St. Mary's Church
Cochrane, AB
"The Spirit Flows Through Us"
"The Spirit Flows Through Us"
St. Mary's celebrated its "125th ANNIVERSARY" on NOVEMBER 21, 2020. The book, "St. Mary's Centennial Celebration 1895-1995" is now accessible in digital form at "100 Years" in the menu at the top of this page.
We can accommodate 75 parishioners per Mass (based on the most recent AHS regulation). If you register for a Sunday Mass, and if you just can’t attend even though you planned to, please contact the Parish Office before noon on Friday to cancel your reservation. After noon on Friday, please email Fr. Dennis at dennis.vavrek@franciscanfriars.ca to cancel your reservation and allow someone else the space.
We can accommodate 75 parishioners per Mass (based on the most recent AHS regulation). If you register for a Sunday Mass, and if you just can’t attend even though you planned to, please contact the Parish Office before noon on Friday to cancel your reservation. After noon on Friday, please email Fr. Dennis at dennis.vavrek@franciscanfriars.ca to cancel your reservation and allow someone else the space.
Fr. Dennis Vavrek, ofm
Fr. Dennis Vavrek, ofm
dennis.vavrek@franciscanfriars.ca OR contact him at the Parish Office: 403-932-2944
FOR EMERGENCIES: call Mount St. Francis Retreat at 403-932-2012 OR call Fr. Dennis' cell at 780-668-0145
Deacon Ron Fortier
Deacon Ron Fortier
MESSAGE FROM FR.DENNIS
MESSAGE FROM FR.DENNIS
LENT 2021
LENT 2021
“Regardless of what Jesus says in the Gospels, most Christians are materialistic with no experience of the Spirit. Regardless of what Jesus tells us in the Gospels, most Christians are individualists with no experience of real community. If you were all Christians you would no longer accumulate ‘stuff’, you would share everything you had, and you would actually love one another and you would treat each other as family. Why don’t you do that? Why don’t you live that way?”
“Regardless of what Jesus says in the Gospels, most Christians are materialistic with no experience of the Spirit. Regardless of what Jesus tells us in the Gospels, most Christians are individualists with no experience of real community. If you were all Christians you would no longer accumulate ‘stuff’, you would share everything you had, and you would actually love one another and you would treat each other as family. Why don’t you do that? Why don’t you live that way?”
Wow, doesn’t this tirade sound kind of harsh and unloving? Well, yes it is. However, the person who went on this rant is also reminding us that our world, our institutions (including our Church) and us as individuals are far from perfect.
Wow, doesn’t this tirade sound kind of harsh and unloving? Well, yes it is. However, the person who went on this rant is also reminding us that our world, our institutions (including our Church) and us as individuals are far from perfect.
The season of Lent is an opportunity to work at deepening our commitment to Gospel living, and to loving our God and one another in a greater way. Through self-denial and other self-sacrifices, in our penance and deeper commitment to prayer, I am sure we all can do better at this project called discipleship.
The season of Lent is an opportunity to work at deepening our commitment to Gospel living, and to loving our God and one another in a greater way. Through self-denial and other self-sacrifices, in our penance and deeper commitment to prayer, I am sure we all can do better at this project called discipleship.
Blessings on your Lenten journey.
Blessings on your Lenten journey.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS DURING LENT:
STATIONS OF THE CROSS DURING LENT:
Stations will be after the Friday, 9:00 am Mass. We will have pre-registration for both Mass & Stations each week.
Stations will be after the Friday, 9:00 am Mass. We will have pre-registration for both Mass & Stations each week.
NOTE: We have a VIDEO created for the Stations of the Cross for those who wish to watch it at home during Lent. CLICK HERE.
NOTE: We have a VIDEO created for the Stations of the Cross for those who wish to watch it at home during Lent. CLICK HERE.
LENTEN LETTER from FR. DENNIS
LENTEN LETTER from FR. DENNIS
Click HERE to watch a video on the distribution and reception of Holy Communion at Mass during COVID-19
Click HERE to watch a video on the distribution and reception of Holy Communion at Mass during COVID-19
MASKS ARE NOW MANDATORY at all indoor public gatherings in Cochrane—this includes during Mass and all visits to St. Mary's church.
MASKS ARE NOW MANDATORY at all indoor public gatherings in Cochrane—this includes during Mass and all visits to St. Mary's church.
PARISH SUNDAY OFFERINGS . . . Please remember that while we are in the pandemic situation, collection will not be taken during Mass. TWO COLLECTION BOXES WILL BE IN PLACE, one in the Gathering Area (entry point) and one at the West Doors (exit point). Please keep supporting our parish with weekly or recurring donations. Offering envelopes may be dropped off in the receptacles provided at the church when you come to Mass. Or you can support the parish through online giving. See information in the Bulletin from Greg Braganza (accountant for St. Mary's). There is also a plan for sending donations to our parish at https://www.catholicyyc.ca/give
PARISH SUNDAY OFFERINGS . . . Please remember that while we are in the pandemic situation, collection will not be taken during Mass. TWO COLLECTION BOXES WILL BE IN PLACE, one in the Gathering Area (entry point) and one at the West Doors (exit point). Please keep supporting our parish with weekly or recurring donations. Offering envelopes may be dropped off in the receptacles provided at the church when you come to Mass. Or you can support the parish through online giving. See information in the Bulletin from Greg Braganza (accountant for St. Mary's). There is also a plan for sending donations to our parish at https://www.catholicyyc.ca/give
Grocery Cards Fundraiser
Grocery Cards Fundraiser
Continuing through COVID-19, our profits to August 2020 = $6615.00! Thanks to all who have been getting their "contact-less" Grocery Cards from the Parish Office to use for family shopping at Co-Op, No Frills, Superstore, Safeway, Sobeys, and/or Save On Foods!! Get more information from Helen Stock (403) 932-2782 OR at hy.stock@gmail.com. Further details under "Stay Informed" —> News or OnGoing Events.
Continuing through COVID-19, our profits to August 2020 = $6615.00! Thanks to all who have been getting their "contact-less" Grocery Cards from the Parish Office to use for family shopping at Co-Op, No Frills, Superstore, Safeway, Sobeys, and/or Save On Foods!! Get more information from Helen Stock (403) 932-2782 OR at hy.stock@gmail.com. Further details under "Stay Informed" —> News or OnGoing Events.
Need Someone to talk to?
Need Someone to talk to?
Deacon Ron is available for anyone who would like to talk with him Wednesdays or Thursdays between 1 pm and 3 pm. Call the parish office at 403-932-2944 to set up an appointment for a chat.
Deacon Ron is available for anyone who would like to talk with him Wednesdays or Thursdays between 1 pm and 3 pm. Call the parish office at 403-932-2944 to set up an appointment for a chat.
Fr. Dennis is available for Confessions or just to talk. Please call him to make an appointment 403-932-2944.
Fr. Dennis is available for Confessions or just to talk. Please call him to make an appointment 403-932-2944.
If you need help during the pandemic . . .
If you need help during the pandemic . . .
– St. Mary's parish has two groups available to help the most vulnerable and those who are stranded due to the impact of the coronavirus, including those who have been asked to self-quarantine. If help is needed, reach out to one of the groups/teams mentioned below to run errands, do your grocery shopping, and/or pick up prescription drugs.
– St. Mary's parish has two groups available to help the most vulnerable and those who are stranded due to the impact of the coronavirus, including those who have been asked to self-quarantine. If help is needed, reach out to one of the groups/teams mentioned below to run errands, do your grocery shopping, and/or pick up prescription drugs.
– Lean On Us — LeanOnUs2020@gmail.com
– Lean On Us — LeanOnUs2020@gmail.com
– Charitable Pandemic Response Team— nicksimoni@yahoo.com
– Charitable Pandemic Response Team— nicksimoni@yahoo.com
MASS TIMES
MASS TIMES
WEEKEND Masses
WEEKEND Masses
Saturday: 4:00 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am and Noon
WEEKDAY Masses
WEEKDAY Masses
Wednesday and Friday : 9 am
NOTE: Live-streamed daily Masses and/or Sunday Masses can be accessed from the Diocesan website during the COVID-19 pandemic HERE.
NOTE: Live-streamed daily Masses and/or Sunday Masses can be accessed from the Diocesan website during the COVID-19 pandemic HERE.
CONFESSION-Fr. Dennis is available to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation, or if you just need to talk. Please call him to make an appointment. 403-932-2944.
CONFESSION-Fr. Dennis is available to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation, or if you just need to talk. Please call him to make an appointment. 403-932-2944.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION is held on Tuesdays and Saturdays 11 am - noon (one hour only). 20 people are allowed in the Chapel. A seat may be reserved HERE.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION is held on Tuesdays and Saturdays 11 am - noon (one hour only). 20 people are allowed in the Chapel. A seat may be reserved HERE.
Mission Statement: We are a community of faith trusting in God's love, open to the gifts of the Holy Spirit working within each member, attempting to model ourselves on Christ, and called to serve Him in others.
Location
Location
Find us just south of the town centre and east off Hwy 22 at James Walker Trail & River Heights Drive, Cochrane, Alberta. To get "traditional directions" click HERE.
To PRE-REGISTER for ATTENDANCE AT MASS (weekday or weekend) click HERE. Please note, you don’t need to be registered with Flocknote to sign up for Mass.
To PRE-REGISTER for ATTENDANCE AT MASS (weekday or weekend) click HERE. Please note, you don’t need to be registered with Flocknote to sign up for Mass.
Address: 10 River Heights Drive, Cochrane, AB, T4C 0N8
Phone: 403-932-2944
Note: Postal Code on map is incorrect!
OFFICE HOURS:
Mon. – Thurs. 8 am - 2 pm;
Fri.: 9 am - Noon
Closed All Stat. Holidays
New to the Parish?
New to the Parish?
– WELCOME! We extend a warm welcome to new parishioners. Please take a moment to fill out a printable or online NEW PARISHIONER REGISTRATION FORM. Registration will ensure you're included in Parish communications. If using the printable form, you may scan and EMAIL or FAX (403-932-4587) to our SECRETARY or just drop the hard copy into the collection drop-box next time you're at Mass.
– WELCOME! We extend a warm welcome to new parishioners. Please take a moment to fill out a printable or online NEW PARISHIONER REGISTRATION FORM. Registration will ensure you're included in Parish communications. If using the printable form, you may scan and EMAIL or FAX (403-932-4587) to our SECRETARY or just drop the hard copy into the collection drop-box next time you're at Mass.
– A MINISTRY is a great way to become actively involved in our parish community. For more INFORMATION on our ministries, click HERE. To volunteer in one of our parish ministries, click HERE for an online or printable VOLUNTEER/STEWARDSHIP sign-up form. Complete and return the printable form by placing it in the collection basket at Mass or drop off your form at the Parish Office.
– A MINISTRY is a great way to become actively involved in our parish community. For more INFORMATION on our ministries, click HERE. To volunteer in one of our parish ministries, click HERE for an online or printable VOLUNTEER/STEWARDSHIP sign-up form. Complete and return the printable form by placing it in the collection basket at Mass or drop off your form at the Parish Office.