Bulletin: 5th Sunday of Lent
What you need to know from this weekend’s bulletin:
Coming Forth From Our Graves
March 22, 2026
The story of the resurrection of Lazarus is a proto-type of our spiritual conversion. 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 guide us in our journey back to our heavenly Father.
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 spend the last few days of the Lenten season, let us examine our old bad habits that hinder our freedom. Let us see the darkness that hovers over our horizon because we have chosen to veer away from the light of Christ. Let us feel the weakness that results from our inability to exercise the works of God’s love. As we reflect on the Christ’s life of love and forgiveness, let us express sorrow for our own unwillingness to forgive one another from our hearts. Let us appreciate how Christ, dying on the cross, expressed forgiveness to those who brought him to his painful suffering and death. Let us learn that forgiveness is a higher level of strength and that the capacity to forgive not human, but a free gift of participation in God’s divine love and mercy. Let us be more attentive to Christ’s invitation for us to become a forgiven and forgiving community. Let us re-learn to be more open to the healing sacraments of the Church. Let us re-visit the importance of the works of mercy as a reparation for our own sins and the sins of others.
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.
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, fredmund@saintmichael.ca
Healing Lines
Immigrant and refugee women, like Canadian-born women, often stay in abusive relationships “for the sake of the children”. They are afraid of losing their children to their partners’ family. “In my community children are considered their ‘father’s property’.” They are afraid that their children would be stigmatized in the eyes of the community. They are afraid that they would be deported without their children, or that, they and their children would be deported and they don’t want their children to miss out on a “better life” in Canada. How can we be a pathway of God’s love to help these women?
Announcements:
Please see this weekend’s bulletins for all announcements:
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.
Multiply the Hope (MTH)
Beloved Faithful: Multiply the Hope is a diocesan initiative of last year’s Jubilee Year. With the matching program, the Diocese will match any contributions to the Multiply the Hope campaign to be applied against the outstanding St Michael Central Fund Loan (i.e. mortgage). To accelerate the repayment of the outstanding balance, we would encourage you to consider re-directing any building fund contributions made (either on-line, by text, pre-authorized payment or directly) to Multiply the Hope instead. Thank you for your continued generosity. God bless. Fr Edmund
Pontifical Collection for the Church in the Holy Land on Good Friday, April 3, 2026
The Good Friday Collection helps to maintain the Church of the Holy Land by providing educational, pastoral, and social support of Catholic youth and families committed to living their faith in the land where Christ lived, and by maintaining the Holy Sites that are so important to the faith of Christians everywhere. At the request of the Holy See, this Pontifical Collection will be taken during the Good Friday celebration on April 3, 2026. Those who are unable to attend the service, or who prefer to contribute online, may use Credit Cards, Interac, or Canadahelps, accessible at: www.commissariat.ca, in the “Support Us” link.
Easter Fundraiser 2026
Orders will be available for pick up on Tuesday, March 24 between 4:00-5:00pm outside the parish doors.
Fish Friday
On 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.
Divine Mercy Celebration
Sunday, April 12, Reconciliation: 1:15-2:00pm, Service 2:00-3:00pm.
Please join us in this Divine Mercy celebration: Chaplet of Divine Mercy, Divine Mercy praises, Homily, Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Adoration/Meditation, and Benediction. Please Note: incense will be used during the celebration. Refreshments will follow the service.
Fr. Edmund’s 47th Anniversary
Join us as we celebrate Fr. Edmund’s 47th Anniversary of priesthood. There will be cake and coffee on Sunday, April 26 after the 9:00am and 11:00am Masses. See you there!
SMILE! You’re Wanted in Our New Parish Pictorial Directory!
Saint Michael Catholic Community is updating its pictorial directory, and we want YOU to be part of it!
·Why? To help us connect, put names to new faces, and celebrate our community, in a spirit of renewal.
·When? Tuesdays – Saturdays, April 21 to May 16
·Where? Rooms 143 and 144
What you get: A FREE high-quality printed directory and an option to purchase your photos (there is no obligation)
How to Register for a FREE PHOTO SESSION:
Online: Visit https://booknow.appointment-plus.com/837754yq/
In-Person: Volunteers will be in the Narthex to help with on-line sign up after Masses April 11 & 12 and April 18 & 19.
Volunteers are needed to help with the sign-up process and with registration at the photography sessions. Please click this link if you are able to VOLUNTEER https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409054EA8A623A7FD0-62867253-parish
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.
Reverend Dr. Andrew Dalton is a well-known international speaker on the Shroud of Turin. Father’s approach to the Shroud bridges the gap between scientific observation and theological interpretation. He is a Catholic priest of the Legionaries of Christ and Professor of Theology at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome, where he teaches the Synoptic Gospels and Biblical Greek and Hebrew. He is also a board member of “Othonia”, which is an authoritative source for historical and scientific information on the Shroud and its relationship to the Scriptures. He worked with international Shroud experts to develop a postgraduate certificate in Shroud Studies and teaches The Biblical Theology of the Passion of the Christ for that program. He is also the author of Fulfilled Israel: Matthew’s Plerosis Paradigm.
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 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. 21 – Sun. Mar. 29, 2026):
Saturday, March 21:
No event.
Sunday, March 22:
Children’s Liturgy: 8:30am and 10:30am
Coffee Sunday: Narthex, after 9:00am & 11:00am Masses
Lenten Retreat “Shroud of Turin”: Sanctuary, Reception 6pm, Talk 7pm
Monday, March 23:
Lenten Retreat ”Shroud of Turin”: Mass 6pm, Sanctuary, Talk 7pm, Reception to follow.
Tuesday, March 24:
Lent and Easter Fundraiser Pick Up: Outside 4:00-500pm
CANCELLED Rosary Group: Day Chapel, 5:20pm
Lenten Retreat ”Shroud of Turin”: Mass 6pm, Sanctuary, Talk 7pm, Reception to follow.
RCIA: Youth Theater (Basement), 7:00pm
Wednesday, March 25:
Men’s Ministry: Theater, 6:00am-7:30am
Coffee Wednesday: Narthex, after the 9:00am Mass
CCCRS Prayer Meeting (new): Day Chapel, 7:00pm
Thursday, March 26:
CANCELLED Moms & Tots: St. Nicholas Room, 9:30am – 11:30am
Knitting Ministry: Library, 10:00am
Parish Lenten Reconciliation: 7:00pm
Friday, March 27 (Lenten Friday):
Lenten Mass: Sanctuary, 6:00pm
Stations of the Cross: Sanctuary, 6:30pm
Fish Friday: Narthex, 7:00pm
Saturday, March 28:
Palms available.
Sunday, March 29 Palm Sunday:
Palms available.
Children’s Liturgy: 8:30am and 10:30am
Coffee Sunday: Narthex, after 9:00am & 11:00am Masses
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5th Sunday of Lent, 22/03/2026, 959.97 KB