Week at a glanceMonday May 11 ~
Tuesday May 12 ~ Saint Nereus
Saint Achilleus Saint Pancras
Wednesday May 13 ~ Our Lady of Fatima
Thursday May 14 ~ Saint Matthias
Friday May 15 ~
Saturday May 16 ~
Sunday May 17 ~ Ascension of the Lord
Monday May 18 ~ Victoria Day
Saint John I
Tuesday May 19 ~
Wednesday May 20 ~ Saint Bernardine of Siena
Thursday May 21 ~ Saint Christopher
Magallanes & Companions Saint Eugene de Mazenod
Friday May 22 ~ Saint Rita of Casia
Saturday May 23 ~
Sunday May 24 ~ Pentecost Sunday
The monthly prayer intention of pope francisThat Everyone Might Have Food:
Let us pray that everyone, from large producers to small consumers, be committed to avoid wasting food, and to ensure that everyone has access to quality food. Daily Offering Prayer God, our Father, I offer You my day. I offer You my prayers, thoughts, words, actions, joys, and sufferings in union with the Heart of Jesus, who continues to offer Himself in the Eucharist for the salvation of the world. May the Holy Spirit, Who guided Jesus, be my guide and my strength today so that I may witness to your love. With Mary, the mother of our Lord and the Church, I pray for all Apostles of Prayer and for the prayer intentions of the Holy Father this month. Amen. |
calendar of saintsMay 12 ~ Saint Nereus & Saint Achilleus
Nereus and Achilleus were soldiers in the Imperial Roman army. While they may have lived int he 1st century, what is known of them originates from a 4th century inscription by Pope Damasus, which attests to the fact these soldiers had experienced conversion and been martyred as a consequence. May 12 ~ Saint Pancras It is believed that Pancras was a Syrian orphan brought to Rome by his uncle where both were converted to Christianity. At the age of 14, Pancras was beheaded during the Diocletian persecution of Christians, about the year 304. Pancras is a patron of children and adolescents. May 13 ~ Our Lady of Fatima
This title was given to the Blessed Virgin Mary after she appeared to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal, between May 13 and October 13, 1917. The three messages or 'secrets' of Fatima stress the importance of repentance, conversion of heart, and dedication of Our Lady, especially through daily prayer of the Rosary. May 14 ~ Saint Matthias
The Acts of the Apostles (1.15-26) tells us that Matthias was chosen after the resurrection to replace Judas. Peter, quoting a psalm, told the 120 people gathered that they must choose a new apostle: someone who had been with them from the time of the baptism of the Lord until the resurrection, someone who could join them in bearing witness to these events. Two names were put forward and the assembly cast lots, the lot falling to Matthias. May 18 ~ Saint John I
When John I became pope in 523, Italy was ruled by an Arian, Theodoric the Goth, who had reversed his policy of tolerance toward Christians because of trouble between Rome and the emperor of Constantinople, Justin I. When his subjects appealed to him, Theodoric organized a delegation to negotiate with the emperor and ordered a reluctant Pope John to head the mission. Enthusiastically received, John did win some concessions, but Theodoric was not satisfied. In 526, when the delegation returned to Ravenna, the pope and his entourage were imprisoned. John died soon after, probably of starvation. May 20 ~ Saint Bernardine of Siena
Child of a noble family, Bernardine, born in 1380, was orphaned at 7 and raised by loving relatives who provided him with an excellent education. During an outbreak of the plague in 1400, he ministered to the sick, inspiring other young men to take the same risk. In 1402, he entered the Franciscan order and was ordained in 1404. Commissioned to preach, Bernardine won converts all over northern and central Italy. Having refused several bishoprics, he became vicar general of the Franciscans, brought reform and inspired vocations. Bernardine died in 1444 and was canonized in 1450. May 21 ~ Saint Eugene de Mazenod
Charles Joseph Eugene de Mazenod was born in France in 1782. Ordained in 1811, his religious experience led him to minister to the poor and the young. Interested in popular missions, Eugene founded a missionary institute of priests and lay brothers in 1826, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, whose particular charism is to minister to those who have never heard of Christ. By the middle of the 19th century, in response to requests for help from North American bishops, especially Bishop Ignace Bourget of Montreal, the congregation sent several of its small number to Canada. Within 10 years of their arrival, the Oblates had covered all of Canada and expanded into the United States. Eugene became bishop of Marseilles in 1837 and reorganized the diocese, accomplishing great works. A fervent supporter of the papacy in matters of education and infallibility, he continued as superior of the Oblates until his death on May 21, 1861. Today, the members of this community work in remote missions and in education. In Canada, Oblates established the College of Bytown (which became the University of Ottawa and Saint Paul University) and Novalis, as well as numerous parishes and dioceses from coast to coast. May 21 ~ Saint Christopher Magallanes & Companions
Born in Mexico in 1869 to a farming family, Christopher Magallanes entered the seminary at age 19. After ordination, he worked with indigenous people and the poor, founding schools and catechism centres and forming agrarian co-operatives. In the 1920s the anti-Catholic government in Mexico closed all seminaries. Father Christopher started his own seminary, but it was soon forced to close. He opened another, and another, and finally conducted classes in private homes. He was arrested on May 21, 1927, while on his way to say Mass, and was falsely accused of promoting armed rebellion. Four days later, on May 25, he was executed along with 21 diocesan priests and 3 laymen. Before his martyrdom he gave his belongings to his executioners and forgave them. He was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2000. May 22 ~ Saint Rita of Cascia
Saint Rita was born in Umbria, Italy, in 1386. Although she wanted to be a nun, her parents betrothed her to a cruel, ill-tempered man whom she married at age 18. When her husband was murdered 18 years later, her twin sons were determined to avenge his murder. Rita pleaded with them to forgive the murderers, and her prayers eventually prevailed. Now a widow, Rita sought to enter the convent but was initially refused because some relatives of her husbands murderer's were members. In time, through prayer and her personal intercession, a promise of peace and reconciliation was secured and she was admitted to the Augustinian convent at Cascia, living there 40 years in prayer, contemplation and service of the poor. She was canonize in 1900 and is a patron of impossible causes. |
St. Stephen Catholic Parish
4302 57 Avenue
Olds, AB
403-556-3084
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4302 57 Avenue
Olds, AB
403-556-3084
[email protected]
Facebook: St. Stephen's Catholic Parish - Olds, Alberta