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Posted on: December 10, 2017

Parish Mission

Harley Packer, Prodigal Son

If you weren’t able to attend our parish mission on Dec. 8 & 9 with Harley Packer, you missed an entertaining and enlightening presentation on how to make this your best Advent yet.

Here’s Harley in the final stages of preparation.

Advent of mercy, peace and joy

This Advent, Harley suggests we work on changing our mindset. Our thoughts, he says, can be our best friend or our worst enemy, depending on the mindset we choose. Are you overwhelmed by the negativity, or do you see the positive hand of God in all things? Do your perceptions keep you in chains, or do you keep searching for light?

Do you pray as if your prayer is already answered? With a glass-half-full perspective and an attitude of gratitude?

When we can look at things from a more optimistic point of view, we are easier to be around. We become the kind of charismatic Christians people are drawn to. We recall that a society whose centre was our church gave the world the first hospitals and universities. And we begin to understand that the problems in North American parishes aren’t the same problems as our southern counterparts face. In churches south of the equator, Harley explains, they’re struggling to build seminaries fast enough for the many young men who want to enter the priesthood.

A different calling

There is reason for being more optimistic about the church, and hopeful about our future. As we move forward in evangelization, let’s work on one person at a time. A friend, family member, neighbour or colleague that the Holy Spirit has pointed to – if we’re but open enough to see. We are the only ambassadors the Catholic church has, and we need to get this right.

We are Christ’s hands on earth.

Posted on: April 2, 2017

Feast of St. Calungsod

Today we celebrated the feast of St. Pedro Calungsod, Filipino saint and martyr. This young man's story is an inspirational one. He is the patron of Filipino youth, altar servers, the Philippines, Overseas Filipino Workers, Guam, and Cebuanos. Born in 1654, he was killed while doing missionary work in Guam in 1672 -- he was just 18 years old when he died doing the Lord's work.

A skilled sacristan and teacher of cathecism, he was a companion of Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores to the Marianas Islands. Through their efforts many received the sacraments, especially that of baptism. A plot to kill them both was began with false accusations that the missionaries were spreading poison through the ritual of the pouring of water (i.e. baptism), and through the ritual of Catholic Masses. Calungsod and Diego San Vitores were both murdered after baptizing an infant and mother who had converted to the Roman Catholic faith.

We thank the Filipino community for helping our parish get to know St. Pedro, and for serving at today's Mass. The many voices providing music ministry were surely a blessing to all!

After Mass we were treated to a delicious luncheon -- the tables were groaning under all the homemade Filipino dishes and scrumptious desserts. It was such a temptation to try some of every dish on offer, but sadly that challenge proved impossible. 

  

           


Posted on: March 26, 2017

AGM 2017

What a great meeting! In just over an hour this morning we recapped the year just ended, and got a great start on the year to come. Plus enjoyed a super tasty meal of soup, sandwiches, veggies and sliced fruit, courtesy of our amazing Korean community.

Father Jose provided the opening prayer, and co-chair Diane Goski led the meeting proper. Minutes from 2016 were accepted without revision, and a slate of officers joined Little Flower's Pastoral and Financial councils. We're thrilled to welcome (or welcome back) Penny Forrest, Tierra Lemieux, Edith Seiferling, Mike Zimmerman, Pat Kuntz, Don Benz, Desmond Hartney and Jean-Paul Beaurivage. 

Congratulations to all nominees! And thank you for stepping forward to offer your time and talents to help grow our parish community as we move forward together as a faith family.

Finance Council will meet the third Tuesday in April, with Pastoral Council meeting the fourth Wednesday.