From Fr. Colin
Advent is the season in which we look ahead to the coming again of Christ in glory.
Because we look ahead to this miraculous event, we also look inward at ourselves, at our own spiritual preparedness for such an event. We are all called, first of all, to reflect on how we did during this past year in directing our hearts & minds to the things above, how we managed in terms of living & acting in & for Christ, how we allowed God’s grace to work within us to overcome our sins & to foster Christian charity within our hearts. As we take stock of our lives, spiritual & physical, regardless of how well or poorly we have done, we are now called, through God’s own grace, to begin again, to start anew.
The readings for Advent often seem preoccupied with violent images of the end of the world, however the coming again of our Lord Jesus Christ is not about destruction. He comes rather to complete what creation started, to judge the world, abolish evil, & to establish His Kingdom forever. Such a hope is expressed by Jesus himself in today’s reading: Now when these things begin to take place, look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. As Christians, we believe that Christ came to redeem us along with all of creation. The hope which we hold on to is the fulfillment of the new creation in Christ & the final defeat of evil.
Arguably, we already live in a world filled with great upheaval, with distress & fear, with war & strife &confusion. If that is all we expected, then indeed there would be nothing to look forward to, nothing to hope for. Christ however has told us that these things are not the end, for the end has to do, not with destruction, but with redemption & re-creation. Thus it is that we exclaim, “Come, Lord Jesus!” for it is to that fulfillment that we are all drawn.
CWL Christmas Raffle
November 27th & 28th after all Masses
December 4th & 5th after all Masses
The Catholic Women’s League of St. Bonaventure are having a Raffle with two prizes – a Nativity Set & a Wine Basket. Tickets are $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00 & can be purchased in the Narthex.
Proceeds will go to Discovery House, Acadia Place & St. Vincent de Paul.
FORMED IS FREE!
St. Bonaventure offers free subscriptions to FORMED, a wonderful resource for people interested in amazing Catholic videos, audio, books, bible studies, daily reflections, faith formation & MORE.
Prepare for the Coming of the Messiah with free Advent/Christmas resources from Formed here
Brother Francis The Days of Advent
(Sign into Formed)
Beginning November 28th
Each day during Advent, Brother Francis leads us on a daily journey in this special seasonal celebration of the coming of the Lord! Featuring meditations, prayers, & suggested activities to keep our focus on Christ this Christmas.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
During Advent, Fr. Colin & Fr. George will be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Wednesday evenings:
- December 1: 6 - 8 pm
- December 8: 6 - 8 pm
- December 15: 6 - 8 pm
- December 22: 7 - 9 pm
For these Wednesday evenings, no registration is required. Kindly wear a mask, enter the church by the main doors, sanitize your hands, & line up. Fr. Colin will be in the prayer room & Fr. George will be in his confessional.
Fr. Colin & Fr. George continue to be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation before weekday morning mass & Saturdays from 4-4:45 pm or by appointment.
Christmas Giving
There are several Catholic charities in Calgary in need of help this Christmas season. Here are 2 opportunities to help the needy in our city.
Feed the Hungry
Items Needed
Alberta winters are hard, especially for those who are homeless or in transition. Such a small thing as a good pair of mittens, gloves or a warm toque can make a big difference. We invite you to donate new mittens/gloves, toques or $10 gift cards (from fast food places) to share with Feed the Hungry's guests closer to Christmas.
Kindly deliver items or gift cards to the Catholic Pastoral Centre Reception (120 17 Ave SW) before Nov. 30. The reception is open during business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm)
Elizabeth House
Click here to donate
Bring a joyful Christmas to the residents of Elizabeth Hose & fulfil their wish list. As in previous years, donors will be matched with a family & would receive a wish list from them. This year the limit is $500 per family for gifts, & items must be new. Alternatively, you can donate directly to the house in any amount.
Items are to be dropped off at the Catholic Pastoral Centre on December 18 between 1-3 pm, but alternate arrangements can be made. Tax receipts will be provided for donations more than $20 as long as you fill out the gift in kind form & have receipts
Starting now to Dec. 20, your donation to Elizabeth house will be doubled by one generous Calgary couple, up to $25,000! Double your donation to Elizabeth House by giving online at: elizabethhousecalgary.ca/donation-form
Having a Successful Advent
- 7 Ways to have a successful Advent
- Blessing your Advent Wreath at home
- 10 Advent apps to deepen your experience of the season
- Jesse Tree Printable for Children
- The Advent Wreath & Prayers at Home
Advent in the Diocese
More Advent in the Diocese here
Sunday Readings - Reflections
Mass Readings
- Fulfilling the Promise. This is the thrust of Advent. We know Jesus came once; we believe, because of that, he comes again to bring the Reign and Kingdom of God to completion. We, now, are in between those two comings. How are we to live? Not dismayed or anxious. No, we are to be vigilant and strong, ever hopeful, full of right action, justice, and mercy. We stand erect because God does not abandon us
- What dismays me about life today?
- What will I do to please God, trusting I am and we are not abandoned?
- What right actions, what works of justice and mercy will I do?
Diocese of Springfield
Indigenous Peoples and the Church: Walking Together Toward Healing and Reconciliation
This year, a Canadian Bishop will reflect on the Gospel Reading for each Sunday of Advent. Each reflection is based one of the five essential stages of reconciliation: examen, confession, repentance, reparation (making amends, & reconciliation. It is hoped these reflections will assist the faithful, Indigenous & non-Indigenous alike, in preparing for Pope Francis’ eventual apostolic journey to Canada.
In this video from the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network, Pope Francis recognizes that many people experience mental, emotional, affective, & physical exhaustion. He asks us to strive to be close to those who are exhausted, to those who are desperate, or without hope. To not forget that together with the indispensable guidance of a psychologist, which is useful & effective, Jesus' words also help.
Faithfully
A diocesan faith letter with a new shorter format - emailed every Monday.
Subscribe here to start your week with these nuggets of faith & inspiration.
Livestream Masses
Livestream of masses from our diocese (scroll to the bottom of the page), around the world & on TELUS Optik TV Ch. 877 (choose Diocese of Calgary tile logo).
Our Sunday Mass Times
Saturdays at 5 pm
Sundays at 7:30 am, 9 am, 10:30 am,
12 noon & 7 pm
- 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 are in the Narthex to drop off your donations.
- Holy Communion will be distributed by the priest (center aisle)
- There is a limit of 50 attendees for funerals, weddings & baptisms.
- Tuesday & Thursday evening masses at 7 pm.
The dispensation of the faithful from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass continues at this
this time.
Parish Guidelines
- Masks are mandatory at all times.
- 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 a limited capacity of 1/3 of fire code capacity.
Anyone who has even the slightest symptoms or feelings of illness must remain at home.
Covid 19 General Directives from the Diocese of Calgary here
Adoration Chapel Hours
Monday - 9:30 am to Midnight
Tuesday - 7:00 am to Midnight
Wednesday - 7:00 am to
Tuesday - 7:00 am to Midnight
Wednesday - 7:00 am to
Thursday at Midnight
Friday - 9:30 am to Midnight
Friday - 9:30 am to Midnight
The Adoration Chapel is still in need of adorers. Current openings here.
If you can spare one hour a week, please contact Heather Burdeyney at heather.burdeyney@outlook.com or 403-278-0394. Thank you.
CCCB Justice, Healing & Reconciliation Initiatives
Pope Francis will meet with residential school survivors, elders, knowledge keepers & youth at the Vatican from December 17-20, 2021.
"With this delegation, we hope to walk together in a new way, to listen with humility, & to discern the next steps that the Church can take to support residential school survivors, their families & their communities." Full CCCB news release here
Residential Schools
Apology from the Canadian Bishops, & links to much more information about Residential Schools, including the $30M pledge to support healing initiatives.
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
Crisis line for Indian Residential School survivors & family:
1-866-925-4419
Catholics for Truth & Reconciliation (Facebook group)
Parish Office Hours
Monday - Friday: 9 am - noon
Parish Office: 403-278-7556 or info@stbonaventureparish.ca
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.