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A Melody of Love: Remembering Denis Grady

2/11/2025

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Denis Grady was a beacon of hope, a musician of the soul, and a servant of compassion whose life was a testament to the transformative power of faith and love. Born in Peterborough, Ontario in 1952, his family moved to Oshawa in 1962. It was in Oshawa that Denis learned to play guitar, and began performing at high school dances. Denis's journey was marked by an encounter with God in his teenage years that would shape his life thereafter.

​He moved west to Edmonton and eventually Calgary in the 1970s. As a gifted musician and spiritual leader, Denis began to use his music as a bridge to connect hearts and heal wounds. With two gospel albums — "Running Too Long" and "Grace in the Strangest Places" — he shared messages of redemption and hope that resonated deeply with those who heard them. He and his guitar became instruments of unity, whether teaching simple songs to children in a remote area, or bringing comfort to those struggling in his community.
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Denis with students from the Siksika Nation
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During Franciscans & Friends mission to Dominican Republic
In 2002, Denis founded the Franciscan and Friends Mission, embodying the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi by dedicating his life to serving the most vulnerable. It was in these early years of his ministry that my husband and I met Denis. Largely through the experience of seeing how Denis touched the lives of so many people, we ourselves joined him in becoming members of the Order of Secular Franciscans. Denis loved to travel, bringing music and light to places in need—such as Haiti, Mexico, Guatemala, and beyond—always driven by a profound belief that love knows no boundaries. My husband Bill had the privilege of taking him on a mission trip to India in 2018, and will never forget how Denis opened his heart to people everywhere they went. Here in Alberta, Denis was a crucial force in Indigenous reconciliation, organizing art and music events that brought communities together and honored the rich cultural heritage of First Nations peoples.
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Denis's own journey of recovery from alcoholism became a powerful narrative of grace and transformation. Achieving 40 years of sobriety, he allowed God to use his own personal struggles to reach out to others, proving that no one is beyond the reach of compassion and healing. His home became a sanctuary for those in need, a living testament to his belief that true service means opening one's heart completely. Denis’ family was the cornerstone of his life, and he was a devoted grandfather who radiated joy and pride in his five grandsons.
To know Denis was to understand that faith is about unconditional friendship. "Our job is to love, not judge," he would say, a philosophy that guided every aspect of his life and mission.
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Denis crossed over to be with his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on January 24, 2025, but his legacy lives on through the lives he touched, the music he shared, and the love he spread. In the words of one of his own songs, he was indeed "counting the days"—not with sadness, but with hope, joy, and an unwavering belief in the promise of paradise.
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Written by Laura Locke for Faithfully. Laura Locke is an educator, journalist, and editor of a free online eMagazine called Kolbe Times: Faith, Arts & Justice (kolbetimes.com). She is also the author of A Lamp on the Hill: St. Joseph’s Parish 1912-2012 (Calgary Public Library). Laura is married to Bill, who is publisher of Kolbe Times, and they have three amazing adult children and one beautiful grandchild. Laura and Bill enjoy biking, cooking, and volunteering together. 
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Mary's Festival: A Celebration & Consecration of St. Mary's University to Our Blessed Mother

5/12/2024

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As I shared when I wrote for Faithfully a few months ago, I learned about Calgary and the wonderful Catholic community in the diocese here when I was invited to apply for the job to become St. Mary’s University’s next president in early 2022.
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
– Isaiah 43:19
From my home in Texas, as I was preparing to share with the search committee a vision for the university, the scripture that came to my mind was the following: See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? – Isaiah 43:19​
We are so very drawn to fresh starts and new beginnings as humans, aren’t we? ​The liturgical calendar itself, remembering our Baptismal calling, the sacrament of reconciliation - each of these permit us to start anew. I believe that that is a large part of the reason that it has been so refreshing and life-giving to experience a movement of Renewal across the diocese following the synodal process.

St. Mary’s University is embarking on a renewal of its own as we launch our 
2024- 2029 Strategic Plan Expanding Minds, Inspiring Hearts. With our sights set on becoming the preeminent Catholic university in Canada, many new things are springing up, as the prophet Isaiah invites us to realize.
To that end, I’m very pleased to share that we have a special event that everyone in the diocese is invited to: Mary’s Festival on June 1. If you have not ever been to our beautiful campus before, mark your calendar and purchase your tickets today!

We are opening our doors wide for a fun family day with live music, food trucks, and games on Saturday, June 1 from 11 am to 4 pm. If you haven’t heard about it yet, consider this your personal invitation from the president! From food trucks to a dunk tank, a vendor marketplace and live musical entertainment, we want Mary’s Festival to be a joyful celebration and I invite everyone to come for what will be a whole lot of fun for the whole family including junior and senior high programming with FacetoFace Ministries!
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I encourage you to help us spread the word to your friends, family members, and colleagues!  ​
​The first time people visit St. Mary’s University, they often say, “Wow! This place is amazing. I had no idea that this was here.” For that reason, those of us who work here often call St. Mary’s a “hidden gem.” Our aim is to help people discover the wonderful community and excellent education that is offered at St. Mary’s. 

​From our campus, we have a stunning view of Fish Creek Provincial Park as well as the Sisters of Providence lands. If you don’t want to drive to the SE Quadrant, consider taking the LRT and getting off at the Lacombe / Fish Creek stop. What a great opportunity we have to come together, in the spirit of renewal and community, to draw strength from one another and to invite others under God’s big, beautiful tent! ​
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We thank the Calgary Diocese, God Squad Canada, and St. Francis Xavier Chaplaincy for coming alongside us in co-sponsorship of this event! Importantly, I also invite you to come the evening before, Friday, May 31, at 7 pm for a Consecration Mass where we will officially consecrate St. Mary’s University to Mary on the Feast Day of the Visitation. Bishop McGrattan, University Chancelor, will be presiding and will be joined by Diocesan Chancellor, Fr. Nathan Siray, and St. Mary's University Chaplain, Fr. Troy Nuygen.
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The Mass and reception will take place in McGivney Hall, M100.
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Written by Dr. Sinda Vanderpool, President and Vice Chancellor, St. Mary’s University, for Faithfully.  ​
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Triduum Sacred Music Playlist

3/16/2020

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Holy Thursday

​Play YouTube Playlist
Play Spotify Playlist
  • Ubi Caritas (Chant) | Video | Sheet Music
  • Tantum Ergo (Chant) | Video | Sheet Music
  • O Sacrum Convivium (Roberto Remondi) | Video | Sheet Music
  • Ave Verum Corpus (William Byrd) | Video | Sheet Music
  • Godhead Here in Hiding (G. Manley Hopkins/Thomas Aquinas) | Video | Sheet Music
  • Panis Angelicus (Lambilotte) | Video | Sheet Music
  • My Song is Love Unknown (John Ireland) | Video 1 | Video 2 | Sheet Music
  • Adoro te Devote (Chant) | Video | Sheet Music
  • A New Commandment (Tallis) | Video | Sheet Music
  • Ubi Caritas (Garau) | Video | Sheet Music
  • Stay with me (Taize) | Video | Sheet Music
  • Ubi Caritas (Gjielo) | Video | Sheet Music
  • Ubi Caritas (Duruffle) | Video | Sheet Music
  • Ave Verum Corpus (Mozart) | Video | Sheet Music
  • Verbum Caro (Hassler) | Video | Sheet Music
  • Una Hora - Responsory (Chant) | Video | Sheet Music
  • Go to dark Gethsemane (Montgomery/Bach) | Video | Sheet Music
  • And Now, O Father!  (William Bright/UNDE ET MEMORES) | Video | Sheet Music
  • Now, My Tongue, The Mystery Telling​ (GRAFTON) | Video 1 | Sheet Music 
  • Bread of the World in Mercy Broken (Ralph Vaughan) | Video | Sheet Music
  • Mandatum (Composer) | Video | Sheet Music
  • Litany of Humility (Composer) | Video | Prayer
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Triduum & Easter - People's Favourite Playlist
  • Submit your most cherished Triduum or Easter piece of sacred music, and we will add it to the playlist above! Enter here (comments section).
  • Play People's Favourite Playlist
 

Good Friday

​​​Play YouTube Playlist for Good Friday
  • O Vos Omnes (Victoria) | Video 1 | Video 2 | Sheet Music
  • Crux Fidelis (Chant) | Video 1 | Video 2 |  Sheet Music
  • Stabat Mater (Chant) | Video | Sheet Music
  • Stabat Mater - Sequentia (Chant) | Video | Sheet Music
  • Stabat Mater (Pergolesi) | Video | Sheet Music
  • Stabat Mater (Poulenc) | Video | Sheet Music
  • Popule Meus (Palestrina) | Audio | Sheet Music 
  • Popule Meus (Victoria) | Audio | Sheet Music
  • There is a Green Hill Far Away (Cecil F. Alexander / HORSLEY) | Video | Sheet Music
  • When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (Isaac Watts / ROCKINGHAM) | Video | Sheet Music
  • Fairest Lord Jesus (CRUSADER'S HYMN) | Video | Sheet Music
  • Reproaches and Trisagion Mysteria (Chant)  | Video 
  • Crux Fidelis (Composer) | Video | Sheet Music
  • There is a Green Hill Faraway (Composer) | Video | Sheet Music
  • When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (Composer) | Video | Sheet Music
  • Seven Last Words from the Cross (James MacMillan) | Video 
  • The Passion According to St. John (Bach) | Video 
 

Holy Saturday

Play YouTube Playlist for Holy Saturday
  • Exultet (Chant) | Video | Sheet Music (English | Latin)
  • Sicut Cervus (Palestrina) | Video| Sheet Music​
  • Hearts to Heaven (Sullivan) | Video | Sheet Music  
  • This Joyful Eastertide (Woodward) | Video | Sheet Music 
  • Let all the World (George Herbert) | Video | Sheet music
  • I know that my redeemer liveth (Handel) | Video
  • Jesus Christ is Risen Today (Williams) | Video | Sheet Music
  • Most Holy Night (Schutte) | Video | Sheet Music Preview
  • Ode to Joy (Beethoven) | Video | Sheet Music 
  • Christ Rising Again (William Byrd) | Video | Sheet Music
  • Festival Canticle: Worthy is Christ (Richard Hillert)  | Video  | Sheet Music
  • O Filii et Filiae (Chant) | Video | Sheet Music​​
 

Easter Sunday

​Play YouTube Playlist for Easter Sunday
  • Now the Green Blade Rises (French Carol) | Video | Sheet Music
  • Jesus Christ is Ris'n Today (Williams) | Video | Sheet Music
  • Vidi Aquam (Chant) | Video | Sheet Music
  • Regina Caeli (Chant) | Video | Sheet Music
  • Be Joyful Mary (Traditional) | Video | Sheet Music
  • Victimae Paschali Laudes (Chant) | Video | Sheet Music
  • Haec Dies (Gradual) | Video | Sheet Music
  • The Strife is O'er! (Vulpius) | Video | Sheet Music 
  • Thine be the Glory, Risen Conquering Son! (JUDAS MACCABEUS) | Video | Sheet Music
  • Surrexit pastor bonus (Jean Lhéritier) | Video | Sheet Music
  • Lord enrolled on High (George H. Bourne) | Video  
  • Resurrexi Introit (Composer) | Video | Sheet Music
  • Exultate Deo (Palestrina) | Video | Sheet Music
  • Hail Thee, Festival Day (SALVE, FESTA DIES) | Video | Sheet Music
  • Surrexit Pastor Bonus  (Orlandus Lassus) | Video | Sheet Music
  • Regina Caeli Jubila (Michael Praetorius) | Video | Sheet Music ​
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Easter Sunday and Pentecost Sequence

2/10/2020

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Do you know that the proper Sequence is obligatory on Easter and Pentecost Sunday? It is to be sung following the second reading. The Gospel Acclamation follows the Sequence as usual. The sequence can be sung by the cantor, by the choir, or by the entire assembly. The CCCB encourages the participation of the assembly. The Easter sequence may be sung on every day of the Easter Octave including especially the Second Sunday of Easter.

Handy links for Parish music ministers and cantors:

Easter Sequence
  • Chant in Latin
    • Modern notation: CBW III no. 690 | Breaking Bread 2019 on page 151
    • Square notation: Print notation | Listen
  • Chant in English
    • CBW III no. 690 - Matches English text in Canadian lectionary | Listen
    • Breaking Bread 2019 on page 151
    • Alternate English Versions: Breaking Bread 2019 nos. 181 and 162

Pentecost Sequence
  • Chant in Latin
    • Modern notation: Breaking Bread 2019 on page 177
    • Square notation: Print notation | Listen
  • Chant in English
    • Breaking Bread 2019 on page 177 | Listen
    • Alternate English Versions
      • CBW III no. 692 - Matches English text in Canadian lectionary | Listen
      • Breaking Bread 2019 nos. nos. 188 and 189

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