Bulletin: 1st Sunday of Lent
What you need to know from this weekend’s bulletin:
Approaching the Paschal Mystery…
February 22, 2026
It is said that we make a living with what we get but we make a life with what we give. In Christian life, we live by dying to ourselves. We receive by giving.
The liturgy invites us to come forth from our spiritual grave to the overflowing grace of God’s liberating love through our own imitation of Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection. In our own faith journey, this means that we have to be more self-giving and self-sacrificing in our relationship with one another in imitation of Christ’s self-giving sacrifice on the cross if we expect to join him in our own resurrection.
The Paschal Mystery is the mystery involving the suffering, death, and resurrection of the Lord. The term “paschal” has Old Testament significance. It is related to the Jewish idea of sacrifice which is the predecessor of the Sacrifice of the Mass. “Paschal” refers to the lamb that is offered as a burnt sacrifice for the reparation of sins. Christ is the “Lamb of God”, the New Testament sacrifice that has replaced all sacrifices.
In the Old Testament, the priest is distinct from the sacrifice. The priest offers the sacrifice. In the New Testament, the priest becomes the sacrifice at the same time. With Christ, priest and sacrifice become identical. The idea of sacrificial giving is important in approaching the Paschal Mystery. It is essential to understanding the core of Christian spirituality. This is to say that Christ’s death on Calvary is central to the understanding of God’s reality. It demonstrates in an experiential and human way the depth of God’s life and love.
The Eucharist embodies the main operating principle of the Paschal Mystery, the mystery of life by dying. May our spiritual discipline help us in approaching the Paschal Mystery with the right disposition of body, mind, and spirit.
Fr. Edmund, fredmund@saintmichael.ca
Healing Lines
Just as Jesus was tempted by the devil, we are often tempted to stray from His path. Sometimes it seems easier to not reach out to those who are being abused or bullied. We tell ourselves that others will help or that we shouldn’t interfere with someone else’s family. Other times we are tempted to become aggressive or abusive when we deal with family members. We feel we are justified in responding this way to them. We always need to work to resist the temptations that will lead us away from Jesus.
Welcome Our New Associate Pastor
Fr. Andrew Obinyan is a priest of the Archdiocese of Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, who served as Pastor in six parishes between 1998 and 2025. His assignments have included Chaplain of the Catholic Renewal (2006–2014), Chaplain to the Nigeria Federation of Catholic Students (2014–2024), and Member of the Curia and Vicar of Evangelization and the Biblical Apostolate Commission. He holds a B.A. in Philosophy, a Bachelor of Theology, a Master’s in Pastoral Theology, and a PhD in Religious Studies. Fr. Obinyan is a willing instrument of Christ’s healing grace through the power of the Holy Spirit; he is deeply pastoral and generously gives of himself for the glory of God and the spiritual benefit of God’s holy people.
Announcements:
Please see this weekend’s bulletins for all announcements:
2025 Tax Receipts
The 2025 tax receipts will be available for pick up from February 14 to February 22, 2026. They will be arranged alphabetically on a table in front of the main washrooms. After that date, the remaining tax receipts will be mailed.
Together in Action (TIA)
The Together in Action 2026 campaign begins on Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026. The theme for this year’s TIA is inspired by the Jubilee Year of St. Francis. “But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith without works, and I by my works will show you my faith.” (James 2:18) This year’s TIA also marks the final year of the financial commitment of the Diocese to the National Indigenous Reconciliation Fund, supporting Indigenous-led initiatives across Southern Alberta. Our target goal this year $121,000, same as last year. We thank God for your generosity! All surplus funds this year will go to our Building Fund to help pay our loan.
Easter Fundraiser 2026
St. Michael Catholic Community raises funds year-round to support initiatives within our Church and in the surrounding communities. With our fundraiser, you may choose from 66 products from a variety of meat, fish, seafood, pasta, and sauces. With your purchases, we can help the less fortunate and those in our parish all while enjoying some delicious food over the Easter season which is right around the corner! Stock up your freezers now. The fundraiser opens February 1 and closes March 15. Orders will be available for pick up on Tuesday, March 24 between 4:00-5:00pm outside the parish doors. To view and place an order, please visit St. Michael Catholic Community Spring 2026 – Fund Forward
SSVP Almsgiving Share Sunday
Please support the SSVP Almsgiving Share Sunday Food Drive for families in need. Pick up food lists and donation envelopes after Mass on February 21 and 22, and return food and donations on February 28 and March 1. Thank you for your generous support!
Fish Friday
On Friday, March 6 and Friday, March 27 the Knights of Columbus will host a dinner event in the Church gathering area at 7:00pm (after Lenten Friday Mass at 6:00pm which is followed by the Stations of the Cross at 6:30pm). This is a free event. Free will offerings are greatly appreciated to cover some of the cost, if you so wish. To register, please click here.
Art Walk
Attention artists and photographers, both beginners and seasoned pros: come join us and exhibit your art at St. Michael’s Art Walk Exhibition on March 6-8, 2026. Click here for the registration form. For more info please contact artwalk@saintmichael.ca.
Lenten Retreat / Mission
“Who is the Man of the Shroud?” Fr. Andrew Dalton L.C. reflects on the suffering (1), death (2) and resurrection (3) of Christ in the light of the Shroud of Turin on March 22, 23, and 24, 2026, respectively. Fr Dalton will celebrate Mass before the talks: Sunday, March 22, 5pm, Monday, March 23, 6pm and Tuesday, March 24, 6pm. Reception follows after the 5pm Mass on Sunday before the talk at 7pm, and after the talks on Monday and Tuesday. If you plan to attend, please click here to register.
Vacation Bible Camp 2026:
“Rainforest Falls – Exploring the Nature of God”
* SMCC 5-day Vacation Bible Camp (VBC) 2026 has limited spots available (50) for all students/minors aged Kindergarten (6yrs.) to Grade 12. $100 fee per student/minor or $200 maximum fee per family (same household only please). Registration is due by Mon. June 1, 2026 @ 12pm noon. Please contact Caroline Dixon (Camp Director) at cdixon@saintmichael.ca
* Online registration is now open. * Financial assistance is available for anyone in need for the enrolment fee. For more information, please contact Fr. Edmund at 403-249-0423.
* Thank you to those who have already engaged with our Parish Volunteer Coordinator, Gladys. Please note that programs like this requested by parish families (i.e. children’s liturgy, mom & tots, elevate, youth nights, etc.) are also run by parish families as well. If you are in favor, and would like faith-based programs for families like VBC 2026 to proceed, please contact Gladys at gdoh@saintmichael.ca to begin/continue the “parish volunteer engagement process” A.S.A.P.
Lent and Easter Schedule
Lenten Fridays: Fridays, February 20 to March 27, Mass 6pm, Sanctuary
Stations of the Cross: Fridays, February 20 to March 27, 6:30pm, Sanctuary
Fish Fridays: Friday, March 6 and Friday, March 27, Supper 7pm, Narthex
Lenten Mission Day 1: Sunday, March 22, Mass 5pm, Reception 6pm, Talk 7pm
Lenten Mission Day 2: Monday, March 23, Mass 6pm, Talk 7pm
Lenten Mission Day 3: Tuesday, March 24, Mass 6pm, Talk 7pm, Reception 8pm
Parish Reconciliation: Thursday, March 26, 7-9pm
Palm Sunday: Sun. Mar. 29, Regular weekend Mass times
Holy Thursday: Thursday, April 2, Mass 7pm, Adoration 8pm – 12am
(Note: there will be no 9am Daily Mass on Holy Thursday)
Good Friday: Friday, April 3, Services 12pm and 3pm
(Note: Confessions 8:00-8:45am on Good Friday)
Easter Vigil: Saturday, April 4, Mass 8pm
(Note: there will be no 5pm Mass and instead will be at 8pm)
Easter Sunday: Sunday, April 5, Masses 9am, 11am, & 5pm
Office Hours:
The office will be closed on Good Friday, April 3, and Easter Monday, April 6.
We will reopen on Tuesday, April 7 with regular office hours.
Week-at-a-Glance: (Sat. Feb. 21 – Sun. Mar. 1, 2026):
Saturday, February 21:
Red Sand Ceremony: Outside Main Doors, after all weekend Masses
Sunday, February 22:
Red Sand Ceremony: Outside Main Doors, after all weekend Masses
Altar Server Incense Training: Sanctuary, 12:00-2:00pm
Monday, February 23:
Bible Study: St. Nicholas Room, 7:00pm
Tuesday, February 24:
Rosary Group: Day Chapel, 5:20pm
Grief Share: Room 143 & 144, 7:00pm
RCIA: St. Nicholas Room & Theater, 7:00pm
SSVP Meeting: Room 145, 7:00pm
Wednesday, February 25:
Men’s Ministry: Theater, 6:00am-7:30am
Coffee Wednesday: Narthex, after the 9am Mass
Women’s Ministry Bible Study: Theater, 10:00am –12:00pm
Thursday, February 26:
Moms & Tots: St. Nicholas Room, 9:30am – 11:30am
Knitting Ministry: Library, 10:00am
IWIN Movie “Buying Her”: Sanctuary, 7:00pm
Adult Confirmation: St. Michael’s Room, 7:00pm (pre-registration needed)
Friday, February 27 (Lenten Friday):
Lenten Mass: Sanctuary, 6pm
Stations of the Cross: Sanctuary, 6:30pm
Saturday, February 28:
No event.
Sunday, March 1:
Children’s Liturgy: 8:30am and 10:30am
Coffee Sunday: Narthex, after 9:00am & 11:00am Masses
Potluck Sunday and Name Tag Sunday: Narthex, 6:00pm
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1st Sunday of Lent, 22/02/2026, 861.57 KB