UPcoming St. Gabriel parish activities

REgistration for First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion 

Registration for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion are due on September 30, 2022
Before filling out the online registration form, please have a digital image of your child's birth certificate and Baptism certificate at hand to upload. Thank you.

registration for confirmation

Registration for Confirmation 2022/2023 are due on September 30, 2022
Before filling out the online registration form, please have a digital image of your child's birth certificate, Baptism certificate and First Holy Communion certificate at hand to upload. Thank you.​

UPCOMING diocese of calgary activities

​National Synthesis for Canada

The first phase of the “Synod on Synodality,” listening at the diocesan level, has concluded. Synthesis Reports were prepared by each of Canada’s four Regional Episcopal Assemblies - Western, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic regions. These four regional reports were then received by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) and used to draft a national synthesis, which has been submitted to the General Secretariat of the Synod of the Holy See on 15 August 2022.

We invite everyone to read the reports, which is the culmination of a sincere listening exercise that occurred in every diocese across the country.

​National Day of Truth & Reconciliation

All are invited to join the Eucharistic Celebration with Bishop McGrattan on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Friday, Sep. 30 at 5 pm at St. Mary's Cathedral. ​

Enrichment Day with Bishop Emeritus Henry | Sep 17

​The Divine Mercy Centre invites you to an outdoor event (free) with Bishop Emeritus Henry starting at 11 am on Saturday, Sep 17 at Divine Mercy Centre. There will be Adoration, Confession, Holy Mass (at noon), talks, and Q&A. 

An evening of reconciliation and openness with Fr. Cristino Bouvette | Sep 22

The FCJ Centre invites you to an evening with Fr. Cristino as he shares his story of reconciliation, openness, vulnerability, suffering and reconciling his identities as an indigenous and a priest.
When: Thursday, Sep. 22 at 7 pm

Devastating floods in Pakistan - a chance to help twice over

One-third of Pakistan was reportedly under water at the end of August. Over 33 million people have been affected by the flooding, 1,400 people have died, with 12,700 injured, and nearly 800,000 people have been displaced. Development and Peace ― Caritas Canada has allocated $40,000 to help Caritas Pakistan cope with the worst flooding in the country’s history. 
  • The Government of Canada is matching donations dollar for dollar (up to $3 million) until September 28, 2022. Caritas Pakistan is counting on our support. Please give online to Caritas Pakistan through Development and Peace at www.devp.org 
  • To read more about the flood, visit this page

Bereavement: Support & Care Training

​The Diocese of Calgary is offering a training opportunity in providing bereavement support and care. This workshop is offered to those who are involved in the Pastoral Care Ministry in their parishes, and/or for those desiring to be better equipped in accompanying those dealing with grief and loss.
​Topics to be explored include: What is grief and mourning and how it impacts our whole being; Grief as a spiritual journey; How the parish community can assist a grieving person; Practical ideas for a successful parish bereavement ministry.
  • When/where: Saturday, Oct. 1 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm at St. Luke's (1566 Northmount Drive NW, Calgary). 
  • Register online here or by contacting Sr. Mariflor at 403-218-5521. Please register by Sep. 26.
  • For more information, visit: catholicyyc.ca/pastoralcare

Drop off used books to Holy Spirit Church

Starting August 16 you can drop off your gently used books at Holy Spirit Catholic Church (10827 24 St SW, Calgary). Note: please no magazines, textbooks or encyclopedia. The Holy Spirit CWL Book Sale will be held on Saturday, Sep. 17. Funds raised will be used to provide scholarships and support educational programs.

​Pastoral message from Bishop McGrattan

Bishop McGrattan marks the anniversary of the death of Mother Teresa, canonized Saint Teresa of Calcutta in 2016 by Pope Francis during the Holy Year of Mercy. In his message, the Bishop invites the faithful to follow in St. Teresa's footstep, to be witness to the Gospel through the diocesan initiative of Feed the Hungry. 
​
"Today September 5th marks the 25th Anniversary of the death of Mother Theresa. Pope Francis canonized Saint Teresa of Calcutta on Sep. 4, 2016 during the Holy Year of Mercy. Her witness of the Gospel and the profound example of “sharing poverty” with the must vulnerable is the enduring legacy and attractiveness of her religious life which bears fruit today throughout the world in the continuing ministry of the Sisters of Charity... 
(Click to read more)

The Role of the Catholic University in the 21st Century  on Sep 26

 2022 Catholic Women's League Annual Lecture in Catholic Studies at St. Mary's University - Listen to a panel discussion on the purpose of a Catholic university and how it is distinct from secular/non-Catholic institutions. In this riveting discussion, we will explore how Catholic Intellectual Tradition (characterized by rigorous intellectual inquiry and with rich roots in the past) can serve as a creative guide for transforming Catholic higher education in the 21st century.
​ Click here for More info

World Day of Migrants and Refugees - Sep 25

Pope Francis invited Catholics to reflect in this question: "How do you think we can better involve migrants and refugees in our communities?"  Watch this video, highlighting the experience of the faithful at the Saint Mary of the Lake Parish and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in the Chicago, USA.

Prison Ministry Lay Volunteers

We are looking for new male and female volunteers for Bible study and rosary programs for both the Remand Centre and the Calgary Correctional Centre.
 As with any volunteering opportunities, we require a Vulnerable Sector Police Information Check (VSPIC), the completion of the Praesidium Academy sexual abuse prevention training, and the agreement to the Code of Pastoral Conduct and Accountability for Volunteers. This information will be provided to you after submitting your application.
  • If you are interested in being considered for prison ministry in Calgary, please email Sr. Mariflor Jacob Mariflor.Jacob@calgarydiocese.ca for the Volunteer Information form. To complete the application, fill-out the form and return to Sr. Mariflor.  

Revenge resolves nothing

​This month, Pope Francis invites us to pray for the abolition of the death penalty, reiterating what he said in Fratelli tutti and specified in the Catechism of the Catholic Church: the Church ‘works with determination for its abolition worldwide.’ Why? Because until the last moment, a person can convert, recognize his crimes, and change. Capital punishment, however, is like putting oneself in God’s place.

A death sentence determines that a person will no longer be able to change, something we don’t know. This month of September, the Pope invites us to pray and mobilize to concretely support associations and organizations that fight for the abolition of the death penalty. (Fr. Frédéric Fornos, S.J.)
  • Pray the Pope's Intention this month: Let us pray that the death penalty, which attacks the dignity of the human person, may be legally abolished in every country.

Year Amoris Laetitia Family

The gratuitous dimension of love

Pope Francis: "Love always gives life. Spousal love is not exhausted within the couple, but generates a family. Parents’ love is the means by which God shows His love. He awaits the birth of every baby. He accepts and welcomes each child as they are".
Through a series of videos, the Holy Father, with the help of several families, invites us to journey together to rediscover the value and beauty of the family. Each video is accompanied by a guide that can be used flexibly either by families or by various ecclesial realities (dioceses, parishes, communities). 
In this video, the Holy Father speaks to us of the fruitfulness of conjugal love.
​

The death penalty is inadmissible

This month, Pope Francis invites us to pray “that the death penalty, which attacks the dignity of the human person, may be legally abolished in every country”. Although some 170 countries have abolished the death penalty, have imposed a moratorium on its implementation in legislation or in practice, or have suspended executions for more than 10 years, capital punishment continues to be applied in 55 countries on various continents. 
This month, may we, the Body of Christ, answer the Holy Father’s call to unite ourselves in prayer and prophetic action — not only for the abolition of capital punishment worldwide, but for the advancement of forms of justice that enable healing and transformation.” 
(Click here for video)

Abolish death penalty worldwide

Every person, no matter the harm they may have caused or suffered, has God-given dignity and deserves an opportunity for restoration. This month, may we, the Body of Christ, answer the Holy Father’s call to unite ourselves in prayer and prophetic action — not only for the abolition of capital punishment worldwide, but for the advancement of forms of justice that enable healing and transformation. (Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy)
  • Pray the Pope's Intention this month: Let us pray that the death penalty, which attacks the dignity of the human person, may be legally abolished in every country.

​resource links

Employment opportunity

There are a number of employment opportunities that are currently available in the Diocese of Calgary and beyond. 
  • Support Staff (PT) - Elizabeth House, Calgary
  • Administrative Assistant (PT) - St. Mary's, Brooks
  • Bookkeeper (Casual) - St. Mary's, Brooks
Please visit catholicyyc.ca/careers for more information and application details.
Click here for a quick glance at formed.org

We are the body of Christ, nourished by the Eucharist, joyfully committed to living the Gospel message, and working together to share our gifts.

Rectory Chapel
316 Windermere Drive,
Chestermere, AB T1X 0B9

​Phone:  1(403) 455 0196
Fax:  1(403) 455 0335
​Email:  office@saintgabrielparish.ca
​
 Our Weekend Masses:
Address:   197 Invermere Drive, 
Chestermere AB T1X 1M7

Saturday:  5:00 PM
Sunday:     9:00 AM
​Sunday:     10:30AM
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Resources
The Holy See
Mount St. Francis Retreat Center
Catholic Diocese of Calgary
CCCB
Saint Gabriel School
Our Lady of Wisdom School