From Fr. George
Why do we suffer? Why does God allow good people to suffer? Whenever we suffer, we experience evil. What then is evil? These are questions that surface with Jesus’ rebuking Peter in this weekend’s Gospel, because he objected to Jesus’ prediction of his sufferings, and Jesus saying that anyone who wants to be his follower, let him deny himself & take up his cross.
Pope St. John Paul II, in his apostolic letter, Salvifici Doloris on the Christian meaning of human suffering, addressed these questions & offered us many insights into the question of suffering. To answer the question, he began by looking at the Book of Job. Job was a just man who lost his sons & daughters as well as all his possessions. His friends came to visit him & told him he must have sinned; he must have done something wrong. Job was a just & honest man & their explanation of his sufferings was incorrect. St. Pope John Paul says, “In the Passion of Jesus something new has been added to our understanding of suffering. It has been linked to love. Because of the Passion of Jesus there is a new situation for all human suffering just as Job was able to say in his sufferings, “I know that my Redeemer lives ...” Therefore, each man, in his suffering, can also become a sharer in the redemptive suffering of Christ”.
I think there is something holy about our cross. When there is some pain in our lives, when we have to carry a cross, we depend more on God. It is part of God’s mysterious plan that we carry a cross, because it keeps us close to God. St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta said that sufferings are the kisses of Jesus in our lives. Let us take up our cross every day after Jesus. Losing our life for Jesus and the sake of the Gospel is the way to save our life.
God bless you all.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Please see our parish's Prayer webpage for current Adoration schedule
Schedule for the remainder of this week:
Adoration continues until this evening at 11 pm (Thursday, September 9)
Friday, September 10 - 9:30 am to Midnight
Friday, September 10 - 9:30 am to Midnight
Your help is still needed!
If you feel you have an hour to spend in the Adoration Chapel once a week, we need you!
We still have the following openings on Thursday that must be filled:
- 11 am to 12 pm - Morning
- 12 pm to 1 pm - Afternoon
- 4 pm to 5 pm - Afternoon
If these times are not filled, Adoration on Thursdays will end at 11 am until committed adorers are available.
The Blessed Sacrament can never be left attended so we require adorers to commit to the same time every week.
Times shown in yellow still need at least one committed adorer.
All other times listed need a 2nd adorer to partner to ensure coverage.
To volunteer for a specific hour of prayer & adoration, please contact coordinator Heather Burdeyney: heather.burdeyney@outlook.com; 403-278-0394.
Knights of Columbus Garage Sale
Saturday, September 25
8 am to 12:30 pm
Proceeds from this huge garage sale help charities supported by our local Council.
Household items, clothes, sporting goods, toys, & books will be collected
Monday - Friday, September 20-24 from 6 - 8 pm
at the trailer in the church parking lot.
Items not accepted: construction materials, baby cribs, baby/child car seats, appliances & furniture.
The dispensation of the faithful
from the obligation to attend
Sunday Mass continues at this this time
St. Bonaventure Adoration Chapel
The Adoration Chapel is open during the summer on Mondays
after morning mass until 6 pm.
Everyone is welcome to attend.
Ministry Sign Up Continues
Federal Election: Resources
- NEW! Videos feature representatives from Canada's Liberal, Conservative, and NDP answering questions on key issues from the perspective of Catholic social teaching. Watch here
- Join Catholic Conscience for this free webinar on Wednesday, Sep. 15 at 5 pm MDT - RSVP here: https://bit.ly/CatholicsAndCanPoli
- How to vote like a Catholic? Download poster
- UPDATED! Catholic Conscience’s election page and parties' platform comparison (a work in progress, more parties will be added by Monday)
Ride for Refuge Ladies' Evening
St. Joseph's Parish invites you to an evening in support of Elizabeth House, helping at risk pregnant & parenting women. This is a DIY night (make & take), where you can learn how to make fun homemade products with the help of essential oils, & take them home with you. Invite your daughters, mothers, sisters, nieces, grandmas, aunties & best friends!
- When: Monday, Sep. 13, 2021. in 3 sessions (10 persons at each session, with mask on) to comply with the latest AHS measures (6 pm, 7 pm & 8 pm). Masks required, sanitizer provided.
- Where: Ranchlands Blvd NW (full address at RSVP)
- For more information about the evening: email Tiffany Tiffany_hebert88@hotmail.com
- RSVP here
- 1 ticket- $25 | Bring a friend $45 | 5 tickets - $100
- First come first serve for DIY night. If sessions are full & you want to schedule another session for your group to fundraise for Elizabeth House, please let us know via email.
Sunday Readings - Reflections
Diocese of Springfield
Deny. Take. Follow. On the long journey to Jerusalem, Jesus clarifies that following the Christ (Peter’s response to Who am I?) requires denying self, taking up the cross, and following. Saint James helps make this clear with the need for mercy activity. Reread the Second Reading each day this week.
- Clothe the naked. What will I do?
- Feed the hungry. What will I do?
- Shelter the homeless. What will I do?
Crisis line for Indian Residential School survivors & family:
1-866-925-4419
Catholics for Truth & Reconciliation (Facebook group)
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
Diocesan Resources
- Diocesan Events Calendar
- FCJ Centre - Retreats, Programs, Counselling, Spiritual Direction - here
- The Year of Amoris Laetitia Family Video here. Guide here.
Sunday Updates from the Diocese
complete bulletin here, including
- Children's resources for this Sunday
- Employment opportunities in the Diocese of Calgary
- Digging for the truth about Canada's Residential School graves: In this special three-part series, C2C Journal writer Hymie Rubenstein sorts through the heated claims and allegations and sets forth what is actually known about the unmarked graves at Canada’s former Indian Residential Schools
- 40 Days for Life September 22 - October 31: Fall campaign kickoff
- Clothing/Textile Drive for Corpus Christi
- Love More 4.0 - Concert for retired priests
- Pray for The Seeds of the Word's new mission in the Philippines
- Totus Tuus - Rosary Making
- Used Book Sale at Holy Spirit Parish September 18
Our Sunday Mass Times
Saturdays at 5 pm
Sundays at 7:30 am, 9 am, 10:30 am, 12 noon & 7 pm
(please note the time changes)
- Masks are mandatory in all indoor public spaces.
- You do not need to register to attend mass.
- The dispensation of the faithful from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass continues.
- The sign of peace is to be exchanged with a bow, not by a handshake.
- Collection baskets will remain in the Narthex to drop off your donations.
- Holy Communion will be distributed by the priest (center 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.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available
- Mondays to Saturdays from 8:30 - 8:50 am (before morning mass)
- Saturdays from 4 - 4:45 pm (before the Saturday mass)
- Or by appointment
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.
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