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…
A partner in our Catholic community is looking for individuals to join its teams and be part of its mission-driven culture. Covenant Health, which supports acute care hospitals and long-term care facilities, is hiring for its 17 locations across Alberta. With 15,000 staff, physicians and volunteers, Covenant Health is a…
Homily [Sirach 27:30 – 28:7; Psalm 103; Romans 14:7-9; Matthew 18: 21-35] It has been an eventful last number of months for the people of Edson and surrounding area, to say the least. Fire and floods, terrible loss, and evacuations – twice. You have certainly been in my heart and…
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…