First Friday adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is a treasured devotion in many parishes. As it is a particularly good opportunity to pray for vocations to the Consecrated Life, the Assembly of Women Religious joined with Our Lady Queen of Peace parish on Friday, February 6, to pray all day together for this blessing for our Diocese. This helped sustain our prayer for vocations during the week for Consecrated Life, which began with the celebration of the Mass at the Cathedral on February 2.

Adoration for vocations is one of the ways that we participate in the renewal of our Diocese. By practicing the faith through this devotion and begging the Lord of the harvest for labourers for His harvest, we are witnessing to Christ by our prayers and inviting others to know Christ and engage in our Catholic sacramental life through the intimacy of silent adoration of the Lord.

In the Gospel, Jesus tells us to pray for vocations: “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest” (Matt. 9:37-38).  Pope St. John Paul II said: “The entire People of God is responsible for promoting vocations and does so chiefly by persistent and humble prayer for vocations” (Ecclesia in America, n. 40).  

Thank you to the priests, Dominican Sisters, and many parishioners of Our Lady Queen of Peace parish who came to pray. Thank you to the dedicated Religious Sisters not of the parish who spent time before the Blessed Sacrament for this intention of vocations. They represented the Faithful Companions of Jesus, the Providence Sisters, the Gilbertines, and the Franciscan Sisters of St. Elizabeth. The Precious Blood Sisters told us that they would join us in prayer from their own monastery chapel. A special thank you to Lee Boyle who helped with welcoming everyone and stayed to pray almost the entire day.
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May the Lord hear our prayer and send us many young men and women to join the Consecrated Life in our Diocese.

Written by Sister Dianne Turner, OSE. Photos courtesy of Sister Dianne.

The Presentation of the Lord draws us into the experience of His light, a light recognised, carried, and entrusted to the Church. As Bishop William McGrattan reflected in his homily, the candles blessed and carried at the beginning of the Mass recall “the light that is meant to be kept burning brightly,” first received at baptism, and lived each day in faith. 

That light shaped the Church’s gathering from the very beginning of the Mass. On Sun, Feb 2, 2026, close to 400 faithful gathered at St. Mary's Cathedral to celebrate the World Day for Consecrated Life on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Before the Eucharistic celebration began, the assembly gathered near the baptismal font for the blessing of candles. All the faithful, including members of consecrated life, received a candle for the procession. The faithful also brought forward some candles from home to be blessed. As flames were shared and the chant rose, candlelight slowly filled the cathedral, echoing Simeon’s proclamation that Christ is “a light for revelation to the nations.”

The evening held particular significance for the sisters and brothers of consecrated life, many of whom gathered and processed together in unity. In the Diocese of Calgary, consecrated life includes women and men in Religious Life, Consecrated Virgins and Hermits, members of certain Public Associations of the Faithful, and Societies of Apostolic Life. Though their charisms differ, all share a common call to witness God’s love through the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience, in service to the People of God.

Sr. Dianne Turner, Assistant Director of the Office of Vocations, was deeply moved by both the turnout and the visible unity of the Church gathered that evening.

“I was really happy to see how many people came,” she said. “There were so many diocesan priests and religious priests behind the altar, and religious men and women seated in three rows on either side at the front.” She also noted the presence of Lauretta Dearing, newly consecrated to the Order of Consecrated Virgins Living in the World on November 21, 2025.

“The candles were incredible,” Sr. Dianne added. “People brought so many from home to be blessed, and everyone received a taper candle and a holy card.” The response, she said, was immediate. “They loved it. So many people expressed their thanks.”

In his homily, Bishop McGrattan recalled that the World Day of Consecrated Life was established by St. John Paul II in 1997 so that the Church might pause to give thanks. “The Holy Spirit needs to remind the entire Church that there are many gifts and many charisms,” he said, “and it is truly the Holy Spirit that continues to unite them and allow them to be at the service of the Church and its mission.” The presence of consecrated women and men in the diocese, he noted, is not incidental, but essential.

The Gospel proclaimed that evening, from Luke’s account of the Presentation, revealed that Simeon recognized Christ as salvation and light and also foretold suffering. Reflecting on this, Bishop McGrattan spoke of consecrated life as a radical witness shaped by both joy and sacrifice. “Many have experienced the grace of encountering Christ in the Incarnation,” he said, “and also the experience of following Christ in his death and resurrection.” This witness, he explained, often involves dying to self so that the grace of Christ may be revealed in those they serve.

Following the homily, all those in consecrated life stood together to renew their vows, reaffirming commitments already lived day by day, supported by the prayer of the gathered Church. The liturgy was prayerfully supported by the Seeds of the Word Community, whose music led the assembly through the celebration with reverence, beauty, and care.

The Diocese thanks the staff and volunteers of St. Mary’s Cathedral for their support of the celebration, with special appreciation to Ivy Bercelon and her team for their role in sharing the invitation and assisting with the liturgy and reception.
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The celebration continued in the parish hall, where the unexpectedly large turnout only underscored what had been witnessed throughout the evening. Bishop McGrattan’s words offered a fitting final note: “Let us be filled with a great joy and thanksgiving for the witness of our religious brothers and sisters and those in consecrated life, where they truly witness to Christ in the community, their life and their ministry.”

Photos: Bandi Szakony and Victor Panlilio, for the Diocese of Calgary.

Every year, the Assembly of Women Religious and the Office of Vocations in the Diocese of Calgary invite young single women, age 16 or older, to join in a fun night of food, companionship, games, and prayer.

In previous years, the Fun Night attendees were graciously welcomed by the Faithful Companions of Jesus Sisters at the FCJ Centre, but as the event has continued to grow, a larger venue was needed! This year, the Fun Night was hosted at the Catholic Pastoral Centre, where nearly 40 young ladies and Sisters enjoyed an evening of great food, group games, and conversation.
 
The evening began with a prayerful welcome, followed by a delicious pizza supper, other nutritious foods, and a cookie extravaganza. (No really, there was no shortage of cookies!) The ladies in attendance got to converse with Sisters from seven communities here in Calgary: the Faithful Companions of Jesus Sisters, the Seeds of the Word, the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, the Providence Sisters, the Dominican Sisters, the Daughters of Mary Mother of the Church, and the Franciscan Sisters of St. Elizabeth. 
 
The Fun Night gives young women the opportunity to connect with the Sisters to learn more about the vocation to the Consecrated life and who the Sisters are as real people. In turn, the Sisters are thrilled to make some new friends and to spend time with the other Sisters as well. It was very exciting to welcome a few new attendees this year, as this event was their first time meeting or interacting with any religious Sisters. 
 
Everyone jumped into the group games with enthusiasm and lots of laughter. We learned some interesting traits about everyone in the Fruit Salad Game, and we appreciated a variety of artistic talents during a very amusing and competitive bout of Pictionary. The games invited everyone to participate and get to know each other a little better.

“People were very friendly, and there was an innate sense of community,” shared one attendee. “The Sisters were funny and welcoming, and it was so cool to meet Sisters from different backgrounds and paths!”
 
At the end of the evening, each community of Sisters shared something about their community in a brief panel discussion, and the evening concluded with Night Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours. All the women were provided with a list of the upcoming vocation events with the hopes that they will participate in future encounters with the Sisters - and we hope to see you there too!

​Written by Noëlle McCusker and Sr. Dianne Turner. 

Sr. Margaret Mary wrote: “My life has been blessed with a richness and great variety. I began my teaching career in Toronto at St. Bernard’s School, just newly opened in 1956. What an initiation since the school was not totally finished and certainly not prepared for the huge influx of students I had in a grade 1 class, and ended up with a steady stream of newcomers throughout the year, totalling 60 pupils! Many Italians were immigrating to Canada at that time. The next year was easier with 40 students.” In 1958, Sister moved to St. Benedict’s School, where she remained for ten years. In 1973, she was assigned to Oyen, where she served on the Assumption Parish Council and the Catholic Women’s League. Some studies at the University of Calgary were followed by Sister teaching Grades 3 and 4 in addition to her parish commitments and teaching catechetics in Acadia Valley, Youngstown and Oyen.

A small FCJ community on 8 Ave. N.W., Calgary, began in 1983 under the leadership of Sr. Margaret Mary. About her ministry at that time, she wrote: “After leaving Oyen in 1982, I branched out into parish work, an enriching and life-giving experience which developed new initiatives within myself.  Ascension Parish in Northwest Calgary was a brand new ecumenical venture in partnership with the Lutherans. During the initial years before the church was built, we had Mass on Sundays in St. Bede School and shared an office with the Lutheran congregation in the Beddington Mall.  The ecumenical church known as Sandstone Ecumenical Centre was not in operation until February 1988. I had the joy of being at Ascension for 8 years until August 1990.”

Sr. Margaret Mary greatly appreciated a sabbatical year in Arnprior, Ontario, before she and Sr. Alice Sheridan were asked to begin serving at St. Anthony’s Parish, Kitimat, B.C., where she was the Religious Education Coordinator from 1991- ’98. Working with students, catechists, teachers, and parents was challenging and rewarding.  She recalled: "In particular, I loved Sacramental preparation. The people in Kitimat were warm and friendly, and we became very much part of their lives.”

After Kitimat, “I was missioned to Edmonton, where we moved into the newly renovated house on December 3, 1998. This was my home until 2001.” At that point, Sister was asked to go to Sacred Heart Convent in Calgary for a year. On August 30, 2002, she returned to Kitimat to join Sr. Elizabeth Poilievre, whose contract as principal was for another two years.
 
The Sisters FCJ left Kitimat on July 15, 2004. “It was a sad departure, for with the arrival of a new young priest, I was quickly immersed in the life of the parish and had enjoyed reviving old friendships. However, I was back in Edmonton, 82 Ave., and the opening of a new home, a second place in Edmonton to be known as Emmaus. A special blessing and celebration were held.” In Edmonton, Sister Margaret Mary participated in St. Anthony’s Parish CWL, helped welcome a refugee family, and continued to share her gentle leadership skills in the community.

​The winter of 2005 was a wonderful time of renewal for her as she immersed herself in the FCJ Australian communities. To visit Australia had been a long-time dream of Sister Margaret Mary’s. In 2011, she received an Outstanding Volunteer Service Award from Catholic Social Services, Edmonton.
 
Since 2016, Sr. Margaret Mary has been part of the Sacred Heart Convent community in Calgary. She resides at Providence Care Centre and recently celebrated her 98th birthday with family and FCJ Sisters. Of her life, she wrote: “Mine was a simple life: no brilliant academic achievements, no extraordinary teaching ability, but it has been a good life for which I am forever grateful.”

Written by FCJ Sisters at Sacred Heart Convent, Calgary.

My parents were very supportive of my desire to enter Religious life. I entered the novitiate of the community in Medicine Hat and my three years of formation there confirmed God’s call to me.

As a professed Sister, I taught senior and junior High School students for eight years and then was asked to lead the formation programme for the community. I was in that role for six years. I had always deeply desired to become a counsellor, and with the support of my community, I went to Ottawa to take a Masters degree in Pastoral Counselling. For 10 years in Edmonton, I did individual and marital counselling at the Pastoral Institute, an ecumenical counselling centre. It was very important and broadening for me to work with our Protestant brothers and sisters. During that time, a colleague and I worked with women’s spirituality groups and facilitated ecumenical women’s retreats.  

Most of my life in the community has been spent in service to the community itself through leadership positions: twice as Provincial Leader, one term on the General Council, and more years than I can count as Local Coordinator in various communities of our Sisters.
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As I reflect upon my many years of Religious life, I am filled with awe and deep gratitude for God’s unfailing daily fidelity and loving presence in my life. People often say to me: "Thank you for your fidelity," but it is God who is faithful to me. It has been a very rich life. Every new ministry, even though it called me to uproot my life, has been filled with such blessings. I thank and praise this great God of ours!

Written by Sr. Yvette Plessis, SCSL

On Friday, November 21, at St. Mary’s Cathedral, the Diocese of Calgary celebrated a beautiful and historic liturgy: the consecration of Lauretta Dearing to the Order of Consecrated Virgins Living in the World (Ordo Virginum). Lauretta is the first woman in our diocese to be received into this ancient vocation, which dates back to the early Church and is lived today in the world through prayer, service, and a deep spousal commitment to Christ.
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Bishop William T. McGrattan presided at the Mass and preached on the meaning of this vocation for Lauretta and for the whole Church. He reminded the faithful: “God has called her to be more closely united to himself and to be dedicated to the service of the Church and of mankind.” He invited the congregation to consider the spiritual fruit of this consecration, saying: “Think of the good she will accomplish by her prayers and good works, and the abundant blessings she will obtain from God for holy Church, for the human society, and for your families.”

Photography by Bandi Szakony, for the Diocese of Calgary. 

Being accepted into nursing school brought me immense joy, and I dedicated my heart and energy to this new path, feeling once again that I was fulfilling my calling. At this point in time, I was certain that I had found my vocation in nursing and had completely dismissed the possibility of religious life, believing it was not aligned with God's will for me. 

That was until I heard a homily preached by a Dominican friar on November 2, 2022, for All Souls’ Day. There was something about this homily that made me leave the church feeling so passionate about living my life for souls, and only for souls. I began to pray more and offer more sacrifices for the souls in purgatory. Perhaps it’s because the love of God and the love of souls go hand-in-hand that somehow my heart was opening up to Him and His ways again, without me even realizing it.
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Since the day I heard the homily, I kept hearing the words “dòng kín” (Vietnamese for “cloistered life”) deep within the silence of my heart. I brushed this off as a funny thought, but it persisted every single day for about two weeks. During these two weeks, I found myself engaging in conversations with various friends on topics unrelated to religious life. Interestingly enough, these discussions invariably shifted towards religious life.

Out of curiosity, I started researching cloistered Dominican nuns and ended up on the Archdiocese of Vancouver's webpage, looking at the link to the Dominican nuns in B.C. There was something inside of me that couldn’t stand being bothered anymore, so I finally clicked on the link and contacted the vocations director. However, I was still doubtful about this and, upon sending the email, made a small condition with God. I told God that the nun must respond to me within less than 24 hours, thinking that since nuns prayed all the time, they probably would not check their emails often. Then God turned the tables on me as the vocations director responded to me within 12 hours. I chuckled a couple of times when this happened and decided to play along with God a little longer. I met with the vocations director via Zoom, and by the end of the call, she told me I should consider visiting them to see for myself.

I thought there was no way this nun was telling me I might have a vocation to the cloistered life. Yet again, I thought I’d humour God by playing along with Him for just a little more. I booked a flight ticket to Squamish, B.C., in February 2023 to visit the Dominican nuns. I went with the thought that as long as I just go, maybe I could get God off my back about this whole idea of cloistered life.

I arrived on a Saturday by 2 pm, and I remember as I entered the chapel to greet Jesus, I felt a burden lifted off my shoulders. It felt as if I went someplace far away and finally came home. I initially ignored this feeling, thinking that wherever Jesus was, that was home. However, by 8 pm on that same Saturday, I walked back to my room thinking, “God, this is all I ever wanted, but I never knew that I wanted it.” As soon as I thought that I knew what God was asking of me.

I spent the time in the monastery by myself in silence, following the nuns’ schedule while also giving myself ample time for personal prayer and leisure in silence. Perhaps in the eyes of the world, living the same schedule day-in and day-out seems boring; but for me, each day brought about a new adventure with God, making life so fulfilling. Living the life in silence showed me that I can be hidden from the world, yet fully present and attentive to its needs. The silence in the monastery brought a fulfillment and satisfaction in my life in which I have never experienced before. So, when my visit to the monastery was coming to an end, I couldn’t bear to leave.

In obedience to God’s Holy Will, the guidance of my spiritual director, and the recommendation of the monastery, I did leave. Back in Calgary, I focused on finishing my studies in nursing school very diligently. I eagerly counted down the months and days until the time that I could finally enter the monastery as an aspirant. Although it was difficult at times with many temptations, it only solidified my conviction in following God’s will in discerning with the Dominican nuns.
Over the past couple of years, I encountered many different people in the hospital through my schooling and in the work I did with the Serra Club, and everything pointed back to my purpose: to offer myself as a living Holocaust for the sake of souls. I am very grateful for my past discernment with the Dominican Sisters in Houston and for the years spent earning my nursing degree, because it all showed me the need for prayer and that every sacrifice offered is very worthwhile for God’s glory and for the salvation of souls. I can say that everything started because of God’s generosity in being patient with me and even allowing me to play with Him along the way.

I never thought I would ever be called to the cloistered life, but God has a good sense of humour. As someone who desires to be His spouse, I should also have a sense of humour so I can play along with Him. I hope I can spend the rest of my life making God laugh by living the life that I initially thought was funny, offering every moment of it for His glory and for the salvation of souls. Most importantly, I hope that when the time comes, God will also say to me, “My love, what a good sense of humour you’ve got there.”

​I continued to grow in faith through the Mass and spiritual direction from my parish priests. I joined the CWL, which had Bible study and women who lived the faith through the feasts and devotion to the Saints. We met weekly and talked about the Mass, the Liturgical year, the Saints, the Bible; basically, it was an experience of being catechized as an adult. The Mystical Rose Charismatic Prayer Group in Kelowna, where I lived, had Life in the Spirit seminars. I was prayed over and received a deeper inflow of the Holy Spirit. After that, we had weekly charismatic prayer groups where I experienced healing and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. This is the foundation of my seeking to follow Christ.

When the time came that my friends were dating, I started to think about marriage, but I had given myself to Jesus when I was 14. I spoke to my parish priest who was my spiritual director at the time, asking for his advice. He said that I had been very young when I had made that gift of myself, not knowing the full implications, and he advised me to date. I tried dating young men, but none of these men were who God wanted me to be with. 

My spiritual director at the time advised me that I might have a vocation to be a Religious Sister. Since I was a teacher, I had school breaks that allowed me to visit various orders of Sisters. I stayed for short times with both apostolic and cloistered Sisters of many communities, but did not feel at home with any of them. My spiritual director advised me to speak to the Bishop of our Diocese, and the Bishop told me to write down a detailed description of what God was asking me to live. Then I made private promises to God to live my Christian life in a dedicated manner.

After my grandmother died, I no longer had any commitments that would keep me in Kelowna. My friend Jean was also searching for where God wanted us to be. She wanted to check out Madonna House in Combermere, Ontario. I did not know anything about that apostolate, though I had met them in Regina, Saskatchewan, many years before. We went to Madonna House, and I never left. The moment I got off the bus, I knew that I was home. My journey of faith led me to become a Staff Member of Madonna House, and I stayed for over a decade. My friend Jean left after a week and became a Sister of Charity.  

Catherine Doherty, the foundress of Madonna House Apostolate, was a great influence in my spiritual life. She had good insight into the souls of the members and guided them well in following the Lord. I am so thankful for the gifts that God gave me there. I learned how to pray the Liturgy of the Hours in the community, to integrate spiritual reading into my life, and to pray for the needs of others. Fr. Francis Martin gave us Scripture classes. Fr. Wild, who was my spiritual director, led me deeper into contemplation and meditation. Jean Fox, the women’s director, taught me about living in community in a spiritual way, how to deal with anger, frustration, and other interpersonal issues. I learned how to repair books, bake bread, make yogurt and cheese, type on a typewriter, spin wool into yarn, and basic drawing techniques. Because of the various departments in the community, I learned different skills that were of great benefit in my future life.

It was time for final promises, and Catherine Doherty and my spiritual director discerned that I was not called to live permanently in the Madonna House community. Catherine sent me out from Madonna House to live in the world as both a contemplative and active person. The only resource I had was a stack of resumes that I could use to find a job. She also advised me to look into consecrated life as a virgin living in the world. So, I came to Calgary, where my father lived in a seniors’ home. I could not find any work or a place to live. In my desperation, I went to the cathedral and prayed to the Lord, asking Him to take care of me. Then, by His providence, God pointed me towards a businessman who had a job for me, and this man also helped me find a place to live. I ended up working for him for about seven years.

During this time, I heard about a group of consecrated virgins living in the United States, and I visited them. I was not prepared, however, to move to another country and give up my Canadian citizenship, which would have been required for me to join them. I continued to live my promises to the Lord that I had made at Madonna House: Poverty, Chastity and Obedience in my state of life. Because of my love for St Francis’ teachings, I became a Secular Franciscan. Each step has brought me into a deeper understanding of who God has called me to be. Nothing is hidden from Him. Now I hear His Voice within me. He is calling me to be a Consecrated Virgin living in the world for the Diocese of Calgary. 

This is what I have learned: when you are trying to discover where God wants you to be, you need to determine what is most important. It is prayer, which includes a time of listening to Him, reading the Scriptures, which is a time of Him speaking to you, and spiritual direction for wise guidance. In all these ways, God will answer your question about who He wants you to be. 

What do candles and Consecrated Life have in common? The faithful of St. Albert the Great Parish who attended the 5 pm Mass on Sunday, February 2, 2025 certainly know.

February 2 is an important feast day in the Church’s liturgical calendar, the 40th day after Christmas when we celebrate the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple. This day, also known since the Middle Ages as Candlemas Day, begins with the blessing of the candles as we celebrate Jesus the Light of the World.
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In 1997, Pope St. John Paul II also dedicated this day as the World Day for Consecrated Life. He wrote that the purpose of this day is “to help the entire Church to esteem ever more greatly the witness of those persons who have chosen to follow Christ by means of the practice of the evangelical counsels” [of poverty, chastity, and obedience] as well as “to be a suitable occasion for Consecrated persons to renew their commitment and rekindle the fervour which should inspire their offering of themselves to the Lord” (St. John Paul II, 1997; Ordo 2024-2025 p. 61)

At St. Albert the Great Parish, over 40 of the Religious and Consecrated persons in our Diocese were present with Bishop McGrattan to celebrate. What a joy it was to carry a lighted candle as the Religious and Consecrated processed with the Bishop, singing “Christ be our Light”! This was a truly significant action in the liturgy because Jesus Himself calls those vowed to this life “to show that the Incarnate Son of God is the eschatological goal towards which all things tend, the splendour before which every other light pales, and the infinite beauty which alone can fully satisfy the human heart.” (Vita Consecrata 16)
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Our Bishop in his homily, beautifully explained the origins of this feast day and how it relates to the Consecrated Life in the Church.  After the homily the Religious and Consecrated Communities renewed their vows. “The counsels, more than a simple renunciation, are a specific acceptance of the mystery of Christ, lived within the Church.” (Vita Consecrata 16) Bishop McGrattan invited everyone to pray for the Religious and Consecrated men and women present who then stood together and renewed their vows to the Lord.

Not only did we feast together at the Table of the Eucharist, but we broke bread together with a great variety of food at the reception! The generous parishioners hosted this delicious feast with an opportunity to rejoice together and enjoy each others’ company. This was truly a day of joyous celebration!
 
On behalf of the Religious and Consecrated of our Diocese, the Assembly of Women Religious, and the Renewal Team for Religious, thank you to the Salvatorian priests, parish staff, all who had a role in the liturgy, and parishioners at St. Albert the Great parish for making us welcome and offering us a life-giving and beautiful celebration of the Feast of the Presentation and World Day for Consecrated Life. We are filled with gratitude! May the Lord bless you abundantly!

Written by Br. Michael Perras, OFM, and Sr. Dianne Turner, OSE. Photos: Victor Panlilio, for the Diocese of Calgary.

Notably, a candidate for Consecrated Virginity with the Diocese, a Franciscan Sister, and the Dominican Sisters of the Immaculate Conception were present for much of the time. The Dominican Sisters and Polish priests beautifully sang the Liturgy of the Hours in the early morning. The Seeds of the Word community along with some dedicated others covered the night hours from midnight on. The Precious Blood Sisters, being a cloistered community, joined instead from their monastery chapel. It was truly an opportunity to rest spiritually in the Lord and to join with others in asking Him for more vocations.

Prayer for vocations involves all of the faithful. As Pope Francis said,

“I invite you to listen to and follow Jesus, and to allow yourselves to be transformed interiorly by His words, which ‘are spirit and life’ (Jn 6:62). Mary, the Mother of Jesus and ours, also says to us: ‘Do whatever He tells you’ (Jn 2:5). It will help you to participate in a communal journey that is able to release the best energies in you and around you. A vocation is a fruit that ripens in a well cultivated field of mutual love that becomes mutual service, in the context of an authentic ecclesial life. No vocation is born of itself or lives for itself. A vocation flows from the heart of God and blossoms in the good soil of faithful people, in the experience of fraternal love.

Did not Jesus say: ‘By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another’ (Jn 13:35)? Let us dispose our hearts therefore to being ‘good soil’, by listening, receiving and living out the word, and thus bearing fruit. The more we unite ourselves to Jesus through prayer, Sacred Scripture, the Eucharist, the Sacraments celebrated and lived in the Church and in fraternity, the more there will grow in us the joy of cooperating with God in the service of the Kingdom of mercy and truth, of justice and peace. And the harvest will be plentiful, proportionate to the grace we have meekly welcomed into our lives.” (Source: news.va, From the Vatican, 15 January 2014)

​Written by Sr. Dianne Turner, OSE, Assistant Vocations Director, Diocese of Calgary. Photos courtesy of Sr. Dianne.