Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre joins in Mental Health Week

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For Immediate Release
Cochrane, AB, Canada
May 6, 2026

In celebration of Mental Health Week (May 4-10, 2026), Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre joins with efforts in Cochrane and across the country to celebrate and highlight the importance of taking care of our mental health – this week, and all year round.

With funding support from the Cochrane Home Treasures Community Grant Program, and in partnership with Bike Cochrane, Mount St. Francis has installed new interpretive panels along Brother Sun trail on the iconic big hill. The panels focus on mental and spiritual health, the benefits of being active, and the impact of being outside. The panels are located beside new benches, ideal for taking time for reflection and enjoying the view.

“Our mission is to be a place of peace, healing, and prayer for all. We believe a natural space to encourage thoughtful reflection is useful not just for our retreatants, but also for the entire community. Thoughtful interpretive panels along with benches have made the trails established in 2024 even better”, said Leah Perrault, who is the Executive Director at Mount St Francis Retreat Centre.

The Brother Sun and Sister Moon trail names are tied to the St Francis of Assisi hymn Canticle of Creatures.  In this hymn, St Francis calls out all creatures, whether minerals, plants, or animals, as siblings to praise their Creator.  The beauty of this space allows all to enjoy this gift.  This year, Bike Cochrane will add the Secret Ravine Trail that goes down into town to its maintained trail network.

Through a formal Trail Stewardship Agreement established in 2022, Bike Cochrane has been volunteering hundreds of hours in building, upgrading and maintaining Brother Sun and Sister Moon trails and assisting on other projects on behalf of the Retreat Centre.  Bike Cochrane’s Trail Director Paul Perrault commented, “We are so honoured to work with Mount St Francis on this project.  These trails access some of the most beautiful terrain in the Cochrane area, and we’re thrilled that the Friars have allowed public access to their private land.  We all have a responsibility for respectful use and Bike Cochrane is pleased to be a part of expanding trail access to all Cochranites.” Bike Cochrane’s Trail Steward for Mount St Francis Ryan Sheehan added, “The Mount St Francis land is special.  It is a privilege to work towards these common goals alongside the Retreat Centre and we look forward to continuing this relationship and the projects we are doing together.”

While much of the Mount St Francis Retreat Centre’s 500-acre property is closed for silent retreat activities and spiritual growth, they’ve opened public trails on both the sunny southern bench of the Big Hill, along with a beautiful creekside trail along the Bighill Creek (see map). St. Francis was deeply moved by the presence of God in nature, and the Franciscan Friars at Mount St. Francis want the community to have the opportunity to enjoy these beautiful places on the land.

Although there isn’t a parking area that services these two trails, using the Cochrane Ranche or Cochrane Ranche House parking lot and trailhead allows access to this area along the Cochrane Ranche Trails and then up the new Sunterra Trail 1 trail to the Cochrane cemetery road.

Trail users are required to stay on marked trails and obey all trail signs.  Due to the friars’ silent retreats, well-behaved pets are permitted only ON leash, and both trail running, walking, and biking are permitted activities.  Any trail issues and fallen trees can be reported to trails@bikecochrane.com.

Community members are invited to use the trails as part of their ongoing mental, physical and spiritual wellness. Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre also has regular retreat programming – from a spiritual perspective and serving the recovery community with 12-step retreats. “We welcome anyone looking for rest and silence to join us for programs at the Retreat Centre,” said Br. Guylain Prince, one of the Friars who serves on the Retreat Team. “I have also started a free Tuesday evening program called Journeying into Silence: Christian Contemplative Prayer. I welcome anyone who wants to learn more to join us at 7 pm any Tuesday that works for you.”

To learn more about the retreats, please contact Mount St Francis Retreat Centre at 403.932.2012 or review the Retreat Calendar at www.mountstfrancis.ca.  If you are interested in supporting these trails, please consider supporting the Mount St Francis Retreat Centre through a charitable donation here: https://mountstfrancis.ca/donations-and-payments/.

Images follow below. For further questions, contact:

Leah Perrault, Executive Director
Mount St Francis Retreat Centre
executivedirector@mountstfrancis.ca
403.932.2012 x 107
306.291.3458 (cell)

Jubilee of St. Francis of Assisi – Susan Campbell – Feb 2026

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This Jubilee year of grace invites us to find inspiration in the life and witness of St. Francis for our own journey of faith, so we also becoming models of holiness and constant witnesses of peace.

Francis was a particular witness of peace in his time: born into a life of privilege, he renounced all to follow the way of the Crucified Saviour, allowing Christ to be his source of peace. In humility and simplicity he became detached from all desire for power, possessions or social status. Not needing to defend or protect anything, he went to the margins of society and served those in whom he recognized the face of the suffering Christ. Desiring to proclaim the message of reconciliation and peace to all people, he crossed boundaries and through his respectful witness engaged with Sultan Malik Al-Kamil, earning the high regard and favour of this religious leader.

It is fitting in this Jubilee year that the Pilgrim Church of Christ be reminded that we too follow in the footsteps of Jesus and are called to conform our lives to his, just as St. Francis did. As Francis told his followers as he was close to death, “I have done what is mine to do. May Christ teach you what is yours.”

And what does Christ teach us? How do we live from a heart filled with the peace that only Christ can bring? The first requirement is receive the Good News proclaimed by Christ and to do as Francis did: be receptive to the grace that changes our lives – metanoia. “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news!” (Mark 1:15) We, like Francis, are called to cling no longer to that which does not lead to peace in Christ: greed, inordinate ambition, arrogance, self-righteous judgments against others, pursuing our own selfish interest and desires without due regard for the needs and dignity of others. At his lowest point, Francis recognized his poverty before God and opened himself to becoming a vessel that God could use to advance the kingdom of peace. We are invited to recognize our own poverty, placing all into the hands of Christ to do with us as God the Father wills for us – discovering our unique mission of peace building and peace making.

St. Francis did not see himself as a saint. He, in fact, understood himself to be a sinner, forgiven and in constant need of God’s grace and mercy. The life of penance he embraced was motivated by his love of God and desire to be a willing instrument in God’s hands.

God’s mercy is a constant focus within Church teaching. Recalling God’s indulgent mercy, Bishop Krzysztof Nykiel, Regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary which published a decree on God’s indulgence available this Jubilee year, reminds us that God’s grace can transform even our greatest weaknesses. God’s indulgence makes it possible to free the heart from the burden of sin and purify, heal the harm sin causes.

The Church developed its teaching on indulgences from this notion of God’s mercy which is more that we can fully take in or comprehend. In its essence, an indulgence reaffirms the forgiveness of sins and the healing and purification of the heart from the consequences of sin that comes as one allows God’s grace to transform one’s life. God’s indulgence is always available to us. “It is essential to understand that indulgence is first and foremost an encounter with God, and that its power lies not in our human efforts, but in the grace of God that transforms hearts… All penitential practices – such as confession, Communion, pilgrimage, prayer – are instruments of preparation that facilitate the encounter with God, but they do not replace the experience of grace itself. The authentic fruits of indulgence appear with a person consciously opens themselves to God’s transforming power, allows God to act in their heart, heals relationships, forgives, and is converted.” (Bishop Krzysztof Nykiel, quoted from “Indulgence is an Encounter with God, not a Spiritual Shortcut,” by Fr. Marek Weresa, Vatican News, January 16, 2026)

While the Church has established common practices which give expression to one’s interior desire to detach from sin, surrender to God’s mercy and be receptive to God’s grace – including sacramental confession and participation in the Eucharist and reception of Holy Communion – “at the heart of the practice of indulgences is God’s love, always calling us to grow in holiness. Living out indulgences is not just about fulfilling a list of requirements; it is an opportunity to open our hearts to divine grace and to the intercession of the saints.” (Bishop Lucia, “Indulgences Explained,” from The Catholic Sun, April 10, 2025)

God moves in our hearts at all times and everywhere. During this Jubilee year of St. Francis, we are invited to find meaningful ways to grow in our relationship with God and in love of our brothers in sisters which reflect the path of St. Francis. Some of the particular ways may include making a pilgrimage to a place of worship dedicated to St. Francis, praying with the same words he used before the crucifix at San Damiano – “O most high, glorious god, enlighten the darkness of my heart and give me a right faith, a certain hope and a perfect love, understanding and knowledge, O Lord, that I may carry out your holy and true command”; praying the Way of the Cross which became associated St. Francis after he promoted this devotion on his return from the Holy Land; praying before the Blessed Sacrament, mirroring the same desire of St. Clare of Assisi of giving yourself totally to the One who gave himself totally to you; meditating prayerfully (Lectio Divina) on a passage that reflects the spirit of St. Francis; finding concrete ways to serve the poor Christ in the suffering and marginalized; becoming an unarmed and disarming peacemaker in your home, community and workplace; spending time contemplating creation and the many ways it reflects God’s goodness and beauty; praying the Seven Joys of Mary, a particular Franciscan rosary which honours the joyful mysteries of the Virgin Mary’s life. During Lent the Seven Sorrows of Mary are prayed; uniting your personal suffering, difficulties, illness, and diminishment in the same spirit of St. Francis who wrote the Canticle to the Creatures which exhorting God’s praise, all while blind and close to death.

As you take advantage of this Jubilee Year of St. Francis, may you hear St. Francis’ blessing addressed to you: “May the Lord bless you and keep you; May He show His face to you and have mercy on you; May He turn his countenance to you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6: 24-26)

Rest In Peace Friar Kevin Lynch

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Kevin was born April 10th, 1938, to Laurence J. (Larry) and Margaret P. (Peggy) (Thompson) Lynch. He was named John Terence and known as Terry in his early years.

The youngest of three boys, Kevin was born and grew up in the Peace River Country, in the town of McLennan, Alberta. He attended school there before following in his brothers’ footsteps and heading to St. Anthony’s College in Edmonton, where he graduated from high school and then stayed on to study philosophy and arts.

Kevin made his vows with the Franciscan Friars in 1958, and studied theology in Montreal prior to his ordination to the priesthood. On June 16th, 1962, he was ordained at St. John the Baptist Cathedral in McLennan.

Following his ordination, he completed a graduate degree in philosophy at the University of Ottawa, followed by an education degree at the University of Alberta. He taught science and religion at St. Anthony’s College and Archbishop O’Leary High School in Edmonton for seven years.

In 1972 Kevin spent a sabbatical year at Corpus Christi College, in London, England, where he completed a diploma in Religious Education. It was during this year he met, for the first time, his father’s large Irish family. A deep bond formed and there were numerous visits with his Irish family over the years.

Upon his return, Kevin was appointed Director of Religious Education for Edmonton Catholic Schools (1973-1995), as well as serving as Provincial Minister to the Franciscans of Western Canada (1982-1992). He served as the Guardian in three friaries over the years.

Upon his retirement from Edmonton Catholic Schools, Kevin went back to studies and graduated with a Masters of Theology at Regis College in Toronto, through their “Integration for Ministry” program.

Kevin’s latter years were spent in retreat ministry at St. Michael’s Retreat Centre (Lumsden, SK), from 1996-2007, where he founded and chaired an interchurch board composed of the Anglicans, Evangelical Lutherans and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Regina, which operated the Centre.

From 2007 he served at Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre (Cochrane, AB) in various capacities, including Director of the Centre (2007-2015). In a second retirement he continued to work with the addiction program and remained active with spiritual direction.

Kevin touched many people along his journey. He enriched the lives of his family and friends presiding over many baptisms, weddings and funerals. He was humble, kind, charismatic, approachable, wise and had a special way of bringing people together. He had a gift of making everyone around him, no matter their age or beliefs, feel welcomed and loved embodying the Franciscan mission in his daily life.

Kevin died peacefully, with family at his side, in the Foothills Hospital during the early hours of December 19th. He was 87 years of age.

Kevin was predeceased by his parents and his two brothers, Tom (Annette Laplante) and Michael (Betty Lou O’Rourke). He leaves to mourn his Franciscan brothers, his nieces and nephews – Kevin, Bryan, Larry and Erin Lynch, Nicole Mackenzie and Dawn Marie Crouse and their families, cousins in Saskatchewan, many Irish relatives and treasured friends.

 

Visitation and Prayer Service will take place at Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre chapel (41160 Retreat Road, Cochrane, AB), on Sunday, December 28th, at 7:00 pm.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Monday December 29th at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church (10 River Heights Drive), in Cochrane, AB, followed by a lunch.

Interment will follow after lunch at the Franciscan cemetery at the retreat centre.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre, Box 430, Cochrane, AB, T4C-1A6, in memory of Friar Kevin.

The funeral will be live streamed:

Please pre-register here:

https://my.forever.link/register/mcinnis-holloway/rev-kevin-john-lynch-ofm

What Are We To Do? – Br. Michael

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When Advent days
have slipped away
and the Great Feast
is on the horizon
and there is still
more prayers to pray,
more waiting to do,
more words to ponder,
what are we to do O Lord?

When Advent days
have become chaotic
and there is still a longing
to be patient,
to simply be,
to fast from the indulging,
what are we to do O Lord?

When Advent days
have not been filled with
as much giving from the heart,
depth of prayer,
and generosity of spirit,
what are we to do O Lord?

O Lord, you invite us to remember
in this season
you have been whispering to us
peace and hope,
a deeper joy,
and now your assuring love.

O Lord, you invite us to remember
your light still comes
among it all,
both done and undone,
and increases the light
of our daily living.

Still, what are we to do O Lord?
You invite us, O Lord, to trust
and with the choirs of angels
to raise our voices
with confidence to declare:
O Come, Emmanuel
dwell in our hearts!
And our hearts can whisper:
Rejoice! Rejoice for the time is near!

Photo Credit: Ricky LK

Advent A Time to Hear and See – Br. Michael

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What do you hear and see?

In this Advent Season our senses are often overwhelmed with much goodness. In this goodness what do we hear and see? Do we see the blind receiving site? Do we see the lame walking? Do we see lepers cleansed? Do we hear the deaf speaking? Do we see the dead regaining life? Do we see the poor receiving good news?

It is in our “actions and words” these truths come to light. However, this common phrase of “actions and words” is now stack up with other common phrase “love it” and we lose sight of everyday miracles. Yet the truth is it is in our actions and words which transform and bring hope and joy. Everyday miracles which are the base of common joy.

What have I heard and seen to prove this?

I have seen a heart blinded by hurt seek healing.
I have seen the burden of uncertainty lifted from someone who now is no longer lamed.
I have seen how forgiveness and reconciliation have cleansed the leprosy of my own life.
I have heard the laughter of a brother and the giggle of a child deafness vanished.
I have seen the death of addictions dissolved from lives and new life gained.
I have heard the gratitude of the poor who have received hope and dignity.

Where you may ask?
In individuals, in families, in communities, in neighbours, in parishes, in our country.

As our common humanity continues to be torn apart by hour increasing greed, false fears, and gullible lies how are we being heralds of hope and bearers of joy? What do we hear and see? Do you hear what I hear? Do you see what I see?

Each new day is the chance to live the gospel and see the power of its goodness, hope and joy take root. We are messengers sent. Advent is the start of the living out the gospel for the whole year.

Let us go forth boldly.

This reflection is inspired by: Matthew 11.2-11
Photo Credit: Edi Libedinsky

 

Prepare

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– Br. Michael

A voice cries out:

Prepare!

And we say:

There is another party to attend!

A voice cries out:

Prepare!

And we say:

There are more cookies to bake!

A voice cries out:

Prepare!

And we say:

There is more shopping to do!

A voice cries out:

Prepare!

And we say:

For what?

A voice cries out:

Prepare the way of the Lord.

And we say?

 

 

Let us be brave in this Second Week of Advent

to prepare our hearts matching the preparations

of our homes and celebrations.

 

Come, O Come Emmanuel,

let us not lose sight of you!

 

 

Photo Credit: Markus Spiske

In the Season of Advent

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– Br. Michael

 

In unexpected turns and unnecessary twists,

In darkest nights and dullest moments,

In waiting patiently and struggling to listen,

In longing hearts and wondering minds,

Come, O Come, Emmanuel.

 

In the year ending already,

In the new beginnings,

In the regular of routines,

In the endless invitations,

Come, O Come, Emmanuel.

 

In hopeful journeys,

In painful goodbyes,

In longed-for changes,

In welcoming words,

Come, O Come, Emmanuel.

 

In these few short weeks,

In moments brief,

In the here and now,

In Advent days,

Come, O Come, Emmanuel.

 

 

 

Photo Credit: Waldemar Brandt

Servant of the Gospel – St. Didacus Feast Day

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The first lay brother of the order to canonized, the city of San Diego named after him, miracles accredited to him, today the church remembers St. Didacus of Alcala. We remember him not because of these things but because he was a witness to the gospel and lived his life with a constant desire to serve Christ in all he met.

It is not easy to give witness to the gospel. It is not easy to serve Christ in everyone we meet. We can all share stories about this in our life. We fall short, we let our will take over, we boast about the work done and great feats accomplished, we, like the disciples at the last supper, debate who is the greatest. How easily we lose sight of Jesus among us and the call of the kingdom.

St. Didacus reminds to reorder our perspective. When we begin to count the works, we have done, he reminds us to serve with a humble heart. When we fail to love well, he reminds us to not become trapped by false hopes. As a simple brother he does this because his heart was always focused on Christ. He went about his living with Christ before him. He served the people of God with a heart fixed on Christ. Do we?

I know I struggle to keep my life centered on this core value and essential foundation to being a Franciscan brother. And yet in each Eucharist Christ meets me, meets us and strengthens us. He gives us his heart, his very self and reorientates our vision. May we be brave enough to allow our hearts to be reorientated. May we be brave enough to be humble in all we do. May we be brave enough to know we can begin again each day to give witness to the gospel and serve Christ in all we meet, knowing we have St. Didacus as a brother and Christ with us.

 

St. Didacus, pray for us.

 

 

Art by Francisco de Zurbarán – Own work, Public Domain

Gratitude Is Uniting – Thanksgiving 2025

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A day set aside to give thanks on purpose. On this Thanksgiving I wonder if we have considered how our heart is? Is it full of gratitude? Is it aware of blessings? Is it just considering it to be just another day with the bonus of a bigger meal?

Philemon of Gaza, a monk from the sixth century wrote: “Ingratitude is a serious spiritual malady that affects the heart and soul. Ingratitude is a kind of interior leprosy” (Meditations on Luke’s Gospel). To be truly thankful, means we know all we have comes from God. Taking note of what we are thankful moves us from ingratitude to gratefulness. Gratitude heals the leprosy of our hearts and interior scars and aligns us again with God; being clothed in God’s goodness (Colossians 3.12-17).

As St. John Chrysostom reminds us, “Our acts of thanksgiving add nothing to God’s happiness, but they unite us more closely to God” (Homilies on Saint Matthew). This being closely united to God is at the heart of letter to the Colossians. To take note of being God’s chosen ones, of our holiness, our belovedness and the call to action declares we are rooted in thankfulness. Not as means of pleasing God, rather united with God and God’s actions of love, mercy and goodness.

On this Thanksgiving Day, as we celebrate the harvest and our many blessings may we carry gratitude into the places we are called to carry the gospel. May we have a heart filled with gratitude, not perfection, rather gratitude returning all praise and glory to God. May we live as God’s chosen ones, not boastful and prideful, rather with open hands to receive Christ who poured himself out for us. Let us give thanks to God from the rising of the sun to its setting (Psalm 113) for all our blessings, now and forever. Amen.

– Br. Michael, ofm

Photo Credit: Priscilla Du Preez

 

 

OCTOBER 5 – Pet Blessing

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