Bulletin: 3rd Sunday of Lent
What you need to know from this weekend’s bulletin:
“I thirst!”
March 8, 2026
The biblical imagery of water is best summarized by the formula for the blessing of the water for baptism: “At the dawn of creation your Spirit breathed on the waters, making them the wellspring of all holiness. The waters of the great flood You made the sign of the waters of baptism that make an end of sin and a new beginning of goodness. Through the waters of the Red Sea, You led Israel out of slavery to be an image of God’s holy people, set free from sin by baptism. In the waters of the Jordan, Your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the Spirit. Your Son willed that water and blood should flow from His side as He hung upon the cross…”
The Old Testament thirst for the living water, comes to fulfillment with the coming of Christ, the Messiah. In Christ, as St. Paul says in his letter to the Romans, “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” In our gospel today, Jesus refers to this outpouring of God’s love as He tells the Samaritan woman at the Jacob’s well in Sychar: “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give then will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” As Jesus said to her in a friendly and gentle tone: “Give me a drink!” the Samaritan woman sensed, deep down in her heart that something broken was beginning to mend. For the first time in her life, she discovered through Jesus what she had always secretly thirsted for the living water gushing up to eternal life.
As we touch the water in the font, this natural element transforms us into God’s people. Baptism with water becomes the sacrament of our redemption. Making the Sign of the Cross with the water reminds us of our being God’s children. Whenever we touch the water, we recognize the truth that we have been restored into God’s image and likeness, that we proclaim one faith, that we believe one Lord, and that we are one people.
This season of Lent actually speaks of this thirst of the human spirit. Lent is a journey of the soul through the desert into the living water of Christ’s resurrection.
Fr. Edmund, fredmund@saintmichael.ca
Healing Lines
International Women’s Day (March 8) celebrates the economic, social, cultural, and political achievements for women. It promotes equality, justice, peace, and development. The 2026 theme Give to Gain emphasizes a mindset of generosity, collaboration, and investing in women to forge gender equality. The campaign encourages reciprocity: when women thrive, everyone rises. Another key theme, “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls,” is being highlighted by the UN and other organizations. Let us support equality for the women in our lives and communities. Let us recognize that they too are the way-showers for others to find Christ.
Announcements:
Please see this weekend’s bulletins for all announcements:
2025 Tax Receipts
The 2025 tax receipts have been mailed.
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.
Easter Fundraiser 2026
St. Michael Catholic Community raises funds year-round to support initiatives within our Church and in the surrounding communities. With our fundraiser, you may choose from 66 products from a variety of meat, fish, seafood, pasta, and sauces. With your purchases, we can help the less fortunate and those in our parish all while enjoying some delicious food over the Easter season which is right around the corner! Stock up your freezers now. The fundraiser opens February 1 and closes March 15. Orders will be available for pick up on Tuesday, March 24 between 4:00-5:00pm outside the parish doors. To view and place an order, please visit St. Michael Catholic Community Spring 2026 – Fund Forward
Fish Friday
On Friday, March 6 and Friday, March 27 the Knights of Columbus will host a dinner event in the Church gathering area at 7:00pm (after Lenten Friday Mass at 6:00pm which is followed by the Stations of the Cross at 6:30pm). This is a free event. Free will offerings are greatly appreciated to cover some of the cost, if you so wish. To register, please click here.
Art Walk
Attention artists and photographers, both beginners and seasoned pros: come join us and exhibit your art at St. Michael’s Art Walk Exhibition on March 7-8, 2026. (Please note: the Art Walk begins on March 7 and not on March 6 as previously noted). Click here for the registration form. For more info please contact artwalk@saintmichael.ca.
Lenten Retreat / Mission
“Who is the Man of the Shroud?” Fr. Andrew Dalton L.C. reflects on the suffering (1), death (2) and resurrection (3) of Christ in the light of the Shroud of Turin on March 22, 23, and 24, 2026, respectively. Fr Dalton will celebrate Mass before the talks: Sunday, March 22, 5pm, Monday, March 23, 6pm and Tuesday, March 24, 6pm. Reception follows after the 5pm Mass on Sunday before the talk at 7pm, and after the talks on Monday and Tuesday. If you plan to attend, please click here to register. Donations are appreciated, all proceeds support this retreat. Please click here and select “Lenten Mission 2026” in the fund list to donate.
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. $100 fee per student/minor or $200 maximum fee per family (same household only please). Registration is due by Mon. June 1, 2026 @ 12pm noon. Please contact Caroline Dixon (Camp Director) at cdixon@saintmichael.ca
* Online registration is now open. * Financial assistance is available for anyone in need for the enrolment fee. For more information, please contact Fr. Edmund at 403-249-0423.
* Thank you to those who have already engaged with our Parish Volunteer Coordinator, Gladys. Please note that programs like this requested by parish families (i.e. children’s liturgy, mom & tots, elevate, youth nights, etc.) are also run by parish families as well. If you are in favor, and would like faith-based programs for families like VBC 2026 to proceed, please contact Gladys at gdoh@saintmichael.ca to begin/continue the “parish volunteer engagement process” A.S.A.P.
Lent and Easter Schedule
Lenten Fridays: Fridays, February 20 to March 27, Mass 6pm, Sanctuary
Stations of the Cross: Fridays, February 20 to March 27, 6:30pm, Sanctuary
Fish Fridays: Friday, March 6 and Friday, March 27, Supper 7pm, Narthex
Lenten Mission Day 1: Sunday, March 22, Mass 5pm, Reception 6pm, Talk 7pm
Lenten Mission Day 2: Monday, March 23, Mass 6pm, Talk 7pm
Lenten Mission Day 3: Tuesday, March 24, Mass 6pm, Talk 7pm, Reception 8pm
Parish Reconciliation: Thursday, March 26, 7-9pm
Palm Sunday: Sun. Mar. 29, Regular weekend Mass times
Holy Thursday: Thursday, April 2, Mass 7pm, Adoration 8pm – 12am
(Note: there will be no 9am Daily Mass on Holy Thursday)
Good Friday: Friday, April 3, Services 12pm and 3pm
(Note: Confessions 8:00-8:45am on Good Friday)
Easter Vigil: Saturday, April 4, Mass 8pm
(Note: there will be no 5pm Mass and instead will be at 8pm)
Easter Sunday: Sunday, April 5, Masses 9am, 11am, & 5pm
Office Hours:
The office will be closed on Good Friday, April 3, and Easter Monday, April 6.
We will reopen on Tuesday, April 7 with regular office hours.
Week-at-a-Glance: (Sat. Mar. 7 – Sun. Mar. 15, 2026):
Saturday, March 7:
Family Adoration: Sanctuary, 10:00am – 11am
Art Walk: Mezzanine, 6:00-7:30pm
Seeds of the Word Sale: Narthex, after all weekend Masses
Sunday, March 8:
Children’s Liturgy: 8:30am and 10:30am
Coffee Sunday: Narthex, after 9:00am & 11:00am Masses
Seeds of the Word Sale: Narthex, after all weekend Masses
Art Walk: Mezzanine, 10:00-11:00am, 12:00-1:00pm, and 6:00-7:30pm
Monday, March 9:
Bible Study: St. Nicholas Room, 7:00pm
Tuesday, March 10:
Rosary Group: Day Chapel, 5:20pm
CWL Meeting: Room 143 & 144, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Pastoral Council Meeting: St. Michael Room, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
RCIA: St. Nicholas Room & Theater, 7:00pm
Wednesday, March 11:
Men’s Ministry: Theater, 6:00am-7:30am
Coffee Wednesday: Narthex, after the 9am Mass
Women’s Ministry Bible Study: Theater, 10:00am –12:00pm
Thursday, March 12:
Moms & Tots: St. Nicholas Room, 9:30am – 11:30am
Knitting Ministry: Library, 10:00am
Adult Confirmation: St. Michael’s Room, 7:00pm (pre-registration needed)
Friday, March 13 (Lenten Friday):
Lenten Mass: Sanctuary, 6pm
Stations of the Cross: Sanctuary, 6:30pm
Saturday, March 14:
Christians of the Holy Land: Mezzanine, after all weekend Masses
Sunday, March 15:
Children’s Liturgy: 8:30am and 10:30am
Coffee Sunday: Narthex, after 9:00am & 11:00am Masses
Christians of the Holy Land: Mezzanine, after all weekend Masses
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3rd Sunday of Lent, 08/03/2026, 807.36 KB