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Fr. John's ​Book Club

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Join Fr. John Kohler's virtual book club this Summer, and read: A Father Who Keeps His Promises by Scott Hahn.

In A Father Who Keeps His Promises, the popular Catholic apologist explores the covenant love God reveals to us in the Scriptures, and explains how God patiently reaches out to us -- despite our faults and shortcoming--to restore us into relationship with his divine Family. Join Hahn as he follows the high adventure of God's plan for the ages, beginning with Adam and Eve and continuing through the generations to the coming of Christ and the birth of the Church. You'll discover how the patient love of the Father revealed in the Bible is the same persistent love he has for you.

There is no exam, no papers and no lectures. Aim to read two chapters a week from July 14 to August 25, and have a lively interaction as a group every two weeks. 

Find information about the book, and chapter reading schedule at https://www.catholicyyc.ca/bookclub.html. Online discussion meetings and other details will be provided closer to the time via email. 

 

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.

 

Marriage Preparation

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Following the current recommendations around group gatherings, Catholic Family Services will be delivering each Marriage Preparation weekend virtually through Zoom. When group gatherings are deemed safe again, they will return to in-person sessions. All couples who register for the virtual delivery of Marriage Prep will receive their workbooks in the mail and will be supported in the use of video conference. If there are any further questions, please contact Stephen Robinson. For more information, visit https://www.cfs-ab.org/marriage-preparation-program

 

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 cream and blue,
  • Cashmere wool blend,
  • hand washing suggested.

Contact Diane Nadeau

 

Creating a Sunday Horarium

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This global pandemic has disrupted our usual Sunday observances from gathering for the celebration of the eucharist and visiting loved ones, to sharing meals and playing games together. Creating a domestic horarium can help you and your family mark the Lord's day and stay grounded in your Christian identity in this time of flux. (S. Brosig, March 2020).

 

Resources from the Diocese

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In light of the reintroduction of the public celebration of Holy Mass as early as June 1, 2020 in all the Latin Rite Dioceses in Alberta, the Diocese is compelled to provide clergy, parish staff and volunteers with as much resources as possible to support them in this major undertaking. It is important for clergy and staff to recognize that the safety of everyone is imperative and that there may be a need to scale back on what is being offered especially in the early phases in order to assure that the guidelines are observed for the dignity of the holy liturgy and the wellbeing of all people.

  1. Resource Page for the Reintroduction of the Public Celebration of Holy Mass: https://www.catholicyyc.ca/resources.html

  2. Livestream Masses
      
  3. Community Support & Resources on COVID-19, mental health and education (parent resources) are now available at: https://www.catholicyyc.ca/blog/communitysupport
     
  4. Podcasts
  5. St Francis Xavier Chaplaincy   Fr. Cristino's weekly reflections on Facebook.
     
  6. Watch Masses on Television  (please share with those who don't have internet)
    • Salt + Light TV (Daily at 4:30 & 9:00 am, 1 & 8:30 pm, with Shaw, Bell, Telus, Rogers etc.) 
    • EWTN (Daily at 6 & 10 am, 5 & 10 pm, with Shaw or Telus)
    • Vision TV (Daily at 6 & 10 am, with Shaw, Bell, Telus,  Broadcast)
    • TELUS will continue to broadcast Masses from some of our parishes for the duration of the ban on public celebrations. The masses will be available to Telus Optik TV viewers on Channel 8915
       
  7. Online Self Help for Mental Health from Catholic Family Services (CFS) Stressed out? Feeling depressed or lost? Or maybe someone you know is struggling. When life is giving us hardship, sometimes the best place to turn is inward. CFS's online self-help tools are available 24/7. Get resources.
     
  8. Free eBook (PDF) "Catholicism in the time of Coronavirus" by Word on Fire This new eBook from Word on Fire Institute Fellow Dr. Stephen Bullivant is an insightful and encouraging analysis of the coronavirus, shedding light not only on the Church’s present moment or similar crises of the past but also on the immediate future. This eBook is a unique roadmap for this challenging time, one that will help to bring clarity, focus, and energy to Catholics everywhere. Download here.
     
  9. Guide: The Technophobe's Guide to Leading Virtual Bible Study   Running an in-person Bible study or small group can be intimidating enough, never mind trying to conduct a group virtually. If you’re considering hosting a group, but have no idea where to start, this step-by-step guide is for you. For the technophobes out there—you know who you are—your first virtual Bible study group is only five steps away. Read more.
     
  10. Tips: Catholic teacher offers homeshooling tips for parents  Due to physical distancing protocols, parents confined to their homes now find themselves challenged to meet so many responsibilities. With plenty of time left until the end of the school year and to help keep focus strong, it is worth considering (or revisiting) some sensible points that can help parents effectively encourage their child(ren)’s academic success, while keeping a sane, loving and faith-filled atmosphere in the home. Read tips. 
     
  11. Pope Francis Minute - the animated series There are many different ways of talking about the Catholic faith to your children. Catholic Link created cartoons to bring Pope Francis' words to young children, a creative collaboration of artists and writer of 16 different countries. These videos were produced in 2013-2016, but still a joy to watch now. Only 4 minutes long each. Watch now.
     
  12. A working list of resources to assist in the work ministering to families and engaged or married couples during these uncertain times. Get resources.
  13. More resources (prayers, community, COVID-19, learning at home etc.) are compiled here. The list is updated regularly. 

 

 

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. As 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​ 

 

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

 

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