Four heroes of the early Church in Canada continue to be honoured centuries after their deaths. Lineups formed throughout the day and late into the evening Jan. 23 as more than 3,000 people — young old, single individuals and families — came to venerate, pray and reflect on the lives…
“Hope does not disappoint, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” – Romans 5: 5 The beginning of a new year can be a time of increased hope. This year, hope is especially important as being Pilgrims of…
Second Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year C Pastoral Visitation to Resurrection and Assumption Parishes Homily [Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 96; 1Corinthians 12:4-11; John 2:1-12] I am delighted to have this opportunity to visit Resurrection and Assumption parishes this weekend. It is an occasion when I can take the pulse…
January 15, 2025 Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, The Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton is pleased to collaborate with the Jesuits of Canada to host a national tour of the relics of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the Catholic Church’s first canonized Indigenous woman in North America, and those of those of…
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 the National Shrine to the Canadian Martyrs in Midland, Ont.,…
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 survivors of human trafficking here in Alberta. It began in…
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 Year of 2025 by opening the Holy Doors of Saint…
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…