A New Bishop for Canada
I guess I just can't get enough of the cold. I left relatively balmy Edmonton (-18) on Saturday to fly north to Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories, where a windchill temperature of minus 46...
View ArticleChristmas: The Removal of Burden
Over the last few days thousands of people in central and Eastern Canada have been suffering from the effects of a major ice storm. As the ice accumulates it creates a burden of tremendous weight on...
View ArticleWhat's Gone Wrong?
This was the Pope's question on New Year's Day. During the course of his January 1st Angelus address, he departed from his prepared remarks to refer to a letter he had received from a man anxious over...
View ArticleA Different Inoculation
Vaccinations are much on people’s minds here in Alberta, with a recent outbreak of the H1N1 virus. In fact, the response to the government’s counsel to be vaccinated against this disease has been such...
View ArticleNeeded: Experienced Guides
I’ve offered a number of posts recently about our Archdiocesan pilgrimage to the Holy Land. During that journey we were very reliant upon our guides. They were experienced people who knew the land and...
View ArticleA Lesson from the Super Bowl
I've noticed in recent years something rather peculiar about this football game. The great hype surrounding the match is seemingly equalled, perhaps even surpassed, by enthusiasm for the television...
View ArticleSetting Us Up for Success
This is an expression I learned from our Catholic school teachers. Regularly, they strive to "set their students up for success" by giving them the preparation and the tools they need in order to...
View ArticleFries or Salad
I'm a sucker for a good hamburger. The bigger and juicier the better. When I order one, I'm usually presented with a choice: fries or salad with that? My emotional heart leans toward the fries, but my...
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An Invitation
I had a very moving experience this morning. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission will hold its final national event in Edmonton at the end of March. The Bishops of Alberta and the Northwest...
View ArticlePreparing for Lent
With the beginning of Lent just a couple of days away, many are thinking about how they will honour this holy season. One question we pose is "What shall I give up for Lent?" This is a beautiful and...
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Multiple Congratulations!
What an afternoon it was on Saturday for the people of the new parish of Corpus Christi, as well as for the parishioners at St. Theresa's, out of which this newest faith community is growing! It was...
View ArticleTomorrow's Gift of Peace
All parishes. All priests. All day. That's tomorrow, March 18th, our second Day of Confessions in the Archdiocese of Edmonton. I have included in this blog post the video presentation prepared to...
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Lessons from the TRC
The bentwood box was the repository for gestures of reconciliation, including those of the Alberta-NWT Bishopsand the Oblates of Mary Immaculate Lacombe Province. It was quite the four days. The final...
View ArticleMarch for Life 2014
You will see in this week's issue of the Western Catholic Reporter a letter from me, written on behalf of the Bishops of Alberta and the Northwest Territories, encouraging you to join us in this year's...
View ArticleHoly Week Invitation
At the beginning of the Passion Sunday liturgy we hear the familiar story of the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. The Scriptural citation from the prophet Zechariah in the middle of the narrative tells...
View ArticleTo Shake With Joy
As the Exsultet was proclaimed at the Easter Vigil we heard this summons: “let this holy building shake with joy, filled with the mighty voices of the peoples!” That is an arresting image! Easter...
View ArticleFear Not the Medicine of Mercy
This is how I would bring together the message and legacy of the two popes whose canonization we have just celebrated, Saint John XXIII and John Paul II: let us not be afraid of the merciful love of...
View ArticleA Visit to L'Arche
This morning I had the opportunity to visit L’Arche Edmonton. For a long time I have admired this movement founded fifty years ago by the Canadian, Jean Vanier. It is dedicated to the care of persons...
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Treasure and Protect the Gift
Yesterday the Church celebrated what we traditionally call "Good Shepherd Sunday". We listened to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, teach us that he has come from the Father so that we might have life in...
View ArticleThe Richest Guy in the Cemetery
Last week I was in Nova Scotia to lead a mission in St. John the Baptist parish in New Glasgow. A great experience with truly wonderful people. One evening I went out for dinner. Somehow the...
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