Bulletin: Palm Sunday
What you need to know from this weekend’s bulletin:
The Story of the Donkey
April 13, 2025
There is a story about a poor farmer who had a donkey which was so stupid to do any work. It could not carry anything on its back. So, he told his family that he was going to kill the donkey. But his children begged him to sell it, rather than harm it. “How can I sell an animal that won’t work?”, the father insisted. His son suggested: “Father, tie the donkey to a tree on the road to town and let it be known that whoever wants it may have it for nothing.” The next morning, that was what the farmer did. Soon, two men approached and asked to take the animal. “It will carry nothing”, the farmer warned the takers. “The Lord has need for it”, replied one of the men. The farmer could not imagine what the Lord would want with such a useless donkey, but handed it over. The men took the animal to Jesus. Jesus stroked the sweet animal’s face and then mounted it without trouble. So it was on that day we celebrate today as Palm Sunday, riding on the back of this tiny donkey, the Son of God led His followers into Jerusalem.
There is one lesson in this story that is central to our Christian life. The donkey, the rejected animal, is a figure of Christ Himself, Who is to be later rejected by His own people and eventually become their Savior. In Scriptures, Christ is referred to as the “stone rejected by the builder that has become the cornerstone…” (Mt 21:42)
The people and circumstances we tend to reject are the same people and circumstances that become our salvation. God chooses the weak to confound the strong: He chooses the foolish to shame the wise. (1 Cor 1:27) When God strokes our faces, we realize our limitless possibilities. When we submit to God our own faults and failures, we are filled with His grace and blessing. It is in our weakness that God’s power is at work in us.
As we join Jesus in His triumphant entry to Jerusalem, let us take with us our wounds and weaknesses so that He can transform them into a source of our healing and strength through the power of His resurrection.
Fr. Edmund,
Healing Lines
“Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.” As we welcome Jesus this Palm Sunday, let us remember to welcome all those around us as well. Jesus has always reminded us to take care of everyone, especially those who are most in need of our love and prayers. Some live in families and communities that are abusive, some are homeless, some are elderly and neglected, some are discriminated against…. Reach out to them all.
Announcements:
Please see this weekend’s bulletins for all announcements:
Lent and Easter Schedule
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. The Tap and give device prompts you to provide a mobile number for a text receipt and/or a QR code. If you require a tax receipt at year’s end, we need copies of your receipts and the last four (4) digits of the card(s) used. As a standard practice, tap machines do not access any personal information, except the last four (4) digits of the bank card.
Fund Forward Fundraiser
Now Closed.
Pick-Up: Tuesday, April 15, 2025 (4:30-5:30pm)
You may pick up your orders in front of the Church on Tuesday, April 15 between 4:30-5:30pm. Thank you for your support!
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.
Face-to-Face Youth Night (Gr. 6-8)
There will be a Youth Night for Grades 6-8 with Face-to-Face Ministries on Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 6:30-8:30pm. Pizza will be provided. T his is a free event; no registration is needed. Join us for fun, fellowship, and faith! Other dates are: May 10 & June 14.
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.
Week-at-a-Glance: (Sat. Apr. 12 – Sun. Apr. 20, 2025):
Saturday April 12:
Confirmation Retreat: 9:00am-4:00pm
Righteous Sounds Concert: Mezzanine, 7:30pm
Sunday April 13:
Cancelled: Children’s Liturgy
Coffee Connection: After 9:00am and 11:00am Mass
Monday April 14:
Bible Study: St. Nicholas Room, 7:00pm
Tuesday April 15:
Rosary Group: Day Chapel, 5:20pm
RCIA: St. Nicholas Room, 7:00-9:00pm
Wednesday April 16:
Men’s Ministry: Theatre, 6:00-7:30am
Coffee Connection: After 9:00am Mass
Cancelled: Women’s Ministry
Thursday April 17:
Holy Thursday: Sanctuary Mass 7:00pm, Day Chapel Adoration to Follow
Knitting Ministry: Cancelled
Cancelled: Knights of Columbus Meeting
Friday April 18:
Reconciliation: 8:00-8:45am
Good Friday Services: 12:00pm & 3:00pm
Saturday April 19:
Reconciliation: 3:30-4:45pm
Easter Vigil: Mass 9:00pm
Sunday April 20:
Easter Sunday: Masses 9:00am, 11:00am & 5:00pm
Cancelled: Children’s Liturgy
Cancelled: Coffee Connection
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Palm Sunday, 13/04/2025, 694.95 KB