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Bulletin
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St. Albert the Great Parish
“O taste and see that the Lord is good” Ps 34.8
10 Prestwick Drive SE, Calgary, AB, Canada T2Z 4J6 Phone: 403 257 6054 Fax: 403 257 6072 Charitable Registration Number 107909939 RR0084
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16th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Wisdom 12:13, 16 - 19 Romans 8:26 - 27 Matthew 13:24 - 43
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Today’s Gospel passage from Matthew is filled with lessons both cautionary and consoling for the Christian steward as Jesus uses several parables to describe the kingdom of heaven and our role in it.
First, He compares it to a field where both wheat and weeds have been sown. Both weeds and wheat are permitted to grow and only at the harvest time are they separated, or “judged” — the wheat gathered into the sower’s barn and the weeds finally destroyed. So it will be for each of us at the end of our time on earth. It is a sobering reminder of the justice of God.
Next, He says the kingdom of heaven is like the small portion of yeast that is mixed in with flour for the making of bread. The yeast makes up an insignificant fraction of the ingredients, yet it is vital to the outcome — without that tiny bit of yeast, the bread simply will not rise. Similarly, He compares the kingdom of heaven to a mustard seed, “the smallest of all the seeds.” But when it is full-grown it becomes the largest of all the plants, a sturdy and hardy bush where “birds of the sky come and dwell in its branches.”
So often, the prayers that we pray, the service we offer, the gifts we give — in comparison to the immense needs around us — can seem laughably small. But, as Jesus makes clear through the images of yeast and mustard seed, that is not the truth!
God sees and treasures and “grows” our offerings of time, talent, and treasure in ways we cannot begin to imagine.
In justice, in gratitude, in love, let us remain faithful to the mission entrusted to our care for the building of the kingdom of heaven.
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Tue, July 25 @ 9:00 am Rita Faubert (RIP) Tue, July 25 @ 10:00 pm Michael Burton (RIP) - Senior Care Centre Tue, July 25 @ 6:30 pm Honish Family (INT) Wed, July 26 @ 9:00 am Chan Fung Kwan (INT) Wed, July 26 @ 6:30 pm Carmen Toole & Greg Yont (INT) Thu, July 27 @ 9:00 am Gerad Raymond Lavoie (RIP) Thu, July 27 @ 6:30 pm Armando Marenco (RIP) Fri, July 28 @ 9:00 am Matthew & Brigid Peloso (INT) Fri, July 28 @ 6:30 pm Caleb Honish (RIP) Sat, July 29 @ 9:00 am Ross & Lil (INT) Sat, July 29 @ 5:00 pm Landon Miller (INT) Sun, July 30 @ 9:00 am Lissa and Kyle Honish (INT) Sun, July 30 @ 11:00 am St. Albert the Great Community (INT) Sun, July 30 @ 5:00 pm Donatela Alonso (RIP)
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Please note that the parish office Summer Hours are Monday through Friday 9:30 am – 12:30 pm.
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IMPORTANT DONATION INFORMATION
ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFERS – when making donations by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) please put your full name in the memo line, and your address if it is the first time you are sending an EFT donation. We are receiving donations that only come in from the bank with a first name, and we do not know who it belongs to, or what it is for; donation, sacrament fee payment, etc. Also, you may have the same first and last name as another parishioner, and the address helps us correctly record the donation. Your full name and address ensures that we are recording the donation to the correct person for tax receipts at the end of the year.
DONATION ENVELOPES – we are encouraging parishioners to make donations electronically, however we can provide you with a box of donation envelopes and a sheet of labels to put on them, as the envelopes are not numbered. Please come to the parish office Monday through Friday 9:30 am to 12:30 pm, and we can provide you with the box of envelopes and labels. If you do not want the labels, when using envelopes, please PRINT your full name and address on the envelope. If you only put your first name “John”, or your last name “Doe Family”, we do not know who to record the donation to and it gets recorded as loose.
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2023 TOGETHER IN ACTION CAMPAIGN
Our 2023 Together In Action goal is $78,445 and any surplus funds above our goal will go towards the repair of the main doors to the church. To date we have raised $46,973.12 towards our goal thanks to your generous contributions.
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REFUGEE FAMILY DONATION UPDATE
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The weekly Sunday Socials have been suspended until the fall. We will let you know when they will restart later this summer. Have a wonderful summer!
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SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL
St. Albert the Great St. Vincent de Paul needs feminine hygiene items and juice 1 L. Please drop your donations in the St. Vincent de Paul box in the Narthex. Thank you for your support!
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SATG 25th Anniversary Online Store is now available
You can find 25th Anniversary merchandise for purchase at this link .
The items are rounded either to the nearest $1, or $5 increment to fundraise for the parish (with the exception on the coffee mugs), with a donation to the parish adder at the checkout page. The first order will be placed on August 16. After August 16th, additional orders will be taken on the next run until October 20th with that next run delivered by November 10th so people can have a chance to have it for the Feast Day celebration on November 15th.
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CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
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St. Albert the Great Parish
“The Lord is my shepherd there is nothing I shall want…” (Psalm 23)
CGS is a Montessori based Catholic faith formation program where children can joyfully fall deeply in love with God through contemplation of Scripture and Liturgy. St. Albert the Great is happy to announce that we are going to be running 5 week programs starting in September until May on Saturday mornings depending on the interest and support of the community. The program is open to children from the ages of 3 to 6 years old.
To get this program going, we do need a few things. Some help we need would be: - Material making (woodwork, sewing)
- Volunteer Assistant (adult willing to complete a police check)
- Prayers
If you are interested to volunteer or to register, please email: larainne.friesen@gmail.com or schndersa@hotmail.com. Registration will start in the summer as space is limited to only 12 students maximum. Thank you for your support and we look forward to growing in faith with you and your child.
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A BIBLICAL WALK WITH THE BLESSED MOTHER COURSE
"Dr. Edward Sri's 8-week course on, 'A Biblical Walk With the Blessed Mother' will begin in September on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 9:00 PM over Zoom. Cost of the workbook is $42, and payment can be an e-transfer or cheque, made payable to:
Lucille Paplawski 548 Midridge Drive SE Calgary, AB T2X1B9
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PLEASE HELP US TELL THE STORY OF OUR PARISH
A small group of the faithful from St. Albert the Great Parish have taken on the mission to put together some recollections and archives going back to the very beginnings of our parish. Our history got away from us and we think that while we’re still able, we need to gather up our memories. We are reaching out to anyone who has been a part of our journey for the past 25 years to help document our past.
We’re not exactly sure of what this is all going to look like, but all stories and memories are important. Can you help us?
Your participation wouldn’t involve a huge time commitment. If you do like meetings and such, we’ve decided to gather once a month to add past events to a giant timeline. But, another way that you might participate is to write down your recollections…events that stick out in your memory or that were really important to your family. You might want to look through your boxes of photos and contribute those or a scan of those. There are many ways that your participation might be celebrated. Whether you walked in the front doors of our church when they first opened 20 years ago, or for the first time a few months ago, you are an important part of our history and we thank you for anything you might do. If you have something to share, please contact us at archives@stalbertthegreat.ca .
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"Because Christ hears and saves those who hope in Him, let us pray for . . . "
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Cemetery Masses with Bishop McGrattan
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Bishop McGrattan will celebrate Massses for the souls of the deceased buried at our Catholic cemeteries in Calgary and area. All are welcome! - Wednesday, August 23, 2023, 7pm at Mountain View Funeral Chapel (indoor)
- Wednesday, August 30, 2023, 7pm at Queen’s Park Cemetery (outdoor)
- Thursday, August 31, 2023, 7pm at St. Mary’s Cemetery (outdoor)
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Always Our Children - Aug 18-20
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The Courage & Encourage Apostolate of the Diocese will be hosting an “Encourage Weekend Camping Retreat” entitled: “Always Our Children" for parents, friends or anyone journeying with children or someone they know, experiencing their sexuality as same gender attraction. This weekend retreat is meant to provide a safe space for prayer, reflection, mediation and dialogue surrounded by the natural beauty and tranquility of the eastern slopes of the Rockies at Aspen Ranch Outdoor Education Centre, just over an hour north of Calgary. When: Friday, Aug. 18 to Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. Register by Friday July 7, 2023. For more information or to register, contact: info@aspenranchcanada.com
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2023 Angels on High at Boom Lake Trail
Join St. Gabriel's Parish (Chestermere) for a refreshing hike at Boom Trail on Saturday, August 26. Meeting point: Parking lot of Boom Trail at 9:30 am. The destination point is the lake. Remember to bring your lunch - the boulders all around the side of the lake make it a great spot to enjoy lunch and the view. No group camping this year. Registrations for the hike are coming up soon at saintgabrielparish.ca. Donations are welcome in support of St. Gabriel's Church building fund. More info
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List of Summer Retreats - Live In
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St. Francis Retreat Centre
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Sunday Bulletin shorts In today’s Gospel, Jesus offers three parables to describe the Kingdom of Heaven. He also explains why he speaks to the crowds in parables and interprets the parable of the sower for the disciples. This reading is a continuation of Jesus’ discourse that we began reading last Sunday.
All three parables use commonplace experiences to describe aspects of the Kingdom of Heaven.
The first parable is longer and more detailed than the next two, and it alerts us to the two-fold reality of the Kingdom of Heaven. The beginnings of the Kingdom of Heaven can be found in this world. The fruition of the Kingdom of Heaven, however, will not be realized until the final judgment. In the meantime, as Jesus’ explanation to the disciples cautions, any effort to judge the progress of the Kingdom of Heaven is premature. Only God, in the final judgment, will distinguish the fruit of the Kingdom of Heaven and offer its reward.
The second and third parables call to our attention the abundance that will result from the small beginnings of the Kingdom of Heaven. Just as a mustard seed—the smallest of all seeds—will become a large bush, so too God will bring his Kingdom to full bloom. As a small amount of yeast will leaven the entire batch of bread, so too God will bring about the expansion of his Kingdom. In each case the image is of the superabundance that God brings out of even the smallest of signs of the Kingdom.
Contained within these parables are words of caution as well as words of consolation. In the parable of the sower we are warned against judging others. To judge and uproot the “weeds” prematurely will harm the wheat; final judgment rests with God. In the parables of the mustard seed and the yeast, we are consoled by the message that God can work wonders and produce abundance from even the smallest beginnings of the Kingdom of Heaven.
(Source: Loyola Press) Resources for children Resources for children
Parish Adoration Schedule "Our Lord is hidden there, waiting for us to come and visit Him, and make our requests to Him. See how good He is! He accommodates Himself to our weakness. He is present in the Sacrament of His love, sighing and interceding unceasingly with His Father for sinners." ~ St. John Vianney
40-Hour Adoration for Vocations Take part in a 40 Hours Adoration to ask the Lord for an increase of Priestly and Religious Vocations in our Diocese. When: Friday, Aug 4 at 3 pm to Sunday Aug 6 at 7 am - St. Anthony's Adoration Chapel, Calgary. Receive the code to enter the chapel and register for holy hour. Sign-up at https://stanthonysyyc.weadorehim.com
Anniversary of Pope’s Pilgrimage to Canada All are welcome to join the anniversary of Pope Francis' Pilgrimage to Canada at St. Peter's Parish. Mass at 7 pm, and reception to follow in the Parish Hall. When: Wednesday, July 26 at 7 pm - St. Peter's Church, Calgary.
Celebration of the Feast of Assumption of Mary The Divine Mercy Sisters invite you to celebrate the Feast of Assumption of Mary with Eucharistic Adoration (5 pm) and Holy Mass (6 pm), followed by Marian Rosary and BBQ hot dogs! When: Tue, Aug 15, from 5 pm to 6 pm - Divine Mercy Centre. All are welcome!
Family Healing Retreat Come for a day of healing, renewal, and spiritual growth, led by Fr. Joseph Edattu, VC (Divine Retreat Center, UK). Participating parishes: Mary Mother of the Redeemer, St. Mary's Cathedral, St. Luke's, and St. James' in Okotoks. When: Aug 15 - 19. See schedule here
Cemetery Masses with the Bishop Bishop McGrattan will celebrate Masses for the souls of the deceased buried at our Catholic cemeteries in Calgary and area. All are welcome! - Wednesday, August 23, 2023, 7pm at Mountain View Funeral Chapel (indoor)
- Wednesday, August 30, 2023, 7pm at Queen’s Park Cemetery (outdoor)
- Thursday, August 31, 2023, 7pm at St. Mary’s Cemetery (outdoor)
Many opportunities to help Elizabeth House Elizabeth House is a life skills program and family-oriented home which welcomes at-risk pregnant and parenting women who need a safe place to live. Help Elizabeth House as volunteers in the following positions: Child care team; Facility Maintenance (carpentry, handyfolks, renovation), and volunteer cleanup crew. More information at elizabethhousecalgary.ca
Always Our Children - Aug 18-20 A camping retreat entitled: “Always Our Children" for parents, friends or anyone journeying with children or someone they know, experiencing their sexuality as same gender attraction. When: Fri, Aug. 18 to 20 - Aspen Ranch Outdoor Education Centre. More info or register The Great Big Beautiful World - Vacation Bible School Four-day, half-day Vacation Bible School for ages 7-11 with the theme "Great Big Beautiful World: Creation Care Kids - Living Laudato Si'." Through five Bible stories, children will be led on an awesome adventure through the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. Each day starts with relationship-building, joint worship, music, prayer, and a dramatic presentation of the Bible story. This program is enthusiastically Catholic and grounded in the Catholic teachings on creation and the Holy Father's encyclical. When: Aug 22-25, 2023 at FCJ Centre. Register here
Retrouvaille Weekend in September Retrouvaille is a retreat designed to infuse hope and facilitate healing for married couples in need. When: Sep 8 - 10, Calgary Area retreat | Contact 403-901-9582 or visit helpourmarriage.org
Career opportunities
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Summer 2023 Calendar Highlights
Other Dicocese information can be found at this link.
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