Fr. Ugo Sturabotti, CFIC – Pastor

On Thursday, October 13, 2011, parishioners from Our Lady of Grace attended this year’s Bishop’s Dinner – the 12^th Annual Southern Alberta Celebration and Charity Benefit.  This year’s fundraiser focused on the Growing Issue of Elder Care.  The group, alongside almost 800 other people in attendance, enjoyed a delicious meal of Alberta beef tenderloin and listened to some great entertainment provided by the Bishop Grandin Show Choir and the Bishop Grandin Ensemble Singers.

Later Bishop Henry would begin his personal address on the growing issue of elder care by reciting Psalms 92.  “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; 13 planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, 15 proclaiming, “The LORD is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”

“With the growing number of baby boomers entering old age, I think we need a vision today that encompasses seniors housing … comprehensive, unique programs that address the physical, emotion, spiritual, social, and psychological needs of our aging population,” said Bishop Henry.  “We are in fact facing a SILVER TSUNAMI, a demographic trend that we must prepare for and commit resources to today.”

Bishop Henry further explained that a program requires management that focuses on the needs of the elderly and that honours their respectful place as contributing members of society.  “To bring their gifts of experience, their wisdom and their living history to touch the lives of others,” said Bishop Henry.  “So we are called to participate with the elderly to create the conditions that will allow our community to flourish.  To this end we must embark on a senior’s strategy that will result in quality service programing and housing to support our elderly flourishing in the community.” 

HOW?  The diocese is helping support the proposed expansion of the Father Lacombe Care Centre (FLCC) and all proceed from this year’s Bishop’s Dinner was allocated towards the diocese’s contribution to this most worthwhile cause.  The Father Lacombe Care Centre provides a modern, spacious and wholesome environment for the elderly.  Plans are underway for the proposed expansion of a new 160 bed care center on its property, some of which will include a section dedicated for the care of retired priests.

If you would like to support this vital initiative or if you would like more information, please contact the Diocese office at 403-218-5531 or email charities@calgarydiocese.ca.  Website: http://www.calgarydiocese.ca/.  

PLEASE ENJOY THESE PHOTOS OF THE CELEBRATION.  Click on the thumbnail to start slideshow. Please allow time for all thumbnails to load before proceeding.

As a parishioner and volunteer of Our Lady of Grace Parish in Calgary, Alberta, I know Father Ugo must leave us often to do his work as Superior of the North American Delegation. I respect his devotion to the Congregation of the Sons of the Immaculate Conception but on the other hand, whenever he announces that he’s leaving on another trip I just hold my breath and think to myself “he just got home”. 

The Congregation serves missions, hospitals and schools in many different countries.  Its generous arm extends worldwide and is now growing into North America so it makes sense that Father Ugo now has two flocks to tend… his parish and his Congregation.  I reluctantly accept this but it wasn’t until my trip to Toronto on September 17^th and 18^th that I would really come to appreciate the Congregation’s charm.   

The trip was filled with marvelous moments.  First was Brother Anthony’s (Nguyen) Deaconate Ordination at Epiphany of Our Lord Parish in Scarborough. The guest list was impressive.  The General Assembly for the Delegation was held in Toronto at the same time so all the Superiors of the North American communities attended; as did the Superior General Brother Ruggero Valentini. 

Making the day even more significant was that Brother Anthony’s ordination was a landmark event … he was becoming the first Deacon of the North American Delegation.  

The church, Epiphany of Our Lord, is lovely with a deep warm family feel.  As I walked around taking pictures, I heard many people talking to Father Ugo. This is when I realized that no matter how many people beg Father to remain here in Calgary, there are just as many people begging him to return to Toronto.

The actual ordination was a meaningful and touching ceremony highlighted by the joyful presence of Brother Anthony’s mother and family members.  In a striking spectacle all of the Brothers entered with the Bishop and I couldn’t help but catch my breath at how magnificent they all looked in formation, one after another.  Father Ugo, Father George (Parayil), Father  James (Chitteth), Superior General Brother Ruggero and Bishop Nguyen all received resounding applause and respect.

I know this fraternity of brothers can’t possibly always get along, after all they are family but they all circulated around the celebration dinner with ease, made friends, ate, laughed and even sang together, a reminder that these men are regular people, in spite of the sometimes unrealistic expectations we set for them.  

The next day, September 18th, we attended the Jubilee Anniversary of the Immaculate Conception Parish, the church Father Ugo helped to build in Woodbridge.  This is an impressive church from its beautiful Stations of the Cross to the sweeping blue swags that drape behind the altar.  Rich in culture, the Italian flavour of the community is seen everywhere.  I chuckled as I watched Father Ugo wading through a group of people, each one wanting to talk and shake his hand. Immediately behind him was Father Daniele (Bertoldi) doing the same thing and I thought it must be nerve-wracking for Priests when everyone expects them to remember their names.

Later in the ceremony, flanked once again by an imposing row of Brothers, Father Ugo was greeted with loud cheers when he announced that Father Anthony (Chooravady) was now the official Pastor for Immaculate Conception. Everyone seemed very happy about that.

Later I had a chance to talk to Father James about visiting him in Edmonton and extending fundraising for the Congregation into Western Canada; with Father Benny (Mekkatt) about his nice newsletters and developing a North American website; and also to Father Shebu (Kallarackal) about his work in Merida, Mexico.

I can now say that I finally understand why Father Ugo needs to leave us to tend to his Congregation. There’s a lot going on, not just here in North America but around the world and it must be hard work overseeing much of it.

 For the most part, the North American Delegation seems comprised of highly-motivated individuals, some of whom are of relatively young age.  This is a good thing because after only two days of following them around, my husband and I were exhausted.  While we went home to a relaxing household, Father Ugo and his Brothers had to go home to their parish communities and return a thousand phone calls and probably twice as many emails from people saying “I’m glad you’re home”.

Click on the thumbnail to start slideshow. Please allow time for all thumbnails to load before proceeding

Bishop Frederick Henry and the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Calgary Catholic School District Serafino Scarpino invited all school aged children who received a sacrament during the past year, and to family members to attend one of the Sacramental Recognition Ceremonies planned for September. This year OUR LADY OF GRACE PARISH was chosen to celebrate the N.E. quadrant ceremony on Sept. 29th. Each child received a special momento mark the occasion. Click on the thumbnail to start slideshow. Please allow time for all thumbnails to load before proceeding

Best wishes from Father Ugo for a very blessed Easter to all our parisioners and their families. May the joy and victory of Christ over death, sin and suffering stay with you always. We thank all of you for your constant and generous support, confident that God will return to each and everyone everything in a hundredfold.

Special thanks to all our Ministers for their great help especially during the Holy Week: music directors, choir members, organists and musicians, ushers, lectors, Ministers of Communion and Altar Servers.

 The Congregation of the Sons of the Immaculate Conception whose head office is in Rome has appointed Fr. Ugo as Superior of The North American Delegation. This will be an additional responsibility for our Pastor who now has to guide the religious communities of the Sons of the Immaculate Conception operating in; Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary, St. Paul (USA), Columbus (Ohio) and Merida (Mexico).   

The Congregation is dedicated to the care and assistance of the sick, the destitute, the orphaned, the abandoned and the education and formation of the needy young people. The vocation of caring for the sick and for the youth continues to be the main charism of the Congregation, leading the Brothers to various countries and continents, bringing to all the healing love of Jesus.  We pray for our Lord to watch over and care for Fr. Ugo as he takes on this important  responsibility.

Who are survivors? Women who have fought or are fighting this disease. Women who are affected by cancer – moms, wives, sisters, grandmothers, family and friends.

Do you know someone who has been affected by cancer? Who has beaten this disease? Who has passed away after a hard battle but left behind a legacy of hope?  Cancer has touched us all so share your survivor story with us in a booklet prepared specially for our tea. Drop it off at the parish office or email it to ourlady25@shaw.ca.

On a trip to Lourdes in 1988, Brother Anthony asked the Miraculous Virgin to help him to better himself and to guide him in his search.

Brother Anthony

In 2005, he joined the Congregation of the Sons of the Immaculate Conception and was sent to Italy for his religious life formation and study. In 2006 Brother Anthony entered in Novitiate and in 2007 he took his First Profession of Vows: “Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience”. 

In 2008, he enrolled in the study of Spirituality at the Teresianum Pontifical Institute of Spirituality in Rome, obtaining his License Degree in Spirituality in 2010.  

fter his return to Canada Brother Anthony made his perpetual vows of “Poverty, Chastity and Obedience”  during a mass celebrated by Fr. Ugo on Sunday December 12^th, 2010, at The Epiphany of Our Lord Parish,   Brother Anthony also speaks Italian.   God willing during this year Brother Anthony will be ordained Deacon and Priest. 

Please pray for Brother Anthony and the religious community of “The Sons of the Immaculate  Conception” of which he is proud to be part.

]]> http://www.ourladyofgrace.ca/2011/01/welcome-to-brother-anthony/feed/ 1 http://www.ourladyofgrace.ca/2010/12/thank-you-to-the-clergy-and-staff-of-our-lady-of-grace/ http://www.ourladyofgrace.ca/2010/12/thank-you-to-the-clergy-and-staff-of-our-lady-of-grace/#comments Thu, 23 Dec 2010 15:04:57 +0000 Father Ugo http://www.ourladyofgrace.ca/?p=606 … for all the special gifts and donations we have received this Christmas season. We are especially grateful for the precious gifts of volunteer time, talents, and faith-building you contribute all year through. We are extremely blessed to serve in such a loving, dedicated, and generous community, and we look forward to working alongside each of you, through our various ministries and charitable works in the New Year.  We pray that all of our hearts may be lifted in praise this Christmas for the wonderful gift of the newborn Jesus and the joy He brings to our lives.  Let His Spirit of love gently fill our hearts and homes.

Have a wonderful Christmas & Blessed New Year! Thank you for your wonderful spirit of love and sharing!