As I
sit down to write this thank you letter, I find even more cards
waiting for me on my desk at the office. It’s all a little
overwhelming. In fact I would honestly say that I feel almost
undeserving of the amount of love that has been poured out and given
to me. But isn’t that what Jesus did for us on the cross! I know
then that your love for me comes from him who also is with you. I
was quite surprised by the amount of letters, cards, gifts, well
wishes, and kind words I’ve received in the last week around my
ordination to the deaconate. Not to mention the supersized card from
St. Matthew’s!! (I don’t even know how to display that one!)
It’s
all so much that I don’t believe it would be possible for me to
write a thank you note to each of you. But I want you to know that I
am so thankful for every word you wrote, gift you gave, and prayer
you raised up! It really touches my heart. Know too, that I’ve also
been giving thanks to God every day for each and every one of you.
And I was so happy to serve you as a Deacon on Sunday June 30th. I
hope to be back in Rocky for a visit in around mid-August before
having to return to seminary on August 25th.
Thank
you so much again and God bless,
Rev. Mr. JD Carmichael
CALLED TO PROTECT
WORKSHOP
St. Matthew Church - Rocky
Mountain House
MONDAY - JULY
29, 2019
01.00 PM -
03.30 PM
Workshop will be offered at St. Matthew Church, Rocky Mountain House,
from 1.00 PM to 3.30 PM on Monday, July 29, 2019. This is mandatory
for all parish adult members serving in leadership, and those who
serve in the various ministries in our parish. (If you
participated in an earlier workshop, you do not need to attend).
Register at Parish Office at 403-845-3457 or with facilitators
Ernie and Lorraine Murias
at 403-845-4860. Thank you for taking time to ensure that our
parish ministries offer a safe environment to all.
SAVIO - RETREAT
FOR TEENS
JULY
29
- AUGUST 02, 2019
Savio
is a week-long Retreat for Teens being hosted near Rocky Mountain
House, AB, Jul. 29 - Aug. 02, 2019. Open to everyone aged 14-17,
Savio will be held at a rustic summer camp and the program will
include teachings, sacraments, campfires and lots of really fun
games. Cost is only $200. For
more information call Peter at 403-848-0955 or email vankampen.peter@gmail.com
MEXICO
MISSION
AUGUST 03 - 09, 2019
Peter
van Kampen, and several young people from Central Alberta, are going
on a mission trip to Mexico City! We are collecting donations of
money, clothes and hygiene supplies to give to the poor who live in
the dumps. We will also be visiting Our Lady of Guadalupe. For
more information call Peter at 403-848-0955 or email vankampen.peter@gmail.com
Please drop off items
to donate to the garage sale at St. Matthew Parish during office
hours. No large furniture items please. Thank You on behalf of
Knights of Columbus!
Life tends to slow down in the summer, and the
temptation toward laziness (especially in prayer) reaches an
all-time high. While vacation presents us with a wonderful and
much-needed time to refresh, we shouldn’t let our relationship with
God fall to the wayside. So, wherever you find yourself this summer,
follow these tips to keep your spiritual life from taking a
vacation.
●
KEEP IT CONSISTENT.
Pick a time
each day you like to pray and stick to it, even if you’re traveling.
Maybe you like to pray while you brew your morning coffee, or while
the kids nap. Praying at the same time each day helps cement the
habit of prayer in your life, and that habit will carry you
throughout the whole year. I’ve personally found that the best time
for prayer while traveling is in the morning. Sacrificing a little
time in your morning ensures that you get the time you need with
Jesus before the excitement of the day distracts you.
● PRIORITIZE MASS.
Getting to Mass while on vacation isn’t always easy, but you should
at least prioritize Mass on Sundays. When planning your trip,
research nearby Catholic churches where you can fulfill your Sunday
commitment. Many parishes also offer weekday masses that can fit
easily into your summer schedule, while still leaving time to enjoy
time in the hammock or at a cookout with friends and family.
● ADD A SPIRITUAL READ TO YOUR
LIST. If reading at the beach is your jam, why not pick
up a book that will help your spiritual life flourish? We can learn
so much about the faith through writings from saints, theologians,
and other holy men and women. Adding a spiritual book to your summer
reading list edifies both your mind and your soul. It can foster a
greater knowledge of God and can help deepen your relationship with
Him.
● USE YOUR TRAVEL TIME WISELY.
Everyone knows that getting there is half the fun! Whether
you’re flying or taking a good old-fashioned road trip, you can use
that travel time to deepen your relationship with God. You can pray
a family Rosary or nourish your soul with a Catholic podcast.
● HAVE AN ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER.
Every Catholic can benefit from having someone else keep them
accountable to their prayer commitments, especially in those summer
months. Ask your spouse or a trusted friend to check in with you
once a week to see how your life prayer life is, and be honest.
Whether you are succeeding or struggling, you can find encouragement
in your journey toward holiness through your accountability partner.
Watch this video about our seminarian JD Carmichael
JD Carmichael had his whole life planned out. A great
career, a house, and plenty of outdoor hobbies. Watch to
find out why it all changed when he felt God was calling him
to something more!
Our parish
invites you individually or as a family to say the rosary
with the help of the internet. "Come Pray the Rosary" is a
perpetual rosary that allows people to say the rosary together on
the internet. You can join with others and say the rosary in
progress, or start it individually by choosing the mystery you want
to say.
Through this website, you can follow along as the Rosary is recited,
with the visual aid of video from the Holy Land. You can literally
see the places where the mysteries take place! You also can keep
track of how many other people, around the world, are joining you in
prayer. By clicking on the number of
people praying and then the map, you can actually see the location
of those you are praying with on a map. Please check out this great
website at
http://www.comepraytherosary.org/.
The B.C. Catholic
-
Catholic newspaper
from the Archdiocese of Vancouver, BC
