 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.
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. 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. 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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Mary's Festival: A Celebration & Consecration of St. Mary's University to Our Blessed Mother5/12/2024
Holy Thursday
Good Friday
Play YouTube Playlist for Good Friday
Holy Saturday
Play YouTube Playlist for Holy Saturday
Easter Sunday
Play YouTube Playlist for Easter Sunday
 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
Pentecost Sequence
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Catholic Pastoral Centre Staff and Guest Writers Archives
March 2025
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