The Parable of the Good Samaritan from Luke 10 is not only one of the most famous of Jesus\’ parables, it\’s also uncomfortable. While we find it uncomfortable when the priest and Levite refuse to help, Jesus\’ first century audience would have found it uncomfortable for a different reason…and that\’s the point.…
Mass for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Homily [Isaiah 43:5-7; Psalm 51; Ephesians 2:13-22; Luke 15:11-32] Last week, at the end of their plenary meeting, the Bishops of Canada issued a statement of apology to the Indigenous Peoples of this land. Now, my Indigenous friends have taught me…
Indigenous leaders in the Edmonton area gave powerful testimony as Canada marks the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Chief Arthur Rain of the Paul First Nation and Chief Tony Alexis and former Chief Rod Alexis from the Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation participated in a Sept. 25 ceremony at…
In this short video, Archbishop Richard Smith responds to the national apology issued by the Canadian Bishops, as well as a nation-wide collective financial commitment to support healing and reconciliation initiatives for residential school survivors, their families, and their communities.
Canada’s Catholic bishops are making a nation-wide collective financial commitment to support healing and reconciliation initiatives for residential school survivors, their families and communities. With a target of $30 million, this financial commitment will include initiatives in every region of the country. The time period is up to five years.…
Edmonton Archbishop Richard Smith has addressed lingering questions on the issues of both religious exemptions and conscience rights in light of mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations. In a Sept. 24 letter to the faithful, Archbishop Smith writes that some people have asked their priests to be exempted from mandatory vaccination on the…
There’s a story told of a mother, who one afternoon, made a visit to her parish Church with her young son. As they were in the Church, the sun was shining through the stained-glass windows just right so the Church was aglow with vivid colors all around. The boy was…
A 25-year-old Edmonton man has been sentenced for his role in disrupting Mass at Santa Maria Goretti church and briefly posting an obscenity-laden video online. On July 21, the suspect plead guilty to a charge of mischief to religious property – a hate crime under the Criminal Code – and…
Twenty-five students came together in faith to answer the question: “We are Catholic… now what?” That was the theme of this year’s annual youth retreat Sept. 12 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish in Sherwood Park. Students from Grades 7 through 10 attended the event with the help of…
“Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” — 2 Cor 9: 7 Psst. Want to do something taboo? Let’s talk about money! I don’t mean money in general, like, “What’s the exchange rate on…