Bulletin: Fifth Sunday of Easter
What you need to know from this weekend’s bulletin:
The Death Factor
May 3, 2026
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house, there are many dwelling places.” (John 14:1-2)
When death becomes part of our life’s equation, we realize that nothing is really ours, except the borrowed time we now spend. When one trusts in God, death becomes an essential part of one’s plans and projects. It even can become the supreme fulfillment of the faithful heart, whose greatest desire is to pass on to God, at last.
The reality of death teaches us how to live, that is, meaningfully. Its inevitability cuts through our shallowness, complacency, and our sense of competition, pride, and prejudice. Death makes us discover our need for God and others. It gives our human relationships perspective.
Death teaches us that the things we now enjoy in this world are given to us as gifts of God which we have to share with the rest of the world. Death inspires us to be generous, to be self-giving. It inspires us to think about the legacy and the contribution we have to make for the betterment of our world and society. Death becomes our inspiration to seek the things that really last, things that outlive death and its power over us.
Peter Kreeft in a book entitled “Heaven and Hell”, describes our present situation in these words: “We are children, however hard we try to cover that up. There are no grown-ups. When we get old, we only exchange our toys: business for bats, sex for sleds, power for popguns. At death our Father calls: Come little ones. Time to put away our toys and come home… Home – that’s what heaven is. It won’t appear strange and faraway and supernatural, but utterly natural. Heaven is what we were designed for. Heaven is not escapist. Earth is escapist. Heaven is home.”
Fr. Edmund, fredmund@saintmichael.ca
Conflict situations are growing in our increasingly violent world. Ethnically inspired clashes, power struggles, and differing political ideologies profoundly affect the lives of women in a particular way. Women find themselves involved simply through alliance of kinship, clan, and the place where they have their home and family. They are undefended, uprooted, and vulnerable. The violence that occurs in these situations invariably becomes an accepted part of women’s daily lives. In the last 40 years, the number of civilian casualties as a result of present day hostilities have almost doubled from 50 percent during World War II to 90 percent in more recent conflicts, women and children being the majority of the reported civilian deaths.
Announcements:
Please see this weekend’s bulletins for all announcements:
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 is $121,243, 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.
Multiply the Hope (MTH)
A Message from the Diocese
Because of your generosity, greater impact is taking place across the diocese. In Year 1 of the Multiply the Hope Matching Campaign:
• $4 million matched for parish loans
• $3 million matched for repairs and maintenance
This means parishes are receiving support in times of need, critical repairs are moving forward, and communities are growing stronger in their life and mission. Multiply the Hope continues through the end of 2027, and even though the initial response has been strong, $4.9M in matching funds remains available for parishes across the Diocese. Bishop McGrattan has encouraged each parish to take part in this once-in-a-generation initiative by fully embracing the campaign. Learn more: www.catholicyyc.ca/multiplythehope
Potluck Sunday
Potluck Sundays for St. Michael Community are on the first Sunday of each month at 6:00pm. The next Potluck Sundays are May 3 and June 7. This is a free event. Please bring a main dish, bread, salad, pickles, vegetable tray, or dessert to share with others. Please bring your food ready to serve. Potluck Sundays will take a break for July and August.
SMILE! You’re Wanted in Our New Parish Pictorial Directory!
Only Two Weeks Left for Pictorial Directory Photos! NEW APPOINTMENT TIMES!
The pictorial directory campaign ends on Saturday, May 16! Whether you are a new face, or a long-time parishioner, we want you in the directory! New appointment times are available on May 12–15, from 2:30 to 8:30 pm. If you haven’t already, please sign up for a quick, FREE portrait session. You will receive a high-quality printed directory, and an option to purchase your photos, with no obligation.
How to Register for a FREE PHOTO SESSION:
Online: Visit https://booknow.appointment-plus.com/837754yq/
Volunteers are needed to help with the sign-up process and with registration at the photography sessions.
Please click this link if you are able to VOLUNTEER https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409054EA8A623A7FD0-62867253-parish
Hike for Life
Please join Fr. Edmund and Fr. Andrew in support of the Calgary Pro-Life Association’s 10K Hike For Life at Prince’s Island Park on Saturday, May 9, 2026. You can join the St. Michael’s team, start collecting pledges and hike on your own, or you can make a donation to St. Michael’s Catholic Community on behalf of Fr. Edmund and Fr. Andrew, or any other team member from now until June 30. All donations go directly to Pro-Life to support the Respect For Life programs. St. Michael’s CWL will be collecting pledges on behalf of Fr. Edmund and Fr. Andrew in the Narthex after all Masses on May 2nd and 3rd or you can donate online at https://www.canadahelps.org/s/jP4P8f
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. * Online registration is now open. * Thank you to those who have already engaged with our Parish Volunteer Coordinator, Gladys. Please contact Gladys at gdoh@saintmichael.ca to begin/continue the parish volunteer engagement process.
Week-at-a-Glance: (Sat. May 2 – Sun. May 10, 2026):
Saturday, May 2:
Parish Pictorial Directory: Room 143 & 144, 9:30am-3:00pm (Registration Required.)
Sunday, May 3:
Children’s Liturgy: 8:30am and 10:30am
Coffee Sunday: Narthex, after 9:00am & 11:00am
Potluck Sunday & Name Tag Sunday: Narthex, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Monday, May 4:
Bible Studies: St. Nicholas Room, 7:00pm
Tuesday, May 5:
Parish Pictorial Directory: Room 143 & 144, 2:30pm-8:30pm (Registration Required.)
Rosary Group: Day Chapel, 5:20pm
RCIA: St Nicholas Room, 7:00pm
Wednesday, May 6:
Men’s Ministry: Theater, 6:00am-7:30am
Coffee Wednesday: Narthex, 9:30am
Women’s Ministry: Theater, 10:00am
Parish Pictorial Directory: Room 143 & 144, 2:30pm-8:30pm (Registration Required.)
CCCRS Prayer Meeting: Day Chapel, 7:00pm
Thursday, May 7:
Moms & Tots: St. Nicholas Room, 9:30am-11:30am
Knitting Ministry: Library Room, 10:00am-12:00pm
Parish Pictorial Directory: Room 143 & 144, 2:30pm-8:30pm (Registration Required.)
Friday, May 8:
Parish Pictorial Directory: Room 143 & 144, 2:30pm-8:30pm (Registration Required.)
Saturday, May 9:
Pro-Life Hike for Life: Prince’s Island Park, 8:30am-12:00pm
Parish Pictorial Directory: Room 143 & 144, 9:30am-3:00pm (Registration Required.)
Sunday, May 10:
Children’s Liturgy: 8:30am and 10:30am
Coffee Sunday: Narthex, after 9:00am & 11:00am
Filipino Catholic Society Meeting: St. Michael’s Room, 1:00pm-3:00pm
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Fifth Sunday of Easter, 03/05/2026, 825.60 KB