St Mark CWL 50th Anniversary
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Everyone is invited to:
Deadline to purchase tickets is May 28.
We are excited to host the 2024 ABMK Provincial Convention!!
See ABMK 2024 for details and to register.
Deadline to purchase tickets is May 28.
There are employment opportunities currently available:
Visit www.catholicyyc.ca/careers for more information and details.
“The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest” (Matt. 9:37-38). Pray with us as for an increase of vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life in our Diocese.
"Getting up in the middle of the night and driving to Adoration for 3 am was an amazing experience. While meditating on the actual presence of Christ right before my eyes, I was struck by how more acute and aware my senses and attention were at this dark hour," shares one parishioner during the 40 Hours Devotion for Vocations. The response to this initiative has indeed been extraordinary. Over the last month and a half, more than a thousand parishioners have come to adore Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament and pray for vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life.
Multiple parishes in our Diocese have held the 40 Hours Devotion for Vocations. Other parishes are scheduled to hold the Devotion in the coming weeks:
To host the Devotion in your parish, please contact Fr. Derek at
How did Christianity prosper when it was powerless, ridiculed, and persecuted? Early Church historian Henry Chadwick attributes Christianity’s quick spread to women because of Christianity’s belief in the equality of women and men before God. True, in the early years of the first millennium Christian women were still constrained to the social roles of homemaker and wife, but Christianity elevated the status of women through its doctrine that all are created in God’s image and redeemed by Christ, meaning all must treated with respect and dignity.
The long-standing importance of women evangelists in the Church was visible in Medicine Hat during the 100-year anniversary celebration of the Catholic Women’s League (CWL) of St. Patrick’s Parish on Saturday, April 27th, 2024. A century after the chapter’s founding, Bishop McGrattan called CWL a gift to the Church and the community because of CWL’s constant witness, faith, and service. CWL remains steadfastly committed to social justice by promoting life from conception to its natural end. As current St.Patrick’s CWL President Anne Helfrich proudly proclaimed, “since 1924 the CWL chapter of Medicine Hat has helped women grow in faith by being the hands of Jesus.”
Michelle Bien, a CWL member who joined two years ago told me, “CWL is for me. CWL fills a niche that nothing else does; it filled a gap in my life I didn’t even know was missing.” This succinctly expresses the heart of the diocesan renewal’s promise of You are called; You matter; You belong.
St.Patrick’s CWL chapter creates a vibrant and radiant parish life by actively caring for the parish and the greater community of Medicine Hat by fundraising for charities like the Ronald McDonald House, Salvation Army, and the Mustard Seed, giving away clothing to those who need it, teaching children how to pray the rosary, and providing scholarships to students of Catholic schools.
Bishop McGrattan’s homily at the celebratory Mass and his speech to over 100 CWL members and guests at the dinner following, discussed how lay movements witness daily to the Church’s call to charity by, “Taking out of the storehouse what is good and bringing it forth.” Bishop McGrattan concluded by issuing a challenge to grow vocations throughout the diocese by committing to 40 hours of Eucharistic adoration because Eucharistic adoration will be the most efficacious approach to diocesan renewal.
As I listened to the legacy of this vibrant CWL chapter and Bishop McGrattan’s message for renewal, I was reminded of another woman who sparked a Catholic renewal – St. Juliana of Mont Carillon – a Flemish nun instrumental in establishing the Feast of Corpus Christi in the thirteenth century when many people did not have access to, or understand, the Eucharist. Prophets like St. Juliana appear in periods of crisis when the patterns of life have been disrupted or destroyed. Religious leaders and laypeople at the time recognized and admired the religious devotion of St. Juliana and her sisters who channeled their energy into Eucharistic adoration.
The Feast of Corpus Christi quickly became one of the most important and popular feasts of the Church because of its focus on the central mystery of the faith, and because it expressed pride in community life and, of course, simply because it was fun, which was fully on display when members of the CWL enacted a spirited and laughter-filled “fashion show.” While popular music of the past decades played, CWL members donned period clothing and joyfully paid tribute to women of the past 100 years, one decade at a time. President Helfrich, who revived the chapter after the pandemic at Fr. Roque’s request, gave the audience a humorous history lesson and noted major moments in Church history over the past 100 years. Worship, laughter, and frivolity merged into a joyous whole, showing how to bring the love of Christ into community life.
If the Church’s past is any predictor of its future, women (such as the century of women from the CWL chapter of St. Patrick’s in Medicine Hat) will play a leading role in the Church’s renewal. They will lead the renewal through service to their community, Eucharistic devotion, and they will have fun doing so!
“CWL is a great place to live the Catholic faith,” President Helfrich said. “CWL has supported me and what I stand for, filled my life with friendships, and gave me opportunities to help people.”
Congratulations to all the members of St. Patrick’s CWL, especially the organizing committee. May God continue to bless the next generation of the Catholic Women’s League in Medicine Hat!
Source: Written by Jason Openo on behalf of St. Patrick's Parish, Medicine Hat for Faithfully. Photos courtesy of Jason Openo.
Spring is in the air and we are offering our Spring Plant Fundraiser, featuring high quality bedding plants, hanging baskets, planters, herbs and veggie plants grown in a Southern Alberta greenhouse. They are available for purchase online at Growing Smiles until May 10 with pickup on May 25 at Holy Spirit Parish. To order go to https://holyspiritcwl.growingsmilesfundraising.com/home
Our Clothing / Textile Drive is scheduled for 1:00 - 7:00 pm daily May 11-20, 2024
Clean out your closets & bring your unwanted clothing & textiles of all types to:
CORPUS CHRISTI PARISH HALL PARKING LOT
5931 – 4th ST NW
(CORNER of THORNDALE ROAD and 4th ST NW)
A textile is any item made from cloth, leather or an artificial fabric like vinyl. Any textile item can be recycled and given a second life.
We accept any textile in good useable condition including bath mats, bedding (comforters, sheets, pillow cases, blankets), belts, boots, bras, coats, curtains/draperies, dresses, hats, flip flops, jackets, jeans, jerseys, pajamas, pants, purses, scarves, shirts, shoes, shorts, skirts, slippers, socks, stuffed animals, suits, sweaters, sweatpants, sweatshirts, table linens, ties, towels, t‐shirts, undergarments, handbags...
If donating shoes, boots, mitts, socks please tie them together.
NOTE: This is for TEXTILE RECYCLING ONLY – we cannot accept rags, suitcases, hard toys, commercial laundry textiles, items from hotels or hospitals, etc. items with sponsor logos, uniforms, sports equipment, team uniforms, fabric scraps, fabric rolls, fabric books, mattresses or mattress pads, rugs, upholstery, pet clothing or beds.
Do not bring items that are wet, moldy, smelly, oily or paint covered.
This is a community service project of Corpus Christi CWL.
Email Cheryl for more information.
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Diocese of Calgary invites all the faithful to celebrate the joy and beauty of family and life during the National Family & Life Week, May 13-19. They have compiled a list of amazing resources from CCCB to help you make the most of this special week.
This year's theme, “Love hopes all things,” is inspired by the words of Saint Paul, the Apostle: “[Love] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Corinthians 13:7). This theme, linked to Amoris Laetitia, a discourse on love by Pope Francis, guides us towards hope, a theological virtue that renews our relationship with God and others.
The pastoral kit includes a message from the CCCB President, the NFLW2024 logo, a catechesis, prayer intentions and daily activities for families and parishes, graphics for social media campaigns and pastoral suggestions for a Mass for family and life.
Let's strengthen our family life! Families: please sign up to receive quick, short, and easy-to-do daily prayer and suggested activities for each day of the Family & Life Week (May 13-19). Together, let’s weave moments of connection, laughters, strengthen bonds, foster joy, and create cherished memories. Who knows, maybe your family will win the mystery prize - which will be announced on May 19!
We are, once again, inviting you to be a part of our Fundraising plant order this spring! As always, there is a great selection of hanging baskets and potted annuals, with several new items this year. Prices are the same as last year!
| Our Group Savings: |
Retailers sell for up to: |
Our Price |
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6" Potted Annuals |
$14.50 |
$ 9.99 |
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7" Potted Annuals |
$18.75 |
$13.25 |
|
8" Dahlias |
$21.00 |
$16.50 |
|
12" Standard Hanging Baskets |
$54.00 |
$38.50 |
|
13.5" Premium Hanging Baskets |
$66.00 |
$44.00 |
Here are the instructions for our group. This platform is open to other groups as well, so for best selection, order early!
The website is open for orders starting on Monday, April 15th and will remain open until May 20th. Do not submit any orders after this date - our group code will be closed at that point and you will not be able to link to our group. Please read through all of the instructions below. The most important step is the GROUP CODE. Please ensure that you understand the instructions before proceeding. If you have any questions, please get in touch with Danuta Allart at 403-289-7992 or . Supplies are limited, plants are in high demand. Thank you!
Your order will be processed and delivered to St. Pius Catholic Church, Calgary, for pickup from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon on May 25th, 2024.
Happy shopping!
We are excited to share with you the 2023 Impact Report of the Diocese of Calgary. As we reflect on the past year, we celebrate the growth, resilience, and profound impact of our actions. This report highlights how, through faith and collaboration, we continue to move towards becoming true missionary disciples in our world today!
Special thanks to photographers Bandi Szakony (St. Elizabeth Hungary, Calgary), Annie Chirka (St. Peter's, Calgary), Yuan Wang, and to SFXC and Feed the Hungry for sharing some of their photos for the Impact Report!
Please print the curated monthly Faithfully for distribution to parishioners without access to digital devices, including those in your local health care or long-term care facilities and those who are shut-ins.
Almost a year has passed since our provincial convention in Edmonton when Archbishop Smith and Chief Wilton Littlechild shared their thoughts on our truth and reconciliation journey; and a journey it is, as it is rooted in knowledge, introspection, and conversion much like our own personal faith journey.
In September 2023, following a provincial meeting, a communique was sent that said we would try to send out a monthly communique to help us on this journey. So often good intentions do not materialize; but that does not mean the issue has evaporated. Sometimes the issue is so overwhelming it’s difficult to know where to begin. Father Cristino, at our retreat, suggested we begin with friendship, our friendship with God and with each other.
Each day God gives us a new thought to ponder through His Word Jesus. Often God uses this thought to nudge us to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, visiting a shut in or praying in front of the Blessed Sacrament. Our Truth and Reconciliation journey can begin the same way, with God giving us a nudge when we pray and ask the Lord to give us the grace to understand this journey to which we have been called. Where do we begin? Archbishop Smith suggests beginning by listening and reading the 94 calls to action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Which one is being placed on our heart? Our Alberta Bishops heard land acknowledgements to which they encourage us to use, in our words, at our meetings. A land acknowledgement indicates we are thanking our indigenous ancestors for welcoming our ancestors (European Explorers) to this land. They welcomed them in friendship and that is what we are encouraged to do now…forge friendships and to answer the call: Here I am Lord, Send Me!
At our midwinter meeting our council was nudged to accept the invitation to help youth ages 12-17 (mostly women at this time) who are directed to Alberta Campus Base Treatment Centres by providing them with quilts. Each person will receive their own quilt and when they leave the centre the quilt will go with them – a reminder that there are people who do love them. All 5 diocesan councils are invited to participate by encouraging their members to make twin size quilts (70”X 95”) made of cloth. The project is one of wrapping young people in an outward sign that there are people in the community who love them. Presently there are five care centres - two in Edmonton, one in Lac la Biche, one in High Prairie, one in Lethbridge. We invite all CWL quilters and friends of CWL quilters to participate in this love project. More information will be posted on our ABMK website and shared at our diocesan conventions.
Have a very blessed day as it is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Judy Look
ABMK Past President/Archives Indigenous Committee Chair
Join the "Hope on the Horizon" Summer Mission from August 6-21, 2024 hosted by the Archdiocese of Vancouver and Catholic Street Missionaries. This event, for young adults aged 19-30 in downtown Vancouver, offers an immersive experience into street missionary work. Participants will engage in prayer, service, and outreach to the homeless, alongside training and recreational activities. Food and accommodation included. For details and registration, visit: catholicstreetmissionaries.org/horizon.
Let your speech always be graciousA Pastoral Letter on the roles of social media in modern life was recently issued by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB). It offers a reflection on both the good and harm which social media impacts individuals and communities. As we prepare for Lent, it may inform our decisions around fasting and of almsgiving related to our use of social media. Using insights from the latest CCCB pastoral letter, "Let Your Speech Always be Gracious," and the Holy Father's Lenten message, Bishop McGrattan highlights the seven commitments we should make to witness to core Christian values and help build a healthy online environment that serves the common good. |
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Our Diocese welcomes five new seminarians who have begun their formation at St. Joseph Seminary in Edmonton. They have joined the eight returning seminarians who have already been discerning the priesthood for our Diocese. Please remember to pray for our Seminarians and all those actively discerning the priesthood in our Diocese:
Lord Jesus Christ, eternal High Priest, lead our seminarians daily in your footsteps, that they may become priests aflame with love for God and all. Amen. St. Joseph, pray for us.
250 participants joined our recent online session, “Welcome Home: How to make our parishes more inviting”. If you missed it, or would like a recap, please find the following:
Transitions is a 18 week, peer led support group, for individuals who are working through the pain of separation and divorce toward growth and new life. The group meets every Tuesday, beginning February 13, 2024 (7 to 9 pm) and will run until June 18, 2024. In this 18-week God-centered program, participants find strength in healing after separation or divorce, fostering growth through mutual understanding and connection.
We lament the loss of all innocent lives and the displacement of all innocent peoples, Israelis and Palestinians, due to the ensuing war. While we pray for the eternal rest of all the deceased and for God's strength and comfort for those grieving, let us help our brothers and sisters in need.
Donate through CNEWA |
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| Donate through Development and Peace |  |
Our hearts and prayers are with those who died and those suffering after the terrorist attack and the continuing conflict in the Holy Land. Let us join Pope Francis and the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa to pray for peace. The Holy Father asks that Catholics continue to pray through the intercession of Mary "for the gift of peace for the many countries of the world marked by war and conflict.“
"We ask God to inspire world leaders in their intervention for the implementation of peace and concord, so that Jerusalem may be a house of prayer for all peoples.” ~Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa
For those killed, displaced, and impacted by the terrorist attack in Israel and the ensuing war, may God grant eternal rest to the deceased, console those grieving, protect and comfort those in fear, and guide world leaders so this conflict may be brought to a peaceful end, let us pray to the Lord...
A video, Papal Visit to Canada, One Year Later, has been produced by the Archdiocese of Edmonton with reflections from Cardinal Gérald Cyprien Lacroix, Archbishop Anthony Wieslaw Krotki, Archbishop Richard Smith, and Maskwacis Chief Victor Buffalo. The video highlights Pope Francis’ visit as a significant step on the road to healing and reconciliation, noting that the work and commitment will continue. It demonstrates that the Holy Father’s visit also made not only the idea, but the reality of reconciliation possible.
Walking Together: Into One Beat - A new documentary from Salt + Light on Pope Francis' penitential pilgrimage to Canada
In July 2022, Pope Francis visited Indigenous communities, celebrated Mass in Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium and at the National Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré and, most importantly, apologized for the Church’s role in the country’s Residential School System. Walking Together: Into One Beat features interviews with members of the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit in Alberta, Quebec, and Nunavut, who share their heartfelt stories as they prepare for the Holy Father’s arrival. After the visit, they offer their reactions, impressions, and hopes for this country of many nations moving forward, as one, on the journey of reconciliation. Watch it here.
A groundbreaking report published by the Ottawa-based Cardus Institute has given voice to Indigenous Canadians who are frustrated by secular society’s unawareness of — or unwillingness to accept — the fact that almost half of them are Christian. The executive director of the Catholic Civil Rights League, Christian Elia, says society should grant Indigenous Catholics the respect and personal agency that is due all Canadians. He said his organization has heard from many Indigenous Catholics who are “growing weary of the ongoing assumption that somehow they have been coerced into the faith, that it is inconceivable that they wish to be Catholic. This condescending attitude must stop.” Read more
09 May 2024
10 May 2024
11 May 2024
