Bulletin: Fourth Sunday of Easter
What you need to know from this weekend’s bulletin:
A Kind of Leadership
April 26, 2026
The good shepherd, featured in our responsorial psalm, is an Old Testament allusion to Christ who represents a kind of leadership that is full of compassion and love for others. The image of the good shepherd is a popular metaphor representing the humble responsibility of a simple shepherd keeping vigil over his beloved flock. The image evokes the ordinary and the routine but entails constancy and commitment. The image perfectly fits Jesus as the model of Christian leadership. His constancy and commitment for His people brought Him to death by crucifixion.
The concept of shepherdship captures the parameters of our personal relationship with our personal God. Religion is about the intimate relationship of being sheep in God’s flock. Christian spirituality means our personal friendship with our Good Shepherd. Prayer is the dialogue between the shepherd and the sheep. The image of shepherdship strongly suggests that our Christian faith is to be lived in the context of community. Redemption is communitarian. Becoming the Church means becoming God’s flock. Community means belonging to the sheepfold, listening and recognizing the voice of the true shepherd.
The image of the good shepherd can be an example to imitate in our family and community relationships. The family is a flock wherein each member shepherds the other members. The father shepherds his wife and his children. Like the shepherd who is willing to lay down his life for his sheep, the father is willing to lay down his life for his wife and his children. Perhaps, this is more true to the role of the mother who shares and sustains life at her own expense. Children, through their love and concern for one another and for their parents, exercise the role of shepherd. Shepherdship is the principle that makes a marital relationship bearable and beautiful. Marriage is shepherdship or the willingness to offer one’s life for the beloved partner. The image of the good shepherd can be the Christian definition of marital love.
Let us shepherd one another. People will know we are Christians by how we shepherd one another. As we celebrate the Good Shepherd’s offering of His life in the Eucharist, let us ask for the spirit of love and sacrifice that should characterize our efforts of shepherding one another.
Fr. Edmund, fredmund@saintmichael.ca
“I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd.” There are victims of family violence who may have turned away from the Church because they feel they have not been supported. Also, some perpetrators of family violence may feel that the Church has not reached out to them and nor assisted them to get the help they need. Let us not forget those of God’s sheep who we may overlook.
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)
A Message from the Diocese
Because of your generosity, greater impact is taking place across the diocese. In Year 1 of the Multiply the Hope Matching Campaign:
• $4 million matched for parish loans
• $3 million matched for repairs and maintenance
This means parishes are receiving support in times of need, critical repairs are moving forward, and communities are growing stronger in their life and mission. Multiply the Hope continues through the end of 2027, and even though the initial response has been strong, $4.9M in matching funds remains available for parishes across the Diocese. Bishop McGrattan has encouraged each parish to take part in this once-in-a-generation initiative by fully embracing the campaign. Learn more: www.catholicyyc.ca/multiplythehope
Potluck Sunday
Potluck Sundays for St. Michael Community are on the first Sunday of each month at 6:00pm. The next Potluck Sundays are May 3 and June 7. This is a free event. Please bring a main dish, bread, salad, pickles, vegetable tray, or dessert to share with others. Please bring your food ready to serve. Potluck Sundays will take a break for July and August.
SSVP Food Drive
Please support the SSVP Easter Share Sunday Food Drive for families in need. Pick up food lists and donation envelopes after Mass on April 18 and 19 and return food and donations on April 25 and 26. Thank you for your generous support!
Ladies’ High Tea!
The Catholic Women’s League at St. Michael Catholic Community is excited to invite you to celebrate the women who have shaped our lives, offering love, guidance, and unwavering faith. We will be hosting a special high tea style event on April 26 from 1:30-3:30pm for mothers, daughters, sisters, and grandmothers, and your best female friends, too. Dress in your Sunday best, pull out your fancy hat or fascinator, and come partake in a lovely afternoon! There will be an assortment of delicious sandwiches, desserts, tea, juice, and more. Tickets must be purchased in advance as this event has limited capacity. Adults $20 and Children $15. You can register at: https://forms.gle/VBGfc9165yFyUFoTA
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.
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
Hike for Life
Please join Fr. Edmund and Fr. Andrew in support of the Calgary Pro-Life Association’s 10K Hike For Life at Prince’s Island Park on Saturday, May 9, 2026. 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. Andrew, or any other team member from now until June 30. 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. Andrew in the Narthex after all Masses on May 2nd and 3rd or you can donate online at https://www.canadahelps.org/s/jP4P8f
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. * Online registration is now open. * Thank you to those who have already engaged with our Parish Volunteer Coordinator, Gladys. Please contact Gladys at gdoh@saintmichael.ca to begin/continue the parish volunteer engagement process.
Week-at-a-Glance: (Sat. Apr. 25 – Sun. May 3, 2026):
Saturday, April 25:
Parish Pictorial Directory: Room 143 & 144, 9:30am-3:00pm (Registration Required.)
Saturday Night Lights: Sanctuary, 7:00pm
Sunday, April 26:
Children’s Liturgy: 8:30am and 10:30am
Coffee Sunday: Narthex, after 9:00am & 11:00am
Fr. Edmund’s 47th Anniversary: Narthex, After the 9:00am & 11:00am Masses
Altar Server Training: Sanctuary, 12:00-2:00pm
CWL Ladies Tea-Time: Narthex, 1:30pm-3:30pm (Pre-registration Required.)
Monday, April 27:
Bible Studies: St. Nicholas Room, 7:00pm
Tuesday, April 28:
Parish Pictorial Directory: Room 143 & 144, 2:30pm-8:30pm (Registration Required.)
Rosary Group: Day Chapel, 5:20pm
Pastoral Council Meeting: St. Michael’s Room, 7:00pm-9:00pm
SSVP Meeting: Room 145, 7:00pm-9:00pm
RCIA: St Nicholas Room, 7:00pm
Wednesday, April 29:
Men’s Ministry: Theater, 6:00am-7:30am
Coffee Wednesday: Narthex, 9:30am
Women’s Ministry: Theater, 10:00am
Parish Pictorial Directory: Room 143 & 144, 2:30pm-8:30pm (Registration Required.)
CCCRS Prayer Meeting: Day Chapel, 7:00pm
Thursday, April 30:
Moms & Tots: St. Nicholas Room, 9:30am-11:30am
Knitting Ministry: Library Room, 10:00am-12:00pm
Parish Pictorial Directory: Room 143 & 144, 2:30pm-8:30pm (Registration Required.)
Adult Confirmation: Library, 7:00pm (Pre-registration Required)
Friday, May 1:
Parish Pictorial Directory: Room 143 & 144, 2:30pm-8:30pm (Registration Required.)
Saturday, May 2:
Parish Pictorial Directory: Room 143 & 144, 9:30am-3:00pm (Registration Required.)
Sunday, May 3:
Children’s Liturgy: 8:30am and 10:30am
Coffee Sunday: Narthex, after 9:00am & 11:00am
Potluck Sunday & Name Tag Sunday: Narthex, 6:00pm-8:00pm
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Third Sunday of Easter, 19/04/2026, 858.45 KB