Eleven years ago, there was a video on YouTube that featured a speaker outlining the reasons why he loves Jesus but hates religion. The video went viral and inspired a lot of discussion. There were many replies from people of faith, including Bishop Robert Barron and a similarly styled video…
The 2022 Together We Serve Annual Appeal raised 99 per cent of its $1.5 million goal, and gave away almost $1.4 million to 10 beneficiaries and 35 “Parish Share” parishes. Just 6.3 per cent of the funds raised went to administration costs, less than half the industry average of 12-15…
My first time behind the wheel of a car is a moment I’ll never forget. I was getting picked up from school late on a Friday night. My heart skipped a bit when, as we were walking to the car, my dad tossed me the keys and told me I’d…
On the occasion of his official retirement as Archbishop of Toronto, I wish to express my heartfelt best wishes to Cardinal Thomas Collins. He is remembered with great fondness in the Archdiocese of Edmonton for his exemplary episcopal ministry here. As Archbishop of Toronto, he provided not only to his…
On February 11th and 12th, Archbishop Smith made an episcopal visit to the parishes of Stettler, Castor and Bashaw in the south-eastern part of our Archdiocese. The return of episcopal parish visits is met with much joy, as these visits had been paused since the beginning of the pandemic and…
The Archdiocese of Edmonton continues to seek ways to walk together along the pathway of healing and peace following the historic events of last year, from the First Nations, Metis and Inuit Peoples’ delegation to the Vatican, to the extraordinary ‘Walking Together’ pilgrimage of reconciliation of Pope Francis. The Bishops…
Catholics usually begin our prayers with the Sign of the Cross. Many of us do this automatically that we think about the deep reality it signifies: our belief that God is a life-giving family. We believe that God is one yet three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the…
Funeral Mass for Father Mitchell Fidyka Homily [Job 19:1, 23-27; Psalm 103; 2Corinthians 4:14-5:1; Mark 15:33-39, 16:1-6] At the opening of this homily, allow me to express, on behalf of the Archdiocese and everyone gathered here, our heartfelt condolences to the members of Fr. Mitch Fidyka’s family: his brother Zbigniew…
The speaker stood at the front of the room, holding up an old $50 bill and asked, “who wants this?” Immediately, every hand went up. After dropping it on the ground and pouring his coffee on it, he asked again “who still wants this?” Again, every hand went up. Finally,…
Rev. Mitch Fidyka, a priest for more than 40 years and most recently the pastor of St. Thomas More parish, has died of cancer Jan. 28. He was 69. \”I was ordained to the priesthood over 40 years ago, a decision I have never regretted for a single moment,\” Father…