Dear Friends;
We are now in the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic with all the restrictions on our ability to worship together, and to gather together, as a community.
While this pandemic brings a lot of uncertainty, many of our brothers and sisters are trying to navigate our way through this challenging time by offering their time and talent to serve others.
Doctors, nurses, health-care workers, educators, custodians, office staff, pastors, parish volunteers, parents and many more have gone above and beyond to keep us healthy and safe by following COVID-19 public health guidelines.
His Grace would like to acknowledge, celebrate and recognize as many of those amazing quiet heroes of our everyday lives as possible.
In lieu of the Archbishop’s Dinner, we are planning an appreciation social media campaign that will run from the November 1, 2021 until November 21, 2021 when we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King.
On that day, His Grace will celebrate a Holy Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Joseph’s Basilica followed by pre-recorded videos which will honour those everyday heroes in our Archdiocese.
Restrictions permitting, the Mass will be open to the public.
His Grace encourages all pastors to celebrate a Holy Mass of Thanksgiving on that day in their church. An official letter from His Grace, along with suggested Prayers of the Faithful, will be distributed in early November.
At this time, we would like to invite you to submit stories with photos and/or videos, whenever possible, of those everyday heroes so that we as an Archdiocese can honour them. They have risen to the challenges that COVID-19 has presented.
STORIES:
- up to 250 words
- volunteers, parents or front like workers who went above an beyond in the service of others during this pandemic: people delivering groceries, disinfecting our pews after each mass, parents/neighbours sharing care of children during online schools, nurses or health care aids working double shifts with patience and compassion.
PHOTOS:
- action shots or portraits so we can add a human face to our campaign
VIDEOS:
- we acknowledge that not everyone has an access to professional videographer. Record and share with us short TIK TOK style videos of a parishioner doing screening, your mother/sister nurse coming from 12 hours shift in ICU. Record yourself saying Thank you. We will share those on our social media or combine them in a longer video to spread a good news.
These stories of everyday heroes will be used to create a virtual book shared on Archdiocesan website. The virtual book will be available for sharing on your websites as well.
Some stories will be featured on the social media platforms of the Archdiocese and in the Window, the new Archdiocesan electronic newsletter. They may also be shared by other Catholic organizations in the Archdiocese.
Stories might be edited slightly to fit the overall concept.
To ensure we do not invade anyone’s privacy, we kindly ask that you ask the permission of nominated person(s) and fill the attached consent form with your story and photos/videos.
All stories and supporting materials can be emailed to Anna at anna.jaremko@caedm.ca. For more information, please contact Anna at 780-469-1010, ext. 2139 or anna.jaremko@caedm.ca.
Be creative. Share a good story. Celebrate each other. Support each other. Celebrate kindness. It’s in all of us.
In Christ;
Anna Jaremko, Events Lead Ambrose Au, Communications Coordinator
Dear Friends;
Due to the spread of COVID -19 and guidance of Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer on how to slow and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 we canceled our 2020 event. As each week brings new challenges and uncertainties, we have decided to cancel the in-person event this year as well.
Thank you for understanding that your safety and our responsibility for the common good of all our neighbours remain our top priorities.
We pray you are able to stay healthy and connected through this crisis and look forward to seeing you at the next Annual Archbishop’s Dinner on Friday, October 7, 2022.
For questions, please contact Anna at Anna.Jaremko@caedm.ca.