Bulletin for March 1, 2026
That GOD may be glorified in all things
2
nd
Sunday of Lent – Year A 2026
Dear Parishioners,
On this Second Sunday of Lent, the Word of God leads us on a journey of faith, promise, and transformation. In
the First Reading from Genesis (12:1–4), we see Abraham called by God to leave his country, his security, and
everything familiar to him. God asks him to trust in a promise he cannot yet see: “Go from your country… to
the land I will show you.” Abraham sets out in faith, guided only by God’s word. Lent invites us to make the
same journey—to leave behind whatever keeps us from God and to walk forward in trust, even when the path is
unclear.
In the Second Reading (2 Timothy 1:8–10), St. Paul reminds us that we are called to bear hardship for the sake
of the Gospel, relying not on our own strength but on the grace of God. Our salvation is not something we earn;
it is a gift given in Christ Jesus. Yet that gift calls for courage. Like Abraham, we are asked to step out in faith.
Like Paul, we are invited to remain faithful even when discipleship involves sacrifice.
The Gospel of the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1–9) brings these themes to fulfillment. After speaking to His
disciples about His coming suffering and death, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain—traditionally
associated with Mount Tabor—and is transfigured before them. His face shines like the sun, and His clothes become
dazzling white. Moses and Elijah appear, representing the Law and the Prophets, and the voice of the Father declares:
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.”
The Transfiguration strengthens the disciples before the scandal of the Cross. Before they witness His agony, they are
given a glimpse of His glory. Peter wants to remain in that radiant moment, but Jesus leads them back down the mountain.
The Christian life does not remain on the heights of consolation; it continues through the valleys of daily sacrifice. The glory
they behold is not separate from the Cross—it confirms that the way of suffering is the path to resurrection.
As we continue our Lenten journey, the readings remind us that faith means trusting God’s promises, even when
we cannot see the outcome. Abraham walked into the unknown. Paul endured hardship for the Gospel. The disciples
followed Jesus down the mountain toward Jerusalem. May this holy season help us to listen more attentively to Christ, to
embrace our crosses with hope, and to trust that beyond every sacrifice lies the promise of new life. May the light of the
Transfigured Lord strengthen our hearts and prepare us to celebrate the joy of Easter with renewed faith.
Marriage Tips
“Who do people say that I am?” (Mk 8:27) Just as our public persona does not always reflect our true self,
spouses are privy to the hidden truth/weaknesses of each other. What do you know about your beloved that
perhaps no one else does? Honour this privileged information.
Mass Schedule & Mass Intentions
Saturday
Feb 28
5pm
Oakbank
Sunday
March 1
9am
Garson
11am
Cooks Creek
Catholic Women’s League – For the Repose of the Soul of
Mildred Burek
Tuesday
March 3
9am
Garson
Wednesday
March 4
9am
Garson
Thursday
March 5
10 AM
Cooks Creek
Friday
March 6
9am
Garson
1pm
Beausejour
World Day of Prayer service
6:30pm
Cooks Creek
Stations of the Cross
Saturday
March 7
5pm
Oakbank
Sunday
March 8
9am
Garson
11am
Cooks Creek
Darlene & Roger Ingram – For the Repose of the Soul of
Annette Boucher
Monthly Prayer Intention of Pope Leo XIV
For children with incurable diseases
Let us pray that children suffering from incurable diseases and their families receive the necessary medical care and
support, never losing strength and hope.
The Diocese of St Boniface
The Diocese issues a weekly bulletin with information on events and happenings in the Diocese Please use the following link
to access that bulletin The Saint-Boniface Diocesan weekly bulletin is available here:
*NEW* Interested in Growing Your Faith?
The Saint-Boniface Adult Faith Formation Fund provides financial assistance for adults within our diocese seeking formation
in the Catholic faith. Applications are now open for 2026. Support is available for studies, courses, resources, and faith-
based events. Applications will be accepted from February 1 through March 31 of every year. Decisions will be made by May
31. More details are available through the Archdiocese of Saint-Boniface website www.archsaintboniface.ca under the Faith
Education tab: CLICK HERE.
Please Remember in Your Prayers
Say a Prayer for members of our parish communities and others who are in need of our prayers. Please forward their names
to our bulletin email address. The one important request is that permission to print in the bulletin must be received from the
person(s) being named. This will be the responsibility of the person submitting the information. What better way to support
our parish family than to Say a Prayer!
For Trudy Simard that she receives healing, strength and health as she journeys through her treatments.
For our education providers at all levels who provide intellectual growth and a framework for educational studies.
F
or the people of the Ukraine for their safety and well being
We continue to pray for Frank Kotello, Bertha Black, Tamara Simard Pozeluzney, Dorothy and Sheldon Oberik for
healing, strength and returning health.
Members of our parish communities who are experiencing difficulties
For vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Please pray the Hail Mary
For all our health care workers we are truly thankful to these wonderful people
For the people of Nigeria in the midst of civil unrest
For those fleeing their own countries – Let us pray that migrants fleeing from war or hunger, forced to undertake
journeys fraught with danger and violence, may find welcome and new living opportunities in their host countries
Our next Fellowship Sunday is Sunday March 8th after mass. This will be our annual soup Sunday.
Come and enjoy some fellowship and homemade soup. Proceeds will be directed to Development and
Peace.
Food Bank Saturdays – Our volunteer days at the Food Bank are the 1
st
and 2
nd
Saturdays of the month
from 9:30 am to noon at the Anola United Church.
A reminder to please let Greg Ward (204-793-1502) know if you are able to volunteer.
The food box needs to be filled! All non-perishable items greatly accepted. Please ensure that the donations
still have a shelf life. Past date items cannot be used. Currently items that are needed: canned fruit, apple
sauce packs, tuna, mayonnaise, jam and baked beans.
It is in giving that we receive!
St. Michael’s Administration
Thank you to everyone who attended our AGM and volunteered to prepare the lunch. A copy of the Book of Reports is
posted on our website.
Red River Co Op number is 238086. Please consider using it when making purchases at participating Co Op Stores
St. Michael’s Parish Pastoral Council
Stations of the Cross will begin Fridays at 6:30 PM. Hope you can join us!
Our next movie night will be March 13
th
after the Stations of the Cross
The next PPC meeting is Tuesday March 10
th
at 7PM in the Church Hall
Come join us for Mass on Sundays at 9:00 A.M.
We welcome all new members, and appreciate all our regulars, especially
those who have fallen out of practice. We provide sanitizer for your comfort.
Let us remember in our prayers everyone who cannot attend mass.
Stations of the Cross every Friday to March 27.
At Sacred Heart, Stations of the Cross will be at 8:30 AM followed by Mass.
At St. Micheal’s Stations of the Cross will be starting at 6:30 PM.
Gerard Lannoo continues to collect all scrap metals, large and small implements and vehicles for fund raising. He can be
reached at 204-268-3224 or cell 204-268-5458.
The email address for contacting the Board is adminboard@sacredheartgarson.com
The email address for contacting the cemetery is cemetery@sacredheartgarson.com
Our website is www@sacredheartgarson.com
Our mailing address is P.O. Box 70, Garson, Manitoba R0E 0R0
SACRED HEART OF JESUS FUNDRAISER
ST. PATRICK’S DAY DINNER
SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2026
GARSON HALL (9 THOMPSON AVE. GARSON, MB)
DOORS OPEN: 4:30 PM DINNER: 5:30 PM
ADULTS: $24.00 6-12: $12:00 5 UNDER FREE.
SILENT AUCTION 50/50 CASH BAR
For tickets call Carmen – 204-268-1173, Richard-204-268-3220,
Emilie-204-268-1265 or Ed-204-266-0194
We extend a warm welcome to all visitors in our church community and invite you to register and join our parish. To register,
please complete the form that is available at the back of the church and is also on our website at https://stjohn-
paulii.org. Completed forms can be placed in the offertory basket. We invite you to be a part of our church community and
to share our spiritual journey together.
On March 7th following Mass, we will resume having our AGM. Please join us for fellowship and a light supper followed by a
review of our Parish. Cost of this event is a free will offering.
The Rosary is said every Saturday before Mass at 4:30
We offer Catechism at 4:30 pm before Mass. Please contact Michelle at 204-444-4313 to register.
Sunday Church Missals are now available for 2025/2026. Thanks to an anonymous donor, there is no cost for the Missals
this year.
That Man Is You!
St. John Paul II Parish in Oakbank hosts a Catholic men's group program on Saturday mornings, from September through
April, called That Man Is You! It is an interactive men's program focused on the development of male leadership in the
modern world. Combining the research from science with the teachings of the Catholic faith and wisdom of the saints to
develop the vision of authentic men capable of transforming themselves, their families and greater society. By honestly
addressing the pressures and temptations that men face in our modern culture, That Man Is You! seeks to form men who will
be capable of transforming homes and society.
The timeline we follow is:
7:30 - 8:00 am: breakfast and fellowship
8:00 - 8:30 am: view a TMIY! video presentation
8:30 - 900 am: small group discussion with some guiding questions.
There is no cost, though a $10 donation to the breakfast fund is suggested.
Just a friendly reminder, we can only accept pop and beer cans. You may drop them off at the church on the east side of
the building under the stairs. A big thank you to everyone who is saving and bringing them to the church.
We are now accepting non-perishable food and/or items for the Food Bank. The box is located at the back of the church.
St. John Paul II has a membership number with the Red River Co-op. If you would like to donate your fuel purchases, our
number is 500286.
Weekly Collections Options:
To provide greater flexibility for giving of your weekly offering, there are a couple alternative options offered:
a. Donate online via the Archdiocese of St. Boniface’s website at https://www.archsaintboniface.ca.
Simply click the donate to your parish and follow the prompts, selecting St. John Paul II as the parish
to receive your donation.
b. Pre-Authorized debit withdrawals. The ability to give your weekly or monthly contributions automatically via direct
withdrawal is an option more and more of our parishioners are choosing. Forms are available via our website
at https://stjohn-paulii.org.
c. You can also request a form via email to stjpii@stjohn-paulii.org or call (204)-268-9020 and one will be provided
promptly
CWL
Come celebrate World Day of Prayer
Friday March 6
th
at 1 PM St Mary Parish in Beausejour
530 Atlantic Avenue
Refreshments served afterwards.
This year's prayers come from the country of Nigeria.
All are welcome.
Perogies are available for sale. Please see Alice or Fern $7 a dozen.
It’s that time of year to renew your CWL Membership. Fee is $39.00. Ladies 80 years old and up do not pay. Please see
Carmen or Alice for different methods of payment available.
CWL Sunday is the last Sunday of the month. Members serve as greeters and gift bearers.
Pill bottles are also being collected for donation to Agape Table. Please remove the labels before donating. The bottles can
be left at the back of the church.
Development & Peace – Caritas Canada
Development and Peace — Caritas Canada’s work in a nutshell
Dignity, participation, solidarity, the preferential option for the poor and integrity. These are the values
at the heart of the work of Development and Peace — Caritas Canada, the official international
development organization of the Catholic Church in Canada. Since 1967, we’ve been walking hand in
hand with communities in the Global South to promote
justice, peace and dignity
.
Guided by Catholic Social Teaching, we support partner-led projects that reach over 7 million
people in more than 30 countries around the world.
Our St Boniface Diocese Share Lent Workshop will be held at the Bishop’s House 151 rue de la
Cathedral on Saturday March 14
th
at 10 AM.
Contact Liz for more info and to register. 204-801-0829
Cooks Creek Heritage Museum www.cchm.ca
Thursday March 5th at 1 PM, our Polski Czat class is hosting a movie afternoon. The film we will show is " Chłopi” The
Peasants". It is a historical drama done in a very interesting format of animated paintings. It is in Polish with English subtitles
This is not a regular class and anyone who might be interested is invited to attend. Please RSVP to Liz at 204-801-0829
Refreshments provided……there will be popcorn!! The drop in fee will be $5
J
oin us for our annual Easter Egg Decorating Workshop Saturday March 21
st
.
Two sessions will be offered 10AM to Noon and 1 PM to 3 PM
Cost is $15 per participant All supplies and instruction will be provided
This event is suitable for ages 6years and up
Pre registration and payment required
Payment can be made by eTransfering to treasurer@cchm.ca
Please put the names of participants in the message box and time slot prefered
Please call Liz @ 204-801-0829 for more information
The Cooks Creek Heritage Museum provides summer employment opportunities for local
university students. These positions are 35 hours per week and will begin approximately May 6
th
and end on August 31
st
. If you are such a student or know of someone who may be interested
please have them forward a cover letter and resumé to board@cchm.ca.
For more information please contact Jill 204-793-8933 or Liz 204-801-0829
