Lent and Holy Week

Parish Penitential Service schedule

• Parish Penitential Services/Celebration schedule will be highlighted on Faithfully and Diocesan social media this coming Monday. List will be available for review on our Lenten page | View current list
• Kindly share the schedule of your parish Lenten Penitential/Reconciliation Service with Jan (receptionist@calgarydiocese.ca) by emailing Jan the following:
  • Parish Name, City
  • Lenten Reconciliation Service schedule (Day, Date & Time)
  • Any other notes to share with the faithful (perhaps regular confession schedule, or special schedule during Holy week)

Triduum & Easter Schedule

The schedule for the Parish Triduum and Easter Sunday liturgies will be shared on Faithfully and Diocesan social media closer to Holy Week. 

• Please review the schedule we collected from you last year  (link to https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1p4m51CkXOQSHLVxYkB5nszOAaZts8beJYsyRtPjxfk4/edit?usp=sharing )

• To submit or edit your parish Triduum & Easter schedule, please email Jan at (receptionist@calgarydiocese.ca) by Friday, March 24.

Upcoming Lenten Retreats & Missions

Thank you for submitting Lenten parish missions to the Diocesan Calendar! 

• See listing of the upcoming Lenten Retreats & Missions throughout the Diocese

Priestly Ordination of Santiago Torres

Rev. Mr. Santiago Torres, a transitional deacon currently completing studies at St. Joseph Seminary, Edmonton, has been called to ordination to the Holy Priesthood at St. Mary's Cathedral, Calgary, on the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Friday, June 16, 2023 at 7 pm.  

Action item for Pastoral Staff 
Please share with your parishioners

RCIA Scrutinies & Presentations

Excerpt from the Memorandum for 2023 Lent and Easter liturgical celebrations on RCIA Scrutinies & Presentation:

Following the Rite of Election, the Elect enters into the period of Purification and Enlightenment. 

• Scrutinies are celebrated on the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sundays of Lent with Year A readings (RCIA no. 133).

• Candidates, baptized Christians preparing for Reception into Full Communion, do not go through this rite. Instead, Candidates are invited to a Lenten Renewal.

• The presentation of the Creed to the Elects takes place during the week following the First Scrutiny (RCIA no. 144). 

• The presentation of the Lord’s Prayer to the Elects takes place during the week following the Third Scrutiny (RCIA no. 165).

Action item for Pastoral Staff 
Please share with your parish priest(s) and RCIA Coordinator

Solemnity of St. Joseph | March 20th

• Prayers for St. Joseph, Patron of the Church in Canada and Patron of the universal Church are found in Blessings and Prayers for Home and Family, p. 332. Additional prayers and a Litany to St. Joseph are found on pp.  331, 333-335.

Action item for Pastoral Staff 
Please share with your parish priest(s)

Reminder: Together in Action (TIA) 2023

Share Lent Information Session for Priests

CCCB: The Call of the Catechist Webinar Series:  Save the Dates

Join the national discussion on the formation of catechists and reflect on contemporary themes with our three-part webinar series featuring speakers:  

• Sherry Weddell (28 March)
• Sr. Janet Schaeffler, OP (11 April) and  
• Dr. Anne Walsh (18 April).

An Appeal from the Ukrainian Catholic Bishops in Canada

Please read the appeal from the Ukrainian Catholic Bishops in Canada, on the occasion of the one-year commemoration of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (24 February).  Read letter here and find tangible way to help Ukrainian refugees in our Diocese. 

Career Opportunities

• Administrative Assistant (Part-time) - Our Lady of the Rockies, Canmore
• Administrative Assistant (Part-time) - St. Pius X, Calgary
• Caretaker (Casual) - St. Ambrose, Coaldale
• Hospitality/Security (Part-time) - Sacred Heart, Calgary

Other resources & events

1. Sunday Bulletin shorts, free to use 
   In Scripture, the mountain is an essential place of encounter with the divine. It is no coincidence that God’s revelation of who Jesus is takes place on a mountaintop. Here Jesus is linked to all the signs of God’s revelation: a mountain, a light, a voice, and holy fear. In Matthew this event takes place after the prediction of Jesus’ death in Jerusalem, pointing to God’s plan in both this dazzling revelation and to the upcoming death on a cross.
   • What word, phrase, or thought speaks to you most strongly?
   • Is there a connection between Jesus’ clothes being “dazzling white” and the symbol of the white garment we use in the baptismal rite?
   • What kinds of “mountaintop” experiences have you had? How did they affect you?
     (Source: Diocese of Saskatoon)
      
2. Resources for children
   • Kid's challenge this week: We hear about something very special that happened to Jesus while he was on a mountain with three of his friends. His appearance changed as his face and clothes shone like the sun. This also changed the lives of his friends as they realized that Jesus was the Son of God. We can change people’s lives through our actions and our love, let’s think about how today. 
     • Colouring page this Sunday
     • Kid's Bulletin for this Sunday
     • Sunday Connection for this Sunday (Gr. 1-8) 
     • Children's Liturgy of the Word this Sunday 
       • Children's Liturgy sheet for leaders/parents (CAFOD) | Illustration
       • Children's Liturgy of the Word with Miss Heidi (Catholic TV)
          
3. Evening of Conversation with Catholic Thought Leader, Fr. Raymond De Souza
   In partnership with the St. Francis Xavier Chaplaincy, St. Mary’s University invites you to an evening of food for the soul, mind and body featuring a talk by Fr. Raymond De Souza with conversation and questions from Dr. Sinda Vanderpool, President of St. Mary’s University.  When: Thursday, March 16 at 7 pm at St. Mary’s University. There will be time to connect with others and enjoy a pulled pork sandwich prior to the talk.  Register now
    
4. God Squad's annual Men Conference 
   All men are welcome to a weekend of formation with guest speakers: Fr. Raymond De Souza and Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers on God Squad's upcoming Conference "Memento Mori: Remember your death and live for heaven". When: March 17-18 at St. Michael's Church (800 85 St SW, Calgary). For more information or to register, visit godsquad.ca/register or call 587-888-5482. Order today and get a Terror of Demons- Disc Golf set (supplies are limited)
    
5. Profession of Vows - Seeds of the Word 
   Seeds of the Word community invites you to attend the First Profession of Vows of two male and two female novices who have been in formation here in Calgary, as well as the incorporation of a new missionary member to religious formation. This celebration with Bishop McGrattan will take place at St Mary's Cathedral on March 19 at 7 pm.
     
6. World Youth Day needs volunteers
   WYD Lisbon 2023 needs you. More than 10,000 volunteers have already begun registering for World Youth Day (WYD) Lisbon 2023. Among national and international volunteers and team leaders, the group of volunteers for the great encounter with the Pope has been growing and building thanks to the generosity of thousands of people. Registration to become a volunteer is still open and you can submit your application here. 
    
7. Emergency Relief for Turkey & Syria
   Thousands of lives were taken or left missing after the catastrophic earthquake in Turkey and Syria. At this critical moment, your generous and prayerful support is more than necessary — it is vital to their survival. Funds are urgently needed to provide food, medical supplies, shelter and other essentials both now and in the coming months. Donations will help those affected go back to a more stable life. You can donate through any of the organizations below: 
   Donate through Development and Peace - Caritas Canada 
   Donate through CNEWA
   Canadian Jesuits International
   Aid to the Church in Need (ACN)
    
8. Pastoral Care Ministry Training
   The Diocese of Calgary is offering a Pastoral Care Ministry Training for those who feel called to assist their parish in providing healing services to the sick, elderly, dying, homebound and bereaved. Note that all participants must be pre-approved by their Pastor and/or Pastoral Care Coordinator; please contact your parish for details, or Sr. Mariflor Jacob at 403-218-5521. To register online or find more information, visit catholicyyc.ca/pastoralcare
    
9. Journey through Lent 2023 | 2nd Week of Lent
   This year’s Lenten reflections from CCCB are delivered by His Eminence Gérald Cyprien Cardinal Lacroix, Archbishop of Quebec and Primate of Canada, and the Most Reverend Brian Joseph Dunn, Archbishop of Halifax-Yarmouth. On this Second Sunday of Lent, Bishop Dunn provides a reflection on God’s breath of life in us. - Watch Video Here
    
10. March 2023 Calendar Highlights
    • Mar 10, 17, 24, 31 | Enhancing our Lenten Journey - St. Mary's Cathedral
    • Mar 6-12 | 6 Day Lenten Silent Retreat - FCJ
    • Mar 7 | Support for Daily Examen - Zoom
    • Mar 7, 14, 21, 28 | Lenten Mission - St. Mary's Cochrane
    • Mar 8 | Lent Retreat - Day Away: Advocate for the Poor - Mt. St. Francis
    • Mar 8 | Fill Our Hearts with Your Love Retreat - Mt St. Francis
    • Mar 9 | Laudato Si with Pope Francis - Lenten Reflection - FCJ
    • Mar 10 - 12 | Lenten Weekend Silent Directed Retreat - FCJ
    • Mar 11 | Rising from Ashes - Heroic Men Summit - Online
    • Mar 14 - 15 | Lenten Mission - St. Augustine, Taber
    • Mar 16 | Treasuring the Memories: Savoring the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius - FCJ
    • Mar 18 | Lenten Retreat Day - St. Albert the Great, Calgary
    • Mar 18 | Serra Club featuring Fr. Joseph Mary Do, OP - St. Mary's Cathedral
    • Mar 19 | Profession of Vows, Seeds of the Word - St. Mary's Cathedral
    • Mar 19 | Lenten Mission - St. Gerard's, Calgary
    • Mar 19 | Vespers and the Study of the Life of St. Francis - St. Luke's, Calgary
    • Mar 23 | Come Aside Evening: Lenten Reflection - FCJ
    • Mar 23 | St. Mary's University President's Dinner - Calgary Italian Cultural Centre
    • Mar 24 | Live-In Retreat - Okotoks
    • Mar 25 | Lenten Reflection - Divine Mercy Sisters
    • Mar 29 | Spiritual Directors' Enrichment Day
    • Mar 31 | Friday Mass with St. John Choir Schola - St. Anthony's Church
    • Mar 31 - Apr 2 | Centering Prayer Retreat - Martha Retreat Centre, Lethbridge
    • To submit your parish/lay association events - go to catholicyyc.ca/news and click "Add Event" (please submit description + poster/graphic in JPEG/PNG)