Bulletin: 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted 2025-02-28 by @saintmichaelyyc

 

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

 

True Religion…

March 2, 2025

We define the human person as having two components: the human body and the human soul. The soul gives life to the body. When the soul separates from the body, human death occurs. The soul can influence the body. Psychosomatic diseases can be explained in terms of this substantial union of body and soul. The ideal is a sound mind (soul) in a sound body. The spirit (soul) can be willing, but the flesh (body) can be weak. There are realities that can destroy the body, but not the soul.  
 
Religion is like the human person, having two main components: body and soul. The body is made up of the body of doctrines, symbols, rituals, laws, and the like. The soul is made of the person’s  love, dedication, commitment to the God in a given religion. It is possible that the interior soul of commitment can be lost and what can remain would be the exterior components of a religion. Religion without the soul is dead.  
 
The Pharisees, during the time of Jesus, had lost the true spirit of Judaism, introducing 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. Jesus objected to the undue emphasis on exterior cleanliness to the neglect of the more important issue of interior or moral cleanliness of heart. 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 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 in 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.
 
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, not only with our lips, but especially with our hearts.

fredmund@saintmichael.ca

 
 
Healing Lines
 

March 8 is International Women’s Day (IWD). The IWD 2025 campaign theme is “Accelerate Action”. Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #AccelerateAction for gender equality. Celebrate women’s achievement. Raise awareness against bias. Take action for equality. https://www.internationalwomensday.com

 
 

Announcements:

 

Please see this weekend’s bulletins for all announcements:

Download St. Michael bulletin

Download Diocesan bulletin (Condensed)

Download Diocesan bulletin (Full Length)

 

2025 Contribution Envelopes

If you haven’t picked up next year’s 2025 contribution envelopes they are available for pickup in the office.

 

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday Masses will be at 9:00am and 6:00pm in the Sanctuary. 

 

Potluck Sunday

The next Potluck Sunday for St. Michael Community will be on March 2, 2025 at 6:00pm. This is a free event. Please bring a main dish, bread, salad, pickles, vegetable tray, or dessert ready to serve.  Upcoming potlucks are: April 6, May 4, and June 1.

 

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

 

Pastoral Council

Pastoral Council met for the second time this year, on February 25. A couple of highlights from our meeting are: * Copies of the booklet “Parish Renewal Team Update and Key Survey Highlights & Insights” will be available after Masses this weekend. * A few more volunteers are needed for the Shalom Lenten Retreat, March 25 – 27. Please contact the office for more information.  Meeting minutes from February 25 will be available on the website after our next meeting on March 18, 2025. 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. To read the minutes from our meeting in January, or any past meeting, please go to:   http://saintmichael.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/SMCC-Pastoral-Council-Minutes-of-Meeting-January-28-2025-Bulletin.pdf

 

Lenten Healing Retreat

March 25 and March 26 – 7:00pm-8:45pm: Holy Mass / Talk / Adoration

March 27 – 7:00pm-10:00pm: Healing Mass / Adoration / Healing Service

This retreat brings life’s struggles to the source of all healing through Jesus to be transformed by His grace. “I Thirst” (John 19:28) is a Lenten Healing Retreat presented by Shalom Media Ministry in association with St. Michael Catholic Community. The retreat offers a unique opportunity for the faithful, thirsting for divine intimacy, to gather and seek healing of mind, body, and soul, led by Fr. Roy Palatty, a gifted priest and world-renowned speaker. Fr. Palatty will lead you in Holy Mass, a spiritual talk, silent reflection in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, and special prayers. A Healing Mass/Service and Blessings for the sick will also be offered at this faith-filled, life-changing event. For more information, please visit the website: www.saintmichael.ca

 

New Social Media Consultancy

We are thrilled to announce that Mario Toneguzzi will be working with St. Michael’s to enhance and amplify the Community’s social media. Mario is a veteran of the media industry for more than 40 years and named in 2021 and 2024 a Top Business Journalist in the world . He was also named by RETHINK to its global list of Top Retail Experts 2024 and 2025. He is Co-Editor-In-Chief at Retail Insider, Managing Editor at Canada’s Podcast, a national freelancer and owner of Mario Toneguzzi Communications Inc. https://bit.ly/3vexSj7Mario can be reached at mdtoneguzzi@gmail.com

 

 

Week-at-a-Glance (Sun. Mar. 2 – Sun. Mar.9, 2025):

Sunday:

–  Coffee Connection: After 9am and 11am Mass 

–  Potluck Sunday & Nametag Sunday: Narthex, 6pm-8pm

 

Monday:

–  Bible Study: St. Nicholas Room, 7:00-9:00pm

 

Tuesday:

–  Rosary Group: Day Chapel, 6:30pm

–  Grief Share Program: Rooms 143 & 144, 7:00pm

–  RCIA: St. Nicholas Room, 7:00-9:00pm

–  Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner: Narthex, 7:00pm

 

Wednesday:

–  Ash Wednesday Masses: Sanctuary, 9:00am & 6:00pm

–  Men’s Ministry: Theatre, 6:00-7:30am

–  Coffee Connection: After 9am Mass

–  Women’s Ministry: CANCELLED

–  Fund Forward Fundraiser Opens

 

Thursday:

–  Knitting Ministry: Library, 10:00am-12:00pm 

–  Marriage Validation Session: Narthex, 6:00pm

 

Friday:

–  Mass for Lent: Sanctuary,  6:00pm

–  Stations of the Cross: Sanctuary 6:30pm

 

Saturday:

– Art Walk: Mezzanine, 4:00-7:30pm (closed during Mass)

 

Sunday:

– Art Walk:  Mezzanine, 10am-7:30pm (closed during Mass)

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8th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 02/03/2025, 540.94 KB

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