The Octave of Easter is a week-long celebration of the Solemnity of Easter. It confirms our faith and hope in the Resurrection of Christ.
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Throughout the Diocese, at the Easter Vigil in our parishes, many people were received into the Church through the Sacraments of Initiation – Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. The Eucharistic celebrations in the Octave period serve to deepen the faith of the "neophytes" and their commitment to following Christ.

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From Bishop's Lenten visits to leadership gatherings, the Mission phase of Renewal invites Parish Renewal Teams and all the faithful to pause, reflect, and take the next steps together. Save the dates - more details coming soon. 

• Read the new year's update from Ryan Schmidt here

As we gathered on the Feast of the Holy Family (Dec 28, 2026) to mark the end of the Jubilee Year of Hope, we did so in a year that witnessed the death of Pope Francis and the election of Pope Leo. In our own Diocese, we entered into the second year of our Pastoral Renewal, You are Called, you Matter, and you Belong. We also marked this Jubilee Year through diocesan celebrations on the Marian feasts of Mary, Mother of God, the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, and the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, including a Diocesan Mass with the Apostolic Blessing and a Plenary Indulgence.

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As we begin the holy season of Advent, the Church invites us into a time of watchfulness, reflection, and joyful expectation for the coming of Christ. In the spirit of the Jubilee Year proclaimed by Pope Francis last year and set to conclude this December, our Diocese is launching a matching financial campaign for parishes called, Multiply the Hope.

Once our parish has fulfilled all of its financial obligations for the year, every dollar contributed to reduce our parish loan (if your parish has a loan) / to strengthen our repairs and maintenance fund (if your parish does not have a loan) will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to our parish goal. Even after the Jubilee year concludes on December 28 this year, the Diocese has extended this campaign to the end of 2027, giving us additional time to reach our parish goal.

Our goal for this matching program is $88,520.00. This means that every contribution toward this goal has twice the impact, allowing our parish to move forward with greater freedom in strengthening the renewal priorities. As we enter this Advent season, I invite you to pray, to reflect, and to respond generously. Together, let us prepare a strong, welcoming parish home for all who seek Christ. May this season of expectation fill us with hope, and may God complete the good work He has begun in us.

We are pleased to share the details of the upcoming Diocesan Advent Renewal Retreat.  Please gather in your parish for a wonderful, streamed, but interactive retreat to fill up your souls in preparation for the birth of Christ.

Advent Listening: How the Word Forms Hearts for Discipleship and Mission with Archbishop Terrence Prendergast, S.J.

• When: Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm - livestreamed.
• Location: St. Francis The Sales Church - High River