The Feast of the Chair of St. Peter the Apostle is celebrated on February 22 and honors the authority and missiongiven by Christ to St. Peter and his successors. What Does the “Chair” Mean?
The “Chair” (Latin: Cathedra) is a symbol of the teaching authority of the pope, who as the Bishop of Rome is the successor of St. Peter. This feast is not about a physical chair but rather about the spiritual authority
given to Peter when Jesus said: “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church...” (Matthew 16:18) It highlights the unity of the Church under the pope’s leadership and the mission of guiding the faithful in truth and love.
Historical Background

• · The feast has been celebrated in Rome since at least the
  4th century.
• There were originally two feast days—one on January 18 (commemorating Peter’s ministry in Rome) and another on February 22 (his ministry in Antioch). Eventually, the February 22 date remained.
• · The actual cathedra (chair) of St. Peter is housed in St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. The ornate reliquary surrounding it was designed by Bernini in the 17th century.

Why Is This Feast Important?

• It reminds Catholics of the pope’s role as a shepherd and teacher of the universal Church.
• It calls for unity among believers under the guidance of the Holy Father.
• It encourages the faithful to pray for the pope and Church leaders.

A heartfelt thank you for organizing the Wine and Cheese Tasting in our parish. It was a fantastic evening, and your efforts in putting everything together are truly appreciated. The event was well-organized, and everyone had a great time. I’m attaching a few pictures from the evening—hope they capture some of the joy and fellowship we shared! Blessings,
Fr. Marius

Come join us in building fellowship through an evening of intellectually stimulating board games. Discover a world beyond mass-market like Monopoly, Sorry!, and Uno. Modern-day board games rely less on a lucky roll of the dice or the flip of a card and more on good design that rewards thoughtful analysis and good decisions. These games can be a good alternative to chess, cribbage, or bridge.

Friday, February 26, 2025, 6:00 PM–onwards in the Church Hall Loose Itinerary: Board gaming 101 or orientation + Q& A (15 m in .) Icebreaker game (~30 m in .) Main-event gaming (remainder of evening): To get the most out of the event, please arrive at the start time so you don’t miss the orientation, Q&A, and snacks.
Late-comers may need to wait for enough players to start a game.
Please note: modern games are not toys, and some are like Fr. Mariusz’s motorbike—very expensive—thus, attendees are asked to treat the games with care and respect. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. For more information or to RSVP, contact Rhona-Mae Arca at 403-803-6835.

As part of the Diocesan Pastoral Renewal in this 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, all civilly married couples are warmly invited to celebrate of the Sacrament of Matrimony, presided over by Bishop William T. McGrattan on Saturday, September. 13, 2025 at 1:30 pm, at St. Mary’s Cathedral.

Info sessions for those interested will be held at:

• Sun, Feb 9 at 6 pm – St. Albert the Great, Calgary
• Thu, Mar 6 at 6 pm – St. Michael's, Calgary
• Sun, Mar 9 at 6 pm – St. Thomas More, Calgary
• Sun, Mar 16 at 6 pm – St. Patrick's, Calgary
• More locations in Lethbridge & Medicine Hat coming soon.

Monday, February 10th, at 9:00 am. Mass is cancelled, as Fr. Mariusz will be attending a funeral out of town. 

The office will be closed Monday, February 10th, as Nancy will be at the Diocese for a workshop. Regular office hours will resume Tuesday, February 11th, at 9:00 am; however, Nancy will be at the Diocese again for a Workshop.

Dear Parishioners

I invite all of you to a meeting dedicated to the important topic of euthanasia. In light of the increasing number of euthanasia cases and the controversies surrounding MAID (Medical Assistance in Dying), which often appear in the media, it is essential for us as a Catholic community to understand what the Church's teaching says on this matter.

Euthanasia has become a subject of broad public debate, and its presence in the media often leads to misunderstandings and ambiguities. Many people may be confused about the moral, ethical and medical implications of this issue. Therefore, it is important for us to come together to discuss these matters in the context of our faith and the Church's teaching.

The Church's Teaching on Euthanasia

The Catholic Church clearly teaches that euthanasia is morally unacceptable. As stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, "Intentional euthanasia, whatever its forms or motives, is murder." Regardless of the circumstances, "direct euthanasia consists in ending the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons" and is "morally unacceptable". The Church also emphasizes that "even if death is considered inevitable, the ordinary care owed to a sick person cannot be legitimately interrupted." This teaching reminds us of the dignity of every person, created in the image and likeness of God.

Medical Perspective

From a medical perspective, doctors have a duty to care for the life and health of their patients. In the context of terminal stages of illness, their role is to provide appropriate palliative care that alleviates suffering without hastening death. A meeting with a physician from our parish will allow for a discussion on how medicine can support patients in difficult times, as well as how to understand and implement the Church's teaching in medical practice.

Open Questions and Discussion

Everyone is encouraged to actively participate in the discussion. This meeting aims not only to impart knowledge but also to create a space for asking questions and sharing doubts. Together, we can delve into this important topic and better understand how our faith relates to contemporary challenges.

Invitation to a Meeting with a Physician

Additionally, we would like to invite all parishioners to a meeting with a physician from our parish, who will share his knowledge about euthanasia and answer questions regarding this controversial topic. This meeting will be an excellent opportunity for open discussion and understanding of how the Church's teaching relates to contemporary challenges in medicine. We encourage everyone to attend and actively participate in this important conversation.

Fr. Marius