A message from Bishop McGrattan:

​This Wednesday, May 7th, 133 Cardinals from across the world will gather in a solemn assembly to begin the process of electing a new Pope—the 267th Successor of Saint Peter. This process, known as a conclave, takes place behind the closed doors of the Sistine Chapel. The term conclave comes from the Latin cum clavis, meaning "with key," symbolizing a place that is securely locked.

The conclave recalls the gathering of the Apostles in the Upper Room before Pentecost, where they “constantly devoted themselves to prayer” (Acts 1:13–14). Unlike modern portrayals in popular media, the conclave is first and foremost a deeply spiritual event. It is carried out with solemn liturgical acts and constant prayer, as emphasized in the Order of the Sacred Rites of a Conclave. The Cardinals undertake this sacred responsibility under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, whom they invoke in order to hear God’s voice and discern His will.

In that same spirit of prayer, the rites of the conclave envision that the faithful are praying alongside the Cardinal-electors. As the Order states: “the whole church, united with us [the Cardinal electors] in prayer, invokes the grace of the Holy Spirit so that we may elect a worthy pastor of the entire flock of Christ.” I therefore invite you—clergy, consecrated men and women, and lay faithful—to join your prayers with those of your local Ordinary, asking the Holy Spirit to grant the Cardinals wisdom, faith, and discernment as they carry out this sacred task.

There are many meaningful ways to pray for the conclave. One may choose to pray daily the ancient hymn Veni, Creator Spiritus (“Come, O Creator Spirit”), echoing the Apostles' prayerful anticipation after Christ’s Ascension. Alternatively, one could pray the beautiful Collect from the Mass for the Election of a Pope:

Written by
​Bishop William T. McGrattan, 
President of CCCB
​and Bishop of Calgary

As part of the Jubilee of Hope, this Sixth Annual Sunday of the Word of God (January 26 2025)  invites us to reflect on the theme: “I hope in your Word” (Ps 119:74). God’s Word is steadfast and powerful, accomplishing all it promises (Isaiah 55:11). In Jesus, the living Word of God (John 1:14), we find our ultimate hope (1 Tim 1:1). God’s presence is inseparable from His Word, offering an unfailing source of hope and renewal. In this year of hopeful Jubilee, open the Scriptures and rediscover the life-changing power of God’s promise.

The celebration of the Sunday of the Word of God invites parish communities to embrace the living and transformative power of Scripture, with this 2025 Handbook serving as a guide to deepen its celebration within the Jubilee Year.

In preparation for the 2025 Jubilee Year 'Pilgrims of Hope,' 2024 has been designated a Year of Prayer. The Holy Father encourages us to highlight the importance of both communal prayer and individual prayer this year.

​Learn about the Jubilee Year "Pilgrims of Hope"

• Official Hymn for the Jubilee - Pilgrims of Hope
• Characteristics of the Jubilee  + Logo of the Jubilee
• Jubilee Events Calendar + Jubilee Pilgrimage
• Letter of the Holy Father for the Promotion of the New Evangelization for the Jubilee 2025
• The Jubilee Prayer

I was ordained on April 15, 1983 by Bishop Paul O'Byrne at Saint Mary's cathedral. 

I was a late vocation and entered the seminary at the age of thirty after a successful career in sales and then owning my own businesses. I had already acquired a diploma in Business Administration. My vocation was influenced by two priests, Father Jim Sheridan and Father William Harding and the example of my parents. 
​
I applied to and was accepted by the Diocese of Calgary and after a year's probation was sent to study at Mount Angel Seminary in Oregon run by the Benedictine Monks.

I entered pre-theology being a mature student and in that time earned a diploma in Philosophy. After this year I entered the school of Theology and after four years received my M·aster's diplomas and was ordained in Calgary. 

My first assignment was at St. Peter's parish and Chaplain at the Calgary Correctional Centre. My first Pastor was Father Stan Henke. I was transferred after two years to St. Basil's Parish in Lethbridge and Chaplain at the Leth bridge Correctional Centre and the Young Offenders Centre. My Pastor was Father John Maes. 

My first pastorate was St. Ambrose's parish in Coaldale and responsibility for the Correctional Centre in Lethbridge. I was at Saint Ambrose for five years and in that time updated the interior and exterior of the church building, and had a successful youth group of thirty young people and reached out socially to the parishioners. 

I was transferred to St. Mark's parish in Calgary and was fortunate to work with Deacon Amadeo Malate. It was a parish, in those days, of 2000 families and six schools and pastoral responsibility for the faithful in Chestermere. 

After three years at Saint Mark's, I was transferred to Saint Mary's in Brooks with missions in Tilley and Tide Lake. I spent nine years in Brooks and in that time we formed a Catholic school district under the old two by two system of the provincial government. It was a K to 12 School. We formed a food Bank (Saint Vincent de Paul Society), a successful youth program and many outreach and social programs for the parishioners. I was fortunate to be able to work with Deacon Bob Wilson.· 

I was transferred after the nine years to the parish Nostra Madonna delle Grazie (Our Lady of Grace, now Mary, Mother of the Redeemer in Calgary) an Italian-English parish in Calgary and remained there three very good years working with Deacon Ron Nowell. 

I was transferred to the combined parish of Canmore and Banff. In that time we acquired the property and put in place the design for a new church building (The Shrine Church) in Canmore. We encouraged many social programs and outreach activities to the parishioners and to the many tourists that attended while on vacation. I was very ably assisted by Deacon Brian West. 

I retired after eight years and at 76, I am enjoying retirement. 

Fr. Bryan Frank​

Ordained: April 15th, 1983, St. Mary’s Cathedral, Calgary

Pastoral Assignments in the Diocese of Calgary:

• Assistant: St. Peter’s, Calgary (1983-1985)
• Assistant: Correctional Institute, Calgary (1983-1985)
• Assistant: St. Basil’s, Lethbridge (1985-1987)
• Chaplain: Lethbridge Correctional Institute (1987-1992)
• Pastor: St. Ambrose, Coaldale (1987-1992)
• Pastor: St. Mark’s, Calgary (1992-1995)
• Pastor: St. Mary’s, Brooks (1995-2004)
• Pastor: Our Lady of Grace, Calgary (2005-2007)
• Administrator: St. Michael’s, Pincher Creek (2007-2008)
• Pastor:  Our Lady of the Rockies, Canmore; St. Mary’s, Banff (2008-2015)
• Retired: August 2015