Bulletin: 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time
What you need to know from this weekend’s bulletin:
Hell’s Origins
September 20, 2026
The Spanish writer Miguel de Unamuno has a story about the origin of Hell. The setting is the afterlife, and the action unfolds outside the great diamond walls of Heaven. A long line of people waits to be processed before being admitted into Heaven. Suddenly there is a flurry of excitement. An angel who has come out of heaven spreads an astonishing piece of news among the people nearing Heaven’s gates. His announcement spreads like wildfire among the thousands of future saints. The electrifying report is about what God is like. The rumor of what He is like is breathlessly shared from mouth to mouth and reaches the end of the waiting line. That rumor says simply this: “He admits everybody inside!” When the angel confirms with a powerful megaphone for all to hear his wonderful words, some people lined up for heaven immediately rebelled at the idea of sharing Heaven with a bunch of sinners. And that was when Hell was created — to accommodate those who could not accept that fact that God was not fair but also lavishly gracious and generous.
This Sunday’s parable is for the benefit of his critics who objected to his offer of God’ unconditional love and forgiveness to those openly recognized as sinners and therefore in their eyes unfit for God’s reign. That prostitutes and tax collectors should receive forgiveness without earning it was as absurd as paying all workers equal wages, regardless of how long or hard they have or have not worked. The logic of the parable is that everyone gets what they need to survive because of the owner’s compassion, not because they have earned it.
If sinners convert at the last minute whereas I have tried to serve God all my life and we all find ourselves in heaven because of God’s gracious grace, why should I complain? All of us get what we do not deserve. Can I really afford to face a fair God, a God who would be infinitely just? If God decided to deal with me with strict justice, where would I end up? The reality that God is not fair is actually the basis of all our hope. On Judgment Day, our hope is that we won’t be confronted with the sad reckoning of our sins but instead we will find a father ready to welcome us with open arms.
As we try to appreciate God’s love and forgiveness in our lives, let us pray that we have true contrition for our sins: “Lord Jesus, you chose to be called the friend of sinners. By your saving death and resurrection free me from my sins. May your peace take root in my heart and bring forth a harvest of love, holiness, and truth.”
Fr. Edmund, fredmund@saintmichael.ca
Whether we are the victim or the abuser we have access to Heaven and to God. It depends on our repentance and faith. We may have suffered a lot here on earth but we still have to repent our sins and hone our faith to enter the Kingdom of God. We may feel that those who abuse should never be allowed the same access, but they always have a choice to repent, bring God into their lives, and start to live a life faithful unto God.
Announcements:
Please see this weekend’s bulletins for all announcements:
Office Closures
The office will be closed on:
Wednesday, September 30 for Truth and Reconciliation Day.
Monday, October 12 for Thanksgiving Day.
Children’s Liturgy
Children’s Liturgy will tentatively resume on Sunday, September 27, 2026 (not September 13, 2026 as previously noted).
Cancellations:
Wed. Sept. 30: Men’s Ministry
Wed. Sept. 30: Women’s Ministry
Wed. Sept. 30: Coffee Wednesdays
Wed. Oct. 7: St. Michael’s Prayer Group
Thurs. Oct. 8: Daily Mass
Children’s Sacraments
Registration for all children’s Sacraments is 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.
Stewardship Weekends: September 12 & 13 and 19 & 20
As we enter the season of harvest, we are reminded of the many ways we share our time, talent, and treasure at Saint Michael Catholic Community. On our Stewardship Weekends, we invite you to: * Explore our eight new prospective ministries by scanning the QR code on cards that will be placed on the pews in the Sanctuary. * Consider serving with Alpha, returning to Saint Michael’s in January. * Discover an existing ministry through the new Volunteers & Ministries Booklet that will be available in the Narthex. Where is the Lord of the Harvest calling you to serve? Thank you for sharing your gifts and helping our parish community grow in Christ.
Healing Mass at St. Michael
A Healing Mass will be held on Friday, September 25 at 7:00 pm in the Day Chapel. There will be the blessing of water and olive oil, anointing and laying on of hands, as well as prayers for intentions. This Healing Mass is a way for our community to come together in Christ for healing, comfort, and strength. If pastorally required, this can be celebrated every last Friday of the month. Everyone is welcome.
St. Michael’s Feast Day
In celebration of the Feast of St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael, we have a special Mass on Tuesday, September 29 at 6:00pm, followed by a reception. Please RSVP to the attached form for the food reception numbers. A Blessed Michaelmas! https://forms.gle/ZPA5sAYgaDupvAvT7
Word Conference
The 2026 Diocesan Word Conference: The Word of God & Lifelong Faith Formation, is taking place October 2–3 in Calgary. One of the strengths of this year’s conference is the opportunity to choose a breakout session connected to the people you accompany and serve. Whether you serve in sacramental preparation, Scripture study, youth ministry, pastoral care, parish renewal or another ministry, there is an opportunity to explore what lifelong faith formation can look like in practice.
Find your session and register: Catholicyyc.ca/wordconference
Fri. Oct. 2, 6:30–8:30pm / Sat. Oct. 3, 8:30am–3:30pm
St. Mary’s Cathedral & St. Mary’s High School, Calgary
Blessing of Pets
All are invited to bring your pet(s) for a blessing on Saturday, October 3 at 12:00pm noon outside the Church’s main entrance in honor of St. Francis’ Feast Day. To ensure their safety, please make sure your pets are leashed.
Parish Rosary Rally:
Sunday, October 11, 2026 / St. Michael’s Sanctuary / Rosary 10:15 am / Consecration Prayer at 11am Mass / Refreshment after 11am Mass.
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20) You are warmly invited to join our parish family as we gather in the church for a powerful Rosary Rally on Sunday, October 11, 2026. Our world, our country, families and neighborhoods need the healing power of prayer more than ever. By coming together as one large body in front of our Blessed Mother, her son Jesus, and St. Joseph, we pray for world peace, the conversion of sinners, and spiritual/physical/mental protection for our community and our families and friends. Whether you pray the rosary daily or haven’t picked up your beads in years, your voice matters. Let us fill our sacred Sanctuary with a beautiful chorus of prayer, standing in solidarity with one another to call down God’s mercy.
World Youth Day
World Youth Day 2027, taking place in South Korea from August 3–8, 2027, is a unique opportunity for young adults to deepen their faith, encounter Christ alongside pilgrims from around the world, and grow in community with fellow Catholics. This pilgrimage is more than a trip, it is an invitation to answer God’s call, strengthen your relationship with Him, and bring that renewed faith back to your parish and community. If you are aged 18-35 and are interested in learning more or applying, please contact Gabrielle Puhl at gabriellepuhl@gmail.com or click here to sign up.
Greece: In the Footsteps of Paul the Apostle (May 25 – June 2, 2027)
This is an opportunity to visit the places of St Paul’s ministry. Join Fr. Edmund in this religious pilgrimage as we strive to be missionary disciples. For details, email efvargas@shaw.ca or text (403) 874-2015. https://groups.gocollette.com/en-US/link/1442759
St. Michael Event Schedule
SMCC Week-at-a-Glance: (Sat. Sept. 19 – Sun. Sept. 27, 2026):
Saturday, September 19:
Stewardship Weekend: Narthex, sign up after Mass
SSVP Back-to-School Share Sunday
Sunday, September 20:
Stewardship Weekend: Narthex, sign up after Mass
SSVP Back-to-School Share Sunday
Coffee Sundays: Narthex, after the 9:00am and 11:00am Masses
Monday, September 21:
No event.
Tuesday, September 22:
Rosary Group: Day Chapel, 5:20pm
Pastoral Council Meeting: St. Michael’s Room, 7:00pm
SSVP Meeting: Room 145, 7:00pm
RCIA: St. Nicholas Room, 7:00pm
Grief Share: Rooms 143 & 144, 7:00pm
Wednesday, September 23:
Men’s Ministry: Theater, 6:00am
Coffee Wednesdays: Narthex, 9:30pm
Women’s Ministry Group: Theater, 10:00am
St. Michael’s Prayer Group: Day Chapel, 7:00pm
Thursday, September 24:
Moms & Tots: St. Nicholas Room, 9:30am
Knitting Ministry: Library, 10:00am
Friday, September 25:
Healing Mass: Day Chapel, 7:00pm
Saturday, September 26:
Feast Light St. Michael: St. Michael’s Room (today only), 1pm lunch, 2-4pm Prayer
Sunday, September 27:
Children’s Liturgy (starts): Guardian Angel Room, 8:30am & 10:30am
Coffee Sundays: Narthex, After the 9:00am and 11:00am Masses
Altar Server Training: 12-2pm, Sanctuary
Comments
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 20/09/2026, 856.43 KB