These days, and especially here, it's hard to imagine that people can be discriminated, or worse, persecuted because of their faith. Unfortunately, reality isn't as such. Today, across the world, 327 million Christians live in a country where there is persecution at various degrees. Because of their faith, they endure discrimination, they get scorned, they get arrested, they get incarcerated, they get tortured and sometimes they even get killed. It is estimated that 75 % of acts of violence for religious reasons are perpetrated against Christians, which makes them the most persecuted group.
Instead of getting better, the situation is getting worst year after year. Among persecutors we find governments who fear the influence of the Church and try by all means to reduce Christians to silence. This is frequent in communist or totalitarian countries. We also find other religious groups who wish to eliminate Christians in order to become the only religious group of a region.
The persecuted find strength in our prayers which accompany them and that way they don't feel abandoned from the rest of the world.

Join the global movement on Red Wednesday on Nov. 20 to highlight the plight of persecuted Christians worldwide. Parishes are invited to participate on Red Wednesday by: illuminating the parish church in red, organize liturgy or prayer (Mass, evening prayer, rosary, or other prayer service), wear a red piece of clothing, light a candle in our chapel or church and pray for persecuted Christians, and use social media to spread the word about the event. 

• Register your parish’s or school's participation, and download Red Wednesday resources at acn-canada.org/rw 
   
• Save the date: You are invited to attend the Red Wednesday Mass on Nov. 20 at 6 pm at St. Mary's Cathedral with Bishop McGrattan, followed by a social gathering with food and drinks in the Parish Hall. 

If you have been admitted to any of the following hospitals in Calgary and would like the Sacrament of Anointing of the ick, you may contact your parish priest or call the Diocese of Calgary Call Centre

403-231-9505

Sevwing the following hospitals:

• Alberta Children's Hospital
• Foothills Hospital
• Peter Lougheed Hospital
• South Health Campus

Please save the dates for the Diocesan Advent Renewal Mission in your parish.  

Renewed in Hope: Diocesan Advent Renewal Mission
Parish in-person gathering - led by presenters via Zoom 
Dec 3, 4 & 5 (Tue, Wed, and Thu) from 7 pm to 8:30 pm 

• Tue, Dec 3: Brett Powell (Archdiocese of Vancouver) - Form Missionary Disciples
• Wed, Dec 4: Bishop Scott McCaig (Military Ordinariate of Canada) - Be a Church of Encounter and Witness
• Thu, Dec 5: Mary Rose Bacani Valenti (Salt + Light TV) - Strengthen Family Life

Rooted in the story of Jesus healing Jairus’ daughter, the CCCB’s new pastoral letter on Called to Witness and Proclaim: A Pastoral Letter on Evangelization and Catechesis in the Family calls families to be witnesses of Christ’s love and transform homes into schools of love and faith. 

• Read Pastoral Letter now

We have begun the second year of our Pastoral Renewal journey. On this occasion, Bishop McGrattan encourages us with these words: “No matter who you  are, where you are, or what you have experienced… cast your nets into the deep, and believe in the work that the Lord is entrusting to us in the renewal of our parishes and the Diocese.” Listen to his full message at catholicyyc.ca/renewal