For the first time in history, the major relics of the Canadian Martyrs—including the skull of St. Jean de Brébeuf and bones of St. Charles Garnier and St. Gabriel Lalemant—are traveling across Canada. These relics, which have been housed at…
Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God Homily [Numbers 6:22-27; Psalm 67; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21] A few weeks ago, members of our Archdiocesan Catholic Women’s League introduced me to an initiative called IWIN, which is an outreach to…
Feast of the Holy Family Solemn Opening of the Jubilee Year 2025 in the Archdiocese of Edmonton Homily [1Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28; Psalm 84; 1John 3:1-2, 21-24; Luke 2:41-52] On Christmas Eve, the Holy Father Pope Francis solemnly inaugurated the Jubilee…
Simbang Gabi, a Filipino Christmas tradition, is one of the longest and most popular among the traditions in the Philippines. It is when Roman Catholic churches across the nation open their doors shortly before the break of dawn to welcome…
Fourth Sunday of Advent – Year C Homily [Micah 5:2-5a; Psalm 80; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45] Recently, the city of Edmonton put in place a winter parking ban. The point is to remove vehicles from the side of the road…
Father Alfred Groleau, O.M.I. is a retired Oblate priest living in St. Albert. He currently residing at Foyer Lacombe in St. Albert and is the Oblate House director. Fr. Alfred has regularly scheduled pastoral and priestly assignments within Foyer Lacombe,…
A brother and mentor, in Father Don MacDonald, has died. This is my tribute. These thoughts are, in fact, several years in the making. As anticipated, the time to express my unspoken gratitude would come. This is it! Let me…
Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her. – Luke 1: 38 Advent is starting to wind down, and within a week…
Fr. Don MacDonald, O.F.M. died peacefully in the Misericordia Hospital, Edmonton on December 12, 2024, just before midnight. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Albert Parish on Friday, December 20, 2024, at 10 a.m. Mass will be…
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples Homily [Zechariah 2:10-13; Judith 13; Luke 1:39-47] In the Archdiocese, we recently re-established our Indigenous Advisory Committee. This group of very competent leaders, representing some…