APRIL 2016 VOLUME 20 • NUMBER 4 Sharing a Catholic

Transcription

Carillon
the
APRIL 2016
Sharing a Catholic perspective on today’s events and issues in the Diocese of Calgary
VOLUME 20 • NUMBER 4
Sanctuary.
A place where you can be safe or comfortable.*
Healing.
The process of becoming healthy again, or
recovering from an unhappy experience.*
Memories.
The fact that people remember a particular
person or event.*
MCINNIS & HOLLOWAY. PROVIDING SANCTUARIES FOR HEALING & MEMORIES WITH OUR MEMORIAL FORESTS.
“The opportunity to serve” is the highest compliment
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* MacMillian Dictionary
Contents
D
uring this Jubilee of Mercy, today is an extraordinarily blessed day as it is the Feast of Divine Mercy!
Divine Mercy Sunday has been celebrated in the
universal church since St. Pope John Paul II canonized St.
Faustina, the “first saint of the new millennium,” on April
30, 2000. Of course the Divine Mercy message is not new
to the teachings of the Church, as Sr. Faustina’s visions, and
her Diary, which was written in the 1930s, started a great
movement, and a significant focus on Christ’s mercy from
the beginning. Throughout this edition of The Carillon
you will read several experiences of Divine Mercy shared
by a few gracious writers in our diocese.
Of the many events coming up this month, one of the
most exciting will be accepting the invitation to attend the
Interfaith Conference being held on the evening of April 9.
We are invited for dinner, and to hear presentations pertaining to the Catholic and Islamic perspectives on the Noble Life
of Jesus. In the interreligious history of North America, this
is one of the first times, I’m told, that a Catholic bishop has
ever been invited to speak at a mosque. As we think about
our attendance, let’s recall the stories of St. Paul visiting the
synagogues to dialogue with the Jews about who Jesus was
[Acts 18:4]. See pages 8 and 9, and Diocesan Dates on page
20 for more information, and to register.
We congratulate St. Mary’s University President Gerry
Turcotte for the recent publishing of his book titled, Small
Things: Essays on Faith and Hope, which is a compilation of
the columns he has written for The Carillon, as well as
the Western Catholic Reporter, and the Prairie Messenger,
over the past five years. Please see Diocesan Dates, April 14
on page 20 for details of the upcoming book launch event.
The article and advertising deadline for the May edition
of The Carillon is April 7. Please contact us by phone, (403)
295-8124 or email [email protected] as soon as possible.
~ Peace,
Monique and Myron Achtman
Divine Mercy Sunday • April 3
Interfaith Conference • April 9
Bishop Frederick Henry’s Message..............................4
36th Annual Hike for Life.............................................5
Family Flyer: Easter Season and Springtime Fun.......7
Interfaith Conference 2016..........................................9
Chrism Mass Homily Excerpts..................................10
Strengthening Our Parish Communities................. 11
A Day of Mercy and Vocations Discernment............12
Divine Mercy Sunday.................................................13
A Reflection: Chalice Points to Mercy Shared..........13
Upcoming Workshop: Live Mercy & Do Justice.......15
Memorial Liturgy Photo Collage............................... 17
Library News..............................................................19
Diocesan Dates...........................................................20
St. Mary’s University..................................................23
Jubilee of Mercy • Jubilee Doors in the Diocese........24
About the Front Cover
The Divine Mercy Image shows Jesus clothed in a white garment. He
has one hand raised in a gesture of blessing, and the other touching the
garment at the breast. The two rays denote blood and water. Red, for
the blood which is the life of souls, and pale, for the water which makes
souls righteous. The portrait is signed, “Jesus I trust in You.” Jesus said,
“My gaze from this image is like my gaze from the cross” [Diary 326].
The Carillon*
Publisher: Bishop Frederick Henry • (403) 218-5500
Roman Catholic Diocese of Calgary
120 - 17th Avenue SW • Calgary, AB T2S 2T2
Editor-In-Chief • (403) 295-8124
Monique Achtman, [email protected]
Design & Production • (403) 295-8124
Myron Achtman, [email protected]
Advertising Rates (Payable to Target Advertising)
1/8 page: $110 • 1/6 page: $137.50 • 1/4 page: $220
1/3 page: $275 • 1/2 page: $385
Diocesan Dates Listings: $25 (GST not included in rates)
Articles & Advertising
Deadline: April 7, 2016 for the May edition.
The Carillon is not published in January, July or August.
www.calgarydiocese.ca
The Carillon / 04.2016 ~ Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy
FROM THE
EDITORS
3
BISHOP’S
MESSAGE
Collaborating Towards
A Compassionate Society
“His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” ~ [Jn. 2:5]
ing a lethal dose of medication).
The distinction lies in who initiates the process – the doctor or
the patient.
Bishop Frederick Henry
A
4
s Catholic Christians we speak
in terms that are informed
by reason, ethical dialogue,
religious conviction, and profound
respect for the dignity of the human
person. Our awareness is shaped
by thousands of years of reflection,
prayer, and by our actions as Christians following Jesus. He showed
most fully what it means to love, to
serve, and to be present to others. His
response to the suffering of others
was to suffer with them, not to kill
them. He accepted suffering in his life
as the pathway to giving, to generosity, and to mercy. In Jesus’ life and
through his actions, we are offered a
supreme example of humanity.
The values of Jesus of Nazareth are
the basis for our views on euthanasia
and physician-assisted suicide.
In a spirit of collaboration in building a society that is more compassionate, more respectful of all human
life, more just, and more generous, we
have a number of issues to ponder,
pray about, and discuss, for example:
1. Euthanasia means killing someone - such as by a lethal injection to end his or her suffering.
Physician-assisted suicide means
a doctor provides the means for
someone to kill oneself (proscrib-
2. One of the most important
principles of palliative care is to
manage the pain, or illness, of
patients while neither hastening
death, nor prolonging the dying
process. With proper palliative
care, almost all requests for
euthanasia would disappear.
3. Euphemisms such as “medical
aid in dying” or “mercy killing” or “dying with dignity” or
“terminating the suffering” or
“physician-assisted death” do
not change the fact that allowing
assisted suicide and euthanasia
makes it legal to kill someone
(euthanasia) or to aid in their
suicide (assisted suicide).
4. Physicians and other health care
staff have a basic right to conscientiously object to hastening a
patient’s death through assisted
suicide or euthanasia and should
never be forced to do so.
5. Every person, at the end of life,
would benefit from good palliative care, but in Alberta there are
only a handful of qualified palliative care physicians and far too
few palliative care and hospice
beds.
6. There is a huge difference between palliative sedation and
euthanasia. With palliative
sedation, the intent is to reduce
consciousness to ease suffering.
The intent of euthanasia, however, is to kill the person.
7. A government advisory panel
in December of 2015 and a
joint committee in February
2016 recommended the
widest possible access to
physician-assisted suicide
and euthanasia. One of the
panel’s recommendation was
to eventually allow terminally
ill children (“mature minors”)
the right to ask their doctor to
hasten their death.
8. Doctors who are against euthanasia and who care for terminally
ill children argue that virtually
all pain and other symptoms can
be managed to minimize suffering. If pain is not being managed
well, a new doctor should be
consulted. Don’t kill the patient.
9. In jurisdictions where euthanasia
has been legalized, the initial restrictions have eroded. Belgium,
for example, now allows euthanasia for terminally ill children
of any age, with the consent of
parents and doctors.
10.No human being dies in a social
vacuum. Consider how other people will be impacted by assisted
suicide and euthanasia. Consider
the impact on the person who is
responsible for ending someone’s
life.
11.Many doctors and other
health professionals who want
nothing to do with killing their
patients may feel forced to leave
the profession. Young adults
considering a medical profession
may choose another path if they
are expected to become killers
instead of healers.
12.The legislation of assisted suicide
could lead to the natural process
of dying being recast as a process
to be avoided. This could lead
to pressuring patients or their
families to choose a hastened
death as a cost-saving measure.
36th Annual Hike For Life 2016
Respect for Human Life from Conception to Natural Death
by Marina Abel, Calgary Pro-Life Association
13.The normalization of suicide
through legislation of
physician-assisted suicide could
significantly impact suicide
prevention programs. What
happens if suicide, instead
of being a tragedy to avoid,
becomes an acceptable option or
a “responsible” choice?
Let us pray:
Mary, woman of listening, open our
ears; grant us to know how to listen
to the word of your son Jesus among
the thousands of words of this world;
grant that we may listen to the reality
in which we live, to every person we
encounter, especially those who are
poor, in need, in hardship.
Mary, woman of decision, illuminate our mind and our heart, so that
we may obey, unhesitating, the word
of your son Jesus; give us the courage to decide, not to let ourselves be
dragged along, letting others direct
our life.
Mary, woman of action, obtain
that our hands and feet move “with
haste” toward others, to bring them
the charity and love of your son J esus,
to bring the light of the Gospel to the
world, as you did. Amen.
~ Pope Francis, 2013
P
ope John Paul tells us in his
Gospel of Life that “The first
and most fundamental step
towards…cultural transformation
consists in forming consciences
with regard to the incomparable and
inviolable worth of every human life”
[96]. Calgary Pro-Life A ssociation
provides presentations to school
communities and groups. The presentations are designed to raise
awareness and respect for all life.
Last school year 222 presentations
were received by 6054 individuals.
The evaluations, on the different
topics presented, tell of the benefits:
You Matter:
“A perfect timing for this presentation, as recently we are having selfesteem issues in our class.... Students
were engaged throughout!” “...The
students continued to talk about the
presentation in the hall while getting
their snacks. This to me shows the
importance of your presentations.”
Fetal Development:
“This presentation connects well
to the virtues project we are doing
at school as part of our Catholic
Community of caring… the videos
and the models were very meaningful and students were engaged…”
“…The focus on having respect for all
human life and the tie in to our faith
is excellent to our overall theme.”
“The students were spell bound.…
The students heard and saw the story
of their life as a baby from conception! Amazing how we developed!
Right at conception we are humans!”
The Hike For Life:
The Hike For Life fund raiser makes
all this possible, and at the same
time it brings together people who
share the belief that life is a gift to
be respected and protected. Pick up a
pledge form from your church or from
our website at www.calgaryprolife.
com and join us on May 7 at Prince’s
Island Park for the 36th Annual Hike
for Life. For more information, see
Diocesan Dates, May 7, on page 21.
E
HIK
R
FO
E
LI F
14.All persons deserve protection
against discrimination, but
especially those who are
vulnerable and may not have
a voice, including those living
with disabilities, mental
illness, or dementia. Allowing
assisted suicide and euthanasia
entrenches the idea that some
lives are not worth living.
5
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Family Flyer…
Easter Season and Spring Time Fun
by Gabriele Kalincak, Director • Life and Family Resource Centre, (403) 218-5504
encyclical Laudato Si: On Care for Our
Common Home. This is a worthwhile
read that can easily be downloaded
from the internet. A brief summary
is also available.
Family Activities:
Materials:
• Milk jug with cap
• Sticks
• Scissors
• String or wire
• Paint, markers or colourful tape
• Read Pope Francis’ Laudato Si and
pick one or two topics from the
encyclical to talk about with your
children
• Enjoy a family outing in nature
• Participate in a an outdoor
fundraiser such as Hike for Life
• Make a milk jug bird feeder
Directions:
How to Make a Milk Jug
Bird Feeder
Next, using scissors, cut large windows in your milk jug. Be sure to cut
them about halfway down the jug so
the food stays in the bottom. Next,
cut two small holes on either side of
the cap for about 6 inches of string or
wire to hang the feeder. Finally, ask
your kids to decorate the feeder with
permanent markers, outdoor acrylic
paint, colourful tape and sticks. You
can make the birds a perch with sticks
or make a stick “roof” for the birds in
case it rains. Fill the bottom of the
feeder with bird seed and hang it from
a tree or nail it up on your porch.
Materials may vary depending on
what you have on hand. You will need
a plastic milk jug with cap, and bird
seed. Adults can do the cutting; the
children can decorate. Give thanks to
God as you watch one of the first signs
of spring – the arrival of the birds!
First, wash out the milk jug with
warm, soapy water and let air dry.
Reprinted from Take Out April 2016, © Our
Sunday Visitor, Inc. Used with permission.
For more directions or ideas on how to make
your own milk jug bird feeder go to Google
and enter milk+jug+bird+feeder+images.
Enjoy God’s Creation this
Easter and Spring Season!
S
pring is here and we are in the
midst of the Easter season.
Jesus’ dying and his rising on
the third day is God’s greatest gift
to us, the gift of salvation. Our holy
father, Pope Francis, said in one of his
Easter Vigil homilies, “Let the risen
Jesus enter your life, welcome him
as a friend with thrust: he is life! If
up until now you have kept him at a
distance, step forward. He will receive
you with open arms. If you have been
indifferent take a risk. You won’t be
disappointed. If following him seems
difficult, don’t be afraid, trust him,
be confident that he is close to you,
he is with you and he will give you
the peace you are looking for and the
strength to live as he would have you
do.” This is an invitation to all of us to
open our hearts and minds and let the
light of Christ shine. Daily prayer and
meditation will help us focus on what
God is calling us to do. We are called
to experience the fullness of life in
Christ through the Gospel.
Now that spring is here we can
simultaneously experience this fullness of life in nature. While we have
an increasing number of people
suffering from allergic reactions to
pollen from all kinds of plant life flying through the air, they still enjoy
the awakening of nature with the
increasing hours of daylight, and the
warmth coming from the sun. Here
we are invited to enjoy God’s creation,
and at the same time we are asked
to take good care of it. Pope Francis
recently addressed this issue with his
7
1-866-628-5435,
Bishop Henry and Scholars Speak at
Mosque on the Life of Jesus
by Deacon Adrian Martens, Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs Office
T
mitting one true God, they do not believe in the Messiah,
neither as already come in the Person of Jesus Christ.”
Bishop Henry and Ahmadiyyan Muslim scholars will
be involved in a discussion on the nature and life of Jesus
at the Baitun Nur Mosque. Join us for a free supper, dessert and a talk by Bishop Henry and other Christian and
Ahmadiyyan Muslim scholars on Saturday, April 9. See
the display
adCatholic
on the facing
pageoffor
more information.
Roman
Diocese
Calgary
OFFICE OF VOCATIONS
The Ahmadiyyan Muslims are a community known for their
Islamic background. They are unique in their belief that a
man named
Mirza GhulamTel.Ahmad
is the end times prophet,
LISIEUX HOUSE
403.245.2753
830 - 21st Avenue SW
[email protected]
and that
Jesus survived the
crucifixion and spent the rest of
Calgary, Alberta
www.vocationoffice.com
T2G 1N1 Catholic Diocese of Calgary
his lifeRoman
in India. Join us as we seek to “always be prepared to
OFFICE
OF VOCATIONS
give an
answer to everyone
who asks you to give the reason
for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and
respect,”
[1 Pet. 3:15] and
to create a world where we “live in
LISIEUX HOUSE
Tel. 403.245.2753
- 21st Avenue SW
peace830
with
all people,”[email protected]
[Rm. 12:18].
Calgary,
Alberta
2016
INFORMATION DAY
2016
ON
THE
DIOCESAN
OFFICE
OF VOCATIONS
INFORMATION DAY
PRIESTHOOD
....................................................
ON2016
THE DIOCESAN
T2G 1N1
OFFICE OF VOCATIONS
Roman
Catholic
Diocese
of Calgary
LISIEUX
HOUSE
Tel. 403.245.2753
OFFICE OF VOCATIONS
Calgary, Alberta
T2G 1N1
[email protected]
LISIEUX HOUSE
Calgary, Alberta
LISIEUX HOUSE
T2G 1N1
830 - 21st Avenue
SW
Calgary, Alberta
T2G 1N1
Tel. 403.245.2753
[email protected]
Tel. 403.245.2753
[email protected]
his year marks the 50 th anniversary of Nostra
Aetate which translates as In Our Time. The document is likely the most important contribution to
the understandings of non-Christians since the Catholic
and Protestant Reformations. The document, through
the Council Fathers, sensitively explained that the
Church’s message, in some areas, lacked a key approach
that marked the people of God throughout the ages. The
Council Fathers acknowledged that while the Church was
clear in her message that non-Christian religions missed
or misconstrued the person of Christ (and this is a grievous error), they sometimes failed to acknowledge the
e lement s of
truth in these
religions. This
was not meant
to pave a new
w ay for t he
modernism’s
idea that analytic and scientific reasoning made religion into a mere symbol and thus a good way
to live, or post-modern’s idea that religion is relativistic
and everyone can choose to their path to follow God.
Nostra Aetate, comparatively, followed in the Christian
tradition that while everyone is called into a relationship
with Christ and the Church, the “prevenient grace of God”
could be at work in unexpected areas [Trent VI, LG 16].
Nostra Aetate can therefore be said to revive this Christian idea in our time: an idea that has always been a part
of the theology of the Church. One of the documents that
In Our Time quotes is a letter from Pope St. Gregory the
VII to Nacir the Muslim King of Mauritania [1040-1085?
AD]: “we believe in and confess one God, admittedly, in a
different way, and daily praise and venerate him, the creator of the world and ruler of this world.” Pope St. Gregory
is not being relativistic or condescending, following the
recent popes of our time he is saying that “as Christians
and Muslims, we encounter one another in faith in the
one God” [St. John Paul II, address to representatives of
the Muslims of Belgium, May 19, 1985]. It is important to
nuance this with the fact that Christianity alone has the
fullness of the understanding of God in Trinity [DI 5-6].
Pope St. Gregory was not alone in his approach, Catholic
theology of the late nineteenth century picked up on this
theme with Pope Pius X in his catechism acknowledging
that Muslims were separate from pagans and “though ad-
INFORMATION DAY
PRIESTHOOD
ON THE DIOCESAN
....................................................
PRIESTHOOD
2016
2016
INFORMATION DAY
ON THE DIOCESAN
INFORMATION
DAY
ONPRIESTHOOD
THE DIOCESAN
....................................................
....................................................
YOU ARE INVITED
This day is for men between the ages of 17 and 35 years. It includes talks
givenARE
by Bishop
Henry and priests of the diocese.
YOU
INVITED
This day isYOU
for ARE
men INVITED
between the ages of 17 and 35 years. It includes talks
Location:
Sacred
Heart
Church
given
by Bishop
Henry
and
priests
of the
This day is
for men
between
the ages
of diocese.
17 and 35 years. It includes talks
1307
– of14th
St. S.W.,
given by Bishop Henry and
priests
the diocese.
Calgary, (Upper Hall).
Location:
Date:
Location:
Sacred Heart Church
Sacred Heart
Churcha.m. – 1:30 p.m.
1307April
– 14th16,
St. 9:00
S.W., Calgary, (Upper Hall).
1307 – 14th St. S.W., Calgary, (Upper Hall).
Date:
Date:
9:00a.m.
a.m. –– 1:30
AprilApril
16,16,
9:00
1:30p.m.
p.m.
(lunch
provided)
(lunch
provided)
PRIESTHOOD
....................................................
(lunch provided)
For further
register
contact:
For information
further informationand
and toto
register
contact:
Myles Gaffney,
Director ofof
Vocations,
Phone: 403-245-2753
Fr. Myles
Gaffney,
Director
Vocations,
Phone: 403-245-2753
For
furtherFr.
information
and
to register
contact:
E-mail: [email protected]
YOU
ARE of
INVITED
Fr.
Myles [email protected]
Gaffney,
Director
Vocations, Phone: 403-245-2753
E-mail:
E-mail: [email protected]
givenDay
by Bishop
Henryfor
andVocations
priests of the
diocese.
World
of Prayer
• April
17
Location:
YOU ARE INVITED
Sacred Heart Church
1307 – 14th St. S.W., Calgary, (Upper Hall).
9
Date:
April 16, 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Excerpts from Bishop Henry’s Chrism Mass Homily 2016
10
PHOTO BY VICTOR PANLILIO
I
n an interview published just a few
days before the December 8 start
of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, Pope
Francis said the Jubilee of Mercy is to
usher in a revolution of tenderness:
“Once people realize ‘I’m wretched,
but God loves me the way I am,’ then I,
too, have to love others the same way.”
The discovery of God’s generous love
kick-starts a virtuous circle, which
leads us to acting in a way that’s more
tolerant, patient, tender, and just.
During this Jubilee of Mercy the
Church asks us to practice and live
the corporal and spiritual works of
mercy. It is important to note that
they are “works.” Work frequently
tends to be hard.
I have had several jobs – all different: as a young boy, I was a salesman
at my uncle’s farmer’s market stand; a
golf course caddy; a shipper in the textile industry; a parking lot attendant;
a mechanic; a construction labourer;
a student; a packer at a brewery; and
then became a priest and bishop. Each
of the jobs was hard from time to
time but none of them compared in
difficulty to working on the corporal
and spiritual works of mercy, which
I still have not mastered.
The first set being the corporal
works — to feed the hungry, give to
the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter
the homeless, visit the sick, ransom
captives, and bury the dead — to some
degree are measurable but you never
get to the point when you can say the
job is complete.
The second set, the spiritual works
are more elusive: to instruct the ignorant, counsel the doubtful, comfort
the sorrowful, admonish the sinner,
gladly forgive injuries, bear wrongs
patiently, pray for the living and the
dead. Again unending work!
We never seem to get it right, so
we have to practice, practice, practice.
Some people try to turn mercy into
a kind of metaphorical “fabric softener” for the Christian ethos. I’ll mention
two ways that this can happen:
1. Protecting the wrongdoer
more than the victim
This kind of indulgence can occur
because of misguided friendship or
collegiality.
It can also happen because one
wants to protect an institution –
whether it be the church, the state,
a religious order, or a club from the
adverse consequences of uncovering
and prosecuting wrongdoing. As a
church we have failed on this account
many times in recent history by the
inadequate way we have dealt with
the crimes of sexual abuse.
Such a mind-set goes against the
spirit of the Gospel, which advances
the preferential option for the poor
and advocates for whoever is the
weaker. Protection of the victim,
therefore, must precede protection
of the offender.
2. Mercy is seen by some as
undercutting or abrogating
justice
A further grave misunderstanding of
mercy occurs if, in the name of mercy,
we think we may ignore God’s commandment of justice, and understand
love and mercy, not as fulfilling and
surpassing justice, but rather as undercutting and abrogating it.
Therefore, we cannot contravene
elementary commandments of justice
because of a sentimental misunderstanding of mercy.
One cannot advise or provide
assistance for an abortion out of a
phony sense of mercy, if the birth of
a child with disabilities appears to
expect too much of the mother or the
child, for example.
Furthermore, here in Canada
today, we cannot, out of pity for an
incurably sick person, offer active
assistance in their committing
suicide in order to “release” him or
her from their pain and suffering.
Physic ia n assisted su ic ide a nd
euthanasia, and their euphemistic
counterparts, do not imitate God’s
mercy.
Such pseudo-mercy does not imitate God’s mercy; rather, it dismisses
God’s commandment “Thou shall not
murder” [Exod 20:13; Deut 5:17].
With tenderness and compassion
we have to help people, in word and
deed, to carry out the demands of the
commandment in their often complex
and difficult situations.
The discovery of God’s generous
love kick-starts a virtuous circle,
which leads us to act in a way that’s
more tolerant, patient, tender, and
just….
The Chrism Mass was held at St. Mary’s
Cathedral on Monday, March 21, 2016.
BY DEACON STEPHEN ROBINSON, SOPC • (403) 218-5549
Signs of New Life
Congratulations
The 10 Steps of Volunteer Screening have been implemented
with collaboration of clergy, employees, and volunteers
from all parishes and programs of the diocese. Here is
what has been accomplished over the last five years:
All clergy, employees, and volunteers have agreed
to abide by our Model Code of Conduct. This code is a
minimum standard for behaviour, something all good
organizations have.
Approximately 5,000 Vulnerable Sector Police Checks
have been completed by local police and the RCMP, for
clergy, employees, and volunteers ministering to children, youth and vulnerable adults. Most checks will be
renewed this year.
More than 3,000 people have participated in a Called
To Protect™ workshop. This is the education component
for how to prevent child sexual abuse, and parishes continue to offer this workshop to their parishioners.
More than 1200 users are at various stages of completing the Armatus™ online training, as part of the ongoing
refresher training in child abuse prevention. All present
volunteers with minors as well as employees and clergy
are expected to complete this refresher this year.
More than 150 pastoral care ministers and others
have attended our elder abuse awareness workshop
called Taking Action Against Abuse of Older Adults. Parishes
continue to offer this workshop to those in ministry, as
well as volunteers.
Continuing to Protect
Having offered the recent Called To Protect™ workshops
at St. Patrick’s in Calgary (50 people) and St. Thomas
More (90 people), we have been told that our parishes
and ministries are continuing to hold training sessions,
striving to become safer all the time. Workshops are
planned this month at St. Vincent Liem, St. Mark’s,
and St. Anne’s in Calgary, and Holy Family in Medicine
Hat. We congratulate the parish screening coordinators
for communicating the need for training and screening
documentation so well with their people.
We are at a stage now where the next steps require
creating new motivation to make the program self sustaining at the parishes. Any parish wishing to get an
idea of where they are in the process can email Barbara
at [email protected] or call (403) 2185549 to obtain a parish self-assessment checklist; or
book a parish abuse prevention workshop.
April and May bring us nature’s profound participation in resurrected life. Our place in the Church’s liturgical year invites us into a deep experience of the Easter
mysteries of Christ’s redeeming, loving and merciful
presence. When coinciding with our actions to help bring
God’s kingdom closer, these wonderful realities become
even greater signs of new life.
Through the Sacrament of Baptism, we are called to share our gifts with one another and with the world. Given
the importance of this call from God, it is essential that we, as a community, do all we can to assure that the right
gifts are shared in the right way, at the right time, by the right people. We fulfill our mission more effectively when
we make every effort to ensure a richer, stronger, more vibrant and safer community of faith.
W
hile chatting with some folks after mass, a
leader in the parish came by to lock the door
we were standing near. I was surprised, but
he said it is now standard practice to lock certain doors
while the collection is being processed. Since some breakins and other incidents have taken place, we are taking
more precautions for the safety of the building, the parish
resources, and for the parishioners.
Was what we were doing before so wrong? Of course
not! What we did in the past was considered adequate at
the time. However, with new awareness of the need for
increased security, we are adapting, and avoiding risk
and negative consequences.
What we are doing to protect our children, youth and
vulnerable adults is similar in many respects. We acknowledge that some of the good people in our parish(es)
consider the 10 Steps of Volunteer Screening a nuisance
at best, or an indication of mistrust, at worst. On the
other hand, many have embraced the fact that there is
no question that we must implement the new strategies
in place to strengthen our parish communities in safety.
11
A Day of Mercy and Vocations Discernment
by Karla Subero, for the Women Religious Assembly, Vocations Committee
V
ocations to the religious life
might seem to have been
dwindling in recent decades,
but we appear to be in a new springtime of interest now. Several young
women attended a recent Lenten
vocations retreat at St. Joseph’s parish in Calgary, adding to the growing
evidence that young people are still
drawn to an experience of living the
life of Christ in today’s world. Woven
throughout the day was the theme
of Thirsting for Mercy, and the 10 discerners had a chance to interact with
several Sisters from various religious
communities within the Diocese.
The day kicked off with Mass, followed by a Scriptural reflection on
Isaiah 55. Next was a presentation by
Fr. Luan Pho, a Dominican priest, who
graciously shared his faith journey:
From the poverty of a post-Vietnam
War life to that of a ridiculed immigrant in the United States, to finding
merciful love and acceptance in a
youth group at his local parish. This
loving acceptance eventually led him
to consider the priesthood, enflaming
in him the desire to share God’s love
and mercy with others in the way he
had experienced them.
12
Once the discerners had a chance
to meet and talk in small groups, the
morning continued with a musical
interlude. Songs and hymns that fo-
After viewing What is a Vocation?
by Fr. Mike Schmitz, the participants
assembled in groups of two or three to
engage in eight-minute sessions with
cused on the theme of God’s infinite
mercy were played and sung, such as
There is a Wideness in God’s Mercy, and
a beautiful recording of Cece Winans’
Mercy Said “No.”
For the second half of the day’s
proceedings, the retreatants listened
to and shared their thoughts on the
story of the Samaritan woman at
Jacob’s well, and how Jesus’ merciful
approach transformed her life.
each of the religious communities in
attendance. They had an opportunity
to learn about the charisms of the
communities along with personal
stories of the Sisters. Present for the
retreat were Sisters of Providence,
Dominicans, Seeds of the Word, Faithful Companions of Jesus, Franciscan
Sisters of St. Elizabeth, Franciscan
Missionaries of Mary, and the Society
in the Image of the Triune God.
The day concluded with the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, along with an opportunity for receiving the sacrament
of reconciliation. Feedback from the
participants was both positive and
encouraging, giving the Vocations
Planning Committee responsible for
the event valuable information for
future vocations events.
Young women considering a vocation to religious life are encouraged
to contact Sr. Lucille Field, S.I.T.G.,
at (403) 461-1094 or email lucille.
[email protected]; and visit
the Facebook page at facebook.com/
AveMariaDiscernmentHouse.
Additional events will also be announced on the Calgary Vocations
Retreat Facebook page, found at facebook.com/calgaryvocationsretreat.
ChristRisen!
is
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
We pray that the hope given to us
by Christ's resurrection gives you
great joy in this Easter Season.
One Heart, One Voice, One Mission
The Catholic Women’s League of Canada
Alberta Mackenzie Provincial Council
The Divine Mercy of Jesus
Resources: www.thedivinemercy.org and Fr. Gilles LeBlanc at Holy Name Parish
T
he message of The Divine
Mercy is that God loves us – all
of us. He wants us to recognize
that His mercy is greater than our
sins, so that we will call upon Him
with trust, receive His mercy, and let
it flow through us to others.
This message and devotion to
Jesus as The Divine Mercy is based on
the writings of St. Faustina Kowalska,
a Polish nun who wrote a 600-page
diary recording the revelations she
received about God’s mercy.
Sr. Faustina recorded all of the
Lord Jesus’ wishes and described
the encounters between her soul and
Him. “Secretary of My most profound
mystery,” the Lord Jesus said to Sr.
Faustina, “know that your task is to
write down everything that I make
known to you about My mercy, for the
benefit of those who by reading these
things will be comforted in their souls
and will have the courage to approach
Me” [Diary 1693].
In 1931, our Lord appeared to St.
Faustina in a vision. She saw Jesus
clothed in a white garment with His
right hand raised in blessing. His left
hand was touching His garment in
the area of the Heart, from where two
large rays came forth, one red and the
other pale. She gazed intently at the
Lord in silence, her soul filled with
awe, but also with great joy. Jesus said
to her: “Paint an image according to
the pattern you see, with the signature:
Jesus, I trust in You. I promise that the
soul that will venerate this image will
not perish. I also promise victory over
[its] enemies already here on earth,
especially at the hour of death. I Myself
will defend it as My own glory [Diary,
47, 48]. I am offering people a vessel
with which they are to keep coming for
graces to the fountain of mercy. That
vessel is this image with the signature:
Jesus, I trust in You” [327].
All are invited to join Bishop Henry
and the Sisters of the Divine Mercy
for prayer, reflection, and supper; followed by Mass at St. Luke’s Church.
See Diocesan Dates, April 3, on page
20 for details.
Distracting “Stains” on Chalice Point to Mercy Shared
M
ysterious dark lines descended into the cup, revealing a profound secret
about community and mercy – mercy
shared, mercy to be shared.
It was a few weeks before Christmas some years ago. While driving
into town one morning to attend
a meeting at the Catholic Pastoral
Centre, I’d heard on the radio my first
carol of the season, O Little Town of
Bethlehem. For some reason, words
from it lingered in my thoughts: “The
hopes and fears of all the years are
met in Thee tonight.”
My meeting ended before noon
and I decided to attend midday Mass
in the Centre’s small chapel.
The seats were arranged in one
crescent-shaped row the width of
the room facing the altar. On this
occasion there were a dozen of us
present. I was in the middle of the
row almost within reach of the altar.
In front of me on the altar lay the
Sacramentary, and between it and the
celebrant stood a large mirror-shiny
silver chalice.
As the celebrant recited the Eucharistic Prayer, I was distracted by
strange marks on the far side interior
of the chalice. About a dozen thin
dark stripes descended from the rim
toward the wine. I wondered why
such a beautiful chalice would be so
stained.
Upon further observation, I realized the stains were actually upside
down reflections of the twelve of us
standing in the crescent facing the
chalice.
The celebrant continued, “Grant
that we, who are nourished by His
body and blood, may be filled with His
Holy Spirit, and become one body, one
spirit in Christ.” And as he raised the
chalice, those upside-down images
slid down into the wine and seemed
to merge into a single point beneath
the blood of Christ.
Yes, of course! The dozen of us were
truly one body, one spirit in Christ!
Whatever burdens, sins and joys we
had brought with us to that moment
were now drawn down into the consecrated wine, the blood of Christ.
Indeed, “the hopes and fears of all” of
us were met in Him that noon.
The chalice was then offered to each
of us, and each person’s individual concerns, mingled now as one in the blood
of Christ, were collectively sipped by
all. Thus, we in Christ and Christ in
us were one in bearing one another’s
burdens as Christ bears ours – mercy
shared, mercy to be shared.
by Warren Harbeck, Parishioner, St. Mary’s Parish, Cochrane
13
PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY TO SUPPORT THE
MINISTRIES OF CATHOLIC MISSIONS IN CANADA.
Here is my gift of:  $20  $50  $100
 $200  $_________
 Cheque (made payable to Catholic Missions in Canada)
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BECAUSE YOU GIVE…
The Good News of Our Lord is shared with our brothers and sisters
in remote and isolated missions across our vast land.
“GO THEREFORE AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS.”
—MATTHEW 28:19
Your support will help train lay leaders to assist in
ministry across our North. In photo, Archbishop Murray
Chatlain of Keewatin-Le Pas missioning lay leaders in
Northern Saskatchewan.
2016 K of C State Council Meeting
Signature_______________________________________
Address________________________________________
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Province__________________ Postal Code____________
Phone_______________________
Email _________________________________________
Mail to: Catholic Missions In Canada
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Tel: 416-934-3424
Toll-free: 1-866-YES-CMIC (937-2642)
Website: www.cmic.info
BOSCO FOUNDATION
14
Mother’s Day Special for Ladies Program
John Bosco
Child & Family Services Foundation
The John Bosco Child and Family Services Foundation
(Bosco Foundation) is a public foundation dedicated to
the provision of buildings and facilities used for the
treatment, education and housing of children, adolescents
and adults who are in need of support.
May 6 - 8, 2016
3:00 p.m. Friday to 3:00 p.m. Sunday
Friday Night • Social
Saturday • State Deputy’s Banquet
With Keynote Speaker: Brian W. Simer
“Strength in Unity and Fraternity”
Sunday • Memorial Mass
Calgary Westin Hotel 320 - 4th Avenue SW
Registration Cost $170 per Delegate
Separate tickets available for Friday Night Social
and/or State Deputy’s Banquet
Contact Convention Secretary Martin McDonald
(587) 893-2181 or email [email protected]
Bosco Foundation believes in assisting non-profit and
charitable organizations who provide vital services
which aid vulnerable people in our society. We do this by
providing our facilities to various non-profit and
charitable agencies at below market level rental rates.
Our facilities are used for social services group
care , foster care, adult mental health care, the St.
Francis Food Bank, two AA groups and a NE
Edmonton cadet core among others.
In addition, we provide volunteer services to assist two
small non-profit organizations working with low income
seniors and victims of stroke with fundraising and
volunteer recruitment assistance.
The Bosco Foundation is currently working with a
large service organization on a joint project with the
aim of providing affordable housing for low income
seniors.
100% of Donations go towards Charitable purposes.
Administrative expenses are covered by other sources.
Please forward your donation to:
Bosco Foundation
#315, 6770 129 Avenue NW, Edmonton AB
T5C 1V7
Tel: (780) 809-8585 Fax: (780) 809-8586
* Charitable Tax Number: 85985 8664 RT0001*
Pope Francis’ Twofold Challenge to all Catholics:
Live Mercy and Do Justice!
M
arch 13, 2016 marked the
third anniversary of the
election of Cardinal Jorge
Bergoglio as Bishop of Rome. During
the past three years of his pontificate,
Pope Francis has captured the world’s
attention through his humanity,
goodness, joy, and kindness. By living
a life of simplicity and humility, Pope
Francis is re-defining what it means
to be a Christian in the new millennium. In his letters, papal visits, and
daily interactions with the faithful, Pope Francis is challenging the
world’s Catholic population to lead
lives that are defined by mercy and
that engage in social justice.
In Misericordiae Vultus, the Bull of
Indiction proclaiming this a Holy Year
of Mercy, Pope Francis defines mercy
as “the ultimate and supreme act by
which God comes to meet us… the
bridge that connects God and man,
opening our hearts to the hope of
being loved forever despite our sinfulness” [MV #2]. In this moving letter,
Francis reminds us that the person of
Jesus reveals the mercy of God by his
words and actions.
Francis then calls upon us to
follow Jesus’ example by opening
ourselves to the Father’s mercy by
looking “sincerely” into the eyes of
our brothers and sisters on the path
of life. “May we reach out to them
and support them so they can feel the
warmth of our presence, our friendship, and our fraternity! May their
cry become our own, and together
may we break down the barriers of
indifference that too often reign supreme and mask our hypocrisy and
egoism” [MV #15]. For Pope Francis,
the practice of mercy is “absolutely
essential” for not only the Church as
an institution, but for each person
that professes to be a Catholic.
For Francis, living mercy is more
than simply an attitude, but a commitment to action. “True mercy, the
mercy God gives to us and teaches us,
demands justice, it demands that the
poor find the way to be poor no longer.
It asks — and it asks us, the Church,
us, the City of Rome, it asks the institutions — to ensure that no one ever
again stand in need of a soup-kitchen,
of makeshift-lodgings, of a service of
legal assistance in order to have his
legitimate right recognized to live
and to work, to be fully a person”
[Address to J esuit Refugee Services,
10 September 2013].
By linking a life of mercy with
social justice, Pope Francis is calling
Catholics beyond simply living in
society; rather he is commissioning
them to build a more equitable, just,
and peaceful society that facilitates
the holistic development of every
human person.
Once we understand Francis’
teachings, how do we live mercy and
do justice? In other words, how do we
apply these teachings to our everyday
lives?
To answer this question, on
Saturday, May 7, the Diocese of
Calgary Social Justice Commission
is hosting a special daylong workshop
on How to Live Mercy and Do Justice.
Please see Diocesan Dates on page 21
for all the details.
Dr. Peter Baltutis is Assistant Professor of History and Catholic Studies at St. Mary’s University, where he teaches
courses across the Catholic intellectual tradition, as well as history and Community Service-Learning (CSL) courses.
E
HIK
R
FO
E
LI F
36th Annual
HIKE FOR LIFE
Saturday, May 7, 2016
8:30 am - Noon
Prince’s Island Park
Calgary Pro-Life Association
(403) 243-0691
www.calgaryprolife.com
Come have fun with your friends and family.
Enjoy free refreshments and support
Respect Life Educational Programs.
Doreen Coffey
mls real estate agent
(403) 969-0966 Bus.
(403) 281-6025 Res. Bus.
1 (877) 771-6025 Toll Free
[email protected]
6111 - 6th Street SE, Calgary, AB T2H 1L9
21
YEARS
SERVICE
MASTER SALES
AWARD
by Peter Baltutis, Ph.D. • History and Catholic Studies, St. Mary’s University
15
Visually Beautiful,
Spiritually Peaceful
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Columbarium
Over 700 niches available in various
sizes in a bright and sunny setting,
located next to our Day Chapel.
We can be reached at
403 249-0423 ext 124 or
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Because Life Is Worth Remembering
Visit us on the web at
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West on Bow Trail and North on 85 St.
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Knights of Columbus
Scholarships®
The Alberta-Northwest Territories Knights
of Columbus State program of scholarships
provides fifteen $500.00 scholarships annually
(i.e. three available in each of the five regions
established by the State Council).
This program is open to Alberta/NWT Knights in good standing, their
wives, children and grandchildren and also to widows of deceased
Knights in good standing. These scholarships are for study beyond the
secondary education level. This program is intended to supplement
and enhance the various scholarships and bursary programs currently
offered by several councils and to provide opportunities in areas
where no scholarships currently exist.
Application deadline for 2016 is May 31. For more information,
contact: Vince R. Reyes, State Secretary (780) 463-3696 or
W. Charles Russell, State Deputy, (403) 256-7546.
Application forms can be obtained from your Grand Knight or
downloaded from www.kofc.ab.ca.
“ My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour”
(Lk. 1:47).
We are united with
One Heart, One Voice, One Mission.
INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION & CONFERENCE
THE APPEALS OF OURLADY
WITH MARJAN CANDLELIGHT RosAR.y PR.OSESSION
On the Feast Day of
Our Lady of Good Counsel
on April 26th,
let us remember to recognize
the Holy Spirit in one another as
Mary and Elizabeth did at the
Visitation.
MAY
3-7, 2016
Full details at www.st-peters.ca
To learn more about League activities and to explore the blessings of
membership, please visit www.cwl.ca.
Find us on Facebook and on Twitter @CWLNational.
St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church
541 Silvergrove Dr NW
Calgary, AB T3B 4R9
(403) 286-5110
The Catholic Women’s
League of Canada
C-702 Scotland Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3M 1X5
(888) 656-4040
Alberta
Publication: Dioceses of Calgary
Size: 3.75” x 4.50”
Communion of Saints • Series on the Saints with Ron Semenoff, OFS
at the Starfish Christian Arts Centre • Fridays 7:00 p.m. in April and May
9827 Horton Road SW • (403) 243-1049
~ Christian Community Announcement ~
www.franciscanandfriends.ca • Freewill Offering
An exhibition of panels with beautiful artwork of Vatican
approved Morion apparitions as imagined and
implemented by Corio Acutis.
17
2016
PILGR IMAGES
SINCE 1989
www.QSTOURS.com
FAITH SEEKING UNDERSTANDING
newman.edu
Online Undergraduate
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Take an individual course for interest,
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For a full list of available certificates and to
register online, visit www.newman.edu/ccs
18
Holy Year of Mercy Jubilee Pilgrimages
PASS THROUGH THE HOLY DOOR FOR CERTAIN GROUPS
PILGRIMAGE TO PORTUGAL, SPAIN,
FRANCE & ITALY
May 21 - June 02 16 days $3,890. + taxes
Visiting: Fatima, Seville, Grenada, Valencia,
Barcelona, Lourdes, Carcassonne, Turin,
Padua, Rome
PILGRIMAGE TO ITALY
May 26 - June 09 15 days $3,890. + taxes
Visiting: Sorrento Coast, Pompeii, Rome
Assisi, Florence, Pisa, Venice
PILGRIMAGE TO PORTUGAL, SPAIN &
FRANCE
June 25 - July 07 13 days $3,590. + taxes
(PLEASE REGISTER BEFORE APRIL 18!)
Visiting: Lisbon, Fatima, Santarem, Santiago
de Compostela, Oviedo, Burgos, Lourdes,
Avignon, Paray-le-Monial, Nevers, Paris
Email: [email protected]
Bursaries Available
Included: Air fare, 1st class hotels, daily
(Mass, breakfast & dinner), entrance
fees per itineray. Excluded: taxes & tips
Understand your Faith | Study Theology
Prepare for Ministry
Pilgrimage/Tour: 1-800-565-3619
Airticket/Vacation: 1-877-828-0070
Honouring Faith & Family - Forever.
The Good Shepherd
Catholic Cemetery
Blessed and officially opened by The Most
Rev. Paul J. O'Byrne, Oct. 28, 1992.
THANKS FOR MAKING
A DIFFERENCE
To learn more about this
CALGARY DIOCESAN OUTREACH
that’s making dreams come true,
read Mike MacDonald’s blog
at missionmexico.com
Discover the convenience of a cemetery,
funeral home and cremation centre all at one location. Tours available.
Free Information Kit. Call 272-9824
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S E RV I N G T H E C A L G A RY A R E A S I N C E 1 9 5 2
LIBRARY NEWS
Carol Hollywood and Jane-Rose Ediau
(403) 218-5510
Exploring Catholic Literature: Books • Videos • Discs
Interfaith Dialogue:
The Teaching of the Catholic Church
by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales
Committee for Other Faiths
London: Catholic Communications Service, 2002
261.2 CBC I5
Wondering how we should regard other faiths especially in the light of global events? This handy compilation
of teachings is a useful resource. By bringing together
important excerpts from official church documents since
the Second Vatican Council it helps those who seek to
understand the Church’s approach to interfaith dialogue.
Available online at: http://catholic-ew.org.uk/Home/
News/CBCEW-Publications/Interfaith-Dialogue-2002/
(language)/eng-GB.
From Every Tribe and Nation:
A Historian’s Discovery of the Global Christian Story
by Mark A. Noll
Ada, MI: Baker Academic, 2014
270.07202 NOL F7
How can the study of history
draw us more deeply into the
understanding of theology? Renowned Church historian, Mark
A. Noll, reflects on his personal
growth as an academic historian
over the years. He was brought up a
Baptist in Cedar Rapids, Iowa with
tales of adventure in the missions.
His journey has taken him into the
Presbyterian Church and he now
teaches in the Catholic setting of the University of Notre
Dame. As important as the books he read through the
years were the colleagues and friends he met along the
way. The reader will find much about the global sweep of
Christian history, and the importance of both doctrine
and the study of missions in these pages.
“As the years have passed, the basic dogmas of the
Nicene Creed have become more important; now they
seem truer than in the hour I first believed.”
~ Mark A. Noll
Pioneer Blessings in the Foothills
by Shannon Frank
(Shannon Frank, 2015)
“… my tent, my chapel case, my catechisms and objects
of piety – behold, my church and presbytery.”
~ Fr. Albert Lacombe
Despite Fr. Lacombe’s love for
his nomadic missionary life the
Church has consistently sunk
roots into the landscape that it
encounters. Pioneer Blessings in
the Foothills tells the story of its
development in the Okotoks and
Black Diamond area. Intertwining passages of narrative history
and imaginative reconstruction,
local author and parishioner,
Shannon Frank has done a great
service to the parishes of St. James and St. Michael’s, the
Diocese, and to local historians of southern Alberta in
telling the story of the Catholic community with sensitivity and insight.
After describing the origins of Catholic life in the area
through the eyes of Fr. Albert Lacombe, the story turns to
the beginnings of the town of Okotoks, with snapshots at
its time of incorporation in 1905, and of John Lineham
the “father” of Okotoks. Then we once again inhabit
the minds of the early missionaries – this time Fr. Leon
Doucet, and Fr. Joseph Lestanc, first parish priest in
Okotoks and Black Diamond. Further chapters explore
the lives of other priests who have served, the buildings,
the parish community and its growth.
The particular charisms of the community are identified; its ecumenical history and spirit and a deep love of
the Rosary, inspired by the visit of Father Patrick Peyton
and his Rosary Crusade, which was a huge event in the
Diocese in 1949.
All our parishes have their own beautiful story. It is
such a blessing when these can be revealed with such
sensitivity and care. For enquiries about purchasing a
copy of the book please contact the Catholic Pastoral
Centre Library.
19
Diocesan
Dates
Sunday, April 3
The Feast of Divine Mercy Prayer Service, and Mass
Leaders: Bishop Henry and the Sisters of Divine Mercy
Place: St. Luke’s Church, 1566 Northmount Drive NW
Time: 2:30 p.m., Exposition, Reconciliation, Chaplet of
Divine Mercy; Light supper at 4:00 p.m.
Mass: 5:30 p.m.; Celebrant: Fr. Dominic Nguyen
Friday, April 8 - Sunday, April 10
Images of Spirituality – Ecumenical Women’s Gathering
Theme: “Mandalas for Spiritual Growth & Healing”
Session Leader: Sr. Ita Connery, fcJ
Worship Leader: Rev. C. Herold, St. Laurence Anglican
Place: Entheos Retreat Centre, Calgary
Contact: Margaret, (403) 932-2069 to register or visit
www.imagesofspirituality.ca
Saturday, April 9
Calgary Catholic Medical Assn. Committee Meeting
Health care professionals are welcome to attend.
Place: Catholic Pastoral Centre, 120 - 17th Avenue SW
Time: 9:45 a.m.
Contact: [email protected]; (403) 218-5504
20
Saturday, April 9
Interfaith Conference: The Noble Life of Jesus
Place: Baitun Nur Mosque, 4353 - 54th Avenue NE
Time: Meal from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. and the talk and
discussion from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.; No cost.
Contact: RSVP to Deacon Adrian Martens, (403) 218-5528
Saturday, April 9 and Sunday April 10
Weekend Retreat: Live Fully, Companionship with Jesus:
The Gospel as A Way of Life
With: Shane Claiborne
Place: FCJ Centre, 219 - 19th Avenue SW
Time: Sat., 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Sun., 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Cost: $218; Live-in; $140 Commute
Contact: FCJ Centre, (403) 228-4215
Sunday, April 10
Experiencing God’s Mercy • Session III
Topic: Church Works: Gaudium et Spes & the Great Commission
Speaker: Sara Farid, Development and Peace Animator
Place: St. Anthony Parish, 5340 - 4th Street SW
Time: 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.; Concludes with Eucharistic Adoration
Contact: (403) 218-5511
Monday, April 11 and Friday, April 29 & Sat., April 30
Marriage Preparation “For Better and Forever”
For couples preparing for marriage, including those in special
circumstances (living together; previously married; beginning
marriage with children; couples 45+; or those seeking to have
their marriage blessed in the Catholic Church).
Times: Monday and Friday, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.; and
Saturday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Contact: (403) 218-5505 to register; more dates available
Thursday, April 14
Book Launch, Reading, and Entertainment
Book Title: Small Things: Essays on Faith and Hope
Author: Gerry Turcotte, President, St. Mary’s University
Entertainment: Charlene Valdo, Pianist
Place: St. Mary’s University, 14500 Bannister Road SE
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.; Please register.
Contact: www.stmu/small-things/ or call (403) 254-9130
Friday, April 15
Catholic Speed Dating Event
Age Range: Women 24 to 32 and Men 27 to 35
Place: Sacred Heart Church, 1307 - 14th Street SW
Time: Doors open for sign in at 7:00 p.m.; Event 7:30 p.m.
Contact: [email protected] or phone Rose at
(578) 333-1099 | Register at www.CatholicSpeedDating.ca
Fridays, Apr. 15 & Apr. 22 • Saturdays, Apr. 16 & Apr. 23
Diocesan Palliative Care Education Program
Times: Fridays, 6:15 - 9:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $50; Register: (403) 218-5501
Contact: [email protected]
Saturday, April 16
Diocesan Priesthood • Information Day
Place: Sacred Heart Church, 1307 - 14th Street SW
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 17
Prayer & Reflection of the Trafficking of Human Persons
With: Sr. Ger Curran, fcJ
Time: 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.; Suggested Offering: $20
Thursday, April 21
Dreamwork Evening: The Little Mermaid
With: Sr. Ita Connery, fcJ
Time: 7:00 - 9:30 p.m.; Cost: $30/evening
Wednesday, April 27
Living Into Love: Loving Into Life
A Love Languages Mini-Retreat For Teachers
With: Sr. Madeleine Gregg, fcJ
Time: 5:15 - 8:00 p.m.
Cost: $47 incl. supper, snacks, parking.
Thursday, April 28
Come Aside Retreat • Visiting the Women in Scripture
With: Sr. Ann Marie Walsh, fcJ
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Cost: $30/evening
Friday, April 29
Catholic Speed Dating Event
Age Range: Women: 33 to 41 & Men: 36 to 44
Place: Mary, Mother of the Redeemer, 1714 - 14th Avenue NE
Time: Doors open for sign in at 7:00 p.m.; Event 7:30 p.m.
Contact: [email protected] or phone Rose at
(578) 333-1099 | Register at www.CatholicSpeedDating.ca
Tuesday, May 3 - Saturday, May 7
Mary, Mother of Mercy Exhibition & Conference
Theme: The Appeals of Our Lady
Place: St. Peter’s Parish, 541 Silvergrove Drive NW
Contact: (403) 286-5110
Tuesdays, May 3 - June 14
Diocesan Pastoral Care Course
Place: St. Luke’s Parish, 1566 Northmount Drive NW
Time: 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. Cost: $45
Contact: Alicia, (403) 218-5501 or email
[email protected]
Friday, May 6
Vigil for Life
Place: St. Mary’s Cathedral, 219 - 18th Avenue SW
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Contact: (403) 218-5505
Friday, May 6 - Sunday, May 8
Knights of Columbus AB/NWT Convention 2016
Theme: “Strength in Unity and Fraternity”
Keynote Speaker: Brian W. Simer
Place: Calgary Westin Hotel, 320 - 4th Avenue SW
Time: 3:00 p.m. Friday - 3:00 p.m. Sunday; Cost: $170
Contact: (587) 893-2181 or email [email protected]
Saturday, May 7
Social Justice Workshop • “Live Mercy and Do Justice!”
Presenter: Dr. Peter Baltutis, Ph.D., St. Mary’s University
Place: St. Anthony’s Church, 5340 - 4th Street SW
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., followed by Mass
Cost: $40; includes breakfast and lunch.
Saturday, May 7
Calgary Pro-Life Association 36th Annual Hike for Life
Supporting Respect Life Education Programs.
Place: Prince’s Island Park, 698 Eau Claire Avenue SW
Time: 8:30 a.m. - Noon; Refreshments will be available.
Contact: www.calgaryprolife.com or call (403) 243-0691
Saturday, May 7
Calgary Catholic Medical Assn. Committee Meeting
Health care professionals are welcome to attend.
Time: 9:45 a.m.
Contact: Gabriele, (403) 218-5504 or email
[email protected]
Saturday, May 7
Basic Understanding of Mental Health Issues and Illness
and Spirituality and Mental Health
Place: St. Michael’s Parish, 800 - 85th Street SW
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.; Cost: $40
[email protected]
Friday, May 13
A Song for Rachel
Annual Concert and Fundraiser for Project Rachel
Place: St. Bonaventure Church, 1600 Acadia Drive SE
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Contact: (403) 218-5505 to register
Fridays, May 27 & June 3 • Saturdays, May 28 & June 4
Diocesan Palliative Care Education Program
Place: Holy Family Parish, 1451 Strachan Road, Medicine Hat
Time: Fridays, 6:15 - 9:30 p.m.
Time: Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
[email protected]
Saturday, May 28
CCCRS Spring Conference
Theme “Meeting Jesus the Divine Healer”
Guest Speaker: Robert Canton
Place: St. James Parish, 338040 - 32nd Street East, Okotoks
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Fee: $10 • Limited seating.
Contact: Anthony, (403) 667-0637 or see www.cccrs.com
Monday, April 25 and Friday, May 13 & Sat., May 14
Marriage Preparation “For Better and Forever”
See Monday, April 11 for course information.
21
18th Annual
Friday, May 13, 2016
$10/person
$25/family
St. Bonaventure Catholic Church
1600 Acadia Drive SE, Calgary
Silent Auction opens @ 6:00pm
Concert begins @ 7:00pm
For reservations call
403-218-5505
or visit
www.projectrachelsa.ca
TONY RINO
THE ADHOC BAND
ST. BONAVENTURE CHOIR
VOCAL MOTION
22
& MORE!
Project Rachel is an ecumenical post-abortion healing ministry.
Project Rachel is an ecumenical post-abortion healing ministry
Lost & Found
by Dr. Gerry Turcotte, President, St. Mary’s University, Calgary
We had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was
dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found’
~ Luke 15:32 ~
be better off even as a servant in his father’s house. The
father, however, welcomes his son with open arms.
What struck me afterwards was that the true power
of the story — which is of course a metaphor for God’s
unconditional love — is that the actual moment of conversion does not occur when the youngest son crawls back to
ask forgiveness, but in the extraordinarily comprehensive, love-filled, forgiveness he receives. This is the power
of God’s embrace. When we witness the full-hearted acceptance, the joy of the Father’s welcome, knowing how
unworthy we are, it is impossible not to be moved and
grateful beyond words. That, I suspect, is what even the
older brother comes to realize … in his own good time.
NOTICE OF REAPPOINTMENT
DR. GERRY TURCOTTE
St. Mary’s University is pleased to announce
that Dr. Gerry Turcotte has been reappointed
for a second five-year term as the university’s
President and Vice-Chancellor. The
reappointment follows a review by the
Presidential Review Committee and the
approval of the Board of Governors.
Dr. Turcotte’s accomplishments in pursuit of St. Mary’s goals since joining the
university in 2011 have been tremendous. His leadership and bold and
creative vision has taken St. Mary’s into a new era of growth and strategic
expansion. He has a long and distinguished career as a leader in education,
having held a number of academic and administrative roles in both Canada
and Australia. He is an internally recognized writer having authored over 200
publications including 16 books. Dr. Turcotte was awarded the Governor
General’s Award for Canadian Studies in 2011 (ICCS) and the Queen’s
Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2013.
St. Mary’s University is an innovative teaching and research university that
provides affordable, accredited and highly valued degrees in the liberal arts,
sciences and education. Located on a historic site in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Our students are inspired to combine academics with a passionate
commitment to ethics, social justice and respect for diversity of opinion and
belief.
St. Mary’s University
E
very Sunday at 4:30 p.m., St. Mary’s University
hosts Mass celebrated by our own priest and professor of Psychology, Dr. Peter Doherty. This is a small
gathering, though at times it has numbered up to fifty
people, with the typical attendance around twenty or so.
One particularly important part of the service, made possible by the size of the group, is that the floor is opened
after the homily for comments, questions and feedback
from the attendees. At times the conversation is limited,
with occasional bursts of insight breaking through the
shyness; at other times the floodgates are opened and
everyone, it seems, has something to contribute.
Recently it was a discussion of The Prodigal Son, certainly one of the best-known parables in the Bible, and
one that is deceptively straightforward. Perhaps what
makes it most memorable for many is the dilemma faced
by the loyal older brother when his profligate younger
brother returns and is so enthusiastically embraced by
the father. For our group discussion, much was made
of the inevitability of the father’s response, but also of
the maligned older brother. As many of us noted, while
flawed, there is an incredibly understandable humanness
to the older brother’s bitterness. “For all these years I
have been working like a slave for you, and I have never
disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me
even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my
friends” [Luke 15:29].
If The Prodigal Son continues to have such resonance
two thousand years after it was recorded, it is surely
because it taps into our most human of failings. Yes,
the older brother should understand the father’s sheer
joy at finding his lost son; but so too can we sympathize
with his confusion when he has been so faithful to his
duties. One attendee also pointed out that the youngest
son returns not through conversion, as such, but because
he has become so destitute that he recognizes he would
[email protected] 403.531.9130 stmu.ca
St. Mary’s University
stmarysuniversity
StMarysUC
23
EXPERIENCING MERCY
in the diocese
Experiencing Mercy Session III
The Church Works:
Gaudium et Spes and the Great Commission
From the ordinariness of Ordinary Time we strive to appreciate
and understand the place the Church should occupy in the
middle of the world and the contribution she could be making.
Session concludes with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
Speaker: Sara Farid, Development and Peace Animator
When: Sunday, April 10 • 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Where: St. Anthony Parish, 5340 - 4th Street SW
Jubilee of Mercy
Holy Door at
St. George’s Church, Hanna
Holy Door at the
Divine Mercy Centre
Jubilee of Mercy
Holy Door at
St. Martha Retreat,
Lethbridge
The Confessional Door
is also a
Holy Door of Mercy
Help me, O Lord,
...    may be merciful, so that I will never be
suspicious or judge by appearances, but always look for
what is beautiful in my neighbours’ souls and be of help
to them.
...    may be merciful, so that I will be
attentive to my neighbours’ needs, and not indiﬀerent to
their pains and complaints;
...   may be merciful, so that I will never
speak badly of others, but have a word of comfort and
forgiveness for all;
...   may be merciful and full of good deeds;
...   may be merciful, so that I will hasten
to help my neighbour; despite my own fatigue and
weariness;
EXTRAORDINARY
Jubilee
of MERCY
...   may be merciful, so that
I myself will share in all the suﬀerings
of my neighbour. Amen.
JubileeOfMercy.C
PRAYER OF ST. FAUSTINA
R C
Diocese of Calgary
for the Grace to be Merciful to Others
~ D  S. F 

APRIL 2016 VOLUME 20 • NUMBER 4 Sharing a Catholic

Transcription

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