With the First Sunday of Advent, we begin a new liturgical year. It presents Christians with the vision of renewal and the possibility of beginning a new journey as the People of God with Jesus Christ our Shepherd, who guides us through history toward the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God. In this time of Advent, we can rediscover the purpose for all humanity, that of being on a path of pilgrimage: the Church, with her vocation and mission, and all peoples, civilizations, and cultures, all journeying across the paths of time to encounter God. Advent prepares us for the eternal encounter with God which was first revealed in the fullness of time through the birth of Christ.
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Advent can be a time of renewal to rediscover the meaning of our lives, so also for the human family, to rediscover the common horizon that we are journeying toward. The horizon of Hope! The season of Advent restores this horizon of hope, it is a hope which does not disappoint since it is founded on God’s word.

Advent is also a time to renew our longing and anticipation that God will do what the prophets have promised … to see that our desire for our salvation is here and now. Pope Benedict / Cardinal Ratzinger once wrote: “The purpose of the Church’s (liturgical) year is continually to rehearse her great history of memories, to awaken the heart’s memory so that it can discern the star of hope. It is the beautiful task of Advent to awaken in all of us, memories of goodness and thus to open doors of hope”.
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Since the start of our diocesan pastoral renewal over a year ago we have invited all of our parishes to open their doors as a local Church to the vision that, “You are called, you matter, and you belong.” It is intended to awaken the heart’s memory of all the People of God in the Diocese of Calgary to their baptismal dignity and mission.  To re-awaken a faith in Christ and the Church through a personal encounter of listening to the Word of God, to enter into a dialogue of faith through Conversation in the Spirit with other pilgrims that is focused on the three priorities of Renewal – forming missionary disciples, being a Church of encounter and witness, and strengthening family life.

This year we are offering a common diocesan Advent Mission for all parishes. Beginning this week (Dec 3-5, 2024) there will be three successive evenings of reflection given by three different presenters – Brett Powell, Bishop Scott McCaig, and Mary Rose Bacani Valenti. These reflections are designed to focus us on our three diocesan renewal priorities and actions. Each evening they will be followed by a parish in person gathering that will invite those who have participated into a personal encounter of dialogue with others to listen to how the Holy Spirit may be calling individuals and parish communities to a path of Renewal and conversion.

Advent is a time of preparation for Christmas. This diocesan mission can prepare our hearts to be renewed in both the experience and witness of our faith as individuals and also parish communities. The horizon of Renewal in the diocese must be founded on this experience of faith, of an encounter with Christ, which will open the doors of hope that will be celebrated with the universal Church in the upcoming Jubilee Year of Hope 2025. This encounter with Christ through the efforts of our diocesan renewal must be manifested in the joyful hearts of missionary disciples, parishioners who through their witness of faith will be the living signs of our pastoral renewal.
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In Evangelli Gaudium, “Joy of the Gospel,” Pope Francis reminds us that “the joy of the Gospel fills the heart and lives of all who encounter Jesus. With Jesus Christ joy is constantly born anew.” In the Scriptures the word “joy” is used to express a multitude of personal and collective experiences. In the Old Testament it was the most common term used to identify and recognize the very presence of God. The Psalms recount the peoples experience of joy at the nearness of God. In John’s Gospel, joy is also the messianic gift that Jesus desired for his disciples, “that the joy that he experienced in the presence and nearness of his Father would be with his disciples and that their joy would be complete.”  In Luke’s Gospel the experience of joy proceeds the birth of Christ, that it is expressed by the angels and the shepherds.
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It is this same joy that accompanies the spread of the Good News. We who are called to proclaim this wonderful mystery of the Good News should be transformed. Our life of faith and witness of service to others, must reflect a heart that is constantly renewed by both hope and joy. In this upcoming season of Advent, may the transformation of our hearts prepare us for Christmas, but also become a tangible sign of Renewal in our diocese.

Red Wednesday is more than a day of remembrance; it is a call to live out our faith through acts of reparation, solidarity, and hope for a world united in love. Echoing Pope Francis' invitation, devotion to the Sacred Heart should not remain confined to personal piety but must inspire transformative actions that impact society. 
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As the evening concluded, the message was clear: our faith calls us not only to prayer but also to renewed action—to be a Church of encounter and witness, extending Christ’s heart, love, and care to those in need.

“Every new step in the life of the Church is a return to the source. It is a renewed experience of the disciples’ encounter with the Risen One in the Upper Room on Easter evening.” These opening sentences are from the Final Document which concluded the Second Session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.
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​Since returning to Calgary from the Synod, I have been asked by many about my experience over these past two years. It has definitely been a privilege, a learning experience, and at times, a challenge, but above all, I have come to see that my participation has been an act of obedience. It has been a call by the Holy Spirit to pray, reflect, listen, and to enter into dialogue about the nature, identity and mission of the Church from my experience as the bishop of Calgary and as a successor of the apostles. ​

​The two sessions of the Synod brought together the Christifideles—lay women and men, bishops, priests, deacons, religious, ecumenical delegates, those from the Eastern and Orthodox Churches, and the Holy Father, Pope Francis—in a 'school of synodality.' The Holy Spirit, who is the protagonist of the Church was present, opening our hearts and minds to a conversion of relationships, processes, and bonds in the life of the Church in order to be formed as missionary disciples of Christ.

​It is important to note that there are questions and doubts in the minds of some Catholics about synodality. “In simple and concise terms, synodality is a path of spiritual renewal and structural reform that enables the Church to be more participatory and missionary”. (Final Document no. 28)

It embraces three distinct aspects of the life of the Church. First, synodality is to express the Church’s ordinary way of living and working. This modus vivendi et operandi is experienced through the community listening to the Word and celebrating the Eucharist, the brotherhood of communion, and the co-responsibility and participation of the whole People of God in its life and mission. Secondly, from a theological and canonical point of view, synodality denotes the potential conversion of the structures and ecclesial processes of the Church at an institutional level: local, regional and universal. Thirdly, it designates synodal events that involve the whole People of God at the local, regional and universal levels, presided over by the bishops in collegial communion with the Bishop of Rome to discern the way forward on particular questions, and to take decisions and directions with the aim of fulfilling its evangelizing mission. (ITC 70.a.b.c)

Synodality is also a spiritual disposition that originates from the action of the Holy Spirit within the Church that allows us to listen attentively to the Word of God, and to contemplate in silence the call to conversion of heart. It requires asceticism and discipline, humility and patience, and to accept with gratitude the gifts that we see in others. The fruits of this spirituality in the Church will be marked by a harmony and unity that is both personal and communal. The renewal of the Church is possible only in acknowledging that this grace is needed first and foremost in the life of the Church and our parishes.

As Pope Francis has noted, synodality can be a prophetic path for the world given the growing isolation of people and the culture of individualism in our society.  Through our parish communities we need to see that the relationships of family and those of the parish promote the charisms, vocations, and ministries that witness to the mission of the Church.

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.      

At Easter we as Christians renew our baptismal promises. It is a reminder each year that it is through the life-giving death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that we are baptized and united with Him. Easter takes us beyond the Cross and the shadow of suffering, sorrow and disappointment to reveal the joy and hope that comes in knowing the Risen Lord. 
This experience of Christ transformed the first disciples. They came to know that His love is for every human person and that the fullness of eternal life is found in Him alone. This is the promise and hope that Easter brings into our lives!

Easter can also be a time to reflect on our life in Christ. To see if our lives of faith in fact express the love that our Lord offers to those who live in the shadow of the Cross. It is a love that restores dignity to those who have been exiled from their homes, transforming strangers into neighbours, and calling us to respond with justice, compassion, and care to those who are suffering and who are vulnerable due to the circumstances of their lives. That Easter faith that allowed the disciples to not simply see the tragedy of Jesus death but also through that very experience to know the power of His resurrection. It became for them a renewed experience of forgiveness and reconciliation and that they had new life in the risen Christ.
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Easter calls us to renew the witness of our faith through the living testimony of our lives. It calls us to move beyond the tomb of human emptiness by sharing with conviction the good news of the Resurrection. We are called to courageously follow Jesus Christ, the Risen One, and to boldly proclaim that out of the darkness of human suffering comes the promise of new life. This Easter, in renewing our baptismal profession of faith may we authentically live that faith in serving our brothers and sisters in ways that will bring them hope and joy in Christ.

As the Risen Lord stood among his first disciples in the upper room, he said, “Peace be to you” and this greeting restored their faith. In our current world and culture, we must continue to believe in faith that the Lord Jesus stands in our midst and says, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you: not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). 

This Easter let this become our heartfelt petition for many of our brothers and sisters who continue to experience the ongoing tragedy of war and violence. 

+William T. McGrattan
Bishop of Calgary

​Written by Most Rev.  William T. McGrattan, Bishop of Calgary
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​March 26, 2023

​In this pastoral letter, the CCCB Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace invites all of us who use social media to make the following seven commitments as a way to witness to core Christian values and help build a healthy online environment that serves the common good. (Pastoral Letter #8)

• Check for Accuracy - the commitment to truth lies at the centre of the Christian life. Speaking the truth in love must be the guiding principle in presenting the truth that expresses the Church’s teaching on social and moral issues.
• Seek Greater Perspective - reality can be accessed from various dimensions and also disciplines of study, which broadens our understanding. It prevents us from accepting to listen to a narrow set of like-minded voices that simply confirm preconceived ideas or unchallenged biases.
• Value Human Dignity – a conversation through social media platforms can often lose sight of the personhood that should be expressed in the posts, tweets, likes and dislikes. “It is easy to forget that behind those thoughts and ideas are real people who just like us have bad days and good days, experience a wide range of emotions, make mistakes, and lead complicated lives.”
• Bring Curiosity into the Conversation – Humility in social online conversations begins not by making contrary statements but by first being curious and asking questions. Real dialogue involves being deliberate and calm, having the ability to be silent and listen to others. It will be achieved in conversations that are often offline and face-to-face.
• Distinguish between Intention and Impact – the impact of posts that are offensive, hurtful, ignorant and lacking in common decency may obscure the intentions of the person who chooses to mean well but unfortunately cause harm or hurt to others.
• Privilege “IRL” Encounters – We can become distracted, fragmented and absorbed in a world which pretends to be real through social media. It is more important to be enriched by “in real life – IRL” encounters and a social environment that is often much slower and human.
• Tend to our Time Spent Online – The use of our time and the choice of activities which fill that time impacts not only our physical but spiritual lives. For young people in their formative years, the overuse of social media can lead to addictive behaviours, isolation, sleep deprivation, not being comfortable with silence and contemplation and negatively impacting their normal maturity and integral human development. 

​These seven commitments concerning the use of social media can be a source of reflection concerning the decisions that we will face in our Lenten journey.

​This year in his Lenten message, Pope Francis stated that when our God reveals himself, his message is always one of freedom: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery” (Ex 20:2). The call to freedom is a demanding one. It is not answered straight away; it has to mature as part of the journey for every Christian, which is renewed each year in Lent.

From the very first meeting with his brother cardinals, Pope Francis spoke of Mary’s essential role as Jesus’ mother. He said: “I entrust my ministry and your ministry to the powerful intercession of Mary, our Mother, Mother of the Church. Under Her maternal gaze may each one of you walk happy and docile on your path, listening to the voice of Her divine Son, strengthening your unity, persevering in your common prayer and bearing witness to the true faith in the constant presence of the Lord.”

It has become his custom to visit the Basilica of St. Mary Major on the eve of his pastoral trips abroad and to pray for her intercession. This devotional gesture teaches us that it is from Mary that the Church learns true discipleship, and that when it goes out on mission, it is always in the footsteps of Mary. In recent weeks he has expressed his desire that upon his death that he would be laid to rest in this Basilica and not at St. Peter’s which has been the tradition and practice of recent popes.
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In his homily at the First Vespers on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (Dec. 31, 2023), Pope Francis reflected on gratitude and hope, and how faith enables us to live the beginning of each new year in contrast to a worldly mentality. This is because "faith in Jesus Christ, God incarnate, born of the Virgin Mary, gives us a new way of experiencing time and life". This faith allows us to express gratitude to God and to envision the future with hope rather than simply expressing feelings of satisfaction and optimism as we enter a new year. ​

Written by Bishop William T. McGrattan

​December 31, 2023

Each year the season Advent becomes a spiritual doorway through which the Church enters a new liturgical year. On the first Sunday of Advent, we hear from the Gospel of Mark where Jesus tells the disciples “Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the Lord of the house is coming. What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’”

This is a reminder that our spiritual life as Christians must always be focused on the coming of our Lord. To be spiritually watchful and alert is to be open and to desire this daily encounter with Him.

​The season of Advent is a time of preparation for such a spiritual renewal to rediscover and to put into practice what it means to watch in this way. Our being alert and watchful however, does require some effort and preparation on our part. It begins with the desire of our heart, to anticipate the desire of Christ revealed in his first coming to meet us, for He has embraced all peoples in his becoming human. This is the mystery of his incarnation; it is the Christian belief which surrounds the deeper spiritual meaning and celebration of Christmas.

Christ’s coming into the world, his continued presence occurs in our personal lives each day when through faith we see in a new way. It is a spiritual focus that is watchful of our human experience, to see our relationship with others, and to enter into our daily activities in a way that anticipates and is alert to the divine presence of Christ in all things.   
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Jesus has come; in his humanity he has shared our life with its many blessings, challenges, and has revealed to us our hope in the resurrection.  It is also true that Jesus will come again, in glory at the end of time to embrace all of humanity, those who have anticipated and prepared for His final coming. As St. Augustine once stated, “we are to live our lives each day between these two comings of Jesus”. To be spiritually alert and watchful to his divine presence here and now, each day.

This is the spiritual focus of Advent to be waiting for the Lord who desires to find us attentive. The effort that we make to pray and to reflect on the Word of God helps to prepare us to be more Christ like, to become a reflection of Christ’s presence and to be the light of Christ to others on a daily basis. However, we all know how difficult it is to mirror the light of Christ when we have become disillusioned with life, content in seeing the shadowy existence of the world, or in accepting a degree of emptiness when we choose to follow paths that do not lead to Christ.

​Advent reminds us that we must be ready to meet the Lord at any and every moment of life. Just like the house alarm that wakes up a homeowner, Advent is intended to wake us up as Christians who may have become drowsy or who are in danger of being asleep to the very presence of God in our lives.  ​

On November 4, nearly 500 faithful from the Diocese of Calgary convened at Mary Mother of the Redeemer Church for a Renewal Gathering.

The Mass was also highlighted by the profession of faith and oath of fidelity made by eight deacon candidates due to be ordained on Saturday, Nov. 18. Following the Mass, participants engaged in a Lectio Divina session led by Fr. Tim Boyle, delving into the story of Zaccheaus and its significance to our call for Renewal. Later, Bonnie Annichiarico from the Renewal Leadership Team had a conversation with Bishop McGrattan about the call for Renewal. Bishop McGrattan shared some stories from his Synod time in Rome, remarking how amazing it is to be in a gathering larger than those on the Synod floor in Rome. He then highlighted the priorities of the Renewal and what it means to pursue this in our daily lives.

Our deep gratitude to Fr. Shibu Kalarakkal, all the parish staff and volunteers at Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Parish for their warm hospitality and hard work, as well as to the ministries and vendors who enriched the event with their presence and ministries. 

Some feedback and key takeaways from participants: ​

We wish we could have accommodated more attendees at Our Lady of Assumption Church's parish hall in Lethbridge (All Saints Parish) but the gathering was heartily filled to its capacity with over 170 registered participants from the Lethbridge pastoral zone and surrounding areas.

The evening began with Mass at 5 pm, presided by Bishop McGrattan. Here, four deacon candidates from Lethbridge & area who are to be ordained on November 18, professed their faith and oath of fidelity. Afterward, everyone transitioned to the Parish Hall for a delightful lasagna dinner prepared by an amazing group of parish volunteers.

Much like the event in Calgary, Fr. Tim Boyle facilitated an enriching discussion on renewal, with a Lectio Divina focusing on the story of Zaccheaus in the Sycamore tree. Bonnie Annichiarico and Bishop McGrattan then engaged in a conversation about renewal, discussing key messages from this important Renewal.

One participant shared their experience saying, "​Like Zacchaeus, there are many out there who are waiting to be invited in, to become a part of something that makes people joyful. Reach out. Invite them in."

We express our deepest thanks to Fr. Kevin Tumback and the pastoral team, and all the hard-working volunteers who made this event possible. The warm hospitality you extended to the diocesan faithful were truly remarkable. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Some feedback and key takeaways from participants: 

It was also full house gathering in High River with over 130 registered attendees from the South Calgary pastoral zone and nearby areas. Following Mass with Bishop McGrattan and concelebrating priests, attendees were treated to a light supper at the beautiful parish hall of St. Francis de Sales. Here, Fr. Tim led participants on a spiritual journey through the story of Zacchaeus via Lectio Divina. 

John Wasch from the Renewal Leadership Team interviewed Bishop McGrattan on his Synod journey in Rome, and the Bishop shared his key insights for the Renewal. Feeling inspired, one participant shared, "Bishop gave some very compelling points about the Synod and has changed my somewhat pessimistic view. We are the change through prayer, hope and action. Be involved, and do not be afraid."

Our deepest appreciation to Fr. Mariusz Sztuk, SDS, the pastoral staff  and the amazing volunteers from St. Francis de Sales Parish for their exceptional hospitality and hard work in preparing for this event.  

Asked about key takeaways and action item from the session, participants shared:

Our series of renewal gatherings reached its culmination at Holy Family Parish, where over 230 parishioners from the Medicine Hat deanery gathered in joyous celebration.  We began with the Holy Eucharist, led by Bishop McGrattan and priests of the deanery. In his homily, the Bishop emphasized the vital role of faith as the foundation for renewal and our collective responsibility to share it with others.

The Knights of Columbus efficiently served a sumptuous BBQ hamburger dinner, skillfully organized, allowing the evening program to start ahead of schedule. Bishop McGrattan provided insight into the diocesan vision of renewal, shaped through a process of listening and consultation. Fr. Tim Boyle then guided participants in a spiritual reflection on Philippians 2:5, encouraging them to adopt the mindset of Christ on their transformative journey to His heart.

Small group discussions delved into the experience of this transformative journey, using the story of Jesus' encounter with Zacchaeus as a context. We are called to see others as Christ sees them. This is the heart of the renewal. The Q&A session with Bishop McGrattan was both informative and inspiring, showcasing his personal commitment to community engagement in the renewal process.

A delightful bonus to the evening was the Renewal Gathering photobooth, courtesy of Fr. Fabio deSouza, adding a fun and memorable touch to the event. The entire evening beautifully reflected the unity of the faith community on the shared path of renewal.
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We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Fr. Roque, the Holy Family parish team, and the Knights of Columbus for your dedicated efforts in hosting the Gathering. Your hospitality and warm welcome were deeply felt by all.

​On Saturday, at Mary Mother of Redeemer Parish in Calgary, we held our first Diocesan Renewal Gathering. The enthusiasm for this event meant that we had to close registration early in the week. Those in attendance were in excess of 480 which was more than on the Synod floor in Rome! I won’t fail to mention this to Pope Francis when I meet with him the next time in Rome!

These diocesan gatherings began with Mass, followed by an experience of communion, of coming together in faith to pray and reflect on the Word of God, to see how the encounter of Zacchaeus with Jesus could transform our lives. I did share some of my experiences of the Synod but wanted to show that the synodal path of listening and discernment have been guiding our initiatives of renewal in the Diocese of Calgary.

We continued to hold two more Diocesan Renewal Gatherings in Lethbridge and High River, and then this Monday, Nov. 13 in Medicine Hat (register here). I encourage all of the faithful to become engaged and to learn more about this renewal in this orientation phase.

​As one bishop stated at the Synod with respect to pastoral renewal and change “it is better to take smaller steps with more people that to take larger steps with fewer people”. In a similar way and guided by the Holy Spirit “let us take smaller steps but walk together” on this path of renewal for our Diocese.

Written by Sara Francis, and submitted by Saint Thomas More Lawyers’ Guild of Calgary. The Saint Thomas More Lawyers’ Guild of Calgary hosts the Red Mass as an opportunity for all members of the legal and law enforcement community to pray for the pursuit of justice and mercy at the beginning of the new judicial term and to build community together. 

​All are welcome to join Bishop McGrattan as he offers the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Everyone can purchase tickets for the reception and keynote address in St. Mary’s hall following Mass by contacting [email protected].

Ordination to the Priesthood
Rev. Mr. Santiago Torres will be ordained to the Sacred Priesthood on the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus by Most Reverend William T. McGrattan, Bishop of Calgary:

• When: Friday, June 16 at 7 pm - St. Mary's Cathedral. Door opens at 6 pm.
• Livestream available through the Diocesan Facebook Live. 
  
  

Masses of Thanksgiving
Soon-to-be Fr. Santiago Torres will celebrate Mass of Thanksgivings on:

• Saturday, June 17 at 9 am - St. Bonaventure, Calgary
• Sunday, June 18 at All Saints, Lethbridge
  • 11 am at St. Basil's Church;
  • 6 pm at Assumption's Church.

Last week I attended the 2023 GrACE Summit – Walking Together in Catholic Education which was held in Edmonton. Grateful Advocates for Catholic Education (GrACE) was formed in 2018 as collaborative initiative of the Catholic school trustees and superintendents with the Alberta bishops. Its mission is “to inspire, invigorate and embolden the spirit of Catholic education in order to unite, engage, educate and communicate with one voice on its behalf”. This week we celebrate Catholic Education Week in the province of Alberta. The theme “Walking Together” was taken from the scripture passage “As for us, we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever.” (Micah 4:5). In the Alberta Bishop’s letter, we stated that this week “affords us the welcome opportunity to reflect on the crucial role Catholic schools play in educating our children and young people, by creating formative communities of love and care that witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ”.

What makes a Catholic school distinct and relevant in our current society? These schools are communities of faith and learning. They can be diverse in their configuration i.e., public, private or charter, yet focused on coming to know the truth, the goal of all learning through the use of reason which is animated by a faith and belief in God. In fact, Catholic schools are not intended to be exclusively for Catholics. They are school communities for all families, imbued with a Catholic world view, a Christian anthropology of the human person as being created in the image of God, a faith infused curriculum of learning, the Gospel witness of prayer and service which promotes a focus on community through a spirituality of communion.  

Catholic schools are not institutions of propaganda as some would argue nor are they to be controlled by ideologies, or educational trends of a government agenda. The Catholic educational tradition offers experiences of learning that allow for both evangelization and the catechetical support of young people in their faith through celebrating encounters that are centered in Christ. However, the task of education is broader. It is to promote a wholistic experience of learning that forms and completes the person, preparing them for life, to appreciate the value of their life and that of others by offering to society values and goods that they willingly share for the benefit of others through service. This is the distinctly Catholic approach to education which enhances the human formation and mature development of the next generation of young people as they grow in knowledge and wisdom.  

In recent years there has been a growing “educational emergency” in public education. It is marked by the increasing difficulty of transmitting the basic values of life, what is truth, what is good, what is beauty, to our young people. At the core of this “emergency” is the misconception that truth is relative, that what I subjectively believe to be true for myself is the “truth” and that it must be accepted by others. Pope Francis identified this tension and challenge for Catholic educators – “Dialogue, in fact, educates when a person relates with respect, esteem, sincerity of listening and expresses themselves with authenticity, without obfuscating or mitigating one’s identity. We cannot create a culture of dialogue if we do not have identity.” The Catholic identity of our schools, the witness of our Catholic school teachers who engage in this dialogue through their teaching can transform a society and culture which is becoming more relativistic and secular. 

The Catholic school curriculum of learning needs to address this important dialogue while balancing the relationship between religious enquiry and catechesis in the Catholic faith. This initiative of dialogue is distinctly Catholic in identity which we offer to society. Catholic schools have a core curriculum of learning where religious faith can permeate all subjects. For Catholic students, this might also serve as a pathway of catechesis which must always respect a wider and more meaningful integration within their family and the life of the Church. It is a curriculum which is primarily “knowledge-based” for those students who are not part of the Catholic tradition. It invites them to be reflective, to grow in religious literacy and knowledge while being open to a human formation that reflects the Christian understanding of the human person, their inherent dignity and destiny. 

Catholic schools both public and private have the potential to contribute to the cultural enrichment of society. Despite the hostility and indifference towards religion these schools serve as a witness to the importance of religious belief as a critical voice of dialogue in civic society. Therefor Catholic schools have a unique opportunity to teach about the value of religion, belief in God and through Christ to know how we are to transform the values of a wider society.

​The key to the future mission and identity of our Catholic schools is the commitment of the parents and teachers to see Catholic education as an enrichment of our culture. Education by its nature invites an openness to other cultures, without the loss of one’s fundamental identity. This is the rich tradition of Catholic education in Alberta and the mission of our schools to inspire, invigorate and embolden this Catholic identity for future generations. This week let us speak with one voice in walking together for Catholic Education.   

Resources:

• Suggested Activities for 2023 Catholic Education Week and links to prerecorded reflections of Alberta Bishops - Download PDF
• 2023 Catholic Education Week Letter from the Bishops of Alberta (English/French)