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A gathering for justice, mercy and faith

9/24/2019

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Freedom to live authentic Christian lives according to one’s conscience is under attack by an aggressive secularism and it must be resisted, said Canada’s former Ambassador for Religious Freedom. 

​Father Deacon Andrew Bennett, an ordained deacon in the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, and the current Cardus Religious Freedom Institute Director, worries that if robust conscience rights are eroded in Canada, people who don’t hold the prevailing secularist values will be marginalized.  

“That’s not democratic, it’s not right, it’s not just,” he said. “There is a concerted attempt to demonize those people who hold different views on the nature of human sexuality, on the nature of the dignity of the human person, and that’s unacceptable.” 

“A lot of us often silence ourselves, or self-censor ourselves for fear that if we speak our minds or live according to our consciences, we will be demonized.” 

But Bennett said it’s the moral obligation of Christians to speak out in charity and truth or otherwise risk moral injury and distress.   

“For all of us as Catholics, we must live the faith truthfully and fully both in our private lives of faith and public lives of faith because our baptism calls us to be present in the world. And we must take courage, through our participation in the sacramental life of the Church, to step out into the public square and say what is true.” 
 
He points to the examples of St. Thomas More and Blessed John Henry Newman (soon to be canonized a saint on Oct. 13) for strength and guidance in the area of conscience rights.  

“We need both martyrs (like St. Thomas More) those who will witness to what is true in terms of religious freedom and conscience,” said Bennett. “These are people who might lose their jobs or status in their career, but they will be examples. We also need confessors (like Blessed John Henry Newman) those men and women who will step forward and give an account for why they hold the beliefs that they do, and to do so in a way that’s convincing to people.” 
 
Bennett will speak about the necessity of conscience rights at a reception following Calgary’s Annual Red Mass on Oct. 30 at St. Mary’s Cathedral. The Saint Thomas More Lawyers’ Guild of Calgary hosts the Red Mass as an opportunity for judges, lawyers, elected officials, paralegals, file clerks, law students and all members of the legal community to pray for the pursuit of justice and mercy at the beginning of the new judicial term and to build community among those in the law profession. 

The Red Mass celebrates the martyrdom of St. Thomas More who was executed by order of King Henry VIII for refusing to approve his divorce. It was first celebrated at the Cathedral of Paris in 1245, dates back to 1896 in Canada and re-instituted in Calgary in 2015. 
 
“That is why the Red Mass is a celebration of the rule of law rather than the rule of men,” said Tom Ross, Saint Thomas More Lawyers' Guild of Calgary Chairman. “Part of the beauty of our legal system, compared to others in the world, is that we expect our laws to be honoured regardless of who may be adversely affected by them or who is in government. They apply equally to all.”

Written by Sara Francis for Faithfully
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All are welcome to join Bishop McGrattan as he offers the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2019 at 5 pm in St. Mary’s Cathedral. Tickets can be purchased for the reception and keynote address in St. Mary’s parish hall following Mass online here or email calgary.stmlg@gmail.com.
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How to vote as Catholics?

9/17/2019

3 Comments

 
An authentic faith – which is never comfortable or completely personal – always involves a deep desire to change the world, to transmit values, to leave this earth somehow better that we found it. – Evangelii Gaudium, 183
 
As the federal election approaches on October 21, 2019, the Diocese of Calgary has compiled a set of resources to assist our faithful in making a faith-informed decision at the ballot box.
 
While we are all called to perfection (Mt 5:48), each one of us falls short. Similarly, no political party or candidate will embody all that we seek in leadership. Despite this challenge, Catholics “cannot relinquish their participation ‘in the many different economic, social, legislative, administrative and cultural areas, which are intended to promote organically and institutionally the common good.’” (Deus Caritas Est, 28)
 
As a consequence, each Catholic is morally obligated to exercise the right to vote. (CCC 2240)
 
The decision you make will be a personal one, but we pray it will be one which is prayerfully discerned, takes into consideration the fullness of the gospel message and will result in the election of those representatives who will fight for justice, religious freedom, the common good and a moral ordering of the affairs of our nation.
 
If indeed “the just ordering of society and of the state is a central  responsibility of politics”, the Church “cannot and must not remain on the sidelines in the fight for justice” - Evangelii Gaudium, 183
 
 Resources:

  • Voting as Catholics: 2019 Federal Election Guide (Canadian Catholic Conference of Bishops)
  •  Canada’s Federal Election and the Catholic Church: Educate, Reflect, Act (Archdiocese of Toronto) 
  • Federal Election Debate from a Catholic Perspective on Human Dignity (Archdiocese of Toronto) | Watch the entire debate here
  •  A Canadian Catholic Voters Catechism (Archdiocese of Vancouver)
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3 Comments

GrACE

4/17/2019

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WHY?
The gift of publicly funded Catholic education in Alberta is a true blessing. As a community we are called in gratitude, faith and action to ensure that our children and future generations continue to learn and grow in our Catholic schools. 

WHAT?
The mission of GrACE 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. GrACE is a partnership of stakeholders resolutely committed to Catholic education within the province of Alberta. 

WHO? YOU!
GrACE invites all those committed to Catholic education, through the unity of the Holy Spirit, to be advocates and witnesses for our schools’ successes and their future. 

WHERE?
In your homes, your neighborhoods, your schools and your parishes. Watch for and get involved with your local GrACE team. Tell your stories of Catholic education. Let your voice be heard. 

WHEN? NOW!
Every day is a celebration of Catholic education. Let us be grateful for our blessings and commit our support. 

Did You Know?
  • Catholic education affirms parents as their children’s primary educators and respects the rights of parents to choose the school that meets their needs
  • In Catholic schools, it is our deepest desire to ensure that every child knows and experiences the love of God through the witness of their community
  • Principles of diversity and inclusion are central in the teachings of the Catholic Church and permeate all aspects and curriculum in a Catholic school
  • 180,000 students currently attend Catholic schools in Alberta     
  • Alberta is one of three provinces in Canada with publicly funded Catholic education. Ontario and Saskatchewan are the other two. 
  • Catholic education in Alberta is 158 years old  
  • An organized effort of public school lobbyists are attempting to disrupt Catholic education in our province. Your engagement; your advocacy; your voice is vital. 

RESOURCES
  • Letter from the Alberta Catholic Bishops on Catholic Education Sunday 2019 | Download
  • Download GrACE Flyer
  • Connect with GrACE in Twitter
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Over 50 #RedWednesday events in Calgary!

10/31/2018

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​Aid to the Church in Need, a pontifical charity designated Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018 as Red Wednesday in Canada: a day dedicated to drawing attention to persecuted Christians throughout the world.

Currently, 200 million of the world's Christians are unable to freely live out their faith. They suffer from oppression or persecution. To raise awareness of this oppression, the Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) #RedWednesday is an initiative aimed at highlighting the persecution and injustice suffered by Christians, while promoting respect and tolerance between people of different faith traditions.

Thank you to everyone who helped make Red Wednesday 2018 such a success. Over 50 parishes, schools and religious communities in the Diocese of Calgary helped bring attention to the persecution of Christians across the globe.

If you are interested in assisting with the coordination of Red Wednesday 2019, please contact Theodoric or Kimberly at the Diocese of Calgary: 403-218-5501. 

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Pastoral Centre #RedWednesday - Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
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#RedWednesday prayer at Ascension Catholic Parish in Calgary.
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#RedWednesday prayer service at St. Gerard, Calgary.
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