FOLLOW JUNE 12 – 24, 2013 PILGRIMAGE: PORTUGAL, SPAIN, & FRANCE

Posted on June 13, 2013 by webmaster

FATHER JIM’S HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 18, 2013-

Today,  we visited the Cathedral at Burgos, Spain. Truly a sight to behold and one that was originally built in the 11th century but was added to over a period of the next four hundred years, encompassing literally, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Had the privilege of celebrating Mass in the side chapel of St. Tekatha.

The word “pilgrim,” derived from the Latin peregrinum, conveys the idea of wandering over a distance, but not aimless wandering. It is a journey with a purpose, and that purpose is to honor God.  Follow Father Jim Corrigan and 44 parishioners over the next 12 days as they venture to Fatima; a world famous Marian shrine located in Portugal,  and then on to Spain and Lourdes, France.

 

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COMING SOON! WORLD YOUTH DAY, 2013

Posted on June 5, 2013 by webmaster

Our parish young adults are attending!

July 18th- 28th, 2013    Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Stay posted for updates from Brazil by Fr. Michael!

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Vacation Bible School – Registration FULL

Posted on June 2, 2013 by webmaster

REGISTRATION IS NOW FULL.
Consider volunteering with next year’s 2014 Vacation Bible School so more children can be accepted into the day camp. We would love to accept more kids but we depend on volunteers like you in order to make that happen.The more volunteers we have helping, the more children we can accept.
If you are interested in volunteering in summer 2014, email Angela at angela@strcp.com

Cat Chat Vacation Bible School 2013
When: from 9 am to 12 noon on July 8 to 12, 2013.
Topic: A Wilderness Adventure Through the Sacraments
Who’s Invited: Kids ages 4 to 11 years old
Where: MacNeil Hall at St.Theresa’s Parish (7538-29 Ave NW, Edmonton)
REGISTRATION FULL

IMPORTANT: Vacation Bible School is a NUT-FREE environment. For the safety of youth severely allergic to nuts, please ensure your children do not bring any snacks containing nuts to the program.

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Corpus Christi is coming!

Posted on May 29, 2013 by webmaster

Weekly Scripture

O Lord, our God, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
PSALM 8

God has gone up with a shout, The Lord with the sound of a trumpet.
PSALM 47

Do we need to build another parish to support St. Theresa? Based on the numbers who flowed in and out of our parish these last days, the answer is a definitive yes. As clergy, there is probably no greater joy than being involved in an engaged active faith community. There is no question that this is our situation here at St. Theresa/Corpus Christi. Thank you and may the joy of our Risen Lord continue to inspire and fill you and your families with His grace.

Your brother in Christ,

Fr. Jim Corrigan

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NEW Edge & Life Teen Feb to April 2013 Calendars and Info

Posted on February 13, 2013 by webmaster

Life Teen is an international Catholic movement, active in over 1300 parishes around the world.

The movement’s aim is to serve the Church and lead teens closer to Chris
t through vibrant Eucharistic celebrations and opportunities for teens to grow in their faith.

Here at St. Theresa’s we have both a middle school and high school ministry. EDGE Middle School Ministry is for Grades 6 to 9, and runs on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm in St. Theresa’s parish hall (click Edge Ministry Info Letter for more) .

LIFE TEEN High School Ministry for Grades 10 to 12 and runs every Sunday from 7:15 to 9:00 pm in the parish hall (click Life Teen Ministry Info for more).

Youth SPRING 2013 Calendars are UPDATED & now available for Edge and Life Teen ministries. Click on the following links to download:

Edge (gr. 6-9) SPRING 2013 Calendar

Life Teen (gr. 10-12) SPRING 2013 Calendar

If you have any questions, feel free to contact angela@strcp.com or call 780-463-8646 ext. 2226.

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New Visual Identity for St. Theresa’s Parish

Posted on September 29, 2012 by webmaster

My brothers and sisters, as we approach the patronal feast day of our parish, the feast of St. Therese of Liseux, we are very excited to present or release to you a new logo for the parish community. St.Theresa’s Catholic Parish has never really had a consistent visual identity so we have endeavored to create an expressive and consistent visual identity to help represent the parish community to the wider community. To start that process we created a mark or logo.

Prior to the conceptualization of a new logo research and attention was given to understand the essence of the community that this logo would represent. Some of the most important aspects that emerged from that research was the affirmation that St.Theresa’s is a vibrant and culturally diverse community that, while quite large, it still remains to be extremely welcoming. Another aspect that parishioners and visitors speak of often when referring to St.Theresa’s Parish is that the parish community is very strong and vibrant. Further inspiration was taken from our Patron Saint, St.Therese of Lisieux, who, as a Carmelite Nun, lived a life of profound and humble simplicity – a profound and humble simplicity that seems to be echoed in the architecture of St.Theresa’s Catholic Parish and in the readily approachable and unassuming community at St.Theresa’s.

Taking these key design inspirations the parish, led by a team of volunteers, set out to design a new logo while incorporating these themes. The developed logo design seen above is a creative expression of those principle inspirations. It is our hope that the first thing that one notices when seeing the logo is the cross since it is the most prominent aspect of the design. Again and again it was determined that this needed to be the most important visual cue in the logo since our community takes both it’s origin and it’s life from the mystery of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection. You will notice that the cross is also more akin to the ‘old rugged cross’, being weathered and worn, suggesting both the real humility of Christ’s sacrifice and the ordinary and rugged reality of our own cross that we each bear. The overall shape of the cross and the base upon which it sits is meant to evoke the pitched roof that is found behind the sanctuary (altar) at St.Theresa’s Parish (which is one of the most significant or striking visual cues for St.Theresa’s Parish) while at the same time alluding to the hill of calvary where Christ died or even to suggest the curvature of the earth which is an allusion both to the universality of our faith and the diversity of peoples and cultures found within St.Theresa’s Parish community. The sun rising behind the rugged cross is a traditional image of the resurrection of Christ and even of the Eucharist out of which our community is formed and realized (especially since ancient Churches used to be built so that the people faced the East or rising of the sun so as to suggest our orientation to Christ and the resurrection).

The text used for the name of our patron is lower case in order to reflect the humility and simplicity of St.Therese as well as the unassuming and welcoming atmosphere of the parish community. Finally the shift in thickness of fonts creates a sense of diversity, movement and vibrancy that further reflects the parish community.

 

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“But who do you say that I am?”

Posted on September 20, 2012 by webmaster

Fr. Jim’s Homily and update on Corpus Christi Fundraising (XXIV B Ordo 2012)

Homily given September 16, 2012.

But who do you say that I am? But who do you say that I am? My friends, this question is as essential to our faith journeys as it was to the apostles two thousand years ago. Imagine that we are the ones that Jesus is posing this question to. Imagine that He is standing right here right now and asking us, my friends, who do you, say that I am? Our responses though varied in how we articulate them would state; Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, though your cross and resurrection you are the savior of the world. Our simple response, Jesus is our savior. Why is our response so pivotal to this question? Because as we articulate our response, this becomes the guiding light in how it is we live our daily lives.

But what is it that allows us to respond in this manner? It is simply the grace of God given to us out of His love for us that allows us to respond in this way. It is the seed of faith given to us on the day of our baptism cultivated and nourished by ourselves and others over many years and our cooperation with that grace that allows us to, in faith say; Lord Jesus Christ, Son of  the living God, you are the Savior of the world. In other words, our faith allows us to say yes Lord. Our faith that is always a work in progress, our faith that allows us to trust in something we can never hope to fully understand. Our faith that leads us to hope, in the difficult moments we face here in the world, but most importantly our faith allows us to trust in the eternal life promised to us on the day of our baptism.

St. James comments on the pivotal importance of our faith and the role it plays in God’s loving plan of salvation. James states our faith is what allows us to practically live out good Christian lives in the imitation of Christ. James says if you say you have faith but do not care about your brother and sister, the widow and the orphan, your faith is empty. “So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.” St. James says our gratitude for the faith we have been blessed with must lead us to action.

My friends, beginning on October 11 of this year, the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has proclaimed a year of faith in the universal Catholic Church. This year has been designated specifically for us as Catholics to enrich our knowledge of our faith individually and communally as the 1.2 billion Catholics who profess that Jesus Christ is indeed our Lord and savior. This year of faith coincides very beautifully with the reality that we in the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton celebrate our one hundredth anniversary as an Archdiocese, and as a living witness to the reality and the beauty of the gift of faith we have been blessed with.

Within this year of faith, you and I, the stewardship parishes of St. Theresa/Corpus Christi providentially have been blessed with the perhaps once in a lifetime opportunity to participate in building the physical Church of Corpus Christi. Truly a profound and practical witness that demonstrates a living faith that leads us to good works. My friends, not only is our faith alive and well, but in fact through our witness to our faith, lived out in our works and our cooperation with God’s abundant graces we are indeed growing as a Church in south east Edmonton. (588) Last June we officially began the fundraising component of what has been in preparation for over ten years. Today I wish to share with you briefly, where we are at on our particular journey of faith.

Here is what we know. The church of Corpus Christi will cost an estimated sixteen million dollars. We need to have eight million dollars pledged in order to receive an eight million dollar construction loan from the Archdiocese of Edmonton to facilitate the building of Corpus Christi. Today, because of your faith that has led you to works, two and three quarter million dollars has been pledged. Many of you have chosen to increase your weekly giving to the parish building fund. A parish may only maintain a building fund if they are engaged in a capital project. The benefit of a building fund is that it is not subject to the fifteen percent Diocesan tax that are regular weekly receipts are. In consultation with our parish finance committee and our parish pastoral council, St. Theresa’s is presently in the position to make a one-time gift of five hundred thousand dollars, as well as a parish pledge commitment over the next five years of seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The parish of Holy Spirit closed two years ago and became part of St. John the Evangelist parish in west Edmonton. The physical building of Holy Spirit parish recently sold. The faithful of St. John and the former Holy Spirit parish, have demonstrated their own faith leading to works by donating half a million dollars from the proceeds of this sale to the building of Corpus Christi. Truly a beautiful and generous response that has evolved out of a difficult and painful journey for many of the Holy Spirit faithful. What does this practically translate to? My friends, effectively our faith lived out in works is presently at 4.25 million dollars committed to building the church of Corpus Christi. Folks, we are over half way there, praise the Lord. An amazingly beautiful stewardship response of love and faith.

Where to from here? Every Knights of Columbus council, every Catholic Women’s League, every member of the clergy and every parish in the Archdiocese of Edmonton has been contacted and asked to pledge their assistance to us in our mission of building the Church of Corpus Christi. We trust with the certainty of our own faith that because this is the Lord’s work, the Holy Spirit will inspire the hearts of these faith communities to a generous stewardship response. What do I ask of you? My friends, if you have not yet made a pledge, please take a pledge card from our display table home with you, and respond as you are able. No pledge is too small, please commit as you are able. If you are contributing through the building fund, please faithfully continue what you are doing. If you have not yet made a commitment, please do so. It is beautiful to see the fruit of many gifts, large and small; they all contribute to the outcome of our mission. Timing is very important at this moment. We will prayerfully begin construction in 2013. We need to have our financial resources in place by the end of this year to make this a reality. My friends, the time is now.

What I need to be very clear about with you. One of my primary responsibilities as pastor of St. Theresa’s is to ensure that we continue to maintain and in fact continue to build the beauty of our parish community both spiritually and physically. We have in place a contingency fund that we continue to add to, in order that we will always be prepared for emergency and planned projects within our parish community. I assure you, the faithful of St. Theresa, that I will never let the building of Corpus Christi impact in a negative way the needs of our parish community here at St. Theresa’s. Your faith, that has led you to very practical works in the support of our parish, allows me to make these statements with complete confidence that we will continue to grow here at St. Theresa and that we will succeed in witnessing to our faith in this year of faith in building the Church of Corpus Christi. (1220).

But who do you say that I am? St. James says by my works, I will show you my faith. In the Scripture quoted by Cardinal Archbishop Thomas Collins in his pastoral letter on stewardship; “Well done good and faithful steward.” May our loving God continue to bless you, your families and our faith communities of St. Theresa/Corpus Christi parishes. Amen. (1400)

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Youth Sacramental Preparation

Posted on September 18, 2012 by webmaster

Sacramental Preparation Dates 2012-2013

Listed below is information on our Sacramental Preparation session dates for:

If you are an ADULT (age 18 years or older) looking to be initiated into the Catholic Church, read more here.

BAPTISM (newborns to 6 yrs old)

For a detailed break down of our program and dates, download our Baptism Preparation Brochure.

The Baptism Preparation Program requires that parents do the following:

a)      Contact Sister Cornelia Ramirez, RVM  at the Parish Office (780) 463-8646 ext 2224 when you  are ready to hand in these documents:

  • child’s birth certificate with birth parents’ names printed on it
  • Catholic  parents’  Baptism  certificate
  • godparents’  Confirmation  certificate from a Catholic Church
  • permission letter from your Pastor, if you are not from St. Theresa’s parish
  • sworn affidavit signed  by  lawyer or Commissioner of Oaths/Notary Public,
  • if one of the parents does not sign the Consent to Baptism form
  • adoption papers, if child is adopted
  • divorce documents, if applicable

b)  Attend Baptism Preparation seminar prior to the date  you selected for the baptism of your child. These meetings start at 7:00 p.m. on Monday evenings at  St. Theresa’s Church. Check the dates listed in the Baptism brochure.

      DATES FOR BAPTISM PREPARATION SEMINAR

May 6 & 13 (1st & 2nd Monday)

June 3 & 10 (1st & 2nd Monday)

NO SEMINARS in JULY and AUGUST 2013

Sept. 9 (2nd  Monday)

Oct. 7 (1st  Monday)

Nov. 4 (1st  Monday)

Dec. 2 & 9 (1st & 2nd Monday)

c)      When Baptism date is approved,  come at 1:45 p.m.  on the date you have chosen for the Baptism celebration  which starts promptly at 2:00 p.m. Please don’t bring candles. We provide the Baptismal candle for each child. Parents, godparents and relatives/friends of the family are invited to gather around the baptismal font. However, only the godparents with confirmation certificate will  stand as sponsors.  Names of witnesses (those who are not yet confirmed in the Catholic Church) cannot stand as sponsors or godparents.

2013 BAPTISM CELEBRATION  DATES:

  • May 19 & 26
  • June 16 & 23
  • July 21 & 28
  • Aug. 18 & 25
  • Sept. 15 & 22
  • Oct. 20 & 27
  • Nov. 17 & 24
  • Dec.  15 & 22

REMINDERS:

  1. One godparent is sufficient; but there may be 2 (one male and one female). Godparents must have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist, be a practicing Catholic and be at least 16 years of age.
  2. Parents and godparents   are required  to attend  the Baptism preparation seminar  before the baptism of the child.
  3. Please don’t hand in the baptism registration forms at the last minute. If one of the child’s parents does not sign the Consent to Baptism form, an affidavit signed by the commissioner or Notary Public will be sent to the Archdiocese of Edmonton together with the registration forms and the  necessary document (statutory declaration signed by one of the parents)  from the Archdiocese of Edmonton. The date for Baptism will be decided only after the Archdiocesan Chancellor gives approval through our pastor, Rev. Jim Corrigan, especially in cases when the name of the father  or the mother of the child is not  printed on the birth certificate.

If you have any questions, contact Sister Cornelia Ramirez, RVM  at the Parish Office (780) 463-8646 ext 2224.


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RCIA ADAPTED FOR CHILDREN

This process is for youth 7-14 years old unbaptized or baptized validly in a non-Catholic Church, and want to become fully initiated members in the Catholic Church. Boys and girls who are 7-14 years old cannot receive the Sacrament of  Baptism  without   first receiving catechetical  instruction,  which  is  offered  in  the RCIA  ADAPTED  for CHILDREN.  We  are  now  accepting  registrations.

Documents needed:

  • Birth certificate for the unbaptized
  • Birth and baptism certificates for those who were validly baptized in a non-Catholic Church.

Classes are held in St. Theresa’s Church – Mill Woods on Wednesday evenings from 7:00-8:00 p.m.    Regular attendance is  very  important.  One  or  both  parents  are  required to attend the classes with the child to be baptized.

Orientation Meeting with parents and children
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2013 – St. Theresa’s parish

Calendar of activities for the whole year will be distributed during the orientation meeting.

During the Easter Vigil (the night before Easter Sunday)  on Saturday, April 19, 2014 those who attend the  Wednesday classes regularly will receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist. Those who were validly baptized in a non-Catholic Church will make a Profession of Faith, before receiving the Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist.

Click Here to download RCIA Adapted for Children registration form.

Click here for a copy of our brochure about the RCIA Adapted for Children process.

For more information, call Sister Cornelia Ramirez, RVM (780) 463-8646 ext. 2224.

                           e-mail address:  srcornelia@strcp.com

                           Fax #    (780) 450-2431

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FIRST RECONCILIATION & FIRST EUCHARIST

Click Here to download our brochure on Sacramental Preparation for Reconciliation and Eucharist.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Schedule for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist classes and celebration for 2012 – 2013 were published in our newsletters and church bulletin. We started the Spring session for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist on April 6, 2013.  The schedule for the Fall, Winter and Spring Sessions for 2013 – 2014 will be published in our Church bulletin,  our school newsletters, and letters from the school principals before the summer of 2013.

REMINDER: FIRST CONFESSION (Reconciliation) IS RECEIVED BEFORE FIRST COMMUNION (Eucharist)

Currently, many students who have already received First Reconciliation have not yet received First Holy Communion. Parents, please encourage your children to prepare for the reception of the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist.
Children in grade 6 or older must receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist (First Communion) before Confirmation.

Note that First Reconciliation is for youth gr. 2 and up. First Eucharist is for youth gr. 3 and up.

FIRST RECONCILIATION & FIRST EUCHARIST
SPRING 2013 SCHEDULE

PARENT INFORMATION EVENING:  Thursday – March 20 at 7:00 pm at St. Elizabeth School (7712 – 36 Avenue)

First Reconciliation Preparation Sessions
Saturday – April  6 at 10:00 am
Saturday – April 13 at 10:00 am
Saturday – April 20 at 10:00 am
Sacrament of First Reconciliation Celebration: Saturday – April 27 at 10:00 am

First Eucharist Preparation Sessions
Saturday – April 13 at 12:00 Noon
Saturday – April 20 at 12:00 Noon
Teaching Mass: Thursday – Apr. 25 at 7:00 pm
First Eucharist Celebration  Saturday – April 27 at 5:30 pm

If you have questions or need more info, contact Sr. Cornelia at 780-463-8646 ext. 2224.

Click Here to download our First Eucharist Brochure.

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SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION

CONFIRMATION REGISTRATION DEADLINE was November 2012. We have now began our Confirmation 2013 program for youth gr. 6 to 12. Involves a series of day retreats called Super Saturdays packed with games, small groups, music, reflections, etc. Who knew learning about the faith could be so much fun?

CLICK HERE to download a Brochure that explains St. Theresa’s parish Confirmation program and answers important questions like: What is Confirmation? What happens in Confirmation? Great resource for youth who are considering receiving this special sacrament.

We will begin accepting 2014 Confirmation registrations from September 2013 to November 2013. Information will be given to Catholic Schools affiliated with St. Theresa’s. Stay tuned to the bulletin and website for more information.

CONFIRMATION 2013 SCHEDULE

INFORMATION NIGHT. Students and parent and/or sponsor to attend. Wednesday December 5, 2012 @ 7:00pm in St. Theresa’s MacNeil Hall (parish basement).

STUDENTS MEET ON THE FOLLOWING SATURDAY 2013 DATES FROM 12:45-6:30 pm IN THE MACNEIL HALL

• January  19   • February 16   • March 16   • April 27

SUPER SATURDAY RETREAT WITH STUDENTS & SPONSORS  on May 11, 2013 from 10 am to 4 pm in Hall. Confirmation rehearsal will take place on this date.

MASS WITH RITE OF CONFIRMATION on Sunday May 12, 2013 at 3 pm in the main Church.
• Sponsors and Candidates will meet at 2:15 pm in MacNeil Hall on this date to line up for procession.

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Love Jesus and Youth? Consider joining Core!

Posted on July 30, 2012 by webmaster

 

SEEKING ADULT VOLUNTEERS
WHO LOVE JESUS & WORKING WITH YOUTH!

We are currently looking for dedicated Catholic adults who want to join our CORE team and help minister to youth while having a blast! If you are a committed Catholic adult interested in helping with either our Life Teen High School ministry (gr.10-12) or our Edge middle school ministry (gr. 6-9), we’d like to hear from you! We provide Core members with training, spiritual formation, fellowship and fun, as we draw near to the Lord who is our strength (Neh. 8:10).

Some Benefits of being a Core member include:

  • Growing in one’s own faith and being inspired by the faith of others
  • Exercising one’s gifts & talents for the sake of the Gospel mission
  • Developing friendships with other adults and being a mentor to youth
  • Core members can request a reference / recommendation letter
  • Experience highly regarded by Edmonton Catholic School district & helpful for gaining youth-oriented jobs

We are seeking adults who:

1. Love Christ and the Catholic Church
2. Are committed to prayer, especially weekly attendance at Sunday Mass
3. Desire to minister to middle school (gr.6-9) or high school (gr. 10-12) youth
4. Want to serve as a Christian role model
5. Are willing to complete a police records check and the Archdiocesan screening process

Key Commitments of Core members:

  • Keeping prayer and Mass attendance as a top priority;
  • Helping with youth outreach;
  • Meeting for Core prayer and event planning;
  • Attending Mass every week & assisting with greeting or other Mass ministries; and
  • Helping to plan, set up, and implement 2 hour long youth events 2 to 3 times a month

We ask you to prayerfully discern whether you are able to commit to volunteering with our St. Theresa’s youth ministry for a one year term. From September to June, our middle school Edge Core members commit approximately 12 hours per month; whereas our high school Life Teen Core members make more of a commitment, volunteering approximately 18 hours a month.

If you cannot commit as a full time Core member but still want to help out, then please consider being a member of our Core Support Team. As a Core Support Team member, you would assist in ways that align with your schedule as well as with your gifts in such areas as hospitality, outreach, car pooling, art and design, marketing, event set up, etc. We would together establish your time commitment and the areas you would like to help out.

For further information, contact Angela at 780-463-8646  ext. 2226 or by email at angela@strcp.com .

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St. Theresa’s Pro-Life Group

Posted on November 9, 2010 by webmaster

The dignity of a person must be recognized in every human being from conception to natural death.

So begins Dignitas Personae, a 2008 instruction by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. This instruction… this battle cry… is a basic tenet of Catholic teaching… is what makes a Christian stand apart from a morally ambiguous culture… is a crucial message for our generation to hear. 7:15pm 0n Monday, November 15th, 2010, marked the beginning of the official Pro-Life group at St. Theresa’s.

If you are an individual who is passionate about spreading the message of the sanctity of life, then we invite you to be a part of this new group. Meetings are held on the first Monday of each month at 7:15pm. We hope you can join us!

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