Bulletin: The Ascension of the Lord
What you need to know from this weekend’s bulletin:
The Power and the Presence
May 17, 2026
Alleluia! You are witnesses. Forty days after Easter, witnesses saw Jesus taken up into heaven. Don’t just stand around looking at the sky! Jesus instructs those who love Him continue to witness, teaching all people the Gospel.
Christ’s ascension, which we celebrate today, deals with a reality that is beyond the physical and the earthly. In theology, Christ’s resurrection and ascension are referred to as two aspects of one reality. The ascension is the end of his physical appearances to His disciples and beginning of Christ’s spiritual presence among them. Where the physical ends, the spiritual somehow begins.
The spiritual represents a higher reality which can subsist on its own. The spiritual gives the physical its soul and significance. In death, the spiritual separates from the physical. In the resurrection and ascension, the spiritual, by its own power, reunites with physical for the fullness of human life in God.
Christ’s resurrection demonstrates His power and dominion over death itself, that is, the power of the spiritual over the physical. As Christ commissions His disciples to be witnesses, He gives them the assurance of His powerful presence through the Spirit.
Our Christian life is about a power and a presence that encompasses the physical and the earthly. The resurrection and ascension assert Christ’s power and presence among us as we are commissioned to bring His message to the world. Christianity is about the continuing presence of God in the Church and in the world. God’s presence is brought to the world through our life in the Spirit.
As we continue with our renewal efforts, we are commissioned to become more and more a living testament of a people who adheres to the power and presence of Christ’s resurrection and ascension.
Fr. Edmund, fredmund@saintmichael.ca
“It is not an enemy who taunts me – then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me – then I could hide from him. But it is you, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. We used to hold sweet converse together, within God’s house we walked in fellowship.” (Psalm 55: 12-14)
Announcements:
Please see this weekend’s bulletins for all announcements:
40 Hours for Vocations
St. Michael’s will be hosting 40 Hours for Vocations beginning Friday, May 29 at 3:00 pm and continuing until Sunday, May 31 at 8:00 am, with a one-hour pause during the Saturday 5:00 pm Mass. Join us in Eucharistic Adoration as we pray for vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, consecrated and religious life, and marriage. We are seeking at least two adorers for every hour so that Our Lord is never left alone. Please prayerfully consider signing up for one hour of adoration. Click here to register.
Vocations Rally
The third annual diocesan Vocations Rally will take place on Trinity Sunday, May 31, here at St. Michael’s. The day begins with the 11:00am Mass celebrated by Bishop McGrattan, followed by lunch, talks, panelists, displays, and more! All are welcome to attend to learn more about the different vocations in the Church and to receive tools for discernment. Click here to to register.
Pastoral Council Meeting – May 2026
Pastoral Council had another productive meeting on April 28. We discussed many topics, including a positive financial update (our central fund loan has been reduced to $2.4 million!) There are only two weeks left in the pictorial directory campaign, and several appointment times are still open. Plans to send youth from SMCC to WYD in Seoul, South Korea are underway. A novena of Masses beginning on May 14 is planned in preparation for Pentecost Sunday, May 24. Please watch the bulletin and Flocknote for more information regarding all of these items and more!
The meeting minutes for April 28 will be published after Pastoral Council approval at our next meeting, scheduled for May 26, 2026. The minutes from the Pastoral Council meeting on March 10 can be found here. If you would like to attend one of our meetings as an observer, or if you have any questions or concerns, please reach us at 403-249-0423 or send an email to info@saintmichael.ca.
9 Days Novena To The Holy Spirit
The Nine Days Novena to the Holy Spirit will be held in the Day Chapel from Thursday, May 14, to Friday, May 22, 2026. Time: 6 – 7pm p.m. daily. Activities each day will include: Holy Mass, Talk and Novena Prayers. Please note that on Sunday, the Novena Prayer will be done during our regular Masses. All parishioners are kindly encouraged to attend prayerfully in honour of the Holy Spirit and Birthday of the Church.
Potluck Sunday
Potluck Sundays for St. Michael Community are on the first Sunday of each month at 6:00pm. The last Potluck Sunday before summer is June 7, and then will take a break for July and August. This is a free event. Please bring a main dish, bread, salad, pickles, vegetable tray, or dessert to share with others, and bring your food ready to serve. The first Potluck Sunday in the fall will be Sunday, September 13, 2026.
Pictorial Directory Update
Our pictorial directory photo sessions are now complete. Thank you to all who made this part of the campaign a remarkable success: our volunteers, ministry leaders, and especially, those who came for an individual photo! The editorial process will soon begin, and we look forward to seeing the finished product. All who booked a photo session will receive a free directory. Please watch the bulletin and the website for information on when directories will be available for pick up at the church.
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.
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.
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The Ascension of the Lord, 17/05/2026, 4.49 MB