From Fr. Colin
In the gospel for today we see the missionary task of the first apostles. Jesus sends them out to the lost sheep of the house of Israel to proclaim the good news that the kingdom of heaven has come near. He gives them power and authority over all demons & to cure diseases, & he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God & to heal. Their task is a focused one: they are to take very little with them, obtaining provisions from the various towns & villages as they need them.
The emphasis here is on movement. The disciples are to spread the gospel; they aren’t staying long in any particular place & so they don’t need to be loaded down with a whole bunch of stuff: Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money—not even an extra tunic. They are, as it were, planting the seed in various types of soil, & then moving on.
We see clearly from this the itinerant nature of their mission — a mission which begins to establish the Church, first within Israel & then later, with Paul, throughout the larger Gentile world. The constant movement of the disciples from one town or village to the next allowed for the rapid growth of the Church, but it also helped to keep the early Church’s focus on the gospel message, on the salvation brought about by Jesus.
The message for us is always to have this same focus in mind. Within the Church individuals play a crucial role, people & personalities are important, yet underlying all of this is the one sure foundation of Jesus Christ — the same yesterday, today & always.
May the gospel, presented to the world through the teaching of the apostles, always be at the heart of everything we do.
Recent Vandalism
On the night of Wednesday, June 30, more than 10 churches in Calgary were vandalized. Catholic parishes, including St. Bonaventure & the Cathedral of St. Mary, & churches of the Presbyterian & Evangelical faith communities were defaced.
The incidents have been reported to the Calgary Police Service & the investigation is being conducted by the Calgary Police Hate Crimes Unit. The Diocese will continue to cooperate with the police & the provincial government that have reached out to offer assistance.
Our Sunday Mass times are now
Saturdays: 5 pm
Sundays: 7:30 am, 9 am, 10:30 am, 12 noon & 7 pm
(please note the time changes)
- You do not need to register to attend mass.
- The dispensation of the faithful from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass continues at this time.
- The sign of peace is to be exchanged with a bow, not by a handshake.
- Collection baskets will remain in the Narthex for people to drop off their donations.
- Holy Communion will be distributed by the priest (centre aisle) & 2 communion ministers (side aisles).
- There is no limit of attendees for funerals, weddings & baptisms.
- Tuesday & Thursday evening masses at 7 pm will remain throughout the summer.
Parish Reopening
- Masks are no longer mandatory as per city bylaw, but feel free to continue to wear a mask.
- Hand sanitizers are located throughout the building for your convenience. We ask that you maintain proper hand hygiene..
- Please exercise charity & kindness in respecting peoples level of comfort regarding physical distancing, physical contact, cohorts.
- There is no capacity limit for in person attendance. Please sit where you feel most comfortable.
- The decisions of vaccinations should be treated with sensitivity & respect as it is a personal decision & must be treated as private & confidential.
Pancake Breakfast
Yummy!!!
The Knights of Columbus are hosting a Stampede breakfast this Sunday, July 11 after all morning masses in the parish hall. Please come to enjoy the breakfast & visiting.
Everyone is welcome!
St Vincent de Paul Society
Father's Day Funds for Food Drive
The Society would like to thank everyone who generously donated during this difficult time.
They have almost reached their goal of raising $10,000 to assist with their work of assisting the less fortunate families in our community during the busy summer months.
Crisis line for Indian Residential School
survivors and family:
1-866-925-4419
More on Residential Schools here
Fr. Cristino Bouvette shared his story on Global News about his kokum (grandmother) who survived a residential school. Please watch the video to see how he is using her legacy to work on reconciliation between the Catholic Church & Canada’s Indigenous community.
- A letter from Bishop McGrattan to Pastor Fr. Trini Pinca, the Parish Staff, & Parishioners of Saint Jean Baptiste Parish in Morinville, AB to express his support & prayers on behalf of the faithful of the Diocese of Calgary. Read here
- Prime Minister Trudeau speaks about Canada church burnings. Read here
- Where are the children buried? A report by Dr. Scott Hamilton. Read here
Pope Francis' message on the Kamloops Residential Schools.
Bishop William McGrattan's message on Kamloops Residential Schools.
A Catholic Response
Call to Action 48 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Delegation to the Holy See: diverse group of Indigenous people to meet with Pope Francis
Prayer to St. Kateri Tekakwitha
Feast Day July 14
Oh Saint Kateri, Lily of the Mohawks.
Your love for Jesus, so strong, so steadfast,
Grant that we may become like you.
Your short & painful life showed us your strength & humility.
Grant that we may become forever humble like you.
Like the bright & shining stars at night,
we pray that your light may forever shine down upon us,
giving light, hope, peacefulness & serenity in our darkest moments.
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, with your same love for Jesus,
grant us your strength & courage to become one like you in Heaven.
Amen.
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, pray for us.
Rose Prince
Canada's Future Saint?
Every July, thousands journey to Lejac, near Fraser Lake, British Columbia, to honour Rose Prince.
Prince was born in Fort St. James in 1915 to Jean Marie & Angelina Prince, the third of nine children. She was taken to Lejac at the age of six, never to leave.
At some point, Prince contracted tuberculosis, & by the age of 34 she was confined to bed. On August 19, 1949, she was admitted to the hospital & died the same day .
After death, her corpse stayed warm for hours, although tests confirmed she was dead. And then, in 1951, it was decided to transfer the dead from the old cemetery to a new one. Her coffin was opened. Her body was perfectly preserved. “It was breathtaking. Everyone was astounded,” a witness told Frank Peebles of the Prince George Citizen. “Her face, her body, everything looked like she’d just been laid down to sleep, like she’d only been in there an hour.”
Today, more than a thousand pilgrims a year visit her grave & pray for healing miracles.
If there was a saintliness to her self-sacrifice and devotion, many Roman Catholics believe it is because she was, indeed, a saint.
Courtesy of Vancouver Sun
Lectors Needed
We need more volunteers to read at the 12 noon & 7 pm Sunday masses.
Training will be provided.
Please call Ian Clark at (403) 830-7705 or email, irdclark@hotmail.com
St. Bonaventure Adoration Chapel
Adoration of the
Blessed Sacrament
on Mondays
Adoration will be in the Chapel on Mondays beginning after morning mass & conclude at 6:00 pm.
We are in need of many more adorers by September. Do you have one hour to spend in the Adoration Chapel? If you would like to volunteer we have various times available. Please email Heather heather.burdeyney@shaw.ca to sign up.
Ministry Volunteers
St. Bonaventure Parish is a welcoming, dynamic & united faith community.
All are welcome & we hope you will find our parish environment supportive & loving… a place to grow spiritually… a place to put your faith in action… a place where parishioners are encouraged to use their stewardship gifts of time & talent to be disciples of Jesus Christ.
There is an old saying "It is better to give than to receive." Many of us have our time to give, our smiles to share, & an openness & eagerness to bless others in our parish community.
Our parish would not be the same without our dedicated volunteers. Volunteering is a great opportunity to meet other parishioners & help the parish run smoothly. There are countless ways to volunteer & an abundance of ministries in need of help beginning this September.
Training is provided and a Police Information Check may be required. If you are interested in any of these & feel you could offer us your time & talent, please call 403-278-7556 or email volunteers@stbonaventureparish.ca for more information.
When: Tuesday, July 13 at 12:30 PM
To register, email: info@catholicgrandparentsassociation.com
Catholic Grandparents Faith Cafe
The Faith Café is an initiative of the Catholic Grandparents’ Association which was introduced during the
Covid-19 pandemic as a social & spiritual space for Grandparents to meet online once a month to chat, to offer prayers & intentions and to just be together in the spirit of faith.
It has been a lifeline for so many people during this time of pandemic & has connected Grandparents across the world. All grandparents are invited to be a part of the next Faith Cafe with their patron, Archbishop Michael Neary.
Donation Envelopes
2021 donation envelopes still to be picked up are available in the narthex.
If you currently do not have envelopes but would like to donate on a regular basis please consider our electronic options: pre-authorized debit, on-line credit card or by e-transfer (e-transfer to donations@stbonaventureparish.ca).
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Beginning July 12
The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available
- Mondays to Saturdays from 8:30 - 8:50 am (before morning mass)
- Saturdays from 4 - 4:45 pm (before the Saturday mass)
Or to book an appointment for confession, please email Fr. Colin (frcolin@stbonaventureparish.ca) or Fr. George (frgeorge@stbonaventureparish.ca) or call the church office 403-278-7556 during office hours.
Sunday Readings - Reflections
Mass Readings
Travel Light. To do ministry – that includes every one of us who is baptized – the gospel, Jesus, really, tells us to travel light. No cane, food, suitcase, money. Just go and do.
- What encumbers me from doing what I am called to do, from doing good work?
- What food & drink can I give away (mercy work) to help others do good work?
- What money can I donate to worthy, needed causes?
Diocese of Springfield
(including activities for different ages)
Diocesan Resources
- Diocesan Events Calendar
- This week's Diocesan Info for Parishioners - Sunday Updates from the Diocese of Calgary.
Spiritual Resources & Articles:
- Prayer for Pope Francis after surgery. Read here
- Catholic Social Teaching for This Generation - Sign up for a Free Preview
- The Diocese of Calgary wants to share your great photos & to promote Catholic life in action. Submit your photos here
- Our passports to paradise are the poor. Read here
- Pope Emeritus Benedict fervently praying for Pope Francis after surgery. Read here
- Pope Francis warmly congratulates Benedict for 70 years a priest. Read here
COVID-19
Anyone who has even the slightest symptoms or feelings of illness must remain at home.
The dispensation of the faithful from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass continues at this this time.
Stage 3 re-opening information & Covid-19 General Directives from the Diocese of Calgary here
Livestream Masses
Livestream of masses from our diocese, around the world & on TELUS Optik TV Ch. 877 (choose Diocese of Calgary tile logo).
Please know that our parish community is here for you.
If you or your family need spiritual or emotional support, or if you would like a priest or parishioner to call you, please contact the parish at 403-278-7556 or reply to this email. If you require assistance with food hampers from St. Vincent de Paul, you can contact the parish office to connect to the SVDP Society.
Parish Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 9 am - noon
The church is open for prayer Monday - Friday mornings after mass until noon.
Parish Office: 403-278-7556 or info@stbonaventureparish.ca