Bulletin: Fourth Sunday of Easter

Posted 2023-04-28 by @saintmichaelyyc

 

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


 

Download bulletin PDF

 

The Lord is My Shepherd

April 30, 2023

This Sunday is Good Shepherd Sunday. We reflect on what it means to have Jesus as shepherd and what it means to be his followers. Today, we also pray for more shepherds, that is, priestly and religious vocations as we mark the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. 
 
In His preaching ministry,  Jesus often told stories and examples from the lives of ordinary people like the shepherds. Although most of us do not know a great deal about sheep and shepherds, we do know what it means to care for other animals, especially pets. We know the special bond that is shared between the pet and the owner. Affection, loyalty, care and loving care are some of the descriptions that can be applied to this kind of relationship between a human being and an animal. The story of the Good Shepherd builds on this understanding.  
 
Traditionally, Psalm 23 is proclaimed or prayed at times of grave sickness or in the face of death. The words give comfort, solace and hope in times of trouble or sorrow. A funeral  would usually include Psalm 23 (The Lord is my shepherd) as one of the readings or hymns. But if we reflect on this psalm carefully, we realize that it is also for life and living. In fact, the psalm captures the essence of our Christian life, outlining our personal relationship with the Good Shepherd who is the way, the truth and life. Living the psalm during our lifetime prepares us for eternal life.
 
Jesus tells us in the gospels: “I have come that they might have life and have it to the full…”. Yes, it is only by following our Good Shepherd that we will be safe and find the pasture we need. Only in Christ can we satisfy the hunger for food, freedom, justice, love, peace, truth and understanding. If we resolutely choose to follow Him – both in our private lives and in our public lives – we will be able to sing with the Psalmist: “The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want. In verdant pastures He gives me repose. Beside restful waters, He leads me. He refreshes my soul. He guides me in right paths for His name’s sake. Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life. And I shall dwell in the presence of the Lord for years to come”. (Ps 23:1-3, 6)
 
FrEdmund@saintmichael.ca
 
 
Healing Lines
 
“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:

 

Saturday Night Lights with Michael Chiasson & Access 52

Saturday, April 29, 6pm

All students for life (Grade 7-12) are invited to an amazing youth experience on Saturday, April 29, 6-8pm after the 5pm Mass. This will be followed every last Saturday of the month: May 27 & June 24, 6-8pm.  

To register please  go to https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/591820590317

 

Altar Server Training

Friday, May 5 @ 6:30pm & Sunday, May 7 @ 12pm

There will be two upcoming training sessions for anyone interested in altar serving to attend. Both will be held in the Sanctuary. Choose one of them, or both if you think you or your child will need extra time to learn. Please go to www.saintmichael.ca/bulletin to sign up for a session. Click on the “sign up” button to sign up and it will prompt you to type in the names of all those who will be attending ( include all children in your family who will attend).

There are a few things to note:

1. Attendance at a training session is mandatory in order to be scheduled to serve.

2. There will be some forms that need to be signed before you can be scheduled to serve. Another message with these forms will be sent out and forms will be available at the training sessions as well.

3. There is a special Mass for Confirmation on May 28th at 2pm. This training, plus additional training will be needed for that, and any other special Mass in the future. Please let us know if you are interested.

4. As for signing up for Masses we will let you know once it is set up.

 

St. Michael Catholic Community Pastoral Council

Greetings to our fellow parishioners and visitors at Saint Michael Catholic Community. We hope that you enjoyed a blessed and joyful Easter! Thank you to all volunteers who helped to make the Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday liturgies as beautiful as they were. Your dedication to our catholic community is appreciated.

 

Highlights from our meeting on April 25:

– A Children’s Liturgy Coordinator has been hired. Children’s liturgies start on Sunday mornings in June.

– Michael Chiasson of Access52 updated us on the success of the Saturday evening youth events. 

– Coffee is being served after both Sunday morning Masses (volunteers needed for 11 am)

– Coffee after Thursday morning weekday Masses will begin late May (volunteers needed)

– The next Name Tag Sunday will take place the last weekend in May.

 

If you would like to read the minutes from our most recent meeting, or any past meeting, please go to: www.saintmichael.ca/bulletin  

 

Questions? Concerns? Please reach us at 403-249-0423.

 

43rd Annual Hike for Life

Saturday, May 13 

Please join Fr. Edmund in support of the Calgary Pro-Life Association’s 10K Hike For Life at Prince’s Island. You can join the St. Michael’s team, start collecting pledges and hike on your own or you can make a donation to Fr. Edmund or any other team member from now until May 13. All donations go directly to Pro-Life and will be accepted until June 30th. All funds raised will go to support the Respect for Life program.

 

Pastoral Care Ministry Update

Augusto Bitter, our coordinator and his wife Emilia are now looking for volunteers to work in this important ministry. You may wish to join us as a new volunteer, resume your previous (pre-pandemic) volunteer activity, to join another area of this ministry, or to help us recruit others who may respond to your invitation to serve. For details, please reach out to him at abitter@telus.net or 403-804-5047.

 

Together in Action 2023

Thank you to all parishioners for your generosity and sacrificial giving in helping St. Michael’s continue to reach our TIA goals. This year’s goal is $121, 243, and the campaign theme is taken from I John 3:18: “Let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.” In a shared act of faith, let us join together and pool our resources to bring the Gospel message to a world in need. The TIA beneficiaries include local charities, ministries in support of parish life, Catholic missions serving across Canada, Mission Council work internationally, and Development and Peace efforts promoting social change and justice for all of our neighbours at home and abroad. How you can help: parishioners are now able to make donations by debit from a chequing or Visa and Mastercard account using St. Michael’s process, or by designating to our TIA campaign any contribution to St. Michael’s. For parishioners donating through United Way designations, please check to ensure that St. Michael’s Church (Registered Charity # 107909939RR0026) and TOGETHER IN ACTION are recorded on the pledge form.  

 

Society of Saint Vincent de Paul 

Special thanks to all St. Michael parishioners for supporting the Society of St. Vincent de Paul!  During the month of February we helped 16 families. If you have lost your job please contact us for food support.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR A TREASURER: If you have an accounting background and are interested in volunteering your talent, please contact us by email SSVP@saintmichael.ca

WE ARE LOOKING FOR NEW MEMBERS. If you are interested contact us by email SSVP@saintmichael.ca or phone 403-249-0423 ext 122 

DONATIONS OF NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS can be dropped off in the SSVP Food Chest in the church Gathering Area or make arrangements by e-mailing us at SSVP@saintmichael.ca. Currently we are looking for: cereal, pasta sauce, canned vegetables and canned fish/meat.

MONETARY DONATIONS can be deposited in the drop-box in the Food Chest or by online donations through the St. Michaels Parish website: https://saintmichael.ca/giving/. Please indicate funds are for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the drop-down menu. 

If you or anyone you know needs assistance, please contact us by email SSVP@saintmichael.ca or phone 403-249-0423 ext 122.

 

Women’s Conference by Beloved Daughters Ministry

May 26-27 

Join Beloved Daughters Ministry for their first annual women’s conference entitled, “Restoring the Feminine Heart.” Conference will be held from May 26-27, 2023 at St. Luke’s Parish (Calgary, AB) and guided by guest speakers Heather & Jake Khym of Life Restoration Ministries. For more information visit: www.beloveddaughtersyyc.com

 

“TRAiD for MAiD”

Tuesday, May 30 – 7pm

True Assistance in Dying: why is MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying) embedding itself in our country? St. Michael’s Catholic Women’s League will be hosting Dr. Peggy Thomson-Gibson, MSCM. FRCP(C), as she presents on how to “Defend the Faith without Raising our Voice” to shed the light of faith through prayer, action and sacrifice on Tuesday, May 30 at 7:30 pm in St. Mary’s Chapel. All are welcome to attend this timely event.

 

Holy Land Pilgrimage

November 13 to 21, 2023

Holy Land Pilgrimage Alert! The space reduction date is May 14 on the Israel: Pilgrimage to the Holy Land tour with Fr Edmund on November 13-21. After May 14, reservations will be based on first-come first-serve availability. After the reduction date, air rates can vary and the legal names and dates of birth are required to request airline space. It takes approximately 48-72 hours to hear back from the airlines if we can get the seat back at the same rate or what else they can offer.

Comments

comments

Fourth Sunday of Easter, 30/04/2023, 708.78 KB

© St. Michael Catholic Community | Built by: Infinity Reef partnered with Primal Tribe