Parish News
Parish Office Move
The parish office has moved! We are now located in the Parish Hall, with access via Jasper Avenue through the door next to Teddy’s Restaurant.
The door is kept locked for safety reasons, however there is a doorbell. The cold weather can affect the bell, if you ring and we don't answer within 2 minutes (during regular office hours), please call us at 780-488-7295 and we will come open the door.
St. Joseph Oil Devotion
In celebration of St. Joseph’s feast day on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, a special St. Joseph Oil devotion is being offered to the sick.
This devotion is inspired by Saint Brother André Bessette (1845–1937), who encouraged prayer to St. Joseph and shared blessed oil as a sign of faith and healing. The small vials of blessed oil from St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal will be available at St. Joseph’s Basilica, each wrapped with a novena prayer.
Supplies of the oil are limited, however, if you are unable to get a vial of oil, you can still participate in the novena. A detailed instruction sheet can be found here.
The Way of the Cross
The Way of the Cross will be held every Friday in Lent, starting at 5:00pm. All are welcome to join us for this centuries-old devotion as we journey in prayer through Jesus’ Passion.
Development & Peace
Development and Peace (Caritas Canada) is hosting Solidarity Visitor Jorge Izaguirre, a Peruvian Bishop who will talk about "Turning Debt Into Hope in the Developing World". His presentation (and a complimentary Lenten supper) will follow the 5:30 p.m. Mass on Thursday, March 27th. Please join us in O'Leary Hall as we listen to his fascinating perspective.
Lent, Holy Week and Easter Schedule
The schedule for this year's Lent and Easter Events is now available. Click here to open it.
SSVP Fundraising Gala
Did you know the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SSVP) is active in 26 parishes across the Archdiocese? In 2024, over 600 volunteers assisted 14,933 people in urgent need—including 6,177 children—right in their local communities. Committed to serving Christ through the poor, Vincentians provide food and grocery cards, beds, furniture, housewares, transit tickets, and more to anyone in need, regardless of their circumstances. They also ship containers of food and essential supplies to nine communities in the Western Arctic.
Requests for help—especially for food and beds—have skyrocketed over the past two years. To meet this growing need, SSVP Edmonton Central Council is hosting its first-ever fundraising Gala on June 5 at the Chateau Lacombe.
Join us for an evening of fine dining, inspiring speakers, and exciting raffle and live auction prizes. Tickets are $250 each or $2,000 for a table of 8, with a portion eligible for a tax receipt.
Get your tickets or make a donation: SSVP-Gala-2025
For more information: gala@ssvpedmonton.ca or
825-582-SSVP (7787)
Thank you for helping us support our neighbours in need!
Journey Through Lent - 2025 Video Series
The Office for Evangelization and Catechesis, in collaboration with the National Liturgy Office, presents Journey Through Lent, a video series featuring pastoral reflections on the Sunday Readings. Beginning Ash Wednesday (March 5) and continuing each Sunday through Palm Sunday, new videos will be available on the CCCB website.
This year’s reflections are presented by Bishop Gary Franken (English) and Bishop Michel Proulx, O.Praem. (French).
Visit the CCCB website each Monday to access the latest videos.
Soup It Up - Lent 2025
The Market at Gianna is offering prepared soup mixes lovingly prepared by the pregnant and new mothers at the Gianna Centre.
The prices and promotions are as follows:
$10.00 for one Individual Soup Mix
$40.00 for four Soup Mixes, and 36 free buns
$27.00 (10% off) for 3 Soup Mixes
These soups are a wonderful option for large families or get togethers as one package of soup feeds 8 - 10 people. The soups are simple to prepare, with just the addition of water, and optional additional ingredients. All soups are meatless, which makes them the perfect choice for Lenten meals.
Soup flavors are:
Italian Barley
Spiced Lentil & Split Pea
Thai Coconut Curry
Moroccan and Quinoa
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.
Confirmation 2025
Registrations for Confirmation are still being accepted. Please visit the office or call us at (780) 488-7295. The registration deadline is April 11, 2025. There is a $30.00 cost for the materials. We will need baptism and first communion/reconciliation certificates to register your child.
Preparation Classes begin May 3, 2025, and there are 4 weekly sessions. The Sacrament Celebration will be on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at the 10:30 am Mass
Note: Sacramental preparation is available only to registered parishioners of St. Joseph’s Basilica.
Spiritual Care in Hospitals
If you or a loved one are admitted to the University of Alberta or Royal Alexandra Hospital, please ensure:
· Your religion is listed in your medical chart
· You have digitally signed consent to receive a visit from a Catholic Chaplain
Without this consent, chaplains will not be able to access your name on the admitted list of Catholics. For more information, or to contact a Catholic Chaplain, please call:
University Hospital: 780-407-3345
Royal Alexandra Hospital: 780-735-4757
Bulletin Boards & Pamphlet Holders
Any items being posted on the bulletin boards in the church or the pamphlet area at the rear of the nave must be approved by Father Joseph and be stamped by the office. Any items that are not approved will be removed.
FORMED Subscription
St. Joseph’s Basilica has purchased a parish subscription to FORMED for our parishioners.
What is FORMED? Often described as “Netflix for Catholics”, it is an On-Demand platform that has Catholic movies, audio books, podcasts and more.
To access FORMED, go to formed.org, then click on Formed for Parishes, followed by Find Your Parish Subscription. Enter our Postal Code - T5K 1N8 (be sure to have a space entered in the middle) and select our parish, St. Joseph. You will be prompted to enter your name and email address and that’s it, you can enjoy all the programming it has to offer.
Communion for Sick & Homebound
If you or a family member is ill or cannot make it to mass in person, we do have a ministry that will take communion to people. Please call the office to request a visit.
Pastoral Priority Launch
Worship, Witness, and Service – these are the foundational pillars for our diocese, as identified by Archbishop Richard Smith in his pastoral letter Living in the Word.
Growing as a synodal and pastoral Church, we are translating these pillars into action through our 2024-2027 Pastoral Priorities. “Be It Done: Living in the Word” is the theme.
What are the Pastoral Priorities?
Over the next three years, we will draw inspiration from Mary, our patroness, whose life exemplifies Worship, Witness, and Service. Guided by the Blessed Mother’s life and vocation, our pastoral priorities are:
· Formation for Eucharistic Worship: We are a faith community that joyfully celebrates and better understands the Eucharist.
· Formation for Confident Witness: We are a faith community that is confident in proclaiming the Great Commission to spread the Good News of the Gospel within our respective vocations, professions, and communities.
· Formation for Service to Families and Marriage: We are a faith community that accompanies families, fully recognizing the centrality of marriage and family in God’s plan.
Learn more at caedm.ca/pastoralpriorities
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.
