National Truth and Reconciliation Day on Sept. 30 provides each one of us an opportunity for prayerful reflection to learn, reflect and act in our ongoing journey of healing, reconciliation and hope. We are especially mindful of the role of the Catholic Church in operating residential schools and the pain…
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” ~ Ephesians 5: 1-2 On September 14th, we will celebrate the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. This feast has…
Homily [Ezekiel 36:24-28; Psalm 23; Romans 8:14-17; John 14:23-26] When I met with Fr Michael to prepare for this mass, he told me to expect a lot of pictures to be taken before, during and after mass. And I can see that you certainly have come to the church accompanied…
Homily [Jeremiah 20:7-9; Psalm 62; Romans 12:1-2; Matthew 16:21-27] Over the past week, I have celebrated mass with a number of our Catholic school divisions to open the new academic year. Most have been with teachers and administrators, which gave an opportunity to reflect upon the beautiful and noble…
Homily [Isaiah 22:15, 19-23; Psalm 138; Romans 11:33-36; Matthew 16:13-20] For the past number of months, we have been experiencing rather dramatic climate events, both here in Alberta and elsewhere nationally and globally, such as: high winds, at times occasioning tornados; torrential rains with dangerous flooding; widespread and terrifying…
As wildfires have been burning across Canada, many evacuees have come to Edmonton. Earlier this week, thirteen evacuated women from Hay River, Yellowknife and Fort Smith gathered at Sacred Heart Church to create reindeer hair tuft earrings, with the guidance of Indigenous artisan Suzan Marie. Over the past year, Sacred…
“O my God, fill my soul with holy joy, courage, and strength to serve you. Enkindle your love in me, and then walk with me along the next stretch of road before me. I do not see very far ahead, but when I have arrived where the horizon now closes…
Homily [Isaiah 56:1, 6-7; Psalm 67; Romans 11:13-15, 29-32; Matthew 15:21-28] For this special parish anniversary mass, we have from Saint Matthew’s Gospel a text, which is admittedly very challenging to understand. It involves an encounter between Jesus and a Canaanite woman, who comes to him seeking healing for her…
“Cheerfulness strengthens the heart and helps us to persevere.” ~ St. Philip Neri[1] This summer, as you soak up the warmer weather and plan your vacation time, take the opportunity to prioritize time for fun in your marriage. When the summer heat becomes difficult to bear and vacation planning becomes…
Thousands of Indigenous Canadians from across Canada made the pilgrimage to Lac St. Anne for healing, worship and fellowship. While the pilgrimage was abbreviated by two days due to heavy rainstorms, pilgrims say that the annual event touched them deeply and that the struggles with the storm highlighted the goodness…