Flocknote

From Fr. Colin

The Gospel reading for this week is about preparation. It is about being watchful in our spiritual lives, and being ready for the coming of the Son of Man. It is a common theme that we find throughout scripture because the tendency to put our spiritual lives to sleep is a very frequent temptation. When we give in to this temptation, we fall into what is known as acedia or spiritual slothfulness.

According to the Catechism, the spiritual writers understand by acedia a form of depression due to lax ascetical practice, decreasing vigilance, carelessness of heart. "The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. (2733) What we need to pray for at such times is the virtue of charity – that love of God which can inflame in us that desire for Him, and which can help us persevere in our spiritual discipline in order to prevent our relationship with God from falling asleep.

In our baptism we are given a candle, the symbol of the light of Christ which we are to carry with us at all times. In the giving of the candle the priest or deacon says: “Receive the light of Christ … may you keep the flame of faith alive in your heart.” The love and desire for God which can ward off our tendency to put our spiritual lives asleep is precisely this flame of faith, the foundation of our life in Christ.

It is this same flame of faith which we ourselves need to rekindle within us so that we too can awaken ourselves from complacency and mediocrity in our relationship with God, and once again have that love and desire which can help us to come alive in our faith.

Monday Morning Masses

Beginning September 1 & for the foreseeable future, there will no longer be 9 am mass (or morning confession) on Mondays at our parish. Adoration will continue as usual on Mondays. Father Colin thanks you in advance for your understanding.

Papal Visit to Canada

In gratitude...

To contribute to the cost of the Papal Visit,

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Pope Francis' address at Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples in Edmonton here

Full homily here of Pope Francis- Papal Mass

Pope Francis' homily at the Lac Ste. Anne Pilgrimage in Alberta here

Pope Francis' address to a delegation of Indigenous Peoples in Quebec here

Canadian Council of Catholic Bishops statement of Pope's historical visit here

Pope addresses the young people & elders in the primary school square, Iqaluit Read here

In this interview with Vatican News, Bishop Krótki of Arctic Canada's city of Iqaluit, in Nunavut Territory, reaffirms the significance of the Pope making an Arctic stop to meet Inuit residential school survivors, & says, "His Holiness is telling us he loves the indigenous peoples & wants all of us to live in peace and reconciliation with one another."

Registration for

First Reconciliation/First Communion

Grade 2 & older

Children are invited to deepen their relationship with Jesus & become closer to God in the celebration of Reconciliation. Once their First Reconciliation is completed, the children are then invited to the Lord's Table to receive the precious Body & Blood of Jesus in Holy Communion.

Register Here

Registration for Confirmation

Grade 6 & older

The children are called to witness their faith as they receive the fullness of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in Confirmation.

Register Here

Bereavement Care Ministry

Training

The Diocese of Calgary is offering a training opportunity in providing bereavement support & care. This workshop is offered to those who are involved in the Pastoral Care Ministry in their parishes, and/or for those desiring to be better equipped in accompanying those dealing with grief & loss.

More information & registration here