Mass ReadingsMore Than Manna, More Than Bread and Fish.During the Exodus, the Lord rained down bread (manna) each day to feed those in flight. Last Sunday, after being filled with bread and fish, the crowd pursued Jesus for more food. Rightly exasperated, Jesus patiently shifts the conversation from bread from heaven to true bread. He ends by saying: “I Am the bread of life.” What looks like bread is more than bread. More than we can imagine!
What do I believe Communion to be?
Why do I believe this?
Why do I come in procession each Sunday to eat this Bread, this Communion, this Christ? Source: Diocese of Springfield
A message from Mike McDonald, Mission Mexico On-Site Coordinator (July 26, 2021):
The people where I live in Tlapa know that I travel to visit very poor families in the most isolated and most impoverished villages in the Mountain, and they often give me used clothing to share. Friends help me to prepare individual bags for women, men, girls, boys, baby, etc. These are photos from my trip this past weekend. None of this would be possible without the Mission Mexico truck. Thank you, Diocese of Calgary.
Angels on High is an exciting outdoors adventure consisting of priests and community members with a goal to raise funds used to help build St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church building in Chestermere. This year we will be hiking Junction Creek, Kananaskis on August 14, 2021.
One of Calgary’s newest vegetable gardens is located in the backyard of Elizabeth House (EH), a maternal care home that’s now growing ready-to-eat plants alongside healthy babies. In a world hungry for good news, this project fits the bill, says Michelle Haywood, program manager at Elizabeth House.
Opened more than 20 years ago, Elizabeth House provides supportive housing to at-risk pregnant and parenting women who need a safe place to live. Seeded into two new raised beds, this year’s inaugural garden is busy growing everything from lettuce to tomatoes, carrots and squash. It’s also nurturing at least one young resident’s interest in vegetable production—and it all began with a group of Catholic men who dared ask the folks at EH a simple question: How can we help?
The raised beds, like every other landscape revitalization project undertaken at Elizabeth House since 2017, were built by the St. Peter’s Council of the Knights of Columbus. That’s the year the council’s Grand Knight Peter Dugandzic reached out to Haywood. That conversation laid the foundation of a relationship that’s flourished over four years, thousands of dollars and hundreds of volunteer hours. Read more of Faithfully
Announcements, Events & Resources
There are more employment opportunities in parishes and Catholic organizations throughout the Diocese. Highlighted this week:
St. Anne's Korean Parish in Calgary has an opening for housekeeper (fluent in both Korean and English)
Ste. Famille in Calgary has an opening for Administrative Assistant (fluent in both French and English)
Retrouvaille Marriage Retreat - in person or virtual Retrouvaille invites couples in need of healing in their relationship for a weekend retreat, in person (Sep. 10-12) or virtual (Sep. 16-19). For more information, visit helpourmarriage.org
BC Bishops' Campaign in Support of Healing and Reconciliation The Catholic Bishops of British Columbia recognize the need for a province-wide initiative to raise funds to support healing and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in our Province. This appeal will launch formally in September 2021. Read more
Pray for migrants drown in Libyan coast At least 57 people drowned on Monday after a boat capsized off the Libyan coast near Khums in the latest tragedy in the Mediterranean where more than 1,100 men, women and children have lost their lives this year. Read more
Gold-winning Filipina Olympian shares her Miraculous Medal for the world to see |There were a lot of emotions when Hidilyn Diaz stood up on the podium to receive her Olympic gold medal — the first ever for the Philippines. On the podium Hidilyn Diaz celebrates with Our Lady's Miraculous Medal. Read more
Olympic Runner Takes Long-Distance Route to Catholic Church Alan Webb is drawn by the Eucharist and inspired to pursue ‘eternal Gold.’ "Running was my idol, so if I had been able to medal at the Olympics, it might have been my undoing." Read more
How the Olympics can inspire us to become saints Every few years the world becomes fascinated by the Olympics, watching in awe the physical perfection that each athlete has accomplished. St. John Paul II believed the Olympics can be an inspiration for our spiritual life, encouraging us to aim for perfection. Read more
Experts affirm: Transgender kids need truth and love The international Courage and EnCourage conference tackles a tough issue. Courage works with same-sex attracted men and women who share its five goals: chastity, prayer, fellowship, support and role models. EnCourage works with the families of “LGBT” persons, offering spirituality, information, relationship support, assistance and witness. The theme of this year’s conference, “St. Joseph: Model of Courageous Love,” gave its speakers the opportunity to talk about the complementary of the sexes. Read more
The extension of my domestic church Sarah deJong Mann in Brooks is grateful for having Catholic education growing up. Now a mother of four, she is even more grateful. "It was an extension of my domestic church." Read more
Igniting the spark of my faith: Sister Madeleine Shannon Griffin in Calgary writes about Sr. Madeleine Gregg, FCJ: "Being in her presence has ignited a spark in me to develop a faith more like hers and to share it with others." Read more
We want to share your great photos! – Got a great photo? Whether it’s of parish life, ministry life or home life, the Diocese of Calgary is wanting to promote daily Catholic life in action. Submit your photo by going to catholicyyc.formstack.com/forms/photosubmission
St Mary's Cathedral CWL 's next bible study series starts Sept 20th : A Biblical Walk Through the Mass by Edward Sri with study guide lead by Father Julian Studden .
Platform: ZOOM video conferencing with break out rooms.
To register, please e-transfer payment of $37 by August 20th deadline to : OR, call Sharon Bernard PH# 403.991.0804 to pay by Cheque.
Cost : $37 (book; study guide; 1 year online access)
Order Delivery time is 3 weeks !! Order today!
E-transfer:
OR by Cheque payable to: St Mary's Cathedral CWL Mailing address: St Mary's Cathedral Catholic Women's 219 - 18 Ave SW CALGARY AB T2S 0C2
Each July, thousands of pilgrims make their way to the shores of Lac Ste Anne. Many come in search of healing and spiritual renewal. Some simply come to reconnect with old acquaintances and forge new friendships.
This pilgrimage, which began over a hundred years ago, has become the largest annual Catholic gathering in Western Canada.
First called Wakamne or God’s Lake by the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation who live on the west end of the Lake, and Manito Sahkahigan or Spirit Lake by the Cree, Lac Ste Anne, about 75 km northwest of Edmonton, is the site of the annual pilgrimage, one of the most unique and memorable spiritual gatherings in North America.
The five-day pilgrimage which attracts thousands of mostly indigenous people from across Canada will be strictly spiritual and not physical in 2021. The year’s pilgrimage July 24-28 will held online in an effort to maintain social distancing, protect pilgrims — many of whom are elderly or in poor health — and avoid the spread of COVID-19.
The pilgrimage site is closed, please do not visit.There will be no camping or on-site visits. Instead, organizers hope to keep alive the enduring spirit of the healing and spiritual renewal pilgrimage with a virtual Lac Ste Anne event that includes livestreamed Masses celebrated by bishops from Alberta and the Northwest Territories, video messages, and other programming.
The online schedule of events for the 2021 Lac Ste Anne Virtual Pilgrimage may be found at www.lacsteannepilgrimage.ca
Dr. Tim Gray, President of the Augustine Institute, will lead us through some of his favorite Psalms in his next FREE webinar. Grab your ESV-Catholic Edition Bible and get ready to dig into the Psalms like never before. Dr. Gray will share practical ways to use the Book of Psalms for daily meditation. This Bible study is a free sneak peek of our monthly Mission Circle Webinar Series.
Can't attend the webinar live? No worries, register anyway and we'll send you the webinar link later in the week to watch Dr. Gray's study on demand.
Join us for this rescheduled time on Thursday, August 5 at 10 a.m. MT. Register for free today to secure your spot live or to receive a recording of the webinar. If you have already registered for the July 28 webinar that has been rescheduled for August 5, no need to register again.
Holy Spirit CWL invites League members, family and friends to support their summer fundraiser by purchasing a copy of their beautiful digital recipe book “Holy Spirit CWL See and Taste Summertime BBQ Recipes”. Escape the kitchen for the patio or park with recipes to enjoy from the barbecue or campfire, with all the sides and cold drinks your need to round out the meal.
To obtain your copy, send $5.00 by e-transfer to before say August 15th. It’s important to include "BBQ" along with your name and email address in the message field so we can properly direct your copy to you. Happy Summer!
Documentary: A National Crime Documentary History of the efforts of Dr. Peter Bryce to publicize and stop the horrific conditions he encountered in the residential schools in Western Canada over a century ago (History Department at Carleton University). Watch
For the children who died in the former Kamloops Indian Residential School and for all those impacted by this tragedy, that there may be healing founded on truth and that the Spirit will inspire our ongoing commitment to reconciliation. Amen.
There were 25 residential schools in the Province of Alberta. See: Residential Schools in Canada Map. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary did not run any residential schools, although four were located within the boundaries of the Diocese:
St. Joseph’s Industrial School (Dunbow) - East of Okotoks, near the junction of the Bo and Highwood Rivers (1884-1922) operated by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) and Grey Nuns of Montreal
Crisis line for Indian Residential School survivors and family: 1-866-925-4419
The CCCB website page on residential schools and TRC notes that approximately 16 out of 70 Catholic dioceses in Canada were associated with the former Indian Residential Schools, in addition to about three dozen Catholic religious communities.
Pope Benedict XVI invited members of a Canadian delegation, composed of representatives of Indigenous communities and of Catholic dioceses and religious communities in Canada, for a private meeting following his morning General Audience on April 29, 2009, to discuss their experiences with the Indian Residential Schools. During the meeting the Pope listened to the stories of the representatives and expressed his regret for the suffering that many Indigenous people had undergone within Indian Residential Schools.Source.
Congratulations to St. Mary's Cathedral CWL Council for winning the 2020 Walter Krewski Award for the greatest percentage increase in membership (56%). Well done!
Written in clear and plain English for the person-in-the-pew, Witness of Charity is both a study of the true meaning of Christian love and a rallying cry for all Christians to wake up, be alert, understand, and live out the faith we profess. Keeping things in perspective, the author, applies realistic explanations and conclusions providing an enduring testament to the power of true Christian love; as a result of reading this book, you will receive the necessary foundational tools to navigate life’s complexities and become a faithful witness of charity!
"It is my desire that you will use this work to spread the important message of true Christian charity that is so desperately needed in our world." ~ Bishop William T. McGrattan
"This little book, Witness of Charity ... brings 'fresh eyes' to some of our basic teachings on charity." ~ Bishop Emeritus F. B. Henry
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
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.
We encourage everyone to contact government leaders on the following two concerns.
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.
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.
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
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 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.
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
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.
There are many scams going around masquerading as your clergy (priests, deacons or lately, the bishop).
