News & Events

September 16, 2021 – Temporary Health & Safety Measures from the Archdiocese

Marie Woolgar

The Archdiocese believes the health and safety of everyone in our church and the Archdiocesan facilities is the top priority for the Archdiocese, the pastor, parish staff and volunteers, especially during this time of pandemic.  As a result, the following measures are to be implemented as of this date:

Places of worship:

  • Masks are mandatory and are to cover the nose and mouth. The only mask exceptions are for children under two years of age and those with medically certified exemption.
  • Church capacity is limited to 1/3 of fire code capacity
  • Two metres of physical distancing must be maintained between households, or two close contacts for those living alone

Liturgical Guidelines on Mass:

  • Attending Mass is on a first come, first served basis
  • No contact tracing information will be collected
  • Priests, deacons, and lectors must always wear a mask unless speaking or proclaiming
  • Altar servers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, the cantor, and instrumentalists/musicians must wear a mask at all times
  • As mentioned above, two metres of physical distancing must be maintained between households, or two close contacts for those living alone
  • Congregational singing is suspended at this time
  • Only 1 cantor/soloist is allowed
  • The cantor/soloist must wear the mask while singing/chanting and must be located away from the congregation and the instrumentalists/musicians
  • The use of the mask is required when singing/chanting
  • Singing by the cantor/soloist will be limited to the following:  Entrance antiphon or unfamiliar hymn, preparation of the altar, Communion, recessional
  • Instrumental music may replace singing
  • The offertory procession will not resume at this time to avoid unnecessary contact with the vessels.  Its resumption will be decided by the end of October 2021

Distribution of Holy Communion:

  • Priests/deacons/Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion must wear the mask during the distribution of Holy Communion.  Hands must be sanitized prior to the distribution
  • Mask use is mandatory for all the faithful.  Parishioners who are not able to wear a mask for medical reasons can be exempt from this regulation except when receiving Holy Communion
  • All parishioners must wear masks when lining up for the distribution of Holy Communion, including those receiving Communion on the tongue or a ‘blessing’
  • The communicant removes the mask in front of the priest/deacon/Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion to receive Communion and must put it back on after consuming the consecrated host.
  • Communion is only given under one species – the consecrated host
  • Communion on the tongue continues to be offered
  • If the Ordinary/Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion comes in contact with the Communicant in the distribution, hands are to be sanitized with a quick-drying, alcohol-based hand sanitizer before continuing to distribute Holy Communion

Archdiocesan Guidelines for Social Gatherings:

  • No social gatherings are permitted in parish halls and facilities
  • In-person meetings and faith-based meetings, which are not social gatherings, are allowed to continue with attendance limited to 1/3 of the room’s fire code occupancy, i.e. RCIA and sacrament preparation
  • Masks must be worn at all times

Weddings and Funerals (effective Monday, Sept. 20):

  • Indoor wedding ceremonies and funeral services are permitted with up to 50 people
  • Indoor wedding and funeral receptions are prohibited

Baptisms:

  • Attendance at baptism is allowed for up to 50 people
  • Proper physical distancing and the use of masks are required during the celebration of the rite

Reminders:

  • Parishes that have livestreaming capabilities are encouraged to continue with livestreaming Masses for those who are not comfortable with returning to Mass in person
  • The dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass continues for dioceses in the Province of Alberta
  • Hand sanitizing remains in effect along with proper hand hygiene
  • Please make every effort to implement respiratory etiquette, i.e., coughing or sneezing into bent elbow, promptly disposing of used tissues in a lined garbage bin

Thank you.

 

 

Catholic virtual election forum

Marie Woolgar

The group catholicconscience.org has shared videos from a Catholic virtual, major political parties forum for the upcoming Sept. 20 federal election. The videos feature representatives from Canada’s Liberal, Conservative, and New Democratic parties answering questions on key issues from the perspective of Catholic social teaching. The parties each nominated Catholic representatives, and all three helpfully and thoughtfully framed their parties’ policy commitments through the Catholic faith, quoting extensively from papal encyclicals, the Gospel, and other sources.

To view the videos you can log on to the Archdiocese website or you can  copy and past the following link in your browser:  https://www.caedm.ca/pastoralscene/entryid/913/videos-coverfederalpartypositionsoncatholicissues

Thank you.

Archbishop’s letter to start the academic year

Marie Woolgar

OFFICE OF THE ARCHBISHOP

September 2021

Dear friends,

A New Beginning in Hope

Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand (Isaiah 41:10).

As the month of September fast approaches, and the start of another school year looms from behind the shadows, we look forward to a new beginning; a year filled with promise and hope. Over the past seventeen months, we have witnessed the state of society and our lives change in ways we might never have imagined two years ago. From the closing of borders to the adherence to strict protocols, life has been challenging, and for some, even devastating.
Throughout the pandemic, we learned many valuable lessons: we learned to depend on the support of family, friends, neighbours, our health care systems, and especially our faith communities. We learned that a world concerned with the plight of others is better than a world centered on ourselves. We learned that even though we could not practice our faith in person, technology made it possible for us to gather and pray virtually. Most important of all, we learned through the sorrow and pain how we depend fully upon the steadfast love and saving help of God, who never abandons us..
COVID-19 is just the latest hardship in a long line of civil unrest and human suffering. Once again, we have seen that, in difficult circumstances, God gives us the capacity to overcome the challenges through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. As we embark upon a new academic year, may we know daily the joy of the victorious help of our Lord.

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Richard W. Smith
Archbishop of Edmonton

 

Healing and Reconciliation webinar series

Marie Woolgar

The Archdiocese is sharing links to a two-part webinar series. It’s a brief reflection on the history of the residential schools and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the long road towards Healing and Reconciliation. This educational video is presented by His Grace, as well as Metis Deacon John Brown, Cardinal Thomas Collins – the Archbishop of Toronto – and Neil McCarthy, the director of communications for the Toronto Archdiocese.

Link on CAEDM: https://caedm.ca/PastoralScene/entryid/904/video-healing-reconciliation-part-1

Part 1 link on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJiNGHZBrY4

Part 2 link on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peV6Cf4MAos

Thank you.

Archbishop’s Letter on Kamloops 215

Archdiocese Webmaster

OFFICE OF THE ARCHBISHOP

June 4, 2021

Dear Faithful People in Christ,

In recent days, the people of Canada have been shaken by the news that what is believed to be the remains of 215 children were found on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. No one, of course, is more deeply impacted by this than the families of the children and members of their Indigenous communities.

On behalf of us all in the Archdiocese of Edmonton, I express our deep regret and profound condolences to their families and communities. Since children are especially precious in Indigenous cultures, the news out of Kamloops has given rise in them to a grief and shock that few of us can imagine.

We must acknowledge the role played by Catholic organizations in the residential school system. I recall my own testimony to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, given on behalf of the Catholic Bishops of Alberta and the Northwest Territories:

“We apologize to those who experienced sexual and physical abuse in residential schools under Catholic administration. We also express our apology and regret for Catholic participation in government policies that resulted in children being separated from their families, and often suppressed Aboriginal culture and language at the residential schools.”

I re-iterate those sentiments today, aware that they must be accompanied by actions that will foster healing and reconciliation. To this end, and on behalf of the Archdiocese, I commit to:

  • full transparency with respect to any relevant archives and records, and sharing them with the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.
  • offering any support that we can to Indigenous peoples, and
  • continue walking together with them along the long road towards reconciliation.

We shall continue to seek ways for Catholics, together with other concerned citizens, to support the Aboriginal Peoples resident within the Archdiocese in the ongoing struggle to achieve justice and equity.

This moment in which we find ourselves weighs heavily on our hearts. Let us ask our Lord to transform this into an opportunity to stand together with the Indigenous peoples in both sympathy and solidarity. May the light of the Holy Spirit guide us together along the path of genuine reconciliation and lasting peace.

St. Kateri Tekakwitha, pray for us.

Yours sincerely in Christ,

✠Richard W. Smith
Archbishop of Edmonton

 

 

Statement on Grandin name

Archdiocese Webmaster

The people of the Archdiocese of Edmonton share the deep pain felt by Indigenous Peoples, and indeed all Canadians, arising from the disclosure that what is believed to be the remains of 215 children were found at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in B.C.

The painful legacy of residential schools, many of which were originally under Catholic administration, reverberates to this day.

The name Bishop Vital-Justin Grandin, Alberta’s first bishop, appears in a variety of contexts: on buildings, schools, and neighbourhoods. We acknowledge that it represents a controversial and mixed legacy. Although Bishop Grandin is rightly remembered for the many good things he accomplished, nevertheless the association of his name with the sad and tragic legacy of residential schools has rendered it for many people a reminder of very painful experiences.

The Archdiocese is ready to engage and work directly with First Nations, Franco-Albertan communities, the City of Edmonton, the provincial government and all stakeholders in an ongoing and meaningful conversation about the next steps.

We are committed and working towards finding a solution that is respectful to all parties involved.

Download the statement: Grandin Name Statement (PDF, 1 page)

For more information contact: 

Andrew Ehrkamp, Communications Lead
Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton
Andrew.Ehrkamp@caedm.ca
Tel: 780-469-1010 x2441 Cell: 780-399-6523

How do I send in my Sunday offerings?

Archdiocese Webmaster

In the midst of these unprecedented times, we are blessed to have various ways to continue to support our parish in the absence of the Sunday Offertory:

  1. Consider setting up Pre-Authorized Offering Plan. Contributions will be withdrawn from your bank account monthly. Contact Marilyn@strcp.com to request a digital POP form. Complete the form and email it back to her. *Monthly donations can be set up using your credit card.
  2. On this website click on the “Donate” button. It will direct you to the Archdiocese website page “Donate to your parish”. Complete the online form. At the “Parish Name” field, please select “Edmonton – St. Theresa”. Click “Donate Now” button to complete the process.
  3. Drop off your donation envelopes to the parish office (Monday – Friday 9 am – 5 pm, closed 12 – 1 pm for lunch, Saturday 9:30 am – 12:30 pm).

If you have questions or concerns, please contact your parish office at 780.463.8646, ext. 2225.