Barbeque with the Bishop

7/17/2026

I am not sure who first suggested having a summer barbeque with the Bishop and the Religious/Consecrated men and women of the Diocese of Calgary, but it has become a well-anticipated annual event in June. It always has to coordinate with the Bishop’s busy schedule and be planned months in advance. With great hopes of good weather, we scheduled the event for Tuesday, June 16th this year. Somehow, in the last few years we seemed to pick a rainy day, and we have had to move the supper indoors at the FCJ Christian Life Centre.

This year was no different, despite the sunny beginning of the day, with rain coming to change our plans to an indoor event. The food and the company were wonderful, nevertheless. Along with the barbequed meats that were provided by the Assembly of Women Religious, each community brings some food or beverages to share, which is most generous and appreciated. This way we get to experience a variety of special dishes to complement the barbeque.

This year there was such a good turnout of the Religious/Consecrated that we spilled over into an adjacent room. At the Bishop’s request, each person introduced himself/herself to the gathering and told something of the role he/she has in the Diocese. A great benefit of the barbeque is that it provides a relaxed opportunity for the men and women in Consecrated Life to spend some quality time together.

So often, we are very involved in our individual works and the life of our communities that we do not experience the presence of other Religious/Consecrated in the Diocese. The annual barbeque gives us an opportunity to welcome newcomers and reconnect with the Bishop and the members of various communities and individuals in Religious/Consecrated Life. The gathering has a welcoming atmosphere where we can enjoy camaraderie and offer encouragement in our various contributions to the Church’s mission of spreading the Kingdom of God. Recently, we have included in these gatherings our diocesan Consecrated Virgin and the candidates for Consecrated Virginity, which is a form of life new to our Diocese.

Thank you to all who participated this year. Hopefully, sunshine next year!

Written by Sr. Dianne Turner, OSE, Assistant Director of Vocations