 This Sunday, we celebrate the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome, the cathedral of the Pope and “mother and head of all churches in the world.” Built by Emperor Constantine in the fourth century, it was the first public church in Rome. This feast reminds us that every church building is a sign of the living Church and that each baptized person is a living stone in the temple of the Holy Spirit. Let us pray for the Pope, for unity in the Church, and for hearts renewed in faith.
Ways to commemorate this feast with your family or parish community:
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As shared by Fr. Raymond Lowing, and transcribed by Sr. Dianne Turner.
As the years went on, he was sent as associate pastor at St. Michael’s parish in Pincher Creek, then St. Anthony’s parish in Drumheller. His first appointment as pastor was at St. Peter’s parish in Milk River, where he stayed for several years. After this, he was sent to serve as pastor at St. Augustine’s parish in Taber, and then at St. Rita’s parish in Rockyford, where he oversaw the construction of a new rectory. Then new responsibilities were on the horizon. Fr. John was sent to study Canon Law at St. Paul’s University in Ottawa. From there he received his licentiate in Canon Law in 1989. This degree prepared him for the next assignment that the Lord had in store for him. Bishop Paul O’Byrne appointed the newly-trained canon lawyer, Fr. John, as Moderator of the Diocesan Curia. In this role, he oversaw various aspects of the Diocese as assigned to him by the Bishop. The Bishop also appointed him as Vicar General, which assigned him the task of overseeing all Diocesan matters under the direction of the Bishop. He held this office throughout the time of Bishop O’Byrne and Bishop Henry. Fr. John retired as the Moderator of the Curia in 2018. Since retirement, Fr. John has been involved in the administration of the clergy pension plan. He also took part in a committee composed of clergy and laypeople to establish Dorchester Square as a residence for clergy, some of whom are retired. At present, he is still living in Dorchester Square and is helping to manage the administration of this residence. Over the years, Fr. John enjoyed travelling and was fortunate to be on several cruises, particularly in Europe. On one of those trips, he visited an area in Ukraine near Odessa, the place from which his immediate ancestors came to Canada. His grandfather was the first in the family to come from Odessa to Canada when the Soviet revolution endangered the people of German background. This experience of connecting with his roots was of great worth to Fr. John. As Fr. John celebrates his 60th anniversary of ordination, we give thanks for his many years of faithful service and quiet leadership, a priest who has devoted his life to God and His Church. May God bless you, Fr. John, with continued strength, peace, and joy in your priesthood. Happy anniversary!
 On Tuesday, October 28, parishioners, families, clergy, and pro-life advocates filled St. Mary’s Cathedral for the Diocese of Calgary’s inaugural Mass for Life, a Eucharistic celebration devoted to honouring the dignity of every human life, from conception to natural death. Presided over by Bishop William McGrattan, the Mass invited all to rediscover the heart of the Church’s mission to defend life. In his homily, the Bishop reminded the faithful that the protection of life is not a political stance but a spiritual mission, one rooted in Christ’s sacrificial love. His words made a deep impact, encouraging each person to witness to the Gospel of Life with courage, charity, and compassion. Several pro-life and pastoral organizations were present, including ALIES, the CCCB’s Horizons of Hope Palliative Care initiative, the Catholic Women’s League, 40 Days for Life, the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform, and the Calgary Pro-Life Association. Each offered practical ways for parishioners to learn, pray, and act in support of a consistent ethic of life. After Mass, attendees visited the display tables to ask questions and learn about new opportunities to serve. Organization representatives noted the high level of interest and engagement, describing the evening as a clear sign that this shared mission is sustained by faith and grace. The Diocese will celebrate the Mass for Life annually, offering the faithful a chance to grow in faith and unity around the Church’s call to protect life.
Photos by Bandi Szakony for the Diocese of Calgary.
The Red Mass, which was brought back to Calgary by the St. Thomas More Lawyers Guild in 2014, has historical origins in Paris in 1245, or possibly began with Pope Innocent IV in 1243, and is recorded to have taken place in England in 1310. Regardless of who began the tradition, it has been meaningful in Canada since it was celebrated in Quebec in 1926 to highlight the opening of the Courts. It is said to be “red” because of the scarlet robes traditionally worn by English Supreme Court justices, and with a deeper theological meaning, symbolizing the coming of the Holy Spirit and commissioning of the Apostles. “There is a hunger for fellowship with those who share in the same work, and who share a passion for their faith,” said co-organizer Tom Ross, acknowledging that the celebration of the Eucharist together will be the high point. Cardinal Collins is expected to deliver the homily at Mass and will speak about Church topics of recent interest at the reception following Mass, which requires a ticket. When he was young, Collins, whose mother worked for a lawyer, said he “had thought of being a lawyer,” himself. “To speak and to be learned in the law, I just thought I would be a lawyer like Thomas More. I thought that would be wonderful.” With admiration for those in the legal profession, Collins will speak on the key elements that made St. Thomas More an example to follow, not only for his time, but for ours. He emphasized that a key commonality that legal professionals today share with the era of Thomas More, who lived from 1478 until he was executed by Henry VIII in 1535, is the issue of conscience. “We know exactly what he thought about conscience because he wrote letters from the dungeon in the tower to his dear daughter Margaret. He explains in great detail what conscience means,” he said. “He said he had studied the issue (of Henry VIII’s desire to divorce Catherine of Aragon, and make himself the head of the Church) and was clear on the history of the Church, and the fathers of the Church, and it was clear that Henry’s claim was false.” “It wasn’t just his ego,” said Collins, referencing media depictions of St. Thomas More’s individual decision, “it was that he had studied the case. Con-science means ‘with knowledge,’ so it wasn’t his ego, it was the truth.” In the present day, Collins said he recognized that there is a lot of pressure on lawyers to conform in ways not always aligned with our Christian faith. “That’s a lot of pressure. They’ve got – like Thomas More – families to think about.” Cardinal Collins pointed out that St. John Fisher, a contemporary of Thomas More, who was also imprisoned and martyred, “could be courageous because he was a celibate and he didn’t have a family to lose.” “I would say that because he had a family to think about, it was in some ways more difficult for Thomas to lose everything – his position and his money. The money was for the sake of his family.” Collins emphasized that Henry VIII and his counterparts made great efforts to try to convince Thomas, including to use his daughter Margaret to appeal to his emotions, but that he could not simply change his mind. “He could not live a lie. He was an honourable man.” Comparing More’s troubles to today, Collins said, “I would say there’s a lot of pressure on politicians and lawyers, and that they have to be like Thomas. Thomas was careful in how he did things, and he was faithful. He didn’t take unnecessary risks, but when push came to shove, he stood up for the faith.” Cardinal Collins looks forward to the Red Mass and sounded confident that he could find a lot to say about one of his personal heroes. “He's a great hero, and there are wonderful lawyers and politicians, and so we should celebrate them and celebrate a model of someone who did it very well and who lives forever. In all the struggles, we can look to Thomas More for guidance.”
Written by Jessica Cyr for the St. Thomas More Lawyers Guild
 Priest Assignment; Deacon Assignment; Clergy Personnel Announcements; Pastoral Assignment; Priests Move
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