Sunday, July 30 is the United Nation’s World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. Human Trafficking Study Guide (attached), was created in response to the CCCB Pastoral letter on human trafficking and sexual exploitation in Canada.
Plant seeds of faith in your children AND WATCH THEM GROW! “Great Big Beautiful World” invites children to see the ways God cares for the earth and challenges them to be part of caring for and preserving the created world. Join us at St Edward’s, Aug. 8-11 from 10am-3pm. Click: Children/Volunteer registration.
In the context of National Family and Life Week, the Permanent Council of the CCCB has issued an Open Letter to the Government and a Message to the Catholic Faithful on permitting persons with mental illness to access euthanasia/assisted suicide.
Roots of Reconciliation is four-day workshop essential to the Returning to Spirit reconciliation model. Details and registration information are on the attached poster.
On 8 February 2023, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops issued the following four pastoral letters on reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. Intended as a framework for local engagement with Indigenous Peoples, the letters are the fruit of many months of listening, encounter, and dialogue with them.
Camp Homewood is back and happening in person! Registration is NOW OPEN! Camp Homewood, on Quadra Island, is a retreat for all Diocesan youth in grades 7-12, taking place from February 3 to 5, 2023. Payment of $185 per registrant (Part 1) can be made through the Eventbrite link, where you will also receive instructions for completing the registration form (Part 2). Come and join Face 2 Face Ministries for a faith filled weekend of fun and friendship!
Christmas 2022. Dear People of God, Do you hear what I hear? Angels we have heard on high… Hark! The herald angels sing… Listen: “I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10, NRSV)
December 16th, 2022: An updated Music Ministry Covid-19 Prevention Plan from the Diocesan Liturgical Commission and Bishop Gary Gordon, containing guidelines and best practices for parishes in the Diocese of Victoria during COVID-19 and the annual flu season.
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has released Burying the Dead, Grieving Well: A Guide for Catholics on Bodily Disposition and Grief. This guide reflects on how we treat the bodies of the deceased and how we live out our grief when faced with the death of a loved one. It deals with death and the various forms of bodily disposition, as well as the Catholic liturgical and pastoral practices that accompany the grieving process.
National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples happens every year on December 12th, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This year, the reflection by the Canadian Catholic Indigenous Council is inspired by Pope Francis’s words of healing and reconciliation spoken during his “penitential pilgrimage” to Canada.
Come join Queen of Angels Wednesday, December 14th at 7pm, for their Christmas play, "The Bethlehem Project"- a traditional Christmas story with a twist! The Bethlehem kids and the shepherd kids don't get along until they find the same Savior. The Bethlehem Project begins with lots of humor and colorful characters, but moves to a pointed message of love, salvation and reconciliation. Click to buy tickets - $8 each.
Let us use this month of November as a holy time to consider the state of our souls and our relationship with God, and our preparedness for our own health care needs and for our death itself.
The Catholic Bishops of Canada have issued a Pastoral Letter to Young People. It responds to the CCCB’s virtual conversations with over 200 young people between the ages 12 to 25 from across Canada and is meant to inspire young Catholics to live their faith in an extraordinary way.