24th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Fr. Edmunds Pastoral Notes…
The Force be with you!
In the final episode of George Lucas’ Star Wars trilogy, The Return of the Jedi, Luke Skywalker gets re-united with his father not by giving bent to his hatred but by resisting it and offering love and forgiveness. The dark side of the Force is defeated by the young Jedi’s love and bravery, instilled by his masters. The Force is with those who love and forgive.
In many epics, including the Hindu Bagavad Gita, bravery belongs to those who forgive, to those who offer love for hate.
Hanging on the cross in Calvary, Christ utters a prayer of forgiveness for the very people who have brought him excruciating pain and eventual death: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” These loving words summarize Christ’s basic attitude towards relationships.
Our Christian life is bound to be a journey of forgiveness. Fear and violence are to be confronted with the loving force of Christian forgiveness. Our Christian community has to be a community of the forgiven and the forgiving.
Let us consider this basic Christian option to become a forgiving person, just as Christ was forgiving until the last breath of his life. Let our attitude of forgiveness become our legacy to a world that is full of hatred and indifference. Let our forgiveness become not only an occasional act, but a permanent attitude.
Fr Edmund’s Updates.
The Feed the Hungry Meal on Sunday, September 20, sponsored by St Anthony’s Parish has been reduced to distribution of lunch bags to some 300 guests. The process will only require ten (10) volunteers from our parish to help with the preparation of the bags. If you have not been contacted, it means you are not required to volunteer. We thank the many volunteers who have expressed their commitment since the campaign launch. May God bless your hearts to love even more. We also express appreciation for our families and individuals who contributed to the financial requirements of the parish effort..
Rosary Month. The Praying of the Holy Rosary will be held every Saturday this coming October, 10-11am in the main church. Online registration is an option, But walk-ins are welcome. Wellness protocols, including contact tracing documentation, start at 10am. Rosary starts at 10:15am after when the doors are closed and locked. No latecomers are allowed. The Rosary ends before 10:45am, to make room for exit of participants and the cleaning and disinfecting of pews and other surfaces. Masks are mandated. All are welcome. The celebration is hosted by the Legion of Mary.
An online Baptism Class will be held on Saturday, September 26, 10am to 12noon, facilitated by Ferdie & Malou Gayos of the Missionary Families of Christ (MFC). We are looking at the possibility of in-person classes in the next months. The celebration of the sacrament is with one family at a time with up to 50 attendees, observing all AHS and diocesan protocols, including wearing of masks, social distancing and contract tracing documentation.
Sacramental Preparations for First Reconciliation and First Communion will be home-based and is now open for registration (September 14 to October 2). Parents Coaching begins October 5 and will be conducted via Zoom by the diocese. The celebration of the First Reconciliation is within November 30-December 18. The Families interested may contact Fr Edmund who can provide the forms, the schedule and other details. Workbooks are available. The details will also be available in our website and the website of the diocese. Our Confirmation Preparation Classes are still to be finalized.
In-Residence Clergy. In addition to Fr John Petravicius, Fr Anthony Pudota (Chancellor of the diocese) is now residing at St Anthony’s rectory. Fr Clauber Lima (hospital chaplaincy) is on a leave of absence and has returned to Brazil. The FSSP priests stay in a nearby residence.
Fencing along the Macleod Trail border of the church property, after a lengthy process of permissions/approvals will be begin very soon. We will have you updated with the progress and the need for helpers.
Our livestreamed Mass on Sundays at 10:30am, has now been available for several weeks at Telus Optik TV Channel 876. According to Telus TV, last Sunday’s TV viewers totaled 65 households.
May God bless you for your continued support for the parish.
We pray for health, healing and holiness.
Healing Corner. God knows that we are lovable and capable, but sometimes we don’t feel that way about ourselves. We can be tempted to let our mistakes and failures define us. Since abusive behavior often springs from how we respect ourselves and care for the image of God in us. Question of the Week: What is one thing you can do for yourself on a regular basis that will make you feel good about yourself and make your life more balanced and harmonious?
Please contact Fr. Edmund by phone (403 252-1137) or email (efvargas@shaw.ca) or text (403 8742015) for any need or concern.
FEED THE HUNGRY
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2020
ST. ANTHONY’S will sponsor the traditional “Sunday Night” Feed the Hungry dinner on Sunday, September 20, 2020. CONFIRM YOUR PARTICIPATION AS ONE OF OUR 80 VOLUNTEERS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Food/Hall preparation 9:30am – 1:30 pm (families with children under 12 welcome). Serving and greeting 2:30pm – 6:00pm (ages 12 years and up). Register as a volunteer.
| Shift | Activity | Positions Available |
|---|---|---|
| 9:30am - 1:30pm | Food & Hall Preparation | 15 of 20 |
| 12:30pm - 2:30pm | Desert Preparation | 0 of 3 |
| 2:30pm - 6:00pm | Serving & Greeting | 49 of 57 |
Event Ends In
isupport@stanthonysyyc.ca
Now you can conveniently e-transfer your contributions directly to St. Anthony's bank account. Just note in the memo how you would like your contribution directed.
Support St. Anthony's during the COVID Pandemic
Our parish relies on our regular offertory giving for maintenance and growth. We offer many convenient ways for you to make your contributions including: sign in to your to own banking institution and e-transfer the amount to: isupport@stanthonysyyc.ca; or by online credit card donation, or sign up for pre-authorized debit withdrawal; you may also mail your cheques to St. Anthony’s Church 5340 4 St. SW Calgary, AB T2V 0Z5, or drop off your donation envelopes into our donation box in the church foyer when you come to Mass. You are providing crucial support to care for your parish during this difficult time. Thank you for your generosity.
| DONATIONS | BUDGET | COLLECTION | DIFFERENCE |
|---|---|---|---|
| YTD - 2020 | $344,643.77 | $ 212,082.26 | $ 132,561.51 |
| MTD - AUGUST | $ 25,634.11 | $ 10,805.72 | $ 14,828.39 |
| TIA | $ 41,030.00 | $ 15,580.45 | $ 25,449.55 |
| Feed The Hungry | $ 5,000.00 | $ 2,598.61 | $ 2,401.39 |
| Turkey Refuge Family | $ 30,000.00 | $ 22,750.00 | $ 7,250.00 |
Seminarians
The Vocations webpage has been updated with the current list of our seminarians! We will send you an updated seminarians poster when a group photo becomes available.
- Visit current list of 2020 Seminarians from the Diocese of Calgary
- Pray for our seminarians: Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest, lead our seminarians daily in your footsteps, that they may become priests aflame with love for God and all. Amen.
- For any questions regarding vocations to the priesthood, please contact Fr. Cristino Bouvette, Vicar of Vocations & Young Adults, at 403-218-5500, or e-mail cristino.bouvette@calgarydiocese.ca
National Health Care Week 2020
Please find attached the material for National Catholic Health Care Week 2020 (October 6-12) for distribution to parishioners. Material is provided in both English and French, and can also be accessed at the following link:
-
- Download Health Care Week materials here
- Visit website: https://www.passiontoheal.ca
- Watch video: https://youtu.be/gwElBAljLMc
Pope’s Prayer Intention for September
Pope Francis releases a video message accompanying his prayer intention for September, which this month is for respect for the planet’s resources: that we “take care of Creation responsibly”.
Full text of Pope’s Intention:
- We are squeezing out the planet’s goods. Squeezing them out, as if the earth were an orange. Countries and businesses from the global north have enriched themselves by exploiting the natural resources of the south, creating an “ecological debt.” Who is going to pay this debt? In addition, this “ecological debt” is increased when multinationals do abroad what they would never be allowed to do in their own countries. It’s outrageous. Today, not tomorrow; today, we have to take care of Creation responsibly.Let us pray that the planet’s resources will not be plundered, but shared in a just and respectful manner. No to plundering; yes to sharing.
Resources Worth Sharing
24th Sunday in Ordinary Time – NEW Bulletin Shorts, free to use
Mass Readings | When is enough enough? Can we be angry now? When can we stop forgiving? If we have to forgive the same person the same thing seventy-seven times, can we stop at seventy-eight? No! Because, as Paul declares in Romans 14, we live and die for God, to whom alone we belong. We do not live for ourselves.
-
- Who needs my forgiveness?
- Whom will I forgive – and for what – perhaps, again?
- And what forgiveness do I need?
Virtual Vocation Encounter
Are you experiencing a call to religious life during this time of pandemic? The Sisters of Providence of Western Canada and the USA will host a Virtual Vocation Encounter for those who are newly exploring the call to religious life. The day will include vocation sharing, prayer guides for individuals, Q and A, and an opportunity to meet other discerners and to speak with a Sister. When: Sep. 19 from 10 am to 2 pm. To register, email vocdir@sistersofprovidence.ca or call: 1-780-237-8001 and please register by Sep. 16. Download poster
Life Transitions Retreat at the FCJ Centre
We have experienced many losses. Many of us have lost jobs, freedom, plans and human connections. The FCJ Centre invites you to a a weekend retreat of peaceful exploration and tending of the soul through creative expression. During the weekend retreat a variety of creative processes will be used to understand this grief and its impact on us. COVID-19 will be explored as a source of resilience that allows us to dream forward and transition to a new life style. The spirit of the retreat is making space for God through art, nature, meditation, and journaling. *Please note, this is not suitable for anyone bereaved in the last 6 months. When: Oct 16-18. Cost: $285 or $185 for commuter. Where: FCJ Centre, Calgary. Register here.
Tips for reading the Bible to children at bedtime
Children love stories and some of the best are in the Sacred Scriptures. Remember that the objective is not to get them to discover the Bible, but to have them discover God. That is why we cannot read the Bible apart from the Church, and we cannot properly read it without “living it” through prayer, the sacraments, and the very real love of Christ and our brethren. Here are some great tips from Aleteia.
Podcast: Pairing your children with Saints
While the saints are not divine, they are perfected Christians who have finished the race and can inspire us to keep running towards Christ. There are over 10,000 saints canonized by the Catholic Church. Jeff Cavins shares a number of inspiring saints children will love and invites us to pair our children with saints so they always have role models in heaven they can relate to and imitate. Read & listen here.
Ask for Mary’s protection to surround your family with this prayer
The Virgin Mary has always been a powerful intercessor before God. Remember that she has a privileged place in Heaven and pleads our case before her Divine Son. Mary is also a tender mother, always attentive to our needs, ready and willing to cover us with her protection.Pray this prayer.
Word on Fire Institute Online
Now, you can take courses in theology, philosophy, evangelization, and culture from Bishop Barron and the Word on Fire Institute Fellows on any of your devices. Join bishop Barron and more than 15,000 evangelists around the world. Learn to lead the culture to Christ with beauty, goodness and truth. To join, click here.
Podcast: How to talks to your kids about porn
It may seem inappropriate to talk to your children about porn before adolescence, but—with the way our culture is today—if parents don’t educate their young children about what’s wrong with porn, many others will likely tell them there’s nothing wrong with it and they’ll be likely to believe it. Without proper guidance, our children are in danger of absorbing a twisted understanding of their sexuality and that of others. Matt Fradd offers some tips and resources to help our children avoid that end. Part 1 | Part 2
Pray for the angels to protect your child’s school
As schools resume sessions around the world, many are returning to classes with medical precautions. While these should help contain the spread of COVID-19, it is also important to involve God in your preparations, asking him to send his holy angels to protect your child’s school building. Prayer here.
How to lose your soul (and how to save it) – Word on Fire
Bishop Barron: Friends, if your soul is rightly ordered, it can handle anything. However, if you gain the world but sacrifice your soul for fame or fortune, you’ve lost everything. Getting this right is the fulcrum upon which the spiritual life turns. Watch video
The Fatima Movie is now playing!
Available on-demand now, Fatima, a movie about the apparition of Our Lady in 1917 in Portugal. Check out fatimathemovie.com – it provides the links where you can rent online, and watch the movie at home (through Google Play, Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube, Shaw, Telus etc.).
Certificate in Catholic Studies
Through the Benedict XVI Institute for New Evangelization, Newman Theological College offers a comprehensive selection of short courses on various aspects of the Catholic faith. All are offered online, so you can study from the comfort of home and work around your personal schedule. Each course runs five weeks and costs just $85; the next cycle begins on Monday, September 21. Take an individual course for interest, or work toward one or all of the 22 specialized Certificates in Catholic Studies. This program is open to adults and youth of all backgrounds and education levels. For a list of courses, details, and online registration, visit newman.edu/ccs. For more information, contact Sandra at 780-392-2450 ext. 2214.
TELUS Optik TV Channel 876
Two more parishes are live-streaming their Sunday Mass to TELUS Optik TV Channel 876. Kindly share this schedule with your parishioners, especially the elderly who may prefer to watch the Mass on TV. Note that this is only available to TELUS Optik subscribers. The updated schedule:
- Sunday Masses
- Saturday at 5 pm (English) with Fr. Bob Dielissen – NEW
- Sunday at 10:30 am (English) with Fr. Edmund Vargas – NEW
- Sunday at Noon (Portuguese) with Fr. Fabio DeSouza
- Sunday at 5 pm (English) with Fr. Marek Paczka, SDS
- Weekday Mass on Wednesday at 6 pm (Bilingual, Portuguese & English) with Fr. Fabio DeSouza
- Daily Rosary (Bilingual, Portuguese & English) with Fr. Fabio DeSouza
Webinars, Livestreams & Resources
Virtual Tour of Our Lady of the Rockies. Join the first Virtual Pilgrimage at the new Our Lady of the Rockies Shrine, hosted by Beloved Daughters Ministry and led by Fr. Nathan Siray and the Sisters of the Seeds of the Word. When: Wednesday, June 17 at 7:30 pm. Live on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beloveddaughtersyyc/
Great Catholic Podcasts on Catholic Marriage & Family. If you are looking for some good podcasts on marriage and parenting, check out these projects:
Messy Family Podcast with Mike & Alicia Hernon. “Our mission is to empower parents, strengthen marriage and bring families to Christ. This is done through our podcast, short videos, downloadable resources and live events. We have found that families are hungry for these resources and we are here to help. Marriage and family is where the rubber hits the road with faith and values in our society, and the best thing we can do to help our world is to renew and strengthen marriage and family life.” Listen on Apple Podcasts
The Dad Project Podcast: “At The Dad Project, we find experienced dads who have had success in raising kids. We ask them to give short talks, sharing what has worked for them and what hasn’t. Our goal is to help men everywhere become the dads they were meant to be. And our hope is to change the world for the better, one dad at a time.” Listen on Apple Podcasts
Abiding Together Podcast: “Abiding Together is a weekly podcast hosted by Michelle Benzinger, Sr. Miriam James Heidland, and Heather Khym, providing a place of connection, rest and encouragement for people who are on the journey of living out their passion and purpose in Jesus Christ.” Listen on Apple Podcasts
Coffee & Pearls Podcast: “Join Sterling Jaquith for 15 minutes of wisdom for Catholic moms about spirituality, marriage, motherhood, health, finances, homemaking and recharging!” Listen on Apple Podcasts
NEW Finding Faith Podcast: “The Courage to Love – a young woman discovers the key to sharing faith in a secular culture.” After high school, Raquel Neeser-Carazo set off on a journey across country in search of herself. That journey revealed unexpected lessons on how to become an authentic witness of courage, faith, and love to others. Raquel talks about the challenge of living as a young Christian in a secular culture, and how she overcame her fear of being rejected by others. Listen here.
Kid’s Bulletin | A resource for Catholic kids who would like to have some fun while learning about the readings from the Sunday Mass every week. There is no cost to using and printing the bulletin but you are welcome to donate | See sample bulletin for Corpus Christi Sunday at https://thekidsbulletin.com/
All the faithful are encouraged to observe and practice Spiritual Communion, uniting themselves to Christ in prayer.
With a grateful heart, we say thanks to all workers in our critical infrastructure industries and those who courageously help others. These are today's heroes, the people who work tirelessly serving others.
We encourage you to continue to share your gratitude with our everyday heroes, to the many people – men, women, adults and children – who have shown kindness and determination throughout the many challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pray for them.
Together in Action
Letter from Fr. Edmund
March 2020
Dear Parishioner,
This year’s theme is on Mary’s response: “I am the Lord’s servant” (Luke 1:38). In one of his trips, Pope Francis commented that “Mary did not hesitate or think about herself; instead she surrendered herself; she trusted.”
Bishop William T. McGrattan, in this year’s message, writes: “Together in Action is the way for us to bring His mercy and compassion to others. Let it be a way of exalting God, relying on His strength and righteousness as we recognize our total and complete dependence on Him.”
Last year’s campaign reached our goal of $44,787. Our target for this year is $41,030. Whatever is in excess will be contributed to our fund to replace the boiler in our church.
OUR LADY OF THE LAUNDRY ROOM
August Edition: Jessica's beautiful reflection from her devotion to the Blessed Mother and on how eager Our Mother is in bringing us to the loving care of her Son. Faithfully also highlights ways to express the identity and the joy coming from our Catholic faith, as well as introduces you to three artists in our Diocese who have been expressing their love for the Lord through their artworks!
HAVE YOU SUBSCRIBED TO FAITHFULLY?
Faithfully gives a snapshot of faith at work in the lives of everyday people. Get inspired with faith stories and find out what's happening in our diocese. Get it right in your inbox.Liturgical Ministry
Weekly Bulletins
Sacraments
Ministry of Hospitality
Pastoral Notes
Get Involved
Adoration
About us
We, the parishioners of Saint Anthony's Church, exist to continue the mission of Jesus Christ.
We gather to publicly express our faith, our communion with God and with one another.
Support us
St. Anthony Church is a registered charitable organization. We graciously accept any amount.
Your generosity contributes to the mission of St. Anthony's Catholic Church to ensure that every member of the parish will have the opportunity to grow to the fullness of his or her Christian vocation. THANK YOU!