Bulletin: 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
What you need to know from this weekend’s bulletin:
Faith is Social
October 19, 2025
Jesus tells us the story about the persistent widow who was wholeheartedly adamant in approaching the judge again and again in seeking justice. The judge in the story was typical of the powerful, rich and influential corrupt public official. He had the money and connection to silence anybody. He feared no one. In the words of Jesus himself, he was not even afraid of God. But when the widow went to him again and again for justice, he gave up. He said: “Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.” Through this story, Jesus teaches us to persevere in prayer. We have to be persistent in prayer for a son or daughter or friend in trouble, for the grace to sustain the caring of a terminally ill member of the family or an aging parent, for peace and harmony in a family in conflict, for an end to violence in our homes, and for justice in our world.
We have to pray always so that we end up living in a way that is consistent with our prayers. In truth, our life has to become a prayer, a daily offering to God. St. Augustine defines “praying without ceasing” as uninterrupted desire for God and as continuous right living, that is, prayer as life based on our faith relationship with God. This is the integration of our faith with the life we live. In Christian spirituality, there is no separation between our faith and our work, our faith and our family life, or our faith and our social or political life. Everything is inspired by the wisdom of our faith.
Our social involvement is a requirement of living our faith. “Religion is always social, but never just a private affair. Discipleship involves seeking God in this world as well as preparing to meet Him in the next. The Gospel imperative to love our neighbor entails not only the we should help those in need, but also address the causes of destitution and poverty. The deepening of spiritual life must go hand in hand with the practical concern for our neighbor, thus with social action…” (Bp Frederick Henry)
Our Christian faith places the socio-economic and political within the larger context of our relationship with God. Faith is not a mere appendix to our book of life. Our faith inspires our life in all its aspects, dimensions, and levels. A life that is inspired by faith in its totality is a life of constant prayer, a perfect offering of oneself to our Creator and Savior.
Fr. Edmund,
Healing Lines
Isolation is one of the main symptoms of violence and abuse against others. In order to control someone it is best to isolate them from truth and compassion. How do we isolate the seniors in our families and communities? Do we limit their contributions to our daily lives? Do we neglect their needs and feelings? Do we keep them separate from others by insisting they stay at home or not including them in our family and community activities? Do we put up barriers through language and abilities? Everyone has a choice to be who they are and to live a fulfilling life. Our seniors have contributed so much, whether in this country or in their birth country. Let us listen to God’s voice and not harden our hearts against older family members and parishioners.
Announcements:
Please see this weekend’s bulletins for all announcements:
October: the Month of the Rosary
The Catholic Church dedicates October as the month of the Rosary when Catholics honour Mary as the mother of Jesus and our mother. We invite family and friends to pray the rosary during this special month for devotion to Blessed Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary. At St. Michael Parish, please join us to pray the rosary: Weekdays at 8:20am: before daily Mass, and Tuesdays at 5:20pm: before evening Mass.
Catholic Education Sunday…Postponed for Now
Usually by now, if you live in Calgary and area, you would have seen our banners proclaiming Catholic Education Sunday across the city. Our schools would be preparing to read their testimonies of the gift of Catholic Education in our parishes at Sunday mass. Our school banners would be brought into the parishes to remind us all of this precious gift we have in Alberta that is constitutionally protected and must be defended. Catholic Education Sunday brings together our 120 publicly funded Catholic schools, 45 parish communities and our greater Catholic community of faith together to celebrate this gift. Sadly, our beautiful public acclamation of Catholic Education is postponed…for now. In collaboration with his excellency Bishop McGrattan, the CCEF has postponed the 2nd collection at masses this weekend in the Diocese of Calgary due to the ongoing strike.
Christmas Hampers
Christmas Hamper Program: Mark your calendars! Saint Michael Catholic Community’s annual Christmas Hamper Assembly and Delivery Day will be Monday, December 15. Watch for volunteer sign up in the Narthex after all Masses on the last two weekends of November. Questions? Email christmashampers@saintmichael.ca
Elevator Upgrade
An elevator upgrade work will be underway for two weeks (November 10-21). The elevator will be taken out of service for the entire time. We apologize for the inconvenience… Those who are interested in supporting this special project ($61,766.14 +tax) may contact the Office or Fr. Edmund for details.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word 2025/2026
Beginning Sunday, October 19, 2025, Children’s Liturgy of the Word Session “A” 8:30am will resume as requested. If you haven’t already done so, please register your child online HERE. Questions? Concerns? Please contact the Children’s Liturgy Coordinator (Mrs. Dixon) at cdixon@saintmichael.ca
We are still in need of ADULT/ PARENT VOLUNTEERS for both sessions of Children’s Liturgy of the Word (Session “A” 8:30am and Session “B” 10:30am). Parents/Adults: please continue to signup for your shift (and/or for your YOUTH VOLUNTEER Gr. 7 to 12) in the “Guardian Angels Room” (weekly) as needed HERE .
Are you a NEW, or prospective Kids Kingdom Volunteer? Welcome to the team! Please contact our Volunteer Screening Coordinator Gladys Doh at gdoh@saintmichael.ca regarding any volunteer requirements (i.e. forms, training modules, protocols & procedures) ASAP.
Contribution Envelopes
We have several 2025 envelope boxes that have not been picked up. Please pick up your envelope box before October 31, 2025. If you do not pick up, your box number will be re-assigned. Please ensure you are only using the envelope box for the current year. We have reduced envelope boxes over the last several years which has resulted in changing of envelope numbers.
Saturday Night Lights
Youths in grades 7-12 are invited to an evening of music, food, friendships, and talks hosted by Access 52. Dates for the evenings are October 25, November 29, January 10, February 14, and April 25. This is a free event. You may register by visiting the website https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/saturday-night-lights-youth-group-october-25-tickets-1708730341449?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
Together in Action (TIA)
This year’s goal is $121,243 and currently, we have reached 65% of this target amount. Thanks to your generosity, we reached this target amount last year. All surplus funds will go to our Building Fund to help pay our loan.
Office Closed
Wednesday, October 22, 2025 – Pastoral Zone Meeting
Rescheduled – One Time Only
Monday, October 20: Bible Study in Theater
Sunday, November 23, 2025 – Altar Servers Mass with the Bishop
Week-at-a-Glance: (Sat. Oct. 18 – Sun. Oct. 26, 2025):
Saturday, October 18:
SSVP Share Sunday
Sunday, October 19:
SSVP Share Sunday and World Mission Sunday
Coffee Sunday: Narthex, after 9:00am Mass & 11:00am Mass
Children’s Liturgy: 8:30am session added and 10:30am session continues
Monday, October 20:
2025 Municipal Voting Day: St. Nicholas Room
Bible Study: Main Floor Theater, 6:30pm-9:00pm
Tuesday, October 21:
Rosary Group: Day Chapel, 5:20pm-5:50pm
Grief Share: Room 144 & 145, 7:00pm-9:00pm
RCIA: Theater, 7:00-9:00pm
Wednesday, October 22:
Office Closed: Pastoral Zone Meeting
Men’s Ministry: Theater and Narthex, 6:00-7:30am
Coffee Wednesday: Narthex, 9:30am-10:00am
Women’s Ministry: St. Nicholas Room, 10:00am-12:00am
Thursday, October 23:
Moms & Tots: St. Nicholas’ Room, 9:30am-11:30am
Knitting Ministry: Library Room, 10:00am-12:00pm
Rome Pilgrimage Participants Meeting: St. Michael’s Room, 6:00-8:00pm
Friday, October 24:
No events.
Saturday, October 25:
SSVP Share Sunday
Saturday Night Lights Gr.7-12: Sanctuary, 7:00pm
Sunday, October 26:
SSVP Share Sunday
Children’s Liturgy: 8:30am and 10:30am
Coffee Sunday: Narthex, after 9:00am Mass & 11:00am Mass
Altar Server Training: Sanctuary, 12:00pm-2:00pm
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29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 19/10/2025, 588.40 KB