Catholic Pastoral Centre - Fourth Sunday of Easter

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Good Shepherd Sunday

This Sunday we are observing the World Day of Vocations, also known as "Good Shepherd Sunday."  The purpose of this day is to publicly fulfill the Lord's instruction to "Pray to the Lord of the harvest to send labourers into his harvest" (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2).  Please pray that young men and women hear and respond generously to the Lord's call to the priesthood, diaconate, religious life, societies of apostolic life or secular institutes. The Diocese of Calgary also asks you to give generously for a special collection today, to help with formation and education of our seminarians and those in the permanent diaconate program. To donate online, go to: catholicyyc.ca/donatevocations - and click Vocations. May Saint Joseph, protector of vocations, accompany you with his fatherly heart. Thank you.

Fr. Cristino Bouvette refers to this year's Triduum as triply blessed as he welcomes the neophytes in SFXC's new home, St. Mary's Cathedral. "It was an honour and a joy for the SFXC to welcome seven new sheep into the flock, and all the more by our shepherd himself." Read more

Mass Readings Being Good. Jesus is good. He is the best of shepherds. He knows and protects, leads and loves. He offers himself as a pattern for our own living. 

• Who needs my guidance? 
• Who needs my love and protection? 
• How will I be good today, this week, this Easter Time? 

Source: Diocese of Springfield

Weekly reflections can be found at Vatican News | The Sunday Website | Sunday Connection | CCCB Reflection
Daily and Sunday Mass Prayers & Readings: CCCB Daily Readings (pick the desired date)
 

A message from Bishop McGrattan

 Bishop McGrattan urges us to be vigilant in protecting our religious freedom, and to not forget that many of our brothers and sisters continue to face much more violent opposition for the living and witnessing of their faith around the world.

Read Bishop's latest message as published in April's edition of Faithfully: Witnessing to the faith at all cost

Announcements, Events & Resources

• ACN reports serious threats to religious freedom
  The pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (CAN) has released its 15th annual Report on Religious Freedom in the World, noting serious threats worldwide to this fundamental right, and that religious freedom is severely violated in one out of every three countries. Read more 
   
• Pope appeals for peace and reconciliation in eastern Ukraine
  Tensions between Russia and Ukraine have been rising amid a build-up of Russian troops along the border of eastern Ukraine as well as in Crimea with renewed clashes between the army and pro-Russian separatists. Thousands of people have been killed in the violence and hundreds of thousands have been displaced. Pope Francis expresses his hope for a decrease in military activities and tension in eastern Ukraine and prays for the suffering population. Read more
   
• Police fire tear gas into Haitian bishops' Mass for freedom
  A Catholic Mass in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince ended in violence last Friday when police fired teargas into the crowded church. The Mass was led by bishops to draw attention to the surge in violence and kidnapping that have besieged the impoverished country. According to a United Nations report, there have been 234 reported kidnappings in 2020, compared to 78 the year before. Homicides also increased by 20% in that time. Read more 

• Catholic Love Life Online Conference
  So how do I grow closer to the people I love? How can I truly be known? If you’re looking for answers to these questions — and so many others. At this free conference, you will learn how to experience intimacy in any state of life, elevate your relationships, address challenging topics like pornography, same sex marriage and gender identity. Conference presenters: Mark Hart, Matt Fradd, Jason Evert, Pete Burak, Mother Miriam, Chris Stefanick and many more. When: May 14-16. To sign up, click here
   
• Lust is boring: Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and Chastity
  Jason Evert: On this episode of “Lust is Boring,” we look at the life of Blessed Pier Giorgio, whose example of chastity is a powerful one for today’s men and women. How can young adults practice the virtue of chastity? What do Pier Giorgio’s personal letters tell us about his struggles?  What’s a person to do if he or she keeps failing at chastity? How can a dating couple strive together to be saints? Listen here Jason Evert's podcast on "Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and Chastity"  
   
• The survival of St. Kateri portrait after church fire in Manitoba
  Amidst the rubble left by the fire that consumed St. Theresa Point Catholic Church in Manitoba on Easter Sunday, laid a picture of St. Kateri Tekakwitha almost completely intact. Her image on canvas somehow survived the blaze that melted the metal frame, charred the edges of the nature scene she’s depicted in and left ashes on everything else in its surroundings. Read more
   
• For all other resources or information shared previously, see our website: catholicyyc.ca/news under Bulletin Announcements.

Textile / Clothing Drive

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Once again, Corpus Christi CWL is holding their Textile / Clothing Drive in the parish hall parking lot at 5931 4th St NW (at the corner of Thorndale Road and 4th St NW) Calgary T2K 3C8

Clean out your closets and save your unwanted items for our textile drive May 24 - 29, 2021

We can accept

• wearable, gently worn clothing
• useable shoes (in pairs), belts and handbags
• useable household textiles: curtains, towels, bedding, etc.
• soft toys

Please make sure items are clean and dry and brought in closed plastic bags.

We cannot accept oily or paint-covered items, fabric scraps, rag, mattresses or mattress pads.

For more information, contact Cheryl

Blessed Brew

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The St. Albert the Great CWL is hosting a Coffee and Tea Sale to raise funds for our Parish and for our CWL charitable commitments.  Information and order forms are attached. Please enjoy any of these nice coffee blends (whole bean or ground) and/or loose leaf teas of your choice and if you like, share our campaign with your relatives and friends.

Payment is due with your completed order form(s) and can be made by:

1. Etransfer to St. Albert the Great include "Coffee Fundraiser” in the memo section.  (NOTE: Also, write etransfer on your order form(s) and send scan or photo of the form(s) to either Karen or Andrea.)
2. Or, mail a single cheque and your order form(s) to St. Albert the Great Parish, 10 Prestwick Dr SE, T2Z 4J6 and write on the outside of the envelope "CWL Coffee Fundraiser."  - NO CASH PLEASE -

The campaign runs from April 1 - May 17, 2021.  All orders to be picked up at the Church the weekend of June 5 & 6.  Thank you for your support!

Click here for products and order forms.

President Jan Myhre's Easter Greeting

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Bible Cookies in a Jar

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Using NRSV Catholic Edition, look up each verse to see what ingredients you need for your cookies.
Great family project with kids (ages 10+)

Add each dry ingredient in a 1 Liter Mason jar
Yield: 12-15 cookies

When ready to bake
• Empty contents of jar into a bowl. Set aside
• In a separate bowl combine:

1/3 cup butter
½ teaspoon vanilla
1 egg

• Mix wet ingredients with the dry ingredients
• Drop by spoonful on a cookie sheet
• Bake at 350° F for 12-14 minutes
• Cool 5 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack

Source: CCCB
 


 

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Livestreamed Masses

• Full schedule of Parish Livestream Masses are available at: https://www.catholicyyc.ca  
• If you are a TELUS Optik subscriber, you can watch livestream masses and prayer events in Channel 876 (choose "Diocese of Calgary" logo)
• If you are a cable TV subscriber, you can access Salt+Light TV, Canada's Catholic network, for a nominal fee each month. Or view online at saltandlighttv.org/live. Daily TV Mass, produced by the National Catholic Broadcasting Council, is broadcast four times a day at 4:30 am, 9 am, 2 pm and 8:30 pm (MT). Check the S+L Schedule for broadcasts of Sunday Mass from the Vatican. Daily masses are also available on Shalom World TV at shalomworldtv.org
• Televised Mass is also available to those who subscribe to EWTN and Vision TV. Click on the links or their schedules

Call to Action on Critical Health Issues

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During the past months we have been given the blessing of time to contemplate what is important in our lives and in our society.  Many of us are prioritizing the importance of a health care system that cultivates a culture of care and love for people at all life stages..

This is an opportune time to use our letter-writing energy to urge our government to seriously hear our concerns about two issues:  (1)  the providing of palliative care for all Canadians who choose this option near the end of their lives; and (2) the suggested removal of safeguards to Bill C-7.

National President Anne Marie Gorman's letter to the Prime Minister is posted on the National website "Letters" page. Access it at: https://cwl.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/20200304-Gorman-to-Trudeau-re.-Bill-C7.pdf

We encourage everyone to contact government leaders on the following two concerns. 

1. Palliative Care: In 2017 the Federal Government put forward the Framework on Palliative Care in Canada.   The government promised to invest $3 billion into national home care services including palliative care. Has funding been made?   How can Canadians make informed decisions about their end of life treatment when quality palliative care is readily available to only 15% of Canadians (2018 Health Canada Report)? On May 17, 2020 Zi-Ann Lum published “Will the Pandemic Finally Make Us Talk About Palliative Care?” in the Huffington Post, Canadian Edition.  I encourage you to read it if you want more information.
   
   
2. Bill C-7, Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD):  There are concerns about removing some of the safeguards placed in the existing legislation.  First, the government is proposing to remove the mandatory 10 day waiting period before a patient can receive medically assisted death stating that the waiting period may unnecessarily prolong suffering.  Second, the government is proposing to remove the need for two witnesses. Both safeguards exist so that patients can make an informed decision about their end of life care without pressure and with appropriate verification.   Presently the Bill has undergone two readings.  There is still time to write letters and email the government to express our concerns about the removal of these safeguards.

Sample letters to the Prime Minister, Justice Minister, Health Minister and Member of Parliament are posted under Legislation Tips and Tools.  Adjust them as you wish.  See the Forms and Resources page for our letter writing guide and contact information for MPs and MLAs.

Through faith, we have a moral compass that guides our actions daily to help and protect the vulnerable in our society.  May our Lady of Good Counsel guide you as you work for God and Canada.

Wrapped in the Arms of our Mother

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The 2022 National CWL Convention is scheduled for August 14-17 in Kelowna, BC

The Convention Planning Committee is selling these pashminas as a fundraiser.

NOTE: Price is $30 plus shipping Size: 75 x 29" Colors: available in black, cream and blue, Cashmere - viscose/polyester blend, hand washing suggested.  Shipping: for 1 Pashmina is $5.00 (Note: If you want 2 or 3, it is less expensive to ship in individual packages @$5.00 ea) Once we get to 4, it is better to send in one package) Up to 4 in box $20.00 5 to 10 in box $25.00 11 to 16 Pashminas in box $35.00  Payment: can be made by etransfer to "" (bank receipt will say Linda Nadeau) or  Cheques can be made to  "2022 National CWL Convention" and mailed to:      Diane Nadeau      #9-1900 Ord Rd      Kamloops, BC  V2B 0B6  Contact Diane Nadeau

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Source: Mothering Spirit

Support your Parish

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During this pandemic, our faith community needs us even more. Please remember to keep supporting your parish with weekly or recurring donations. If offering envelopes are not feasible at this time, you can support the parish through online giving, either on your parish's website or on the Diocese of Calgary website.

The online giving page on the Diocese of Calgary website allows you to set up a one-time or recurring donation to your parish. All funds donated will be transferred to the selected parish. See https://www.catholicyyc.ca/give​ or go directly to https://www.catholicyyc.ca/donatetoparish.html

Safe Environment Policy

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The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops released a Safe Environment Policy to protect children and everyone from sexual abuse in the church: Protecting Minors from Sexual Abuse: A Call to the Catholic Faithful in Canada for Healing, Reconciliation, and Transformation. Read the document here. 

Break the cycle of silence. You can choose to talk about it and report abuse. The Diocese of Calgary has launched a Safe Environment web page. Talk to someone you trust or call the toll-free number at 1-833-547-8360.

Scams Alert

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There are many scams going around masquerading as your clergy (priests, deacons or lately, the bishop).

Please exercise caution when responding to email messages.  If you receive unusual emails, check the sender's email address to see whether it is the person’s genuine address. Even if the sender's address looks correct, always verify suspicious emails by phoning the sender. There have been many similar scams reported by several parishes in our diocese and across Canada. 

Note that these scams do not stop at emails. Those in social media should stay vigilant when responding to friend requests or to other compelling posts requiring a response. There are many fake Twitter, Facebook and other social media accounts trying to impersonate people you know and our church leaders. Some scammers may take the time to build a relationship with you to gain your trust, before trying to extort money or other things like gift cards.

Please exercise vigilance when you are being charitable. Use the channels you are most familiar with and avoid becoming victims of a scam.
 
For samples of scam emails see Diocese of Calgary

Diocese of Calgary news

For news and events within the Catholic Diocese of Calgary please visit the website for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary. Check for employment opportunities at http://careers.calgarydiocese.ca