’s grace at work in the lives of families, and a reminder that the Sacrament of Matrimony is not only a personal milestone but also a witness that strengthens the entire Church. In this sacrament, Christ is welcomed more deeply into the bond of marriage, blessing the love of spouses and gently guiding them on their journey of faith.  Photography by Victor Panillio and Bandi Szakony for the Diocese of Calgary.
 On September 15, the Church reflects on Mary’s faith and perseverance as she shared in her Son's suffering at the Cross. Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows began in the Middle Ages, centred on her Seven Sorrows. The feast was extended to the whole Church and fixed on Sep 15 by Pope Pius X. The Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrow invites us to draw strength from her example and to trust in God even in times of sorrow. Prayer to Our Lady of SorrowsO most holy Virgin, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, by the overwhelming grief you experienced when you witnessed the martyrdom, the crucifixion, and death of your divine Son, look upon me with eyes of compassion, and awaken in my heart a tender commiseration for those sufferings, as well as a sincere detestation of my sins, in order that being disengaged from all undue affection for the passing joys of this earth, I may sigh after the eternal Jerusalem, and that henceforward all my thoughts and all my actions may be directed towards this one most desirable object. Honour, glory, and love to our divine Lord Jesus, and to the holy and immaculate Mother of God. Amen. (Prayer commonly attributed to St. Bonaventure). Meditations on the Seven Sorrows of Mary Opening: O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Pray one Hail Mary while reflecting on each of the seven sorrows of Mary.
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 On Sunday, Sep 7, at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Bishop William T. McGrattan installed seven permanent diaconate candidates into the Ministry of Acolyte during the Sunday Mass at noon. This ministry entrusts candidates with a more prominent role in the Church’s liturgy. As acolytes, they are instituted to serve at the altar and to assist the priest and deacon. In particular, it is their responsibility to prepare the altar and the sacred vessels and, if necessary, serve as extraordinary ministers and distribute the Eucharist. The installation marks another step forward in their formation for the permanent diaconate. Having previously been instituted as lectors in 2024, the candidates now continue their preparation for candidacy and, in time, ordination. Here is the list of candidates who have just begun their fourth year of formation and were instituted as acolytes on Sunday:
We ask the faithful to keep these men and their families in prayer as they continue their journey toward ordination and a life of service as permanent deacons in the Diocese of Calgary. 
 Photography by Victor Panlilio, for the Diocese of Calgary.
 As we prepare to celebrate the Feast of the Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Mary’s University is looking forward to welcoming our community for two very special occasions: the Consecration Mass with Bishop McGrattan on Friday, Sep 12, and Mary’s Festival on Saturday, Sep 13, a full day filled with music, good food, carnival games, local vendors, and plenty of family fun. (Read: Splashing fun and community spirit at the first Mary's Festival) Carrying Mary’s name as a Catholic university is both a profound gift and a humbling responsibility. Her name calls us to remember who she is for all of us: a mother, a friend, a steady companion who walks with us in both joy and struggle. As I begin my journey as Interim President and Vice-Chancellor, I find myself looking to Mary as a model of humility and courage. She gave her fiat, her “yes” to God, with trust and boldness, relying on Him to guide her mission. In the same way, I pray for the grace to carry out my role faithfully, building on the strong foundations already laid here at St. Mary’s. Mary speaks to each of us in our own unique circumstances. For students, she is a companion who knows the uncertainty of new beginnings and the hope that comes with them. For mothers and families, she is a quiet guide in the daily tasks that shape lives with love. For all who work, serve, and lead, she is a reminder that peace and perseverance can sustain us through challenges. At St. Mary’s, we strive to reflect Mary’s spirit of humility, hospitality, and confidence in God’s promises. We live this out by creating a welcoming environment for our students, by encouraging and nurturing their potential, and by fostering a true sense of belonging for all who step onto our campus. In Mary’s name, we find encouragement, hope, and joy. And it is in that same spirit that I warmly invite you, your families, and your parish communities to join us this September. Come celebrate with us on Friday, Sep 12 (from 7 to 9 pm), at the Consecration Mass, celebrated by Bishop McGrattan, and again on Saturday, Sep 13 (from 11 am to 4 pm), at Mary’s Festival, as we honour Our Lady and the beautiful community that surrounds St. Mary’s University.
 Like all the parishes in the Diocese of Calgary, our parish, Saint Martha's, has been diligently working on the Parish Renewal over the past few years. We continue to ask the Holy Spirit to guide us, and it has been a wonderful journey meeting with one another under the spiritual guidance and prayers of our pastor, Father William Monis, and our Deacon Bruce Barnett. We tried to follow the guidelines and timing set out by the diocese and were happy to submit our results on schedule. We didn't expect to win the draw for the barbecue, as many other hardworking parishes were competing for the same prize. We were very surprised on June 14 when our name was drawn from the hat. Many people got together to form a committee to organize this event. The response from the volunteers was tremendous! The barbecue took place on Friday, August 29, which was perfect timing. Bishop McGrattan was to be in Lethbridge in the morning for the opening school Mass for the Holy Spirit School Division staff. We began with a beautiful Holy Mass at 5 pm with all our Lethbridge priests concelebrating. Not only was the Mass so beautiful, but Bishop McGrattan also used this time to install our new pastor, Father Valentine Suum, who joined us on August 1. It was a very meaningful celebration, and all present appreciated the opportunity to be part of the installation. Our parish is comprised of many cultures, and one of the elders from the Blackfoot Confederacy, Martin Eagle Child, requested that his group make a presentation to our bishop and our two new priests at the conclusion of Mass. After the final blessing, the First Nations group, in their traditional outfits, processed into the church to the sound of drumming to present a blanket to each of Bishop William, Father Valentine, and Father Luke. It was very powerful and all were moved. 
After Mass, everyone went outside to enjoy the fellowship at the barbecue. We had over 200 people, and the weather was perfect. Many volunteers prepared, cooked, and served the food to our hungry guests. Bishop McGrattan was a gracious host as he went from table to table talking to the people. One person joked that the bishop was "working the room." We were delighted that many of our friends and clergy from All Saints Parish in Lethbridge were also able to join us for this special event, as we are all in this together. We are very grateful to the diocese for all it has been doing to lead us throughout the Renewal, and we thank them for their hospitality in sponsoring this great event. It has been very positive, and we will all continue to move forward as we continue this journey. Written by Teresa Spearman, St. Martha's Parish Renewal Team in Lethbridge. Photography courtesy of Matthew Visuals & Saint Martha's Parish.
Fr. Bob’s "prayerpoems" are free verses about topics such as gospel stories, Catholic concepts, Jesus, Mary, and life realities like love, fear and grief. Several of the poems are about St. Francis of Assisi, whom Fr. Bob calls Il Poverello, ‘the poor one’.
What one takes from these poems might change each time they are read. It depends on the reader’s feelings or situation in life or even one's nearness to God, all of which is constantly changing. That’s why “Come and See” and “Fire of Love” are perennial resources for prayer time. Fr. Bob’s most recent book includes bonus reflections after each poem to jumpstart the reader’s pondering. It also has a section devoted to the Our Father prayer. Each page in that section dwells on one phrase of the prayer and expands it into a whole new understanding of the words. Fr. Bob suggests that these also are best experienced incrementally, one per day, (or once per hour for those who pray all day long). One might say that Fr. Bob’s life work is to pray. In fact, in one of his very first poems, he says, “Listening is my life From morn to night” Most of us cannot claim the same, but we can agree with another of his sentiments, “Simple living must begin from the inside out, From soul to body.” With Fr. Bob’s help, may our quest for simple wisdom be renewed this year. Written by Alice Matisz for Faithfully. Photo courtesy of Adam Thom.
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