29 lipca -5 sierpnia,2018

INTENCJE MSZALNE

Sobota, 28 lipca – Dzień powszedni
18: 00 – + Antonina Nutowicz ( 4 rocz) – córka Alina z rodziną

Niedziela, 29 lipca – XVII Niedziela zwykła
8: 30 – O Boże błogosławieństwo i zdrowie dla Ethan i rodziny – babcia
10: 30 – + Dariusz Ciok – żona z dziećmi
12: 30 – Rocznica Powstania Warszawskiego i za poległych w powstaniu – SPK #18
19: 00 – + Halina Herman ( 1rocz) – przyjaciele

Poniedziałek, 30 lipca – Dzień powszedni
19: 00 – ++ Antoni, Wiesław i Helena Hryszko – rodzina

Wtorek, 31 lipca – Wspomnienie św. Ignacego z Loyoli, prezbitera
19: 00 – + Władysław Zielony (4 rocz) oraz za dusze w czyśćcu cierpiące

Środa, 1 sierpnia – Wspomnienie św. Alfonsa Marii Liguoriego, Biskupa i Doktora Kościoła
19: 00 – Linda Naryński – Śliwonik i Nodzyński

Czwartek, 2 sierpnia – Dzień powszedni
19: 00 – ++ Edward i Nadzieja Gajdel – rodzina

Piątek, 3 sierpnia – Dzień powszedni
9:00 – Za parafian
19: 00 – Z podziękowaniem i o Boże błogosławieństwo na dalsze lata życia dla Heleny Moczulskiej z okazji 85 Urodzin – córka z rodziną

Sobota, 4 sierpnia – Wspomnienie św. Jana Marii Vianneya, prezbitera
18: 00 – ++ Za zmarłych z rodziny Pastuszków i Starzyków

Niedziela, 5 sierpnia – XVIII Niedziela zwykła
8: 30 – Dziękczynna i o Dary Ducha św, o Boże błogosławieństwo i miłosierdzie oraz opiekę Matki Bożej dla Krzysztofa z okazji Urodzin
10: 30 – Za Ojczyznę, Radio Maryja i TV Trwam
12: 30 – O Boże błogosławieństwo i łaski Ducha św. dla Ireny i Jerzego Stróżyk z okazji 58 rocz sakramentu małżeństwa
19: 00 – Za parafian

Poniedziałek, 6 sierpnia – Święto Przemienienia Pańskiego
19: 00 – + Świętosław Rudy – rodzina

Wtorek, 7 sierpnia – Dzień powszedni
19: 00 – + Edward Garlicki – rodzina

Środa, 8 sierpnia – Wspomnienie św. Dominika, prezbitera
19: 00 – ++ Za zmarłych z rodziny Zakowicz, Śliwonik i Dusze w czyśćcu cierpiące
19:00 – O Boże błogosławieństwo dla Patryka z okazji Urodzin

Czwartek, 9 sierpnia – Święto św. Teresy Benedykty od Krzyża, dziewicy i męczennicy, patronki Europy
19: 00 – Za parafian

Piątek, 10 sierpnia – Święto św. Wawrzyńca, diakona i męczennika
19: 00 – + Susanna Piotrowski – Jadwiga

Sobota, 11 sierpnia – Wspomnienie św. Klary, dziewicy
18: 00 – + Susanna Piotrowski – Adela z rodziną

Niedziela, 12 sierpnia – XIX Niedziela zwykła
8: 30 – ++ Czesław, Wiesław i Anna
10: 30 – ++ Barbara Rej (20 rocz) – córka z rodziną
12: 30 – O Boże błogosławieństwo dla Dominika w dniu Urodzin – rodzice
19: 00 – ++ Barbara Luma (8 rocz) i Marian Luma

LEKTORZY – 28-29 lipca
18: 00 – L. Shelley, A. Rudzińska, R. Kohnke
8: 30 – P. Adamski, M. Iskra, O. Pepłowski
10: 30 – J. Miazga, S. Teresa, T. Miazga
12: 30 – V. Kanaszyc, M. Kulaga, J. Kraska
19: 00 – W. Grabowski, A. Wojciechowska, W. Grabowski

LEKTORZY – 4–5 sierpnia
18: 00 – V. Kanaszyc, S. Teresa, V. Kanaszyc
8: 30 – R. Przybylski, A. Rudziński, R. Przybylski
10: 30 – Z. Topor, D. Topor, O. Pietras
12: 30 – J. Bogusławska, M. Kulaga, W. Potocka
19: 00 – M. Iskra

XVII NIEDZIELA ZWYKŁA
29 lipca, 2018
2 Krl 4, 42-44; Ef 4, 1-6; J 6, 1-15
Ref: Otwierasz rękę, karmisz nas do syta

Uczniowie Jezusa z dzisiejszej Ewangelii byli przekonani, że nie da się nakarmić rzeszy głodnych ludzi. Ale Jezus nie pozwolił odesłać zgłodniałych, lecz kazał im usiąść do posiłku. Wszyscy zobaczyli moc Bożą, kiedy Pan uczynił cud rozmnożenia chleba i ryb, by nakarmić zgromadzonych słuchaczy. Nie przeszkodził Mu w tym nawet brak wiary apostołów. Widzimy wokół nas ludzi, którzy nie szanują tego, co mają. I tak wyrzucają do kosza duże ilości jedzenia, dobre rzeczy. Ale są również takie rodziny, których nie stać na to, aby miały w domu, co jeść i w co się ubrać, by wysłać dzieci na wakacje. Jako chrześcijanie jesteśmy wezwani nie tylko do tego, aby pokonywać głód u samych jego korzenie, ale również by dzielić się z potrzebującymi. I nie narzekać, że nic się z tym nie da zrobić. Jezus mówi do nas: „wy dajcie im jeść”, bo wiedział, że dzięki temu zobaczymy więcej, niż tylko czubek własnego nosa. Dla naszego dobra mamy otwierać swoje serca, kieszenie i lodówki – żeby nie zamknąć się w swoim egoizmie. „Wy dajcie im jeść” oznacza: sami nie jesteście w stanie zaspokoić wszystkich potrzeb tego świata, potrzebujecie Mojej pomocy. Ale nie zrzucajcie tego problemu tylko na Boga, to przez wasze zaangażowanie budowanie Królestwa Bożego na ziemi macie sprawić, żeby nie było wśród was głodnych i spragnionych. Jezus wzywa nas do wrażliwego patrzenia, do szlachetnego serca i „otwartych oczu”. Oduczyliśmy się tego. Czekamy, aż ktoś poprosi o pomoc, aż się upomni, aż usiądzie na ulicy i postawi przed sobą pudełko – a i wtedy uwierzymy mu dopiero wtedy, gdy będzie dostatecznie brudny i zmęczony. A Jezus patrzył sercem – wiedział, że są głodni, więc nie pytał, czy może by coś zjedli. Czy mamy się, więc domyślać potrzeb innych? Czy mamy ryzykować pomoc tym, którzy pomocy nie potrzebują? Wydaje mi się, że mając przed sobą konieczność jakiegoś ryzyka, lepiej zaryzykować zbędną pomoc, niż zaniechanie pomocy koniecznej. Kiedy zaczynamy stopniować ryzykujemy, że wzrok serca zmieni się nam we wzrok kieszeni – oślepniemy na Boga i człowieka. W chrześcijaństwie chodzi nie tylko o to, żeby kupić bułkę. Ale również o to, by podać ją tak, jak zrobiłby to Jezus. Mamy zobaczyć głodnych i pochylić się nad nimi, by umożliwić im spojrzenie poza ciało, spojrzenie w głąb ducha. W tym właśnie celu Jezus karmił głodnych na pustyni.

XVIII NIEDZIELA ZWYKŁA
5 sierpnia, 2018
Wj 16,2-4.12-15; Ef 4,17.20-24;J 6,24-35
Ref: Pokarmem z nieba Pan swój lud obdarzył.

Jezus mówi w Ewangelii: „Jam jest chleb życia. Kto do Mnie przychodzi, nie będzie łaknął; a kto we Mnie wierzy, nigdy pragnąć nie będzie”. Wakacje są dla wielu ludzi poszukiwaniem Boga, który gdzieś zagubił się na drogach codziennego pośpiechu, pogoni za pieniędzmi, znaczeniem, zdobywania kolejnych stopni awansu czy wspinania się po stopniach kariery. Warto więc budzić w swoim sercu pragnienie spotkania z Panem, zwłaszcza w Eucharystii. „Na tym polega dzieło zamierzone przez Boga, abyście uwierzyli w Tego, którego On posłał”. Jak wyjaśnia św. Augustyn, „wierzyć” oznacza spożywać, jeść Chleb życia, tkwić w Chrystusie, tworzyć z Nim wspólnotę, być nasyconym w niewidzialny sposób. To wszystko dokonuje się w Kościele, w znaku celebracji liturgicznej. Najważniejsze, zatem, by, aby iść na Mszę św. z wielkim pragnieniem, z wielkim głodem spotkania Jezusa. Pomocą może okazać się post eucharystyczny, który pomaga obudzić wewnętrzne pragnienie Słowa Bożego i zjednoczenia z Jezusem w Komunii św. Głód duchowy nie rodzi się jednak automatycznie z głodu fizycznego. On wymaga pracy nad sobą, chęci doświadczenia Jezusa w Eucharystii. Ta godzina postu eucharystycznego to czas, w którym nasze pragnienie Jezusa powinno osiągnąć szczyt. To jest miejsce, by ten krótki czas, ta godzina, która w sposób fizyczny nas wiele nie kosztuje, kosztowała nas duchowo. To takie budzenie pragnienia, budzenie głodu Boga. „Pokarmem z nieba Pan swój lud obdarzył”, gdy Izraelici wędrowali przez pustynię, a Mojżesz wstawiał się za nimi u Jahwe. Ten pokarm, manna, stał się zapowiedzią Eucharystii. A dzisiaj Bóg wzbudza w sercu ludu Bożego pragnienie pokarmu, który nie przemija i którym jest On sam pod postacią Chleba. Komunia przyjęta godnie jest źródłem wielorakich łask, bo jednoczy nas najściślej z Chrystusem i przemienia nas niejako duchowo w Chrystusa. Oczyszcza nas również z grzechów powszednich, chroni od śmiertelnych, osłabia złe skłonności i daje moc do spełnienia dobrych uczynków. Eucharystia pomnaża w nas łaskę uświęcającą i wreszcie jest rękojmią chwalebnego zmartwychwstania i zadatkiem szczęśliwości wiecznej.

W NASZEJ WSPÓLNOCIE

PIERWSZY PIĄTEK MIESIĄCA
W pierwszy piątek miesiąca 3 sierpnia zapraszamy na Adorację Najświętszego Sakramentu, która rozpoczyna się po porannej Mszy św. o godz. 9: 00. do godziny 11:00. Prosimy wpisywać się do wyłożonego zeszytu przy biuletynach, aby była ciągła obecność modlących się w kościele.

PIERWSZA SOBOTA MIESIĄCA
W pierwszą sobotę miesiąca 4 sierpnia zapraszamy na adorację Najświętszego Sakramentu, która rozpoczyna się po porannej Mszy św o godz. 8:30 do godziny 11:00. W czasie, której modlimy się na różańcu. Serdecznie zapraszamy na wspólną modlitwę, szczególnie członków Rycerstwa Niepokalanej i Koła Rodziny Radia Maryja.

TOGETHER IN ACTION – 2018 W całej Diecezji Calgary odbywa się akcja zbierania ofiar we wszystkich parafiach na wspieranie działalności charytatywnej i administracyjnej diecezji. Kwota wyznaczona dla naszej parafii wynosi $29,233.00. Dotychczas zostały złożone ofiary na sumę $ 19,354.00. – Serdecznie dziękujemy – Bóg zapłać! Czeki prosimy wystawiać na Our Lady Queen of Peace Church/TOGETHER IN ACTION. Zwracamy się z serdeczną prośbą do wszystkich Parafian o wsparcie tegorocznej kolekty. Koperty na ten cel wyłożone są przy biuletynach.

MSZE ŚW. PORANNE PODCZAS WAKACJI
Przez okres wakacji nie będzie sprawowanych Mszy św. porannych w piątki i soboty. Tylko w pierwszy piątek miesiąca 3 sierpnia poranna Msza św Przez okres wakacji nie będzie odwiedzin chorych i starszych z naszej parafii.
PEREGRYNACJA OBRAZU MATKI BOSKIEJ CZĘSTOCHOWSKIEJ W RODZINACH
Przez cały miesiąc sierpnia nie ma rodziny zapisanej, która mogłaby się modlić przed obrazem Matki Bożej wypraszając obfitość łask Bożych dla swej rodziny, przyjaciół i znajomych. Rodziny chętne przyjąć obraz Matki Bożej proszone są o kontakt z biurem lub po Mszy św. z Księdzem.
BIURO PARAFIALNE PODCZAD WAKACJI Zawiadamiamy, że biuro podczas wakacji jest czynne trzy razy w tygodniu we wtorki, środy i czwartki od9: 00 do 13:00.

WYJAZDY NA WAKACJE
Wielu naszych parafian udaje się na wakacje i odwiedziny rodzin w Polsce i innych krajach. Na drogę pokoju i pomyślności niech was kieruje wszechmogący Bóg, a Rafał Archanioł niech towarzyszy wam w drodze. Wakacje niech będą dla wszystkich błogosławionym czasem duchowego odrodzenia.

50. ROCZNICA POŚWIĘCENIA KOŚCIOŁA P.W. MATKI BOŻEJ KRÓLOWEJ POKOJU W CALGARY: 1968-2018 Sztandar Jubileuszowy W październiku obecnego 2018 roku będziemy szczególnie świętować 50. Rocznicę poświęcenia naszego polskiego kościoła. Z tej okazji przybędzie do nas J.E. Ksiądz Biskup Stanisław Stefanek SCH i odprawi uroczystą, dziękczynną Mszę św. Jubileuszową w niedzielę, 14 października o godzinie 12: 30 w kościele polskim. Z tej okazji, jako wyraz naszego dziękczynienia Bogu i radości z posiadania świątyni, w której Polacy modlą się od lat w języku ojczystym, przyjmują Sakramenty Święte i są odprowadzani na odpoczynek wieczny – pragniemy ufundować Sztandar ku czci Chrystusa Króla Wszechświata, Który szczególnie patronuje Księżom, prowadzącym naszą parafię, Księżom z Towarzystwa Chrystusowego dla Polonii zagranicznej. Sztandar Jubileuszowy ma być poświęcony w niedzielę, 14 października br. Pragniemy, aby każdy parafianin, każdy wierny i każda Organizacja Polonijna włączyła się – w miarę swoich możliwości – do ufundowania tego Sztandaru Jubileuszowego, gdyż każdy z nas pragnie złożyć hołd i wyrazić swą miłość Chrystusowi Królowi oraz wdzięczność za polską parafię i kościół, gdzie możemy modlić się w j. ojczystym. Z góry dziękujemy za poparcie tej ważnej inicjatywy. Niech Chrystus Król obdarza wszelkimi łaskami. Ofiary, czeki można wystawiać na adres parafii z dopiskiem: Sztandar Jubileuszowy.- Rada Parafialna
Z KARTY ŻAŁOBNEJ
W środę 25 lipca odszedł do wieczności ś.p. Manuel Siemak w wieku 73 lat. Uroczystości pogrzebowe odbędą się w naszym Kościele na przyszły tydzień. Data jeszcze nieznana.
Wieczny odpoczynek racz mu dać Panie!
Rodzinie zmarłego składamy wyrazy współczucia.

OGŁOSZENIA KOMERCYJNE
PRACA
Odstąpie domki do sprzątania dla osoby wiarygodnej i uczciwej. Osoba ta będzie miała stałych klientów na okres stały. Zainteresowanych proszę o kontakt 403-457-6086

PRACA
Poszukuję opiekunki dla starszej pani z demencją . Praca od września na 3 dni w tygodniu od 9:00 – 17:00, w dzielnicy Glenmorgan SW. Wymagane pozwolenie na pracę. Tel 403-975-3064 (2x)
PRACA
Zatrudnię osobę do pracy, jako: Maintenance Person. Zakres obowiązków: Naprawy w mieszkaniach i budynkach, mała budowlanka, koszenie traw, odsnieżanie. Wymagania: Kanadyjskie prawo jazdy, umiejętnośc posługiwania się podstawowymi narzędziami budowlanymi. Prosze o kontakt tel. 403-404-1047 (4x)

PRACA
Poszukuję osoby do opieki nad starszą panią. Praca od 1 sierpnia na 3 miesiące od poniedziałku do piątku od godziny 7: 00 rano do 1: 00 po południu. W soboty od 7:00 – 12:00. Dzielnica Signal Hill. Tel 403-590-2356 (1x)
DO SPRZEDANIA Sprzedam rowery męskie, damskie i dziecięce. Tel: 403-246-6999 (1x)

PRACA
Supervisor przy sprzataniu domków.
Praca od zaraz, w szybkim tempie. Wymagane pozwolenie na pracę, prawo jazdy, doświadczenie w sprzątaniu oraz język angielski. Oferujemy; stawkę po okresie próbnym od $17/h wzwyż, samóchod służbowy.Podania proszę przesyłać na email pracacalgary@gmail.com (5x)

BACHELOR UNIT do wynajęcia w dzielnicy NE dla jednej osoby. Tel 403-499-9139 (1x)

SUITE DO WYNAJECIA W WEST KELOWNA, BC
2 sypialnie, kuchnia, łazienka z osobnym wejściem, blisko jeziora. Wynajmę od maja do sierpnia na pojedyncze dni lub na dłuższy okres. Opłata $70.00 od jednej sypialni. Kontakt Elżbieta 1-778-755-1320 (3x)

PRACA Zatrudnimy kobiety do sprzątania domów. Stawki 17 – 20 $/h. Wynagrodzenie dla kobiet używających do pracy własnego samochodu – 22 – 25 $/h. Po więcej informacji proszę dzwonić: 403-242-8293 lub 587-700-7740.(1x)

Z BIULETYNU DIECEZJALNEGO
STATEMENT ON THE LEGALIZATION OF CANNABIS/MARIJUANA FOR RECREATIONAL USE
On 19 June 2018, the Senate passed Bill C-45, the Cannabis Act. On 21 June 2018, the Bill received Royal Assent, thereby legalizing marijuana for recreational use in Canada. Bill C-45, however, which also regulates how cannabis will be grown, distributed and sold in Canada, does not come into force until 17 October 2018.
On June 25, The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) issued a Statement on the Legalization of Cannabis/Marijuana for Recreational Use. The CCCB shared its concerns on the likely effects of the use and promotion of marijuana for recreational purposes; how legalization may affect one’s Christian life and what approach we can take to help addicts. This Statement has since been endorsed by the Canadian Council of Imams. The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) expresses its disappointment at the passage of Bill C-45, which legalizes cannabis/marijuana for recreational use. Given the numerous known risks cannabis use poses to human society and human health (physical, mental and emotional), it is lamentable that the federal government has decided to facilitate the provision and use of an addictive substance that will have disastrous effects for so many people. The Canadian Medical Association, the Canadian Psychiatric Association, and the Canadian Paediatric Society have pointed out how the use of cannabis is linked to addictions, depression, anxiety, psychosis, damage to brain development, and lung problems such as asthma and emphysema. With Canadian youth considered by UNICEF as the most frequent users of marijuana in the developed world, the legalization of cannabis for recreational use will not – as the government has claimed – restrict young people’s access to marijuana or diminish their use of it. Canadian police chiefs, as well as many Indigenous, provincial and municipal leaders, continue to point out the need for additional funding to police the new legislation, and not all are convinced it is likely to reduce the involvement of organized crime but on the contrary may even have the opposite effect. Legalization is not necessary due to the difficulty of enforcement. There will always be social evils that are difficult to eradicate, but the answer surely cannot be to capitulate by condoning or legalizing them. Instead, as the Pontifical Academy for Sciences has recommended, the solutions for drug trafficking, dependency and abuse are found in educational and employment opportunities; community support for the vulnerable; treatment, prevention and medical services; family support; the curtailment of drug supply; the discouragement of drug use; and the promotion of recovery programs. The position of the CCCB is shared by Pope Francis, who has pointed out that “the legalization, even partial, of so-called ‘soft drugs’ – beyond being at least questionable from the legislative point of view – does not produce the desired results” (speech to participants in the 31st International Drug Enforcement Conference, Rome, 20 June 2014). The massive increase in cannabis use that will accompany its legalization will not produce a more just and humane society, but will only exacerbate or multiply problems already widespread in society, including mental illness, crime, unemployment, family breakdown, injuries and fatalities resulting from impaired driving, and increased addiction to “harder” drugs along with associated problems resulting from overdose. To cite the earlier CCCB statement on “Statement on Canada’s Opioid Crisis and Drug Addiction,” the legalization of marijuana “is potentially dangerous. The very significant health risks associated with the use of cannabis are widely recognized, particularly in young people. They include the heightened risk of heart attack, stroke, all of the respiratory and carcinogenic pathologies associated with tobacco smoke, and a multitude of psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. Studies have pointed to marijuana as a ‘gateway drug,’ underscoring the propensity of users to consume it in combination with other licit and illicit drugs, including some which may be ‘harder’. At a time when so many resources are already being spent to discourage recreational tobacco use, it is difficult to comprehend the disregard for public safety entailed in legalizing marijuana, which is arguably much more dangerous.” Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops 25 June 2018 Endorsed by: Dr. Mohammad Iqbal Nadvi, Chair, Canadian Council of Imams (29 June 2018)

Statement on Canada’s Opioid Crisis and Drug Addiction Introduction It has become increasingly clear in recent years that Canada is facing a serious substance abuse crisis. Although this problem has existed in various forms for some time, the recent deaths of so many Canadians due to overdoses – particularly through the use of new potent opioids like fentanyl and carfentanyl – is alarming. In British Columbia, for example, 914 deaths resulted from street drug overdoses in 2016, almost twice as many as in the previous year. The majority of these deaths are connected to fentanyl use. Opioid overdose deaths are also on the rise across the country, posing a serious problem for health authorities. The Catholic Bishops of Canada are deeply troubled by the devastating effects of these drugs, in particular their ability to extinguish human life in an instant. Even when they do not kill directly, their addictive power creates what Pope Francis recently referred to as “a new form of slavery.” Persons suffering from addiction often have a distorted perception of reality and of what should be desired; the addiction itself is neither representative of who they really are nor is it an authentic expression of their will. Moreover, the social ramifications of drug addiction are many. It can be the cause of family breakdown and all kinds of impoverishment (social, educational, economic, emotional, spiritual, etc.). During pregnancy, the use of narcotics can result in miscarriage as well as infant chemical dependency and congenital health problems. Beyond the measurable effects of the crisis today, there are others that we do not yet know: effects that are passed down to the children of those afflicted by addictions or that linger in families and communities for years to come. A drug addiction crisis is a complex reality involving a combination of diverse narcotics, people, backgrounds, and contemporary pressures. A comprehensive and definitive summary of the myriad factors at play and their effects is beyond our immediate scope. In light of the current drug crisis in Canada, however, we are convinced it is important to provide a general orientation in order that the Catholic faithful and other people of good will might better respond to this issue now and in the future, from the national to the local level, both individually and communally.

Causes of Canada’s Opioid Crisis
The current crisis has roots in a practice, adopted by many physicians some twenty years ago and promoted by the pharmaceutical industry, of addressing chronic pain by prescribing highly addictive opioids (e.g., oxycontin, oxycodone, and fentanyl). While this practice may have been warranted in some cases, it quickly became overused. In 2014 alone, for instance, Canada saw nearly 22 million opioid prescriptions filled. It is hardly surprising, then, that many of these patients are now addicted. Furthermore, it is not clear in every instance that the benefits of using opioids outweigh the considerable risks associated with addiction. Indeed, since the needs of those suffering from addiction exceed the limits of what can be medically prescribed, these drugs have made their way onto the street, where they are illegally bought and sold as well as distributed for recreational consumption. The medical community is now beginning to acknowledge that far greater prudence and discernment is needed when prescribing highly addictive medications for pain management and other medical uses. Social and environmental factors While anyone can become addicted, there are clear social and environmental factors that can make a person particularly susceptible, such as poverty, family breakdown, substandard education, poor parenting, exposure to violence, abuse, and social isolation. It is a great tragedy that so many Canadians seek to cope with these difficult life circumstances by turning to narcotics. They are holding out on a false promise, for narcotics take no pity on those who consume them. Mental illness A large proportion of those who suffer from drug addiction have a range of mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. In considering substance abuse and mental illness, the relationship between cause and effect is not always clear. Yet there can be little doubt that for many persons suffering with addictions, mental illness is a roadblock on the pathway to recovery; it is another barrier that keeps those suffering from addiction locked in a veritable prison in which their health suffers, interests narrow, and dependence grows. Moreover, the stigmatization of mental illness – the fact that it is often invisible to others and commonly misunderstood – hampers rehabilitation and recovery efforts. Proliferation of drugs from abroad Although the current problem of opioid addiction and abuse was in many ways created by our own healthcare system, today synthetic opioids imported from abroad can be easily ordered online and delivered to your door. The increased availability of these drugs, often aided by 3 Carly Weeks and Karen Howlett, “Prescriptions of opioid drugs in Canada skyrocketing,” The Globe and Mail, April 5, 2016. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/sales-of-opiod-drugprescriptionsskyrocketing/article26008639/. For example, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia, in its updated Professional Standards and Guidelines on Safe Prescribing of Drugs with Potential for Misuse/Diversion, states: “The public health crisis of prescription drug misuse has developed in part due to the prescribing of physicians. The profession has a collective ethical responsibility to mitigate its contribution to the problem of prescription drug misuse, particularly the overprescribing of opioids, sedatives and stimulants.” https://www.cpsbc.ca/files/pdf/PSG-Safe-Prescribing.pdf. – 3 – organized crime in Canada, has aggravated the situation. Moreover, the absence of regulation in the manufacturing process of foreign opioids has been a contributing factor in many deaths. Intergenerational trauma The high incidence of substance abuse in Indigenous communities should give pause. In addition to the factors listed above, the presence of which is often over-represented in Indigenous communities, a growing body of knowledge from frontline healthcare providers and scientific researchers is pointing to the significance of intergenerational trauma; namely, the effects of traumatic experiences transmitted across generations, touching the lives of the children and grandchildren of the initial victims. Just as a traumatic event in itself can deeply impact a survivor, so the memories of traumatic events, be they collective or individual, which continue to live through narratives and images that are passed on to successive generations, can be so powerful as to constitute a memory in their own right. Since there can be a relationship between traumatic events that cause acute and chronic stress and substance abuse, it is not surprising that Indigenous peoples, and others deeply affected by the traumas of previous generations, can be susceptible to higher levels of drug and other kinds of substance addiction.

Addressing the Problem
There are no simple solutions to a problem as complex as drug addiction. Whereas some kinds of human suffering are strictly physiological and can be addressed with a single localized intervention, addiction is different; it touches equally on the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions of the person, rendering the path to recovery more complex, diverse, and long. A Christian approach to overcoming drug addiction needs to consider how someone trying to recover can be properly helped, supported and accompanied. Family the family is and remains the fundamental building block of society. In the struggle against drug addiction, we may go so far as to say that the family is “the cornerstone of prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, reintegration, and health strategies.”7 The message of the Catholic Church to those whose family members suffer from addiction is: Do not abandon them; they need your support more than ever! Professional care and community support The use of drugs has neurological effects, influencing both decision-making processes and behaviour, consequently complicating the ability of the sufferer to manage addiction. The management problem leads in turn to social problems, such as the sufferer’s inability to retain employment or to fulfill responsibilities at home and in the wider community, all of which is 5 Karen Howlett et al., “How Canada Got Addicted to Fentanyl,” The Globe and Mail, January 5, 2017. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/investigations/a-killer-high-how-canada-got-addictedtofentanyl/article29570025/. 6 Amy Bombay, Kim Matheson, Hymie Anisman, “Intergenerational Trauma: Convergence of Multiple Processes among First Nations peoples in Canada,” Journal of Aboriginal Health / Journal de la santé autochthone, 5.3 (November 2009), 6-47. 7 Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, Address to the UN Special Session of the General Assembly on the World Drug Problem, April 21, 2016. https://holyseemission.org/contents//statements/571a5654e20326.50801850.php. – 4 – often further compounded by feelings of guilt. In addition to the management and social problems to which addiction leads, there is the deeper question of cultural and familial breakdown in the sufferer’s life, best described as the failure of key human relationships at critical stages of development. The complexity of these intertwining elements – chemical, environmental, social, and empathic – combined with the lifelong risk of relapse, underscore the importance of professional care and community support. In addition to the crucial need for the loving support of family, mentioned above, is the equally important need for accessible and comprehensive health and social services. These services ought to include the availability of psychiatric and psychological care, as well as the social structures aimed at supporting abstinence. At all levels, professional care must be nonjudgmental and reliable. A comprehensive and effective rehabilitation program will also seek to stimulate a person’s spiritual sense, from which hope, perseverance, and emotional healing – so central to the recovery process – can often arise. It is here that a religious tradition tied to a community of faith, such as a parish or church group, can play a crucial role; not as a substitute for professional care, but as a source of pastoral and spiritual support, both for the person suffering from addiction and his/her family and friends, particularly in times of acute difficulty.8 It must also be borne in mind that isolation and rejection often experienced by those who suffer from addiction can intensify the addiction or even trigger relapse. For this reason, the sense of value that may come from belonging to a faith community can be indispensable to recovery. Intergovernmental cooperation Our focus, so far, has been on addressing the problem of drug addiction. Such a problem exists, however, largely because drugs are in circulation. In order to stem the continuous flow of narcotics across international borders, cooperation is required between governments and among law enforcement agencies. Limiting this influx will require input from the countries of origin and cannot be restricted only to enacting stricter border controls in destination countries. The efforts of those engaged in combatting the international drug trade also need to be supported by people of faith and religious groups. Correcting social attitudes The statistics related to addiction can shock us, but each sufferer is more than a number; he or she is a person created in the image of God with a name, a story, and a family. While addiction can cause great personal damage to the sufferer as well as to his or her family and community, this must never overshadow or cast doubt on the inherent dignity of the sufferer as a person. He or she is one of these “little ones” for whom Christ died.9 Following the example of Jesus, as well as numerous Saints, individuals and communities must break through the social barricades by which sufferers are judged harshly and separated from the rest of society so that the persons affected may know God’s unconditional love for them. 8 A useful resource on pastoral approaches for addressing drug addiction is “Church: Drugs and Addiction”, Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care, Vatican City, 2001. 9 Cf. Matthew 18:14 “So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.”

Harm Reduction and “Safe” Injection Sites
Support for “harm reduction” measures, such as implementing needle exchange programs, establishing “safe” injection sites, and making overdose antidotes more widely available, has grown over the past few years. While these measures may reduce the immediate harm done to sufferers by limiting overdose fatalities and the spread of certain communicable diseases, they alone do not address the deeper problem of addiction, nor do they bode well for public safety.10 For this reason, such measures should not be made the centrepiece of a drug strategy that aims to be truly effective and comprehensive. Referring to methods that promote drug use in the name of safety, Pope Francis observed: “The problem of drug use is not solved with drugs.”11 The concern of Bishops regarding harm reduction measures, however, should not be confused with medically supervised drug substitution – a best practice used in the weaning process that has helped many sufferers reach the goal of abstinence.

What Can We Do?
Governments have a moral responsibility to ensure that, in addressing this crisis, communities be equipped with universally accessible and up-to-date rehabilitation methods and recovery programs. At the same time, the impact that ordinary citizens can make at the grassroots should not be overlooked. This problem affects all of us, so we must all have a share in the solution. Archbishop J. Michael Miller, C.S.B., of the Archdiocese of Vancouver – it is this city which is at the epicentre of the present overdose crisis in Canada – has recently published a pastoral letter on the topic. He invites ordinary Canadians to consider how they may play an active role in the solution through a variety of possible means:12 • urge elected officials to give the overdose crisis the attention it deserves, emphasizing the need for more treatment and residential care for those addicted; • call for more education around safe-prescribing practices; • ask the federal government to tighten regulation of opioid manufacturing; • advocate for improved pain management training for physicians and care providers, and better management of chronic pain for all; • promote support services in parishes and entities, such as 12-step programs and other recovery methods; • support police in doing educational presentations in schools and communities; and • contribute financially to organizations on the frontlines of this battle. 10 Both the President of the Toronto Police Association, Michael McCormick, and the President of the Ottawa Police Association, Matt Scoff, expressed concerns about safe injection sites before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security. SECU-35 (October 29, 2014). http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=e&Mode=1&Parl=41&Ses=2&DocId=67479 09. 11 Pope Francis, Address to 31st International Drug Enforcement Conference, Rome, June 19, 2014. 12 See Pastoral Statement on the Addiction Crisis, February 16, 2017 by the Most. Rev. J. Michael Miller, C.S.B., Archbishop of Vancouver. http://rcav.org/wp-content/uploads/All-Faithful-Pastoral-Statement-on-VancouversOverdose-Crisis.pdf. – 6 – Marijuana Legislation and Alcohol Abuse
Although this statement focuses on the danger of opiates and other “hard” drugs, the present intention of Parliament to introduce legislation to legalize marijuana/cannabis merits mention. From the standpoint of public health, not only does this course of action appear to be unwise, it is potentially dangerous. The very significant health risks associated with the use of cannabis are widely recognized, particularly in young people. They include the heightened risk of heart attack, stroke, all of the respiratory and carcinogenic pathologies associated with tobacco smoke, and a multitude of psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. Studies have pointed to marijuana as a “gateway drug”, underscoring the propensity of users to consume it in combination with other licit and illicit drugs, including some which may be “harder.” At a time when so many resources are already being spent to discourage recreational tobacco use, it is difficult to comprehend the disregard for public safety entailed in legalizing marijuana, which is arguably much more dangerous. It is also timely to recall that after tobacco, the most common chemical addiction in our society involves alcohol. This is the most frequently used “gateway drug” and its use is often associated with other forms of substance abuse. The harm caused in Canada by the abuse of alcohol is estimated to cost our society $14.6 billion a year. Alcohol abuse not only affects personal health and wellbeing, but harms relationships and family life. It can cause major mental health problems for other family members, including anxiety, fear and depression. Its use by women during pregnancy can lead to the child having serious problems with learning, memory, attention span, communication, vision or hearing.

Conclusion
Jesus is known to Christians as the one who heals. Persons who suffer from addiction should take comfort in the knowledge that Jesus wishes them to be well and that the Lord continues to pour forth his grace and blessings upon us. The Gospels chronicle how he cured the sick, restored sight to the blind, raised the dead, and cast out demons. He also brought hope to the burdened and brokenhearted. His message extends also to caregivers, for he taught that when we care for the sick, we care for Christ himself. We are called, therefore, to bring hope and healing to those enslaved by drug addiction as well as to their families and communities. 13 “Liberals to announce that marijuana will be legal by July 1, 2018,” CBC News. http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/liberal-legal-marijuana-pot-1.4041902. 14 See, e.g., “Health Risks of Marijuana,” Health Canada website: http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/healthy-living-viesaine/substance-abuse-toxicomanie/controlled-drugs-substances-controlees/marijuana/effects-effets-eng.php 15 See the website of the National Institute of Drug Abuse, “Is marijuana a gateway drug?” https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/marijuana-gateway-drug. 16 See the website of the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, http://www.ccsa.ca/Eng/topics/alcohol/Pages/default.aspx. 17 For example, Matthew 9:2-8, 18-26; 12:22. 18 Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 25:36 “I was sick and you took care of me.” – 7 – The Bishops of Canada accompany, support and pray for those who suffer from drug addiction or any other kind of addiction, including their families and friends. We encourage those who are recovered or recovering to persevere. We also pray for the unfortunate souls whose lives have been lost. We urge support for the healthcare professionals and volunteers who work in recovery centres and programs across the country. We also implore all Canadians to consider the obligation each of us has in addressing this crisis, recalling the words of Pope Francis: It is necessary to confront the problems underlying the use of these drugs, by promoting greater justice, educating young people in the values that build up life in society, accompanying those in difficulty and giving them hope for the future. We all need to look upon one another with the loving eyes of Christ, and to learn to embrace those in need, in order to show our closeness, affection and love.
(Most Rev.) Douglas Crosby, OMI Bishop of Hamilton President of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishop

CEMETERY MASS – AUG 22/23
You are invited to the annual Catholic Cemetery Memorial Mass with Bishop McGrattan.
August 22 at 7:30 PM – Queen’s Park Cemetery August 23 at 7:30 PM – Mountain View Cemetery

MARRIAGE PREPARATION „FOR BETTER & FOR EVER” – AUG 27
“For Better & For Ever…” Marriage Preparation accepts all couples preparing for marriage, including couples in one or more of the following circumstances: living together, previously married, beginning marriage with children, couples 45+, or those who wish to have their marriage blessed in the Church. Upcoming Dates: Aug 27 (followed by Sept 14-15); Sep 24 (followed by Oct 12-13); Oct 15 (followed by Nov 2-3); Nov 19 (followed by Dec 7-8) .
For more dates, registration or information: 403-218-5505 lifeandfamily@calgarydiocese.ca

AN EVENING WITH THE BENEDICTINES – AUGUST 27
Save the date: Come and hear a presentation on Benedictine Spirituality: Liturgy, Lectio and Labour by Father Pius, a monk from Mount Angel Abbey in Oregon. When: Monday, August 27, from 7 PM to 9 PM at St. Michael Catholic Church (800 85 Street SW, Calgary). Admission is free but there will be a free-will offering to cover travel expenses.
YOUNG WOMEN’S WEEKEND „COME TO ME AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST” – AUG 17
Single, Catholic women, ages 18 to 35, are invited to a weekend of reflection to ponder these questions: Who is God calling me to be? What is God calling me to do that takes me beyond what I am doing now? When: Friday, August 17 (starts at 5 PM) to Sunday, August 19 (ends at 2 PM). This is a retreat with overnight accommodation in local convents. Please bring a bible and journal or notebook. Registration fee: $25/ further donations gratefully accepted. This event is sponsored by the Assembly of Women Religious.
For more information or to register, contact Sr. Terry Smith, FCJ at 403-228-3623, ext. 258 tksmithfcj@yahoo.ca

BISHOP’S GOLF TOURNAMENT – AUGUST 27
Each year, sponsorship teams contribute the cost of dinner and 100 volunteers to make each dinner happen in what seems effortlessly and seamlessly. However, not all Sundays are sponsored and therefore, your participation in this tournament collectively sponsors those dinners to keep the program viable all year. Feed the Hungry’s Garden Program is in its second year and is an honoured recipient of Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink (BFK). All proceeds from the day of activities (on-course activities, heads and tails, and general donations) will be matched up to 50% giving your donation an even bigger impact! BFK is a non-profit program run under the Calgary Shaw Charity Classic Foundation. The 28th Bishop’s Golf Tournament will be on Monday, August 27, 2018 at the Silvertip Resort, Canmore. For more information or to register: 403-218-5522