"Who is this that comes forth like the dawn, as beautiful as the moon, as resplendent as the sun...?" Song of Songs 6:10
O Blessed Virgin, Our Lady of Guadalupe, intercede for us with your Son that we who live in this land, indigenous and non-indigenous together may experience healing and reconciliation, on a renewed journey for justice and peace for our children. Mother of the Church, pray for us. Print card (Source: Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle)
Please keep our Indigenous delegation in your prayers. May their time with the Holy Father this week be a time of grace, peace, and healing.
Indigenous Delegation updates
A delegation of 32 Indigenous Elders, knowledge keepers, residential school survivors, and youth are meeting with Pope Francis (starting today, March 28 to April 1). Read the CCCB statement
Pope Francis will meet privately with each of the three groups of delegates (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit). These meetings will be an opportunity for the delegates to share openly and from the heart with the Holy Father the pain and sorrow they have experienced as individuals and as communities as a result of Canada's policies of colonization, especially residential schools, and Catholic involvement in these policies and actions. It will also be an opportunity for them to share directly with the pope about their own identities, cultures, expectations, and hopes.
On the final day, the Holy Father will hold a public meeting with all of the delegates as well as all those who have accompanied them on this important journey.
For each day of the delegation's visit, Salt + Light Media will be providing brief news updates. Please click the following broadcast links to watch the proceedings (replays available):
Final Audience between Pope Francis and all the Indigenous delegates. WATCH
Media briefing with all Indigenous partners and the CCCB following the final audience with Pope Francis will be held on April 1, 7:30 am MT - replay will be available. Click here to watch the briefing.
Watch this interview by theArchdiocese of Edmonton and Fr. Cristino Bouvette on how we define reconciliation, and his perspective as an Indigenous Catholic priest.
"Thank you Fr. Cristino for bringing a significant light of clarity to this process called reconciliation. We pray for its success." M. Lawrence
"And here I think especially of our beleaguered brothers and sisters in Ukraine at this tragic time... even from the depths of the darkest despair, the Lenten journey leads us towards hope — renewal — rescue." Read more
Jesus walks alongside people and listens to the concerns and questions in their hearts. Synodal listening sessions follow the same journey as the Lord. Come, listen, and share your joys, challenges, but also hopes and dreams for our community of faith. Contact your parish to join a listening session or find one here.
Bishop McGrattan has re-introduced Solidarity Sunday in our Diocese. This Lent, our Bishop invites us to stand together with Development and Peace in solidarity, to pray for the poorest and in most need, and to give generously to those who are often forgotten. Solidarity Sunday is on April 3, the Fifth Sunday of Lent. Learn more.
Bishop Emeritus Henry spoke about the identity and mission of the Church, grounded in the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, and actualized in our participation in the Eucharist. His talks were wonderful, witty, and inspiring! Watch now
The Diocese of Calgary is offering a Pastoral Care Ministry Training this spring for those who feel called to assist their parish in a healing ministry to the sick, elderly, dying, homebound and bereaved members. There is no cost to attend. More information.
Want a prayer to focus your work for the glorification of God?
Prayer for Success in Work. Glorious St. Joseph, model of all those who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace to work conscientiously, putting the call of duty above my many sins; to work with thankfulness and joy, considering it an honour to employ and develop, by means of labour, the gifts received from God; to work with order, peace, prudence and patience, never surrendering to weariness or difficulties; to work, above all, with purity of intention, and with detachment from self, having always death before my eyes and the account which I must render of time lost, of talents wasted, of good omitted, of vain complacency in success so fatal to the work of God. All for Jesus, all for Mary, all after thy example, O Patriarch Joseph. Such shall be my motto in life and death. Amen.
Consider this... You are no longer living for yourself.
Live your life for the glory of God. "So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Bishop William T. McGrattan calls on all faithful, clergy, religious, and consecrated life in the Diocese of Calgary to join him in local synodal gatherings with a renewed commitment to follow the way Jesus has always journeyed with his beloved children, to become a listening Church and a Church of closeness where all can experience being at home and participate in building the Kingdom of God. Starting January 2022 to May 2022, we will begin the consultation process at the Diocesan and pastoral zone levels, followed by gatherings in parishes, religious communities, lay associations, institutions, and opportunity for online participation.
Find calendar of Saints remembered by the Church. This page feature the stories of the great witnesses of Christian life through the centuries, lighting our way on our journey of faith.
Here is a link to read the daily Catholic Mass Readings in New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), which is also used in the Canadian Lectionary. Download Living With Christ app for an easier access to daily readings, prayers and saints day: https://en.novalis.ca/products/living-with-christ-app
Bishop William T. McGrattan calls on all faithful, clergy, religious, and consecrated life in the Diocese of Calgary to join him in local synodal gatherings with a renewed commitment to follow the way Jesus has always journeyed with his beloved children, to become a listening Church and a Church of closeness where all can experience being at home and participate in building the Kingdom of God. Starting January 2022 to May 2022, we will begin the consultation process at the Diocesan and pastoral zone levels, followed by gatherings in parishes, religious communities, lay associations, institutions, and opportunity for online participation.
Find calendar of Saints remembered by the Church. This page feature the stories of the great witnesses of Christian life through the centuries, lighting our way on our journey of faith.
Here is a link to read the daily Catholic Mass Readings in New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), which is also used in the Canadian Lectionary. Download Living With Christ app for an easier access to daily readings, prayers and saints day: https://en.novalis.ca/products/living-with-christ-app