Our new Holy Father’s words in his first homily to the College of Cardinals contains much food for thought and prayer as we prepare for the great feast of Pentecost and develop our pastoral renewal plans.

Reflection:

• In what ways can I make Jesus known and glorified through my actions?
• Through the actions of our pastoral plan?

Let us pray the Novena to the Holy Spirit with these actions in mind.

I’ve always been a bit of a dreamer. Since I was young, I’ve been fascinated by books like “Set All Afire” by Louis de Wohl.  If you haven’t read it, this novel, which tells the story of St. Francis Xavier’s missionary journeys, is a page-turner and will set your heart on fire, too. St. Francis traversed much of Asia, through storms at sea, jungles on foot, risking life and limb to spread the Gospel of Christ. And he succeeded. Sometimes it's hard to connect the dots, but the Renewal Plans being created by your parishes are contributing to this very same mission of saving souls. 

Keep an eye out as the Parish Renewal Team in most parishes is sharing a draft of their Renewal Plan with you at any time.  You won’t be asked to sail the ocean or dodge poisonous snakes (so far as I know). Still, the plan will be filled with action items to help your parish create more missionary disciples, strengthen family life and foster an urgent sense of mission by becoming a Church of encounter and witness.  Just like in Asia in the time of St. Francis Xavier, so many souls in our families and communities are aching for the healing love of Christ, and our Lord is asking us to help Him reach them. If we pursue our Renewal Plans with vigour, they will bear fruit and change lives, and we will know the joy of helping this to happen.

As you review the draft Renewal Plan for your parish, think and pray about the action items you see and give feedback to your Renewal Team. Do they meet the needs of the parish? Do they go far enough? A key to a good plan is to have action items that you can count on to have an impact. One way to evaluate an action item is to ask, "What concrete result will this action achieve?” If you have no way of determining whether the action has been accomplished, that means it's too vague and risks not making a real impact. For example, if an action item states simply, “Be a parish that prays”, it is too vague. However, if it includes main steps similar to “Each lector commits to spend 30 minutes weekly in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament”, it has become specific, causing a concrete action and therefore result to occur.  Similarly, “Be a more welcoming parish” is too broad if left at that. However, if it is replaced by, or has as a main step “Establish a greeter/usher ministry”, it has become something actionable, concrete. You will know if you did it or not. If our parish plans are filled with action items that accomplish objectives and are measurable, we will see our parish take great strides. 

​The same goes for our own personal renewal. Big change starts with small, concrete steps—like committing to a daily prayer time or inviting someone back to church. Vague goals won’t get us far, but specific actions done with love transform our lives!
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When St. Francis Xavier arrived in India, he did so with a specific actionable plan.  First in Goa, and then beyond. And if we were to put it in one of our Renewal Plans, it would look like this:

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Action Item: Evangelize Goa

Main Steps:

1. Walk through the streets ringing a bell to attract the children’s attention;
2. Teach the children catechism;
3. The children will bring their parents, catechize them and baptize the entire families;
4. Train local catechists and encourage local vocations; and
5. Move to the next village.

Responsible Person:  Francis Xavier

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​​As our parishes finalize their Renewal Plans, let us ask the good Lord to give each of us the same love for souls as St. Francis Xavier!

Written by Ryan Schmidt, Director of Pastoral Renewal, Diocese of Calgary.
Painting: André Reinoso, St Francis Preaching in Goa, 1619, oil on canvas, 96 × 162 cm, Museu de São Roque/Santa Casa da Misericórdia, Lisbon.

The first Augustinian Pope, Leo XIV is the second Roman Pontiff - after Pope Francis - from the Americas. Unlike Jorge Mario Bergoglio, however, the 69-year-old Robert Francis Prevost is from the northern part of the continent, though he spent many years as a missionary in Peru before being elected head of the Augustinians for two consecutive terms.
First Augustinian PopeThe new Bishop of Rome was born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Illinois, to Louis Marius Prevost, of French and Italian descent, and Mildred Martínez, of Spanish descent. He has two brothers, Louis Martín and John Joseph.

He spent his childhood and adolescence with his family and studied first at the Minor Seminary of the Augustinian Fathers and then at Villanova University in Pennsylvania, where in 1977 he earned a Degree in Mathematics and also studied Philosophy. 

On September 1 of the same year, Prevost entered the novitiate of the Order of Saint Augustine (O.S.A.) in Saint Louis, in the Province of Our Lady of Good Counsel of Chicago, and made his first profession on September 2, 1978. On August 29, 1981, he made his solemn vows.

The future Pontiff received his theological education at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. At the age of 27, he was sent by his superiors to Rome to study Canon Law at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum). 
In Rome, he was ordained a priest on June 19, 1982, at the Augustinian College of Saint Monica by Archbishop Jean Jadot, then pro-president of the Secretariat for Non-Christians, which later became the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and then the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue.

Prevost obtained his licentiate in 1984 and the following year, while preparing his doctoral thesis, was sent to the Augustinian mission in Chulucanas, Piura, Peru (1985–1986). In 1987, he defended his doctoral thesis on "The Role of the Local Prior in the Order of Saint Augustine" and was appointed vocation director and missions director of the Augustinian Province of “Mother of Good Counsel” in Olympia Fields, Illinois (USA).

Mission in Peru

The following year, he joined the mission in Trujillo, also in Peru, as director of the joint formation project for Augustinian candidates from the vicariates of Chulucanas, Iquitos, and Apurímac. 

Over the course of eleven years, he served as prior of the community (1988–1992), formation director (1988–1998), and instructor for professed members (1992–1998), and in the Archdiocese of Trujillo as judicial vicar (1989–1998) and professor of Canon Law, Patristics, and Moral Theology at the Major Seminary “San Carlos y San Marcelo.” At the same time, he was also entrusted with the pastoral care of Our Lady Mother of the Church, later established as the parish of Saint Rita (1988–1999), in a poor suburb of the city, and was parish administrator of Our Lady of Monserrat from 1992 to 1999.

In 1999, he was elected Provincial Prior of the Augustinian Province of “Mother of Good Counsel” in Chicago, and two and a half years later, the ordinary General Chapter of the Order of Saint Augustine, elected him as Prior General, confirming him in 2007 for a second term.

In October 2013, he returned to his Augustinian Province in Chicago, serving as director of formation at the Saint Augustine Convent, first councilor, and provincial vicar—roles he held until Pope Francis appointed him on November 3, 2014, as Apostolic Administrator of the Peruvian Diocese of Chiclayo, elevating him to the episcopal dignity as Titular Bishop of Sufar. 

He entered the Diocese on November 7, in the presence of Apostolic Nuncio James Patrick Green, who ordained him Bishop just over a month later, on December 12, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, in the Cathedral of Saint Mary.
His episcopal motto is “In Illo uno unum”—words pronounced by Saint Augustine in a sermon on Psalm 127 to explain that “although we Christians are many, in the one Christ we are one.”

Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru,  from 2015 to 2023

On September 26, 2015, he was appointed Bishop of Chiclayo by Pope Francis. In March 2018, he was elected second vice-president of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference, where he also served as a member of the Economic Council and president of the Commission for Culture and Education.

In 2019, Pope Francis appointed him a member of the Congregation for the Clergy (July 13, 2019), and in 2020, a member of the Congregation for Bishops (November 21). Meanwhile, on April 15, 2020, he was also appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Peruvian Diocese of Callao.

Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops
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On January 30, 2023, the Pope called him to Rome as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, promoting him to the rank of Archbishop. 

Created Cardinal in 2024

Pope Francis created him Cardinal in the Consistory of September 30 that year and  assigned him the Diaconate of Saint Monica. He officially took possession of it on January 28, 2024. 

As head of the Dicastery, he participated in the Pope’s most recent Apostolic Journeys and in both the first and second sessions of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on synodality, held in Rome from October 4 to 29, 2023, and from October 2 to 27, 2024, respectively.

Meanwhile, on October 4, 2023, Pope Francis appointed him as a member of the Dicasteries for Evangelization (Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches), for the Doctrine of the Faith, for the Eastern Churches, for the Clergy, for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, for Culture and Education, for Legislative Texts, and of the Pontifical Commission for the Vatican City State.

Finally, on February 6 of this year, the Argentine Pope promoted him to the Order of Bishops, granting him the title of the Suburbicarian Church of Albano.​

Source: Vatican News

With joy and thanksgiving, the Diocese of Calgary joins the universal Church in celebrating the election of Pope Leo XIV (Formerly Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost) as the successor of Saint Peter.
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Elected on Thursday, May 8, 2025, Pope Leo XIV now begins his ministry as the Vicar of Christ and visible head of the Catholic Church on earth. We give thanks for the faithful leadership of Pope Francis and now entrust Pope Leo XIV to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. 

​It has been a tradition, as a private devotion, to ask for the grace of the Holy Spirit. This practice is especially suitable during the Eastertide. To do so, families may use the following prayer.

Thank you to all who joined us for the Memorial Mass for Pope Francis and prayed for the repose of his soul. It was a beautiful liturgy that brought together a full church and a deeply moving reflection from Bishop McGrattan.

Representing the Canadian bishops at the funeral in Rome, Bishop McGrattan shared a personal and hope-filled reflection. He recalled, “It was an honour… to witness the devotion and love that the people of God have for Pope Francis.”

He reminded us that memorial Masses are not simply moments of remembrance, but acts of faith that unite us in prayer and strengthen our belief in the Resurrection.

Reflecting on the timing of Pope Francis’ death, Bishop McGrattan shared, “This, I think, is the first gift that Pope Francis received — that his passing was in the Octave of Easter… where the whole Church is focused on the promise of the Resurrection.”

As we look ahead to the conclave, Bishop McGrattan reminded us that we are not simply waiting for the next pope—but for the next successor of Peter. Let us continue to pray for Pope Francis, for the cardinals, and for the Church, trusting in God’s mercy and the promise of new life.
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• Photos from the Memorial Mass for Pope Francis on Monday, April 28 at 5 pm at the Cathedral. 

Photos courtesy of John Factura

In the midst of a growing housing crisis, the calls for help we receive are heartbreaking—and becoming more desperate.

Families are being separated and shelters are overwhelmed. Pregnant women and women with newborns are amongst the most vulnerable and typically are the most difficult to find housing for because of their unique needs. 

Elizabeth House remains one of the few programs in Calgary that specializes in housing and support for women and infants during the critical perinatal period between pregnancy and the first two years of life.  

Written by Elizabeth House Team

A message from Bishop McGrattan:

Submitted by St. John the Evangelist Parish Office

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.

​On Wednesday of Holy Week, I walked into St. Paul’s Church in Gameti, NT, and found the Easter candle still burning after a funeral two weeks earlier. ​I thought of St. Paul’s wish for us..

When Fr. Kevin and I arrived in Yellowknife, Bishop Jon Hansen brought us to visit Jim Lynn in the hospital. His wife, Julia, sat faithfully by his side. Jim had served for many years as a priest before marrying and continuing his ministry as a chaplain in Yellowknife’s jail — a man who has truly emptied himself in service.

On Holy Thursday, I anointed Therese and her husband Louis, who is now diagnosed with terminal cancer. During the service, their children laid hands on them in prayer — a family who has spent their lives loving and serving one another.

Later, I visited Chantel, a young mother who chose life even when she knew her baby would have special needs. Cai, her little one, can now lift his head and eat soft foods. Though Cai’s father is no longer with them, Chantel continues to pour herself out, raising her four children with unwavering strength.

On Easter Sunday we renewed our baptismal promises and welcomed little Cai into the Church — into a life of walking the path of self-giving love. 

On Easter Monday, the community gathered once more — this time to honour Pope Francis, who had passed away. They drummed and sang honour songs, then lined up to strike the old church bell 88 times in his memory — another life fully spent in service of Christ and his people.

What an unforgettable week— a journey into the mystery of being emptied... so that Christ might fill us.
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"It is accomplished."

It is with profound sadness that I join my brother Bishops, as well as the Catholic faithful in Canada and those around the world, to mourn the loss of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025 in Rome at the age of 88. When the Cardinals elected him to the See of Peter in March 2013, Pope Francis invited us on that first night to “always pray for one another, for the whole world, that there may be a great spirit of fraternity.” Over the past 12 years of his Petrine Ministry, his pastoral witness and leadership of the Catholic Church as the 266th Successor of Saint Peter marked the Church, the world and our Canadian society with the values of the Gospel. Francis’ frequent consoling image of the Church as “a field hospital” brought us a message of hope, peace, compassion and mercy. He desired the Church to be close to the people, to be present in ways that reflected the mercy, forgiveness and care of Christ. He challenged us to become missionary disciples of faith, hope and love and announce the joy of the Gospel to the world.
Pope Francis desired the Church to be more effective in its pastoral outreach. To promote greater communion, participation and mission in the life of the Church. Francis began by renewing the process and outcome of synods,  involving mutual listening and dialogue in which everyone has something to learn. He often stated that to be synodal is the conversion that God expects of the Church in the 21st century.
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During his pontificate he made over 40 apostolic journeys around the world and issued many Encyclical Letters and Apostolic Exhortations on contemporary themes such as evangelization in modern society (Evangelii Gaudium), love within marriage (Amoris Laetitia), environmental stewardship (Laudato Si’), human fraternity (Fratelli Tutti), as well as young people and vocational discernment (Christus Vivit). He advanced the Church’s ongoing commitment to address sexual abuse, in meeting with victims around the world in order to promote both justice and healing in their lives. He initiated processes to improve accountability and transparency in the management of the Vatican’s finances. He restructured the Roman Curia (the administrative departments of the Holy See) around the priority of evangelization, the Church’s central mission, and promoted a more participatory, synodal Church.

“Trust in God’s infinite mercy” was the guiding vision throughout Francis’ papacy, as captured succinctly in his final Encyclical Letter “On the Human and Divine Love of the Heart of Jesus Christ” (Dilexit Nos). Pope Francis yearned for the Church’s message of mercy to be ever present among marginalized people, those on the existential and geographical peripheries of society. He was a tireless advocate for the poor, migrants, the disabled, the elderly, and those struggling to find their place within the Church.

A defining moment for Canadians of Pope Francis’ papacy took place during his five-day Apostolic Journey to Canada in 2022 when he apologized to Indigenous Peoples for the abuse, cultural destruction, and forced assimilation associated with the former Indian Residential Schools. In his [own] words, it was a “penitential pilgrimage” – a journey of 5,700 km with events in Edmonton, Quebec City, and Iqaluit. It reflected his respect for Indigenous Peoples, and the Church’s commitment to continue walking together on the path of truth, justice, healing, reconciliation, and hope.
Pope Francis opened two Jubilee Years during his pontificate: an extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy in 2015 and the Holy Year of Hope which began on Christmas eve, 2024. As Bishop of Rome, Francis demanded much while preaching about a God of mercy, by engaging joyfully with nonbelievers, atheists, agnostics, skeptics, and those on the peripheries of life – many who thought that Christianity has nothing left to offer in the circumstances of life. His was truly “a journey of fraternity, of love, of trust among us.” We thank God for the legacy Pope Francis has given us – one that encourages us to live our faith with greater conviction and that guides us as Christians to build relationships of trust and greater compassion with others.

In this time of grief, I invite the Catholic faithful to join their local Ordinary and their pastoral ministers in praying for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis. Let us give thanks to God for giving us such a good shepherd, an eloquent teacher of the joy of the Gospel, a humble witness, and a fellow pilgrim of hope. May the love and hope that Pope Francis found in the Risen Lord continue to radiate through our lives, and may he receive the reward promised to good and faithful servants who were heralds of the Good News of the Kingdom of God. 

​Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

​As President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, I extend to you the ancient Orthodox Easter greeting: “Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen!”

Each of the Gospel accounts of that first Easter morning presents us with the testimony of Mary Magdalene, Peter, and the Beloved Disciple, who encountered the astonishing reality of Christ’s Resurrection. Their despair, sorrow, and sense of loss gave way to newfound hope. The seeds of these Gospel events continue to be sown in our lives today, serving as a sure sign of the Risen Lord’s presence and the power of His Resurrection at work in our world.

In this Jubilee Year of Hope, Pope Francis calls upon all the baptized, each with their unique gifts and ministries, to take co-responsibility in ensuring that the many signs of hope bear witness to God’s presence. Each year, our Holy Week celebrations lead us through the proclamation of the Word into the sacramental presence of Christ. This rich spiritual journey invites us to embrace the mysteries of our salvation with renewed faith and devotion. We walk the path of Christ’s Passion and death on the Cross, enter the silence of Holy Saturday, and then rejoice in the hope awakened within us as we renew our baptismal faith at Easter—professing our belief in Christ’s victory over death and the promise of eternal life.

This is the enduring presence of the Risen Christ in the life of the pilgrim Church—a presence illuminated by the Holy Spirit with the light of hope. It is a flame that burns continuously, “like an ever-burning lamp, to sustain and invigorate our lives” (Spes Non Confundit, no. 3).

May this light of hope, peace, and new life shine through our witness of Easter faith in the ordinary moments of family life, our parishes, schools, and workplaces. In this Jubilee Year of Hope, may we proclaim with renewed boldness: “Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen!”

After a pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Outdoor Way of the Cross with the Roman Catholic Bishop William T. McGrattan is returning to the heart of downtown Calgary on Good Friday, April 18, 2025, at 8:30 am, beginning at St. Mary’s Cathedral (219 18 Ave SW).

Held annually for more than 35 years (prior to the pandemic), the Outdoor Way of the Cross is a prayerful, family-friendly devotional walk through the streets of downtown, refl ecting on the Passion of Jesus. Last year, this spiritual event was briefl y revived at St. Mary’s University. This year marks a return to the heart of the city, and organizers hope to once again welcome 2,500 to 3,000 participants, as experienced in pre-pandemic years.

Along the route, participants pause for prayer, refl ection on scripture, and contemplative singing—offering a public witness to Christ’s journey to the Cross and how we need to be present to the spiritual and social challenges faced in our communities today.

For directions, parking, and route details, visit: www.catholicyyc.ca/wayofthecross

Temporary road use and brief amplifi ed sound may occur as the group passes through the neighbourhood. A safety team, First Aid volunteers, and members of the Calgary Police Service will be present to support the event and ensure the safety of all.
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Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather and to join at any point along the route. All are also welcome to attend the Good Friday liturgies at St. Mary’s Cathedral at 12 pm and 3 pm, celebrated by Bishop McGrattan.

On Sunday, April 6, 2025, ministry leaders at St. Martha’s Parish in Lethbridge gathered for an early afternoon of prayer, reflection, and discernment as part of their Parish Renewal Planning Day. About 25 leaders were present, representing a strong and diverse cross-section of the parish’s ministries.

Led by their Parish Renewal Team (PRT), the session followed the Diocese’s structured prayer-discernment process—Lectio Divina, ministry assessment, and action planning rooted in Conversation in the Spirit. The day's goal was not only to plan but to pray into action, grounding every step in the presence and prompting of the Holy Spirit.

“What surprised me,” shared Deacon Bruce Barnett, “was how easily the Conversations in the Spirit can slide into regular discussion. Without a constant reminder to remain prayerful, it’s easy to lose that posture of discernment. I think we need more experience and formation in this way of praying together.”

Still, the fruit was evident. The PRT was encouraged by the level of engagement and passion of their ministry leaders, especially when it came time to name concrete action items for spiritual growth and ministry renewal.

“We were pleasantly surprised,” Deacon Bruce noted, “by how deeply our leaders care—not just about running ministries, but about discerning how they can grow spiritually and serve the mission of the Church more intentionally.”
The afternoon was part of Step 2 in the Diocesan Pastoral Renewal process. Next, the PRT will review the proposed action items, hold internal workshops, and begin building a full Parish Renewal Plan, which will be announced to the whole parish later this year.

Snapshots from Medicine Hat: Holy Family Parish Planning Day

On Saturday, March 29, 2025, Holy Family Parish in Medicine Hat hosted their Parish Renewal Planning Day. As Parish Renewal Team member Heather Irvine shared, “We had a productive day of dreaming, sharing, and planning for Renewal in our parish.”

Ministry leaders spent the day in spirited conversation and prayer, discerning action steps to strengthen the parish’s mission and deepen the faith life of those they serve. Photos from the day show ministry leaders joyfully engaging in small group discussion, discernment, and community-building—a beautiful witness to the Spirit at work across the Diocese. ​​

Photos courtesy of St. Martha's Parish in Lethbridge and Holy Family Parish in Medicine Hat. 

“We have been blessed to perform for the second time at the Cathedral,” said Fr. John Jwad, pastor of St. Mary’s Chaldean Catholic Parish. “I believe these types of events are very important to the Chaldean community because it gives parishioners a chance to meet fellow Catholics from different rites and also feel more at home at the Cathedral, which many don’t have a chance to visit often.”

Held on March 28 & 29, 2025, the Passion Play was presented by St. Mary’s Chaldean Catholic Parish and performed at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Calgary. Directed by Stephanie Toma, the production told the story of Christ’s final hours with reverence and sincerity.  

The cast members—especially those from the St. Anne’s Women’s Group—played a key role in making the evening possible. The group gathers regularly for Bible study and fellowship and is actively involved in organizing parish events. “All the female actors of this year’s play are members of this active group,” Fr. John noted.

Unlike last year, this year’s presentation was part of a larger evening of prayer. On Friday, the night began with a Lenten reflection by Deacon Peter An. On Saturday, the play was followed by a reflection in Chaldean by Fr. John, along with Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction. 

“This year our Passion Play was designed to be part of a whole night of prayer and reflection rather than just a stand-alone event,” said Fr. John. “Our hope was that the performance was complimented with deep prayer and reflection.”

The Passion Play drew people from across the Diocese, including those attending a Chaldean-led event for the first time. Many were moved by the experience—not only by the performance itself, but by the chance to pray together across languages and traditions.

“Many people were very grateful and happy to be a part of such a beautiful night,” said Fr. John. “Many were moved to tears, many explained that this was exactly what they needed to prepare for Easter, and others shared that they were inspired to grow closer to Christ in these last weeks of Lent.”

​For the Chaldean community, religious plays are familiar and meaningful. “In Iraq, attending religious plays is a common practice in most Christian villages, especially during Easter,” Fr. John explained. “These performances bring back many good memories for many of our parishioners.”

Though the production was simple, the impact was strong. The Passion story has a way of drawing people in—especially when presented not just as theatre, but as prayer. Combined with the quiet moments of adoration and Benediction, the night offered something more than a performance: it became a time of encounter.

​As Lent gave way to Holy Week, the Passion Play served its purpose—not to entertain, but to lead hearts more deeply into the mystery of Christ’s love. And for many, it was a reminder of the shared faith that unites the Church across cultures and languages.

“We hope it helped everyone who came to enter more fully into the spirit of Lent,” Fr. John said, “and to walk more closely with Jesus on the road to Easter.” 

Photos courtesy of St. Mary's Chaldean Parish, Calgary.

Submitted by Cindy Nickerson, Director of Communications, Christ The Redeemer Catholic Schools.

The day began with the 9 am Mass, celebrated by Fr. John Luxbacher, L.C., who set the tone with a message of encouragement and mission. Following Mass, over 40 parish leaders gathered at 10 am for the meeting, moderated by the members of the Parish Renewal Team and the associate, Fr. Kevin Gillis, L.C.

After an introduction by Pat Brown, chair of the Parish Renewal Team (PRT), each ministry area split into its designated group for Lectio Divina and review of ministry assessment questions. These discussions, rooted in the Holy Spirit’s guidance, led to concrete “Ministry Renewal and Spiritual Growth Action Items”—practical steps to help each ministry grow in its mission.

Slow & Steady

​Rather than rushing, the team is embracing a long-term approach. Fr. John reflected, “It would be excellent if the Parish Renewal Team could help set up one significant initiative per semester—as a type of task force at the service of parish renewal.” He emphasized that while prayerful planning is important, it’s prayerful promotion and implementation that will now take the lead.

Already, signs of renewal are appearing. Fr. John mentioned that a young mom’s group recently started up on its own initiative, and that, without it being planned, there has been a grassroots renewal of the Pastoral Care team at Ascension Parish. “The Holy Spirit is always at work,” said Fr. John. “I don’t want to quelch anything that contributes to our mission.”
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Fr. Kevin Gillis, LC, Associate Pastor, also sees potential. “With nine Catholic elementary schools in our parish boundaries, we see the need to offer more for youth and children.” He’s hopeful about hosting a summer camp, following last year’s positive response.

Openness to the work of the Holy Spirit

At Ascension Catholic Parish, several areas of improvement have already been identified. “Considering that there are 9 Calgary Catholic Elementary Schools in our parish boundaries, we want to be able to offer more in the area of youth and children,” said Fr. Kevin Gillis, LC, Associate Pastor, who regularly visits classrooms and celebrates the liturgy at 3 of those schools. After an initial positive outcome last year, he is promoting a summer camp at the parish.

Next Steps

One of the most striking outcomes of the day was the desire for continued collaboration. As leaders shared a meal at the end of the session, many expressed their hope to gather again—a testament to the energy and sense of mission that emerged from the day.

Ascension Catholic Parish’s mission statement reflects the core vision of the Diocesan Renewal: to be missionary disciples.  The Planning Session mirrored the call to become ever more a Church of encounter and witness. This gathering was not simply about planning—it was about discerning where the Holy Spirit is leading our parish and how we, as missionary disciples, can respond. As the journey of renewal continues, parish leaders and ministries will take these Action Items forward, preparing to submit Ascension Catholic Parish’s Renewal Plan in June 2025.
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Would you like to be part of this diocesan-wide journey? Stay connected with your parish community as we continue to walk together in renewal, building a vibrant and faith-filled Church in the Diocese of Calgary.

Submitted by Ascension Catholic Parish's Communications Office. Photos courtesy of Ascension Catholic Parish, Calgary.

Our small rural parish communities of St. Augustine’s, Taber and St. Joseph’s, Vauxhall recognized a great need for increased vocations. It is often our smaller communities that are most affected by the shortage of priests, which limits opportunities for worship in the sacred liturgy. Our existing priests are stretched thin, often covering two or three parishes that may be as much as an hour apart.

In response, we felt called to come together for 40 Hours of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, offering special intentions for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. What initially seemed like a tall order for our community was met with an incredible response once the invitation went out. Many parishioners stepped forward—some spending time in adoration for the first time in years, and others, for the very first time.

​Adoration began at 3:00 am on November 25 and concluded on November 26 with Benediction at 6:45 pm, followed by a Memorial Mass offered for the intentions of all deceased members of the Knights of Columbus. A time of fellowship followed the Mass.

With open hearts, we witnessed how Jesus desires to touch us deeply, speak to us, heal us, and transform us when we meet Him in adoration. Many parishioners stayed longer than the one hour they had signed up for. In heartfelt praise and thanksgiving, all were blessed to offer this time to the Lord.

As we gathered in community, the presence of the Holy Spirit was strongly felt. Many experienced a renewed awareness of Jesus’ presence in the Blessed Sacrament, filling them with peace, joy, and grace—gifts waiting for all of us in Eucharistic adoration.

​We especially lift up all our seminarians: may God fill them with courage, continue to encourage their hearts, and bless our Catholic communities with more priests and religious men and women.

God bless all our faithful servants—for your glory, Lord.

Submitted by Linda Kinahan, Parishioner. Linda has been a lifelong parishioner in the Taber area, first at Assumption Parish, Grassy Lake which was a missionary parish of St. Augustine’s, Taber. She currently sits on the Liturgy Committee at St. Augustine’s and is responsible for Sacred Art. She is married to Deacon Brian Kinahan.

Ryan Schmidt didn’t plan to work in Pastoral Renewal. In fact, just last year he was running rodeos and raising a young family in rural Alberta. But when the opportunity arose to serve the Diocese in a deeper way, his heart responded. What began with a nudge from Fr. Cristino quickly became a calling. Now, as Director of Pastoral Renewal, Ryan’s days are spent walking with parishes, listening, supporting, and helping them discover how the Holy Spirit is moving in their communities. 

We caught up with Ryan to hear more about his journey and hopes for the renewal unfolding across our Diocese.

We're excited to share a few photos from the Diocesan Renewal Planning Day at St. Mary’s Parish in Brooks!

This gathering marks Step 2 in the Parish Planning Process happening across the Diocese of Calgary, as parishes prepare their Parish Renewal Plan for submission in June 2025. During this step, each ministry area contributes Ministry Renewal and Spiritual Growth Action Items to their parish’s plan—through prayer, planning, and meaningful conversations.

Bonnie Annicchiarico from the Diocesan Renewal Leadership Team was present at the planning day and expressed deep gratitude to the Parish Renewal Team for leading an excellent day of prayer, conversation in the Spirit, planning, and listening. “We’re off and running,” she said, “and your leadership is so appreciated. God bless you all!”
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To accompany the parish planning day, Fr. Eli Cañete led 15 hours of Adoration—inviting the Holy Spirit to guide St. Mary’s renewal journey. His prayerful presence and active involvement throughout the day were a powerful witness of pastoral leadership and support.​

To get a glimpse of what their Parish Planning Day looks like, see the photos below.