The Knights of Columbus Council 9521 Grey Cup 2024 Charity Pool sales ended last weekend. The event was a complete success with all tickets/squares being sold. The prize payouts will be distributed after the

Grey Cup result on Sun Nov 17, 2024. Our K of C members wish to thank all the Parishioners for generously supporting this Charity Fundraiser. It is planned that net proceeds will be distributed to the Handi-Bus Society of High River who provide such a tremendous service to the elderly in our community and especially the physically challenged of our Parish.

Why in the Catholic Church are we encouraged to pray through the intercessions of the saints and not directly to God?

In the Catholic Church, we are encouraged to pray through the intercession of saints, fostering a deeper sense of community in prayer and connecting with the “Communion of Saints.” Saints, united with God in heaven, support us by joining their prayers with ours and bringing our intentions before Him.

This practice is uplifted for several reasons:

1. Communion of Saints: Catholic teaching emphasizes that all baptized Christians form one body in Christ, encompassing those in heaven, on earth, and in purgatory. Just as we seek prayers from family and friends, asking saints to intercede reflects our spiritual connectedness.

2. Role Models in Faith: Saints exemplify holy lives rooted in Christ’s teachings. By seeking their intercession, we draw inspiration from their virtuous examples as we strive to follow Christ more closely.

3. Spiritual Family in Heaven: Saints are seen as loving spiritual family members, eager to help us grow closer to God. Through their intercession, we access their love and wisdom, which they graciously share from their place in God’s presence.

4. Unique Patronages and Special Intercessors: Different saints are associated with specific causes and challenges, such as St. Christopher for travelers and St. Jude for difficult cases. Praying to these saints for particular needs fosters a personal connection in our requests to God.

Ultimately, all prayers are directed to God. Saints are not separate gods or intermediaries who replace our direct connection to Him. Instead, praying through the saints enriches our prayer life, making it a shared and communal experience rooted in the love and support of the entire body of Christ, both on earth and in heaven.

Remembrance Day, observed every November 11, is a solemn reflection and gratitude day in Canada. Today, we honor the sacrifices made by those who served in the armed forces and remember the lives lost in wars and conflicts. For Catholics, Remembrance Day holds special significance, resonating deeply with the Church’s values of Peace, sacrifice, and prayer for the souls of the departed. Here are several reasons why Remembrance Day is significant for Catholics in Canada.

1. Honoring Sacrifice and Selflessness

The Catholic faith teaches that there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for others, as expressed in John 15:13. Remembrance Day honors the sacrifices of those who risked, and often gave, their lives for the protection and freedom of others. In reflecting on their bravery and self-giving love and service for the greater good.

Catholics are called to recognize and honor these acts of selflessness as examples of living out the Gospel. By remembering the courage and dedication of these individuals, we are are reminded of the profound value of service and the importance of standing up for the protection of others.

2. Praying for the Souls of the Departed

Catholic tradition holds a deep commitment to praying for the souls of the deceased. In the Church, November is already designated as the month for remembering and praying for all who have passed away, especially those in purgatory. Remembrance Day is an opportunity for Catholics to offer specific prayers for soldiers who lost their lives in the line of duty and for those who carry the wounds of war.

Masses, moments of silence, and personal prayers for the deceased on Remembrance Day provide Catholics with a unique opportunity to fulfill the Church’s call to pray for the repose of souls, hoping that God will grant them eternal Peace. These prayers reflect the Catholic belief in God’s mercy and the hope of salvation for all people, particularly those who died amid the turmoil of war.

3. Commitment to Peace

We place a strong emphasis on Peace. Rooted in Jesus’ teachings about peacemaking, the Church advocates for nonviolence, justice, and compassion. Remembrance Day not only commemorates past sacrifices but also calls Canadians to strive for a future free from war. For Catholics, it is a reminder of the Church’s mission to promote Peace as a core Gospel value.

Catholic social teaching speaks of a “just peace” that is grounded in justice and the dignity of every human being. Remembrance Day encourages Catholics to reflect on how they can actively work toward Peace within their communities and on a global scale, honoring those who have fallen by dedicating themselves to building a more just and harmonious world.

4. A Time of National and Communal Unity

Remembrance Day provides an opportunity for us, regardless of background, to come together and reflect on shared values and history. For Catholics, who are part of a global community yet deeply connected to their local society, this is a meaningful day to express solidarity with their fellow citizens. Through the symbols of poppies, ceremonies, and moments of silence, Catholics in Canada join others in a collective act of remembrance, prayer, and hope.

Participating in these traditions is a way for Catholics to express their faith in the public sphere while contributing to a national moment of remembrance. This aligns with the Catholic teaching on the importance of community and the role of faith in public life, reminding Catholics of their duty to engage with and support their broader society.

5. Drawing Inspiration for Personal Vocation

Finally, Remembrance Day serves as a source of inspiration for personal vocation. In honoring the sacrifice of others, we are reminded of our own call to serve according to our unique gifts and circumstances. Whether through small acts of kindness, volunteering, or advocating for those in need, Catholics are encouraged to find ways to contribute to the common good, inspired by the valor and dedication of those who served.

In reflecting on the sacrifices made by soldiers and veterans, Catholics may discern ways to live out their faith more fully in their own lives. This can include acts of charity, community service, or simply treating others with greater compassion and respect, particularly those who suffer from the scars of war or violence.

Conclusion

For Catholics in Canada, Remembrance Day is more than a moment to recall history; it is an invitation to pray, honor, and renew their commitment to Peace and service. Rooted in the values of sacrifice, prayer for the departed, Peace, community, and personal vocation, Remembrance Day allows Catholics to connect their faith to the lives of those who served and died in the cause of freedom. By observing this day, Catholics remember the past and find renewed strength to contribute to a future marked by compassion, justice, and hope.

Feast of the Anniversary of the Consecration of the Lateran Basilica

Many people mistakenly believe that St. Peter's Basilica is the most important papal church. In fact, the Basilica of St. John Lateran is the pope's cathedral and has a significant history in Christianity. This basilica, one of Rome's four major basilicas, was consecrated by Pope St. Sylvester I on November 9, 324.

The basilica’s name comes from the Lateran family, who originally owned the land. Emperor Constantine the Great bestowed their palace to Pope St. Sylvester after allowing the Christian faith to be practiced openly. The basilica became the first cathedral of Rome.

Though it ceased to be the popes' residence following the Avignon captivity in the early fourteenth century, the Lateran Basilica holds exceptional importance today. It is recognized as the archbasilica, and newly elected bishops participate in a solemn procession to it. The Latin inscription above its entrance, "Mater et Caput omnium Ecclesiarum Urbis et Orbis," translates to "Mother and Head of all churches of the City and the World."

The basilica is notable for hosting various liturgical celebrations, including Mass at the start of Lent and Holy Thursday. Nearby are the "Holy Stairs," brought from Jerusalem in 326, believed to be the steps Christ ascended to face Pilate.

As the pope's cathedral, the Lateran Basilica serves as a parish for all Catholics. Initially celebrated only in Rome, this feast spread through the efforts of the Augustinian monks and was incorporated into the liturgical calendar by Pope St. Pius V in 1570.

Today, we express gratitude for all churches built by the faithful. Each church symbolizes the living house of God, just as the Lateran Basilica, the first Catholic church dedicated to God, embodies the unity of the Church founded on Christ and Peter.

Today's Sunday in the Catholic Church is known as World Mission Day, which reminders us to reflect deeply on missions and how we understand our responsibility towards them. Usually, when we think of missions, we imagine distant countries, exotic cultures and people who do not know the Gospel. However, today's day reminds us that missions are not only about "others" - people from the so-called third world. Missions are something that each of us should practice here and now, in our daily lives, in our environment, in our home.

Missions begin in the heart of each of us. Jesus said: “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature” (Mk 16:15), but this “world” does not have to be geographically far away. Our world is our families, neighborhoods, workplaces, and schools – these are people we meet every day.

Isn't it the case that often closer to us, in our own parish, among our relatives, friends and colleagues, there are people who distance themselves from God? Don't we see people around us who need a testimony of love, support, understanding? They are our first "addresses" of the mission.

Today, the mission of the Church is more than a trip to the other side of the world. It is a mission of witnessing love, openness, reconciliation - and above all where we live every day. Maybe there are people in our homes who need our presence, our forgiveness, our example of living by faith? Maybe in the workplace we can share a good word, support, sometimes a simple smile with someone who feels lost? Maybe our parish needs our commitment, our help in building a community?

Today's world is often plunged into chaos, fear, division. All the more he needs the Gospel – the Good News about God's love, which brings peace and hope. We, as Catholics, are sent to be missionaries in this world. It doesn't always require great gestures. Sometimes it is enough to be a presence, a witness of life, faithfulness to the Gospel in everyday, small things.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, may today be our World Mission Day an opportunity to rediscover our vocation to be a missionary. Let's start with ourselves, with our home, our work, our parish. The mission begins where we are. Let us ask the Lord to give us the strength and courage to carry His love wherever He sends us.

May our everyday life become a space of mission, where we will bear witness to Christ, bringing peace, love and hope to those who need it most.

Fr. Marius

If you would like to include the name of a loved one in the "Book of the Names of the Dead," please sign the book at the back of the church or contact Nancy in the church office at 403-652-2203 or email her at www.francisdesales.shaw.ca.

The deadline for submissions is October 31, 2024.