P ♰ C

Connecting Catholics in parishes across Vancouver Island

recent posts

  • News from the Chancery

    [apologies for the delay in posting; I blame summer break 😬]

    Dear friends,

    We have four items to share with you:

    1. Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Vancouver Island: Hearts for Homes Gala
    The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Vancouver Island warmly invites you to the Hearts for Homes Gala — an evening of compassion, community, and impact in support of affordable housing on Vancouver Island. Join Bishop Gary and others on October 3 at the Union Club of Victoria (805 Gordon Street, Victoria, BC) for a memorable evening of fundraising featuring a three-course dinner, musical entertainment, guest speakers, and silent and live auctions.

    For tickets: https://www.hibid.ca/events/hearts-for-homes

    2. Rachels Vineyard Retreat
    Rachel’s Vineyard on Vancouver Island is offering a safe and confidential retreat from September 11-13, 2026 for women and men seeking healing and peace after abortion. Please share with anyone who would benefit from this type of healing. To learn more or register, please email rachelsvineyardvancouverisland@gmail.com.

    You can also find more information here: https://www.rachelsvineyardvanisland.org/

    3. Support Earthquake Victims in Venezuela
    Many of you are familiar with the catastrophic earthquakes that have hit Venezuela. Following Wednesday’s devastating earthquakes, Development and Peace – Caritas Canada has launched an emergency appeal, calling on Canadians to give generously to help the Venezuelan people.
    To learn about the work being done and how to donate, please see: https://devp.org/en/venezuela-earthquakes-you-can-help-now/

    [one item removed as it no longer is available]

    Many thanks,

    Communications Office
    Diocese of Victoria

  • Higher Law

    Higher Law

    by Jean Allen

    The Gospel of the Canaanite woman begging Jesus to heal her daughter, arguing that even dogs eat the crumbs from the table, is a tough one to digest. However, I fully believe Jesus knew he was going to heal the daughter and his resistance to the woman was an object lesson to his disciples.

    What Jesus said, that he was only sent to the lost sheep of Israel and that it wasn’t fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs, was Jesus regurgitating what every good Jew, including his disciples at that point, would have presumed was the correct answer. He stated the prophetic law that he was only sent to Israel and he stated the common prejudice of the time that anyone not a Jew was a dog not fit to eat from the table. The disciples were probably watching the whole interaction thinking, “That’s right! You tell her, Jesus.”

    And then Jesus shows his true nature and his true mission, catching everybody off guard. “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish,” instantly healing the daughter. 

    What Jesus was showing his disciples was that he came to supersede traditional prophetic law and that he wasn’t a Messiah just for the Jews. He came for anyone who needed him and accepted him. I think the disciples came away from that interaction with their set in stone foundations crumbling. That day they learned that love and compassion is the highest prophetic law and that Jesus came for everyone, not just them.

    We need to learn that too.

  • Going Overboard

    Going Overboard

    by Jean Allen

    Every time I read the Gospel about Peter attempting to walk on the water, I always question whether the words, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” were spoken just to Peter or if Jesus was including all the disciples. Obviously, Jesus spoke the words loud enough so they could all hear over the noise of the strong winds and the waves battering the boat. What Jesus said wasn’t just a quiet aside to Peter out on the water. Of course, Matthew, who wrote the account, wrote it like Jesus said it to Peter alone. But those disciples had been terrified as well and they did not try to step out of the boat when Jesus said, “Come.”

    Maybe Jesus wasn’t talking to Peter at all. His faith was strong enough to begin, to take the first step. Maybe Matthew was a bit jealous of Peter’s bravery and initial faith. Maybe he wished he had done it as well. Maybe Jesus discerned Matthew’s thoughts and, perhaps, the embarrassment of the other disciples who didn’t even try because of fear. Perhaps Jesus was addressing the fears of all of them when they continued to be terrified even after he said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”

    I think we can all relate to the feelings of continuing fear even though we know Jesus said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” I’m not sure most of us are even aware of what we are invited to do in the midst of our fears. We are invited to take a risk and for each of us the risk will be different, according to the area we need to grow in. Jesus actually didn’t expect all his disciples to step out of the boat; he told just Peter to come. Still, he did address their individual fears, telling them that their faith was incomplete at that point. In the future, each one, including Peter, would be challenged to take more risks as their faith increased.

    In other words, staying safely in the boat is not an option for growth.

  • News from the Chancery

    Dear friends,

    We have three items for you today:

    1. World Youth Day Seoul 2027 Pilgrimage
      Calling all youth aged between 19 to 35! Are you interested in joining our Diocese on a pilgrimage to attend World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul, South Korea? Plans are coming together and we would love to hear from you. If you or anyone you know are interested in learning more about this potentially life changing pilgrimage, please fill out this form below:
      https://forms.office.com/r/dQZVd6EDpZ
    2. Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Vancouver Island: Hearts for Homes Gala
      The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Vancouver Island warmly invites you to the Hearts for Homes Gala — an evening of compassion, community, and impact in support of affordable housing on Vancouver Island. Join Bishop Gary and others on October 3 at the Union Club of Victoria (805 Gordon Street, Victoria, BC) for a memorable evening of fundraising featuring a three-course dinner, musical entertainment, guest speakers, and silent and live auctions.
      For tickets: https://www.hibid.ca/events/hearts-for-homes
    3. Rachels Vineyard Retreat
      Rachel’s Vineyard on Vancouver Island is offering a safe and confidential retreat from September 11-13, 2026 for women and men seeking healing and peace after abortion. Please share with anyone who would benefit from this type of healing. To learn more or register, please email rachelsvineyardvancouverisland@gmail.com.
      You can also find more information here: https://www.rachelsvineyardvanisland.org/

    Many thanks,

    Communications Office
    Diocese of Victoria

  • The Poverty of Hope and Desire

    The Poverty of Hope and Desire

    -by Jean Allen

    The compassion of Jesus is indescribable. He had just had news of John’s death and he was grieving deeply. He needed to go and be alone for a while. He needed to speak to his Father. But the crowds, unaware of his grief and need, followed him in huge numbers because they had their own grief and needs. Jesus didn’t turn around and yell, “Can’t you people just leave me alone for a while?” He didn’t avoid, run or hide. He saw the crowds and he had compassion. He put their needs ahead of his own.

    When you go to pray to Jesus, try to bring the above scenario to mind. You are not praying to a God who puts his needs ahead of yours. He doesn’t need you to be perfect; he doesn’t need you to be right, whether it’s having the right words or the right theology or the right actions. He doesn’t need you to be clean and holy. The crowds that Jesus saw before him were a motley crew and they had none of the ‘right’ ways of approaching him. All they had was hope and desire.

    Jesus cannot resist the poverty of people who only have hope and desire to offer. He couldn’t resist it then and he can’t resist it now. Our problem is that we keep feeling that our poverty isn’t enough for Jesus. We can’t believe he doesn’t have heavy parameters and requirements; we can’t believe we’re ‘good enough’, especially not as we are in any given moment.

    In other words, we can’t believe the Good News. The good news is that compassion is freely given and given lavishly with love; it’s not earned. All the things we do for God should be done out of gratitude for what we have received, not to try to earn anything. This is a God who hangs with us no matter who we are or how we have acted. He doesn’t drift away to find someone else more holy to hang out with. Those who think of themselves as holy enough don’t need God.

    They’ve got themselves to hang out with.

    image: “Christ Healing the Blind Man”, painted by Sabastiano Ricci (1659-1734), retrieved from https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/christ-healing-the-blind-man-210612. Image credit: National Galleries of Scotland.

  • Quick, before it’s over!

  • News from the Chancery

    Dear friends,

    We have five items to share with you today:

    1. Diocese of Victoria Pastoral Care Training Fall 2026
      The valuable and free Pastoral Care Outreach Training series will be offered online this fall. The training is open to spouse caregivers, family members who care for their loved ones, clergy and religious, care aides and others in the health industry, and anyone who is personally drawn to learn basic tools necessary to accompany those who are in need of the healing ministry of Christ. For those interested, please register through your parish by September 17, 2026. More details at: https://www.rcdvictoria.org/hubfs/Fall%202026%20Pastoral%20Care%20Training%20Session%20Poster.pdf
    2. Diocesan Family Camp this August
      Calling all families across the Diocese! Join us for the 12th Annual Diocese of Victoria Family Camp and Conference. Families are invited to gather for a fun, faith-filled weekend of fellowship, play, and prayer taking place August 20-23 at beautiful Nanoose Bay Camp.
      Details are at: 12thAnnualVictoriaDioceseFamilyCampandConference.eventbrite.ca
    3. CCCB Launches New National Service for Migrant and Refugee Ministry and Recruiting Coordinator
      The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has established the Service for Migrant and Refugee Ministry (Human Mobility), a new national initiative that will strengthen the Catholic Church’s pastoral response to migrants, refugees, and other people affected by human mobility across Canada. The CCCB is seeking a National Coordinator to lead the Service during its three-year pilot and establish a national network supporting dioceses and eparchies. To learn more and to see the job posting see: https://www.cccb.ca/media-release/the-canadian-conference-of-catholic-bishops-launches-new-national-service-for-migrant-and-refugee-ministry-human-mobility-and-begins-recruitment-for-national-coordinator/
    4. Support Earthquake Victims in Venezuela
      Many of you are familiar with the catastrophic earthquakes that have hit Venezuela. Following Wednesday’s devastating earthquakes, Development and Peace – Caritas Canada has launched an emergency appeal, calling on Canadians to give generously to help the Venezuelan people. To learn about the work being done and how to donate, please see: https://devp.org/en/venezuela-earthquakes-you-can-help-now/
    5. Job Opportunities
      Appeal Administrative Assistant
      The Roman Catholic Diocese of Victoria is seeking an Appeal Administrative Assistant with strong data entry and communication skills. This role is a full-time (37.5 hours per week) temporary role from September 15, 2026, to February 12, 2027. The hourly salary range is $23.00 to $25.00. See the full job on our website here: https://www.rcdvictoria.org/employment

    Many thanks,

    Communications Office
    Diocese of Victoria

  • MYOB

    MYOB

    by Jean Allen

    It is interesting to me that the disciples asked Jesus to explain the parable of the landowner who sowed good seed in his field but an enemy came and sowed weeds, but they didn’t ask about the parables of the mustard seed or the woman who mixed yeast with the flour until the whole lot was leavened. Why did the first parable fascinate them?

    Could it have been because of their innate and very human need to see evil punished? Did they want to hear more about how the ‘bad weeds’ were going to be punished? Did they have in mind personal judgements about certain people they thought were weeds and were relishing the thought of them being burned up? Would they personally have the satisfaction of separating the weeds from the wheat?

    Jesus put an end to that kind of speculation. He told them the weeds would be gathered and burned at the end of the age and the angels would be doing the gathering and separating. It was none of their business! The fire that will burn the weeds is not the fire of eternal damnation; it is the fire of purification because God wills that all his children be wheat and not weeds. And we all know that purification can be painful.

    The disciples ignored the other two parables which actually cemented the point Jesus was trying to make. The Kingdom often flourishes like a weed, which the mustard tree was considered to be in those times, and God does not rest until all of the flour is leavened. In other words, it’s not up to us. It’s not up to us to judge what’s a weed and what’s not, it’s not up to us engage in any kind of separation of what we think is a weed and what we think is a righteous plant, and we are not called to worry and fret over the ‘fact’ that the world seems to be heading to hell in a handbasket and that the Church seems to be losing ground.

    Mind your own business. Fear not. Just be yeast.

  • News from the chancery

    Dear friends,

    We have five items to share with you today:

    1. Diocesan Permanent Pastoral Synod (DPPS) – Spring Plenary Report
     This past June, Over 40 people gathered in a day of prayerful discernment and collaborative discussion for the Diocesan Permanent Pastoral Synod – Spring Plenary. The Synod leadership team has prepared a 2026 Spring Plenary Report, summarizing the discussions and outcomes of the day. Bishop Gary Gordon has also written a pastoral message reflecting on the importance of this plenary in our ongoing diocesan synodal journey. Please see both of these here: https://www.rcdvictoria.org/news/bishop-gary-gordons-message-for-the-2026-dpps-spring-plenary

    2. Diocesan Family Camp this August
    Calling all families across the Diocese! Join us for the 12th Annual Diocese of Victoria Family Camp and Conference. Families are invited to gather for a fun, faith-filled weekend of fellowship, play, and prayer taking place August 20-23 at beautiful Nanoose Bay Camp.
    Details are at: 12thAnnualVictoriaDioceseFamilyCampandConference.eventbrite.ca

    3. Mount St. Mary Hospital’s 6th Annual Summer Fair
    The Diocese is a proud sponsor of Mount St. Mary Hospital’s Summer Fair taking place on Saturday, July 25. The fair is a free, family friendly community event featuring live music, a BBQ, pop up boutiques, a silent auction, kids’ activities, free trishaw rides, and much more. This year’s fundraiser is supporting the renovation of our fifth-floor resident care unit to improve comfort, safety, and quality of life of residents.

    4. Support Earthquake Victims in Venezuela
    Many of you are familiar with the catastrophic earthquakes that have hit Venezuela. Following Wednesday’s devastating earthquakes, Development and Peace – Caritas Canada has launched an emergency appeal, calling on Canadians to give generously to help the Venezuelan people. To learn about the work being done and how to donate, please see: https://devp.org/en/venezuela-earthquakes-you-can-help-now/

    5. Job Opportunities

    Appeal Administrative Assistant
    The Roman Catholic Diocese of Victoria is seeking an Appeal Administrative Assistant with strong data entry and communication skills. This role is a full-time (37.5 hours per week) temporary role from September 15, 2026, to February 12, 2027. The hourly salary range is $23.00 to $25.00. See the full job on our website here: https://www.rcdvictoria.org/employment

    Many thanks,

    Communications Office

    Diocese of Victoria

  • News from the Chancery

    Dear friends,
    We have six items to share with you today:

    1. Sea Sunday 2026
      Every year, on the second Sunday of July, Catholic communities around the world celebrate Sea Sunday, honouring the often invisible and isolating work of seafarers. Learn more about this occasion and see the message from Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development (DPIHD), Cardinal Michael Czerny SJ, here: https://www.rcdvictoria.org/diocesanblog/sea-sunday-2026
    2. Diocesan Family Camp this August
      Calling all families across the Diocese! Join us for the 12th Annual Diocese of Victoria Family Camp and Conference. Families are invited to gather for a fun, faith-filled weekend of fellowship, play, and prayer taking place August 20-23 at beautiful Nanoose Bay Camp.Details are at: 12thAnnualVictoriaDioceseFamilyCampandConference.eventbrite.ca
    3. 2026 CWL Provincial Convention
      The Diocese was happy to support the Catholic Women’s League Provincial Convention that took place in Sidney this June. See our recap blog post to learn about this special event and the important work the CWL does for the community. https://www.rcdvictoria.org/diocesanblog/catholic-womens-league-provincial-2026-convention
    4. Mount St. Mary Hospital’s 6th Annual Summer Fair
      The Diocese is a proud sponsor of Mount St. Mary Hospital’s Summer Fair taking place on Saturday, July 25. The fair is a free, family friendly community event featuring live music, a BBQ, pop up boutiques, a silent auction, kids’ activities, free trishaw rides, and much more. This year’s fundraiser is supporting the renovation of our fifth-floor resident care unit to improve comfort, safety, and quality of life of residents. To learn more and to donate go to: 6th Annual Summer Fair
    5. Support Earthquake Victims in Venezuela
      Many of you are familiar with the catastrophic earthquakes that have hit Venezuela. Following Wednesday’s devastating earthquakes, Development and Peace – Caritas Canada has launched an emergency appeal, calling on Canadians to give generously to help the Venezuelan people. To learn about the work being done and how to donate, please see: https://devp.org/en/venezuela-earthquakes-you-can-help-now/
    6. Bursaries and Awards Applications Open
      Applications are now being accepted for bursaries and awards offered by the Diocese of Victoria to outstanding students and educators.  The deadline for applications is July 15th.  More information and application forms are available at the following links:
      > The Jawl Bundon LLP Bursary ($2500): for a grade 12 Catholic student who has been accepted to a post-secondary institution.  Preference will be given to Indigenous students, and to students who live outside of Greater Victoria and Nanaimo.https://www.rcdvictoria.org/jawl-bundon-bursary
      > The Char Deslippe Memorial Award ($500): for a teacher working in Island Catholic Schools or a parish catechist serving in children, youth or adult ministry.https://www.rcdvictoria.org/char-deslippe-award

    Many thanks,

    Communications Office
    Diocese of Victoria