“Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God, and he who loves is born of God and knows God.” 1 John 4: 7 On Feb. 14 this year, we will witness a more rare occasion. The date of Ash Wednesday varies depending on when Easter falls,…
“How do we extend hospitality to our Lord Jesus Christ?” This was the question Archbishop Smith posed in his homily, preached during his pastoral visit to the Our Lady of Fatima, the Portuguese Catholic parish, in Edmonton Feb. 3-4. “By simply entering a house, Jesus signals that he wishes to…
Mother Catherine of Our Lady of Providence is the prioress of the Discalced Carmelite Nuns of the Carmel of St. Joseph monastery in Spruce Grove, Alberta. Mother Catherine was a member of the Sisters of Providence for 20 years. She joined the Carmelites at age 37 in 1981 and came…
“When you open the Holy Gospel, think that what is written there—the words and deeds of Christ—is something that you should not only know, but live. Everything, every point that is told there, has been gathered, detail-by-detail, for you to make it come alive in the individual circumstances of your…
National Catholic Health Care Week takes place Feb. 4-10. It\’s really important to mark the occasion, so we don\’t lose sight of the extraordinary gift that we have in our country of Catholic health care. Devoted physicians, nurses and health-care professionals make sure that all that they do, within the…
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year B Pastoral Visit to Our Lady of Fatima Parish Homily [Job 7:1-4, 6-7; Psalm 147; 1Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23; Mark 1:29-39] As you may know, for World Youth Days last year I made a brief visit to Portugal, beloved homeland to many of you…
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Homily [Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 24; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40] Following mass this evening, we are holding a vocations rally. Parishioners from around the Archdiocese have been invited to gather for this event and ponder how we might deepen a culture of vocations here…
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year B “Come and See” Weekend Homily [Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalm 95; 1Corinthians 7:32-35; Mark 1:21-28] We are pleased to welcome to our seminary you, who are seeking to discern how the Lord Jesus is calling you to follow him. Before all else, I would…
“The world needs the message of the Gospel, and there is nothing more exciting or purposeful than to have a share in its transmission.” This was the message that Archbishop Richard Smith conveyed during one of the many homilies that he offered during his pastoral visit to Fort Saskatchewan and…
Catholics are being called to take action, in their community and amongst their friends and family, as Canada continues to expand the scope of assisted suicide and euthanasia. “Our role as Catholics is to support the vulnerable because Jesus himself identifies with the vulnerable,” said Deacon Larry Worthen, executive director…