SFDS Game Night Some parishioners had a great time at game night on April 25th! Join us for next game night, it will be fun! Our next game night will be May 23rd!

We are, once again, inviting you to be a part of our Fundraising plant order this spring! As always, there is a great selection of hanging baskets and potted annuals, with several new items this year.

Prices are the same as last year! Here are the instructions for our group. If you have any questions, please get in touch with me. Supplies are limited, plants are in high demand, and this platform is open to other groups as well, so for best selection, order early!

The password will be activated and the website will be open for orders starting on Monday, April 21st and will remain open until May 16th. Do not submit any orders after this date - our group code will be closed at that point and you will not be able to link to our group.

Please read through all of the instructions below. The most important step is the GROUP CODE. Please ensure that you understand the instructions before proceeding. If you have any questions, please let me know. Thank you!

Instructions: Click or copy the link to find your way to the Greenhouse Effects website: www.greenhouseeffects.ca Click "Shop" and find the Fundraising Program. Click "Shop Now" and enter Guest Password:GE125 This will give you access to the online store for ordering. There are 32 Hanging Basket mixes and 80 individually potted plants for you to choose from.

Once you have made your selections, continue to your Cart. This is where you will enter your GROUP CODE: Francis25 in the promo code box.

This is very important. The purpose of the code is to link your purchase to our group. The code does not provide any further discount. However, please ensure you complete this step! Thank you!

From here you can proceed to Payment. You will go through the usual steps for an online purchase, and be asked for your GROUP CODE once more. Once you submit your payment you are all ready to go!

Your order will be processed and delivered to St. Francis Parish, High River, for pickup on May 20, 2024. Happy shopping!

There will be a SFDS Helping Hands meeting in the church hall on Thursday, May 8, at 10:30 pm. If you are interested in joining SFDS Helping Hands, or would like to know more about it, you are welcome to attend.

Report for the months of January—April, 2025 The St. Francis de Sales Ministry has helped a total number of 11 people for the months of January to April, 2025. We paid out a total of $15,321.51 for bills, rent, or mortgages, as well, we gave a total of $1125.00 in fuel cards, and $2200.00 in grocery cards. The total assistance we have given this period is $18,646.51 It is rewarding to be able to assist these people who are genuinely struggling. The help we give is so appreciated. We try to listen and give help as much as we can as quickly as possible. A huge Thank You to all those who have made a donation to this rewarding ministry.

May holds a special place in the heart of the Catholic Church as the month dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. This tradition, deeply rooted in centuries of devotion, reflects the Church’s desire to honour Mary with particular reverence during one of the most beautiful and life-affirming times of the year.

Historical Roots of the Devotion

The association of May with Mary dates back to at least the 13th century. By the Middle Ages, Christians began dedicating the entire month of May to the Mother of God, seeing it as fitting to honour the one who gave life to Christ during a season that celebrates natural life and renewal.

A Month of Beauty and New Life

May is a time of blooming flowers, warmer weather, and the reawakening of the earth after the cold of winter. This sense of renewal mirrors the spiritual life Mary calls believers to embrace — a life open to grace, peace, and new beginnings. Just as nature bursts into bloom, so too does the Church’s devotion to Mary flourish in May, marked by May crownings, Marian processions, and the daily praying of the Rosary.

Theological and Spiritual Significance

Mary holds a unique place in Catholic theology as the Mother of God (Theotokos), the first disciple, and the model of perfect faith and obedience to God’s will. Dedicating May to Mary provides the faithful an opportunity to reflect on her role in salvation history and her ongoing presence in the life of the Church. She is seen as a powerful intercessor, a source of comfort, and a guiding star leading Christians to Christ.

Pope Paul VI, in his 1965 encyclical Mense Maio, emphasized May as a time to seek Mary's intercession for peace in the world and for the Church's needs. He wrote, “We are delighted and happy to recall that the month of May is especially dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary… during this month, Christians, both in church and in the privacy of the home, offer up to Mary from their hearts an especially fervent and loving homage.”

Expressions of Marian Devotion in May

Many Catholic communities hold special devotions during May, such as:

• May Crownings – Statues of Mary are crowned with flowers, often by children, symbolizing her queenship and purity.
• Rosary Processions – The faithful gather to pray the Rosary and Litany to the BVM, meditating on the life of Christ through the eyes of Mary.
• Marian Altars – Homes and churches set up altars with flowers, candles, and images of Mary.
• Feast Days – May includes several Marian feasts, such as Our Lady of Fatima (May 13) and the Visitation (May 31).

Conclusion

Dedicating May to Mary is a long-standing tradition that continues to inspire Catholics around the world. It is a month that lifts hearts and minds to the Mother of God, inviting all to follow her example of love, humility, and unwavering trust in God's plan. In the beauty of spring, the Church finds a perfect reflection of Mary's own spiritual beauty and her essential place in the Christian journey.

The Litany of Loreto: An Ancient Prayer for Today’s World

The Litany of Loreto, also known as the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, has been a cherished part of Catholic prayer for centuries. Approved by Pope Sixtus V in 1587, it takes its name from the Marian shrine in Loreto, Italy — a place of pilgrimage and deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin.

This beautiful litany offers a series of invocations to Mary, each one highlighting a different aspect of her identity: Mother Most Pure, Health of the Sick, Queen of Peace, Mirror of Justice, and many more. Each title reflects not only a theological truth, but a source of hope and encouragement for the faithful in every age.

Why It Still Matters Today

In our modern world — marked by uncertainty, conflict, and anxiety — the Litany of Loreto is more relevant than ever. Through these ancient titles, we call upon Mary to help us navigate our times:

• As Mother of Mercy, she reminds us that God’s love never abandons us.
• As Comforter of the Afflicted, she stands with all who suffer — in body, mind, or spirit.
• As Queen of Families, she offers a model for unity and peace in our homes.
• As Help of Christians, she intercedes for the Church as we face new challenges to our faith.

These invocations are not empty poetry; they are heartfelt pleas from a people who trust that the Mother of God still walks with us.

A Parish Tradition of Prayer

To deepen our devotion to Mary during the month of May, we will pray the Litany of Loreto after each Mass in our parish. We invite all parishioners to stay after Mass and join in this time-honoured prayer. Together, we will lift up our intentions, entrust our needs to Mary’s maternal care, and renew our faith in her powerful intercession.

Let us make this May a time of renewed love for the Blessed Mother — and through her, grow closer to Christ her Son.

“Holy Mary, pray for us. Queen of Peace, pray for us. Mother of the Church, pray for us.”

You Are Cordially Invited to join us in the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at 6:00 PM with Bishop William McGrattan presiding.

We will joyfully witness 20 young people from our parish receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Please keep them in your prayers as they take this important step in their faith journey.

All are welcome.