|
Bulletin
|
|
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
|
Genesis 22: 1 - 2, 9a, 10 - 13, 15 -18 Romans 8: 31b - 34 Mark 9: 2 - 10
|
Today's readings are a powerful testimony to God’s profound love for each one of us. It is a reminder for us, as Christian stewards, to surrender all that we have to the Gracious Giver.
The First Reading from Genesis is the infamous story of God putting Abraham to the test. God commands Abraham to offer his son, Isaac, to the Lord as a sacrifice. Abraham obeys the Lord. Yet, a messenger of the Lord cries out at the last moment to stop him. Because of Abraham’s faithfulness and surrender to the Lord, he is blessed abundantly.
We can only imagine how Abraham felt, offering the life of his son, not understanding why, but blindly obeying. Yet, Abraham’s response of total surrender to God’s plan is a testament to trust in God’s deep love for us. As Christian stewards, we are called to surrender all to the Lord — our time, our talents, and even our material possessions. We should willingly give God our entire lives with the confidence that He will take care of us.
St. Paul echoes this message so beautifully in our Second Reading. He says, “He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him?” God loves us so much that He gave us His only Son who suffered, died, and rose for us. He has given us His very best. Can we not entrust our entire lives to Him knowing He will continue to pour out His love on us?
In our Gospel, Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a mountain, apart from the rest. It says, “he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white.” Then God spoke out from a cloud, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” Peter, James, and John had this intimate moment with Jesus, seeing Him as He truly is. God desires to have this intimate relationship with us too. As we entrust our lives to God, He will more fully reveal Himself to us. We will more clearly see Christ in our lives as He truly is and, in turn, we will become more dazzling ourselves. Let us strive to journey up the mountain with Jesus during this Lenten season — growing in our intimate relationship with Him. May we reflect on His profound love for us on this journey. And let us pray for total surrender to His providence.
|
Tue, Feb 27 @ 9:00 am Ian & Valerie Obligacion (INT) Tue, Feb 27 @ 6:30 pm Alberto Valencerina (RIP) Wed, Feb 28 @ 9:00 am Joe Murphy (RIP) Wed, Feb 28 @ 6:30 pm Penes Dragomir (RIP) Thu, Feb 29 @ 9:00 am Ned Nash (RIP) Thu, Feb 29 @ 6:30 pm Arden Saxon (RIP) Fri, Mar 1 @ 9:00 am Maria Lourdes Mangubat (INT) Fri, Mar 1 @ 6:30 pm Elicia Cruz-Michell (INT) Sat, Mar 2 @ 9:00 am Nicolas D. Mangubat (RIP) Sat, Mar 2 @ 5:00 pm Alberto Valencerina (RIP) Sun, Mar 3 @ 9:00 am Alfred Cust (INT) Sun, Mar 3 @ 11:00 am St. Albert the Great Community (INT) Sun, Mar 3 @ 5:00 pm Angel Cadano (RIP)
|
Please take note that the Stations of the Cross will be held Friday March 1, 8, 15 & 22 at 7:00 pm after the evening 6:30 pm Mass.
|
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.
|
TAX RECEIPTS FOR YOUR GENEROUS 2023 DONATIONS
2023 Tax Receipts over $50 will be mailed out before the end of February. Thank you for your generous donations in support of St. Albert the Great parish.
PLEASE NOTE: If you made a donation to St. Vincent de Paul, please be aware that they issue separate tax receipts for your donations, as they operate separately from the parish. Tax receipts will be mailed out in February for 2023 donations.
|
PASTORAL CARE IN OUR PARISH
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, home bound and bereaved. Our ministers are available to make home visits, as well we have ministers that regularly attend the South Campus Hospital.
Starting Sunday January 14, 2024 there will be a Mass every Sunday at South Health Campus Hospital at 3:30 pm.
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.
|
PARISH SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATORS NEEDED
St. Albert the Great Parish is seeking 2 individuals to develop and manage our social media and other electronic communications. This volunteer position is an excellent opportunity to gain practical digital communications experience while serving your Parish by connecting with and informing our faithful. For more information, please click here .
|
2023 STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW
|
The Knights of Columbus council of St. Albert the Great is proud to present in collaboration with our SATG Clergy, “We are the People of the Eucharist”, a Eucharistic Discernment given by Bishop David Motiuk, who is the Honorary State Chaplain for the Knights of Columbus of Alberta, available to all parishioners! - March 12 - The Eucharist and Communion with Jesus Christ
- April 9 - The Eucharist, a Thanksgiving
- May 14 - The Eucharist and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ
- June 11 - The Eucharist and the Coming of Jesus Christ
- February 28 – Silver Rose – virtual novena pilgrimage for Life
- April 6 & 7: Bottle Drive
- May 26th: CWL & KofC joint Mass at 11am
FAMILY OF THE MONTH PRESS RELEASE
The KofC Family of the Month for February 2024 Press Release can be found by clicking on this link .
|
|
CWL LENTEN SERVICE PROJECT
St. Albert the Great CWL is thrilled to announce our upcoming Baby Bottle Lenten project for this year, once again using the baby bottle theme. Take a baby bottle home this weekend, fill it with loose change throughout Lent, and return the full bottle on Palm Sunday. Bottles will be available after all Masses. Not able to pick up a bottle, please contact satgcwl@gmail.com. After witnessing the joy and enthusiasm of the past two years, we couldn't resist bringing this fun project back.
We've heard about the friendly competitions within our Parish, and we encourage you to share your stories with us by emailing satgcwl@gmail.com. Your experiences add to the joy of our community.
This year, the proceeds will support CWL supported charities focused on children and youth. We look forward to seeing you this weekend as we begin this family-oriented Lenten activity, filled with fun, learning, and spiritual growth.
Thank you for your unwavering support of our charitable endeavours! God bless.
|
Hallow, the #1 prayer and meditation app in the world, is partnering with St. Albert the Great parish this Lent! Let’s join together as a parish community in the audio-guided Lent Pray40 Challenge with Jonathan Roumie, Fr. Mike Schmitz and Mark Wahlberg, and in addition to other surprise audio guides! We are blessed by this opportunity to further enrich our community through shared prayer.
Join us at a kickoff event filled with faith and fellowship on Sunday February 11th at 10 am in the St. Albert the Great Parish basement. By scanning the QR code, you're not only registering for our kick-off event, but also securing Hallow Premium for just $1! This special offer is extended to all parishioners because our parish is a proud Hallow partner. Even if you are unable to attend the kick-off event, please scan the QR code to join our community this Lenten season as we delve into the richness of prayer with Hallow’s Pray40 Challenge.
Further information will be provided upon registration. Any questions? Reach out to our Hallow parish coordinator, Robe Pettigrew at robe@questsend.ca. We look forward to praying with you!
|
Come As You Are UPCOMING EVENTS
Proclaiming the Gospel and Forming Missionary Disciples for the Renewal of the World!
Discovery Faith Studies are up and running!
We applaud the men and women who have made the New Year's Resolution to invest in their spiritual life in 2024! There are three men's groups and five women's groups. Please pray for all our participants.
Connect Night: The Art of Discernment – Part 2
Are you facing a particular decision in your life right now? Whether its figuring out a job or career, a new ministry, or just wondering how to best respond to a situation in your life, human beings are decision-makers. How to do this in light of God’s will? Join us for Part 2 of this series on Ignatian Discernment & Decision-Making. You’ll leave with practical tools and insight as we equip you to live out your call as Missionary Disciples. Thursday, Feb 29 at 7pm in the parish hall.
|
NEW CANADIAN FAMILY MINISTRY OF HOPE
|
We have been in touch with our sponsored family, they have been cleared medically and are just waiting with anticipation for their travel date to come to Canada. In the meantime they have sent the following message to us for Lent.
"Dear ones: The word freedom is beautiful, we long for freedom to be able to worship at Mass one day soon. It is hard for many to imagine such a life that we live, but we are facing our difficulties. We see Christ by our side in our darkest and loneliest days. Jesus is the light and freedom in our lives. We thank you all for praying for us and giving us hope".
As our sponsored family gets closer to transitioning from being refugees to becoming members of our parish, we wanted our ministry name to better reflect this. This is why we have renamed our ministry the New Canadian Family Ministry of Hope.
Mt 25:35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.
Also, thanks to the generosity of St. Albert the Great parishioners we have met our stated goal for fundraising for the refugee family!!
If you were a monthly contributor, please contact the office to stop or redirect your donations.
We will update you soon on the family's arrival as well as other ministry needs to prepare for welcoming the family to Canada. Thank you so much for your generosity to this ministry. God Bless.
|
|
SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL
|
Current Needs
St. Albert the Great St. Vincent de Paul currently needs dry pasta and canned soup .
Please drop your donations in the St. Vincent de Paul box in the Narthex. All non perishable food is appreciated. Thank you for your support!
|
THE MASS IN SACRED SCRIPTURE
If you would like to learn more about the Eucharist in the Scripture, join other parishioners to watch the series presented by Dcn. Harlod Burke-Silvers.
The presentations with a short discussion and fellowship will be offered twice a week after the 9:30 am morning Mass on Thursday & Saturday. We will start on Thursday, February 1, with the first presentation. That presentation will be repeated on Saturday, February 3.
|
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 .
|
"Because Christ hears and saves those who hope in Him, let us pray for . . . "
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 and how long you would like them to remain on the Prayer Board.
|
Calgary Catholic Education Foundation
|
Development and Peace–Caritas Canada supports rural populations in the Global South in defending their rights to life, land, water, biodiversity, justice, health, participation, decent livelihoods, a healthy environment and more. - Resources for Share Lent 2024 "Reaping Our Rights" campaign are available here
|
|
Calgary Catholic Education Foundation
|
Click on the images above to connect to Mary's Meals website.
|
Click on the above image to view the renewal web page.
|
Pastoral Renewal Teams Orientation
|
On February 10, nearly 300 Parish Renewal Team members from across the Diocese convened for a Renewal orientation with the Renewal Leadership Team and Bishop McGrattan. This meeting was held simultaneously in Calgary, Lethbridge, and Medicine Hat, with Zoom enabling connections between all sites. You can view photos from the gathering locations and get insights from the attendees. All in all, it was a blessed beginning!
|
A Pastoral Message from Bishop McGrattan on Lent & Social Media
|
As we approach Lent, Bishop McGrattan reminds us to take a step back, pause, and reflect on our use of social media. Using insights from the latest CCCB pastoral letter, "Let Your Speech Always be Gracious," and the Holy Father's Lenten message, the Bishop highlights the seven commitments we should make to witness to core Christian values and help build a healthy online environment that serves the common good.
|
|
Journey through Lent Reflections - 2nd Week
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) invites you to join their Journey through Lent video series. On this Second Sunday of Lent, Bishop Hero provides a reflection on the Transfiguration.
|
World Day of Prayer - Mar 1
|
The World Day of Prayer is observed annually on the first Friday in March. It is an invitation for Christians to pause and pray together ecumenically and recalls our Christian responsibility to be sensitive to the signs of the times so that we might bring a more authentically Christian dimension to the concerns of our world, our country, and our community. To assist celebrations of the World Day of Prayer, services have been prepared for adults, youth, and children. Resources can be downloaded from the Women's Inter-Church Council of Canada website at wicc.org - In the Diocese of Calgary, St. Mark's CWL invites all to attend their service for World Day of Prayer on Friday, Mar 1 at 1 pm at St. Mark's Parish in Calgary. All are welcome!. More info
|
Sunday Bulletin shorts In the gospel, there is a walk up another mountain. The apparition known as the “Transfiguration” strengthened the three apostles for what was to come. But the disciples want to hold on to their unexpected and ecstatic experience. They do not want to take the next step; they want to build tents and stay there with the Lord. But Jesus then speaks of his coming death, calling them to take up the cross and follow. - What mountain top experience continues to nurture and challenge you?
- When, in your life, you would have preferred to have just pitched a tent and stayed in God’s presence indefinitely?
- Have you experienced “dying to self” in order that new life can follow?
(Reflection: Diocese of Saskatoon)
Resources for children 40 Hours Devotion in the Diocese of Calgary “ The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest” (Matt. 9:37-38). Pray with us as for an increase of vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life in our Diocese. Come and pray before the Lord | catholicyyca.ca/40hours
Last chance to sign the Stand for the Land petition Today is the deadline for signing a letter to Honduran ambassador to Canada asking her government to protect those who are fighting to defend forests and rivers in a Honduran national park against pollution from a mine. The letter is part of Development and Peace ― Caritas Canada’s last fall campaign. Over 20,000 Canadians have signed it in solidarity with these struggling communities of Guapinol and the San Pedro sector. Join the effort and add weight to our demands. Sign now at devp.org/act. Thank you for your solidarity!
Lenten #Renewal Mission with Dr. Peter Baltutis St. Luke's Parish invites you to attend their Renewal Parish Lenten Mission with Dr. Peter Baltutis, which ends with penitential service on Thursday. When: Monday to Thursday, Feb 26 - 29 at 7 pm. Peter teaches history & religious studies at St. Mary's University and is a lay member of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans). He also serves as CWL Endowed Chair for Catholic Studies. More info. Profession of Religious Vows - Seeds of the Word
You are invited to the Seeds of the Word Profession of Religious Vows - Sun, Mar 3 at 4 pm at St. Mary's Cathedral, presided over by Bishop William McGrattan. Bishop Alberto Taveira from Brazil will be joining Bishop McGrattan. More info
Priestly Vocations Night Have you ever thought God might be calling you to be a priest? Come to the Priestly Vocations Night with Fr. Derek Remus. Mass at 5 pm, followed by Evening Prayer, supper, presentation on discerning a vocation, and prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. When: Saturday, Mar 16, from 5 pm to 9 pm at St. Luke’s, Calgary. 27th Annual God Squad Men's Conference God Squad Canada is hosting its annual Men’s Conference called “The Way to the Father” on March 22-23, 2024 at Ascension Catholic Parish in Calgary with keynote speaker: Jon Leonetti, an author, Catholic Speaker, radio host, but most importantly a husband and a father; as well as Brother Simon of the Seeds of the Word Community in Calgary. Get tickets here Youth & Holy Week Missions Regnum Christi Calgary is inviting young people to a week-long event during Holy Week 2024. This event is designed to help young people develop a deeper relationship with Christ and will include a range of activities such as Mass, Adoration, Confession, games, food, live Stations of the Cross, and a Marian procession. The event will be held from Mar 24 - 30 at St. James' Parish in Okotoks. More info & registration Sunday Mass at Calgary Hospitals Great news! The celebration of Sunday Mass has resumed at three hospitals in the City of Calgary on the First Sunday of Advent. Patients, family members and friends, and hospital staff are now able to avail themselves of this pastoral outreach in the following facilities: Sundays at 3:30 pm - Foothills Hospital Chapel Sundays at 3:00 pm – Peter Lougheed Hospital Chapel Sundays at 3:30 pm – Rockyview Hospital Chapel Sundays at 3:30 pm – South Health Campus Hospital Chapel Career Opportunities
February & March 2024 Calendar Highlights - Feb 24 - 25 Weekend | Ablaze Youth Ministry Weekend with FacetoFace Ministry for Gr. 9-12: The Depths - Ascension, Calgary
- Sat, Feb 24 | Priestly Vocations Night - St. Luke's
- Sat, Feb 24 | Married Love Course with Family Enrichment Calgary
- NEW! Sat, Feb 24 | D&P Caritas Canada Share Lent Workshops - Online
- NEW! Sat, Feb 24 | Retraite du carême, Paroisse Sainte-Famille, Calgary
- Sat, Feb 24 | Mercy from Age to Age: From Loneliness toward a Culture of Encounter - St. Bonaventure, Calgary
- Sat, Feb 24 | Single Catholic Women: What does God want? - Online via Zoom
- NEW! Sun, Feb 25 | Open House at Sacred Heart Church, Strathmore
- Feb 26 - 29 | Lenten Renewal Mission with Dr. Peter Baltutis - St. Luke's Calgary
- Fri, Mar 1 | World Day of Prayer - St. Mark's, Calgary
- Fri, Mar 1 | Taize Lenten Prayer Service - Canadian Martyrs, Calgary
- Tue, Mar 5 | Taize Lenten Prayer Service - St. Luke's, Calgary
- Mar 1 - 2 | 40 Hours Devotion for Vocations at St. Mary's Cathedral
- Mar 1 - 3 | 40 Hours Devotion for Vocations at St. Anthony's Calgary
- Mar 1 - 3 | Retrouvaille Retreat - A lifeline for Married Couples - Calgary
- Mar 1 - 3 | Single Women (18-35) Come & See Dominican Sisters of Immaculate Conception - Our Lady Queen of Peace, Calgary
- Mar 1 - 3 | Billings Ovulation Method Workshop
- Sun, Mar 3 | Profession of Religious Vows, Seeds of the Word - St. Mary's Cathedral
- NEW! Sun, Mar 3 | Lenten Mission "The Saints' Guide to Happiness: Practical Lessons from the Spiritual Masters" - St. Gerard's Church
- Mon, Mar 4 - 25 | Follow the light of Christ anew - Zoom
- Tue, Mar 5 | Taize Lenten Prayer Service - St. Luke's Church, Calgary
- Tue, Mar 5 | Lenten Twilight Retreat - Tree of Life - Mt. St. Francis, Cochrane
- Wed, Mar 6 | Lenten Day Away Retreat - Mt. St. Francis, Cochrane
- Fri, Mar 8 | Way of the Cross: Liliana's Story: A reflection on the Trafficking of Human Person - FCJ Centre
- Mar 8 - 10 | 40 Hours Devotion for Vocations at St. Luke's Calgary
- Sun, Mar 10 | Knights Breakfast Sunday - St. Mary's Brooks
- Tue, Mar 12 | Lenten Retreat - St. Paul's, Airdrie
- Mar 13 - 14 | 40 Hours Devotion for Vocations at St. Bonaventure's, Calgary
- Sat, Mar 16 | Priestly Vocations Night - St. Luke's, Calgary
- NEW! Tue, Mar 19 | Solemnity of St. Joseph Mass with Bishop McGrattan - St. Joseph's, Calgary
- Mar 22 - 23 | God Squad Men's Conference - Ascension, Calgary
- Mar 22 - 24 | Live-In Retreat - St. John Paul II collegiate School, Okotoks
- Sun, Mar 24 | Palm Sunday - Holy Week Begins - Mass Finder
- Mon, Mar 25 | Chrism Mass - St. Mary's Cathedral, Calgary
- Thu, Mar 28 | Paschal Triduum - Holy Thursday - Parish Triduum Schedule
- Fri, Mar 29 | Paschal Triduum - Good Friday - Parish Triduum Schedule
- Sat, Mar 30 | Paschal Triduum - Easter Vigil - Parish Triduum Schedule
- Sun, Mar 31 | Easter Sunday - Parish Easter Schedule
- Mar 24 - 30 | Holy Week Mission for Youth Gr. 7-12 - St. James', Okotoks
Subscribe to Faithfully 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
Other Diocese information can be found at this link.
|
|