Our annual Christmas Party/Potluck evening will be Saturday December 3rd following the 5pm Mass. All are asked to bring a gift under $5 for the gift exchange. It is a wonderful evening with a delicious meal (turkey) provided, Christmas Carols, and a gift exchange. If your life journey has taken you down this path (widow/widower) you are invited to join us. For more information contact Holy Spirit Church at 403-251-3381.
2017 REGULAR CHURCH DONATION ENVELOPES and DIRECT DEBIT AND VISA/MASTERCARD USER ENVELOPES are now available for pick-up in the Gathering Area. Should you not find your box or have not previously requested and would like donation envelopes, please call the parish office (403-251-3381). Please write your name and/or envelope number if using the pink envelopes in the pews. Kindly discard previous year’s envelopes, as your envelope number changes every year and begin using the 2017 envelopes in January. Thank you for your continued support.
2016 TOGETHER IN ACTION Appeal
Thank you for your generosity in donating to the Together in Action appeal (TIA). Together we have met our parish goal of $64,128!
We work together with all parishes in our Diocese in this annual campaign.
Seminarian Education is one of the Ministries supported by TIA funds. This Diocesan Ministry funded a large part of our Father Matthew’s seminary education.
Father Matthew is very grateful for the financial support he and other seminarians have received and has graciously shared some thoughts with us...“I feel this support is indispensible. It allows men to discern without having lack of financial ability as a hindrance or deterrent to following their vocation.”
Father continues “it is also a beautiful motivator and a link to the faithful of our Diocese to know that we are studying through the generosity of our brothers and sisters at home. A helpful image for me was to imagine seniors including grandmothers, and others, helping me be able to study - which made me want to study fortheir sake.”
We at Holy Spirit are truly blessed by Father’s service.
Again, thank you for your support! This concludes our 2016 TIA campaign.
In addition to the regular parish schedule, the sacrament of Reconciliation will be available at parishes throughout the Diocese of Calgary all the Wednesdays of Advent, from 7:30-8:30 p.m.
The readings for this first Sunday of Advent remind us that the spiritual life is a journey. Any trip takes preparation and effort. It can be easier to stay where we are but the journey also brings rewards — new experiences, new friends, great photos, and transformation. Our pilgrim journey is no different. The prophet Isaiah compares the spiritual journey to climbing a mountain. It requires wakefulness and effort to reach the summit. The sacrament of Reconciliation might seem like an insurmountable peak especially if we have been coasting on the plains for a while but this effort need not be a burden if we keep in mind the purpose of the journey and what awaits us at the top. The real reward of the spiritual journey is union with God through Jesus Christ, which we experience as a deep peace. So this Advent put on your hiking shoes and take up your response to the Psalmist: Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord!
Action: Stay awake and take note of the call to discipleship in everyday moments.
Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre
GRECCIO – Sunday, Dec. 4th. Everyone Welcome.
2:00pm with activities: Live animals, bonfire, sleigh ride, caroling, chili, hotdogs, hot chocolate, goodies for a free-will offering. Outdoor pageant at 4:00pm: Non-perishable food or cash for Cochrane Food Bank appreciated.
PRAY IN OUR LIVES –Tuesday, December 6th, 9:00am – 3:00pm. This year’s theme is different aspects of Prayer. Suggested contribution is $30.00 or $40.00 with a private room. To register please Phone 403-932-2012, or email: .
Chalice supports sponsorship programs in 15 countries world-wide providing direct aid to nearly 50,000 children. Chalice invites you to share the blessings and joy of Christmas with children and families in the developing world. The Chalice Christmas Gift Catalogue offers the opportunity to purchase a gift on behalf of a loved one who will receive a beautiful card stating what gift you purchased in their name. You will receive an official tax receipt. More importantly, when you buy a gift through the Chalice Christmas Gift Catalogue, you give hope to a child, to a family in need. For more information, call 1-800-776-6855, visit or take a catalogue from the gathering area.St.WilliamSchoolChristmas Craft Market
(11020 Fairmount Dr SE /across from Trico & Southcentre)
Saturday December 3rd 10am -3pm.