The Archdiocese has been receiving reports of email scammers targeting our parishioners once again. These emails look like they come from a pastor, because the scammers have created fake Gmail accounts in the pastor's name. Typically, they ask the recipient to purchase gift cards for someone in need. Please be assured that our priests NEVER email their parishioners to ask for money or gift cards. If you receive such an email, we encourage you to report it to the
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (online or at 1-888-495-8501).
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (online or at 1-888-495-8501).
Holy Week and Easter livestream links
Archdiocese of Edmonton YouTube channel
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Holy Thursday
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Facebook link will work when it is live:
St. Joseph's Basilica
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UN tells Canada to repeal euthanasia expansion
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 26, 2025
OTTAWA, ON – Canada has received a critical review by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (the CRPD Committee). Canada has been directed to repeal Track 2 medical assistance in dying (MAiD), raise the “woefully inadequate” Canada Disability Benefit rate, and address regional disparities in how the CRPD is applied.
Track 2 MAiD is for people with disabilities whose deaths are not reasonably foreseeable.
The CRPD committee says it “is based on negative, ableist perceptions of the quality and value of the life of persons with disabilities, including that ‘suffering’ is intrinsic to disability rather than the fact that inequality and discrimination cause and compound ‘suffering’ for persons with disabilities.”
“The UN is clear that our country must do better in upholding the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities,” says Krista Carr, CEO of Inclusion Canada, “A top priority is Track 2 MAiD – a real and dangerous threat to the lives of people with intellectual disabilities. It must be repealed.”
Among the key recommendations, the UN Committee has urged Canada to:
- Repeal Track 2 Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), including the planned 2027 expansion to persons whose “sole underlying medical condition is a mental illness,” and reject proposals to expand MAiD to “mature minors” and through advance requests
- Implement a coordinated deinstitutionalization strategy across federal, provincial, and territorial governments with clear timelines and targets
- Withdraw Canada’s interpretative declaration and reservation to Article 12, which limits equal recognition before the law for persons with disabilities and undermines their right to exercise legal capacity
- Establish a national inclusive education action plan to transition from segregated education to quality, inclusive education across all provinces and territories
- Develop a strategy with specific timelines to transition from segregated employment settings such as sheltered workshops to open, inclusive, and accessible employment for persons with disabilities
- Invest significantly in comprehensive measures to address systemic failures in social determinants of health and well-being, including poverty alleviation, accessible housing, prevention of homelessness, and community-based supports
Inclusion Canada calls on all levels of government to implement the CRPD committee’s key recommendations. We are ready to support these efforts and will continue to advocate for a Canada where everyone belongs.
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For Media Inquiries, please contact:
Marc Muschler, Senior Communications Officer
Inclusion Canada
Email: [email protected]
Direct: 416-661-9611 ext. 232
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READ: A new path to help the Church walk in a synodal style
Cardinal Mario, Secretary General of the Synod explains to Vatican Media that the 2028 Ecclesial Assembly will offer an opportunity to gather the fruits that have matured during the Synod on Synodality. The General Secretariat of the Synod has sent a Letter on the accompaniment process of the implementation phase of the Synod For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission. Several significant moments for evaluating the progress made in the implementation phase will conclude in 2028 with an ecclesial Assembly in Rome. |
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Prayers for our Clergy — In Memoriam, for March:
Most Rev. Anthony JORDAN, OMI Mar. 4, 1982 Most Rev. Henry Joseph O’LEARY Mar. 5, 1938 Rev. Thaddeus RATAJ i Mar. 8, 1993 Rev. M. Gerard DOYLE Mar. 9, 1977 Rev. Michael C. HEFFERNAN Mar. 9, 1989 Most Rev. Emile LEGAL, OMI Mar. 10, 1920 Rev. Gordon ROEBUCK Mar. 10, 2006 Rev. Paul J. CONNELLY Mar. 14, 1988 Rev. Ernest R. DORAIS Mar. 16, 1908 Rev. Joseph Owen SULLIVAN Mar. 17, 1967 Rev. Archibald “Archie” MACKENZIE Mar. 17, 2022 Rev. Hippolyte BEILLEVAIRE Mar. 18, 1937 Rt. Rev. Emile TESSIER Mar. 19, 1964 Rev. Victor PERRON Mar. 19, 2013 Rev. Michael Philip ROONEY Mar. 21, 1953 Rev. Patrick O’NEILL Mar. 21, 2014 Rev. Cornelius LANDRIGAN Mar. 22, 2000 |
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Transition to a new Archbishop for Edmonton
We are in the early days, but we do want to provide couple of points of clarification. This process has been in place and used for centuries. We continue to pray that the Holy Spirit will provide us with a shepherd who will bring joy to our hearts and our Archdiocese. Please continue to pray for the Holy Father, Pope Francis, as he continues his recovery.
Read the initial Archbishop Transition FAQ below:
We are in the early days, but we do want to provide couple of points of clarification. This process has been in place and used for centuries. We continue to pray that the Holy Spirit will provide us with a shepherd who will bring joy to our hearts and our Archdiocese. Please continue to pray for the Holy Father, Pope Francis, as he continues his recovery.
Read the initial Archbishop Transition FAQ below:
| archbishoptransitionfaq.pdf |
Appointment of The Most Reverend Richard W. Smith
as Twelfth Archbishop of Vancouver
VANCOUVER, BC – Early this morning, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis has appointed Archbishop Richard W. Smith as the next Archbishop of Vancouver and accepted Archbishop J. Michael Miller’s resignation from the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese. Archbishop Miller has been named Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Vancouver until the new Archbishop’s arrival.
Archbishop Smith, 65, has been Archbishop of Edmonton since 2007. He has been a priest for almost 38 years and a bishop since 2002. With his move to Vancouver, he will have served the Church from coast to coast. After ministering in the Archdiocese of Halifax, his birthplace, he was named Bishop of Pembroke, Ontario, before moving to Edmonton.
During his 17 years in Edmonton, Archbishop Smith served as President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, spiritual adviser to the Catholic Women’s League of Canada, and on the board of the Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute. The Archbishop is currently a member of the Canadian Catholic Indigenous Council and the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA).
Archbishop Smith was the general coordinator of Pope Francis’ historic pilgrimage to Canada in July 2022—the fourth papal visit to Canada and the first since Saint John Paul II visited in 2002.
In Halifax, he held the office of vicar general and was responsible for pastoral ministry to French-speaking Catholics in the Archdiocese.
Archbishop Smith was chaplain to the deaf community in Halifax from 1986-1991. He was also a professor of theology at St. Peter’s Seminary in London, Ontario.
Ordained to the priesthood on May 23, 1987, for the Archdiocese of Halifax, Archbishop Smith pursued further studies in theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, earning a licentiate degree in 1993 and a doctorate in 1998.
Archbishop Smith extended his heartfelt appreciation to Archbishop Miller “for the wonderful leadership he has provided. I wish him God’s choicest blessings as he enters retirement. He has served in exemplary fashion both the Archdiocese of Vancouver and the Church in Canada.
“I look forward to meeting the clergy, consecrated women, men, and lay faithful of the Archdiocese, and pray that the Lord will enrich us all with the grace we need to embrace anew and together the great mission of the Church."
Archbishop Miller greeted the appointment with “gratitude to the Holy Father and great satisfaction,” assuring Archbishop Smith of his prayers and fraternal support.
“Vancouver has been given a shepherd of extraordinary gifts and vast experience. We warmly welcome Archbishop Smith, who is already familiar with the challenges facing us here— evangelization, passing on the faith to young people, Indigenous reconciliation, vocations to the priesthood, to name just a few. “
I am extremely happy knowing that the faithful of this Archdiocese are entrusted to such capable and dedicated hands.
“We are deeply grateful to Pope Francis for discerning this appointment over an extended period of time, allowing it to be announced even as he deals with serious illness.”
“We have waited a long time for the next Archbishop,” Archbishop Miller observed, “But it has proved well worth the wait.”
In connection with this morning’s announcement, Archbishop Miller and Archbishop Smith called for renewed prayers for Pope Francis.
“We have been very close to the Holy Father in recent days, praying fervently for him throughout the Archdiocese. The appointment of a new Archbishop brings the Pope and his ministry as Successor of Peter even nearer to our hearts and minds,” Archbishop Miller said.
Archbishop Smith said “Let us unite in prayer at this particular moment for our beloved Pope Francis. May the Lord grant him strength and peace in this time of serious illness.”
Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, arrived in Vancouver in 2007 as Coadjutor Archbishop, having been Archbishop Secretary at the Congregation for Catholic Education in Rome. He succeeded the late Archbishop Raymond Roussin, SM, as Archbishop of Vancouver in January 2009.
As required by Church law, Archbishop Miller submitted his resignation to the Pope on his 75th birthday, July 9, 2021, but was asked to remain in office until his successor’s arrival. He will continue in office as Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Vancouver.
Archbishop Smith shall remain with Edmonton as Archdiocesan Administrator for the next few months of transition, the details of which have yet to be finalized. His Grace's formal installation as Archbishop of Vancouver will likely take place in the latter part of May.
Archbishop Smith, 65, has been Archbishop of Edmonton since 2007. He has been a priest for almost 38 years and a bishop since 2002. With his move to Vancouver, he will have served the Church from coast to coast. After ministering in the Archdiocese of Halifax, his birthplace, he was named Bishop of Pembroke, Ontario, before moving to Edmonton.
During his 17 years in Edmonton, Archbishop Smith served as President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, spiritual adviser to the Catholic Women’s League of Canada, and on the board of the Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute. The Archbishop is currently a member of the Canadian Catholic Indigenous Council and the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA).
Archbishop Smith was the general coordinator of Pope Francis’ historic pilgrimage to Canada in July 2022—the fourth papal visit to Canada and the first since Saint John Paul II visited in 2002.
In Halifax, he held the office of vicar general and was responsible for pastoral ministry to French-speaking Catholics in the Archdiocese.
Archbishop Smith was chaplain to the deaf community in Halifax from 1986-1991. He was also a professor of theology at St. Peter’s Seminary in London, Ontario.
Ordained to the priesthood on May 23, 1987, for the Archdiocese of Halifax, Archbishop Smith pursued further studies in theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, earning a licentiate degree in 1993 and a doctorate in 1998.
Archbishop Smith extended his heartfelt appreciation to Archbishop Miller “for the wonderful leadership he has provided. I wish him God’s choicest blessings as he enters retirement. He has served in exemplary fashion both the Archdiocese of Vancouver and the Church in Canada.
“I look forward to meeting the clergy, consecrated women, men, and lay faithful of the Archdiocese, and pray that the Lord will enrich us all with the grace we need to embrace anew and together the great mission of the Church."
Archbishop Miller greeted the appointment with “gratitude to the Holy Father and great satisfaction,” assuring Archbishop Smith of his prayers and fraternal support.
“Vancouver has been given a shepherd of extraordinary gifts and vast experience. We warmly welcome Archbishop Smith, who is already familiar with the challenges facing us here— evangelization, passing on the faith to young people, Indigenous reconciliation, vocations to the priesthood, to name just a few. “
I am extremely happy knowing that the faithful of this Archdiocese are entrusted to such capable and dedicated hands.
“We are deeply grateful to Pope Francis for discerning this appointment over an extended period of time, allowing it to be announced even as he deals with serious illness.”
“We have waited a long time for the next Archbishop,” Archbishop Miller observed, “But it has proved well worth the wait.”
In connection with this morning’s announcement, Archbishop Miller and Archbishop Smith called for renewed prayers for Pope Francis.
“We have been very close to the Holy Father in recent days, praying fervently for him throughout the Archdiocese. The appointment of a new Archbishop brings the Pope and his ministry as Successor of Peter even nearer to our hearts and minds,” Archbishop Miller said.
Archbishop Smith said “Let us unite in prayer at this particular moment for our beloved Pope Francis. May the Lord grant him strength and peace in this time of serious illness.”
Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, arrived in Vancouver in 2007 as Coadjutor Archbishop, having been Archbishop Secretary at the Congregation for Catholic Education in Rome. He succeeded the late Archbishop Raymond Roussin, SM, as Archbishop of Vancouver in January 2009.
As required by Church law, Archbishop Miller submitted his resignation to the Pope on his 75th birthday, July 9, 2021, but was asked to remain in office until his successor’s arrival. He will continue in office as Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Vancouver.
Archbishop Smith shall remain with Edmonton as Archdiocesan Administrator for the next few months of transition, the details of which have yet to be finalized. His Grace's formal installation as Archbishop of Vancouver will likely take place in the latter part of May.
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Federal survey seeks MAiD feedback |
Couple that prays together
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Québec implemented a law allowing patients with capacity-limiting illnesses to choose MAiD in advance. The federal government has opted not to challenge Québec's legislation and instead is launching consultations, including a survey until February 14.
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February 9 is World Marriage Day! Prayer is an intimate way to connect, not just with God, but also with your spouse. Psychologists Melissa Guzik and Jean MacKenzie explore the power of praying as a couple and offer practical ways to get into the habit.
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Success! TWS exceeds target reaching 108%
The 2024 Together We Serve campaign raised $1,657,594, exceeding its $1,536,510 target by 108% and beating last year's total by $162,009. THANK YOU! Together We Serve is a parish campaign and it does not succeed without you. This year:
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Over 3,000 attend national St. Kateri Tekakwitha, Jesuit Martyrs relics tour
Thousands lined to venerate the major relics of the St. Kateri Tekakwitha and the first Canadian Jesuit Martyrs — including the skull of St. Jean de Brébeuf and bones of Sts. Charles Garnier and Gabriel Lalemant. For the first time in history, their relics are traveling across Canada. The relics tour was co-hosted by Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples and Corpus Christi parishes. |
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The Relic Tour is almost here For the first time ever, the major relics of the Canadian Martyrs are travelling across Canada from the Martyrs' Shrine in Midland, ON. Accompanying them is the relic of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Indigenous North American saint. The relics will be in Edmonton on Wednesday, January 22 at Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples and Corpus Christi parish. Please share the complete schedule of activities (attached below) with your parishioners. Pilgrims who participate in the Relic Tour at either Sacred Heart Church of the First People or Corpus Christi can receive the Jubilee Indulgence, if they meet the requirements (see How to Receive a Jubilee Indulgence in the Archdiocese of Edmonton below for details)
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"I believe" catechesis series starts Feb. 13
The first session of "I believe" is less than a month away. Please share the resources below (bulletin ad - large and small, poster) with your parishioners, starting this weekend. “I believe” is a seven-part catechesis series on the Nicaean Creed, offered in partnership with Newman Theological College and St. Joseph's College-University of Alberta to mark the 1700th Anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea. Each session will be offered at a different parish in the months of March, April, May, September, October and November. I'm just waiting to confirm one parish for May 22 and will then provide a poster with all dates. 
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The total weights of food donations for this year's 2024 MOUNTAIN VIEW FOOD BANK FOOD DRIVE and the equivalent dollar amount worth of food donated are:
Olds - 5756 lbs. Carstairs - 3354 lbs.
= Total weight of 9,110 lbs. of donated food X $3.62/lb. of donated food
= $32, 978.20 worth of donated food that was donated to this year's 2024 MOUNTAIN VIEW FOOD BANK FOOD DRIVE!!!
Olds - 5756 lbs. Carstairs - 3354 lbs.
= Total weight of 9,110 lbs. of donated food X $3.62/lb. of donated food
= $32, 978.20 worth of donated food that was donated to this year's 2024 MOUNTAIN VIEW FOOD BANK FOOD DRIVE!!!