A Treasure To Be Shared

  Thirty people from the Ordinariate community of Saint John Henry Newman in Victoria, BC, attended the inaugural Carol Walk downtown on Thursday, December 21st. https://www.victoriaordinariate.com Carrying lanterns, the group began a ten-stop event with prayer outside St Andrew's Catholic Cathedral and ended on the steps of the Provincial Legislature. Passers-by joined in the singing as the group made its way through the downtown area. 150 fliers with information on St John Henry's Christmas services were distributed. The Carol Walk, by singing beautiful traditional carols, attested to the truth of the Christmas Mystery and brought great festive happiness to individuals the group encountered along the way. Many thanks to David S., in particular, for this great initiative, and to him, Joseph P., and David D. for the photos. British Columbia Legislature Memorial Cenotaph

Guests start to arrive. A group of 120+ people signed-up for and attended a most enjoyable catered afternoon of burgers, salads, hot dogs, and parishioner provided desserts. The picnic was held at a farm belonging to a family of the Victoria Ordinariate. Games were provided for children, youth and adults. The weather was beautiful, warm with a light breeze. Families from the Latin Mass community also attended. The event concluded with Compline. Homemade pie! 'Loosen The Laces' shoe toss. "Look ma... no hands!" Pre-launch Sequence Piñata Catechesis 60yrs+ Stride Competition Competitors were permitted two large steps toward the finish line every time their card was drawn. Water balloon toss - a successful catch! Another successful catch! Getting ready for Sung Compline.

From the SJHN facebook page (private group): Delighted that our signed Diploma of Affiliation with the Archconfraternity of St Stephen (aka the Guild of St Stephen) arrived today. The organisation for altar servers was founded in England in 1904 by Fr Hamilton McDonald. In 1934 the Guild was extended to the (now) Commonwealth ('in omnibus provinciis Imperii Britannici').

Reception in the narthex of the church: mother kneeling with son. The Churching of Women ( benedictio mulieris post partum ), i.e., the blessing of one woman with her brand new baby boy (who is less than a week old!), on Monday, February 17th, the memorial of the Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order , at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church. Celebrating Motherhood! The brief and beautiful ceremony, of 15 minutes or so that involved family and friends gathered before God, was a first for this blogger. Churching is the woman's way of giving thanks to God for the birth of her child, and predisposes her, through the priestly blessing that is a part of the ritual, to receive the graces necessary to raise her child in a manner pleasing to God. Congratulations to the happy parents, Fr. Kenyon and wife Elizabeth, on the arrival of their second son! Saints Sebastian and Edward: pray for him. Procession to the Sanctuary At the Gate: sprinkled with hol...