P ♰ C

Connecting Catholics in parishes across Vancouver Island

recent posts

  • News from the Chancery – May 8th & 15th

    [AWK! I missed the May 8th notice somehow — so sorry! But, as a result, some of the items from that newsletter are now stale-dated! To keep you fully informed, I’ve included the May 8th email below the one that we received this week – K]

    Dear friends,

    We have five items for you today [May 15th]:

    1. CCCB Letter to the Holy Father on the First Anniversary of His Pontificate
    The CCCB President sent a letter to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on the occasion of the first anniversary of his pontificate. Through this letter, the CCCB President conveyed the heartfelt greetings of the Bishops of Canada, as well as the assurance of their prayers and of the unwavering solidarity of the Church in Canada as the Holy Father carries out his Petrine ministry in the service of the Universal Church. Read the letter here: https://www.cccb.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-08-Letter-from-CCCB-President-to-Pope-Leo-XIV-First-Anniversary.pdf

    2. Invitation: World Youth Day Seoul 2027 Pilgrimage
    We are excited to begin exploring interest in forming a group from across our diocese to attend World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul, South Korea! World Youth Day (WYD) is a powerful international gathering of young Catholics, offering an opportunity for prayer, cultural exchange, and a meaningful encounter with Christ and the universal Church alongside the Holy Father. It is often a life-changing experience that deepens faith and builds lasting friendships.

    At this early stage, we are reaching out to parishes to gauge interest from youth, families, and leaders who may wish to participate in this pilgrimage. We have received preliminary travel proposals that include youth hostel accommodations for:
    -7 nights in Seoul with roundtrip transfers
    -9 nights in Seoul with roundtrip transfers and a full-day tour

    If you have anyone interested that may want to see the preliminary travel proposal, please have them email Fr. Joseph Thomas who is organizing at: jthomas@rcdvictoria.org

    3. Development and Peace – Caritas Canada: Share Lent Campaign Update
    The folks at Development and Peace – Caritas Canada want to share their heartfelt thank you for all the faithful who learnt about, connected with, felt for and, most significantly, gave generously to support their campaign to build a world of justice and peace. See the thank you video here: https://youtu.be/TGoCY0zt084

    4. Family and Life Week 2026
    National Family and Life Week (NFLW) takes places this year from May 10-17, centring on the theme “I am with you always” (cf. Matthew 28:20). Families and communities are encouraged to take time during the week to celebrate their own families, express gratitude, and share meaningful moments with loved ones across generations. See more at: https://www.cccb.ca/faith-moral-issues/family-and-life/national-family-and-life-week/

    5. Our Lady of the Rosary 50/50 Raffle Fundraiser
    Our Lady of the Rosary Parish is excited to launch their own online 50/50 raffle fundraiser to support their new childcare and early learning facility. This centre will nurture children, support families, and serve our growing community for generations to come, while helping address gaps created by recent changes to provincial ELCC capital funding.
    • Tickets on sale now
    • Ticket sales end: June 30, 2026 (PDT)
    • Draw date: July 4, 2026 (PDT)

    Get your ticket here: https://www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/oltrp

    [As noted above, items 2, 3 and 4 relate to events that occurred last week.]

    We have five items to share with you today [May 8th]:

    1. Pastoral Appointments Announcement
      After prayerful discernment, Bishop Gary Gordon, in collaboration with the Diocesan Personnel Committee, has announced new pastoral appointments across the Diocese. The appointments may be viewed online at https://www.rcdvictoria.org/news/pastoral-appointments-announcement.
    2. The Blessed Marie Anne Blondin Bursary
      St. Mark’s College at UBC is now accepting applications for bursaries and awards offered for people within the Diocese of Victoria.
      The deadline to apply for the Blessed Marie Anne Blondin Bursary ($1,500) is coming up on May 15.  For eligibility requirements and to apply, go to:  https://stmarkscollege.ca/scholarships-and-financial-aid/#GraduateScholarships
    3. March For LIFE in Abundance – Knights of Columbus
      The Knights of Columbus are inviting the community to their March for LIFE & Dinner on May 14th. The event begins at the 12:00pm Mass at St. Andrews Cathedral, continues with a march to the BC Legislature, and ends with a ticketed dinner and guest speaker. For more information go to: m4lvictoria.ca
    4. Family and Life Week 2026
      National Family and Life Week (NFLW) takes places this year from May 10-17, centering on the theme “I am with you always” (cf. Matthew 28:20). Families and communities are encouraged to take time during the week to celebrate their own families, express gratitude, and share meaningful moments with loved ones across generations. See more at: https://www.cccb.ca/faith-moral-issues/family-and-life/national-family-and-life-week/
    5. Our Lady of the Rosary 50/50 Raffle Fundraiser
      Our Lady of the Rosary Parish is excited to launch their own online 50/50 raffle fundraiser to support their new childcare and early learning facility. This centre will nurture children, support families, and serve our growing community for generations to come, while helping address gaps created by recent changes to provincial ELCC capital funding.
      • Ticket sales begin: May 8, 2026 (PDT)
      • Ticket sales end: June 30, 2026 (PDT)
      • Draw date: July 4, 2026 (PDT)
      Get your ticket starting May 8th here:  https://www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/oltrp

    Many thanks,

    Communications Office
    Diocese of Victoria

  • The Joy of the Plan

    The Joy of the Plan

    by Jean Allen

    Before Jesus ascended, what did he tell his disciples to do? He said to make disciples of all nations, baptize them and “teach them to obey everything that I have commanded you.” From the last couple of weeks, we have explored what Jesus commanded them (and us) to do: Serve one another, love and accept one another and forgive each other. Wow! What would this world have been like if we had kept to the bare essentials of following Jesus? But, like all human beings, we made it complicated. And I think Jesus expected that.

    He could have spent his last moments with them giving them all sorts of intricate instructions, explaining things to watch out for, showing them ways to circumvent all the difficulties they would face and trying to settle doubts, but he didn’t. He offered them brief words which were a simple way forward but he knew. He knew things would get complex and messy. These were human beings whose ancestors had taken 10 simple commandments and developed a faith life built upon layers and layers of laws and a spirituality that revolved around blood sacrifice. He knew with whom he was entrusting the development of his Church. He knew who we were (and are) but he also knew (and knows) who is in control, no matter what kinds of messes we make. He trusted the Father, the Holy Spirit, himself and the ultimate plan. He didn’t have to have everything perfect and in order before he left. He trusted the plan.

    We need to trust the plan and understand that whatever we do or don’t do with our willing hearts and excellent intentions, in the end, the Trinity is in control. And the Trinity, instead of micromanaging everything, is engaged in living the commandments they left for us to follow: serving in humility, loving, accepting and forgiving. Oh. And laughing. The Trinity can laugh because there are no worries in living the commandments. The commandments and the ultimate plan will win.

    Did you get that? They WILL win.

  • The Promise

    The Promise

    by Jean Allen

    “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Last week I wrote of the works Jesus calls us to do: love, acceptance and forgiveness, which, funnily enough, can also be called commandments. But Jesus understood that our hearts are frail, so, he promised his followers to send the Holy Spirit, or as he is often called, the Forgotten Paraclete. Why forgotten? Because in our assiduous attempts to be fruitful in the ways Jesus calls us to be fruitful, we forget that the Holy Spirit is not just an amorphous third member of the Trinity or someone invoked when we do the sign of the cross. The Holy Spirit comes to help us in our weakness; we are not expected to do it all by ourselves.

    However, except for once a year at Pentecost, we tend to forget this powerful and loving member of the Trinity who yearns to guide us and is completely willing to come to our aid and bless us with the gifts we need to be on point followers of Christ.

    The death and resurrection of Jesus were, indeed, the most universally significant events in Christianity but Jesus sending the Holy Spirit to give power to his followers is almost equally as earth shattering. We truly do not realize what we have been gifted with. Without the Holy Spirit, Christianity would have failed in a generation. We humans just don’t have the capacity to walk in the way of the Lord.

    Here’s a prayer that many of you will be familiar with. It is one that is worth memorizing, if only to keep our heads attuned to the presence of the Spirit:

    Come, Holy Spirit, and fill the hearts of the Faithful. Enkindle in us the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth. Oh God, who, by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy his consolation. Through Christs, our Lord,

    Amen!
  • The Only Way, Truth and Life

    The Only Way, Truth and Life

    by Jean Allen

    The Gospel this week takes place immediately after the Last Supper. At the end of this text, Jesus says, “Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.” What works was Jesus talking about?

    Loving his disciples’ and becoming a servant to wash their feet. 

    You see, for Jesus, the miracles he performed, like raising people from the dead, making the blind to see and the lame to walk, were simply signs to the people of ‘God with us’ but the works that he did, the works that really signified who he was and what was in the heart of the Father, were the ways he loved his disciples and all the people he met along the way. His works were the amazing instances complete acceptance, of total forgiveness and of the compassionate love he poured out as well as having absolute faith in his Father. These are the works we are called to do that should be equal to or greater than what Jesus did. He was so sure that his disciples – and we – would continue to do what he had exemplified in his lifetime. 

    Our Christian walk should not be complicated, just filled with rules and rituals. These things can be helpful but they should not be mistaken for the works we are called to do. We can attend Mass daily and be diligent in our prayers but still hold a ‘justified’ grudge against someone or something. We can serve on committees and be active in a ministry but allow our hearts to continually focus on the negative while feeling that our negativity is simply right judgement. Jesus was surrounded by negative circumstances and had many opportunities to hold a grudge, but he didn’t focus on the negative or nurse grudges. He accomplished his works of trusting in God, loving his people and making forgiveness his Way, his Truth and his Life. 

    Can we do any less?   

  • News from the Chancery

    [in case you still don’t get these as direct emails…]

    Dear friends,

    We have five items to share with you today:

    1) Conversations in the Spirit (Online Session)
    All are invited to take part in an online “Conversation in the Spirit” synodal session on Saturday, May 9 from 10:30am-Noon. These sessions are part of the Diocese of Victoria’s journey of becoming a more deeply listening Church. This safe, respectful, and non-judgmental session will be exploring questions about how to bring the Good News to our communities.

    Here is what one participant had to say about their experience: “I feel like I belong. Brings me to my heart in a group/social setting. Love this, even if it is hard – it is such a true practice, allowing grace and spirit in.”

    To join the session, please use the following Zoom link:

        https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81881926381?pwd=K8hfpytrbBlv18YHYjbIa0Tmotzcub.1
        Meeting ID: 818 8192 6381
        Passcode: 921735

    2) KAIROS Blanket Exercise at Sacred Heart Parish
    In the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation, the Catholic Women’s League of Sacred Heart Parish is pleased to announce the KAIROS Blanket Exercise in the Parish Hall on Saturday, May 23rd from 9:30-12noon. The blanket exercise is a powerful interactive and experiential activity that walks people through 500 years of historic and current relationships between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples in Canada. This educational exercise guided by trained facilitators is great for members of parish councils and finance councils to deepen their learning.

    After a coffee and goodies break, ​the session will conclude with a debriefing, conducted as a “talking circle”. If you have any questions and to register, contact Margie Noonan at margielnoonan@gmail.com

    3) Family and Life Week 2026
    National Family and Life Week (NFLW) takes places this year from May 10-17, centring on the theme “I am with you always” (cf. Matthew 28:20), which reminds the domestic church that Christ remains with us in our joys, struggles, across generations, and in all of life’s experiences. Families and communities are encouraged to take time during the week to celebrate their own families, express gratitude, and share meaningful moments with loved ones across generations. The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has prepared a number of resources for families and groups to use, see them at: https://www.cccb.ca/faith-moral-issues/family-and-life/national-family-and-life-week/

    4) Fr. Ian Stuart Funeral Mass
    Beloved Fr. Ian Charles Stuart passed away on April 9, 2026 in Victoria. Father Ian, born on May 27, 1952 in St. Boniface, Manitoba was ordained in the Archdiocese of Vancouver in 1987, where he served many parishes before moving to Victoria. He served as a hospital chaplain in the Victoria Diocese and was known for his kindness and pastoral approach to his ministry. A funeral mass will be held on May 8 at 1:00pm at St. Patrick’s Parish.

    5. CNEWA Canada Webinar on the Middle East Crisis
    CNEWA Canada Wednesday, May 6 from 12:00–1:00 PM for a timely and important webinar on the ongoing conflict and the immense challenges facing communities in the Middle East. With deep, on-the-ground experience, they will offer firsthand insights into the realities unfolding in their regions and the urgent needs of those they serve. Register at: https://cnewa.org/ca/events/hope-in-action-the-middle-east-needs-you/

    Many thanks,

    Communications Office
    Diocese of Victoria

  • Garden Babies

    Garden Babies

    I had the pleasure of chatting (via email) with Peggy Chapeskie of Birthright Victoria. I asked her for a little more about the history of the plant sales for Birthright here in Victoria, BC, in anticipation of their upcoming “Garden Babies for Birthright” sales events. Here’s what she sent me. – Katherina

    Some Plant Sale History

    Our first Garden Babies for Birthright Plant Sales* began in 1997 as a fund raiser for the pregnancy support work of Birthright Victoria. Back then, we set up the first sale in a parking lot, dug into our gardens
    for volunteer plants, and sold to passersby. We’ve moved inside since that first year, and then out again with COVID and location changes. At present, our sales are a mix of inside and out, with portable coverings
    to provide shelter from inclement weather.

    Today, we run three Birthright Plant Sales: at Peggy’s greenhouse in Langford, at St. Patrick’s Church in Oak Bay, and at St. Elizabeth’s Church in Sidney. The Langford sale used to take place in early May, but as we’ve grown more tender veggies for our sales, we’ve shifted toward mid May. Dates for the other two sales have danced around over the years, but they generally take place toward the latter half of May.

    Since that first Plant Sale, we’ve grown and expanded. Some years have had their challenges, such as scheduling snafus, cold, late springs, watering restrictions and, more recently, COVID. The COVID years were challenging for small charities like Birthright, but with the addition of digital listings and sales by order, our Birthright Plant Sales have flourished!

    Plant Sales Going Forward

    Today, we offer a mix of Plant sales by Order and physical sales. There’s a buzz of excitement to in–person sales that’s hard to duplicate. People tell us they look forward to them all year long. At the same time, our plant sale pages have made learning about and ordering plants easier than ever. If you’re interested in tomatoes or other veggies, we especially recommend you pre-order to get just the varieties you want.

    For 2026, we are once again in the hall at our Oak Bay location, making set-up and sale day easier and more comfortable. Our Langford move is likely a permanent shift outside as our old location (Our Lady of the Rosary Parish) has been sold and the hall demolished. As a fringe benefit, we have access to a much larger selection of plants than we could haul to the old location! (We’re adding a trail of pop-up shelters to keep shoppers dry in case of bad weather.) Our Sidney sale remains outside. We look forward to welcoming you back to our Garden Babies for Birthright Plant Sales in 2026. And we hope to see many familiar faces!

    *Our Garden Babies for Birthright Plant Sales raise valuable funds so that we may continue the pregnancy support service of Birthright Victoria. Offering friendship and support to women experiencing unplanned pregnancy…because we care.

    Garden Babies for Birthright Plant Sales

  • Parish Connections April Blog

    Greetings!
    There is so much going on that we thought we’d try snipping a selection of upcoming events to share from some of our parish bulletins! Let us know what you think!

    Pilgrimage to Medjugorje – May 2026 A pilgrimage to Medjugorje is being offered from May 16–29, 2026, with Spiritual Chaplain Fr. Mark Cherry. This is a special opportunity for prayer, peace, and a deeper encounter with Christ through Our Blessed Mother. Spaces are limited. For more information, contact Group Leader Rhonda-Lynn at 902-448-3660.

    Craft Sale and Fleamarket
    May 9, 2026: 9am – 1:30pm
    @St Elizabeth’s Church, Sidney
    (https://parishconnections.ca/bulletin-board/)

    Demystifying AI Workshop
    Join Dr. Katherina Tarnai-Lokhorst for a free hands-on session where you will explore how AI can help with writing, organizing information, and research tasks, while also learning how to think critically about the content it produces. A great opportunity to gain confidence using new technology in a safe and supportive environment.

    May 5 | 4:00–6:00 PM
    St. Joseph the Worker Parish Community Room
    Bring your own laptop

    Register here:
    https://event.fourwaves.com/cwlsjtw-demystifyingai

    March for Life
    The Knights of Columbus are inviting the community to their March for Life & Dinner on May 14th. The event begins at the 12:00pm mass at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, continues with a march to the BC Legislature and ends with a ticketed dinner and guest speaker.

    For more information and to register, go to https://m4lvictoria.ca

    SJTW’s CWL Community Garage Sale –
    May 16, 2026 – 10am-2pm (*2 flyers)
    There are a few tables left for rent at our upcoming Community Garage Sale. Tables are $30, and you can keep your profit! Or donate! Proceeds will support local charities. Grab a Egg McKnight or a Burger with the grandkids – find a gift for Father’s Day!

    To reserve your spot (cash or by e-transfer): cwlgaragesalesjtw@gmail.com

    After Mass, look for the green baseball hat in the lobby @St Joseph the Worker Church. 

    (https://parishconnections.ca/bulletin-board/)

    Our Lady of the Rosary – A Follow-up to Fundraising Appeal: Pews and Kneelers
    (Donate here:  https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/129950804RR0009-our-lady-of-the-rosary-church/)

    We are grateful for the generosity of our parish community. To date, we have received $100,983.57 in pledges toward our goal for the pews and kneelers in our new church. These pews and kneelers will support the prayer and worship of our community for generations to come. We invite you to prayerfully consider contributing and help us bring this important project to completion. May the Lord bless you for your generosity and faithful support.

    Have a blessed weekend, Pam & Kath

  • Chancery post – repaired links

    When I opened my Parish Connections email, I noticed that the links in the “News from the Chancery” post were broken. I have repaired them in our original post, so if you are trying to check out the news, please view the blog post online.

    Cheers!

  • News from the Chancery

    [in case you don’t receive these directly to your inbox]

    Dear friends,

    We have four items to share with you today:

    1. Oblates of Mary Immaculate Bicentennial

    The Oblates of Mary Immaculate are inviting people of our Diocese to support them in marking the Oblate Bicentennial (1826–2026) on May 21, the feast of St. Eugene de Mazenod. The Oblates played a key role in the early faith history of this Diocese and Canada. A festive Gala Event fundraiser will be held to celebrate this milestone to benefit the Star of the North Retreat Centre, as well as a developing a new retreat house in their mission in Kenya. Those interested in supporting can register by May 7 at: https://www.starofthenorth.ca/bbhttps://www.starofthenorth.ca/register/browse/programs-2/event/starlight-fest-403/

    2. March For Life – Knights of Columbus

    The Knights of Columbus are inviting the community to their March for LIFE & Dinner on May 14th. The event begins at the 12:00pm Mass at St. Andrews Cathedral, continues with a march to the BC Legislature, and ends with a ticketed dinner and guest speaker. For more information and to register, go to: m4lvictoria.ca

    3. The Chosen is coming to Canadian TV audiences

    Salt + Light TV will be airing The Chosen beginning Sunday, May 3 in both French and English. The internationally acclaimed series starring Jonathan Roumie brings the life of Jesus from the pages of Scripture to the TV screen in a deeply moving historical drama. For specific air times, see: slmedia.org/blog/about-the-chosen

    4. The Year of St. Francis

    The Vatican has recently announced that 2026 will be the Year of St. Francis, as this year marks eight centuries since the death of St. Francis of Assisi. During this special year, Catholics are encouraged to make pilgrimage to places of worship dedicated to St. Francis. Read our blog post for more information: https://www.rcdvictoria.org/news/the-year-of-st.-francis

    Many thanks,

    Communications Office, Diocese of Victoria

  • The Voice of the Shepherd

    The Voice of the Shepherd

    by Jean Allen

    I’ve written this before but it bears repeating: in Jesus’s day, each shepherd didn’t have a separate sheepfold for his flock to sleep at night. At the end of a day, several flocks of sheep would be led into one big sheepfold where the sheep mingled and slept all together. In the morning, the shepherd would start talking to his sheep and if a sheep didn’t belong to his flock, it wouldn’t pay any attention. But the sheep of his flock knew their shepherd’s voice and would follow him out. Sheep knew the voice of their shepherd because they listened to it all day long, which meant that the shepherd would call out to and talk to his sheep all day long. That’s how the sheep knew the voice of their shepherd. They didn’t just follow a familiar figure at the head of the flock. They listened for the shepherd’s voice who would call them by name and show them the good places to graze and take them to the still water because sheep won’t drink from running water.

    Do you know the voice of the Shepherd? When you think of prayer, do you just think of a time when you’re doing all the talking, whether it’s rote prayer or spontaneous requests to God to help you or heal you or fix an uncomfortable situation? Or do you think of listening? Do you talk at God or with God? Do you listen for a voice steering you away from toxic food or calling you to a particularly good pool of water? Do you recognize his voice well enough that you can distinguish it from other voices that may seem good but don’t hold the warm, secure and comforting timbre of the Shepherd’s voice? 

    Many people equate the Shepherd’s voice with a voice of condemnation. It makes them feel driven to some sort of immediate action to help take away the sting of shame and guilt. If this is the voice you equate with the Shepherd, please remember: in Jesus’ day, the true shepherd led his sheep.

    It was the butcher that drove them.