PARISH NEWS and UPDATES
 
 
Diocese issues guidance on response to COVID-19; Masses and parish activities cancelled March 16, 2020
Bishop Paul Terrio has issued a statement on COVID-19 with guidance on how parishes in the Diocese of St. Paul are to respond to the prevention and preparedness towards the pandemic. Effective March 16, 2020, all Masses and parish activities throughout the Diocese have been cancelled or postponed. Visit here to read the letter and learn more.
 
 
Diocese implements several measures of prevention and caution in response to COVID-19, dispensation from Mass for those over 65 and prayer from Bishop for the situation
March 14, 2020
 
Earlier this week, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus, COVID-19, outbreak a global pandemic. In response, the Diocese of St. Paul has put several measures in place to prevent the spreading of COVID-19. We must temporarily withdraw:
  • Communion from the cup
  • Communion on the tongue
  • Holy Water fonts are to be emptied
  • At the Sign of Peace, refrain from shaking hands, a simple bow, nod, or “Peace be with you” to your neighbor is appropriate.
  • Pastors, deacons and extraordinary ministers of the Holy Communion are to wash their hands before and after distributing communion.
These measures are to diminish the risk of contamination from a disease that threatens the common good of our communities. Given that the elderly are at a higher risk of infection, Bishop Terrio has also granted dispensation from Sunday Mass for all parishioners over sixty-five, until further notice. While the Government of Alberta is asking organizers to cancel any events that have more than 250 attendees, this request does not extend to places of worship, grocery stores, airports or shopping centres. The public are reminded that if they need information on COVID-19, to visit alberta.ca/covid19. 
 
 
Bishop Paul Terrio has also shared a prayer with the faithful to use during this pandemic:
 
Prayer against the Coronavirus
 
Almighty and merciful Father,
We thank you for the life that is your gift,
For the providence, that sustains us,
And for your wisdom that directs the course of our days.
 
Forgive our sins against your love,
Against each other and against your creation.
 
The threat of an infection of coronavirus is upon us today.
This disease causes fear among us and has claimed some lives.
We humbly beg you, loving Father
To deliver us from this and other diseases.
Heal those who are afflicted and stop the spread of the virus.
Strengthen us in charity to care for each other.
 
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
 
Amen.
 
Click here for a PDF of the prayer.
 
 
Diocesan News: New appointment at St. John the Baptist parish, Diocesan support of Development and Peace 
March 7, 2020
Bishop Paul Terrio has recently shared two messages of interest to parishes. 
 
The first concerned some changes to parish assignments. The most relevant to our community is that Fr Anthony Thomas IMS is now associate pastor at St. John the Baptist parish in Fort McMurray. Father Anthony had been serving at St. Anne’s in Barrhead. Read the memo from Bishop Terrio regarding all appointments here.
 
Bishop Terrio has announced that the Diocese will be starting up the St. Paul Diocesan Caritas fund next year. St. Paul Diocesan Caritas will take the place of the Diocese’s support Development and Peace Canada (D&P) and 2020 will be the last year the Diocese supports the D&P program. Bishop Paul explains:

“Development and Peace does not offer aid in Canada. Our neighbors to the north, the Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith, now depends on the Alberta Bishops for support. The permafrost is now constantly moving, so that repair and maintenance of buildings is a new and important task. Also, Development and Peace Canada has difficulty accepting episcopal oversight and supervision.”
 
Bishop Paul further adds, “dioceses are called to establish Diocesan Caritas offices if they do not already exist, because the Church wants each diocese to be involved directly in its charity and out-reach to those in need.”
 
Following in this tradition, beginning in 2021 our Diocese’s special envelopes will have St. Paul Diocesan Caritas donation envelopes included. These donations will be distributed in the following way:  
  • 50% to the North
  • 25% to Chalice (the Canadian child sponsorship program)
  • 25% to the Church in Need, that is the Middle East and the Ukraine
Bishop Paul’s memo may be read here or by clicking the image to the right.
 
 
Lenten Mission March 11-13 at St. John’s
February 28, 2020
 
A Lenten Mission will be hosted at St. John the Baptist parish March 11-13, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The theme is Lent: A Time of Healing and Reconciliation, and is presented by Fr. Johnson Valiya Kulathil. The retreat begins with the Rosary and is followed by Mass at around 6:00 p.m. After Mass is an hour long conference/talk, that will wrap up 7:30 p.m. Until 8:00 p.m. there will be time for fellowship. 
 
 
 
Are you a young adult? Camp St. Louis Hiring!
February 15, 2020
 
If you are a young adult looking for the best summer job in the world, then you’ve found it! Camp St. Louis is hiring two male staff.
 
The camp is facilitated by an eight person staff called TEAM, who are supported by a Program Director and Executive Director. The weekly schedule at Camp is organized and run by TEAM: they lead games, present talks and dramas, manage rules, ensure safety, and provide music. As well, a priest celebrates Mass, provides spiritual leadership and guidance. 
 
To download the application package, visit here or contact Aaron at aarondebusschere@dostp.ca for more information.  Applications are being accepted until February 29… so don’t delay and apply now! 
 
About Camp St. Louis: Located on the shores of Moose Lake outside of Bonnyville, Alberta, Camp St. Louis is a faith based camp experience in the Diocese of St. Paul founded in 1988. Campers participate in daily Mass, prayers, celebrating the sacraments and gain a better understanding of their Catholic faith. Outdoors activities include sports, singing, swimming, and nightly campfires. Camp St. Louis hosts kids from ages 5 to 14 throughout the summer, and a counselor week. Visit the Camp St. Louis website here to learn more.
 
 
Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide Pastoral Letter and federal survey
January 21, 2020
 

The Catholic Bishops of Alberta and the Northwest Territories have issued a Pastoral Letter on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide, titled Remaining True to Christ: Now and at the Hour of our Death. The letter comes as the federal government looks to expand legislation on euthanasia and assisted suicide. As well, the Department of Justice is looking for feedback until January 27 on “eligibility criteria and request process” for euthanasia and assisted suicide. Share your opinion here. Please note: As per a message from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, “the survey already assumes that access to euthanasia/assisted suicide will be expanded,” however there are three sections to provide comments in which those opposed to euthanasia and assisted suicide may express:

“… dissatisfaction with the assumption built into the survey that euthanasia/assisted suicide will be expanded; giving medical personnel the right to presume consent for vulnerable populations (including minors, the depressed, the mentally ill, and the cognitively impaired); the inadequacy of the “safeguards” and the need to promote stronger ones; and the urgent need for viable alternatives to MAiD [Medical Assistance in Dying] through more adequate government funding for palliative care, home care, and hospices.”
 
Find the Pastoral letter below:
 
Remaining True to Christ
Now and at the Hour of our Death
A Pastoral Letter
from theCatholic Bishops of Alberta and the Northwest Territories
 
Introduction
 
The legalization in Canada of euthanasia and assisted suicide occurred in 2016. Now, people can request their own death in certain circumstances, and in advance of possibly intolerable pain or difficult situations. Since legalization, and as of the end of December 2019, more than 900 people in Alberta have chosen to die by these procedures. Nearly all of them have been euthanized. …Continue reading the Pastoral Letter
 
 
Registration open for 2020/2021 sacramental preparation program
January 5, 2020
 
Registration is open for the 2020/2021 Session of St. Paul’s and St. John the Baptist’s sacramental preparation program, Journey to Communion.
 
Both parishes work together to provide sacramental preparation for children in grade two and up.
 
To register, please visit the St. John the Baptist website here and follow the link under the “Registration Open” heading.

The schedule for this session will be available after the 2020/2021 registration is complete.
 
For more information, or if you have any questions on sacramental preparation, please contact Elton Jarvis at sacramentprep@stjohnthebaptistparish.ca.
 
 
 
Knights of Columbus host 25th annual Community Christmas Day Dinner
December 21, 2019
 
The Knights of Columbus are once again welcoming the community to their annual Christmas dinner, 12:00 p.m. noon to 2:00 p.m., at Fr. Turcotte School, on Christmas day. See poster below for additional details and how to volunteer or donate. Come by and share the joy of Christmas with others!
 
 
 
This year’s Simbang Gabi Christmas Novena Masses at St. Paul’s to be held December 15 to 23
December 13, 2019
 
Simbang Gabi, a devotional series of nine Masses in preparation for Christmas wil lbe held beginning Sunday, December 15 to Monday, December 23, 7:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s. All are welcome to attend and a potluck follows Mass. PLEASE NOTE: There will be no 9:00 a.m. Weekday Mass during these days.
 
 
 
Advent Penitential Service on Friday, December 13
December 9, 2019
 
Friday, December 13, 2019 will offer an opportunity for parishioners to participate in St. Paul’s Advent Penitential Service. The service begins at 7:00 p.m. Christmas seems like a big celebration, why go to confession? Christmas is a wonderful celebration and the weeks leading up to it, Advent, offer us an opportunity to reflect on this coming wonder and prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus:
“Advent is season of joy and hope for all who follow Jesus. We must be careful not to lose sight of the true meaning of the season as the world around us hustles to buy and sell, to have parties and plan vacations. Advent is a time to renew our life in Christ and to thank God for saving us in Jesus; it is a season for asking God to save all people and for praying for peace in the world. During Advent, we are invited to prepare our hearts for the coming of the Lord – to wait in joyful hope for his return in glory at the end of time and to prepare for the annual celebration of his birth. Dying to sin: We strive to die to sin and selfishness and to obey the Father’s will.  Living for God: We set out to love God each day by loving and serving others. This is the way in which Jesus wants us to make a straight way for him in our hearts as we await his coming.” – excerpt from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops’ National Liturgy Office document “Advent: Joy and Hope”
 
Also, the Church celebrates the feast of St. Lucy on December 13. The name Lucy means “light” and so on her feast, let’s take this special opportunity to prepare our hearts through the Sacrament of Reconciliation so that we too can better reflect the light of Christ and draw our family, friends, and strangers to Him in these seasons of Advent and Christmas.
 
 
St. Paul’s Christmas and New Year’s Schedule
December 2, 2019
 
St. Paul’s has released it’s Christmas and New Year’s schedule for 2019. Grab a printed copy at the Church or view online here. Highlights include Christmas Eve Masses at 5:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. and then 11:00 a.m. on Christmas Day. There will also be an 11:00 a.m. Christmas Day Mass at St. Julien’s in Fort McKay. To mark the end of 2019, the beginning of 2020 and the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God there will be Masses on December 31 at 7:00 p.m. and Janaury 1 at 11:00 a.m. Also worth noting is our annual Advent Penitential Service is Friday, December 13 at 7:00 p.m. Please click here for further details.
 
 
 
Seminarian Marvin Tanquerido to be ordained to the Transitional Diaconate
November 22, 2019
 
Marvin Tanquerido, along with seminarians Adrian Tumanda and Jonnel Eucare, will be ordained to the Transitional Diaconate by Bishop Paul Terrio on Monday, December 9, 2019, 6:00 p.m., at St. Jean Baptiste Parish in Morinville. A reception will follow at Fable Gardens Hall, 10010 – 101 Avenue in Morinville. See the announcement from the Diocese of St. Paul here.  It’s also interesting to note that this year because the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception falls on the 2nd Sunday of Advent, the feast is transferred to Monday, December 9 the same day of the ordination. Let us keep Brother Marvin, and his colleagues, in our prayers and ask especially for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of all Priests, to accompany these men as they prepare for this important step in their journey to the priesthood.
 
 
St. Paul’s Parish Mission Statement priority survey coming November 23/24
November 16, 2019
 
Love God. Live the Sacraments. Build His Kingdom. That’s St. Paul’s Parish new Mission Statement. We are looking for our parishioners to weigh in on themes and priorities as it relates to the Mission Statement. Learning more by reading this document and participate in our survey at Sunday Mass on November 23/24, 2019.
 
 
 
 
Message from the Alberta Bishops on Catholic education
November 15, 2019
 
Dear Catholic Education Stakeholder and Supporter,
 
Catholic Education is alive and well in Alberta, educating more than 180,000 students across our province. Excellent academic learning within a faith-based community is the hallmark of Alberta’s Catholic Schools. In our celebrations of Catholic Education Sunday on November 3, the Bishops of Alberta reminded us of the responsibility we have to support, protect and advocate for this publicly funded gift. (Please see the letter from the Alberta Bishops).
 
The government of Alberta has recently created and distributed a survey asking Albertans to provide feedback on choice in education. The survey link is here. The deadline for response is December 6.
 
It is essential that all who support Catholic education take the time to make their voices heard. In a recent public forum, Archbishop Smith of the Edmonton archdiocese stated: “There have been Catholic divisions throughout the country that we’ve lost largely because of apathetic Catholics. We have to encourage everyone to be resolute because so much is at stake. We can never grow apathetic where we’re delivering authentic Catholic formation to our children.”
 
Here’s what you can do to support Catholic schools:
1. Read the letter from the Bishops of Alberta.
2. Complete the survey and ensure that you speak directly in support of Catholic education!
3. Forward the survey link to friends, family and supporters and encourage them to do the same. We need the government to receive a strong, passionate response to the questions they are asking!
 
Thank you!
 
GrACE
Grateful Advocates for Catholic Education
 
 
GrACE Twitter: @GrACE4cathed
 
GrACE email: gracedirector7@gmail.com
 
Bonnie Annicchiarico, PhD
Director | GrACE
Box 2201, Brooks, AB, T1R 1C8
T: 403-409-9943 E: gracedirector7@gmail.com