St. Francis de Sales & St. Andre's Parish 2024 Goal: $24,463 | Donations to Date: $6,262 To donate for TIA, use the envelope or drop off or mail donations to St. Franci de Sale's Parish. Find more information about Together in Action

Prayer

God, Almighty Father,
we are your pilgrim Church
journeying towards the Kingdom of heaven.
We live in our homeland,
but as if we were foreigners.
Every foreign place is our home,
yet every native land is foreign to us.
Though we live on earth,
our true citizenship is in heaven.
Do not let us become possessive
of the portion of the world
you have given us as a temporary home.
Help us to keep walking,
together with our migrant brothers and sisters,
toward the eternal dwelling you have prepared for us.
Open our eyes and our hearts
so that every encounter with those in need
becomes an encounter with Jesus, your Son and our Lord.
Amen.

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
FOR THE 110th WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES 2024

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On behalf of the Diocese of Calgary, we are delighted to extend a heartfelt invitation to all parishes: 

• Mass on World Day for Migrants and Refugees
  • When: Sunday, Sep 29, 2024 at 7 pm 
  • Where: St. Mary’s Cathedral (219 18 Ave SW, Calgary)
  • Followed by a reception at the Parish Hall.

This special occasion offers us the opportunity to come together in solidarity, acknowledging the journey of migrants and refugees, and to reflect on the theme, "God Walks with His People," as shared by Pope Francis. Let us unite as one faith-filled community to celebrate the richness of our diversity and the common bonds we share in Christ.

As this is a diocesan event in collaboration with Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS), we encourage each community to contribute non-perishable items during the “Preparation of the Gifts” (Offertory) at Mass. This act symbolizes our shared responsibility to care for those in need, and the items will be distributed to St. Vincent de Paul and the Calgary Food Bank.

We also invite everyone to bring food to share at the reception following Mass, as we continue to build fellowship through our diverse cultural traditions. While bringing food is optional, any contributions are greatly appreciated.

Please remind your community to come to the celebration in your ethnic attire.

We look forward to celebrating the love of Christ that unites us across cultures and backgrounds. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Deacon Greg Barcelon at 403-228-4170 (ext. 226). 

May God continue to guide us as we walk together on this shared journey of faith. 

Peace,

Rev. Avinash Colaco

Rector, St. Mary's Cathedral

On September 21, we celebrate the feast of St. Matthew, one of the twelve Apostles and the author of the first Gospel. The name "Matthew" is derived from the Hebrew form "Matthaios, "meaning "gift of God." According to tradition, Matthew remained in Palestine for some time after Christ's Ascension. He wrote the Gospel in Aramaic, not in Greek, specifically for the Jews to learn about Christ's teachings and to demonstrate Jesus Christ as the Messiah by referencing the messianic prophecies of the Old Testament. The time of its creation is uncertain, estimated to be between 50 and 60 AD. It is not known who translated the Gospel according to St. Matthew into Greek and when. According to Christian tradition, he was martyred in Ethiopia, and the circumstances of his death remain unknown. His relics have been in Salerno near Naples, Italy, since the 10th century.

St. Matthew is the patron saint of tax collectors, accountants, financial officials, and bankers.

The symbol of St. Matthew is a winged man, representing his transformation from a tax collector, one of the most despised figures in Jewish culture, to a disciple of Jesus, who looked at him with love and called him to follow. Through Christ, Matthew discovered his human dignity and his relationship with God. He provided detailed descriptions of Jewish customs and rituals in his Gospel, emphasizing the importance of humanity. The Gospel of Matthew begins with a thorough examination of the genealogy and birth of Jesus Christ, highlighting his vulnerability as a child and during his death on the cross.

Report for the months of April—August 2024.
The St. Francis de Sales Ministry has helped a total number of 6 people for the months of April to August 2024. We paid out a total of $6,157.50 for bills, rent, or mortgages, as well, we gave a total of $325.00 in fuel cards, and $300.00 in grocery cards. The total assistance we have given this period is $6,782.50

It is rewarding to be able to assist these peo- ple who are genuinely struggling. The help we give is so appreciated. We try to listen and give help as much as we can as quickly as possible. A huge Thank You to all those who have made a donation to this rewarding ministry