St. Mary's Church
Cochrane, AB
"The Spirit Flows Through Us"
St. Mary's celebrates its "125th ANNIVERSARY" in 2020. The book, "St. Mary's Centennial Celebration 1895-1995" is now accessible in digital form so you can catch up on our history!! Find the book, "100 Years" in the menu at the top of this page.
Father 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
MESSAGE FROM FR. DENNIS
LET’S START A NEW VIRUS!
Pope Francis, in a recent weekly public address at St. Peter’s Square, suggested that gossiping is “a worse plague” than the Covid-19 virus, and he urged everyone to make a greater effort to not gossip about others. Pope Francis also invited the world to “come out better” when the pandemic ends.
So, let’s not waste a good crisis! One approach to “coming out better” when this pandemic is over is to start a new virus! (Yes, you read this correctly.)
I would suggest that we infect each other with a “healing virus,” a virus which brings about peace and unity. The vaccine needed, of course, is called loving forgiveness.
The Labour Day long weekend signals the end of summer holidays, back to school and back to work. However, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, our routine in the weeks and months ahead will be quite different from previous years. For sure, life will continue to be different and more challenging for the foreseeable future.
But this can be a time to “be better.”
May we all mature, be more generous and forgiving, more faithful to our God and one another, and “come out better” people when we finally get back to the “old normal.”
Peace and all good,
A PROBLEM has emerged with REGISTERING for SUNDAY MASSES
Dear Parishioners,
Please be mindful that if you register for a Sunday Mass, we are expecting you to attend that Mass. More and more Sunday Masses are now “maxed out” for registrations, and people who want to attend are being turned away. The difficulty we are experiencing is that there are a growing number of registered people who are not showing up for the Mass they registered for. Everyone should have the opportunity to attend Mass. So, if people sign up and then don’t come, they are preventing others from the opportunity to come to St. Mary’s and celebrate their faith on Sunday morning.
Yes, life happens and sometimes you just can’t attend even though you planned to! If this is the case, and if you cannot contact the parish office before noon on Friday, then please email Fr. Dennis at dennis.vavrek@franciscanfriars.ca.
Yes, these are unusual and difficult times! Let us try to be extra-thoughtful of the needs of others as we journey through this pandemic.
Peace and all good,
Fr. Dennis, ofm
Stage 2 DIRECTIVES from Fr. Dennis and the Diocese : We can accommodate 70 parishioners for Mass at St. Mary's, Cochrane.
Social distancing is required, keeping a list of congregants in attendance, along with Alberta Health Services entry questions, and sanitizing after each Mass. Wearing masks is not required during the Mass, ONLY when receiving Communion.
REMEMBER, you must pre-register with the parish to confirm your attendance at Mass (weekday or weekend) at https://stmaryscochrane.flocknote.com/signup/5107 Please note, you don’t need to be registered with Flocknote to sign up for Mass.
Resuming Public Masses—Notice from the Diocese
Click on the Bishop's picture on the right to VIEW his message.
To access live-streamed Weekday and Sunday Masses from the Diocesan website , go to https://www.catholicyyc.ca/livestreammass.html
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.
** PARISH SUNDAY OFFERINGS . . . During the pandemic, our faith community needs us even more. Please remember to 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
St. Mary's Virtual Choir
Message from Nathene Arthur, Choir Director:
"Here is our first “Trial” Virtual Choir song for St Mary’s . . . just a few regular choir members, some visible, and some not! Even Deacon Ron made a guest appearance." Click on the image and see what you think . . .
The August Virtual Choir was "Let There Be Peace"—thanks for everyone's help. Click on the image to hear and see the results.
The song for September will be "There Is A Longing" . . .
Parishioners, family, and friends are invited to video themselves singing WITH the backtrack to the song (which will be posted here early next week). You will need to wear a headset or ear buds. Once you've video-taped yourself—and in order for the final choir presentation to be assembled!—you are invited to send the file to Lisa at lisa.bettenson@gmail.com and a copy to Nathene at narthur@telus.net.
For words to the September song, see "NEWS."
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.
Fr. Dennis is available for Confessions or just to talk. Please call him to make an appointment 403-932-2944. Fr. Dan is covering for Fr. Dennis from June 29 – July 17.
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.
– Lean On Us — LeanOnUs2020@gmail.com
– Charitable Pandemic Response Team— nicksimoni@yahoo.com
MASS TIMES
WEEKEND Masses (Pre-register at https://stmaryscochrane.flocknote.com/signup/5107)
Saturday: 4:00 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am and Noon
WEEKDAY Masses (Pre-register at https://stmaryscochrane.flocknote.com/signup/5107)
Wednesday and Friday : 9 am
Please see the directives outlined above for the gradual resumption of Masses at St. Mary's Cochrane. ALSO: live-streamed daily Masses and/or Sunday Masses can be accessed from the Diocesan website during the COVID-19 pandemic at: https://www.catholicyyc.ca/livestreammass.html.
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). A seat may be reserved at: https://stmaryscochrane.flocknote.com/signup/5106
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
Find us just south of the town center and east off Hwy 22 at James Walker Trail & River Heights Drive, Cochrane, Alberta. To get "traditional directions" click HERE.
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?
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 basket next time you're at Mass.
For a brochure explaining CATHOLIC STEWARDSHIP (Time, Talent, Treasure), click HERE.
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.