Dear Parishioners,

We invite all those interested in exploring the Holy Scriptures to join our parish Bible Study! For several years, we have been meeting to discover the beauty and wisdom of God’s Word together, and this year is no exception. This coming weeks, we will begin studying the Gospel of St. Luke. Meetings will take place every Wednesday, starting October 1st, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM at our parish. You don’t need to be an expert to participate – our Bible Study is open to everyone who wants to deepen their understanding of the Scriptures and share reflections in a friendly atmosphere.

We warmly invite you!  
See you on Wednesday!

Fr. Marius

Opening: O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
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Pray one Hail Mary while reflecting on each of the seven sorrows of Mary.

1. The Prophecy of Simeon: I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the affliction of your tender heart at the prophecy of the holy and aged Simeon. Dear Mother, by your heart so afflicted, obtain for me the virtue of humility and the gift of the holy fear of God. Hail Mary….
2. The Flight into Egypt: I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the anguish of your most affectionate heart during the flight into Egypt and your sojourn there. Dear Mother, by your heart so troubled, obtain for me the virtue of generosity, especially toward the poor, and the gift of piety. Hail Mary...
3. The Child Jesus Missing for Three Days:  I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in those anxieties which tried your troubled heart at the loss of your dear Jesus. Dear Mother, by your heart so full of anguish, obtain for me the virtue of chastity and the gift of knowledge. Hail Mary…
4. Mary meets Jesus on the way to Calvary:  I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the consternation of your heart at meeting Jesus as He carried His Cross. Dear Mother, by your heart so troubled, obtain for me the virtue of patience and the gift of fortitude. Hail Mary… 
5. The Crucifixion and death of Jesus: I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the martyrdom which your generous heart endured in standing near Jesus in His agony. Dear Mother, by your afflicted heart obtain for me the virtue of temperance and the gift of counsel. Hail Mary…
6. Jesus is taken down from the cross: I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, in the wounding of your compassionate heart, when the side of Jesus was struck by the lance before His Body was removed from the Cross. Dear Mother, by your heart thus transfixed, obtain for me the virtue of fraternal charity and the gift of understanding. Hail Mary…
7. Jesus is laid in the tomb: I grieve for you, O Mary most sorrowful, for the pangs that wrenched your most loving heart at the burial of Jesus. Dear Mother, by your heart sunk in the bitterness of desolation, obtain for me the virtue of diligence and the gift of wisdom. Hail Mary…

Let Us Pray: Let intercession be made for us, we beseech You, O Lord Jesus Christ, now and at the hour of our death, before the throne of Your mercy, by the Blessed Virgin Mary, Your Mother, whose most holy soul was pierced by a sword of sorrow in the hour of Your bitter Passion. Through You, O Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns world without end. Amen.

Pray more

1. Seven Sorrows Rosary | Printable
2. Litany and Consecration to Our Lady of Sorrows
3. The Seven Sorrows of Mary: Activities for Children and Family

On September 15, the Church reflects on Mary’s faith and perseverance as she shared in her Son's suffering at the Cross. Devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows began in the Middle Ages, centred on her Seven Sorrows. The feast was extended to the whole Church and fixed on Sep 15 by Pope Pius X.The Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrow invites us to draw strength from her example and to trust in God even in times of sorrow.

Prayer to Our Lady of Sorrows

O most holy Virgin, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, by the overwhelming grief you experienced when you witnessed the martyrdom, the crucifixion, and death of your divine Son, look upon me with eyes of compassion, and awaken in my heart a tender commiseration for those sufferings, as well as a sincere detestation of my sins, in order that being disengaged from all undue affection for the passing joys of this earth, I may sigh after the eternal Jerusalem, and that henceforward all my thoughts and all my actions may be directed towards this one most desirable object.Honour, glory, and love to our divine Lord Jesus, and to the holy and immaculate Mother of God. Amen.(Prayer commonly attributed to St. Bonaventure).​

A Reflection on the Life and Passing of Charlie Kirk

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As your Parish Priest here in our small parish in Alberta, my heart is heavy as I write these words about the tragic and senseless shooting that claimed the life of Charlie Kirk in the United States. Though this event happened beyond our borders, it is not distant from us. Violence and hatred know no boundaries, and the pain of loss touches the entire Body of Christ.

In the midst of a deeply divided world, Charlie Kirk’s life and work were marked by passion and conviction. Charlie Kirk was known as a man who stood for life, family, faith, and truth. His witness—however imperfect like all of ours—was rooted in a conviction that God has given each human life dignity and purpose. Whether one agreed with his views or not, it is undeniable that he sought to make an impact on the world around him.

His assassination reminds us in a most painful way how fragile life is, and how urgently our world needs GOD!

As a priest, my role is not to judge or endorse, but to call us all to compassion, understanding, and prayer. In the face of death, we are reminded of our shared humanity and the call to love one another as Christ loves us. Let us not allow differences to divide us, but rather let us find common ground in our shared sorrow and our shared hope in the Resurrection.

May we also use this moment to reflect on our own lives. Are we living in a way that reflects the Gospel values of love, mercy, and justice? Are we building bridges or walls? These are questions we must all ask ourselves as we navigate the complexities of our time.

Let us offer our prayers for the repose of Charlie Kirk’s soul, for his family and loved ones who mourn his loss, and for all who are grieving. May the Lord grant him eternal rest and may His light shine upon us all, guiding us toward unity and peace.

Prayers for the Deceased and the Bereaved

Eternal Rest Prayer
Eternal rest grant unto Charlie, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Prayer for the Bereaved
Lord, we lift up Charlie’s family and friends to Your loving care. Comfort them in their sorrow, strengthen them in their faith, and surround them with Your peace. May they find solace in the hope of the Resurrection and the promise of eternal life. Amen.

Prayer for Unity
Gracious God, in a world often divided, help us to see one another as You see us—as beloved children of Yours. Teach us to love as You love, to forgive as You forgive, and to seek unity in the midst of diversity. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

May the peace of Christ be with us all.

Fr. Marius Sztuk, SDS

Mr. Daniel G Dormer R.I.P. 

October 9, 1951 - September 5, 2025

It is with great sadness that the family of Daniel Dormer announce his sudden passing on Friday, September 5, 2025. Born in Peterborough, ON, and residing in High River, AB. Dan is survived by his wife Cora, daughter Grace, granddaughter April, sister Nancy Martin and family. Dan was predeceased by his parents, Kenneth and Doris Dormer and his first wife Shirley. Dan was very well known, respected, and loved by his family, friends, and community. A funeral mass will be held at a later date.

On September 14, the Church celebrates one of the most ancient and profound feasts in our liturgical calendar: the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. While Good Friday brings us to the foot of the Cross in sorrow and penance, this feast is a day of triumph, lifting high the Cross as the very sign of God’s victory over sin and death.

The origins of this feast go back to the 4th century. According to tradition, St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, journeyed to the Holy Land and discovered the True Cross upon which Jesus was crucified. Not long after, Constantine built the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on the site of Christ’s death and resurrection. The dedication of that basilica, on September 14 in the year 335, marked the beginning of this feast. Since then, Christians across the world have paused each year to remember the Cross not as a tool of humiliation, but as the instrument of our salvation.

The Cross is a paradox. To the world, it appears as a sign of weakness and defeat; but for us, as St. Paul reminds us, “the message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor 1:18). Through Christ’s suffering and death, God transformed the very symbol of shame into a source of grace and hope. The Cross teaches us that no suffering is meaningless when it is united to Christ. It shows us that love is stronger than hatred, and life stronger than death.

This feast also challenges us personally. The Cross is not only a historical event; it is part of our daily discipleship. Jesus tells us: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me” (Mt 16:24). Each of us carries burdens, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. The Cross reminds us that when we embrace these trials with faith, they can become paths to holiness and instruments of God’s grace in the world.

As we celebrate this feast, let us lift high the Cross in our own lives. Let us make the Sign of the Cross with reverence, wear it not as jewelry but as a testimony of faith, and see in it the unshakable proof of God’s love for us. May the Cross always be our hope, our strength, and our victory, leading us toward the joy of the Resurrection.

“We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.”

Practical Ways to Honor the Feast

• Begin the day by making the Sign of the Cross slowly and prayerfully, asking God to bless your day.
• Place a crucifix in a prominent place at home and gather as a family to pray the Stations of the Cross or the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary.
• Offer your daily struggles, big or small, in union with the Cross of Christ.
• Attend Mass and receive the Eucharist, the fruit of Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross.
• End the day with the prayer: “We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.”