Parish News
Development and Peace
This weekend marks Solidarity Sunday, the day on which the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace - Caritas Canada's campaign invites you to give generously. We work in 34 countries providing both emergency assistance and supporting longer term environmental and economic development projects. Your donation transforms the lives of some of our most vulnerable sisters and brothers across the world. Volunteers at the back of the church can provide you with information and materials.
Please give generously at devp.co/give. Thank you for your solidarity.
Young Adults Group & World Youth Day 2027
Young adults ages 18–35 are invited to join us on Thursday, March 26, at 6:30 PM in O’Leary Hall. This month’s gathering will focus on the theme of martyrdom, along with updates and information about World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul. Come connect with other young adults, grow in faith, and be part of our welcoming community.
For more information, contact us at youngadultsSJB@gmail.com.
Confirmation Preparation - Final Reminder
This is the final week to register your child for Confirmation. Registration closes March 27, 2026.
Children in Grade 7 and up are eligible. Classes will be held Saturdays at 11:00 am from April 11 to May 9. Confirmation will be celebrated on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at the 10:30 am Mass.
Parents must provide copies of their child’s Baptism, First Communion, and First Reconciliation certificates. A required workbook will be available for purchase through the office for $30.
To register, please contact the Basilica office at 780-488-7295.
**Please note: Sacramental Preparation is only available to registered parishioners of St. Joseph’s Basilica, families living within parish boundaries, and students attending Holy Child School. **
Lent Reconciliation
This year’s Lenten Reconciliation will be held next Saturday, March 28, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. All are welcome to attend and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation as we prepare for Easter. Multiple priests will be available. Examination of Conscience pamphlets are available at the back of the church or online here.
The Way of the Cross
The Way of the Cross will be held every Friday in Lent, starting at 5:00 p.m.. All are welcome to join us for this centuries-old devotion as we journey in prayer through Jesus’ Passion.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
We have Adoration on First Friday from 12:30 (after the noon mass) until 5:20 pm. All other Fridays of the month, Adoration starts at 4:00 pm until 5:20 pm.
Everyone is welcome - please join us, sit with Jesus for a while and pray.
Lent Focus - Fasting
When we think of fasting, we often think of giving something up—chocolate, coffee, or another small comfort. While these sacrifices have value, fasting is meant to go deeper than simply removing one thing from our routine.
At its heart, fasting is about creating room. It reveals what fills our time, our attention, and our hearts—and asks whether those things are drawing us closer to God or pulling us away.
Many of the things that occupy us are not bad in themselves, but they can become constant. Noise, distraction, busyness, and habits can quietly take over, leaving little space for silence or reflection.
Fasting invites us to be intentional. What would happen if we stepped back, even briefly, from the things that fill every spare moment? What might we notice in the quiet that we usually miss?
As Lent nears its end, there is still an opportunity to begin again. Choose one thing that occupies your time, and set it aside—if only for a few minutes each day. Use that time not just to do less, but to turn toward God in prayer.
Because fasting is not only about what we give up, but about what we are making room to receive.
2026 Outdoor Way of the Cross
The 46th annual Outdoor Way of the Cross invites people to think about the relevance and importance of the Gospel message in our world today. This year's theme, "Whatsoever You Do: Seeing, Naming and Protecting the Rights of People as Part of Creation," is based on Matthew 25:40 "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."
The walk will take place along the streets of Edmonton's inner city. It will include five stations, and each station will offer a reflection on an aspect of the overall theme that highlights both a challenge and a source of hope, woven together with music.
People of all faith traditions are welcome to attend. The 1.5-kilometre walk is reasonable for most ages and ability levels. Free street parking is available near the start location at Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples (10821 96 Street). A light lunch (soup, bannock, coffee and tea) will be provided at Sacred Heart Church after the final station. Donations of non-perishable food items for local food banks are also welcome and can be dropped off at the start of the walk.
For more information, contact: outdoorwayofthecross@gmail.com
Or visit:
Good Friday Outdoor Way of the Cross Edmonton
Soup It Up - Lent 2025
The Market at Gianna is offering prepared soup mixes made by pregnant and new mothers at the Gianna Centre.
Each package feeds 6–8 people and is easy to prepare with just the addition of water (with optional extra ingredients). All soups are meatless, making them a perfect choice for Lenten meals or for feeding a crowd.
If you would like to place an order, you can do so via email at gianna.centre@cssalberta.ca, or over the phone at 587-338-8942.
Tyndall Stone Bookends
We still have Tyndall Stone Bookends available for purchase!
$200 per stone • history book included
$150 charitable tax receipt at year end
Bookends are available after Mass (see Father Joseph) or through the parish office, with all proceeds supporting the ongoing mission of St. Joseph’s.
NEW - Tip Tap Pay
St Joseph’s Basilica has partnered with Tip Tap Pay in order for you to help support your parish with a simple tap. Just tap on the TipTap device at the entrance to the church to give to this parish. That’s it!
For an end-of-year tax receipt for your TipTap gifts, first scan the QR Code on the sign with your smart phone and register your payment card. Once registered, you will receive an end-of-year tax receipt for all of your TipTap gifts made with that card.
Please note that donations made prior to registering are not eligible for a tax receipt. 
A tax receipt can only be issued if you register your card or device. If you’re using Apple Pay, Google Wallet, or a wearable device, please note that these methods generate a different set of last 4 digits than your physical card. You will need to use those unique last 4 digits when registering each device separately.
NOTE RE TIPTAP PAY DEVICE:
PLEASE only register each credit card ONE TIME. You only need to tap the QR code and register your card/wearable device/phone one time. Every time you use that card the transaction will be recorded. You will receive a tax receipt at year end for your total donations. DO NOT register the same card twice.
A lengthier explanation is available beside the TipTap device, or click here to open it.
Questions may be directed to Bernie.Fitzsimmons@caedm.ca or 780-488-7295 ext. 6.
Thank you for your kind heart and for supporting our church!
FORMED Subscription
Discover FORMED — a gift from St. Joseph’s Basilica to you!
St. Joseph’s Basilica now offers all parishioners free access to FORMED, an inspiring online platform filled with Catholic movies, audiobooks, podcasts, and more. Think of it as “Netflix for Catholics” — faith-filled entertainment and learning at your fingertips.
Getting started is easy:
- Visit formed.org
- Click “Sign Up” → “Sign up as a parishioner”
- Enter our postal code T5K 1N8 (with a space), then select St. Joseph’s Basilica
- Enter your name and email — and you’re in!
Enjoy unlimited access to a world of Catholic content, anytime, anywhere.
Help Us Keep the Basilica Beautiful
We are blessed to worship in a beautiful, sacred space—but it only stays that way if we treat it with respect. A few important reminders:
• No food or drink in the Cathedral (water for medical reasons is okay).
• Gum has no place in the liturgy, discard it before entering the church.
• Silence your phones, and avoid unnecessary conversations once inside.
• Please don’t leave bulletins, tissues, or trash in the pews.
• Treat the sanctuary as holy ground. We’re not just visitors—we’re in the presence of the Lord.
Thank you for helping preserve the dignity of our Cathedral!
Our heartfelt thanks to parishioners and friends who continue to support the parish. Your support is essential to us as we continue our mission.
To make an e-transfer email SJB.etransfer@caedm.ca or click the button below to donate.
