The TRC takes steps forward together with archbishop

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada plan a Mass followed by a 2 km walk on Sunday September 22 at 8am.

An aboriginal girl at an event in 2008 in Ottawa promoting the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The goal of the commission is to support those who have suffered through residential schools. CNS photo / Art Babych.

Socks are being pulled up and laces being tied in preparation for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) Mass and walk with Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB. The walk will begin after Mass at Holy Rosary Cathedral on Sunday Sept. 22 at 8 a.m. It will stretch from its starting line, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, along the streets of downtown to Science World, marking the end of a week-long event.

The walk will be "a great wind up to the TRC, not the end of the process, but the beginning of a new one" says Rennie Nahanee, First Nations Ministry coordinator for the Archdiocese of Vancouver.

Starting September 18, The Archdiocese of Vancouver is hosting the TRC's national event for the reconciliation after the tragedies associated with residential schools. Beginning in 1870, native children were forced out of their homes and sent to boarding schools that were being funded by the government and run by churches.

The Mass and walk are the conclusion to a week of cultural celebration for the TRC and all those affected by residential schools, with all participants of the Mass invited to join the archbishop for the walk on Sunday.

Through sharing past stories, and collective remembrance the TRC looks to provide reconciliation as well as awareness to all those effected by residential schools, with the event's exclamation point being the Mass and walk with Archbishop Miller.

Groundbreaking for archdiocesean project

                 The new John Paul II Pastoral Centre is scheduled for completion in November of 2014.

This is the architect's rendering of the new John Paul II  Pastoral Centre for the Archdiocese of Vancouver. Picture submitted.

Agnieszka Krawczynski writes a story about the plans and further construction of the new John Paul II  Pastoral Centre on 33 Avenue.

After more than 50 years in an aged-brick building on Robson Street, the offices of the archdiocese are going to move to part of the former St. Vincent Hospital site.

A groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of construction for the Archdiocese of Vancouver's new John Paul II Pastoral Centre Aug. 29 on 33 Avenue in Vancouver near Willow Street. The new centre will contain offices, a chapel, meeting rooms, and nine suites for retired priests.

For the full story see The B.C. Catholic website. 

Rose Prince pilgrimage brings 'real depth of faith'

Whitehorse and Prince George bishops attend three-day celebration

Priests, native elders, and laity participate in a Eucharistic procession during the Rose Prince Pilgrimage in Lejac, B.C. Special to The B.C. Catholic.

Weeks before they went back to Corpus Christi College for classes, nine students went north to Lejac, B.C., to attend the annual Rose Prince Pilgrimage in July. Alongside native elders, the undergraduates listened to testimonies from people who knew the holy woman who died in 1949. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Pope Francis visits refugees at Jesuit centre in Rome

Just two months after paying a visit to immigrants on the Italian island of Lampedusa, Pope Francis visited a group of refugees at a Jesuit-run centre in Rome today. He met at the Church of the Gesu with refugees seeking asylum in Rome, as well as volunteers who help provide them with food, health care, social support and legal aid. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Archbishop warns against enshrining Quebec values in a charter

Montreal Archbishop Christian Lepine has warned against enshrining Quebec values in a charter. Once Quebec "values" are enshrined in a charter, they are "frozen in time," and the charter "puts pressure on everyone, on institutions and individuals," he said in an interview from Montreal. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Wilderness cathedral provides tranquility

Father Robert Haggarty, OMI, organizes annual Fountain Lake trek near Lillooet

A statue of St. Kateri decorates the Fountain Lake site 20 kilometres north of Lillooet. Special to The B.C. Catholic.

The annual Fountain Lake trek offers pilgrims a chance to worship God in a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere. This year was the 20th pilgrimage. The three-day event, held 20 kilometres north of Lillooet, B.C., was held Aug. 9-11. On the first night, a candlelight procession lit up the night sky. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Embrace peace, Pope tells massive prayer vigil

Addressing myriad people in St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis denounced war as a "defeat for humanity" and called on world leaders and individual Christians alike to rebuild a "shattered" harmony. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Catholic bishops and organizations join in fasting and praying for Syria

Canada's Catholic bishops and Catholic organizations and lay faithful joined Pope Benedict in a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria and the Middle East Sept. 7. They also renewed their call for a second day of fasting and prayer for the following Saturday, Sept. 14. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

New director of Catholic cemeteries tours historic St. Peter's Cemetery

Peter Nobes plans to share stories and celebrate lives of notable figures from the archdiocese's past

Director of Catholic Cemeteries Peter Nobes (right) tours St. Peter's Cemetery with historians Dale (left) and Archie Miller, and grounds caretaker Robert Gilmore Aug. 16. "I found the insights fascinating; the place has so much history," Nobes said. The cemetery was established in the 1880s. Jennifer Pecho / Special to The B.C. Catholic.

Did you know New Westminster was the first seat of the Vicariate Apostolic of British Columbia, with St. Peter's Church as the cathedral, before there was an Archdiocese of Vancouver? For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Bell of Batoche, taken to Ontario in 1885, returned

A piece of history has been returned to its original location after 128 years. In July, the Bell of Batoche was returned to Saskatchewan. The bell originally hung in the church at Batoche, now Batoche National Historical site, before it was taken to Ontario by victorious soldiers in 1885. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

The Church loves us as a mother, Pope says

Pope Francis told thousands gathered for his weekly Wednesday general audience Sept. 11 that the Church is like our mother, who gives life to and nurtures the faithful. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Catholic Women's League strengthens relationships with natives

Regina convention passes resolution, commits to inspiring new members

Pat Deppiesse of the Archdiocese of Vancouver (right) is one of eight CWL members from across Canada who received a life membership this year.

About 750 members of the Catholic Women's League discussed their aim to reach out to female leaders of native groups in their communities as they met at their 93rd annual national convention in Regina, Sask. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


Other stories recently posted to the site include:

California advances new abuse bill which could bankrupt Catholic dioceses

A California sex abuse bill that has been described as discriminatory against the Catholic Church has passed the legislature and is advancing to the governor's desk. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Scientist opted for poverty with Franciscans

It began simply enough. Joachim Ostermann "thought it would be a nice break" when his Vancouver parish said a retreat was being held at Westminster Abbey. "I had never been in a monastery before," he thought. "I should check this out. I might like it. It might be a nice way to spend the weekend, so why not?" For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Back to school with angels and demons everywhere

“Every enchanted story I see on the screen is a metaphor for the spiritual hunger of the children of broken families,” writes C.S. Morrissey. Photo: Lena Headey and Lily Collins, as tweeted by the City of Bones Twitter account @MortalMovie at pic.twitter.com/OfmKjU9IDK

C.S. Morrissey reflects in The B.C. Catholic on how contemporary movie mythology gives undeniable evidence of the spiritual longings of wounded souls:

Now I see angels and demons everywhere, says Clary (played by Lily Collins) at the end of The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, summing up the enlightenment she has attained. The movie’s theme is good versus evil, and it has vampires and werewolves and pretty much everything else that’s been populating the popular imagination from Harry Potter to Twilight. 

Meanwhile, the Catholic writer Joseph Bottum thinks that traditional marriage is culturally indefensible. He alleges people don’t have an “enchanted” vision of the world anymore. 

Excuse me, but I can’t fail to notice the glut of monsters and magic in entertainments. I think people are entirely comfortable with “enchantment.” Apparently they can’t get enough. 

And no wonder. Lacking a traditional intellectual formation, such stories of “enchantment” are often the only way people can express their inchoate spiritual yearnings. So, if you aren’t hitting home runs for the new evangelization in this slo-pitch culture of enchantment that’s all around us, then I say you need to step up to the plate. 

A film like City of Bones is a terrific conversation starter for anyone who wants to engage the culture.

See also these recent stories at The B.C. Catholic's Web site: 

Critic goes behind the silver screen: Alan Charlton on the Church and social communications

More reflections on how stories often help us find our way to the Gospel

The Man of Steel has moral fibre: Super-heroic virtue encounters cave of darkness

Memo to Fr. Barron: The Man of Steel is no superman

If Your Life was a Movie, What Genre Would It Be?

Local film portrays struggles of the faithful: Letter to a Priest. (The film is available for screening at select events. To arrange a viewing, you can contact Clayton Long by e-mail.)

St. John Brebeuf student rows for Team Canada

St. John Brebeuf student rows for Team Canada; wins U of T scholarship
Alex Gulka's 'incredible perseverance' leads to athletic & academic excellence

Alex Gulka (centre) competes as a member of the Canadian national junior rowing crew at the Can Am Mex regatta in Oklahoma City in July. He brought home a silver and two bronze medals. "It was quite something. I had no plan to be on the national team," he said. Photo submitted to The B.C. Catholic.

Alex Gulka, a University of Toronto student on a $7,500 scholarship, has completely transformed from an intellectual Grade 9 student at St. John Brebeuf Regional Secondary four years ago. The Renaissance man graduated with an almost 100 per cent average and rowed with the Canadian junior team at an international regatta. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


Other stories recently posted to the site include:

Brother Ona just followed the signs

Carlos Ona followed the signs. Now, at 38, a Franciscan friar, Brother Ona looks back and sees "there were so many signs God was directing me to this life. I just followed them." For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Pope calls single mother, offers to baptize her child

Pope Francis made a personal phone call to a young Italian woman facing a difficult pregnancy, applauding her bravery in choosing life for her child and offering to baptize the baby. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Sea Sunday brings Church together

Lower Mainland fishermen restore ancient blessing ritual

Fishing boats came in one by one for a blessing. Nina Sarabia / Special to The B.C. Catholic.

Over the years the universal Church has honoured those who brave gales, typhoons, and pirates with a day of prayer for fishermen and seafarers. The Archdiocese of Vancouver upheld that tradition earlier this year. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


Other stories recently posted to the site include the following:

CCCB president thanks Cardinal Bertone, welcomes his replacement

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) president has thanked retiring Vatican Secretary of State and welcomed his replacement. "On behalf of the Bishops of Canada, I extend to you our heartfelt thanks for your years of faithful service to the Universal Church in your capacity as Secretary of State," CCCB president Edmonton Archbishop Richard Smith wrote outgoing Holy See Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone in Sept. 3 letter. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Jerusalem Patriarchate participates in prayer vigil for Syria
Joining in Pope Francis's call to make Sept. 7 a day of fasting and prayer for the people of Syria, the Catholic Patriarchate of Jerusalem kept a Holy Hour at the Basilica of Gethsemane. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Petitions for peace rise up from the Holy Land

Jerusalem Christians join Pope Francis' day of prayer

Syrian refugees, fleeing the violence in their country, cross the border into the Kurdish region of northern Iraq Sept. 4. Pope Francis has called for a global day of prayer for an end of violence. (Photo: CNS)

Churches in the Holy Land will unite with Pope Francis Sept. 7 in prayer for peace in Syria. Vatican Radio reports:

The Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land together with the Latin Parish in Jerusalem have invited all Christians there to join in the observances to pray for peace in the Middle East, Syria and Egypt.

Auxiliary Bishop of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, William Shomali said “we took very seriously this wish of his Holiness. The Catholics of Jerusalem will meet at Gethsemane Church on Saturday evening at 8:30 p.m. for an hour of adoration."

"We invited all the Catholic community of Jerusalem, even the non-Catholic communities – some of them will participate. This is the wish of the Holy Father also.”

Read the full story here.

Archbishop digs into site of new pastoral centre

Construction of new offices expected to be completed by November 2014

Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, drives a shovel into the ground of the former St. Vincent Hospital
site near 33rd Avenue and Willow Street in Vancouver. (Photo: Agnieszka Krawczynski / The B.C. Catholic)

Archdiocesan employees gathered in the rain Aug. 29 to watch the archbishop break the ground of the construction site for the new pastoral centre.

The centre will include offices, a chapel, meeting rooms, and housing for retired priests.

The archbishop poses with many of the men involved in planning and building the
new pastoral centre. (Photo: Agnieszka Krawczynski / The B.C. Catholic).

Russ Hallam, the construction company's project superintendent, is enthusiastic about the project. "I've never worked with the Catholic Church before. I am excited to meet the people who will be using the building," he told The B.C. Catholic.

Read more about the project here.

Knights' 9-month pilgrimage honours Holy Mother

Silver rose passes through B.C. on continent-wide relay to Mexican basilica for feast of Our Lady

Monsignor Jerry Desmond (left) and Grand Knight Devon O'Toole admire a silver rose as it makes a stop in Kamloops July 14 on its way across North America. Four silver roses are currently en route to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico, while a fifth rose travels simultaneously to the Knights' hedquarters in New Haven, Conn. They will arrive Dec. 12, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Chuck Bishop / Special to The B.C. Catholic.

One of five silver roses carried annually by the Knights of Columbus across North America to Monterrey, Mexico, passed through B.C. in July. The flowers are on a 9-month pilgrimage in honour of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the culture of life. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Syriac parish rallies around slain teen Sammy Yatim's family

The Syriac Orthodox parish of St. Barsaumo has rallied around Sammy Yatim's mother and sister since the youth's July 27 shooting at the hands of Toronto police. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Melkite patriarch says attacks on Syria would worsen situation
The leader of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church has argued that despite reported chemical attacks in Syria, foreign military intervention is a destructive option that will only worsen the situation. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

TRC to hold national event

Truth and Reconciliation Commission event coming Sept. 18-21.

An aboriginal girl participates in a 2008 event in Ottawa promoting the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The commission is supporting those who suffered abuse at aboriginal residential schools, including those operated by more than 40 Catholic dioceses and religious orders. CNS photo / Art Babych.

Stories of past wrongs associated with residential schools will resurface in a provincial gathering aimed at reconciliation after the tragic events of the past. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada national event will come to Vancouver Sept. 18-21. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Government selling children into care, advocate charges

Local group Iskwewuk E-Wichiwitochik (Women Walking Together), formed to support the families of murdered and missing women in the local area and further afield, and to advocate on their behalf while providing preventative information for others, hosted a potluck evening and donation night at Augustana Lutheran Church for Gladys Radek and her Tear4Justice walkers. They are crossing the country on behalf of missing and murdered women. 78 year-old grandmother Mabel Todd has walked across the country five times now to honour the memory of her 3-year-old granddaughter, horrifically killed by a drunk driver. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

German raid on home-schooling family draws condemnation

German officials' seizure of four home-schooled children has prompted strong objections from American home-schooling advocates, who say the country's ban on the educational practice violates human rights. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Pro-life film hopes to gain global reach

Makers of The Voice of John sign with international media distributor

This is a screen capture of executive producer Maryann Lawhon telling the story behind the film.

Riversong Productions, creators of The Voice of John, have announced their agreement with AMG films to distribute the film on DVD.

This film marks the first collaboration between Riversong Productions and AMG films.

It will improve the awareness of the “womb to tomb pro-life message.” A historical documentary, written and directed by Christopher S. Peiser Sr. and produced by Donald A. Galade, exposes lies within the abortion industry.

Read The B.C. Catholic's article about the film here.

Watch a preview of The Voice of John here.

Archdiocese breaks ground for new pastoral centre

Construction to be completed November 2014; move in by March 2015

This is an architect's rendering of the view of the main entry to the new John Paul II Pastoral Centre from 33rd Avenue.

After more than 50 years in an aged-brick building on Robson Street, the offices of the archdiocese are going to move to part of the former St. Vincent Hospital site. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Quebeckers' attitudes on child care differ from those in rest of Canada

The Institute of Marriage and Family Canada (IMFC) has released a new study revealing Quebeckers have differing preferences on childcare than the rest of Canadians. Though the study shows 76 per cent of Canadians believe children under six are best raised by a parent in the home, that figure drops to 70 per cent for Quebeckers, the lowest level in all regions polled. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Pope Francis announces global prayer vigil for peace on Sept. 7
Departing from his typical reflections on the Sunday Gospel, Pope Francis used his Angelus audience today to call for peace throughout the world, particularly in conflict-ridden Syria. "I appeal strongly for peace, an appeal which arises from the deep within me," he said to the crowds in St. Peter's Square on Sept. 1. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Pope calls for worldwide prayer vigil Sept. 7

Holy Father invites the faithful to join in pleas for peace

A Syrian Muslim girl stands at the top of Mount Qassioun, which overlooks Damascus. On Sept. 1, Pope Francis announced he would lead a worldwide day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria. (Photo: CNS)

Pope Francis is calling all Christians and people of good will to unite in prayer and fasting on Sept. 7 in the intention of peace around the world, especially in Syria. The Catholic News Agency reports:

“There are so many conflicts in this world which cause me great suffering and worry, but in these days my heart is deeply wounded in particular by what is happening in Syria and anguished by the dramatic developments which are looming,” said the Pope.

“For this reason, brothers and sisters, I have decided to call for a vigil for the whole Church,” he announced.

It will be “a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria, in the Middle East, and throughout the world.”

The vigil will take place on Sept. 7, the vigil of the birth of Mary, Queen of Peace. Those who can will gather in St. Peter’s Square from 7 p.m. until midnight: other local Churches are requested to join in the fasting and prayer by gathering together.

Read the rest of this article here.

Archdiocese to take up second collection for Syria

Middle Eastern nation 'starting its descent into hell' 

Free Syrian Army fighters drive a captured Syrian military tank in Khanasir Aug. 29.
(Photo credit: Catholic News Service)

In response to the bloody civil war in Syria and amid heightened conflicts across Egypt, the Archdiocese of Vancouver has announced a second collection for Sept. 14 and 15 in all parishes.

Evelyn Vollet, the director of the Office of Service and Justice of the Archdiocese of Vancouver, confirmed monies raised through the second collection would go to the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace and onwards to help "refugee brothers and sisters in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkey."

In Vatican City, Pope Francis commented on the worsening Syrian situation Aug. 25:

"The proliferation of massacres and atrocities that we all have been able to see in the terrible images of these days leads me once again to raise my voice that the clatter of arms may cease."

Archbishop Mario Zenari, the apostolic nuncio to Syria, said on Vatican Radio during the past 12 months, he has had the "impression that Syria was starting its descent into hell."

"We are wondering whether we have reached the bottom of this abyss."

Bishops urge participation in national event

Reconciliation Week comes to Vancouver this fall

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, aiming to address wrongs resulting from residential schools, will host an event in Vancouver Sept. 16-22. The Bishops of B.C. and the Yukon, wrote a letter encouraging Catholic faithful to get involved.

"The time has come to take the next step forward in healing this legacy of painful wounds and to foster a renewed mutual understanding."

"With its teaching that all people are created in God's image and therefore are brothers and sisters, the Gospel calls the Catholic Church to address the legacy of colonialism, assimilation policies, racism, prejudice, and suppression of traditional Aboriginal ways of life. We must face up to, acknowledge, and make every effort to heal the anguish that has been caused, whether it was intentional or not."

More information on the week's events can be found here.

Read The B.C. Catholic article here.

In Memoriam

Downtown Eastside sister dead at 89

About 150 people gathered in St. Paul's Church to celebrate the life of Sister Elizabeth Kelliher, SA.  Sister Marianne Rohrer, SA, shared her memories of the late nun, who worked tirelessly in the Downtown Eastside. "She used the gift of her voice to speak against the deplorable conditions in which the homeless live," Sister Rohrer said. For more photos see The B.C. Catholic website.


Other stories recently posted to the site include the following:

Retired nurse sends aid to Africa

A curious 1997 trip to Medjugorje for Regina's Cathleen Devraj has led to what might be described as a private Ugandan aid program, including at least two pig farms, a small banana plantation, renting acreage to grow maize and beans, malarial mosquito netting and plans for the construction of a school. She related the story in an interview with the Prairie Messenger. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

No real cooperation from women's religious group, author says

Despite a shift in tone, virtually no progress has been made toward the Vatican's goals for the reform of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, says an author who has closely followed the group. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.

Archdiocese breaks ground for new pastoral centre

Construction to be completed November 2014; move in by March 2015

This is an artist's rendering of the main entry to the future John Paul II Pastoral Centre from 33rd Avenue. Photo submitted.

After more than 50 years in an aged-brick building on Robson Street, the offices of the archdiocese are going to move to part of the former St. Vincent Hospital site. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


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Nigerian violence rooted in politics, economics, bishop says

As if church bombings weren't bad enough, northern Nigeria is also suffering from oversimplification in Western media reports. Reports of Islamist terrorism directed at Christians in Nigeria very often lack context and depth, said Auxiliary Bishop Anselm Umoren of Abuja, Nigeria. For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.


Military involvement in Syria could spark world war, bishop warns

The bishop of Aleppo, Syria, has cautioned that foreign military action in the country could spark a global war, making the "tragic situation" much worse. "The only road to peace is dialogue," said Bishop Antoine Audo on Aug. 27. "War will not take us anywhere. People live in anguish, not knowing what awaits them, and this has been happening during the two years of conflict." For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.