In the Spirit of St. Francis of Assisi
The Franciscan Friars and Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre
invite all pets and their owners to the
Annual Blessing of Pets
Sunday, October 6, 2024
Visit the grounds and Retreat Centre 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm.
Blessing Ritual at 3:00 pm.
West side of Retreat Centre near the Statue of Saint Francis.
Pets must be leashed or in a crate.
41160 Retreat Road, Cochrane, AB
403-932-2012 or mtfrancis@shaw.ca
We Remember
It is with profound sadness we inform you of the passing of KAREN WOLD,
one of our Spiritual Directors for our Summer Directed Retreats and a regular Director at The Mount.
Karen passed away suddenly this weekend. There is currently no further information available regarding her funeral.
We ask you to please remember Karen and Karen’s family in your prayers.
May Karen and all the faithful departed rest in the mercy and peace of God.
August 2024
It was 5:43 am on Saturday morning, Aug 10, 2024, the new light of day was beginning to fill more of the sky, and I was out on the grounds in the quiet of the morning. As I moved a few tables into place and posted a few signs, my heart sang, “Bless the Lord my soul.” The day would soon become busy and loud but in these few moments of quiet, alone in creation, my contemplative heart was filled with hope as I moved into action. A few hours later, I was greeting hundreds of people and sharing in a festival day to launch the 75th Anniversary of Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre.
In my opening greeting to launch the day, I quoted Psalm 118, “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad!” This verse echoed through both days of activities and events. As the final guests left on Sunday afternoon this sense of rejoicing and gladness lingered for a community of neighbours, the faithful, retreatants, and the curious had gathered to celebrate sacred space.
To celebrate sacred space over the two days of the 75th Anniversary celebrations meant retreatants connecting, community organizations being supported, music filling the tent and lofting out into the hills, a mix match of people gathering at picnic tables to enjoy food, the sound of laughter filling the air, quiet moments of prayer holding us, and the trails being walked together. Rejoicing and gladness where indeed how sacred space was celebrated.
It was 6:15 am on Sunday morning. The cool air of an August morning surrounded me as I made my way out to the tent to prepare for the Anniversary Mass. I reflected on the day before as this same space was filled with music of all styles, with children running, and elders sharing stories. I thought of the Friars of long ago and wondered if the hopes and promises they carried as they began The Mount had considered this far into the future. I was overcome with joy and peace as again, “Bless the Lord my soul” sang in my heart. A few hours later, I was once again greeting hundreds of guests as they joined us for Mass with Bishop McGrattan.
Michael Vos, Trustee for the Franciscans at The Mount, in his welcome at Mass said, “Like the Friars in 1949, we carry hopes and promises with us. Like every retreatant who steps foot onto this sacred space, we trust our God is meeting us in our journey and filling us with hope, peace, and healing, as we pray together and for each other.”
The six hundred plus people who gathered for the Eucharist did indeed pray for each other, as we sang together and came to the table of the Lord together, with our hopes, promises, and prayers. I recalled how every retreat offered at The Mount is an invitation for renewal, peace, healing, and prayer.
As our diocese enters deeper into the Renewal journey, I couldn’t help but take note of this moment of all of us gathered. It was a renewal moment for The Mount and all those who make time to come on retreat as we step foot into the next 75 years of retreat ministry. We trust God is guiding us, we remember those who built this sanctuary, and we invite everyone to find their way down the grid to 41160 Retreat Road, as a place to be renewed, and to celebrate sacred space.
Written by Br. Michael Perras, OFM. Brother Michael is the Guardian (local leader) of the Franciscans at Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre. He serves as part of the Retreat Team there and is part of the national leadership for the Franciscans of Canada.
Photos: Debbie Boccabella, for The Mount.
This reflection originally appeared in Diocese of Calgary Faithfully Edition for August 19, 2024.
August 2024
Dear Friends of Mount St. Francis,
The 75th Anniversary is just days away! We are very excited and want to share some news with you about the big event!
Did You Know? Mount St. Francis came to be on March 10, 1949, when the land was acquired. The first Friars to settle at The Mount were Fr. Alphonse Claude-Laboissiere Fr. Timothy Gilker, Fr. Alban Hague, Br. Herman Specke, Br. Cyril Morvan and Br. Stanley Benson. Join us August 10 from 10 am to 4 pm to meet the current Friars who call The Mount home.
Did You Know? In March 1950 Reverend Mother Florianne Provincial of the Sisters of St. Elizabeth came to work at Mount St. Francis. In April 1950 approval was given to the Sisters to set up a convent at Mount St. Francis. In June 1950, three sisters came: Sister Immaculate, Sister Scholastica and Sister Martina. They served the retreat ministry as the cooks and housekeepers. Join us August 10 to see a glimpse into the past with a mini documentary produced by Vek Labs and a digital exhibition telling the story of the past 75 years.
Did You Know? Between March of 1949 and August of 1949 Lodge 1 and the Conference Room were built with the first retreats held in August 1949. The first retreat was for the clergy of the diocese and the second was a men’s retreat. A teenager by the name Louis Geelan attended this retreat with his father. He would later go onto to become a Friar. Join us on August 10 to walk the trails Friar Louis walked and see the majestic Rockies from his viewpoint by taking part in a trail walk or a prayer walk at various times on Saturday or on Sunday, August 11 at 9 am.
Did You Know? The Feast of St. Clare of Assisi is celebrated on August 11. Join us on Sunday, August 11 for Mass at 11 am with Bishop McGrattan and Provincial Friar Pierre Charland. BBQ Lunch prepared by the Cochrane Lions Club and MacKay’s Ice Cream to follow!
Did You Know? On August 10 at 10:25 am under the big tent we will have the Official Welcome and Kick Off for the Festival! We have a line up of local performers including Cochrane Sings – a local community choir with heart and soul, three local piano students showcasing their amazing talent, and Lethbridge singer-song writer dynamic duo Mark and Jordan. Not to mention classical artist Kelan Lynch an up-and-coming talent, Adorare Choir from Calgary and our very own archivist Jia Jia on harp and the powerful voice of Friar Aldin! You won’t want to miss this!
Did You Know? We have secured three of the best Food Trucks around for you to purchase a great lunch as you enjoy the entertainment and activities! Wannawafle, El Nopal Tacos and Miss Poutine will be ready to serve you up some great food! Not to mention Lemonade with CAHS puppies, special Anniversary edition MacKay’s Ice Cream and Popcorn and Cotton Candy for purchase! So much to enjoy!
Did You Know? We will have several vendors on site selling everything from books to icons, to providing information about St. Mary’s University – Calgary’s Catholic University and information on Franciscan Vocations. There will also be Anniversary Merchandise for sale. The day includes activities for all ages and a traditional tipi. Our partners at Bike Cochrane will be onsite with a Bike Valet so bike to The Mount and know your bike will be in good hands!
Did You Know? We want you to join us and be a part of this historic event! We also want to be ready to celebrate with you. To help us do this stop by our website and register! Just a reminder there will be a water station site, so bring a water bottle! We would appreciate if you left your pets at home.
Come Celebrate Sacred Space at The Mount on Saturday, August 10 and Sunday, August 11. All are welcome in the name of Christ!
Peace and all good,
The Friars, Staff and Anniversary Committee
– Br. Michael
Jesus called the twelve and began to send them out two by two…. the twelve went out….
– Mark 6.7-13
Sent
we are each sent forth
not just the disciples of long ago.
We are sent forth as the body of Christ
supporting all its members.
Sent
as light to the world,
heralds of hope and good news.
We are sent forth as disciples of this time
giving testimony to Christ at work in our lives.
Sent
we the many and the one
in unique ways we go forth
into the many roads of life.
The sending forth of the disciples calls to mind the many roads which open before us in summer. Maybe it is to go visit family, or to go camping, maybe it is to a new community or new work, or maybe it is for a wedding, anniversary or maybe it is on retreat or on a pilgrimage. The sending forth of the disciples also invites us to pay attention to who we journey with and who journeys with us for both short trips and the long haul.
The disciples did not necessarily know where they were going but still them went forth sent by Jesus. Our travel plans this summer might be a bit different as they are set with more specifics but still we are sent. Just because we may have determined the travel agenda doesn’t mean we should not be open to unexpected stops, new discoveries and encountering God with us in the journey and destination. No matter where we travel we are still sent as messengers of the good news – called to give witness to the love of Christ alive. The way we greet fellow travelers, those at our final destination, the family, those at the wedding or those on retreat or pilgrimage calls us to be witness of our baptismal call – we are light of the world and salt of the earth.
Jesus calls us and Jesus sends us. Let us be attentive to the call and to where we are sent this summer for we will encounter Christ in a fresh way.
Why not consider the call to pilgrimage or retreat this summer? There are lots of options no matter where one is on the journey. Not looking for structure? Jump in the car and go for a drive attentive to what surrounds you and what you notice at the stops; begin and end the trip in prayer. Looking for something which is a combination of being called-sent which also incorporates history and fun – join us at Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre as we celebrate 75 Years on August 10 and 11.
75th Anniversary – Mount St. Francis Retreat (mountstfrancis.ca)
Blessings on the journey.
Photo Credit: Claude Laprise
Br. Michael ofm
Br. Michael ofm
As we draw into the season of summer, where are you at? How is your heart? What are you leaning into or away from? Who is accompanying you?
Summer means different things to each one of us. For some it is a time extended rest, for others it is the busiest time of the year, for others it is a time for moving and new beginnings. Although we enjoy longer days and usually more pleasant weather, summer is a regular cycle of life, however I believe it offers a gift as well. The gift is to ask the questions and to then to dwell in them. To take a moment in the quiet of a summer morning or during a thunderstorm or while working in the garden to ask the questions and to listen for how God is weaving the answer into our life. When we listen, we should be drawn into hearing deeply and noticing the movements of our heart.
Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.
They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream.
It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green;
in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit.
– Jeremiah 17.7-8
Where are you at?
This is an invitation to not only look at where we are at physically, but to note where we are in our relationship with God. Over the course of the first half of this year where have we met God and where has God met us? We need to know where we are so we can appreciate this place and where we have come from or to seek where need to go next both in our living and in our spiritual life. No matter where we are at this summer, let us put some markers on the road map of life which truly matter.
Spend a bit more time reading and contemplating scripture.
Notice the message of creation wherever the roads lead this summer.
A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you;
and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
– Ezekiel 36.26
How is your heart?
Our heart takes a lot of hits. It deals with a lot each day and tries to adjust to heartache and deep joys. To ask how the heart is, is to purposefully pause and pay attention. To hear how our heart is speaking truth into our lives is a needed part of a good journey. Does our heart need to be revived this summer? Allow the sacred space for this nourishment to happen, even if it is only briefly.
Spend time visiting and praying at a pilgrimage site.
Pause with your hands over your heart and breathe in life around you.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever.
– Hebrews 13.8
What are you leaning into or away from?
We all have habits and patterns which shape our living. Sometimes they lead us to life, at other times they need to be re-evaluated. Needing to lean into change is not always easy but leads to new life. Leaning into regular routines can allow us to appreciate the work which is ours to do. Leaning away from destructive patterns or empty relationships invites us to make space for what is truly important. What steps do you need to make in either direction?
Go for a drive down a road less traveled, take time to pause on the drive.
Create a gratitude list.
Jesus said, “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
– Matthew 28.20
Who is accompanying you?
When we stop and consider our life, it is amazing how many people we encounter and share the journey with. Do those who support us and create space for us know we value them? Summer is a good opportunity to connect with these people and celebrate the bonds of life. We never journey alone; our God ensured this truth would be woven into our living with the gift of Jesus.
Gather loved ones around a campfire.
Send a text/card or make a phone call to someone you need to connect with.
No matter how our summer unfolds. It comes with invitations. Let us take the time to respond to these invitations among the ones for a barbeque, a pool visit, a road trip or an ice cream.
God,
You who journey with us
in all the seasons of our life,
we ask your blessings upon this summer,
wherever we go or wherever we stay
may we know you are with us.
You sent your Son,
the true light of the world,
may the gift of summer light
awaken in us the gift of his light in our life.
You gift us with your Holy Spirit,
may we respond to the Spirit’s promptings
as we ask questions, as we pause,
as come and go, as we do and be,
while we give thanks for this summer.
Amen.
Photo Credit:
David Trinks
Aaron Burden
Br. Michael ofm
Pentecost is not just a great festival which marks the birth of the Christian Church it also calls the followers of Christ to action. The most common image for Pentecost is the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples and Mary as recorded in Acts (2.1-11). However, the Gospel of John (20.19-23) also has a beautiful Pentecost moment, which speaks to what we are to do as followers of the Risen Christ.
Yes, the Acts version has people gathered and the gift of languages being shared as the message of Jesus is broadcast. It is powerful and speaks to the diversity of the church. The Johannine version is more intimate and speaks to the gift of the Holy Spirit at work in each one of us. In John’s account the movement of Pentecost begins with Jesus greeting his disciples on the day of Resurrection. He then offers them peace, they are reminded they are sent and finally Jesus breathes on them to receive the Holy Spirit and the call to forgiveness.
I find the intimacy of John’s account a beautiful invitation for all of us who profess to be Christian. The intimacy of the moment capture is a reminder of how intimate our relationship with God is, for Christ dwelled among us and gifted us his very Spirit. This is the intimacy of “there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life” (John 15.13). In doing so Jesus released his Spirit to be infused into our living, moving and being (Acts 17.28). The closeness of our Risen Saviour is as a close as our breath.
The gift of peace Jesus promised his disciples gathered on the evening of the Resurrection, is beyond the peace of our world. It is not even the peace our world tries to fight for each day. The gift of the peace of Christ is the gift of our hearts being attuned to him, of surrendering our demands and false selves knowing we are met with the depth of love poured out. “By his wounds we are healed” (1 Peter 2.24) and this healing comes with hearts which settle into peace when they are met with the wounds of the Risen Lord. Only the risen life which comes with these wounds can bring us true peace.
This peace meets us in what is ours to do, which is to be sent. Notice how Jesus doesn’t tell the disciples to sit around and wait for more instructions, he tells them to go. He reminds them they are sent in his name because he was sent by God. It is in this sending which leads to the great festival of Pentecost where the disciples proclaim the good news, worship God and are a holy place for the Spirit to fall. This too is the truth of our life. We each are a vessel of the Holy Spirit, and we too hold the intimacy of our God in our hearts for we are sent to give witness to how this has transformed our life.
In the upper room on Resurrection Day, Jesus breathes on those gathered, he continues to pour himself out to those whom he loved and empowers them to be forgivers. To forgive means we have made space for the other, it means we have been met with peace, it means we are open to the working of the Holy Spirit. Our hearts and homes are the places where we are filled with Holy Spirit and enkindled with the fire of the love of God, they are where forgiveness takes root.
The Spirit of Jesus breathes through all of creation and each one of us, may we continue to trust we are met with this gift not only at Pentecost but also in each season of the journey ahead. Let us go forth as the “baptized into one body” (1 Corinthians 12.12-13) being signs of renewal in our world. Come Holy Spirit!
Photo Credit: Robert Collins
Just in time for Mental Health Week (May 6-12, 2024), Mount St Francis Retreat Centre is excited to announce the opening of their Brother Sun and Sister Moon walking and biking trails. Taking advantage of 2400 hours of sunshine a year, and placed on Cochrane’s iconic Big Hill, the two new trails are ideally located for reflection and contemplation, along with enjoyment of the natural landscape.
Funding support from Cochrane Home Treasures Community Grant program has allowed for an upgraded welcome area, along with user signage and maps, contemplation benches and interpretive panels installed later this year. These panels will be focused on positive mental and spiritual health, the benefits of being active, and brain development. “With our mission being one of peace, healing, and prayer, we believe a natural space to encourage thoughtful reflection will be useful not just for our retreatants, but also for the entire community who will benefit from this project. Placing thoughtful interpretive panels along with benches at which to rest and meditate will make these new trails even better”, said Brother Michael Perras, OFM – Guardian of Mount St Francis Retreat Centre.
Through a formal Trail Stewardship Agreement established in 2022, Bike Cochrane has been volunteering hundreds of hours in building, upgrading and maintaining the new 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 graciously 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). One area of their ministry is Serenity Retreats which focus on the spiritual principles and practices of the 12 Step program in addictions recovery. The Friars have had a long-standing outreach to the 12 Step communities, and publicly opening their trails to celebrate mental health week seems fitting.
The new 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.
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.
If your group is interested in booking a retreat, please contact Mount St Francis Retreat Centre at 403.932.2012 and 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/.
Fr. Bob’s Spiritual Journey
Through the Holy Land
To view this 42- episode series
please visit
saintpeters.ca
Created by Paul and Elaine Knudson
Br. Michael Perras, ofm
St. Francis of Assisi in his “Praises of God” prayed, “You are our hope, You are our faith, You are our charity, You are all our sweetness, You are our eternal life.” These beautiful lines of prayer speak to the depths of this Easter Season. St. Francis trusted in new life and knew God was the source of this new life. It is why as his life was ending, he was able to prayer, “Praise to you my God for Sister Death.” He trusted in the promise of the Resurrection. He was able to surrender into “My God and My All” who was his hope, faith, charity, sweetness and eternal life. This is the anchor of Easter, our Savior Jesus died entrusting his all into God and God raised him from the dead so we may know the fullness of eternal life. St. Francis trusted in this promise. Do we? As we face the challenges of life, the setbacks, the little deaths, the brokenness and the letting go, do we trust our Risen Lord is with us as our hope, faith, love and life?
Mary Magdalene had to, so did Thomas, John, Peter and the Emmaus disciples. In the Easter weeks ahead, we will hear of the early church community which formed after the Resurrection. They too needed to trust the Risen Lord was present with them in the stories they shared and in the blessing and breaking of bread. The first believers are encouragement for us today. The chaos of their world is still the chaos we see in our world; we must be attentive to the Risen Lord in our midst in the simplest of ways.
As the Easter weeks unfold, we hear Jesus described as the Good Shepherd, and the True Vine. Images we can appreciate during this springtime. Images which remind us to pay attention to how the Risen Jesus is woven into the ordinary of our lives. The Risen Lord guides us as his flock. He desires nothing more than for us be a community gathered around the gift of his Risen Life. We are also to grow and produce fruit which shows the world we believe what we profess in our baptismal promises which we have just renewed.
Later in the Easter Season we will be reminded of how Jesus showed us God’s love and how he has asked us to show this love for one another. Christ chose us and if he chose us then the way we show who he is and his love in our lives matters. How in this Easter Season can we be concrete expressions of his love? How can we offer the hope of Easter to someone? In what ways can we encourage new life in our relationships and community?
Weeks from now at the end of the Easter Season, we will hear the beautiful promise of Jesus being with us until the end of the ages and the gift of his Spirit to us. The gift of his Spirit activates in us praise and entrusts us as heralds of his hope, faith, charity, sweetness and new life. Let us be these heralds this Easter Season!
Alleluia! Christ is Risen! Easter Peace!
This will be the last post for a several weeks as I take time to work on some new projects and rest.
Thank you for journeying with me through Lent and into Easter. God bless you.
Photo credit: Suzanne D. Williams
