Bulletin: 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
What you need to know from this weekend’s bulletin:
True Religion vs. Lip Service
September 27, 2026
Today’s parable of the two sons speaks about our sense of obedience, true religion, lip service, and actual practice.
The Pharisees, during the time of Jesus, had lost the true spirit of Judaism and introduced a religion of empty formalism. They had rigid rules on ritual hygiene, dietary regulations, and Sabbath observances… They were more on the level of exterior performance than on the interior spirit of religious faith.
This is partly the reason they were opposed to Jesus who insisted on the interior spirit of religion. Jesus objected to the undue emphasis on exterior cleanliness to the neglect of the more important issue of interior or moral cleanliness of heart.
According to Jesus, one’s inner choices in the realm of conscience determines what is good or bad. “Conscience is the most sacred core and sanctuary of a person. There, one is alone with God, whose voice echoes in one’s depth.” (Gaudium et Spes, 16)
There is of course the human tendency or the strong temptation to replace internal reverence for God with external gestures of piety. It is easier to find a holy picture and fix it on our wall than to find forgiveness for the injuries and insults done to us by others and fix it in our hearts. It is far easier to say or pray “God’s will be done” than to accept it in our hearts. When religion consists mainly of externals, pious objects, and mechanical recital of formula prayers, it ceases to be true religion and has degenerated into magic and superstition.
The Sunday obligation imposes some external actions – getting out of bed in time, traveling to church, kneeling or standing, sitting in silence for an hour or so while Mass is celebrated. All these make prayer possible, but in themselves are without merit. Unless we strive to give ourselves to the spirit of prayer once we settle in church, the rest is lip service.
Let us always try to approach the Lord with special attention to our inner dispositions. Our hands might not be perfectly clean, but at least let our hearts be free of all pride, envy, resentment, self-righteousness, jealousy, lust, anger, grudges, and so on… Let us honor the Lord and God not only with our lips, but especially with our hearts.
Fr. Edmund, fredmund@saintmichael.ca
Being abused can be the most traumatic times of our lives. It is the time to call on God. Trust that God knows more about what way is best for us to escape these situations and make a better life for ourselves and our children. He is always there to carry us in times of need and comfort us in times of despair. We also need to reach out to resources that work with abused adults and children. We have our work to do and God can guide us, making the impossible possible.
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.
Cancellations
Sun. Sept. 27: Altar Server Training
Wed. Sept. 30: Men’s Ministry / Women’s Ministry /
Coffee Wednesdays / St. Michael’s Prayer Group
Wed. Oct. 7: St. Michael’s Prayer Group
Thurs. Oct. 8: Daily Mass
Sat. Oct. 10: Feast Light St. Michael
Children’s Liturgy
Children’s Liturgy will resume on Sunday, September 27, 2026.
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
Pastoral Council Update
The Pastoral Council held its first meeting following the summer break on September 22. Stewardship Weekends have now concluded, and the second annual Ministry Coordinators’ workshop will be held on September 26 beginning with Mass at 9:00am. The deadline to register for the upcoming Diocesan Word Conference is September 28 at https://www.catholicyyc.ca/wordconference.html. Please continue to watch the bulletin and Flocknote for further information and updates. The meeting minutes for September 22 will be published after Pastoral Council approval at our next meeting scheduled for October 27. The minutes from our meeting in May 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.
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. 26 – Sun. Oct. 4, 2026):
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
Monday, September 28:
No event.
Tuesday, September 29:
Rosary Group: Day Chapel, 5:20pm
St. Michael Feast Day Mass: Sanctuary, 6:00pm, Reception to follow
RCIA: St. Nicholas Room, 7:00pm
Grief Share: St. Michael’s Room, 7:00pm
Wednesday, September 30:
CANCELLED – Men’s Ministry: Theater, 6:00am
CANCELLED – Coffee Wednesdays: Narthex, 9:30pm
CANCELLED – Women’s Ministry Group: Theater, 10:00am
St. Michael’s Prayer Group: Day Chapel, 7:00pm
Thursday, October 1:
Moms & Tots: St. Nicholas Room, 9:30am
Knitting Ministry: Library, 10:00am
Friday, October 2:
No event.
Saturday, October 3:
Blessing of Pets: Outside Main Entrance, 12:00pm
Sunday, October 4:
Children’s Liturgy: Guardian Angel Room, 8:30am & 10:30am
Coffee Sundays: Narthex, After the 9:00am and 11:00am Masses
CWL Book Sale: Mezzanine, After all Weekend Masses
Potluck Sunday & Name Tag Sunday – Narthex, 6:00pm
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26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 27/09/2026, 858.27 KB