January 27, 2025, marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the German Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz by the Red Army. This is one of the most significant events in the history of the 20th century, reminding us of the tragedy of millions who fell victim to the atrocities of the totalitarian regime. This day has been established as International Holocaust Remembrance Day to ensure the world never forgets this human tragedy.

The Auschwitz concentration camp was established by the German Nazi authorities in May 1940 in Oświęcim, Poland. Initially, it was intended to detain Polish political prisoners, but over time, it became one of the main centers for the extermination of Jews, Roma, prisoners of war, and other groups deemed enemies of the Third Reich. The camp operated for nearly five years, until January 1945. It is estimated that approximately 1.1 million people were murdered in Auschwitz, including around 1 million Jews, 70,000 Poles, 21,000 Roma, and prisoners of other nationalities.

Father Maximilian Maria Kolbe

In Auschwitz, St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe, a Franciscan friar, gave his life and earned the title “Martyr of Love.” Father Kolbe, born in 1894 in Zduńska Wola, was a man of deep faith, devoted to the Virgin Mary, and actively involved in the development of the Militia Immaculatae movement. During the war, he was arrested by the Gestapo for helping Jews and Polish refugees.

In July 1941, Kolbe voluntarily offered his life in exchange for a fellow prisoner, Franciszek Gajowniczek, who had been condemned to death by starvation. His heroic act of love and sacrifice for another became a symbol of hope and the triumph of good over evil. In 1982, Maximilian Kolbe was canonized by Pope John Paul II as a martyr.

Edith Stein and Rosa Stein

Edith Stein, also known as St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, was a prominent philosopher and Jewish woman who converted to Catholicism. Born in 1891 in Wrocław, she was one of the most significant students of Edmund Husserl, the founder of phenomenology. Her spiritual journey led her to the Catholic Church, where she became a Carmelite nun.

In 1942, Edith and her sister Rosa, who also converted to Catholicism, were arrested by the Gestapo in the Netherlands due to their Jewish heritage. In August of the same year, the sisters were deported to Auschwitz, where they perished in the gas chambers. Edith Stein was canonized in 1998 by Pope John Paul II and proclaimed a co-patroness of Europe in 1999.

Angela Maria Autsch – “The Angel of Auschwitz”

In 1944, Angela Maria Autsch, a nun from Westphalia known as “The Angel of Auschwitz,” also perished in Auschwitz. “Angela came to this house of madness like the smile of dawn, like a ray of sunshine. Amidst the terrible suffering, she created an island of tenderness,” wrote a Jewish doctor, herself a prisoner in the concentration camp, about the work of Sister Angela of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The beatification process for Sister Angela Autsch is ongoing.

Sinti and Roma Victims

The Holocaust also claimed the lives of Sinti and Roma people. Like the Jews, they were first deprived of their rights and then murdered. In December 1942, a “Gypsy camp” was established at Auschwitz. Few people know that 90% of the deported Roma and Sinti were Catholics. Recently, the Archbishop of Munich, Cardinal Reinhard Marx, acknowledged the moral failure of the Church leadership in the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising in helping Sinti and Roma during the Nazi dictatorship.

Memory and Message

The anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation is a time for reflection on history and responsibility for the future. The testimonies of figures such as St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Edith Stein, her sister Rosa, and Sister Angela Autsch teach us that even in the darkest moments, we can remain faithful to the values of love, faith, and solidarity.

Looking at today’s global conflicts, we often forget about past genocides and human tragedies. Therefore, it is all the more important for us, as Catholics and people of goodwill, to remind not only younger generations but also ourselves about these events.

May this anniversary remind us of the need to build a world based on respect for every human being, regardless of nationality, faith, or origin. "Never again"—this call must resonate in our hearts and actions.

"The St. Francis de Sales Parish Renewal Team will present the key takeaways from the 2024 parishioner survey. We want to share our insights on the survey results and discuss some of the feedback we have already received.

• A Q&A session w ill follow the presentation.
• Presentation Date: Tuesday, February 4, after the evening Mass

We hope to see you there!"

St. Francis de Sales 2025 Offering Envelopes Just a reminder that the 2025 Offering Envelopes are ready for pick up in the church hall.

If you do not have an assigned envelope #, but would like one, please contact Nancy in the church office by phone at 403-652-2203 or email at francisdesales@ shaw.ca 

Renewal Invitation - You're invited!

The St. Francis de Sales Parish Renewal Team will present the key takeaways from the 2024 parishioner survey. We want to share our insights on the survey results and discuss some of the feedback we have already received. Additionally, we will outline the next steps our team will take in creating a renewal plan for our parish. Please note that we will not be proposing any specific renewal efforts at this time, as they have not yet been developed. 

A Q&A session will follow the presentation.

Presentation Date: Tuesday, February 4, after the evening Mass

We hope to see you there!

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.