Malachi 1: 14B - 2.2

Thessalonians 2: 7B - 9

Matthew 23: 1 - 12

There is no question that Jesus had a way with words.  The Word of the Lord is filled with what we are very familiar with in our society — soundbites if you will, which convey so much meaning.  The last verses of today’s Gospel from St. Matthew contain one of those short statements which carry so much more meaning. Jesus says, “The greatest among you must be your servant.  Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
 
In those two sentences are found the key to a stewardship way of life, which revolve around service and humility.  There is no question that these are powerful words. They reveal to us all that we need to understand to be a true disciple of Christ. In his letter to the Philippians St. Paul wrote, “Though He was in the form of God, He did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Phil. 2:5-8).
 
True humility will be ultimately exalted by God.  Our society teaches us to strive to reach the top, but Jesus is reminding us that we need to regard others as more important than we are.  We have two choices in life perhaps, to be self-exalters, or to be God-exalted.  Is there any doubt as to what we as Christians should pursue?

Tue, Nov 7 @ 9:00 am           Ann McAuley-Rowan (RIP)

Tue, Nov 7 @ 10:00 am         Amy Fahlman (RIP) - Senior Care Centre

Tue, Nov 7 @ 6:30 pm           Olive Songui (RIP)

Wed, Nov 8 @ 9:00 am          Tony Cue (RIP)

Wed, Nov 8 @ 6:30 pm          Roman & Perpetua Eway (RIP)

Thu, Nov 9 @ 9:00 am           Bernard LeRoux (RIP)

Thu, Nov 9 @ 6:30 pm            Robert McCracken (RIP)

Fri, Nov 10 @ 9:00 am            Pablo & Lydia Paderes (RIP)

Fri, Nov 10 @ 6:30 pm            Fresnel Carpus (RIP)
Sat, Nov 11 @ 9:00 am           Agnes & Andrew Barker (RIP)

Sat, Nov 11 @ 5:00 pm           Frank Drescher (RIP)
Sun, Nov 12 @ 9:00 am          Nicole Williams (RIP)

Sun, Nov 12 @ 11:00 am        St. Albert the Great Community (INT)

Sun, Nov 12 @ 5:00 pm          Reynaldo Caneta JR (RIP)

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.

What do you call a man or woman who stands up in a Catholic church and lends his or her voice to God?  A LECTOR.  If you are being called to proclaim God’s word, then please consider joining the Lector Ministry and fulfill that calling.

We will be holding a training session for those who are new to this ministry and those who would like to have a little refresher training.  

The training session will be held on: 

Please direct any questions to  volunteers@stalbertthegreat.ca

Our parish has a number of pastoral care ministers that are available to bring Holy Communion to parishioners who are unable to attend Mass.  Pastoral care is a ministry of healing and presence to those parishioners who are sick, elderly, dying, homebound and bereaved.   Our ministers are available to make home visits, as well we have ministers that regularly attend the South Calgary Health Campus.  

If you or a loved one are a parishioner in need of a pastoral care visit at home or at the South Calgary Health Campus please contact the parish office at 403-257-6054. 

Calling all Youth for fun games, activities and learning about our faith in an atmosphere of fun, interactive play and discussion!!

Youth Group is a great way to meet new friends and learn about our parish community and our connection to Christ. 

ALL-Youth and teens from Grades 6 and up (approx. ages 11 – 20+) are invited to meet up on Fridays starting Oct. 27, Nov 24, & Dec 8 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM, plus many weekend parish volunteer dates in-between.

Who should attend:   all Youth Grades 6 and up (approx. ages 11 – 20+).  Parents are welcome to stay and observe or drop off their child by using the sign-in/sign-out procedure.

      

Snacks will be served.

More Youth Group information and the sign-up forms can be found on the Youth Ministry web page at  this link or you can contact  youth@stalbertthegreat.ca  or call the Parish office at 403.257.6054 for any Youth Group information.

We are pleased to announce that 2 men from our parish will be ordained to the Permanent Diaconate by Bishop William T. McGrattan on Saturday, November 18, at 11 am at St. Mary's Cathedral.

Please pray for our candidates to be ordained:

Ferdinand Gayos, (Spouse: Maylou)  

Reynaldo Tadifa, (Spouse: Pam)

All are welcome to watch the celebration on the Diocese of Calgary YouTube channel:     Calgary Diocese - YouTube

15cm x 5 cm x 5cm (i.e. swimming cylinder) - exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis if requested.

It shall be no greater than 100g in weight for familial submissions OR 1Kg for schools.

These items:

The schedule currently is as follows:

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  .

To have a name added to the Prayer Board, please email secretary@stalbertthegreat.ca  and provide the name of the person you would like to add.

Click on the images above to connect to Mary's Meals website.

Click on the above image to view the renewl web page.

In preparation for Jubilee 2025, the year 2023 is dedicated to Vatican II.  The CCCB Office for Evangelization and Catechesis will host a webinar series, "The Four Constitutions of Vatican II", inviting the faithful to reflect on the meaning of these documents for the life of the Church today.

If you wish to attend any of the webinar sessions or to be notified when session recordings are made available, please register here.

We are pleased to announce that 12 men will be ordained to the Permanent Diaconate in our diocese this year! Bishop William T. McGrattan will preside at the Mass of Ordination on Saturday, November 18, at 11 am at St. Mary's Cathedral. All are welcome!
 
 The candidates to be ordained: 

You can learn more about the candidates in Faithfully, "Sacred Service." Please keep these men and their families in your prayers.

Join us for a fun-filled, family-friendly fundraiser at The Beach YYC, Calgary's exclusive indoor beach facility, in support of Elizabeth House.  When: Saturday, Nov. 25 from 2:30 pm to 5 pm at The Beach YYC, Calgary.  By purchasing a ticket, you're not just securing a day of beach games and fun, but also helping Elizabeth House raise $10k for operational expenses.  Please share this event with your family and friends! 

In today's Gospel, Jesus tells the crowd that it is correct to do and observe what the scribes and Pharisees teach; it is their example that is to be avoided, namely, their love of being honoured and exalted.  Hence, the Gospel reflects the tension of an active internal debate within the early Church.  The warning Jesus gives against seeking places of honour in the community was directed as much toward the Christian community as the named Jewish leaders.  Indeed, it is a warning that resonates with us today.  Christian leadership is a call to service for the glory of God; those who would be leaders among us must, like Jesus, be servants of all. 

 

Kid's challenge this week: In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus teaches us how to be a good leader. He says that good leaders are humble.  That means they put the needs of others before their own.  They don’t do good things just so that people will see them.  This week, take a few moments to think of something kind or helpful you can do for someone else.  It can be something small.  Maybe you can try to do it without the other person finding out it was you!  (Loyola Press) 

In preparation for Jubilee 2025, the year 2023 is dedicated to Vatican II.  Reflect on the meaning of the four constitutions of Vatican II for the life of the Church today. When: Tuesdays, Nov. 7, 14, 21 & 28 at 11 am - Online/Zoom.  Register

Come and learn about beautiful Advent family traditions, while making a family advent wreath.  Supplies will be provided with registration.  When: Wed, Nov. 8 at 7 pm - FCJ Centre, Calgary.  Register

Young men (18-40 years of age) who are discerning their vocation are invited to the "Come and See" event on Thu, Nov. 9 to Sun, Nov. 12 at St. Francis Friary, Edmonton.  The experience will consist of the following: Masses, fraternal prayer (liturgy of the hours), personal time, inner city experience, presentations, dialogue with postulants (men in their first year of Franciscan formation), and interaction with the Franciscans.  To Register, or for more information, email carlos_ona.ofm08@yahoo.com

Join the Seeds of the Word Community for a pizza night in support of the foundation of the Community's new mission house in Italy.  You and your family are welcome at Our Lady of Fatima Parish Hall (4747 - 30 St. SE, Calgary) on November 11, starting at 5:30pm.  Various types of pizza (13 in size) will be available for dine in and take out.  Drinks will be sold on site.  More
  

Have you ever thought of a vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life?  Join Vocatio: An event for men discerning the Priesthood and men and women discerning the Consecrated Life.  Vocatio begins with anticipated Mass at 5 pm, followed by pizza, presentations and discussions, and Night Prayer.  There will be separate groups for men and women.  When: Saturdays, Nov. 11, and Dec. 9, from 5 pm to 9 pm.  To register, contact Fr. Derek Remus at derek.remus@calgarydiocese.ca or Sr. Dianne Turner at sisterdianne.turner@calgarydiocese.ca.

The Diocese of Calgary is offering a Pastoral Care Ministry Training for those who feel called to assist their parish in a healing ministry to the sick, elderly, dying, homebound and bereaved members.  Participants must be pre-approved by their Pastors and/or Pastoral Care Coordinator.  Please contact your parish for screening requirement.  When: Saturdays, Nov. 11 and Nov. 25, at Catholic Pastoral Centre (120 17 Ave SW, Calgary).  Fee: $50/person.  Lunch and workbooks included.  To register, complete the registration form by Nov. 3 - or call 403-218-5521.
 

Join Bishop McGrattan in an annual prayer gathering to commend our children communally into the embrace of our merciful God and to support those who are grieving the loss of a child through miscarriage or stillbirth.  When: Tue, Nov. 14 at 7 pm, St. Mary's Cathedral.  More

You are invited to an evening of spiritual reflection, joined by speaker Sabrina Di Matteo to discuss the theme “We are the Church! Witnesses of hope and consolation.”  When: Tue, Nov. 14 at 6 pm - Ste. Famille, Calgary.  More

The Saint Thomas More Lawyers’ Guild of Calgary invites all members of the legal profession, family and friends, to the annual Red Mass with Bishop William McGrattan.  All are welcome to join Bishop McGrattan as he offers the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass 5 pm on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at St. Mary’s Cathedral.  Everyone can purchase tickets for the reception and keynote address with Honourable David Brown in St. Mary’s hall following Mass by contacting  calgary.stmlg@gmail.com - or  buy ticket(s) online for the reception.

Join Serra Club of Calgary for a vocations talk with Sr. Michelle, FCJ who is making her final vows.  The talk will take place Saturday, Nov. 18 at the FCJ Centre, 219 - 19th Avenue SW, Calgary from 9 - 10 am, followed by the Ordination to the Permanent Diaconate at St. Mary's Cathedral at 11 am.  Everyone is welcome.  Bring a friend.  Discover your vocation.

The Holy Spirit CWL council is hosting a Craft Sale, with a showcase of local handcrafted gifts.  Admission: $2/adult, 1$/senior, free for children under 12.  When: Sat, Nov. 18 from 10 am to 3 pm - Holy Spirit Church, Calgary.  More info

You are invited to the upcoming ordination of 12 permanent deacons in our Diocese! Doors will be opened at 10 am.  Livestream information will be shared closer to the date.  When: Sat, Nov. 18 at 11 am, St. Mary's Cathedral. 

Calgary Live-In Society invites you to a Live-In weekend retreat to grow in faith with Jesus.  If you have attended your own Live-In, we invite you to serve others in this retreat.  When: Nov. 24-26, St. John Paul II Collegiate School, Okotoks.  More
 

St. Gilbertine Institute invites Catholic educators, homeschoolers, and parents to a weekend retreat with four excellent speakers on the following: Primary Educator, Homeschooling by Heart, Classical Education, and Catholic Educator.  Fee is $80 (early bird rate  before Nov 1).  When: Nov. 24-25 at St. John the Evangelist, Calgary.  Register

Come to "Inspiration Unplugged - The Filthy Feet of Sacred Service: What Happens When Prayer Gets Off Its Knees" - Anchored in a reflection on the Washing of the Disciples' Feet, Dr. Troy Davies will take us on a tour of the 'soul of service' using examples drawn from the awe-inspiring work of Alberta's own Catholic Social Services.  When: Thu, Nov. 28 at 6 pm to 8 pm - McGivney Hall, St. Mary's University, Calgary.  More

Please visit  catholicyyc.ca/careers  for more information and application details. 

If you haven't already, please subscribe to the  Diocesan publication Faithfully  - to keep you updated with what's happening in our Diocese.  Get a snapshot of faith at work in the lives of everyday people in our Diocese and find opportunities to spread the Good News of Christ beyond the walls of our churches.  Subscribe at catholicyyc.ca/faithfully