August 2010     

An ePublication of the Office of Communications and Public Relations.

Archdiocesan Events
Parish and Community Events
Canadian News
Pope Benedict XVI

Archdiocesan Events

ScriptureFest 2010

Saturday, September 25
St. Albert Catholic High School

This year ScriptureFest takes on a new, one-day format at a new venue. The day includes an introductory presentation by Archbishop Smith on Year 3 of Nothing More Beautiful and two keynote addresses by Bishop Gary Gordon of Whitehorse. You will select from a series of diverse Scripture workshops following each of Bishop Gordon's presentations. You may end your day by joining one of the two St. Albert parish communities for their 5 p.m. Saturday Mass. Please consider joining us to learn more about Scripture and Church - click on the poster for registration information.

Western Conference for Liturgy
Ritual Song: Music-Making for Catholic Liturgy

Friday-Saturday, October 1-2
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish
Sherwood Park, Alberta

In light of the recent translation of the Canadian Lectionary and the upcoming translation of the Roman Missal, this year’s conference will focus on how these changes in our liturgical texts will shape our theological understanding and musical praxis in Catholic liturgy. This conference will also offer practical tools through “hands-on” workshops to help facilitate effective preparation that will enhance the rituals of the liturgy. For more information and registration form, click on WCL2010-Brochure and WCL2010-Itinerary. 

The Annual Archdiocesan Youth Rally

Saturday, October 16
Archbishop O'Leary High School

Promotional material will be sent to parishes in late summer and it's not too early to start letting your youth groups know. Mark the date!

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Parish and Community Events

We include these listings to share news about a variety of events taking place across the Archdiocese of Edmonton.  Events are listed because they may be of spiritual, educational or entertainment interest to members of our faith family.  However, publication here should not be considered an official endorsement by The Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton.  We invite you to contact local event organizers to answer any questions in advance.

Journeys of Faith

Spring 2011

St. Joseph's College and Newman Theological College are offering two exciting opportunities for Catholic study tours this spring: 

1. Catholic Student Study Travel Program - Students are invited to be part of an exclusive Catholic Study Tour next spring. Join Father Stefano Penna, Dean of Theology at Newman Theological College, as he guides you through the history of the Catholic Faith in Italy, March 24-April 4, 2011. The program includes tours to ancient Rome, the Vatican, and Venice as well as pre- and post-tour spiritual sessions. Space is limited, so book early.
   Contact Lisa Gleed 780-424-8310 ext. 869 or lgleed@Geo.ca
2. The Holy Land Study Tour - Join Father Timothy Scott and experience the monumental landmarks that are the foundation of the world's three great monotheistic faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam, March 26-April 3, 2011. The program includes tours to Sharon Valley and Mount Carmel,
   Nazareth, Sea of Galilee, Jerusalem, Bethlehem and masses at pilgrimage sites, as well as pre- and post-tour spiritual sessionis.
   To register for this exclusive offer, please contact Brenda Bell at 780-424-8310 ext. 866 or BBell@Geo.ca

Sanctum Spiritual Retreat Centre

Caroline, Alberta
September 14-16 (mid-week) or September 17-19 (weekend)

Women are invited to attend a silent retreat at Sanctum Spiritual Retreat Centre: give yourself a gift for the soul - no work, no TV, no distractions, just sacred time enveloped in the peace of God. There is also opportunity for one-on-one spiritual direction.
For more information or to register, please visit www.sanctumretreat.ca or contact Barb 403-246-4339 (for midweek retreat) or Shirley 403-275-2530 for weekend retreat.

WCACYM Leaders Retreat

September 10-12
Munster, Sask.

Parish youth leaders are encouraged to attend the annual retreat of the Western Canadian Association of Catholic Youth Ministers.
For more information contact Andrew at 780-469-1010 ext. 238 or youth@caedm.ca

Canonization of Brother André

Saturday, October 30
Montreal's Olympic Stadium

Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal is preparing to welcome thousands of visitors and pilgrims to the celebrations around the canonization of Brother André this October. All are welcome. Tickets can be reserved at http://www.admission.com  or by calling 1-800-361-4595.

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Canadian News

Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops

Bishops call on Industry Minister to keep long-form census

Canada's Catholic bishops have asked Industry Minister Tony Clement to reconsider his decision to scrap the "long-form" portion of the national census. The information gathered from the long form is helpful to all faith groups, Bishop Pierre Morissette, president of the Canadian Convernce of Catholic Bishops, wrote in a letter to the minister. "The results provide precisely the type of data that we need. For instance, the question concerning one's religion is asked every ten years. This is one of the only
ways in which we, at the national, regional and diocesan levels can gain knowledge of the demographics and identify the geographic areas where our services are required." Read the full text

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Pope Benedict XVI

Holy Father's Prayer Intentions

For September 2010

The Word of God as Sign of Social Development
General: That in less developed parts of the world the proclamation of the Word of God may renew people's hearts, encouraging them to work actively toward authentic social progress.

The End of War
Missionary: That by opening our hearts to love we may put an end to the numerous wars and conflicts which continue to bloody our world.

Benedict XVI Makes Appeal for Flooded Pakistan

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, AUG. 18, 2010 (Zenit.org) -- Recalling the "harshly tested" people of Pakistan, Benedict XVI today made an appeal for solidarity with the flood-ravaged nation.

Pakistan saw its most devastating monsoon rainy season in decades, which caused flooding that brought as many as 2,000 deaths and affected another 20 million people. The area affected by the floods is about the size of England.

"My thoughts go at this moment to the beloved peoples of Pakistan, affected recently by great floods, which have caused numerous victims and left many families homeless," the Pope said. "While I entrust to the merciful goodness of God all those who have passed away so tragically, I express my spiritual closeness to their families and to all those suffering because of this calamity.

"May these brothers of ours, so harshly tested, not lack our solidarity and the concrete aid of international solidarity."

The Church's charity organization, Caritas Internationalis, launched an appeal for $5.5 million and is working to distribute food, provide clean water, shelter and hygiene facilities, as well as constructing a plan to help reconstruct infrastructure such as roads and bridges. For information on how you can help in the relief effort, visit the Development and Peace website.

Encyclicals

CARITAS IN VERITATE, Charity in Truth

A summary of the Encyclical released by the Holy See Press Office on July 7 explains that in his introduction the Pope recalls how "charity is at the heart of the Church's social doctrine". Yet, given the risk of its being "misinterpreted and detached from ethical living", he warns how "a Christianity of charity without truth would be more or less interchangeable with a pool of good sentiments, helpful for social cohesion, but of little relevance." The Holy Father makes it clear that development has need of truth. In this context he dwells on two "criteria that govern moral action": justice and the common good.

DEUS CARITAS EST, On Christian Love

SPE SALVI, On Christian Hope

Other Papal Documents of Benedict XVI

Please post Pastoral Scene in all parishes, and feel free to cut and paste for the bulletin.

Every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy of this information at the time of publication. However, despite our best efforts, errors may occur and events may be cancelled or rescheduled without notice.

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