Bulletin: 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
What you need to know from this weekend’s bulletin:
Narthex as place of welcome…
September 7, 2025
The Narthex is a gathering area which demonstrates that we are expected by God to come. We are indeed summoned to appear before God and do our priestly duty in Christ on behalf of all humanity. The entrance rite has actually begun in our departure from our homes. The process of coming together is the beginning of worship. A gathering place indicates that Christ is already at work in our midst as we recognize and greet one another. The narthex is also the place where we celebrate events: potlucks, receptions, and other celebrations.
The incorporation of a gathering area in the design of Christian churches is as old as Christian architecture. Large open courtyards preceded the great fourth-century churches in Rome such as St Peter’s. The narthex, the courtyard or atrium was intended for the purpose of gathering and welcoming. This is known from both the history of the space as an architectural form and from early references to fountains and other provisions for pilgrims and visitors. A rectangular building, called a basilica, was adapted for Christian use. Basilicas were civic structures, often located adjacent to a public forum or open marketplace. Our church at St. Michael’s features a large gathering area (referred to as the Narthex) just outside of the 1200-seater Sanctuary. The Narthex (and not the Sanctuary) is the proper place for greeting and socializing. The Narthex is the meeting place. The Sanctuary is the worship space.
The human need for social interaction as part of coalescing into a larger group should be considered. People who are comfortable with each other will participate in the worship rather attend as spectators.
Pope John Paul II reminds us to keep our vision as church community: “It is necessary that in the light of faith, all rediscover the true meaning of the parish, that is, the place where the very ‘mystery’ of church is present… The parish is not principally a structure, a territory or a building, but rather ‘the family of God’, ‘the fellowship afire with a unifying spirit’, ‘a familial and welcoming home, ‘the community of the faithful’. Plainly and simply, the parish is founded on a theological reality because it is a Eucharistic community.
Fr. Edmund,
Healing Lines
Confronting Violence and Abuse… Both survivors and persons who have offended may minimize the violence and reinterpret what occurred to excuse or erase it. For a person to say “No!” to violence and abuse, they must name violence and abuse for what it is. Jesus tells us that we cannot be his disciples if we come with hatred of others in our hearts. As we begin this time of school and fall activities let us recognize any violence or abuse and confront it. Let us interact with each other with compassion, love and support.
Announcements:
Please see this weekend’s bulletins for all announcements:
Children’s Sacraments
Registration for all children’s Sacraments are now open! If you would like more information, or would like to register your children for Baptism, First Reconciliation/ First Communion, or Confirmation, please visit the Sacrament section of our website.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word 2025/2026
KIDS’ KINGDOM is pleased to offer a Mass Preparation & Children’s Liturgy of the Word session, every Sunday at 10:30 AM. Sessions include the traditional prayers of the Mass, good music, Church building activities, mini-reflections, and demo’s geared toward young children in K. to Gr. 3 before & during the Liturgy of the Word portion of the Mass. Please click HERE to register online now for SMCC’s Children’s Liturgy of the Word. Volunteers Needed! Please contact Mrs. Caroline Dixon cdixon@saintmichael.ca or call the office 403-249-0423.
SSVP Share Sunday Food Drive
Please help the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SSVP) to provide food hampers to struggling families by participating in our Share Sunday Food Drive. After all masses on Sept 6 & 7, members of SSVP will be handing out food lists, bags, and donation envelopes. Please return your food and financial donations on Sept 13 & 14. Thank you.
A Eucharist Series
A Eucharistic series is scheduled on three consecutive Thursdays, September 18 and 25, and October 2, starting with a Mass at 6pm at the Day Chapel, followed by a presentation on the following themes: Eucharist as Sacrifice, Eucharist as Communion, and Eucharist as Presence. Fr Edmund is our facilitator, who holds a Licentiate in Sacred Theology (1980) and Master of Arts in Higher Religious Studies (1980) from the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas in Manila. All evenings culminate with a Q&A forum and a reception.
Eucharistic Consecration
Have you been preparing for Consecration to Jesus in the Eucharist? Our parish consecration will occur at all Masses on the weekend of September 27 & 28. To assist with planning, please use the link to RSVP:
Parish Pastoral Council
The Parish Pastoral Council is set to meet on Tuesday, September 30, 7pm at the St Michael’s Room. The council is now composed of the following: Brina D’Souza, Claudia P. Dutoit, Michael Fitzimmons, Keefer Gibson, Deana Helton, Sean Thomas Kelly, Marilyn Nasse (chair), Ken McKinnon, Gabrielle Puhl, Margaret Tapuska (secretary) & Usaze Uwagboe. Michael McGee (Finance chair), Fr Edmund & Fr Kelvin are ex-officio. The council membership has been selected after due consultation and prayerful reflection.
Together in Action (TIA)
This year’s goal is $121,243 and currently, we have reached 63% 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.
Week-at-a-Glance: (Sat. Sept. 6 – Sun. Sept. 14, 2025):
Saturday, September 6:
SSVP Share Sunday Appeals for Food & Donations, before & after Masses
Sunday, September 7:
SSVP Share Sunday Appeals for Food and Donations, before & after Masses
Coffee Connection: after 9:00am and 11:00am Mass
Potluck Sunday and Name Tag Sunday: Narthex, 6:00pm
Monday, September 8:
No Events
Tuesday, September 9:
Rosary Group: Day Chapel, 5:20pm
CWL Meeting: St. Michael’s Room, 6:30-8:30pm
RCIA: St. Nicholas Room, 7:00-9:00pm
Grief Share: Rooms 144 &145, 7:00-9:00pm
Wednesday, September 10:
Men’s Ministry: Narthex & Theatre, 6:00-7:30am
Coffee Connection: after 9:00am Mass
Thursday, September 11:
Moms & Tots: St. Nicholas Room, 9:30-11:30am
Knitting Ministry: Library Room, 10:00am-12:00pm
Friday, September 12:
Eucharistic Adoration: Blessed Sacrament Chapel, 10:30am-8:00pm
Saturday, September 13:
SSVP Share Sunday Collection of Food & Donations, before & after Masses
Sunday, September 14:
SSVP Share Sunday Collection of Food & Donations, before & after Masses
Coffee Connection: after 9:00am and 11:00am Mass
Children’s Liturgy (Begins): Guardian Angel Room, 10:30am
Monday, September 15:
No Events
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23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, 07/09/2025, 556.57 KB