St. John Bosco, also known as Don Bosco, was a beloved Catholic priest and educator from Italy. He was born on August 16, 1815, in a small village near Turin. Growing up in a poor family, he faced many challenges, but his strong faith and determination helped him overcome them.

Don Bosco dedicated his life to helping young people, especially those who were poor and neglected. He believed in educating them not just with books, but also with love and kindness. He used fun activities like magic tricks and games to teach important lessons and keep the children engaged.

In 1859, Don Bosco founded the Salesian Society, a religious order named after St. Francis de Sales. The Salesians focused on providing education and support to young people in need. Don Bosco also started the Salesian Sisters, a group of nuns who worked to help poor girls.

One of Don Bosco's most famous students was St. Dominic Savio, a young boy who became a saint because of his deep faith and dedication to God. Don Bosco wrote a biography about Dominic Savio, which inspired many people.

Don Bosco passed away on January 31, 1888, but his legacy lives on. He was canonized as a saint on April 1, 1934, and his feast day is celebrated on January 31. Today, the Salesian Society continues to help young people all over the world, following the example set by St. John Bosco.

St. Thomas Aquinas 28 of January

St. Thomas Aquinas was a famous philosopher and theologian from Italy. He was born around 1225 in a place called Roccasecca, which was part of the Kingdom of Sicily. He became a Dominican friar, which means he was a member of a religious order known for their dedication to study and teaching.

Thomas Aquinas is best known for his work in combining the ideas of ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle with Christian theology. He believed that reason and faith could work together to understand the truth. One of his most famous works is the "Summa Theologica," a comprehensive guide to theology that is still studied today.

Aquinas developed the concept of natural law, which suggests that certain rights and moral values are inherent in human nature and can be understood through reason. This idea has had a lasting impact on philosophy and law.

He was also known for his five proofs of God's existence, which are logical arguments that aim to demonstrate the existence of God. These proofs include the argument from motion, the argument from cause, and the argument from necessity, among others.

St. Thomas Aquinas passed away on March 7, 1274, but his teachings continue to influence Christian thought and philosophy. He was canonized as a saint in 1323, and his feast day is celebrated on January 28.

The Sunday of the Word of God, instituted by Pope Francis in 2019 through the Apostolic Letter *Aperuit Illis*, is celebrated annually on the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. Its purpose is to deepen the devotion, understanding, and love of Sacred Scripture among Catholics. This celebration highlights the central role of the Word of God in the Church’s life and mission.

Meaning and Purpose:

1. Encounter with Christ:Sacred Scripture is not just a collection of writings; it is the living Word through which we encounter Jesus Christ. The Sunday of the Word of God reminds us of the unity between Scripture and the Eucharist, both nourishing our faith.

2. Invitation to Study and Pray:Pope Francis emphasized that this day is an opportunity for Catholics to reflect on the importance of reading, studying, and praying with Scripture so it becomes a transformative force in our lives.

3. Mission and Witness:The Word of God is not only meant to be heard but lived. This celebration encourages us to embody the teachings of Christ in our individual lives, our families, and our parish communities.

Importance for Individual Life

• Spiritual Growth:Spending time with Scripture helps us grow in faith and allows God’s Word to guide us in our decisions, struggles, and joys.
• Personal Conversion:The Word calls us to examine our hearts and align our lives with God’s will.
• Daily Prayer:Meditating on Scripture daily strengthens our relationship with Christ and gives meaning to our lives.

Family Life

• Foundation of Faith:When families gather to read and reflect on Scripture, it fosters a shared faith and values rooted in Christ.
• Source of Unity:Praying and discussing the Word of God as a family can build deeper relationships and promote understanding and forgiveness.
• Teaching Children:Parents can use this opportunity to introduce children to the stories, teachings, and values of Scripture.

Parish Life

• Community Focus:Celebrating the Word of God as a parish reminds the community that Scripture is at the heart of liturgy and evangelization.
• Bible Studies and Lectio Divina:Encouraging participation in communal study or prayer of the Bible strengthens the parish spiritually and fosters fellowship.
• Mission Outreach:A parish deeply rooted in Scripture is inspired to share God’s Word through acts of charity, justice, and mission work.

Pope Francis summed it up: *“The Word of God opens our eyes and allows us to emerge from individualism, which leads to suffocation and sterility. Celebrating this day helps us re-center our lives, families, and communities around Christ, the Word made flesh.

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.