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
13th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
2 Kings 4:8 - 11, 14 - 16A
Romans 6:3 - 4, 8 - 11
Matthew 10:37 - 42
STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION
Today’s readings take us back to some basics of stewardship living and demonstrate the genius of this way of life.
Our First Reading, from 2 Kings, shows us the necessity and power of hospitality. It recounts the story of a woman who showed loving hospitality to a visitor, inviting him to dinner with her family and arranging a room for him in their home so that he would have a comfortable place to stay during his travels through her town. She reached out to the man in a simple and practical manner to make him feel welcome and was rewarded in an extraordinary way.
In our Second Reading, from the Letter to the Romans, St. Paul reminds us of the power of our Baptism and how this sacrament makes us disciples. What does that mean for us here and now? St. Paul tells us very clearly: “You must think of yourselves as dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus.” We must live for Christ! Nothing less will do.
Our Lord proclaims this same instruction in a rather shocking way in our Gospel passage from Matthew: “Whoever finds his life [by living for oneself] will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” But how do we lose our life? Precisely through loving actions towards others, loving them as if they were Christ. “Whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because the little one is a disciple… he will surely not lose his reward.”
The simple brilliance of stewardship living — only our infinitely creative and compassionate God could conceive it!
MASS INTENTIONS
Tue, July 4 @ 9:00 am Jesse Frontain (RIP)
Tue, July 4 @ 10:00 pm Angelo Vozila (RIP) - Senior Care Centre
Tue, July 4 @ 6:30 pm Reynaldo Eway (INT)
Wed, July 5 @ 9:00 am Adolf Smerdely (RIP)
Wed, July 5 @ 9:00 am Adolf Smerdely (RIP)
Wed, July 5 @ 10:30 am Father Krys (INT) - Senior Care Centre
Wed, July 5 @ 6:30 pm Jonathan, Kellyanne, Lucy & Ignatius Banks (INT)
Wed, July 5 @ 6:30 pm Jonathan, Kellyanne, Lucy & Ignatius Banks (INT)
Thu, July 6 @ 9:00 am Jesse Breton (RIP)
Thu, July 6 @ 1:30 pm Carol Santamaria (RIP) - Senior Care Centre
Thu, July 6 @ 6:30 pm Bernabe Ponon (RIP)
Fri, July 7 @ 9:00 am Cliff Plettell (INT)
Fri, July 7 @ 6:30 pm Jayden Desa (RIP)
Sat, July 8 @ 9:00 am Judelyn Bumanglag Gutierrez
Fri, July 7 @ 6:30 pm Jayden Desa (RIP)
Sat, July 8 @ 9:00 am Judelyn Bumanglag Gutierrez
Sat, July 8 @ 5:00 pm Olinda Adriano (RIP)
Sun, July 9 @ 9:00 am Jorencia Sales (RIP)
Sun, July 9 @ 9:00 am Jorencia Sales (RIP)
Sun, July 9 @ 11:00 am St. Albert the Great Community (INT)
Sun, July 9 @ 5:00 pm Ernesto Delgado Sr.(RIP)
OFFICE CLOSED FOR CANADA DAY
Please note that the parish office will be closed on Monday July 3, 2023 in observance of Canada Day. The office will re-open on Tuesday July 4, 2023, when we will start Summer Hours, Monday through Friday 9:30 am – 12:30 pm.
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.
PARKING NEAR THE CHURCH
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 $39,212.11 towards our goal thanks to your generous contributions.
REFUGEE FAMILY DONATION UPDATE
CWL - RED SAND PRAYER SERVICE
Your SATG Catholic Women’s League in collaboration with IWIN (I’m Worth It Now) and the Red Sand Project, is raising awareness about human trafficking – an atrocity that is occurring right here in our own city. We ask you to join us in the Red Sand Prayer Service that we will be hosting after 11:00 am mass on July 9th. The service will be less than 15 minutes and shows our support for victims of human trafficking. Parishioners will be given a handful of Red Sand to spread in the sidewalk cracks outside the church – SE corner near the Community Garden Boxes. This is to serve as a reminder that we cannot merely walk over the most marginalized people in our communities – those who “fall through” the metaphoric cracks. The red sand also symbolizes the blood Christ poured out for all His children. In addition to raising awareness, IWIN provides backpacks of basic necessities to survivors of human trafficking who are entering a wrap-around program which provides education and assistance.
satgcwl @gmail.com
SUNDAY SOCIAL
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!
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.
CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
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.
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
For more information, please contact Lucille at 403-479-1211 or paplawski@hotmail.com."
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 .
PRAYER BOARD
"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.
Cemetery Masses with Bishop McGrattan
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)
HIS Building 6th Annual Golf Tournament
Sat, July 8 at 12:30 to 9 pm, Strathmore Golf Club
Support the construction of the new Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Strathmore and enjoy a round of golf! More info or register
Support the construction of the new Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Strathmore and enjoy a round of golf! More info or register
A Pastoral Letter from CCCB
The Commission for Justice and Peace of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has released a Pastoral Letter titled Living as Catholics in the Public Square: Freedom of Religion and Conscience in Canada. This timely document emphasizes the significance of freedom of religion and conscience in our democratic society and explores the role of Catholics in courageously living out their faith in the public square.
- Download Pastoral Letter
- Watch for a pastoral message from Bishop McGrattan this Monday, July 3, 2023 in Faithfully.
Live Your Life to the Fullest - July 8
Divine Mercy Sisters invite you to a day of outdoor conference! There will be Mass, talks, opportunity for confessions, and candlelight Adoration with inspirational hymns led by the Sisters of Divine Mercy. When: Sat, July 8 from 10:30 am to 4 pm, Divine Mercy Centre.
Always Our Children - Aug 18-20
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
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
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
List of Summer Retreats - Live In
- Soul Care Retreat for Men (July 18 - 20) - Mount St. Francis
- Lac Ste Anne Pilgrimage (July 21-27) - Lac Ste Anne, AB
- Learn to Keep Walking Retreat (July 23 - 30) - Mount St. Francis
- Soul Care Retreat for Women (Aug 8 - 10) - Mount St. Francis
- Summer Silent Directed Retreat (Aug 11 - 19) - FCJ Retreat Centre
- Women's Weekend Retreat (Aug 11-13) - Mount St. Francis
- Weekend Silent Directed Retreat (Aug 11-13) - FCJ Centre
- Always Our Children (Aug 18-20) - Aspen Ranch Outdoor Centre, Clearwater County, AB
- Blessing of the Good Road Week Retreat (Aug 21-27) - Mount St. Francis
Sunday Bulletin shorts
For those raised in Christian families Jesus’ words, about relatives being obstacles to the faith, may sound strange. But those who have joined the church as adults might relate to his words very well. Jesus is to be our primary relationship of love second to none, not even to our closest kin. Again, adult converts to the Christian faith may well relate better to Jesus’ summons to lose one’s life in order to find it than do born Christians, thus calling us all to ongoing and radical surrender. The instructions on hospitality link this Gospel passage to the first reading.
- Have your relatives ever been an obstacle to your Christian faith?
- Have you ever been forced to choose between Jesus and someone/something you love very dearly?
- Recall a time when you welcomed someone who affected your faith in Jesus.
(Source: Diocese of Saskatoon)
Resources for children
Resources for children
- Colouring page this Sunday
- Kid's Bulletin this Sunday
- Sunday Connection this Sunday (Gr. 1-8)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word this Sunday
Apply to receive spiritual direction
Would you like to receive eight months of spiritual direction free of charge? The current participants in the Spiritual Direction Training Program (SDTP), having completed one year of training, will enter into their practicum in the fall. They will provide individual spiritual direction to volunteers beginning in October 2023 and concluding in May 2024. It is a wonderful spiritual growth opportunity for people desiring to deepen their relationship with God. Space is limited so please apply soon. To apply, email Sr. Ann Marie at samwfcj@aol.com by July 15.
Billings Ovulation Method Basic Teacher Training Workshop
Become an Accredited Billings Ovulation Method® teacher or for acquiring in depth knowledge of reproductive biology for personal or professional reasons. Prerequisite: Part 1 Basic Teacher training. When: Aug 11-13, St. Joseph's College, Edmonton | More info
Ascension App
By the end of its launch day on June 26, 2023, the Ascension App was the #1 Bible app in the App Store, and #46 in all app categories, ahead of apps from Disney+, LinkedIn, and Zoom. The new Ascension App features full text of the Great Adventure Catholic Bible; Catechism of the Catholic Church, The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) podcast and episode transcripts, The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) podcast and episode transcripts and over 1,000 commonly asked Catholic Bible questions answered by Fr. Mike Schmitz, Jeff Cavins, and other Catholic authors. To download the Ascension App today: Link for App Store / iOS | Link for Google Play / Android
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)
Wanted: Part-time Administrative Assistant for Our Lady of the Rockies in Canmore
Our Lady of the Rockies parish is currently seeking a qualified individual to join their team as a part-time Administrative Assistant. The ideal candidate will possess strong people skills, exceptional organizational abilities, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and great attention to detail. The position offers a competitive benefits package and opportunities for employee development. If you or someone you know might be interested in this opportunity, please share this information with them. Interested applicants should submit their resumes to careers@calgarydiocese.ca
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; Fundraising Lead; Facility Maintenance (carpentry, handyfolks, renovation); and Marketing & Communications lead. More information at elizabethhousecalgary.ca
Wanted: Treasurer position for St. Vincent de Paul
St. Vincent de Paul is currently seeking a dedicated individual to fill a volunteer position as Treasurer for their organization in Calgary. This role is essential in assisting with the governance of St. Vincent de Paul and ensuring its continued success. Click here for more information about the position or email evanjstrong@shaw.ca for more information.
Live Your Life to the Fullest - July 8
Divine Mercy Sisters invite you to a day of conference outdoors! There will be Mass, talks, opportunity for confession, and candlelight Adoration with inspirational hymns. When: Sat, July 8 from 10:30 am to 4 pm, Divine Mercy Centre | Register now
His Building - 6th Golf Tournament for Sacred Heart Church in Strathmore - July 8
Support the construction of the new Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Strathmore and enjoy a round of golf! When: Sat, July 8 at 12:30 to 9 pm, Strathmore Golf Club. More info or register
Ignite & Ignite Junior AB - July 18-21
Ignite is a Catholic summer camp for teens grades 9-12 desiring to grow in holiness. It is an incredible week with excellent talks, amazing people, daily Mass, epic large group activities, Reconciliation, Adoration, praise and worship, and much more! You will grow in the knowledge of Christ and the Church and be empowered to go forward while striving to be a modern-day saint. July 18-21, 2023, St. Michael's Parish, Calgary. Ignite Junior AB (Gr 6-8) is also running simultaneously. Register here
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
- Administrative Assistant (Part-time) - Our Lady of the Rockies, Canmore
- Family Faith Coordinator (Full-time) - All Saints, Lethbridge
- Maintenance Worker (Part-time) - Sacred Heart, Calgary
- Parish Engagement & Volunteer Coordinator (Full-time) - St. Peter's, Calgary
- Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper (Part-time) - St. Anthony's, Drumheller
- Sacrament Preparation Coordinator (Full-time) - St. Mary's Cathedral, Calgary
- Volunteer Screening Coordinator/Office Assistant (Part-time) - St. James, Calgary
- Administrative Assistant (Part-time) - St. Martha's, Lethbridge
- Bookkeeper (Casual) - St. Martha's, Lethbridge
- Assistant Coordinator (Casual) - Feed the Hungry
- Housekeeper (Temporary Full-time) - Dorchester House, Calgary
- AND MORE!
Please visit catholicyyc.ca/careers for more information and application details.
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
Summer 2023 Calendar Highlights
- July - Aug | Our Lady of Victory Camp - Gull Lake, AB
- July 8 | His Building - 6th Annual Charity Golf Tournament for Sacred Heart Church in Strathmore - Strathmore Golf Club
- July 8 | Live Your Life to the Fullest - Divine Mercy Centre
- July 18 - 20 | Soul Care Retreat for Men - Mount St. Francis
- July 18-20 | Ignite Junior AB - St. Michael's, Calgary
- July 18-21 | Ignite AB - St. Michael's Calgary
- July 21-27 | Lac Ste Anne Pilgrimage - Lac Ste Anne, AB
- July 22 | Brother Sun - Sister Moon - Mount St. Francis
- July 23 - 30 | Learn to Keep Walking Retreat - Mount St. Francis
- July 23 | Conversation Cafe - dementia-friendly social - FCJ
- Aug 8 - 10 | Soul Care Retreat for Women - Mount St. Francis
- Aug 11 | Billings Ovulation Method Teacher Training Workshop - St. Joseph's College, Edmonton
- Aug 11 - 19 | Summer Silent Directed Retreat - FCJ Retreat Centre
- Aug 11-13 | Women's Weekend Retreat - Mount St. Francis
- Aug 11-13Weekend Silent Directed Retreat - FCJ Centre
- Aug 14-18 | Byzantine Icon Workshop - St. Stephen Ukrainian Church
- Aug 18 | Always Our Children - Encourage Apostolate retreat - Aspen Ranch Outdoor Education Centre
- Aug 20 | Vespers and the Study of the Life of St. Francis - St. Luke's Church
- Aug 21-27 | Blessing of the Good Road Week Retreat - Mount St. Francis
- Aug 22-25 | Vacation Bible School - Great Big Beautiful Word - FCJ
- Aug 23 | Cemetery Mass at Mountain View Funeral Chapel
- Aug 26 | Angels on High with St Gabriel's Parish - Boom Trail, AB
- Aug 27 | Conversation Cafe - Dementia friendly atmosphere - FCJ
- Aug 30 - Cemetery Mass at Queen's Park Cemetery
- Aug 31 - Cemetery Mass at St. Mary's Cemetery
