In Norcia, we visited the Benedictine Monastery of our fellow Calgarian, Brother Paul. The monastery was on top of a mountain, and it was such a peaceful place to visit. We had a private Mass in the Extraordinary Form, joined the monks in praying the Liturgy of the Hours, and learned a lot about the life of St. Benedict and the monastic traditions of the Benedictine order.  

Assisi was also one of my favourites because I was able to learn more about the lives of St. Francis and St. Clare, and the impact of their lives in our Church was so beautifully reflected throughout the town. Visiting the tomb of St. Francis was especially powerful for me, as I was able to reflect on his life of humility and radical love for God, which inspires me to live my own faith with greater courage.
​
​Walking through the towns where some of the greatest saints used to live, and learning about the rich culture and history of our Catholic faith, will have an everlasting impact on my life. I am so thankful to our priests, Fr. Cristino, Fr. Troy, and Fr. Santiago, for leading us on this pilgrimage that I will cherish in my heart forever.

Written by Kathleen Brul for Faithfully. Kathleen joined the young adults pilgrimage to Italy (Aug 2025) organized by St. Francis Xavier Chaplaincy. Photos courtesy of Kathleen Brul.

​We also had the opportunity to meet many saints, who intercede for us pilgrims. These holy men and women included St. Benedict, St. Scholastica, St. Francis, St. Clare, Bl. Carlo Acutis, St. Anthony, St. Luke, St. Paul and more! In particular, we received the grace of being able to venerate the relic of St. Cristina and walk with her in procession in Fr. Cristino’s hometown of Sepino. This moment was significant for us since Catarina’s mother is named after this saint.
​
Above all, we had many moments of profound encounters with Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, Who we visited in the Blessed Sacrament and received every day in Holy Mass. In Turin, we prayed in the presence of the Shroud, recalling His immense sacrifice of love for our sake. Following from the passion to the resurrection, we adored Him in the miraculously unveiled host in Lanciano and in the Precious Blood in Orvieto. Finally, we adored Jesus along with one million other young Catholics in Tor Vergata at the Jubilee Vigil with Pope Leo XIV.

Written by Catarina Avila for Faithfully. She and her husband Aviv joined the young adults pilgrimage to Italy with St. Francis Xavier Chaplaincy. Photos courtesy of Catarina Avila. 

Having said all of this, one particular moment that stood out to me the most was from one of our first days in Italy, in Sepino, the hometown of Fr. Cristino’s family.

There, we were blessed to celebrate Mass at Chiesa Madre di Santa Cristina on July 24, the Feast Day of Santa Cristina, with the Archbishop of Campobasso. He said something that I think many of us will keep in our hearts for the rest of our lives: “Your pilgrimage begins when you go back home.” This, for me, set the tone for our pilgrimage. It made it more apparent that what we experience, the things we learn, and all the graces that we receive during the pilgrimage should not stay within the pilgrimage.

​We’re pilgrims for life. We are meant to pour what the Lord has filled us with during this time into our daily lives and into the people we surround ourselves with - extending the legacy of the Saints, many of whom we encountered throughout Italy, back to our community in our own way. I feel extremely fortunate to have been a part of this pilgrimage, and I have a deeper appreciation of the Mass, our Priests, the Sacraments, the Saints, and our Church as a whole.
​
I look forward to continuing to pull from this experience and become a better instrument of God’s will in my life and in others’ lives.​

Written by Anne Navalta for Faithfully. Ann joined the young adults pilgrimage to Italy (Aug 2025) with St. Francis Xavier Chaplaincy. Photos courtesy of Ann Navalta.

​The themes of culture, renewal, heaven, and pilgrimage were the four themes that stood out to me the most throughout our pilgrimage. In one of the first homilies of the pilgrimage, Fr. Troy spoke about culture and how it relates not only to shared language, customs and ideas, but also to a shared worship. A culture that worships anyone or anything but God will drown in itself. A culture, however, whose worship is centred and grounded in God will flourish and live.

​Fr. Troy encouraged us to think about culture and right worship as a means of renewal. Being in a country like Italy, it was hard not to see and experience that. I was deeply moved by all the richness, goodness and beauty of Italian culture. Their language, food, people, and customs. From the beauty of the churches, frescos and art, to the music, people, and delicious food, I was encouraged to see it all as a little taste of heaven. This pilgrimage taught me a lot about being a pilgrim and how to live as one.

Finishing our pilgrimage in Rome was a beautiful way to end our pilgrimage. We got to experience all the hustle and bustle of the Eternal City, as well as the busyness and excitement of millions of other young Catholics joining together to celebrate the Jubilee of Youth with the Pope. It was encouraging and exciting to see so many millions of people joining together as pilgrims, and to feel a fatherly closeness to the Pope.

​It was also incredibly inspiring to witness the everlasting endurance of the Catholic Church and all the millions of brothers and sisters who have gone before us and reached our Heavenly goal. Walking through the Holy Doors of the four Roman Basilicas was a highlight and an experience I will continue to hold dear to my heart. I am very grateful and excited to see the fruits of this pilgrimage unfold not only in my life, but also in the life of our Diocese and all the people we prayed for. The pilgrimage goes on!​

Written by Ana Maria Torres for Faithfully. Ana Maria joined the young adults pilgrimage to Italy (Aug 2025) with St. Francis Xavier Chaplaincy. Photos courtesy of Ana Maria. 

Lena’s story

After fleeing her war-torn country, Lena arrived in Calgary seeking safety and a fresh start. Pregnant and close to birth, she found Elizabeth House—a place of hope where she could prepare for motherhood and rebuild her life.

With the support of staff and access to essentials like healthcare, financial literacy, and business training, Lena gained the skills and confidence to thrive. She welcomed a healthy baby girl and poured herself into being the best mother she could be. Lena eventually moved into her own home, launched a small business crafting baby mobiles, and secured her first job in Canada.

A thriving diocesan Catholic community for young adults, St. Francis Xavier Chaplaincy (SFXC), invites students, professionals, and young families to grow in faith, be formed in truth, and find fellowship rooted in Christ. 

In 2024, SFXC served young adults in a variety of dynamic ways:

• Pints with Aquinas 
  A long-standing favourite even before SFXC officially began, this event continues to draw 60–100 attendees each night. It’s supported by about 10 moderators and a dedicated team of volunteers.
  
• Advent & Lenten Lectures 
  Building on last year’s launch of Lenten Lectures, we expanded the series this year with keynote speakers and weekly formation opportunities during the Church’s two most important liturgical seasons.
• Small groups 
  In Sep 2024, we launched a range of small group studies—including Theology of the Body, Men’s Formation, CCO, Healing of the Whole Person, Church History, Fruitful Discipleship, Young Couples, and Mom’s Group—each averaging 10–20 participants and meeting regularly through the semester.
• Sports night, board games night and Sunday Socials 
  ​Sports Night, Board Games Night, and Sunday Socials each draw 20–50 people regularly. We also hosted new community-building events, including our late-summer BBQ, which drew over 150 people right after Mass, and the annual SFXC Dance, where more than 100 young adults came together to celebrate our patron Saint’s feast day.​

In September, I started reading the Gospel of Matthew. I had never read the Bible for myself—I had always just heard it in bits and pieces at church and in different youth groups. When I finished reading Matthew, it gave me a lot to think about. It especially made me think more favorably about the Catholic Church. But I was never going to be Catholic. They have that wacky Pope and believe in that nonsense about Mary! That’s what I told myself, anyway.

One late night, I was sitting alone and came across the 60 Minutes interview with Pope Francis. I was completely moved by listening to him speak. He was such a merciful man, and you could tell just by hearing him that he was of God. It completely turned the narrative I had on its head.

That night, I accepted Pope Francis as one of the many Christian leaders and saw him as a true man of God in our dark world. But it was still a long road before I would proclaim papal supremacy like I do now.

Sometime after that, a post came up from a Catholic solo metal project I had started listening to because I liked the songs about Jesus. The project was called Hell’s Enemy, and the man behind it is named Fredrick—a metalhead turned Catholic convert, much like myself.

Fred made a video explaining what Catholics believe about Mary. After watching it, I sat down and began to think a lot more about her. I thought back to when I was a young boy, I had always adored Mary. A large part of that was because I had only my biological mother, and my father was not in my life. So it was easy for me to find comfort in someone like Mary.

I loved Mother Mary, until I grew up and was taught by many Protestants that she was nothing special, just a sinful woman God picked to give birth to Jesus and nothing more.

After reflecting on this, I decided to say a simple prayer to our Mother. Humbly, I asked, “Mother Mary, please pray for me.” I kept praying that prayer every day, and eventually, I was led into Saint Patrick’s on October 13th. My life was changed after attending Mass. I had never felt the presence of God more than I did that day.

But it would still be a little longer before I entered RCIA.

On November 10th, I attended Mass a second time. After that Mass, I talked to a lady who passed my information to Deacon Terry. I went about my life and waited for a call. A few days later, I got one. Deacon Terry asked me some light questions and when I could meet. We met that same week, and during that meeting he asked me why I wanted to be Catholic.

I told him I wanted a faith that had more commitment. But there was a bigger reason I didn’t share at the time.
Mary.

She was the biggest reason I was there. I had a few supernatural encounters with our Mother—her presence was overwhelming and constantly around me until I went and signed up for RCIA. She poured out her love to me, and it was so overwhelming that it left me with an aching feeling in my soul, a calling. My soul and heart were not yet ready for that kind of love, but the outpouring of her love left me no choice but to enter the Church. Almost as if to say, “Alright Mother, you win! No more!”

I was afraid to share these experiences I had with the Blessed Mother, because I was absolutely afraid of sounding like a crazy person. But now that I’ve grown more comfortable in my faith, I am unashamed to talk about my relationship with the Holy Mother.

My love for Our Mother only grew when Ray, who was a sponsor for Justin (the other catechumen besides myself, who was also received into the Church last year), gave me a rosary. Praying the rosary changed my life! Every time I pray the rosary, I’m filled with a love for Jesus and his Mother. As I pray, I am filled with Mary’s maternal love for me, and it has shattered many habits that once had a strong hold on me.

So thank you, Ray, for giving me my first rosary!

For those who have been in the Church and have paid attention to me or gotten to know me, you know how the rest goes. I did a ton of research into Church history and theology. I came to church every week (besides one time when the winter weather was bad) and actively participated in the Mass. The reason for all of that is because my love for Jesus has grown beyond belief, and I love going to church, which is something I never thought would be possible.

Now, there is another important figure in my faith journey I absolutely must mention: my beloved Saint Catherine of Siena, my Patroness.

On the night of Christmas Eve, after coming home from Mass, my friends and I began to discuss the relics that the Church had. Little did I know, the Holy Spirit had something in store for me that night.

I was guided to the head of Catherine. Yes, the very first image I ever saw of her was her decapitated head in a glass box. I was absolutely intrigued, so I looked up her name. Just a few seconds after hitting the search button, her portrait by Giovanni Battista appeared. I sat there and stared at it for a few seconds, taking in her face, the stigmata on her hands, and the crown of thorns resting on her head.

Before this moment, I was struggling to find my saint. I knew one had picked me out from the rest and was deeply interested in me, so much so that by their prayers and constant battle against the forces of evil over me, there was never going to be a version of me that didn’t end up Catholic.

Believe me, the fact I’ve even made it to the age of 21 is nothing short of divine intervention. Someone was dragging me along, keeping me on track so I wouldn’t stray too far. Whoever it was, they were as sharp as a sword when it came to matters of faith, so much so that, even to this day, they remain a controversial saint in the Church.

After sitting there a few moments, looking at her, something hit me right in the soul. It was as if Catherine herself came down from heaven to smack me in the face and reprimand me for not coming to her sooner. But nonetheless, joyfully, I was here now.

Let me tell you, if Mother Mary was the one to give me a loving push to go to Saint Patrick’s, Catherine was grabbing me by the wrist and dragging me up the steps.

As I got to know Catherine more, I could see she was strengthening me with all the power God had given her. There have been many times I’ve been afraid to do or say something, but every time, she’s dragged me into doing it. One example was during our 40 hours of adoration. I sat in the middle pew and got settled. After just a few minutes, I heard a voice, clear as ever, say to me: “Pick up your stuff and go sit at the front. Go. Now.”

With the sharpness, yet at the same time gentleness of that voice, I knew it could be no one else but Catherine of Siena.
I did as she asked and sat at the very front of the church. I had a beautiful visit with our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. I sat there for three hours, praying, reading Scripture, and adoring our Lord.

St. Catherine is someone I can get behind easily. Her honesty and disregard for what people might think or feel about what she would say when it came to the truth was a perfect match for me. I tell people now all the time that they better be careful when they ask me for my honest opinion, because I have the sharpness of my Patroness.

Along with her attitude and personality, she adored what most would consider morbid imagery, but all she saw was beauty in it. I’m in full agreement with her on that. She always talked about blood and desired to be martyred, as she once wrote: “I pray that sweet Light (Jesus) leads us to bleed to death for the truth.”

Truly, I tell you, with her attitude, her love of dark imagery, and her need to go against the culture of her time, Catherine was, in many ways, one of the first "metalhead" types to ever exist. That only added to my love for her. There could not be a more perfect saint for me. Only the divine could arrange such a close and intimate relationship. That’s the way I would describe my relationship with Catherine: she is absolutely a guiding figure, but more importantly, she is a friend, my best friend.

Even with all the friends I have on earth, no one comes close to her. She will always put me on the path of Christ, even if it means she has to drag me across the parking lot and up the steps of the church to do so. Because that’s the kind of person she is, and we all need a friend like that.

There’s not too much I can promise you, but if I make it to heaven through the grace of God, wherever Catherine goes, I won’t be too far behind, and vice versa.

Saint Catherine of Siena, pray for us!

Now, having shared with you my testimony of faith, my relationship with our dear Mother, and my friendship with my beloved Patroness, how does this testimony end? With a call to action.

​For those who read this, if you haven't already, I urge you to consider the following: 

First, to grow a devotion to our Blessed Mother. The Church is at her best when Mary is honored and devotion to her is at an all-time high. So please, take the time to spend with Mother. Maybe even bring her flowers—whether at your home shrine or at church. Don’t be afraid to show your love for her, because she loves you unapologetically.

Second, to grow in closeness to your Patron or Patroness. Take some time to ask for their guidance and intercession. Build a relationship with the one who prays for and watches over you—they care deeply for you.

Third and finally, be unashamed of your Catholic faith. When you eat in public, make the sign of the cross before you eat. When you pray with friends and family, say the Hail Mary—no matter what they may think. When the opportunity arises, always share your faith with people and invite them to Mass.

My friends, you are part of the true Church of Jesus Christ! Be proud to be a part of His holy Church!

In conclusion, I want to say thank you to my Godmother, Rita. Rita has been a great help as well as a good person to just have a great conversation with. I’m very thankful to have gotten to know her.

Thank you also to everyone in the RCIA at Saint Patrick’s, the parishioners there and at Holy Family, the clergy at both churches, and everyone at Saint Mary’s Cathedral who showed me such wonderful hospitality as a visitor when I attended their parish for a few days in early April.

Thank you all for welcoming me with love into Christ’s Church like no one else ever has. No matter where I go, I have family nearby—as long as there’s a Catholic Church.

I look forward to what else awaits me on this journey.

Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us!
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us!
Saint Catherine of Siena, pray for us!
Ave Christus Rex!
Ave Maria!

Written by Luke Banek, St. Patrick's in Medicine Hat. 

​The Second Annual Diocesan Vocations Rally was, from the opening Mass with Bishop McGrattan, until the end with his blessing, a very blessed and Spirit-led event for our diocesan community. Almost 400 people gathered at St. Michael’s church in Calgary to celebrate Pentecost Sunday Mass, to hear inspiring talks about creating a culture of vocations in our Diocese and about various vocations within the Church, and to interact with faith-filled people in those vocations. We were skilfully led through the series of talks and panel discussion by two MCs: Deacon Peter An and Francesca Ambrosino.

Prayer and baptism were main messages that ran through the talks.  At the Mass which began the Vocations Rally, the Bishop performed the sprinkling rite to remind us of our baptism. Every speaker connected our vocations with our baptism.

Fr. Troy Nguyen began the presentations with a talk on the culture of vocations and discernment of vocation. His three main points were living our baptismal call, living a life of sacrifice, and creating a culture of joy.

He was followed by Sr. Mary Elisabeth Pinochet, SOW, who spoke on the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience. She explained that all of us are called to live out these gospel counsels. This is a call from our baptism; those who are Consecrated are just living this call radically.

Dr. Thomas and Chanèle Bouchard gave the third talk on the topic of marriage, family, and building a vocation culture in the home. They emphasized the important point that a relationship founded upon friendship is the basis of a good marriage.

The final talk was given by Fr. Derek Remus. He presented on the theologically profound responsibilities and realities of the ministerial priesthood and how the royal priesthood of the faithful and the ministerial priesthood further enhance each other. 
​
Then it was time for the panel discussion with Sr. Zacharia Hryc, OP, Br. Michael Perras, OFM, Fr. Anthony Sortino, LC, and Deacon Stephen Robinson. Lots of great questions were asked by the participants and we received many thoughtful and helpful answers from the panelists. 

Kemuel Perez who participated in the Rally said, “The Vocations Rally really got me inspired to discern my vocation because it has been a long time for my discerning to what God is calling me. It really helps to hear the testimonies and the speakers of different vocations. If you are ever discerning for whatever God is calling you, it really helps to talk to the different people who are living that vocation.”

Sr. Carol Forhan, RPB, shared, “I was heartened to see the number of people who were there for the first time!  I found that the program was well-planned, and the MCs were excellent. The participants who gave the talks, or who were on the panel, did so well, whether giving a teaching or sharing personal experiences of God's work in their own lives.  One happy surprise was the great number of people who asked questions of the panel!  I pray and trust that many young people will be helped through this event and others like it, to listen within their hearts to God's Call, whatever that will be for them.”

Mara Capili brought her children to the Rally. She told us, “Especially when Fr. Troy teared up during his talk, it was very moving; you could almost feel him when he was talking. He was grateful that he followed his vocation. Sr. Mary Elisabeth’s talk about the evangelical counsels was a teaching moment for me. I had not heard of the term 'evangelical counsels' before. I was so happy to be there. I made sure that I brought my kids to hear the talks. My eldest collected a lot of brochures from the display tables and is eager now to study theology after high school. We loved it. It was very worthwhile.”

Fr. Troy commented, “It was inspiring to see so many people excited to learn about vocations in all its forms. I hope that it sparks a renewal in our Diocese.”

We offer a tremendous thank you to Bishop McGrattan who has been so supportive of this event, who presided at the Mass and provided us spiritual nourishment in his homily, as well as offering final comments and giving us his blessing at the end of the Rally. Bishop McGrattan spoke of this event as being a celebration of a Vocations Pentecost and he tied the Diocesan renewal in which we are engaging into a sort of Pentecost in the Holy Spirit.

We also thank the many priests who concelebrated the Mass, the seminarians who served at the altar, St. Michael’s community parishioners who assisted in so many ways, and the choir led by Heather Blair who provided inspirational music for the liturgy.

We are grateful for the tremendous effort of those who staffed the display booths and interacted with the participants. This is an aspect of the Vocations Rally for which many people expressed their appreciation. It really provides a venue for talking about vocations.

Thank you to the Benedict XVI Institute at Newman Theological College for their generous donation. Thank you to the God Squad and volunteers who served the lunch.

We were happy to see so many young adults and families who participated. We are very happy to see those who came of the newly baptized and confirmed. The Vocations Rally was for those discerning their vocation, but also for everyone to support vocations and to help to create a culture of vocations in our Diocese, welcoming vocations, praying for vocations. Thank you to everyone who contributed to and attended the Rally.
​
The Office of Vocations encourages people to pray the vocation prayer and to contact us if they need more prayer cards. Please pray for our seminarians, candidates for permanent diaconate, and consecrated virginity. If you are wondering about your vocation, you are welcome to contact the Office of Vocations to come to talk to us. 

Written by Sr. Dianne Turner, Office of Vocations. Photos courtesy of Luke Fuentebella & SFXC Lethbridge. View Photo Album

St. Francis Xavier Chaplaincy (SFXC) is a young adult ministry (18-35) in our Diocese that has been active since it began in 2019. One of the key hopes of the Chaplaincy is to go out on mission, just as our namesake, St. Francis Xavier, went out publicly to spread the Gospel.

​This year, our members hit the streets of Calgary during the Lilac Festival to do exactly that — inviting people to our Encounter Accompaniment series, which is running every Thursday in June.

The series is meant to introduce people to the Catholic faith — not only those we met at Lilac Festival, but really anyone looking to learn the basics. We ended up speaking to hundreds of people! We gave out 79 New Testament books, 39 Bibles, over 100 SFXC pamphlets, rosaries, and Ultimate Relationship (UR) booklets. All 50 RCIA pamphlets we brought were snapped up too.

Even if no one had signed up for the Encounter series, we’d still have called this a huge win — planting seeds in people’s hearts and getting them thinking about God and the Catholic faith. However, it was even better: 177 people took our survey and 84 said they’re interested in coming to one of our Encounter events!

Our first Encounter Accompaniment event took place on June 5 at St. Mary’s Cathedral hall, where Fr. Troy introduced the kerygma (the core message of the Catholic faith) to those who attended. About 70 people showed up — and thanks to a generous donor, everyone got free Vietnamese subs too.

It was a small way to show the love of God — not only through the message being shared, but through the warmth of our community.

We’ll be hosting two more sessions on June 12 and 19 at St. Mary’s Cathedral hall. Our final session will be on June 26 at Sacred Heart Calgary, where we’ll have an Adoration night and throw a celebration party to wrap up the series.
​
If you know anyone aged 18-35 who might be interested, please pass this along! My email is at the bottom of this article.

This year, we launched all kinds of small group studies — including Theology of the Body, Healing of the Whole Person workshop, Philosophy Club, CCO Faith Studies, Men’s formation, and book studies on Dante’s Inferno and Fruitful Discipleship.

Our Young Professionals group kicked off a Church History course and a public speaking club called “Logorators.” Our Young Families chapter started a monthly Mass and Formation event and a Mom & Dad’s group.
We’ve also had tons of social events — our annual dance, summer/Stampede BBQ, monthly board game nights, bi-weekly Sunday Socials after Mass, and bi-weekly sports nights.
​
Beyond this, we offer members plenty of ways to volunteer — through our monthly Mustard Seed program, Sunday Socials program, Choir formation, Altar Serving, and other opportunities throughout all of these ministries and events.
Here’s the heart of what we do:

• Encounter Jesus through the Sacraments, Holy Mass, Adoration nights, and formation events.
• Equip members to become leaders — through talks, choir formation, altar serving, and apostolic formation (like our Mustard Seed program).
• Engage their parishes and communities — living out a missionary identity in daily life.

The beautiful thing is: this isn’t just staff-driven. Our members are the ones driving so much of this. They spearhead initiatives, give their time outside of work, and pour themselves into this mission — because they believe in what the Chaplaincy is about:

• making Jesus known,
• building authentic community,
• and going out to serve in their parishes and neighbourhoods. 

​We’ve got plenty more ideas and plans on the horizon. If you’d like to support us and help make it all possible — we’d love to have you on board.

To learn more about SFXC, visit https://www.sfxc.ca/ or follow us on Instagram @sfxchaplaincy.
​
We also have a donation campaign running for two weeks starting June 9 — and all donations will be matched! If you’d like to contribute, visit https://www.catholicyyc.ca/donatetosfxc.html.

Written by Jaime Gayos, SFXC Coordinator. To contact him, email [email protected]

Throughout the Gospels, we read of people’s encounters with Christ, where He invites them to “come and see” who He is. Jesus continues to extend this invitation to each of us today — but how easy is it for us to “stay” in relationship with Him when trials come our way? Furthermore, what does it look like for us to follow in Christ’s footsteps, seeing our interactions with others as opportunities to reveal the Father's love to them?

The theme of this year’s Beloved Daughters Ministry conference is “Come and Stay: Relationships Rooted in Love.” As Rikka, Maria, and Jessica (the founders of Beloved Daughters Ministry) were praying and reflecting on the theme, they considered the many roles women hold. As daughters, friends, mothers, and sisters, women are presented with ample opportunities throughout daily life to cultivate and maintain authentic relationships. Yet often, comparison, fear, insecurities, and responsibilities can get in the way of developing these relationships.

Maria, Rikka, and Jessica have been friends for over ten years. They can attest to the challenges of nurturing their friendship while fulfilling multiple roles and responsibilities. In the midst of it all, they strive to remind each other that disagreements are opportunities to grow in virtue — to help one another become saints and truly see each other in God’s image.

Having previously volunteered together in youth and young adult ministry, we saw the formation of Beloved Daughters Ministry as an opportunity to journey alongside other women as we grow in our identity as beloved daughters of God. As we’ve mentioned at just about every one of our events, we are on the same journey as every other woman — we don’t have it all figured out.

Written by Jessica, Beloved Daughters Ministry, Calgary.

If you're wondering what “Fun with the Sisters” is, it’s exactly that: an opportunity to meet religious sisters in a casual setting and enjoy time together.
​
We recently held our “Fun with the Sisters” evening at the FCJ Centre on Friday, Jan 24, 2025. Young women from the Calgary area attended the event, and many religious communities were represented, including the Faithful Companions of Jesus, the Sisters of Providence, the Dominican Sisters of the Immaculate Conception Province, the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, and the Seeds of the Word, along with the young women currently in the sabbatical program.

We took our time to introduce ourselves and engage in meaningful conversations over a pizza dinner. The sisters shared brief presentations about their congregations and ministries in Calgary. After dinner, we divided into groups to play Pictionary, filling the room with laughter and creativity. Toward the end of the evening, we gathered in the chapel for a time of prayer, singing hymns and spontaneously sharing our favorite Bible verses. Finally, it was time to say good night to friends, both old and new.

While “Fun with the Sisters” may not be strictly vocational, it provides a wonderful opportunity to meet the sisters and engage in conversations about discernment with them, as well as with like-minded women in attendance.
​
The next event on the horizon is “Movie Night with the Sisters” on Feb 15 at St. Luke’s Parish, sponsored by the Serra Club. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity!

Written by Sr. Simon Grosicka, O.P. 

The room was packed. The evening before, it had sold out, and the next day, some extra seats were released, which also sold out. People from all different demographics were present: seniors, families, young couples, and students. They all came because they were fascinated by one of the most intriguing topics in the Bible: the Book of Revelation. Additionally, Cardinal Collins had completed his PhD on the Book of Revelation, so the audience was set to receive a professional, in-depth look at a book that has puzzled so many.

The Cardinal spoke about how the Book of Revelation needs to be understood within its historical context. Many Christians at the time it was written were being persecuted for their faith. So John, the writer of the book, was trying to encourage them to give their lives for Christ. John sought to provide them with an eternal perspective amidst their current struggles by helping them see that they were choosing to worship the Lamb or the Beast, to strive for the Heavenly Jerusalem or the Lake of Fire. This stark choice, and the contrast between the glory of heaven and the pains of hell, was meant to inspire the Christians of that time to give their lives for Christ, for the Lamb who conquered death by His death. 

Then he tied it marvelously into our own context by pointing out that the struggles of the Christians in the 21st century are not that much different from the Christians in the 1st century. Although we as Christians might not have to choose between life and death (at least in the Western world), we are still given the choice to choose between the Lamb or the Beast, between Jesus and Satan. The battle between these two options is symbolized by the woman in scarlet, the prostitute who rides on the Beast. The Cardinal pointed out that this symbolized an aspect of the spiritual life where we are allured by sin and not just outright rebellion against God. Therefore, we need to be aware of this path as well, because it also leads us towards the Beast and the Lake of Fire, and therefore, choose to live for Christ in a world that rejects him.  

All in all, it was a great evening of formation and community, as we were treated to some great snacks and food from St. Mary's University! St. Mary's aspires to become that place where meaningful conversations about faith and faithfulness to the teachings of the Church intersect.

​I am excited for our next speaker, Fr David Bellusci O.P, who is a Dominican priest and a biographer for one of the great young saints of this century: Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassatti. If you want to learn more about this amazing saint for the young, please come out to St. Mary's on Jan 23, 2025!

Written by Fr. Troy Nguyen for Faithfully. Fr. Troy is the Vicar of Young Adults and chaplain for St. Francis Xavier Chaplaincy | www.sfxc.ca | Photos courtesy of St. Mary's University

Just east of Banff, near the start of Highway 93, thirty one intrepid hikers gathered to trek up Stanley Creek and gaze up at the Stanley Glacier. ​

Some of us explored the caves, while others admired the waterfall or simply took in the views. The top of our hike was our lunch spot, a small meadow which looked up to the Stanley Glacier. While not as massive as the Columbia Icefield between Banff and Jasper, it’s impressive to see a glacier that even summer heat can’t fully melt. Each winter, new snow adds to the ice, continuing the glacier’s growth.​

The descent proved to be a bit more challenging, as the loose scree (small rocks along the slope) left more than one hiker with dirty pant legs. But once we were down from the glacial overlook, we made the final hour-long trek through the trees back to the parking lot, where our companions awaited the last hikers.

I am deeply grateful to our organizing team and to the faithful from St. Gabriel’s, along with all the diocesan parishioners, who joined us on this memorable hike. In this season of Renewal, it is truly uplifting to experience the strength of our diocesan community—to share the gift of presence and embody a church rooted in encounter and witness. Our next fundraising event will be a special dinner on Friday, October 25, 2024 at the St. Gabriel’s School gym in Chestermere. If you feel moved to support our efforts in building a new church, please visit: saintgabrielparish.ca

Written by Fr. James Hagel, pastor of St. Gabriel the Archangel parish in Chestermere. Photos courtesy of Fr. James Hagel, Andreas Berko, and Pat Cooper. 

"We urgently need more vocations in our diocese—to Consecrated life and the Priesthood. Without everyone's involvement, how can we hope to see an increase in vocations?" Sr. Dianne, Assistant Director of Vocations, posed this compelling question at the Vocations Rally on Good Shepherd Sunday, April 21, at St. Michael’s Parish in Calgary.
 
“We really need to get that soil prepared so that the seeds of vocation can fall into it, and they can flourish,” she continued. Indeed, this was the driving force behind gathering the faithful at the Vocations Rally, aiming to enlighten us all on how to create such nurturing conditions.

The event, co-hosted with the Benedict XVI Institute from Newman Theological College, was a hopeful beginning for fostering vocations within our diocesan community. With more than 400 attendees, including pre-registrants and walk-ins, the Rally kicked off with Mass at 11 am, led by Fr. Edmund Vargas. Afterward, attendees were invited to enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by the Knights of Columbus in the narthex, and explore various booths featuring Religious brothers and sisters, seminarians, and vocations advocates before the start of the presentations.

Fr. Cristino, Director of Vocations, shared his astonishment at the turnout and the discussions he had in the days following the rally. “It was impressive to me, first of all, how many people were in attendance. But the follow up conversations I've been having with people all week clearly indicate that they were deeply impacted by all of the sharing they received in that brief time together!”

But this comes as no surprise. The insights shared by each speaker, combined with the sense of community encountered at the Rally, were a true renewal experience.

Videos from the Vocations Rally are available here:

• Video #1 - Featuring Dr. Ryan Topping, Fr. Cristino Bouvette & Fr. Santiago Torres; Greta De Souza
• Video #2 - Featuring Cedric & Greta De Souza, Seeds of the Word, Consecrated Life panel members
• Video #3 - Featuring Consecrated Life Panel members and Bishop McGrattan

​Videos courtesy of St. Michael's Catholic Community. 

The Office of Vocations is very thankful for the Vocations Rally Planning Team, Benedict XVI Instittute of the Newman Theological College, St. Michael’s Parish and Diocesan staff, video and photography team, Knights of Columbus, Seminarians, Consecrated Life members, Serra Club of Calgary, and many others who supported the Vocations Rally and came to support our Diocesan effort to create a culture of vocations! We wouldn’t be able to do it without you. 

Photos: Bandi Szakony, for the Diocese of Calgary

​After a successful launch of Alpha at the parish as part of our community’s response to the synodal process, it was a natural progression to bring Alpha Youth to the students at St. Joseph’s Collegiate (SJC). SJC is a grade 9-12 Catholic school in Brooks, with about 460 students. We cater to a diverse community, with a wide range of cultural and language backgrounds, as well as varying practices of faith – most students non-practicing, many nominally and some practicing Catholics, some ethnic orthodox denominations, as well as a growing number from other Christian church communities.
 
Just before the start of the school year, we committed to running the Alpha Youth series in our school during our 42 minute lunch break. Four staff were recruited to facilitate groups, the supervision schedule was adjusted to free us all up at the same time, and we started online training and promoting. The Alpha Canada website has training videos, print resources, digital and print media for promotion, suggested schedules and to-do lists based on the timeline of one’s Alpha session, with access to mentorship and online support. It is all high quality, and user-friendly – even the copyright guidelines.  
 
Alpha has a simple format for success: share some food, watch a video, discuss.

Submitted by Natalie Sturch, teacher at St. Joseph's Collegiate, Brooks,
​Photo credit: St. Joseph's Collegiate. Poster: Alpha Canada. 

Daniel Tang confesses, “I have never left the continent before, nor have I ever camped outside; I have not flown across the ocean, and I am usually uncomfortable in large crowds.”  Yet in this monumental leap, Tang is prepared to step beyond his comfort zone. He is one of the 40 pilgrims from St. Francis Xavier Chaplaincy (SFXC) leaving  for Lisbon, Portugal for World Youth Day (WYD) 2023, accompanied by Fr. Cristino Bouvette and Fr. Santiago Torres. 

He further shares, “This theme that Mary arose and went with haste (Luke 1:39) reminds me to trust in God's providence on every step of the way - to have no fear of the unknown, and to have peace and know that He will provide.”

A special visit to Our Lady of Fatima

While many are keen to explore Portuguese culture, encompassing its food, architecture, music, and history, a significant part of the excitement surrounds visiting the Fatima apparition site and understanding the miracles of Our Lady of Fatima during World Youth Day 2023. 

Group leader Catarina Avila, a native Portuguese, is especially excited to share her culture with fellow pilgrims. “As a Portuguese citizen who grew up in a faithful Portuguese family and vibrant Portuguese culture, I am thrilled that I am able to share my culture with my fellow pilgrims going to World Youth Day!” she exclaims. She adds, “Above all, I am honoured to be able to have the opportunity to delve more deeply into the message of Fatima with the pilgrims.” Her anticipation for visiting the Fatima site resonates with many, including Kathleen Brul who says, “I've never visited a Marian apparition site before, and Our Lady of Fatima holds such a vital place in Portuguese history.”

Kathleen also reveals that a pivotal moment occurred during a Mass at the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton last year, when she was navigating a difficult period in her life. This experience ignited her journey of faith. ​“Pope Francis' papal visit set my heart on fire for Jesus … I finally felt free from all the things that had kept me away from true joy and fulfilment,” she says. “I decided to go to World Youth Day to celebrate the joy and peace God has blessed me with throughout this past year…”

Mary Arose and went with haste (Luke 1:39)

The theme for World Youth Day 2023, "Mary arose and went with haste," has sparked various interpretations among participants. Some view it as a motivational call to disseminate the Gospel promptly, while others perceive it as an encouragement to trust in God's divine plan.

This theme truly encompasses Mary's faith and obedience, inspiring participants to leave their comfort zones and welcome the unknown with joy. Cameron Bluekens reflects on this, saying, “Mary didn't delay in spreading the Gospel. It was the presence of God in her that moved her to share the Good News with zeal and generosity - I would like to be blessed with the same virtues.”

For pilgrim Jonathan Dobek, the theme for WYD 2023 speaks into a specific action. He says, “After WYD, with Mary’s help, I will get up and in haste go to seminary to discern and learn what God has in store for me.” Jonathan has been accepted by Bishop McGrattan to enter St. Joseph Seminary in Edmonton as a seminarian for our Diocese, beginning the last week of August.

Our young adults have also shared a variety of hopes for their attendance at World Youth Day. Some express a desire to strengthen their faith, charity, and zeal, while others aim to better incorporate their faith into daily life. 

Elizabeth Spiess and Mark Oswald look forward to forging new friendships during the World Youth Day 2023 pilgrimage. "I also hope to deepen my connections with old friends," adds Mark. Simultaneously, Elizabeth envisions contributing to the growth of youth ministry in her parish. 

Andrew Min concluded his thoughts by sharing that he aims to inspire other young adults with his experiences from this spiritual journey. He hopes that his stories might encourage them to consider embarking on this pilgrimage themselves in the future. 

Despite their individual aspirations, there is a shared openness to the spiritual journey that this pilgrimage may offer. Daniel Tang wraps it up by saying, “I truly believe that witnessing the Living Universal Body of Christ would bear much fruit to be shared back in our respective Dioceses.”

My 95 year old mother did not know a grandparent, a cousin, an aunt or an uncle growing up.  But it is like the Lord is making up for what she did not have, as now there are close to 90 of us with our families and children and grandchildren and great grandchildren. Truly, the blessings of abundance are bountiful!

Celebrating the third World Day for Grandparents and the elderly is especially heartwarming for me this year. First, to be a grandparent to 11 on earth, and to have my own mother still with us as a grandmother and great grandmother is truly a blessing.
​
The alignment of the World Youth Day preparations with the celebration of this day serves as a reminder for young adults to appreciate the gift of their grandparents. As they participate in the festivities in Lisbon, Portugal, this year's World Day for Grandparents and Elderly theme, "His Mercy is from age to age" (Luke 1:15), echoes a message that God’s eyes are always on us. Taken from the Visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth, this verse speaks volumes of the generations who celebrate in this Mercy.

The connection between the young and the old is vitally  important. Whether it is being there as a grandparent to offer support and wisdom, or whether it is accepting the outstretched hand of the young offering help, both are so very necessary. Even if your grandparents are no longer with you, there are many elderly waiting to receive the touch of a grandchild figure, or for them to be a grandparent to a child.
​
During the pandemic when care facilities, and other living accommodations were closed off to visitors, our family came up with an idea to be able to see mom everyday by using FaceTime.  This allows us to pray the daily rosary with her, to bring to prayer those who had special needs, and to remain connected.  For over 2.5 years we have continued the practice as a family, and those who are able to join in can do so on any given day.

There are countless ways to maintain strong connections with our elderly loved ones, and each small effort can make a significant difference. Looking for ideas?

• Invite your elderly loved ones to Mass or rosary prayers in your community, especially this Sunday, July 23, the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. Be sure to share the message of our Holy Father to them for the World Day. 
• Enjoy outdoor activities with the elderly - a leisurely stroll or a picnic can offer quality bonding time.
• Virtual visits (via FaceTime, Zoom, etc.) have become easier to navigate due to COVID. Many elderly individuals are now zoom-savvy, and some can ask friends or neighbours for help setting up these platforms.
• Play games! Engage in board games, card or online games (like Pogo or even Minecraft). You can help set it up on their iPad or computer, and let the fun begin! 
• Cooking together is a wonderful activity to engage in with grandparents or elderly loved ones. Compile favourite recipes with your elderly loved ones and cook them together. It's a fun way to spend time together while preserving family traditions. 
• Assisting the elderly with errands - such as grocery shopping, driving to appointments, household repairs, or garden pruning - is a gesture that they're sure to appreciate greatly.
• Write letters to your elderly loved ones - The art of writing letters may seem archaic, but its charm is timeless. The experience of holding and reading from a piece of paper filled with personal thoughts and sentiments can be deeply moving. It's a unique way to share your life and express your love. 
• Last but not least, make the time to call your grandparents or someone elderly, and engage in a sincere conversation. This seemingly small act of connection will undoubtedly be cherished.

As grandparents  we experience the joys and sufferings of each of our children and grandchildren.  There are special needs, and there are many ways that we can be a blessing to our grown children and our grandchildren. I always recall with great gratitude the many times my own parents took our children, and the mercy shown to us when we were  young parents. It is this boundless mercy shown to us that I desire to pass on to our own children and grandchildren.  Those blessings that we received as young parents are still felt today, as I reach out to, and try to provide a place of secure welcome to our own grandchildren.
​
To witness to, and to be there for our grandchildren, as our presence is required, allows our grandchildren to receive so many benefits of family living united in the hope and the promise of the gospel message.

We are called to be there, and to especially be there for our aging parents / grandparents. To be a sign of hope in a culture that wants to cancel people is so very important.  It means taking a stand and to pray through our current culture, while keeping our focus on what brings life. To be people of hope, when all hope seems diminished stands as a beacon for the world.  God’s plan is so much bigger than what we can imagine, and we can be that sign of hope for others.  It is not about a “perfect” life, it is about allowing God’s will and His plan to unfold for our lives, having the cross at the centre. It is about caring for those that God puts in our path. The love and respect given to and from grandparents can never be diminished.

When cultures are cancelling the weak and the vulnerable, it is time to stand up, and be counter cultural. Let us be the “voice of one crying out in the wilderness” (Isaiah 40:3). Do not be afraid to be the one to show His Mercy, and to respect the life we have been given from conception to natural death.

My grandfather, when asked how to raise children, simply said, “teach them their faith, and use good common sense.” Today this is still sound advice, so simple and yet so true. His words of wisdom have stood the test of time.
​
As we navigate through this complex and unforgiving world, let’s revisit this advice, and may we proclaim with boldness the message of mercy to our grandchildren.

I heard the advice that if we want to grow in spiritual childhood and the gift of prayer, we should ask God to show us children at play, or with their parents.

I used to work as a recreation leader for free after-school programs and day camps. What a treasury of memories this experience holds for me! Upon reflection, I feel compelled to share my experiences with the young children, as they served as a reminder of how I was called to rely on his presence as the Caring Adult in my life, especially during this special month dedicated to His Most Sacred Heart.

One young man I knew from the after-school program, who I’ll call John, was 12 years old. I could see that his life was full of pressures: from his teachers who misunderstood him, abusive parents, and friends who pulled him down into the foolishness of youth. During our program, he would chat my ear off while simultaneously refusing to listen to my clear instructions. He really was quite challenging to manage, but I knew that God had made him good, and that the best place he could be during those evenings was our safe little room in which we held the program.

The after-school program room was full of posters with positive sayings and chairs for the children to sit in. It was no larger than the average Adoration chapel. I loved sitting at the front, teaching the children simple social and emotional skills, and seeing their little eyes attend to me. I was delighted in every face I saw and the voices that I heard. Every so often, John would miss our program after school, preferring the excitement of his friends or video games to the calm order of the program. Because I knew he belonged there, I remember standing at the door and watching for him, allowing my heart to hope that he would come again.

I also treasure the memory of a little girl who I’ll call Mary. She delighted us leaders very much, because she was always following us around, or sitting with us, telling us everything that came to her mind. Though she could be mischievous at times, whenever we corrected her, she would genuinely apologize and make an effort to do better. She was not discouraged when we reprimanded her but stayed as close as ever and audaciously expected to be loved, which she certainly was.

My least favourite part of the job was giving First Aid to the children. One time, a young girl came to me with a splinter in her palm. I thanked her for her bravery in showing me, then reluctantly retrieved the First Aid kit. Using the plastic tweezers, I removed the splinter out of her hand. I cringed as she cried out in pain, but we both knew that it had to be done. She left my little “doctor’s office” smiling and calm, free to play again.

During some professional development sessions, I learned about the importance of each child having a caring adult in their life. This person would be someone who sees and understands the child, expresses personal interest in their life, fills them with hope for the future, and encourages them amid the inevitable challenges of childhood. The mere presence of such a person in a child’s life, I was taught, can determine their capacity to flourish as a human being. Without receiving love in such a way, the likelihood of a fulfilling and happy adult life may diminish.
​
Jesus reveals Himself as the Caring Adult whose Sacred Heart has a special spot for each of us. When we ask for the grace to approach Him in Adoration with faith and repentance, He knows how to teach, encourage, forgive, and heal us.

This year, I signed up for a holy hour at St. Anthony’s after reading on their website that “Many rich blessings are bestowed on those who regularly adore Jesus, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.” With a hopeful heart, I committed that time to be with Jesus, a little like the children who chose to come to our programs. He has not disappointed me. He will not disappoint you.

​In our diocese, a wide range of Adoration hours are offered at parishes across the Diocese. Adoremus! Let us adore Him! 

Adoration Hours schedule (Summer & Fall 2023)

Monday

• 9:30 am to 4 pm at Holy Spirit Parish, Calgary - holyspiritcalgary.com
• 8:30 am to 4 pm, 7:30 pm to 9 pm - St. Luke's Church, Calgary - stlukeschurch.ca
• 9:30 am to Midnight - St. Bonaventure Parish - stbonaventureparish.ca
• 8 am to 8 pm - St. Michael's Catholic Community - saintmichael.ca ​

Tuesday

• 9:30 am to 4 pm at Holy Spirit Parish, Calgary - holyspiritcalgary.com
• 8:30 am to 4 pm, 7:30 pm to 9 pm - St. Luke's Church, Calgary - stlukeschurch.ca
• 9:30 am to Midnight - St. Bonaventure Parish - stbonaventureparish.ca | Use NW entrance to access the chapel. 
• 2 pm - 6:45 pm - St. Mary's, Brooks - saintmarysbrooks.com
• 5 pm to 6 pm, followed by rosary prayer, and Mass at 6:30 pm - St. Gerard's, Calgary - stgerards.ca
• 6 am to 8 pm (Adoration Chapel) - St. Anthony Church, Calgary - stanthonysyyc.ca | Register here to obtain the access code to the Adoration Chapel located in the back of the church off the North Parking lot. Access to the main church on Thursday is via the Office door off the South Parking lot. 
• 8 am to 8 pm - St. Michael's Catholic Community - saintmichael.ca

Wednesday

• 6 am to 8 pm (Adoration Chapel) - St. Anthony's church - stanthonysyyc.ca | Register here to obtain the access code to the Adoration Chapel located in the back of the church off the North Parking lot. Access to the main church on Thursday is via the Office door off the South Parking lot. 
• 8 am to 8 pm - St. Michael's Catholic Community - saintmichael.ca
• 8:30 am to 4 pm, 7:30 pm to 9 pm - St. Luke's Church, Calgary - stlukeschurch.ca
• 9:30 am to 4 pm at Holy Spirit Parish, Calgary - holyspiritcalgary.com
• 7 am to midnight - St. Bonaventure Parish - stbonaventureparish.ca  | Use NW entrance to access the chapel. 
• 7:45 pm to 8:30 pm - St. Mary's Cathedral - stmaryscalgary.ca (not in July & August, will commence on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023)
• Third Wednesday of the month - 1:00 pm - 6:45 pm (Main Sanctuary), 2:00 pm - 6:45 pm (Adoration chapel) - St. Mary's, Brooks - saintmarysbrooks.com

Thursday

• 8 am to 8 pm - St. Michael's Catholic Community - saintmichael.ca
• 8:30 am to 4 pm, 7:30 pm to 9 pm - St. Luke's Church, Calgary - stlukeschurch.ca
• 9 am to 9 pm - St. Francis De Sales Parish - francisdesaleshighriver.com
• 9:30 am to 4 pm at Holy Spirit Parish, Calgary - holyspiritcalgary.com
• 9:30 am to 5 pm - St. Mary's, Brooks - saintmarysbrooks.com
• 10 am to 6 pm (Main church) - St. Anthony's Church - stanthonysyyc.ca | Register here to obtain the access code to the Adoration Chapel located in the back of the church off the North Parking lot. Access to the main church on Thursday is via the Office door off the South Parking lot. ​
• 12 am to midnight - St. Bonaventure Parish - stbonaventureparish.ca  | Use NW entrance to access the chapel. 

Friday

• 6 am to 8 pm (Adoration Chapel) - St. Anthony's church - stanthonysyyc.ca | Register here to obtain the access code to the Adoration Chapel located in the back of the church off the North Parking lot. Access to the main church on Thursday is via the Office door off the South Parking lot. 
• 8 am to 8 pm - St. Michael's Catholic Community - saintmichael.ca
• 8:30 am to 6:45 pm and 7:30 pm to 9 pm - St. Luke's Church, Calgary - stlukeschurch.ca
• 9 am to Noon - St. Peter's, Calgary - st-peters.ca
• 9:30 am to 4 pm at Holy Spirit Parish, Calgary - holyspiritcalgary.com
• 9:30 am to 6:00 pm - St. Cecilia Parish in Calgary - stceciliacalgary.com
• 9:30 am to 10 am - St James Church in Calgary - stjamescalgary.org
• 9:30 am to 10:30 am - St. Albert the Great, Calgary - stalbertthegreat.ca
• After Noon Mass to 3 pm - St. Joseph's Church, Calgary - stjosephcalgary.com
• 1:30 pm to 3 pm - St Gabriel, Chestermere - saintgabrielparish.ca
• 3:30 pm to 4:45 pm - St. Mary's Cathedral - stmaryscalgary.ca (not in July & August, will commence on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023)
• 6 pm to 7 pm - Paroisse Sainte-Famille, Calgary - saintefamille.ca (use south side door, next to Villa Jean-Toupin)
• 7  am to midnight - St. Bonaventure Parish, Calgary - stbonaventureparish.ca  | Use NW entrance to access the chapel. 
• First Friday of the month - Mass at 9 am followed by Adoration until 10:10 am and ending with benediction -  - St. Gerard's, Calgary - stgerards.ca
• First Friday of the month : 9:30 am to 2:00 pm (Main Sanctuary), 9:30 am to 2 pm(Adoration Chapel) - St. Mary's, Brooks - saintmarysbrooks.com
• First Friday of the month - 9:35 am - Noon (Main sanctuary) - St. Thomas More Parish, Calgary - stthomasmore.ca
• First Friday of the month - 6 pm - Our Lady Queen of Peace, Calgary - queenpol.org

Saturday

• 8 am to 6 pm (Adoration Chapel) - St. Anthony's Church - stanthonysyyc.ca | Register here to obtain the access code to the Adoration Chapel located in the back of the church off the North Parking lot. Access to the main church on Thursday is via the Office door off the South Parking lot. 
• 8 am to 8 pm - St. Michael's Catholic Community - saintmichael.ca
• 9 am to 9:45 am - St. Peter's, Calgary - st-peters.ca
• 9:30 am to 4 pm at Holy Spirit Parish, Calgary - holyspiritcalgary.com
• First Saturday - 5:15 pm - Our Lady Queen of Peace - queenpol.org
• Overnight Adoration on First Saturday from 8 pm to Sunday 8 am - Holy Spirit Parish, Calgary - holyspiritcalgary.comPlease use the far NW entrance to access the chapel. There is plenty of adoration resources in the back of the chapel for you to borrow during your hour. Please contact our Adoration Coordinator Heather Burdeyney at 403-278-0394 or email [email protected]

Sunday

• 8 am to 3 pm (Adoration Chapel) - St. Anthony's Church - stanthonysyyc.ca | Register here to obtain the access code to the Adoration Chapel located in the back of the church off the North Parking lot. Access to the main church on Thursday is via the Office door off the South Parking lot. 
• Noon to 8 pm - St. Michael's Catholic Community - saintmichael.ca

Note that hours may change without notice. Please contact the Parish Office if you are not sure.

• Check out the full schedule and contact information for parishes with Adoration hours. 

Let us spend the National Week of Family and Life (NFLW) 2023 united in prayer, reflection, and action, demonstrating our active support for family and life. Indeed, families are “guardians of life” when we love one another within our families and in wider society when we show kindness toward and care for the vulnerable and marginalized.

Note: Day 1 can begin anytime! We want to ensure everybody has the opportunity to join in and take part in this wonderful experience. Don't worry if you missed the start of NFLW, you can join in and start participating in the daily prayers and activities from any day.

​

Source: National Life & Family Week Daily Prayers & Activities, CCCB, 2023

An invitation from Sr. Dianne Turner (Assistant Vocation Director of the Diocese of Calgary) to young and unmarried women:

Maybe you have a sister, and you have fun times with her, but this is about Religious Sisters having fun together, you know, the ones people call Nuns (though Nuns are a type of Religious Sisters who live a cloistered life in a monastery. If you want to know more about this distinction, just ask). So, we Sisters decided that we would gather for a night of fun and conversation, pizza supper, and Night Prayer. Personally, I am looking forward to playing some games because I truly enjoy card games, board games, charades, etc.  

Then we thought it would be great to invite young, unmarried women to hang out with us for this evening, so that we could get to know each other in a lighter setting and build our friendship. What a blessing it would be to meet young women who want to get to know us. It's an opportunity to make new friends, and catch up with some old acquaintances! 

Perhaps you have questions you would like answered without anyone knowing that you are talking to the Sisters. Maybe you want to meet Sisters from a variety of communities. You might simply want to have a lovely evening of free pizza and conversation, fun activities, and night prayer at the end. You might even consider bringing along a friend and your favourite game to play with the Sisters. What could be a better way to spend a Friday evening?  
​
The FCJ Sisters have kindly offered Sacred Heart Convent for the evening, located behind St. Mary’s Cathedral at 219-19th Avenue SW, Calgary from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, January 13, 2023.

​Please let us know if you are coming by Thursday, January 12, 2023, by contacting Sr. Dianne at 403-218-5504 or email [email protected] so that we can order the right amount of pizza (meatless of course, because it is Friday).  

Dear October,

​For the past two years I’ve lost a loved one to suicide inside your month. There – I said it. 

It’s been a quiet grief. These have been difficult deaths to process and, not knowing what’s acceptable to say in public, I’ve kept mostly quiet out of respect for those who mourn. 

And yet, I am also mourning. My pain is real and it remains. Same too with the unanswered questions which linger, like debris that’s sunk to the bottom of the ocean – still there, but normally out of sight. 

Autumn has been unusually warm and charming this year. The golden leaves that glisten skyward in the hot sun. Jupiter hanging out at sundown next to the moon. It’s been hard to reconcile today’s beauty with yesteryear’s yearning for one more chance to show that it’s worth waiting for brighter days. This October, a new chance presented itself. 

My heart began to pound when I missed a call from my friend, a single male in his 30s. His profile resembling that of the ones I’ve lost to suicide. In haste, I dropped everything to call him back. Once the initial catch-up chit chat tapered, I expressed my concern and asked: “How are you doing?”​

He said he feels fine for several weeks. Then for a week he can barely drag himself out of bed. The depression. The anxiety. This time of year is worse than the dead of winter, at least then he can skate and ski. The warmth and light of summer is exchanged for cooler, darker, shorter days. These destabilizing changes upset familiar routines. Autumn is the toughest time of year for him. 

​I felt sincere gratitude that he put words to his pain. I was so thankful that he reached out. Because, if he hadn’t, I wouldn’t have known how he was feeling and I wouldn’t have known he needed support. Only God saves, however, I can be a source of support pointing toward the light. 

I want him to know what I wanted my cousin and friend to know, and what I want you to know too: You are loved. You are wanted. You are an irreplaceable gift. The world needs you. Your pain is not a burden. It unlocks compassion in this oftentimes cruel world. You are responsible for your wellness, but I want to be present to you. You are not alone. This too will pass. I’ll stand alongside you until it does. I love you. And God loves you more. 

October, my eyes used to be unaware of your underbelly. Until the shock. The agony. The confusion. The guilt. The anger. The reflection. The compassion. The remembrance. The magnitude of these feelings that were once foreign but have now become familiar. Lost innocence. No turning back. This is what it means to be human in relationship with other humans. Love has shattered my heart. 

Yet, my faith grounds me, especially in times of violence, oppression, suffering, loss and grief. I remain firm in hope – a supernatural hope rooted in mercy and forgiveness.