Bulletin: 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted 2023-10-13 by @saintmichaelyyc

 

What you need to know from this weekend’s bulletin:


 

Download St. Michael bulletin PDF

 

Post-Thanksgiving Reflections

October 15, 2023

The Mass we celebrate is a thanksgiving banquet, a Eucharist. Eucharist comes from the Greek verb “eucharisto” which means “I thank”. Each Mass in an act of thanksgiving to God. The Preface to the Eucharistic Prayer begins with these words: “Father, it is our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere, to give you thanks”. Our duty and our salvation… Why salvation? Because, in a way, we cannot be grateful and unhappy at the same time. Thanking God saves us from unhappiness. When we are grateful, we create a space in ourselves for God and others. When we are thankful, we become open to God’s invitation to the “banquet” in God’s life.
 
In a real way, giving thanks to God is to “repay to God what belongs to God” (Matthew 22:21). Religion is an act of justice, that is, giving back to God what is due to Him. The celebration of Thanksgiving Day, a holiday in our country, is a testament of a people that is thankful for God’s bountiful blessings we now enjoy.  
 
Besides giving back to God what belongs to Him, Christian religion offers us the values that are essential to good living and human happiness. It can be said that the core of the Canadian heritage is the spiritual vision of life based on Christian revelation.
 
As Christians, no person can be more important in our life than Christ himself. Christian spirituality is about centering our life on Christ. What we do in the context of our Christian life is an outward expression of our personal commitment to Christ. We do everything for him, making him the moving inspiration of our every thought, word and deed.
 
Christ becomes the supreme and ultimate value. He is the value of values. Marriage or ministry is transformed into sacramental expression of Christ’s action in the world. Love for family or country is elevated to the level of divine love that has been shared with us through Christ. Our love for Christ enhances all our other loves. And it is in loving others for the sake of Christ that enable us to love without measure, making us love even those who are unlovable. Human love is strengthened by the grace of God through Christ. If we consider Christ as the value of values to be pursued, other values are placed in the proper perspective.
 
St. Augustine solemnly declares: “Christ is not valued at all unless he is valued above all”.
 
FrEdmund@saintmichael.ca
 
 
Healing Lines
 
Faith communities and faith leaders have a unique role to play in responding to the needs of abuse victims and their families. First and foremost, faith communities need to be safe places to disclose abuse. Persons of faith who are abused often feel that their spirit has been broken, that God does not care about their life, that they are worthless in every way. The healing journey from victim to survivor is long and arduous; ongoing emotional support and many caregivers are required. Many persons of faith who are abused would like assistance from both community agencies and their faith fellowship. Become one of the chosen as we are asked to assist wherever we can.

 

Announcements:

 

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. 

 

Sacrament Volunteers Needed!

We are looking for volunteer catechists to teach the children First Reconciliation and First Communion. If you are interested and would like to learn more, please reach out to Francesca at sacramentprep@saintmichael.ca

 

Interested in Becoming Catholic?

If you or someone you know is an adult interested in becoming Catholic, please contact Don at

bryantdon40@gmail.com for more information, and to register for RCIA.

 

RCIA Sponsors Needed!

RCIA is beginning on Tuesday, September 12 here at St. Michael’s, and we are looking for Sponsors for our new catechumens and candidates. In order to be a Sponsor, you must be a fully initiated, practicing Catholic over the age of 16. If married, you must be married in the Catholic Church. Sponsors are asked to attend sessions every Tuesday night from 7:00pm-9:00pm, and accompany their candidate to Mass on Sundays. If you feel called to be a Sponsor, please contact Francesca at sacramentprep@saintmichael.ca 

 

Mass Intentions

Mass Intentions can now be booked online at saintmichael.ca, the link is on the homepage next to the Mass schedule, or directly via: Mass Intentions Booking Form. The parish office will follow up on booking requests before any Mass Intention is confirmed and scheduled.

 

Oktoberfest Luncheon 

October 20th @ 11:30am

All 50+ Parishioners are invited to attend this free Luncheon. Register: camaro11@shaw.ca or phone 403-804-3268 prior to October 18, 2023.

 

Altar Server Training

Sunday, October 22 after 11am Mass

Are your children interested in joining the rest of the Altar Servers at the Altar? The next Altar Server training session will take place on Sunday October 22nd after the 11am Mass in the main sanctuary. This occurs on the 4th Sunday of every month. If you or your children are interested please send an email to altarservers@saintmichael.ca, request access to the Altar Server group on Flocknote, or just show up on October 22nd.

 

October – The Month of the Rosary

The Catholic Church dedicates October as the month of the Rosary. This is the month when Catholics honour Mary as the Mother of Jesus and our mother, in a special way. We invite family/friends to pray the Rosary,  Wednesday to Friday, before Daily Mass at 8:20am. Tuesday, after Evening Mass at 6:30 pm.

 

The Living Rosary

October 24, 6:30pm

The Rosary group, the Catholic Women’s League and Fr. Edmund would like to invite you to join us to pray the living Rosary. In a living Rosary, each person stands in the place of a bead of the Rosary and leads the prayer when it is their turn. Each person will be holding a torch candle and will light the candle when it is her/his turn. We will be in a circle shaped like a Rosary. Please feel free to pray in your own language when it is your turn. We look forward of you to join us, and to pray the Rosary together as a parish.

 

St Michael Catholic Community Fellowship Dinner

November 5, 6pm

Save the Date! Our monthly Sunday night dinner is back! Mark your calendar for Sunday, November 5th at 6 pm (after the 5 o’clock Mass). We will provide the main course and sides. Please bring a dessert and/or Free Will Offering. We hope to see you there!

 

Society of Saint Vincent de Paul 

Special thanks to all St. Michael parishioners for supporting the Society of St. Vincent de Paul! If you have lost your job please contact us for food support.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR NEW MEMBERS. If you are interested contact us by email SSVP@saintmichael.ca or phone 403-249-0423 ext 122 

DONATIONS OF NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS can be dropped off in the SSVP Food Chest in the church Gathering Area or make arrangements by e-mailing us at SSVP@saintmichael.ca. Currently we are looking for: canned soup, canned tomatoes, canned pasta sauce, canned fruit, cereal, and syrup. Please note that we do not need tuna or pasta.

MONETARY DONATIONS can be deposited in the drop-box in the Food Chest or by online donations through the St. Michaels Parish website: https://saintmichael.ca/giving/. Please indicate funds are for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the drop-down menu. 

If you or anyone you know needs assistance, please contact us by email SSVP@saintmichael.ca or phone 403-249-0423 ext 122.

 

Christmas Hamper Program

Hamper Day is Monday December 18th. We are accepting referrals for Christmas Hampers through the SSVP Intake line, 403-249-0423 ext. 122. Our Christmas Hamper Volunteer Sign Up blitz for all December 18th volunteer needs will take place after all Masses on the weekend of November 18/19.

 

St. Michael Catholic Community Pastoral Council

The first meeting of Pastoral Council after the summer break was held on September 26. All members of the parish were invited to attend. The minutes from the meeting will be available after our meeting on October 24. In the meantime, please read below some of the matters we discussed.

Highlights:

– A memorial Mass will be celebrated for parishioners who passed away during Covid. It will be held on November 2, All Souls’ Day. Please watch the bulletin for further details.

– We are hoping to hold blood donor clinics once again at the church. A request will be sent to Canadian Blood Services. 

– The prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, our patron, will be recited before Masses starting in October.

If you would like to read the minutes from any past meeting, please go to: www.saintmichael.ca/bulletin Questions? Concerns? Please reach us at (403) 249 0423.

 

Catholic Education Sunday  

Join us in celebrating Catholic Education Sunday on November 4 & 5, 2023. Let us unite with our community to support and give thanks for Catholic education in Alberta. Your dedicated donation will provide enhanced learning opportunities for Calgary and area Catholic students. For more information, please visit https://theccef.ca/who-we-are/news-events/catholic-education-sunday.html

 

Partnership of Hope

I would like to introduce to you St Michael’s newest sponsored refugee family arriving on November 7th, 2023.

There are five people in the family. Dad-Mehdi (Matthew), Mom-Negar (Mary), Aryan 11 yrs. (M), Adryian yrs. (M) and Manley 5yrs (F). Originally from Iran, they were called to the Catholic faith and have been baptized. Since then, their lives have been in danger, and it is unsafe for them to return to Iran. They have been living in Turkey as refugees, where they are badly mistreated. Life in Turkey has been very difficult. As refugees they are not allowed to work and any odd jobs they might find are poorly compensated. They are unable to move around freely. They are very excited to start their new life in Canada. To be welcomed and become part of the St. Michael’s Community, to be able to attend church to pray peacefully, to work and have their children attend school. Your help is desperately needed. We are looking for donations of household items, clothing, gift cards for groceries or clothing. Monetary donations are always welcomed. Tax receipts will be issued for gifts in kind. 

There are many volunteer opportunities available to help them settle into their new life here. If you would like more information on how you can help, please contact: Jocelyn Fitzgerald ; cefitz@shaw.ca; 403-650-9741.

URGENT NEED: We are looking for accommodations for them, if anyone is able to help with that it would be greatly appreciated. Please contact me either by email, text or phone if you have anything to donate. Please do not drop items off directly at the Church, as there is no space to handle the items. Thank you for your continued support.

 

 

Mass Schedule for this Weekend

Saturday, October 14, 5 pm – Fr. Jose Bustalino

Sunday, October 15, 9 am – Fr. Edmund Vargas

Sunday, October 15, 11 am – Fr. Edmund Vargas

Sunday, October 15, 5 pm – Fr. Jose Bustalino

 

 

Calendar of Events for October

October 1 | Sundays | Coffee Sundays | Gathering Area after 9/11am Masses

October 1 | Sunday | Lectio Divina 2024 Fundraiser (Bake Sale) | Gathering Area | After All Masses

October 2 | Monday | Office Closed | National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

October 2 | Mondays | Bible Study | Green Room | 7-9pm

October 3-6 | Priest Study Days | Mass Celebrated by Visiting Priest

October 3 | Tuesdays | Rosary Group | Day Chapel 6:30-7pm

October 3 | Tuesdays | Grief Share | St. Gabriel Rooms 143&144 | 7-9pm

October 3 | Tuesdays | RCIA | Green Room | 7-9pm

October 4 | Wednesdays | TMIY | Gathering Area | 6-7:30am

October 4 | Wednesdays | Women’s Ministry | Childrens Main Theatre & Green Room | 9:30am-12pm

October 5 | Thursdays | Coffee Thursdays | Gathering Area | After 9am Mass

October 5 | Thursdays | Moms & Tots | Green Room | 9:30-11:30am

October 5 | Thursdays | Knitting Ministry | Library | 10-11:30am

October 7 | Saturday | Blessing of Pets | Outside Main Entrance | 2pm

October 9 | Monday | Office Closed | Thanksgiving Day

October 18 | Wednesday | Trico Presentation | Gathering Area | 5-9pm

October 19 | Thursday | John Costello Student Faith Day Celebration | At School | 10:30am

October 19 | Thursday | First Reconciliation (Session 1) | Sanctuary | 6-7:30pm

October 20 | Friday | Oktoberfest Luncheon 50+ Years | Gathering Area | 11:30am

October 21 | Saturday | Baptism Prep | Green Room | 9am-12pm

October 22 | Sunday |Altar Server Training | Sanctuary | After 11am Mass

October 24 | Tuesday | PPC Meeting | Office Conference Room | 7-9pm

October 24 | Tuesday | CWL Meeting and Living Rosary | St. Michael’s Room | 5:30-9:00pm

October 24 | 4th Tuesday of Every Month | SVDP Meeting | St. Gabriel Room 145 | 7-9pm

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28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 15/10/2023, 745.68 KB

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