P ♰ C

Connecting Catholics in parishes across Vancouver Island

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  • The Equality of Love

    The Equality of Love

    – posted by Jean Allen

    As the Lord of all creation, does Jesus think he’s better than us? What if he doesn’t? Would that make a difference as to how you relate to him? It’s something to deeply ponder because at the beginning of his public ministry, he did not count himself as better than anyone else.

    Jesus is in such solidarity with us humans that he insisted that he be baptized by John ‘to fulfill all righteousness’. He didn’t deem himself better than us; he didn’t feel embarrassed to submit to a sacrament of cleansing that he didn’t need. He wanted to be one with us in all ways, as God was calling him to do. That was the righteousness he was fulfilling: willingly submitting fully to God’s plan and mission. Those of us who were baptized as infants couldn’t make a conscious decision to submit fully to God’s will, plan and mission for our lives but we have had a plethora of opportunities since to consciously submit ourselves to God. Every time we participate in a baptism, we are invited to renew our baptismal vows and we should be very aware of what we are doing and who we are consecrating ourselves to. It should also make us very aware that Jesus considers himself one of us. He never at any time acted as if he was better or deserved more than anyone else and he is very blessed when we treat each other the same way we treat him. “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters, that you do to me.” 

    It’s easy to just rip off the replies to the baptismal vows without much thought but it actually could be a very enlightened time for us all. A whole church full of people are re-presenting their baptisms – making their baptisms present again. A whole church full! I think that if we all listened very carefully and openly at that time, we would hear something amazing. It would be the voice of God saying,

    “These are my daughters and sons, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased!”    

  • RC Diocese of Victoria 2025 Christmas Mass Schedule

    To find the 2025 Christmas Mass schedule by location, please click here: https://www.rcdvictoria.org/events/2025-christmas-mass-times 

  • You Have Got To Be Kidding!

    You Have Got To Be Kidding!

    ~ Jean Allen

    Just like us, Mary and Joseph had their life plans. And, just like what often happens to us, their plans were disturbingly upended and they were thrown into a set of confusing circumstances that called for stark faith that God was in control. Sure, it’s great to have a name for the baby but WHAT ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE??

    Just like us, Mary and Joseph were called to walk in that stark faith by taking one day, one step and one moment at a time. As we are doing right now, they had to wait for the arrival of Jesus, knowing that at the same time Jesus was already with them. All Mary and Joseph could do in the midst of uncertainty was trust and wait day by day and moment by moment. And that’s all we can do. 

    We tend to think that Mary and Joseph didn’t have to struggle like we do with anxious thoughts about uncertain situations. We think that they never privately asked themselves if what they had heard and experienced was really true because it all seemed so bizarre. We struggle and have doubts in our secret hearts about difficult situations and feel less than holy because real holy people don’t struggle the way we do.

    I think that if you could talk to Mary and Joseph right now, they would disabuse you of the notion that holiness means being perfect, never doubting and never fearing what’s coming. Holiness doesn’t mean perfection; holiness means consecration. A cracked cup consecrated to hold the body of Christ is holy, not because of its perfection but because of its contents. Mary and Joseph were consecrated to God and assented to the contents of their lives completely changing from the contents they had always assumed would be theirs into the contents that God desired them to hold. God didn’t choose them for their perfection but for their willingness.

    So, “Ring the bells that still can ring. Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack in everything; that’s how the light gets in.” (Leonard Cohen)

  • Parish Connections – December 2025

    Dear Catholic friends,
    I am so happy to be able to share the list of Christmas services for the Diocese and so am sending this off to you today. https://www.rcdvictoria.org/events/2025-christmas-mass-times

    We also have permission from Jean Allen, to include her reflections often found on the front of St Joseph the Worker’s bulletin, (see “the Wilderness Way” from Dec 9, 2025 by clicking here: https://parishconnections.ca/ )

    At St Joseph the Worker, I have snipped this beautiful service I have been attending. The Geras family played the music last Friday.  (Advent Vespers are being led by a lay person):

    Note: The three Fridays in December 2025 are the 5th, the 12th and 19th of December

    As some of you cannot open attachments…see below the things we know about and you can also find them shortly here: https://parishconnections.ca/bulletin-board/

    If you hear of, know of or can snap a picture of things going on in your Parishes, Catholic schools or hospitals, Pamela will be popping round to meet people in the New Year, (after 16 Jan). Some events we realize are for Parishioners only and we want to be respectful and are not data-mining your December bulletins; these offerings we have received ourselves from you (thank you!) or are from bulletins where we attend.  News from the Chancery is also shared on our website.

    We also wish to regularize our communication to you in the New Year using our website and, you will be able to choose what, and how often you want to hear from us. More to come.

    Have a wonderful Advent Season!

    Pamela
    P♰C (Parish Connections)

    p.s. check out And, https://www.rcdvictoria.org/events/december-28-mass-for-jubilee-rite-of-closing; the official closing ceremony of the Jubilee of Hope is in Rome on January 6, 2026.

    Sacred Heart Parish – Advent Reconciliation Service
    St. Andrew’s Cathedral – Simbang Gabi 9-day mass schedule: Filipino tradition of the Novena for Christmas
    St. Andrew’s High School – Advent Carol Concert
  • The Joy of New

    The Joy of New

    ~ Jean Allen

    John was the last of the Old Testament prophets and his general perception of God was definitely Old Testament based. Therefore, he preached the wrath of God in a way that Jesus, who ushered in the New Testament, did not. John may have even been confused by Jesus’s ways of proclaiming the Kingdom because after his arrest, he sent his disciples to ask Jesus if he was the one who was supposed to come or should they wait for another. “Jesus said, “Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard (the blind see etc.) …and blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” Jesus’s way of gentle and compassionate preaching, teaching and healing could have been a real stumbling block to anyone with an Old Testament mentality. 

    Even today we need to search our hearts to see if we are harboring any remnants of an Old Testament mentality. This is a mentality that fears the wrath and judgement of God and then turns around and feels justified in having self-righteous wrath and judging others. Jesus came to disentangle us from that way of living our spirituality, a way that is so easy and satisfying to slip into. But Jesus calls us to flatten those mountains of judgement and wrath. Don’t stumble over the idea that the wrath of God is just waiting to catch us out as if we’re all worthless reprobates. 

    Don’t miss the part in today’s Gospel where Jesus says that the least in the Kingdom of God is greater than John the Baptist. John was born of a woman but we, the least in the Kingdom, are born of the Spirit of Christ. John was called to be John but we are called to be other Christs walking in the Spirit and bringing goodness and peace to all we meet, not walking in terror of judgement but in the joy of being loved and sharing love. 

    The Advent of our God, indeed!

  • Novena – Simbang Gabi

    St. Andrew’s Cathedral
    740 View Street, Victoria BC
    Dec 15-23, 2024 at 7 PM

    This Christmas, join us for the 9-day Filipino tradition, Simbang Gabi.

    This novena reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas — faith, hope and the joy of His coming.

    Simbang Gabi 2025 – at St. Andrew’s Cathedral
    Simbang Gabi 2025 – Mass line-up at St. Andrew’s Cathedral
  • The Wilderness Way

    The Wilderness Way

    ~ Jean Allen

    Isaiah actually didn’t say, the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,’ What’s written in Isaiah is, “the voice one crying: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord.” It would seem the difference is miniscule yet it indicates that John was not just one who was crying out somewhere in the wilderness; he was calling God’s people to come to the wilderness, out from under the recognized power centers and power wielders of the Jewish faith world. He was calling them to come away, from a path where everything spiritual was mediated for them through sacrifice, and enter into a new path of direct access to God. John was catching glimmers of what the New Testament way would be and he intuited that it definitely would not be centered on Temple Sacrifice and the often corrupt Temple authorities.

    No wonder some Pharisees and Sadducees came to check him out under the pretext of wanting to be baptized. John was a real threat to their authority and lifestyle and, there was no doubt about it, people were flocking to John out there in the wilderness on the Jordan River. John was calling the people to prepare their hearts for a new way, and new ways always feel like a wilderness at first. The old comforts and perspectives are gone, which can be scary and uncertain. John wasn’t saying, “Repent and go sacrifice a lamb.” He was saying, “Repent, be baptized and change your ways. Do good. Don’t cheat. Be satisfied with your wages. Live simply. This is the way; this is the path to the heart of God.”

    People were so ready to come out from under the thumb of Temple Sacrifice. Where the Temple was built of stumbling blocks that made the people’s access to God difficult, John’s way, even though it was a wilderness way, felt fresh, open and untangled. Even John’s preaching about the wrath of God felt better to them and more doable than the heavy and burdensome yoke of the Temple.

    In the wilderness, prepare your way.

  • News from the Chancery

    In case you are not on their mailing list, here’s the latest from the RC Diocese of Victoria Chancery.

    Dear friends,

    We have three items to share with you today:

    1) All are invited to join “A Gift of Silent Reflection,” an online Diocesan Year-End Examen on Saturday, December 13, from 10:30–11:30 am. This 500-year-old Ignatian prayer helps us grow in gratitude and awareness of God’s presence in our daily lives. The reflection will be led by Joelle Dressler and Mary Kearsey. Find more information about how to join here: https://www.rcdvictoria.org/events/december-13-year-end-examen

    2) On Sunday, December 28, the Diocese of Victoria will join the worldwide Church in celebrating the Rite of Closing of the Jubilee Year. The Rite of Closing will happen at the 11 am Mass at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Victoria, with Bishop Gary Gordon presiding. All are invited to participate in person or via the livestream at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BBauIl-9vo

    3) December 8, 2025, marks the 18th anniversary of the Diocese of Victoria Health Care Committee. Its members, bringing diverse professional backgrounds and representing regions across the Diocese, advise Bishop Gary Gordon on medical and ethical matters, and offer experience, support, and training in the ministry of care, accompanying the sick, the elderly, the lonely, and the dying with the compassionate presence of Jesus Christ. In doing so, they help foster and strengthen pastoral care among pastors, parishes, and all people in the Diocese of Victoria. Learn more about Pastoral Care Ministry here: https://www.rcdvictoria.org/pastoral-care

    Many thanks,

    Marie D’Souza
    Communications Coordinator
    Diocese of Victoria

  • Parish Connections – November 2025

    Good Evening (this is the last of November’s events for our E-newsletter, for Parish Connections and a few leading into December…just received :>)

    1. Sat, 29 Nov – 10am – 2:30pm Christmas Market, @Mount St Mary’s, Fairfield Road, Victoria (see attached flyer)

    2. Sat 29 Nov & Sun 30 Nov: 2025:Birthright Fudge Sales
    **Look for us after Mass:
    Sat 29 Nov @5pm
    Sun 30 Nov @10:30am, @12:00pm (new, for Advent) & @5pm
    Accepting cash, cheque or
    by e-transfer (Message Line: Parish Name, Fudge. Etransfer to: info@birthrightvictoria.org)

    3. Sat Dec 6 & Sun Dec 7, 2025 – Birthright Fudge Sales @OLOR Parish
    **Look for us after Mass: @5pm Sat, & Sun, @8:30am & @4pm Masses @Our Lady Star of the Sea
    Accepting cash, cheque or
    by e-transfer (Message Line: Parish Name, Fudge. Etransfer To: info@birthrightvictoria.org

    4. Fri, 13 Dec 2025: Advent Learning For Ladies (bring a snack to share) @St Joseph the Worker Parish.
    See attached for more info.

    Need a flyer on your phone?: https://parishconnections.ca/bulletin-board/

    Blessings
    Pamela & Katherina

  • Pilgrims to St. Andrew’s Cathedral

    Pilgrims to St. Andrew’s Cathedral

    November 28th, 2025. We slowly gathered in the pews of St. Joseph the Worker Parish during weekly Friday adoration.

    I flitted around a bit, checking with Fr. Alfredo that our timing would still work and that we had enough copies of the Jubilee Prayer I found posted on the Vatican website. Then I took the opportunity to rest in prayer and adoration.

    At 10:45am, Fr. Alfie came to the front of the church and called us Pilgrims up for a blessing and send-off. As we gathered, I was filled with awe to see that Fr. Alfie was in his formal robes. His benediction included lifting the monstrance high between his fabric-covered hands. I know I wasn’t the only one with tears of gratitude and joy forming her eyes.

    As we flocked out of the church, I was reminded of the scene in Sister Act when the nuns all crossed the street from their abbey to the casino. How did I come to be involved with this group of wonderful CWL women? Thanks be to God.

    Our bus, on loan from St. Andrew’s High School (thank you, so much, St. Andrew’s High school and thank you, Beth, for arranging our transportation!), was awaiting us outside. Driver Jim welcomed us aboard for our journey to the Cathedral. Cecelia S. graciously led us in praying the Rosary. I asked for everyone’s indulgence to pray the Luminous mysteries since we were on this hopeful pilgrimage. We closed our five decades parked just outside St. Andrew’s Cathedral. What perfect timing!

    Happily, we arrived at 11:20am, which gave us lots of time to enter the cathedral, admire the beauty therein, find our pews and settle down, and chat briefly with Fr. Dean before the beginning of another Rosary we could join in with: this time, the Friday Sorrowful mysteries. Mass was beautiful; thank you, Fr. Dean, for your very kind words of welcome.

    After mass, we walked over to the rectory lunch room to find a lovely set up with tea, coffee and water ready for our arrival. Thank you, so much, Anjali and all your colleagues who helped set up the room for our meal.

    We returned to St. Joe’s on the bus with Jim in plenty of time to vacate the parking lot before the chaos of after-school pick-ups began. Again, glorious timing!

    Thank you, everyone who helped facilitate this Jubilee Pilgrimage. We are all ever so grateful.

    If you would like to arrange your own Jubilee Pilgrimage before the end of this Jubilee Year of Hope, you still have more than a month: the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica doesn’t close until January 6th!

    For more information on pilgrimages, see my infographic (and references). For more on hope, see this one.

    ~ Katherina