Pastoral Centre gets in the game

Archdiocese employees a bunch of Canuckleheads

The Archdiocese of Vancouver has made its allegiances known today by putting up a Vancouver Canucks flag outside of the John Paul II Pastoral Centre at 150 Robson St.

The flag was proudly hung next to the Canadian flag and the Vatican flag just in time for tonight's Game 3 match between the Canucks and Boston Bruins.

The Canucks currently lead the series 2-0.

Betting bishops

Archbishops raise the stakes as players lace their skates

With excitement building in the Stanley Cup Finals, Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, has issued a challenge to Boston archbishop Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley.

If the Vancouver Canucks win the Stanley Cup, Cardinal O'Malley will make a $100 donation to Project Advance*, the annual diocese-wide appeal that helps fund many of the institutions, programs, ministries, and needs within the Archdiocese of Vancouver.

Conversely, if the Boston Bruins edge out the Canucks, Archbishop Miller will make a $100 donation to Catholic Charities Boston, which provides a broad spectrum of social service care to thousands of needy individuals and families in Massachusetts.

Check out the full story on The B.C. Catholic website.

Cardinal O'Malley (left) and Archbishop Miller

*The Project Advance website was down at the time this was posted.

Singing Sweeneys' swingin' Saturday show

Family band raises money for St. Vincent de Paul Society

For those who enjoy the combination of blood-bound harmonies and raising money for a good cause, the Sweeney Singers are holding a benefit concert for the Abbotsford St. Vincent de Paul Society tomorrow.

The group, made up of eight siblings and cousins between 15 and 32 years of age, will perform at the Bakerview Church in Abbotsford June 4 at 7:30 p.m.

Directed by Janet Sweeney, with musical accompaniment from Mark Sweeney, the family plays a wide range of musical styles that includes folk, jazz, and spiritual music. The family members have been singing in the Fraser Valley for 22 years.

Violinist Lorin Friesen will join the octet on selections from Bach's catalogue, and Soyna Sweeney from the University of Ottawa's music program will also make a guest appearance.

Admission is by donation.

For more information, contact Janet Sweeney at 604-856-7765 or mjsweeney@shaw.ca

The Bakerview Church is located at 2285 Clearbrook Road in Abbotsford.

Way of the Wickeys

Young Vancouver pilgrims walk and blog along the Camino de Santiago before World Youth Day

 Aiden, Crystal, Leighton and Mark at home before the camino.

The Wickeys: Aiden, Leighton and Crystal, with cousin and Catholic Christian Outreach Missionary Mark Ho, are in Spain doing the Camino pilgrimage, the Way of St. James. Crystal, who was working in Reception/Circulation for The B.C. Catholic until she began the pilgrimage mid-May, started the Camino with Aiden (of the Catholic Charities Men's Hostel) and Mark in St. Jean Pied de Port in France. Leighton started his pilgrimage in Porto, Portugal. Mark has also started a blog called Finding my way on The Way.

Why do the Camino? In their very first blog post (May 14), Aiden wrote:

 I look at the experience as a time for adventure, reflection and contemplation... a mobile retreat so to speak where our prayer time is intertwined with the walking and the quiet times as well as the time in community and with other pilgrims.

Long walk to the next town, Santo Domingo.

Their blog is filled with great stories and photos of their preparation, "pilgrim meals", the Spanish siesta, the churches along the way, their negotiating skills in finding a place to sleep, finding Our Lady and more.

According to their blog post on May 31, they were in Fromista, a sleepy town that is quite popular with pilgrims and tourists.

Follow the Way of the Wickeys, leave a comment, ask a question and let them know what you think of their pilgrimage and adventure. Most importantly, keep them in your prayers as they keep us all in theirs. (I am sure they're praying for the Canucks, too!)

Hollywood admits they push a liberal agenda

Controversial new book exposes TV executive’s secret agenda

Watch any television show on today and most viewers will find that liberal points a view are very prevalent. It’s not really a secret, but it’s never been admitted openly, until now.

Author Ben Shapiro’s new book Primetime Propaganda details Hollywood’s secret agenda. In conjuncture with the book’s release, Shapiro has released video interviews with a who’s who of TV’s elite.  These top executives comment on pushing a liberal agenda, sometimes personally.

Such was the case with Marta Kauffman, co-creator of the popular sitcom Friends. She admitted to casting the half sister to a former Republican house speaker to play a minister presiding over a lesbian wedding in a former episode. "There was a bit of [explecit] in it to the right wing," she said in the interview.

Many other executives Shapiro interviewed admitted to putting together liberal staffs, effectively stating that: conservatives aren’t welcome in Hollywood.

Elementary my dear Watson

Pablo Santa Maria Watson ordination Friday

Tomorrow another man will take his first step into the holy orders when Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, lays his hands on Pablo Santa Maria Watson.

Originally from Mexico but currently living in White Rock, Watson will become a deacon during a special ordination Mass at Holy Rosary Cathedral.

The Christ the King seminarian's ordination takes place June 3 at 7 p.m.

Holy Rosary is located at 646 Richards St.

Watch for pictures and a story following the ordination in an upcoming issue of The B.C. Catholic.

Canucks = God's team?

Are the Canucks hockey's most faithful team?
 

Vendors are selling this T-shirt outside of
Rogers Arena. Does this shirt reflect
the NHL's most faithful team?
Or is it just a cash-grab reflecting
a disrespect for Christianity?

Before every game Roberto Luongo makes the sign of the cross. If he wins another one usually follows.

Trevor Linden is known for his charitable works just as much as his great legacy.

And Dan Hamhuis attributes his good will to his saviour Jesus.

So it could be conceivable that after years of thanking the good Lord, Luongo and his team mates could be awarded hockey's highest honour, the Stanley Cup.

It would be a tad presumptuous for this blogger to claim a Holy connection with the province's favourite team. But the year so far has simply been divine. Every Canuck blunder over the last forty years has been replaced with restitution. A team once known as a bunch of losers in ugly Halloween costumes, has now been transformed into Stanley Cup favourites.

Mere coincidence? Or is there something greater at work here? If we look at the Canuck's history it paints a picture humility, dedication, and service.

"When you have a gift to make a difference, I really feel that it's your obligation to use it," Canuck hero Trevor Linden said in the Olympic edition of the B.C Catholic. Hockey's patron saint for heart is a relatively new Catholic, being baptized in 2004. However Linden has been doing great acts of charity in B.C for as long as he has called Vancouver his home.

It's this type of attitude that encompasses Linden and many other Canucks. The organization as a whole has championed many charitable initiatives, staying consistent even with ownership changes.

Canuck Place stands as the crown jewel of the team's service to the community. Many Canucks frequent the house in Shaughnessy with rumours of Linden even going to visit on his down time.

This act of charitable service always dumbfounded me as to why the Canucks, who give so much of themselves on and off the ice were never rewarded with the NHL's highest honour. Whatever it was I think CBC's Jim Hughson called the turning point to it when Alex Burrows scored in overtime against the Blackhawks. Hughson exclaimed after the goal; "it's a good night for an exorcism!"

Since then it appears the evil that hindered the Canucks for so long has been vanquished. Assisted by a little heavenly help perhaps.

Remembering deceased infants

St. Matthew's parish holds memorial mass and Teddy Bear Tea June 11th

Lower Mainland Catholics are invited to join families affected by infant death for a special mass June 11th at St. Matthew's Parish. Father Augustine Obiwumma will celebrate the mass, remembering infants and toddlers lost at birth or during pregnancy.

During the mass prayers will also be offered for couples who can not conceive, as well as parents who decide to give babies up for adoption, or waiting to adopt a child. Families are encouraged to enter their deceased child's name in the "Little Book of Life."

St. Matthew's Parish is located 16079 88th Avenue, Surrey. The mass gets started at 5:30 pm followed by the Teddy Bear Tea and Social hosted by Elizabeth Ministries at 6:30 pm.

Be sure to check out the B.C Catholic for upcoming coverage.

Faith in the Finals

Canucks schedule released for last fight for glory

The Vancouver Canucks defeated the San Jose Sharks 3-2 in double overtime last Tuesday, and are now on their first trip to the Stanley Cup Finals in 17 years.

The NHL has released the schedule for the finals, against  the Boston Bruins after their 1-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning May 27.

The only question now is: who will take home Lord Stanley's cup?

2011 STANLEY CUP FINAL
Date	vs.	Network
Wednesday, June 1	at Vancouver, 5 p.m.	NBC, CBC, RDS
Saturday, June 4	at Vancouver, 5 p.m.	NBC, CBC, RDS
Monday, June 6	at Boston, 5 p.m.	VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Wednesday, June 8	at Boston, 5 p.m.	VERSUS, CBC, RDS
*Friday, June 10	at Vancouver, 5 p.m.	NBC, CBC, RDS
*Monday, June 13	at Boston, 5 p.m.	NBC, CBC, RDS
*Wednesday, June 15	at Vancouver, 5 p.m.	NBC, CBC, RDS

-  * if necessary
-     All Times Pacific

You gotta have the right friends

Msgr. Stanley Deptula holds a volume of letters
from cardinals and bishops supporting the
sainthood cause of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.

Some of us know the right people, but then maybe all of us do

Turns out Pope Benedict XVI knew Archbishop Fulton Sheen, and it seems Archbishop Sheen wants to be canonized.  I guess it helps to know the right people: in this case, the Pope.

However this works two ways.  I guess the bigger benefit might be the Pope's if he knows someone who is in heaven.

Let's make a deal, anyone?

This is really what the communion of saints is all about, though, a sort of mutual back scratching.  We pray for the souls in purgatory, they become the saints in heaven, and they (we hope and beg and pray) intercede with God on our behalf.  This gives us good practical (self-serving even) reason to pray for people we know who have died.

Archbishop Sheen was known for his evangelizing of everyone he came in contact with, so he can be a model for us as we are asked these days to do the same.

Archbishop Sheen is said to have been the first TV evangelist.  His TV show "Life is Worth Living" is still available for viewing.

T-Birds shut out Irish

VC loses first game in rugby provincials

The Fighting Irish May 17 in their 41-15 victory over the Walesmen

The Vancouver College Fighting Irish lost their first match in the B.C. Secondary Schools' Rugby Union AAA provincials. The Carson Graham Thunderbirds shut the Irish out 64-0 in their May 28 match.

Down but not out, VC will play the Kelowna Owls, who lost their first match 10-5 to the Yale Lions.

VC faces off against the Owls June 1 at 2:30 p.m. at Rotary Stadium in Abbotsford.

Code Blue: Igniting the Heart of Pro-Life Nursing

Canadian Nurses for Life goes into rescue mode!


Health care professionals who hold pro-life views will have their concerns addressed when Canadian Nurses for Life hosts a conference at Rosemary Heights Retreat Centre on July 29 and 30 to help nurses, nursing students, and care aides deal with the ethical challenges presented by working in today's health care environment.

Dr. Margaret Cottle

Dr. Margaret Cottle, MD and Palliative Care Physician at UBC heads up a roster of pro life speakers including Sean Murphy of the Protection of Conscience Project, Christina Lamb, RN and Bio-Ethicist, Stephanie Gray who is co-founder for the Canadian Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform and Anita Sonntag, RN and Regional Coordinator for Silent No More Awareness Campaign.

Go to www.canadiannursesforlife.ca to register or receive more information.

The woman who saw the light

Mother of Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler's aborted baby tells a pro-life story

Julia Holcomb with Steven Tyler (Lifenews.com)

After reading Kevin Burke's article on Aerosmith's lead singer Steven Tyler, Julia Holcomb wrote a more detailed account of her relationship with Tyler, her abortion and her journey into becoming a pro-life Catholic wife and mother. She writes:

My maiden name is Julia Holcomb and I am writing in response to Kevin Burke’s article Post Abortion Trauma from the National Review.  I found the article he wrote about Steven Tyler remarkably compassionate while outlining the trauma of abortion. My name was mentioned in this article, as it has been in several other articles that have been written lately, and in several books. I decided it was time to tell my story honestly, to the best of my memory, hoping to bring closure and peace to this period of my life.

Hers is an amazing story of faith and healing:

In spite of everything, I do not hate Steven Tyler, nor am I personally bitter.  I pray for his sincere conversion of heart and hope he can find God’s grace. I know that I am also responsible for what happened that day. Someone may say that my abortion was justified because of my age, the drugs, and the fire. I do not believe anything can justify taking my baby’s life. The action is wrong. I pray that our nation will change its laws so that the lives of innocent unborn babies are protected.

Read her full story here.

"Light of the World" by Charles Bosseron Chambers

UPDATE: Student dies after explosion at Catholic school

18 year old succumbs to injuries in hospital

Grade 12 student Eric Leighton died in the Ottawa Civic Hospital last night after an explosion in his shop class left him unconscious.

Students began to gather outside Mother Teresa Catholic High School around 8 p.m. shortly after word got out that Leighton had passed away.

The updated story is on the main page of The B.C. Catholic website.

Explosion at Catholic school sends six students to hospital

18 year old shop student in critical condition

Emergency crews outside Mother Theresa Catholic School

Students at the new Mother Teresa Catholic High School in Ottawa watched in horror as an unexpected explosion has one student in critical condition and six others in the hospital. The explosion originated from the auto shop where students were making barbecues. A 55 pound oil drum was set off nearby.

Police are not releasing any names but students say the critically injured student is Eric Leighton. He is popular with classmates with many students in the school praying for his recovery.

Leighton was found "without vital signs" according to a statement released by Ottawa Emergency Services. Paramedics were able to resuscitate him and find a pulse by the time the Grade 12 student reached the hospital.

A 33-year old teacher and four other students  were accessed for concussions. Another student was taken to hospital and is in serious condition.

For the complete story see the B.C. Catholic.

Pope sends telegram to tornado victims in Joplin

His Holiness assures his closeness in prayer

Pope Benedict XVI gave a lift to the faithful in the tornado struck town of Joplin Missouri. The telegram message was sent yesterday and received by Bishop James Vann Johnston of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, USA. 

The text read: "the Holy Father has followed with deep concern the aftermath of the catastrophic tornado which struck Joplin on Sunday and he asks you to convey to the entire community the assurance of his closeness in prayer. Conscious of the tragic loss of life and the immensity of the work of rebuilding that lies ahead, he asks God, the Father of Mercies, to grant eternal rest to the departed, consolation to the grieving, and strength and hope to the homeless and the injured. Upon the local civil and religious leaders, and upon all involved in the relief efforts, his holiness invokes the divine gifts of wisdom, fortitude, and perseverance in every good."

The tornado has left Joplin in ruins, killing 250 people and injuring 750 others.  

Be sure to check the BC Catholic's next issue to read the Pope's weekly address.

Catholics vote NDP?

Vancouver Sun exit poll raises eyebrows

The Vancouver Sun's religion columnist Douglas Todd wrote a story about exit poll results from the May 1 Federal Election, which stated 39 per cent of Catholics voted NDP while 30 per cent voted Conservative.

The May 9 story, "How religion split the federal vote," also says that Conservatives earned the vote of more than 50 percent of Jews and Protestants.

The poll, which surveyed 36,000 Canadians, also asked how immigrants voted, showing that 41 per cent of immigrants living Canada less than 10 years voted NDP, while 43 per cent those here more than 10 years voted NDP.

These results are interesting to look at after reading Deborah Gyapong's post-election story "Catholics make noise in election: Voting results may show divide between English and French" in The B.C. Catholic.

Baldwin does Christian Rock

Youngest brother Stephen goes behind the camera for the first time

What!? Baldwin directed a Christian music video!? Wait it's Stephen not Alec. The youngest brother of the clan made his directorial debut for Christian artist Cory Lamb's Break the Cycle.

A veteran of over 60 feature films like the Usual Suspects, Baldwin took to directing pretty easily. He also brought passion to the project and as Lamb put it "he yelled sometimes, but in a loving way."

Break the Cycle hit home for Baldwin. He broke his own cycle of sin becoming a Christian shortly after 9/11.

Before turning his life over to Jesus, Baldwin was more famous for his fast lane lifestyle than his movies. Then he met a young Brazilian named Kenya who he fell in love with and married. After having their first child they hired a nanny from Brazil, a devout Christian who converted the Baldwins to Christ.

Baldwin isn't done bringing Christ's message to the masses. He steps back in front of the camera as a DEA agent in the movie I'm in Love with a Church Girl. The film also stars rapper Ja Rule.

This land is your land!

Richmond City Council adopts "hands-off" policy

Richmond City Hall 

Richmond City Council voted on Tuesday evening May 24 to allow religious congregations which own assembly land to not be required to set aside a percentage of profits from land sales for community housing, day care facilities, etc.

The council was unanimous in giving the church groups the right to be treated the same as other developers and private individuals by giving them the right to apply for land rezoning.

Francis Wong

Archdiocesan Financial Director Francis Wong called the decision a "huge achievement."
He was proud, he said, of the 90-plus religious groups who sent representatives to fight to retain power over their own property.

Support migrant workers in B.C.

Mass at St. Ann's, Abbotsford on June 19.

Migrant workers are brought into Canada to work in far more industries that is normally supposed. Besides agricultural labourers, there are many doing low paid unskilled jobs in restaurants, nursing homes, and in the homes of private individuals. Many are lonely and find themselves subjected to harsh working conditions, says the Coalition for Migrant Worker Justice. 
The Vancouver Office of Service and Justice is working with the Scalabrinian Fathers at Our Lady of Sorrows parish to find ways to welcome and support migrant workers and, on June 19 at 5 p.m., Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, will offer a Mass to welcome them and support their needs at St. Ann's Parish in Abbotsford, 33333 Mayfair Avenue.