1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

APRIL 2015
THRESHOLDS
ST. GIANNA BERETTA MOLLA ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
Easter
Becoming More Perfectly
the Mystical Body of Christ
PASTORAL TEAM
Reverend Darrin J. G. Gurr
Pastor
Deacon Colin Peterson
Pastoral Intern
CONTENTS
3
FROM THE PASTOR
by Rev. Fr. Darrin J. G. Gurr
4
OUR NEWEST MEMBERS
CALLED FORTH TO BE PART OF SOMETHING GREAT
Monique Gauthier
Pastoral Life Coordinator
& Director of Living Waters
Columbarium
Rachel Suarez-Banmann
Faith Formation Coordinator
by Monique Gauthier
5
GROWING IN OUR DISCIPLESHIP
NURTURING THE GIFT OF “TIME” AS A COMMUNITY
by Various Authors
10
INAUGURATION OF THE SHRINE OF ST. GIANNA
SUNDAY, MAY 10TH, 2015 AT 7:00 P.M.
Lori Emond
Liturgical Life Coordinator
11
KNOWING OUR PATRONESS
THE GIANNA OF “HISTORY” AND “MYSTERY”
16
Amber Wsiaki
Youth Ministry Coordinator
by Monique Gauthier
by Various Authors
LITURGY AT HOME
A SYMBOL OF EASTER
by Rachel Suarez-Banmann
John Eisma
Director of Sacred Music
From the Editor
Ernest Lacuna
Administrative Coordinator
Heather Powney
Business Manager
Renewed and restored through the practice of our Lenten
observances, we enter the great joy of the Easter season! All on
which we have focused and all that we have rehearsed in the
forty days of Lent now comes to fruition as it is now integrated
into our ongoing discipleship journey. We move forward with a
confidence made possible in knowing the love of the Risen Jesus!
Monique Gauthier
Pastoral Life Coordinator
Larry Rehaluk
Data Management & Processing
Cindy Warren
Administrative Assistant
& Data Management
VOLUME II, ISSUE V. APRIL 2015
ST. GIANNA BERETTA MOLLA ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH © 2015
Front Cover: An infant Baptism this past January at St. Gianna’s Church, Winnipeg.
St. Gianna Beretta Molla Roman Catholic Church
FROM THE PASTOR
Dear Friends,
90 days of Transformation and Change!
The joy-filled celebration of Easter is the crowning moment
that fulfills our Lenten observances. Throughout the 40 days of
Lent, the renewal offered in the fundamental disciplines of
praying, fasting and almsgiving, ensures that our Christian
discipleship is strengthened as individuals, but moreover as one
community - the Church. As such, the refinement of our
discipleship through profound transformation in the Risen Life
of Jesus results in Christ’s ongoing mission to transform the
world.
Pressing on, therefore, in the 50 days of Easter, our journey will
culminate with the great feast of Pentecost. The Pentecost
event, by which the Spirit of the Risen Jesus is released upon the
world, strengthens and confirms the good works we initiated on
Ash Wednesday. In this event, the same life-giving Spirit given
to Adam and Eve breathes new life to the whole church once
again. We become a new creation, becoming more perfectly the
Mystical Body of Christ.
May the 40 days of our Lenten journey and the 50 days of
Easter be for us the 90 days fundamental to the process of true
change and transformation - that is, living the paschal mystery.
May we embrace these days together, continually awakening to
the joy and honour of “being a part of something great”!
In Christ,
Rev. Fr. Darrin J. G. Gurr
“To transform the world by choosing unconditional love and sacrifice”
COMMUNITY BUILDING
Our Newest Members
- called forth to be part of something great!
It is with great joy that we
welcome new families into our
parish membership each week.
Brought together in this
particular place at this particular
time, our newest members join us
in discovering the vocation to
which we are called as a
community of disciples. As our
mission unfolds we know the
great joy of what it means to be a
part of something Great!
New Members in February
and March:
Michaela Vincent, Zsolt Zrinyi
and Ildiko Zrinyi-Bakai, Carlo
and Ruby Salvador, Camille and
Marlene Roy, Pompei and Marie
Ann Gamallo, Ken and Belinda
Parson, and Renée Smart.
Ken Lowe & Maureen Penner,
Christopher Kowalski, Brian and
Pat Creary, Irene Stevens, and
Alexandra and Hans Hasenack.
by Monique Gauthier
Pastoral Life Coordinator
Top row: Roy family, Banday family.
Bottom row: Salvador family
Still “Visiting”?
We are grateful for the many visitors celebrating liturgy with us each week! We hope that over time
those visiting us on a regular basis will feel called to full membership in our parish. Membership
enables us all to get to know one another and share in the great joy of our growing community.
Registration forms are available in the narthex every week, and the registration form can also be
completed on line by visiting our parish website: www.stgianna.ca
4 April 2015
MINISTRY
Growing in Our Discipleship
- nurturing the gift of “Time” as a community
During the 40 days of Lent, we were
invited to revisit our commitment to the
gift of time - particularly our time spent
with God - by participating in one or
several Lenten communal practices.
Approximately 200 parishioners
responded to this invitation by
participating in weekday liturgies, the
Stations of the Cross, our Lenten book
study and the faith sharing group. As
we now enter into the great joy of the
Easter season, several parishioners
share the fruit of their Lenten
experience.
Lenten Opportunity: Stations of the Cross at St. Gianna’s Church.
Testimonials:
have stood up for someone or
something? Have I given
unselfishly to help others?
Specifically I would reflect on the
Ten Commandments and the
Beatitudes. How far off the path
am I? Once I have figured out
where I am out of balance, I
reinstate my commitment and
I adopted three R's of my own
make a conscious effort to do
for Lent: Remember, Reflect, and
better to get on the path that
Reinstate. As I went through the
Jesus has planned for me.
stations I remembered Jesus'
journey to crucifixion and what
The last few months have been
he asked of us in order to
busy and stressful, both at work
continue his mission. I reflected
and at home.
on how I have managed my own
I found myself
struggles and the struggles of
looking forward
others around me. Have I been
to my hour on
strong? Have I given up? Have I
Fridays to
made excuses? Have I gone
restore my
against the grain when I should
strength.
I was drawn to the stations of the
cross as a Lenten commitment
because I had never formally
experienced this. I knew the
stations were a very important
part of the Catholic faith, so I
really wanted to understand what
this was all about.
Remembering Jesus' sufferings
and ultimate sacrifice helped me
to focus on what was really
important. I was able to regroup
and start my weekend with a
renewed strength and
commitment to myself, my
family, and others.
This was a great experience to
share with members of the
parish. I was able to get to know
other members in small groups.
I was especially happy when my
daughter asked if she could come
and we spent this time
together. Times like this will
bring our parish closer together
which will in turn foster a
cohesive community to fulfill our
mission.
by Tamara Cipriano
MINISTRY
I participated in the Stations of
the Cross prayed on Friday
evenings during Lent. I felt this
experience would help me
remember that the Cross is a sure
sign of my salvation, and that
God loved us so much he gave his
only Son to die for us. The Cross
of Christ is the source of all our
blessings and therefore has given
me courage and hope, especially
in times of difficulty throughout
this past year. Through this
Lenten journey and in particular
through the Stations of the
Cross, we must commit to
surrender to the will of God and
become more like Jesus to
encourage
other believers
and spread the
message of his
love to the
world.
by Liz Kiazyk
This Lenten season, my wife and
I seized the opportunity to
participate in a book study that
reflected on Jesus’ nonviolent
journey to Jerusalem and the
impact of such modern day
issues as war, poverty, corporate
greed, racism, sexism, nuclear
weapons, and catastrophic
climate change. Just as Jesus
embarked on a deliberate
campaign of nonviolence to
Jerusalem, we too are called to
live in calm, loving, peaceful and
faithful ways. We have learned
6 April 2015
My family and I committed
ourselves to participate in the
weekday liturgies during Lent.
We have been participating in
both the Tuesday evening and
Wednesday morning liturgies.
My husband and I, together with
our three children - Adrian,
Ticon and Hans, are embracing
this great opportunity to nourish
our spiritual life, allowing
that we must first become
ourselves to repent,
nonviolent toward ourselves and
commemorate Christ’s passion
toward others closest to us before
and bring ourselves closer to
we can become part of the global
God. We value and give
movement of nonviolence. We
importance to each reading,
can all be advocates for world
Gospel and homily we hear
peace by attending to the poor,
during these liturgies. We feel
the marginalized, the sick, the
inner peace and joy with the
elderly, the imprisoned, and the
presence of Christ before we
enemy. Participating in this book
begin our daily routine of work
study provided us with another
and school.
opportunity to share our faith in
Some of the parents we meet in
a comfortable setting and to
the church have mentioned to us
become acquainted with other
that we are fortunate that we can
members of the parish of St.
still bring our teenagers (my first
Gianna. We are very grateful.
two sons ages 16 and 14
by Larry Gagné and Lee Hopper
Lenten Opportunity: Lenten Book Study at St. Gianna’s Church.
MINISTRY
reading, and it's these unique
views that have helped me to
understand the Gospel in ways I
would never have considered
before.
respectively) with us, as
sometimes teenagers are
reluctant about this. In our case,
our children are not only
enjoying strolling around the
park or mall with us, but they
also join us in the church without
complaint or resistance. They
strongly believe the Catholic
values we have been teaching
them.
Our stewardship of time and
participation in this Lenten
opportunity is not to earn gifts or
God’s favor, but to reflect on our
sinful actions and to focus on
repenting our wrongdoings. Most
importantly, we need to
surrender ourselves to the will of
God. This is an aspect of
preparing ourselves for Christ’s
Resurrection. God’s love for us is
always great. We praise God and
we are always grateful to Him for
allowing His son Jesus Christ to
sacrifice and to die for us.
by Maria Dano
When the Lenten season
commitment card was given to
us, I was very excited about all
the opportunities made available
within our parish to nurture the
gift of ‘time‘ with God. As a
"new" Catholic, I am always
eager to learn and grow in my
faith. With the faith sharing
group I was hoping to have indepth discussions and hear many
different points of view. Also, I
hoped to meet new people and
get to know everyone better.
This group has been amazing.
I look forward
to this gathering
every Monday
and eagerly
anticipate
where our
discussions will
take us. We share how the past
Sunday's Gospel reading applies
to many aspects of our lives. Everyone hears a slightly
different message from the
In order to prepare myself, I look
up next Sunday’s Gospel
Reading at the beginning of the
week. I read it over every day
and reflect on the meaning
throughout the week. Then
during Sunday’s liturgy, I feel
prepared and focused during the
reading and I look forward to the
homily that follows.
I have learned and grown so
much in my discipleship journey
from this group!
by Kim McAuley
Sharing prayer and community
in our Lenten Book Study has
been quite powerful. The book
we have read, Walking the Way,
is about following the nonviolent
Jesus through the Holy Season of
Lent. Our conversations around
this book are enlightening and
down to earth about our own
challenges on a daily basis of
being Christ-like. From discussing
violence in hockey, how to be a
true Christian with challenging
people at work and how we can
make a peaceful difference
collectively in this violent world
in which we live, our time
together has been quite
enlightening.
“To transform the world by choosing unconditional love and sacrifice”
MINISTRY
On a more personal note, at 7pm
most of us are winding down
from our busy day and
sometimes it is challenging to go
out of our ‘comfort zone’, but
once I arrive in the book study
room and begin sharing with
others whom
I’ve seen at
liturgy but never
knew, I realize
we are all in this
together!
by Rebecca Skinner
This Lenten season Michael and
I decided to become more
reflective of our faith and
discipleship instead of looking for
something in our lives to change
or go without. We decided to try
participating in the Wednesday
morning liturgy and the Friday
evening Stations of the Cross. We
did not expect the difference this
decision was to about to make in
our journey. While we are very
busy people, we decided we could
only excuse ourselves from this
commitment if we were unable
to attend due to work travel or a
special family event. Being at
mass on Wednesday made us feel
more connected spiritually
because we were there more by
choice than by obligation. It also
seemed to give more reason to
our day by being more thankful
before the day began rather than
just after it ended.
The Friday Stations of the Cross
experience had a twofold
difference in that we felt the
journey both individually and in
community. It was enlightening
to be reflective in thought within
a small group doing the same
and to be among many other
small groups making the journey
around the stations
simultaneously, either ahead of
us or after us. Even though we
were in different groups we felt
the same experience as the rest of
the community.
We are grateful to have made this
decision and to have had the
opportunity of these new Lenten
experiences. We are now finding
ourselves talking about ways to
continue in this new way of
experiencing our faith.
by Marisa Van Walleghem
I wanted to participate in the
faith sharing group to prepare
myself spiritually for Easter. I
was interested in this “in house”
faith sharing as another way of
reaching out to our brothers and
sisters in Christ outside our
church walls. I find being in a
home setting much more
personal and intimate for group
sharing.
Lenten Opportunity: Faith Sharing Group at the homes of participants.
8 April 2015
I enjoy hearing everyone’s
personal faith journey. Each
week, I have implemented some
MINISTRY
of our discussion into my daily life. I have also learned that we are all on the same
journey of faith and striving to become closer to God through the help of our church
community.
by Carol Lorteau
Our Lenten observances have served as an invitation to “displace” ourselves from our comfort zones to
explore and nurture community. By opening our hearts and sharing our vulnerability with those around
us, we grow together towards forming a true community of disciples, shaped and fashioned to usher in the reign of God.
by Monique Gauthier
Pastoral Life Coordinator
THRESHOLDS
Our First Nuptial Celebration!
- Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 2:30 p.m.
Chris Zegalski and Tammy Isfeld will be married at St. Gianna’s
Church on Saturday, April 18th at 2:30 p.m. As the wedding
liturgy is a celebration within the life of our faith community,
parishioners are welcome to participate and share in the joy of this
wonderful “threshold”.
COMPASSION & CARE
Living Waters Columbarium
- reclaiming the dignity of death
St. Gianna Beretta Molla is a “heroic witness of the intangible
dignity of every human existence, from the moment of conception
up to natural decline.” It is through this charism of respecting the
dignity of life in all its stages that Living Waters Columbarium is an
integral part of our parish ministry and mission. It is one of the
vehicles through which we continue to build community and develop
our ministry of compassion and care. It supports our understanding
and appreciation of death as another great threshold to be
celebrated within the beauty of our baptismal journey. How
fortunate we are to care for our brothers and sisters from ‘womb to
tomb’ in the example of our patroness, St. Gianna Beretta Molla! Living Waters Columbarium is truly a
place of hope, healing and life.
“To transform the world by choosing unconditional love and sacrifice”
SHRINE OF SAINT GIANNA
Inauguration of the Shrine of St. Gianna
- Sunday, May 10th, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.
On Sunday, May 10th at 7:00 p.m., the Shrine of St. Gianna Beretta Molla will be blessed
and inaugurated by Archbishop Gagnon at St. Gianna Beretta Molla Church. This will
be the first shrine in Canada dedicated to St. Gianna. As we approach this special
celebration, we explore the nature of the shrine and the meaning it will hold for all
those who visit and pray in it.
A shrine is a sacred space set
aside for religious contemplation
or commemoration. Shrines
typically contain sacred objects,
such as relics, icons, or other
objects of religious importance.
The Shrine of St. Gianna will
house a bronze statue of our
patron saint, along with a first
class relic - a few strands of Saint
Gianna’s hair - for veneration.
The shrine will make visible the
wonderful example of Gianna as
an exemplary witness to the
Gospel. While the final decision
to sacrifice her life for the sake of
her unborn child resonates as her
most heroic act, Gianna’s
holiness and ability to make such
a choice are the fruit of her daily
perseverance in her discipleship
journey - her faithfulness to
everyday activities, and her
dedication to her husband,
children and her vocation as a
10 April 2015
The Shrine of Saint Gianna at St. Gianna Beretta Molla Church.
physician. As the first canonized
seeking the intercession of
laywoman and physician, we find Gianna in their daily struggles.
in Gianna a witness to the many
by Monique Gauthier
challenges we encounter in our
Pastoral Life Coordinator
everyday lives as we try to live the
Gospel.
The shrine will serve as a place of
prayer and healing for all those
SHRINE OF SAINT GIANNA
Knowing Our Patroness
- the Gianna of “history and “mystery”
As we prepare for the dedication of the Chapel of St. Gianna on May 10th, 2015, the members of our
Parish Pastoral Council are sharing information about our patroness - her life, her charisms, the miracles
attributed to her, and her canonization, so that all may know and encounter both the Gianna of history
and the Gianna of mystery. Parishioners are invited to visit the chapel to learn more about our patroness.
Her Heroic Decision
During Gianna's pregnancy with
her fourth child, she made the
decision to save her child's life, at
all costs. This decision ultimately
led to her death.
In the second month of her fourth
pregnancy, Gianna was
diagnosed with a large tumor in
her uterus.
Gianna's tumor (a fibroid),
though benign, was large and
painful. It threatened the
development of the baby and
even threatened the continuation
of the pregnancy. Gianna began
having bleeding, so a decision
regarding surgery was urgent.
Gianna and Pietro with Pierluigi, Mariolina and Laura.
terminate the pregnancy. This
was her next safest option.
3) Remove the fibroid and risk
the continuation of the
1) Remove the fibroid by also
pregnancy. This was the only
removing her uterus
option to save her unborn
(hysterectomy). This would
child, but the risk of
cause the death of her 2 month
pregnancy-related
old fetus and make her unable
complications was very high.
to have future pregnancies.
Against standard medical advice,
This was the typical therapy
Gianna chose the third option.
offered in that day for this
She had her surgery on
type of problem.
September 6, 1961. She
Gianna had three options:
2) Remove the fibroid and
recovered well and her
pregnancy continued.
At the end of her pregnancy,
labor could not be induced, so
her baby had to be delivered by
Caesarian section. A healthy
baby girl, Gianna Emanuela, was
born on April 21st, 1962.
Very soon after the delivery,
Gianna began having increasing
abdominal pain and fever. She
was diagnosed with septic
peritonitis (an infection of the
lining of her abdomen). She
received all the then-known
“To transform the world by choosing unconditional love and sacrifice”
SHRINE OF SAINT GIANNA
treatments – antibiotics,
transfusions. The infection was
likely a complication of the
caesarian section surgery.
Despite their efforts, Gianna
could not be saved.
Gianna never considered the
possibility of aborting her
pregnancy. She also repeatedly
made it clear that if only one life
could be saved, it should be the
baby's life.
Gianna died on April 28th, 1962,
seven days after the birth of her
child.
The heroic part of what Gianna
did was to choose life for her
child under difficult and
uncertain circumstances, no
matter what the consequences to
herself.
by Lorraine Kerr
Parish Pastoral Council
The Making of A Saint
Canonization is the process the Church uses to name a saint.
In the early years of the church, saints were chosen by public
acclaim. Though this was a more democratic way to recognize
saints, some saints' stories were distorted by legend and some
never existed. Gradually, the bishops and finally the Vatican
took over authority for approving saints.
The process begins after the death of a Catholic whom people
regard as holy. The local bishop investigates the candidate's
life and writings for heroic virtue.
April 28, 1962: Gianna Beretta Molla dies.
Canonization 2004 at St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City.
November 6, 1972: Cardinal Giovanni Colombo, Archbishop of Milan, promotes the cause for
beatification of Gianna Beretta Molla.
April 28, 1980: By the decree of Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini, Archbishop of Milan, the cause
for beatification of the servant of God Gianna Beretta Molla is officially introduced.
Then a panel of theologians at the Vatican evaluates the candidate. After approval by the panel and
cardinals of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, the pope proclaims the candidate "venerable."
June 30, 1980 – January 5, 1984: The investigation of Gianna Beretta Molla in Milan &
Bergamo, Italy includes over 170 sessions with more than 60 witnesses, including priests, religious
women, medical professionals, and her family.
April 11 – November 14, 1986: The Congregation for the Causes of Saints reviews the four
volume, 2,570 page investigation results and issues the Decree of Validity for Gianna Beretta Molla.
July 6, 1991: The Congregation for the Causes of Saints confirmed and Pope John Paul II decreed
that the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Gianna Beretta Molla be recognized. Gianna Beretta
Molla now receives the title of “Venerable”.
by Paulo Amenta & Roland Lampertz
Parish Pastoral Council
SHRINE OF SAINT GIANNA
Canonization Process
Death
Holy
Venerable
Beati0ication
Canonization
Canonization of Saint Gianna
April 28,
1962
April 28,
1980
July 6,
1991
• Cardinal Colombo promotes the cause
• Investigation
• Gianna declared Holy
• Gianna Declared Venerable
April 24,
1994
• First Miracle
May 16,
2004
• Second Miracle
• Decree of Validity • Miracle ConHirmed • Miracle ConHirmed
• Gianna Beati4ied
• Gianna Canonized
The Miracles of Saint Gianna
Two miracles have officially been
attributed to the intercession of
Gianna Beretta Molla, and both
miracles took place in Brazil. Fr.
Alberto, one of St. Gianna’s
brothers, and also a physician,
was a Capuchin missionary in
Brazil. He cared for the needy
and regularly wrote to his sister
about the work in the mission.
She had a strong desire to join
him. After completing her
studies and contemplating going
to Brazil, her spiritual director
raised concerns around her
health and the gruelling life of
missionary work. He counselled
against the idea, as did the
Bishop of Bergamo. Gianna
accepted that God had other
Gianna, her husband Pietro and Pierluigi.
plans for her and began her
medical practice in Italy.
Beatification Miracle
On October 22, 1977, Lucia
Sylvia Cirilo, a 27 year old
Brazilian Protestant woman, gave
birth to her 4th child, a still born
baby, via caesarian section.She
was discharged from the hospital
9 days later in good health, but a
few days later she returned to the
“To transform the world by choosing unconditional love and sacrifice”
SHRINE OF SAINT GIANNA
hospital as a result of severe pain.
Doctors found a very serious
complication had caused a rectalvaginal fistula. It was inoperable
in that hospital, and the nearest
viable facility was more than 600
Km away. Since Lucia was
unlikely to survive the trip, a
nurse, Sr. Bernardina, who was a
Capuchin religious, invited two
other nurses to join her in
intercessory prayer to Gianna
Beretta Molla. Gazing at a small
picture of the Servant of God,
Sr. Bernadina prayed “You who
are Father Alberto’s sister, make
this fistula heal and keep this
woman from having to travel to
Sao Luis.” According to the
young mother’s testimony, her
pain subsided immediately and
disappeared completely. An
examination by the surgeon
revealed that the fistula had
healed, and it was no longer
necessary to transfer the young
woman.
On May 22, 1992, following
years of investigation and
verification, the cure was
recognized by the Special
Congress of the Congregation of
the Causes of Saints, as a 3rd
degree miracle.
Pietro and Gianna with Pierluigi.
14 April 2015
Canonization Miracle
In mid November 1999,
Elizabeth Comarini Arcolino, a
35 year old Brazilian woman,
was pregnant with her 4th child.
Within the 1st month, she had a
serious hemorrhage. In spite of
this, the pregnancy continued,
but an ultrasound showed
abnormalities, and doctors did
not hold much hope for a fullterm pregnancy. On December 9
a further complication occurred
in the form of a large blood clot.
Ten days later, doctors found the
baby’s heart was still beating, but
the placenta was very
deteriorated. Elizabeth’s
physician said the baby was
barely alive due to the size of the
blood clot and it was almost
certain that she would
spontaneously abort. Contrary to
these expectations, the pregnancy
continued.
In February, Elizabeth returned
to the hospital feeling something
was wrong, only to learn that the
membranes had broken. At 16
weeks, the baby was alive, but
there was no amniotic fluid,
placing mother and child at
serious risk of infection.
Termination of the pregnancy
was recommended to avoid the
risk of serious infection. As a
practicing Catholic, Elizabeth
knew she could not choose
abortion and she must try to
bring the child to term. Isabel,
her friend, overheard this
SHRINE OF SAINT GIANNA
recommendation and inspired by
her faith, went to the chapel to
pray. As she got up to leave, she
saw the Bishop pass by the door
and went to tell him what was
happening. Knowing Elizabeth
and Carlos from having presided
at their wedding, he went to her
room and prayed with them.
The Bishop left and returned
with a biography of Blessed
Gianna Beretta Molla. He told
Elizabeth to “do what Blessed
Gianna did, and if necessary,
give your life for your child. I
was praying at home and I said
to the Blessed in prayer, ‘Now has
arrived the opportunity for you to
be canonized. Intercede before
the Lord for the grace of a
miracle and save the life of this
little child.”
Elizabeth had prayed through
Blessed Gianna before, for the
birth of her third child and was
reassured by the inspiration of
Blessed Gianna and the Bishop.
Several doctors said this was
madness as the child was already
dying. Her doctor told Elizabeth
that her faith had made her think
and that she even had faith now
so they would wait for the death
of the fetus. Elizabeth’s whole
community continued to invoke
Blessed Gianna for a miracle.
Elizabeth had a very difficult
Pietro and Gianna’s four children at Courmayeur a year after Gianna’s death.
time, often feeling abandoned by
God.
no problems of any kind with the
child’s development.
At 32 weeks, a baby weighing
1.8 Kg was delivered by
caesarian section on 31 May
2000. She was named Gianna
Maria, after her intercessor, and
was healthy with the exception of
a twisted foot, which was later
corrected successfully.
On December 20, 2003, the
decree “super miraculo” was
promulgated by the
Congregation for the Causes of
Saints in the presence of Pope
John Paul II. With her spouse
and three children in attendance,
Gianna Beretta Molla was
canonized on May 16, 20014.
Elizabeth had life-threatening
complications, but after 3 days in
the intensive care unit, she made
a full recovery. In July 2001, a
pediatrician examined the child
and found her to be perfectly
normal and healthy, intelligent
and lively. In January 2002, a
subsequent examination revealed
St. Gianna’s Feast Day is
celebrated on April 28, the date
of her death.
by Lori Emond & Marc Garcia
Parish Pastoral Council
“To transform the world by choosing unconditional love and sacrifice”
Liturgy@Home
We enter now the great 50 days of Easter after immersing ourselves in the sacred Triduum.
Overflowing with rich signs and symbols, we are drawn from the earthly life of Jesus, through his death
and victory over death, into the fulfillment of the Father's promise of a life that will never end. We tell
this story in our liturgy, but in addition to all the symbols and signs that are part of our liturgical life, we
also have nonliturgical customs and traditions that express our beliefs. The ordinary egg has been part of the celebration of the death and resurrection of Christ from the
earliest Christian time. People easily associated the
dormant egg and the new life that would break its
way out into the world with the resurrection of
Christ breaking free from the tomb; the symbol of
new life! Today, the common egg is vibrantly
decorated to spread the message of hope in the
resurrection. Simple, ordinary, everyday things,
acted on in faith, can proclaim the profound
mysteries of God acting among us. Blessing of the Easter Egg
Almighty and everliving God,
on the fifth day of creation,
you made the birds to fly above the earth.
As we see them multiplying on the earth,
we recognize in their breaking the shell at birth,
a symbol of the raising up of our Lord Jesus Christ
who came forth from the rock tomb,
a sign of the emergence of a new life.
Look with favour on these decorated eggs
that we are going to share on this Easter day,
in which you made all things new,
bestow your blessing upon them,
so that we, who are reborn in Baptism,
may break and eat the
in joyful celebration of the Resurrection of your Son,
who lives and reigns with you for ever and ever. Amen.
* Ministry and Liturgy - March 2015; Blesssings and Prayers for the Home and Family - CCCB
by Rachel Suarez-Banmann
Children’s Faith Formation Coordinator
16 April 2015
TRANSFORMING THE WORLD
Centennial Celebration Offertory
- supporting the work of reconciliation
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION
Confirmation Candidates
- preparing to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit
We have 21 young people preparing for the sacrament of confirmation this year. They will receive the
sacrament within the celebration of the Centennial Mass for the Archdiocese of Winnipeg on May 3 at
1:30 p.m. at the MTS Centre. Our young people will be among several hundred candidates from across
the Archdiocese. We pray for our candidates as they prepare for this important threshold.
Speranza Albensi,, Fiorella Amenata, Noah Banmann, Alyssa Barbaro, Jaden Bell, Megan Best, Natalia Canedias, Kyle Chorney,
Naomi Curtis, Ticon Dano, Kieran Guttormson, Nicolas Kaminsky, Caroline Knysh, Tristan Maluga, Caitlin Marquez, Ethan Marquez,
Larissa Padgato, Alicia Rose, Karlie Sheeshka, Alicia Tarasiuk, Ilona Zrinyi.
18 April 2015
ARCHDIOCESAN CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS
Pilgrimage Sites and Jubilee Indulgence
Archbishop Richard Gagnon has designated four churches throughout the Archdiocese as Pilgrimage
sites during our 100th anniversary year: St. Mary’s Cathedral, St. Francois Parish in St. Francois Xavier,
Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Parish in Camperville and St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish in Brandon.
The Archbishop has also announced a Jubilee Indulgence attached to a spiritual visit to anyone of these
four churches.
The following schedule for visitors will apply at each of the four designated Churches from March 1 to
December 4, 2015.
St. Francois Xavier Parish
Sunday: one hour following 9:00am mass
St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish
Tuesday - Thursday: 8:30am - 4:00pm
Friday: 8:30am - 5:15pm
Saturday: 9:30am - 10:30am, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Sunday: 9:00 - 11:30am, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
St. Mary’s Cathedral
Monday - Friday: one hour before mass at 12:10pm
Saturday: one hour before mass at 5:00pm
Sunday: from 8:30am - 1:00pm
Our Lady of Seven Sorrows Parish
Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday: one hour before mass at 6:30pm
Tuesday and Thursday: from 10:00am - 6:00pm
Centennial Prayer
Compassionate and loving God,
we praise and thank you who are the source of all we are and all we have.
In this centenary of the founding of the Archdiocese of Winnipeg,
we give you thanks for all the gifts you have given us in the past.
We ask that, through the Gospel and the Eucharist,
you continue to bring your people together in the Holy Spirit.
Teach us to love you and to be a sign of our love for all people.
Help us to proclaim, in word and deed,
the living presence of Jesus Christ in the world
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God forever and ever. Amen.
Saint Joseph, Parton of the Archdiocese of Winnipeg,
pray for us.
Marriage Encounter Weekend
A Weekend of Discovery a Lifetime of Love:
This experience is open to any
married couple wanting to make
a good marriage even better.
For more information, please contact
Serge and Ira Boulet at 204-951-8075,
or Doug and Paulette Sutherland at
204-475-0477.
This ad sponsored by DRS Consulting Ltd.
!
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I will donate $500 to St. Gianna’s Building Fund.
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Lease this advertisement size for $240.00
($20.00 per issue, 12 issues per year)
width 4.0” x height 2.5”
To Lease advertising space,
please contact our Parish Centre:
stgianna@mymts.net or 204-488-3977