I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who dedicated so much time, energy, and talent to make this Christmas and New Year celebration such a beautiful and memorable occasion.

A special thank you goes to our Music Ministry, whose uplifting and inspiring melodies filled our hearts with joy and reverence. Your dedication and passion brought an extra layer of grace to our worship, and we are truly blessed by your commitment.

To the Decoration Committee, thank you for transforming our space into a true reflection of the beauty and holiness of this season. Your attention to detail and creativity created an atmosphere that helped everyone feel the warmth and peace of Christ's presence.

Finally, a heartfelt thank you to Deacon Larry, ensuring that our services were meaningful and spiritually enriching. Your hard work and devotion allowed us to fully celebrate the sacredness of this time, guiding us through powerful moments of prayer and reflection.

Thank you all for your contributions, your spirit of service, and for making this holiday season so special for our entire parish community.

Wishing you all continued blessings in the New Year!

I would also like to personally thank each and every one of you for your heartfelt prayers, thoughtful cards, and generous gifts. Your kindness and support mean so much to me, and I am truly grateful for the love and care you’ve shown during this beautiful Christmas season.

May God bless you abundantly in the year ahead, and I look forward to sharing many more moments of joy and fellowship with all of you.

The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has proclaimed a Jubilee Year through his apostolic bull Spes non confundit ("Hope Does Not Disappoint"). This extraordinary year of grace will be inaugurated in all local churches (dioceses) on Sunday, December 29, 2024, the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. In our Diocese, Bishop McGrattan will preside over the solemn opening of the Jubilee Year during the Eucharistic celebration at St. Mary’s Cathedral on December 29, 2024, at the 12:00 pm Mass. All priests, deacons, religious, and lay faithful are warmly invited to join the Bishop for this historic moment. This Jubilee Year calls the entire Church to search for signs of hope and to become signs of hope for others. We are reminded of our mission to be sources of hope in our families, for our neighbours, and especially for those who are imprisoned, sick, dying, or marginalized. The young and the elderly alike are called to unite in this faith journey, embracing the transformative power of hope in our lives and communities. Rite of the Opening of the Jubilee Year As part of the Eucharistic celebration, the solemn opening of the Jubilee Year will begin with a special entrance through the principal door of the Cathedral, a symbol of Christ (cf. Jn 10:9). The opening will include a moment of prayer outside the Cathedral, the singing of the Jubilee hymn, an invitation to bless and praise God, the proclamation of the Gospel passage, and a reading from the Bull of Indiction of the Jubilee Year. At the threshold of the Cathedral door, the Bishop will lift up the cross and invite the faithful to venerate it with the acclamation: “Hail, cross of Christ, our only hope.” The faithful will respond, “You are our hope, we will never be confounded.” 

BULL OF INDICTION OF THE ORDINARY JUBILEE OF THE YEAR 2025

St. Albert the Great is proud to be the host of a major event: The veneration of the relics of  St Jean de Brebeuf and St Kateri Tekakwitha.  This is a rare opportunity to encounter these saints who dwell in Heaven and see God face-to-face. Catholics have always held that veneration is not worship, but is a way to honour and draw near to the saints: we can entrust our petitions to them since they are with God (Wisdom 3:1). Throughout Christian history relics have been venerated and people have pilgrimaged to pray with them.   We can expect spiritual and physical healings, and more importantly, a renewal of faith and of our personal relationship with God.

You will have the opportunity to spend a moment before the relics in personal prayer. You can bring your prayer intentions on a written piece of paper and leave them in a basket, which will later be brought back to the Canadian Martyrs Shrine. You can also press your holy cards, rosary, or medals to the reliquaries and bring them home as spiritual keepsakes (and third-class relics).

“God did extraordinary miracles through Paul,so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.” (Acts 19: 11-12)

For more information about the Canadian Tour please visit: 

Relic Tour (2024-2025) | Martyrs’ Shrine

The Epiphany of the Lord is deeply rooted in the mystery of God revealing Himself to humanity through Jesus Christ. It commemorates the visit of the Magi, symbolizing the manifestation of Jesus as the Savior not only for Israel but for all nations. Here's how the religious aspect deepens its meaning, especially in our contemporary culture:

The Epiphany celebrates Jesus as the light of the world and the fulfillment of God’s promise to send a Messiah. The visit of the Magi signifies that salvation is not limited to one people but is for all humanity.

In today’s world, where people seek meaning and direction, this celebration is a reminder that Jesus is the ultimate answer to humanity’s deepest desires and questions.

The journey of the Magi represents the universal human quest for God. Their willingness to leave their homeland, follow a star, and worship Jesus models how faith requires trust, effort, and humility.

Catholics are reminded during Epiphany to prioritize worship in their lives, recognizing Christ’s presence in the Eucharist, prayer, and acts of love.

The Magi’s gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh have profound theological significance:

• Gold: Symbolizes Christ’s kingship.
• Frankincense: Represents His divinity and the worship He deserves.
• Myrrh: Prefigures His suffering and death, showing that His mission includes the redemption of humanity through the cross.

These gifts teach Catholics to offer their lives—time, talents, and treasures—in service to Christ and His Church.

The star that led the Magi to Jesus reflects the guiding light of Christ, who dispels the darkness of sin and despair. In a world often marked by confusion and moral relativism, the Epiphany reminds Catholics that Jesus is the true light that illuminates the path to God.

The Epiphany emphasizes that Jesus’ mission is universal, calling Catholics to share the Gospel with others. Just as the Magi were drawn to Christ, believers are called to draw others to Him by living lives of faith, love, and hope.

In a secularized culture, this feast challenges Catholics to witness boldly to their faith, becoming “stars” that guide others to Christ.

The Magi came from different nations and represent the diversity of God’s people. The Church, as the Body of Christ, mirrors this universality, welcoming all cultures and peoples into communion with God.

Epiphany reminds Catholics of the importance of fostering unity and breaking down barriers in a fragmented world.

For Catholics, the Epiphany is a profound reminder of God’s love revealed in Jesus, calling believers to seek, worship, and proclaim Him. It’s not just a historical event but a living mystery, inviting everyone—both believers and seekers—to recognize and respond to Christ’s presence in the world today.

Lord God, we thank You for the year that has passed. We thank You for the gifts of life, for health, for the moments of joy and growth, and for the challenges that have brought us closer to You. We ask for Your continued blessing as we enter this new year. Grant us peace in our hearts, and strength to face the challenges ahead.

May Mary, our Mother, guide us as we seek to follow You more faithfully. Help us to trust in Your plan, to love one another, and to be faithful witnesses of Your love in the world. 

As we begin this new year, I wish all of you peace, health, and joy. May the grace of God be with you in every step you take, and may Mary, our Mother, watch over you and lead you closer to her Son, Jesus Christ.

Blessed New Year to all of you! May 2025 be filled with God's blessings, and may you experience His love and peace in all that you do.

Fr. Marius

As we celebrate the joyous season of Christmas, I would like to extend my heartfelt wishes to all of you. May the newborn Jesus bring you peace that the world cannot offer, joy even amidst challenges, and hope that lights the way through each day. know that life isn't always easy. Rising costs, uncertainties, and the tensions of our times can be overwhelming. Yet your hearts remain filled with goodness, love, and faith-shining examples of Christian living. I deeply appreciate how you find time for God, your families, and each other. This is a true testament to the beauty of your faith.

I also want to assure you that I remember those who will spend this Christmas in solitude-whether in hospitals, due to illness, or because life's circumstances have led them to a place of loneliness. These holidays are for them too. Christmas is a celebration of joy and hope, for God has come into the world to be near to each of us, especially in moments of hardship and suffering.

I pray that you feel God's presence in your homes, hearts, and lives this Christmas. May the star of Bethlehem guide you, and may the Christ Child bless you in every moment.
As we step into the New Year, I wish you health, prosperity, and the strength to face daily challenges. May you always be surrounded by people who uplift and encourage you and have the courage to trust that with God, all things are possible.

May Mary, who humbly accepted God's plan, surround you with her care, and may Jesus, our Savior, fill you with peace and grace every day.
With prayers and gratitude,

Fr. Marius