Christmas Midnight Mass 2024 Homily [Isaiah 9:2-4, 6-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-16] As we ponder now what has just been proclaimed in the beautiful and well-beloved passages from Sacred Scripture, I invite you to reflect with me on the Nativity scene here at the front of the…
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 the faithful to the Simbang Gabi mass. “Simbang Gabi or…
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 so that plows will have the space they need to…
Archbishop Smith celebrated the Christmas Mass at Holy Cross Mausoleum on Saturday, December 21. Edmonton Catholic Cemeteries offers a Mass each month. The December event was followed by a gathering with sandwiches and other treats. It was supported and sponsored by Europa Memorial, Connelly-McKinley Funeral Homes, Edmonton Granite Memorials, Park…
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, Covenant Care, and long-term care facilities. Fr. Alfred has regularly…
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 start by acknowledging that I am not alone in my…
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 the Christmas season will have started. During the next couple…
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 livestreamed. Fr. Don will be brought to Cochrane for burial.…
Third Sunday of Advent – B Mass with the Young Adult Group C-YEG Homily [Zephaniah 3:14-18a; Isaiah 12; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:10-18] In a recent visit to one of our Catholic schools, I was invited to engage with the students in a Q&A session. I agreed, thinking I knew what…
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 of the First Nations and Métis peoples of Treaty Six…