Parish News

My dear People of God: friends & parishioners; Our care for the sick and the dying is our top priority as faith community at St. Vital Parish. Every February 11 we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, “Health of the Sick.” It is the day established as “World Day of the Sick. It is the day of prayer for healing. We pray as a faith community to God through the intercession of the Immaculate Mary, mother of our Lord and S aviour, Jesus Christ. We celebrate the Mass. It is

This Lenten season, the St. Vital Catholic Women’s League will once again facilitate the Baby Bottle Campaign, launching the weekend of February 21–22. To participate, please pick up a baby bottle at the back of the church after Mass. Throughout Lent, you are invited to fill the bottle with your spare change and pray the prayer attached to the top. The baby bottle serves as a simple yet powerful reminder that we can support and encourage women and men who choose life over abo

My dear People of God, parishioners & friends; Christmas blessing and prayerful greetings! May the Holy Infant Jesus, the new born King smile upon you and be gracious to you on this most wonderful season of the year. As pilgrims of hope on this ordinary jubilee year, we are assured that we will not stumble in the dark but find our path of hope through HIM. He is “Light from Light” and there is no darkness in him. He will shine forth and usher us to the path of eternal salvat

An article by Deacon Dan Ritchie How many years have passed since our first breath? How many blessings have we received that we did not earn? How many opportunities to love did we seize — and how many did we miss? Today, imagine you see two jars before you: one filled with marbles representing the time that has already slipped through our fingers, the other with the time that may still remain. We do not know how many marbles are left in that second jar — maybe many, maybe ver

The Rosary – A Spiritual Weapon of Peace October is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Rosary, a devotion that draws us into the heart of the Gospel through prayer and meditation. Far more than a simple repetition of words, the Rosary is a powerful spiritual tool, leading us to reflect on the life of Jesus Christ through the eyes of His Blessed Mother, Mary. A Brief History of the Rosary The Rosary has deep roots in Christian history. While early Christians recited the 150 P

A poem by Deacon Dan Ritchie From distant shores where palm trees sway, The Lord once called you on your way, From Philippines to Edmonton’s land, You answered Christ with open hand. At St. Theresa, seeds were sown, In Wetaskiwin, God’s love was shown, Sacred Heart received your care, God’s mercy blooming everywhere. Three parishes in Olds you led, By Word of Life, by prayer you fed, A master strong in Scripture’s flame, You preach with power in Jesus’ name. Yet more than wor

An article by Deacon Dan Ritchie I recently came across a beautiful story about Saint Mother Teresa. While traveling on an airplane, she began praying the Rosary with a companion. Sitting nearby was a Catholic man who, though not in the habit of saying the Rosary, recognized her and instinctively joined in. Something about her quiet witness drew him into prayer. This story struck me—not because it was about a future saint, but because it reminded me that holiness is contagiou

An article by Deacon Dan Ritchie Last Sunday at St. Vital in Beaumont, our parish family took part in a beautiful tradition: a Eucharistic procession around the church grounds. This act, simple yet profound, expresses our deep reverence for the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. As we walked together—praying, singing, and carrying Christ in the monstrance—we witnessed to our faith in His abiding presence among us. Eucharistic processions have deep roots in Catho

An article by Deacon Dan Ritchie There’s a unique burden that comes with wearing the uniform. For those of us in law enforcement, we’re trained to run toward danger, to keep calm when chaos erupts, and to protect others—even at great cost to ourselves. But what we’re rarely trained for is something even harder:  how to forgive. Forgiveness isn’t in the policy manual. It’s not on a use-of-force continuum. It doesn’t show up in tactical scenarios or courtroom debriefs. And yet,

Date of Ordination:  November 21, 2005 Where have you worked and what have you done as a priest since your ordination? I had been working as College Instructor, Head of Guidance Department, & Values Education Department at St. James College in Manila Philippines prior to come to Canada around 2001 to 2003 August 15. August 6, 2005 Transitional Deacon at St. Theresa’s Parish in Millwoods May 2, 2007 Pastor, St Martin Parish in Vegreville, St. Gregory the Great Parish in Holden