The liturgical year is a central element of the Catholic Church's life, enabling the faithful to deepen their faith by celebrating key events from the life of Jesus Christ and the history of salvation. As the Christmas Season concludes, during which we celebrated the incarnation of the Son of God, we now enter Ordinary Time – a period of contemplation on the daily life and teachings of Jesus.

The Main Seasons of the Liturgical Year:

1. Advent Advent is a time of waiting and preparation for the coming of Christ. It lasts four weeks and has two aspects: recalling Jesus’ first coming in Bethlehem and anticipating His second coming at the end of time. Advent is a time of reflection, prayer, and conversion.
2. Christmas Season This season, which has just ended, begins on Christmas Eve and lasts until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. It celebrates the incarnation of the Son of God, His birth, and His manifestation to the world (Epiphany). It is a time of joy and gratitude for the gift of the Savior.
3. Ordinary Time (First Part) The first part of Ordinary Time, which we are now entering, begins after the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord and lasts until Ash Wednesday. During this time, the liturgy focuses on the public ministry of Jesus and His teachings. It is a period for applying Christ’s words to everyday life and deepening our relationship with God.
4. Lent Lent is a time of penance, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, lasting 40 days. It begins on Ash Wednesday and culminates in Holy Week, leading to the Paschal Triduum. During this season, the faithful prepare to commemorate the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Christ.
5. Paschal Triduum The Paschal Triduum is the most important moment of the liturgical year, beginning on the evening of Holy Thursday and ending on Easter Sunday. During this time, the Church commemorates the institution of the Eucharist, the Passion, the Crucifixion, and the triumph of Christ’s Resurrection. The Paschal Triduum is the heart and climax of the liturgical year because it encompasses the most significant events of salvation history.
6. Easter Season The Easter Season begins on Easter Sunday and lasts 50 days, concluding with the Feast of Pentecost. It is a time of joy in Christ’s Resurrection and reflection on the mystery of salvation.
7. Ordinary Time (Second Part) The second part of Ordinary Time begins after Pentecost and lasts until the Solemnity of Christ the King. It is the longest season of the liturgical year, dedicated to deepening our relationship with God through daily life and faithfulness to Christ’s teachings.

The Significance of Ordinary Time

Ordinary Time, despite its name, is not a less important season. The term “Ordinary” comes from the Latin “ordinarius,” meaning ordered. During this time, the faithful focus on the life and teachings of Jesus, allowing His words to influence their daily decisions and actions. It is a time of spiritual growth and practical application of the Gospel in daily life.

The Most Important Liturgical Season

While all seasons of the liturgical year hold significance, the Paschal Triduum is considered the most important. It is the moment when the Church relives the central mysteries of faith: the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Christ. These events form the foundation of Christianity and offer the faithful the hope of salvation.

Thus, the liturgical year serves as a journey through which the Church guides the faithful toward a deeper experience of faith and an encounter with God in various aspects of spiritual life.

Come join us in building fellowship through an evening of intellectually stimulating board games.

Discover a world beyond mass- market like Monopoly, Sorry!, and Uno. Modern-day board games rely less on a lucky roll of the dice or the flip of a card and more on good design that rewards thoughtful analysis and good decisions. These games can be a good alternative to chess, cribbage, or bridge.

• Friday, January 24, 2025, 6:00 PM–onwards in the Church Hall Loose Itinerary: Board gaming 101 orientation + Q& A (15 min.) Icebreaker game (~30 min.)
• Main-event gaming (remainder of evening)

To get the most out of the event, please arrive at the start time so you don’t miss the orientation, Q&A, and snacks. Latecomers may need to wait for enough players to start a game. Please note: modern games are not toys, and some are like Fr. Mariusz’s motorbike—very expensive—thus, attendees are asked to treat the games with care and respect. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Rhona-Mae Arca at 403-803-6835.

Kick those Winter Blues away! Mark your calendars. The CWL are hosting an evening of wine and cheese tasting.

• When: Friday, January 31st, 20 25
• Where: St. Francis de Sales Ch u r ch Hall
• Time: 6:30 -9:30 pm
• Cost: $40.0 0 per per son

Only 100 tickets will be available. This event is open to all parishioners, not just CWL members. Those interested in purchasing tickets may contact Susan Horn at 403-601-4584, or email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. OR m on e y can be E-transferred to sfscw l25@gm ail.com Looking forward to an evening of learning about wines and the regions of the world that they come from.

Join us during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, an annual global ecumenical celebration from January 18 to 25, where Christians worldwide unite in prayer and reflection for the unity of all Christians.This year's theme, "Do you believe this?" (John 11:26), commemorates the 1,700th anniversary of the first Christian Ecumenical Council held in Nicaea, inviting us to deepen our shared faith. 

• Review Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2025 resources at weekofprayer.ca 
• For more information regarding the Week of Prayer, contact Fr. Adrian Martens at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who dedicated so much time, energy, and talent to make this Christmas and New Year celebration such a beautiful and memorable occasion.

A special thank you goes to our Music Ministry, whose uplifting and inspiring melodies filled our hearts with joy and reverence. Your dedication and passion brought an extra layer of grace to our worship, and we are truly blessed by your commitment.

To the Decoration Committee, thank you for transforming our space into a true reflection of the beauty and holiness of this season. Your attention to detail and creativity created an atmosphere that helped everyone feel the warmth and peace of Christ's presence.

Finally, a heartfelt thank you to Deacon Larry, ensuring that our services were meaningful and spiritually enriching. Your hard work and devotion allowed us to fully celebrate the sacredness of this time, guiding us through powerful moments of prayer and reflection.

Thank you all for your contributions, your spirit of service, and for making this holiday season so special for our entire parish community.

Wishing you all continued blessings in the New Year!

I would also like to personally thank each and every one of you for your heartfelt prayers, thoughtful cards, and generous gifts. Your kindness and support mean so much to me, and I am truly grateful for the love and care you’ve shown during this beautiful Christmas season.

May God bless you abundantly in the year ahead, and I look forward to sharing many more moments of joy and fellowship with all of you.