Pastoral Visit to St. Anthony Parish, Lloydminster Homily [Isaiah 45:1, 4-6; Psalm 96; 1Thessalonians 1:1-5ab; Matthew 22:15-21] Yesterday morning I was with members of the Saskatchewan Catholic School Board Association for their AGM. At break time, they served us donuts produced and sold as a fund-raiser involving students from grades…
“You cannot be half a saint. You must be a whole saint or no saint at all.” ~ St. Thérèse of Lisieux On Nov. 1, the Church celebrates All Saints\’ Day, a day where we honour all the saints throughout history who have gone before us to heaven. The origin…
Holy Rosary Parish in Edmonton marked a momentous occasion this past Thanksgiving long weekend as it celebrated the 110th anniversary of its founding. There was much to be thankful for. Parishioners, priests and Archbishop Richard Smith, the main celebrant, gathered around the altar in a Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday,…
Homily [Isaiah 25:6-10a; Psalm 23; Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20; Matthew 22:1-14] This evening I am pleased to welcome to this mass members of the Saint Luke’s Guild of physicians and healthcare workers. Its members gather with me once each year for what we call the “White Mass”, a term that derives…
“Red Mass” for the Saint Thomas More Lawyers’ Guild Homily [Jonah 3:1-10; Psalm 130; Luke 10:38-42] Once again, we have the blessing of gathering together as members of the Saint Thomas More Lawyers’ Guild to celebrate what we call the Red Mass. The colour derives from the particular liturgy we…
To my friends in the Jewish community of Edmonton: The horrible atrocities unfolding in Israel at this time are shocking and grievous. I understand how they must leave you all terribly shaken. Please know that I stand in fraternal solidarity with you in this moment of pain, anguish, and anxiety.…
The Alberta Mackenzie Provincial Council of the Catholic Women’s League and the Society of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul are very pleased to share with you information about a shared initiative underway to Help Feed The North. Due to fires plaguing the North this year, residents will struggle…
Archbishop’s Dinner 2023 Speaking Notes of Archbishop Smith Introductory Remarks Thanks to Joan and Fr. Jim for their introduction. Just recently I learned a new way to introduce myself. A couple of weeks ago, I visited an elementary school, K-6. I had with me the case in which I carry…
Homily [Ezekiel 18: 25-26; Psalm 25; Philippians 2:1-11; Matthew 21: 28-32] Over the last number of years, I have had the great blessing of sitting down many times with Indigenous Peoples in a sharing circle, or in what I have also heard referred to as a listening circle. This privilege…
Frank and Florence Large are from Saddle Lake Cree Nation, about 200 kilometers northeast of Edmonton. They are both Catholics who returned to their faith later in life and they are passionate about healing the relationship between Indigenous communities and the Church. The Larges, who are both recovering addicts and…