With sadness we advise that the mother of Rev. Tesfu Kelati, priest of the Archdiocese of Edmonton, died on Friday, September 18, 2020.

Abrehet Bahta died in Eritrea.

Father Tesfu is the pastor of St. Emeric Parish, and he also serves as the chaplain of St. Benedict Chapel in downtown Edmonton. 

We offer condolences to Father Tesfu and his family. 

Let us pray for the repose of Abrehet Bahta’s soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, that they rest in peace.

The voice of a cantor is now permitted at Catholic masses in the Edmonton Archdiocese, as parishes are given new guidelines following the easing of provincial COVID-19 guidelines on singing and music.

Singing by a choir, groups or the full congregation is not allowed at this time. And the COVID-19 risk must be managed with physical distancing and other health precautions.

The guidelines, sent by Edmonton Archbishop Richard Smith to priests on Sept. 17.

Sept. 14 the Bishops of Alberta and the Northwest Territories released a pastoral statement, called On the Impact of COVID-19 & the Call to Christian Renewal. This letter – addressed to all the Catholic faithful – offers praise and thanks for the many examples of care and collaboration that have emerged during the pandemic; it also highlights some of the social challenges that have surfaced and that will need to be addressed going forward. In particular, the bishops are inviting Catholics to review the impact of COVID-19 within their homes, schools, workplaces, and society in general, in light of the gospel and the social teaching of the Church.

Livestream videos are now being hosted at https://grandinmedia.ca/livestream/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pg/archedmonton/videos/

The Catholic Bishops of Alberta and the Northwest Territories have written new pastoral letter entitled Uniting Ourselves in Prayer as Schools Reopen. The topic is timely, as the new school year begins amid the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.

Even without the pilgrimage, we can still turn to the Blessed Mother in prayer.

Archbishop will celebrate Mass at the Maronite parish on Sunday at 6 p.m.