Bulletin: 5th Sunday of Lent
What you need to know from this weekend’s bulletin:
The Lazarus Prototype
April 6, 2025
The ancient Bethany is the present-day Arab village of El Azaryia, situated on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem. Along the side of a steep narrow earth road, a grotto-type structure features a stairway cut in limestone rock that leads to an underground chamber, commonly known as the Tomb of Lazarus. This is the scene of one of the most acclaimed miracles of Christ which is featured in today’s gospel. This miracle, which strengthened the faith of the early believers, made the religious leaders more determined to destroy Jesus.
The story of the resurrection of Lazarus has always been considered a proto-type of our spiritual conversion. His physical death is typical of our spiritual death. Just as Christ went to the tomb of Lazarus to resurrect and liberate him, He comes to our dead and dying world to regenerate us by conversion. He comes to liberate us from the encumbrances of spiritual grave clothes: old bad habits, rags of self-righteousness, and unwillingness to forgive. Christ comes to our lives to destroy the darkness in our souls and enlighten our minds to inspire and guide us in our journey back to our heavenly Father. He has come to redeem us, to rescue us from the clutches of the sin and death.
The miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead represents the power of Christ’s own resurrection and its saving efficacy to liberate us from sin and death, which is also a consequence of sin.
As we prepare to celebrate the Paschal Mystery of Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection, let us re-learn to associate our own trials and tribulations with the saving sacrifice of Christ on the cross. As we prepare to celebrate Christ’s death on the cross, especially on Good Friday, let us have the courage to approach His rich mercy and forgiveness.
In a revelation to St. Faustina in October 1937, Jesus requested daily prayer at 3 pm to honor the hour of His death and to implore mercy for sinners. “If only for a brief moment, immerse yourself in My Passion, particularly in My abandonment at the moment of My death. This is the hour of mercy for the whole world… In this hour, I refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me in virtue of My Passion.” (Diary, 1320) The Feast of the Divine Mercy is celebrated in our Church and in many other churches on the Sunday after Easter Sunday, April 27, starting at 2 pm and ending at 3 pm when we remember the hour of Christ’s death on the cross.
May these last days of the Lenten period help us to come forth from our spiritual grave to the overflowing grace of God’s liberating love and mercy.
Fr. Edmund,
Healing Lines
We are all sinners but have clear choices to make amends and alter our behavior. We can never know what others are going through but can choose to respond in non-violent ways and to assist those who have been bullied or abused, or those who choose to be a bully or an abuser.
Announcements:
Please see this weekend’s bulletins for all announcements:
Lent and Easter Schedule
Lent Fridays: March 7 – April 11 | Mass 6:00pm | Stations of the Cross 6:30pm
Holy Thursday: Thurs. April 17 | Mass 7:00pm | Adoration 8:00pm – 12:00am
Good Friday: Fri. April 18 | Services 12:00pm and 3:00pm
Easter Vigil: Sat. April 19 | Mass 9:00pm
Easter Sunday: Sun. April 20 | Masses 9:00am, 11:00am, & 5:00pm
Now available…
At the right side of the Sanctuary Entrance, you can now simply tap your bank card or device to give your desired contribution for the Church’s maintenance and programs.
SMCC Vacation Bible Camp 2025
“TRUE NORTH” Online Registration is now open! Online registration is required ASAP. Please click HERE for more information and to register your family now.
Questions? Please contact our Children’s Liturgy Coordinator – Mrs. Caroline Dixon at cdixon@saintmichael.ca or phone 403-249-0423, ext. 105.
Fr Edmund @46!
Come and celebrate with our community on Friday, April 25 as Fr. Edmund continues to share God’s gift of priesthood with us. Eucharist (Mass) is at 6:00pm, followed by fellowship (reception). If staying for the reception, please RSVP to efvargas@shaw.ca or 403-874-2015.
45th Annual Hike For Life
Please join Fr. Edmund and Fr. Kelvin in support of the Calgary Pro-Life Association’s 10K Hike For Life at Prince’s Island Park on Saturday, May 8, 2025. You can join the St. Michael’s team, start collecting pledges and hike on your own, or you can make a donation to St. Michael’s Catholic Community (on behalf of Fr. Edmund and Fr. Kelvin) or any other team member from now until June 30th. All donations go directly to Pro-Life to support the Respect For Life programs. St. Michael’s CWL will be collecting pledges on behalf of Fr. Edmund and Fr. Kelvin in the narthex after all Masses on May 3 and 4 or you can donate online at https://www.canadahelps.org/s/6WyRKA
Together in Action (TIA)
Launched this Season of Lent, is the Diocese of Calgary’s annual campaign to support key ministries, partner organizations, and agencies. As Pilgrims of Hope in this Jubilee Year, we give as we “rejoice in hope, patient in suffering, persevering in prayer.” (Romans 12:12) The 2025 Together in Action campaign seeks to raise funds for essential initiatives, including care for retired priests, hospital chaplaincy, pastoral care, diocesan ministries, and the Indigenous Reconciliation Fund. This year’s goal is $121,243 which is the same as the previous few years. Thanks to your generosity, we reached the target amount last year. All surplus funds this year will go to our Building Fund to help pay our loan.
Fund Forward Fundraiser
Opens: Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Closes: Sunday, April 6, 2025
Pick-Up: Tuesday, April 15, 2025 (4:40-5:30pm)
St. Michael Catholic Community raises funds year-round to support initiatives within our Church and in the surrounding communities. Stock up your freezers now!
Please go to: https://fundforward.ca/collections/st-michael-fundraiser-spring-2025
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5th Sunday of Lent, 06/04/2025, 706.16 KB