Cardinal celebrates Mass at Sacred Heart
By Brad Everett Times Contributors
Manny Everett Photo
It’s not often a rural parish has the opportunity to welcome one of the Roman Catholic Church’s 122 Cardinals to celebrate mass, but Sacred Heart Catholic Church had that honour Oct. 4.
Cardinal Thomas Collins celebrated the First Friday Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and blessed the parish’s new baptismal font, with about 80 in attendance.
Cardinal Collins was in Calgary earlier in the week to speak at a gathering of priests from across Canada who serve as Vocations Directors in their various dioceses, providing direction and guidance to young men considering or preparing for the priesthood. Sacred Heart’s priest, Father Cristino Bouvette, also serves as the Vocations Director for the Diocese of Calgary.
“Father Cristino just asked me to come out for the service and I was pleased to do so”, said Collins.
Collins noted that since he retired as Archbishop of Toronto in 2023, he has enjoyed a schedule which allows more freedom for him to speak at events and retreats such as the one in Calgary. Bishops are required to offer their resignation to the Pope once they turn 75. As a Cardinal, Collins is still eligible to participate in the Conclave which gathers to elect the Pope, until he is 80. He was part of conclave that elected Pope Francis in 2013.
Collins’ homily reflected on suffering as described in Luke 10 and Job.
“Sometimes it’s better to just be with someone than to try and offer an explanation of their suffering,” he said.
He related the story of how his sister taught him to ride a bike, by first showing him how it was done, noting that likewise Jesus has come to show us how to love and live – to love God and our neighbour.
He commented on how often we focus on God’s power and majesty, but there is more at work.
“God is glorious in majesty, but even more so in loving mercy,” Collins said. “Jesus came to be with us, so we could see the love of God among us.”
It’s that love and presence we look for in the midst of suffering that God provides for us.
Before becoming Archbishop of Toronto in 2007, Cardinal Collins spent 10 years in Alberta serving as the Bishop of St. Paul from 1997-1999 and then Archbishop of Edmonton from 1999 to 2006.