Apr 2015 Easter Diocesan News
Transcription
Apr 2015 Easter Diocesan News
Vol. 41, No. 1 – EASTER 2015 Diocesan News News and Views of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kamloops PM 40013998 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO: The Diocesan News c/o 635A Tranquille Road, Kamloops, BC, V2B 3H5 ST. ANN’S SCHOOL, QUESNEL. The joy of learning is much enhanced in our northernmost Catholic school thanks to the contribution of $6,500 through the Faith in Action fund supporting capital improvements to our schools. “We have completed the installation of 16 new computers, with new operating and program software [including online security],” Principal Robin Hay says in a recent letter to Bishop Monroe. “Needless to say the improvement is amazing. The students noticed the difference immediately. The staff are also finding the new technology to be a major contributor to lessons and student programming. Our technology contractor was able to modify four of the old machines, which allows every classroom to have an upgraded computer for student access in addition to the 16 new lab computers. Thanks so much! We are most grateful.” Our Catholic schools share Gospel joy every day CATHOLIC SCHOOLS 10, 11, 16, 17 & 20 By Kelly Tries, Superintendent, Catholic Independent Schools of Kamloops Diocese The Bishop’s Message Catholic Schools Week 2015 was celebrated across the province from February 1 to February 7. This year’s theme was ‘Live the Joy of the Gospel’. What this means, says His Holiness Pope Francis, is being “a people who wish to share their joy, who point to a horizon of beauty and invite others to a delicious banquet”. True joy is the hallmark of a people on fire for Christ, going forth to be witnesses of the message Jesus brings. Joy was evident in the many ways that Catholic schools were celebrated during Catholic Schools Week (CSW) in our Diocese. Opening and closing Masses in the various parishes supporting our schools, with students and staff looking after all of the ministries. 3 Canada honours Pope John Paul II 4 The Bishop’s Journal 7 Stop Human Trafficking 8 Diocesan CWL Convention 12 Carmelite Corner 19 ‘MARTHAs’ welcome guests 20 Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again! OUR ADVERTISERS 13 – 19 Students raised awareness and funds for local and global charities and projects such as supplying school uniforms fo children in Tanzania. Staff and students engaged in a variety of activities, from sports to drama productions, grandparents’ teas, theme days and Living Rosaries. Allowing our hearts to be touched by Christ is something we strive to do daily in our schools, not just during one special week. This daily renewal is the only means by which our hearts can be changed, allowing the light and joy of Christ to shine forth. We are humbled and honoured to work with children and families, ‘living the joy of the Gospel’ every day in our school communities. § Courtesy of Catholic Independent Schools Kamloops Diocese (CISKD) LENT: The time for spiritual battle against evil Vatican City (VIS) – Lent, the liturgical time that refers to the forty days Jesus spent in the desert after His baptism in the River Jordan, was the subject of the Pope’s reflection before the Angelus prayer with the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square on the first Sunday of Lent. Pope Francis explained that during these forty days of solitude in which Jesus prepared himself to announce the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, he “faces Satan ‘body to body,’ he unmasks his temptations and is victorious. And in Him we all win, but it is up to us to protect this victory in our daily life”. “The Church reminds us of this mystery at the beginning of every Lenten period,” the Pope continued, “because it gives us the prospect and the meaning of this time, which is a time of combat – during Lent one must fight – a time of spiritual combat against the spirit of evil. And while we cross the Lenten ‘desert’ we keep our gaze fixed upon Easter, the definitive victory of Jesus against the Evil One, against sin and against death. This, then, is the meaning of this first Sunday of Lent: placing ourselves on the path of Christ, the road that leads to life. “And this, Jesus’ path, passes through the desert, ... the place where both the voice of God and the voice of the Tempter can be heard. Amid noise and confusion, only superficial voices can be heard. Instead, in the desert we are able to descend to the depths, where our destiny is truly played out, life or death. And how do we hear the voice of God? We hear it in His Word. This is why it is important to know the Scripture, as otherwise we do not know how to respond to the deceptions of the Evil One. HIS HOLINESS … Always keep a POPE FRANCIS copy of the Gospel to hand. The Lenten desert helps us to say no to worldliness, to ‘idols;’ it helps us to make courageous decisions consistent with the Gospel and to strengthen solidarity with our brothers”. “Therefore, let us enter into the desert without fear, because we are not alone; we are with Jesus, with the Father and with the Holy Spirit,” said the Holy Father. “Lent is an auspicious time to lead us to be increasingly aware of how much the Holy Spirit, received in baptism, has worked and can work in us. At the end of the Lenten itinerary, on the Easter Vigil, we are able to renew the baptismal alliance and the duties that derive from this with greater awareness.” to accompany us with your prayer”. Following the Angelus prayer, Pope Francis again referred to Lent, “a path of conversion whose centre is the heart,” and gave the faithful present in the Square a small booklet entitled 'Custodisci il cuore' (Safeguard your heart). Distributed by a group of volunteers, including homeless persons, it brings together a number of Jesus’ teachings and the essential content of the faith, such as the seven Sacraments, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the ten commandments, the virtues, the works of mercy, and so on. “As is always the case, today in the Square the needy give us a great wealth: the wealth of our doctrine to safeguard the heart,” said Pope Francis, referring to the work of the homeless volunteers. “Take a booklet and carry it with you, to help in spiritual conversion and growth, which always starts from the heart: there, where the daily choices between good and evil are made, between worldliness and the Gospel, between indifference and sharing. Humanity needs justice, peace and love, and will obtain this only by returning wholeheartedly to God, the source.” § DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY April 12, 2015 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Confessions 2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. – The Chaplet 3 p.m. – Mass Main Celebrant: His Excellency Bishop David Monroe Sacred Heart Cathedral 255 Nicola Street, Kamloops The Pope completed his reflection by entrusting to the Virgin the week of Spiritual Exercises begun the day before in which his collaborators in the Roman Curia also participate. He asked those present to pray “so that in this ‘desert’ of the Spiritual Exercises, we can hear the voice of Jesus and also correct many flaws that we all have, and also to face up to the temptations that assail us every day. I therefore ask you 2015 SHARE LENT CAMPAIGN. Diocesan members of the Kamloops Council for the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (D&P) meet at Holy Family Parish on Jan. 17 to review and discuss projects and the material to be distributed to parishioners for this year’s Share Lent Program. (L-R) BACK Harry Heemskerk, Our Lady of the Valley; Anna Correia & Fran Smith, St. James, Vernon; Liz Corrigan, St. Francis of Assisi, Council Vice-Chair; Sheila Hart, St. Jude’s, Council Secretary; Laurie Desaulniers, Holy Family, Council Youth Organizer; Doreen Gowans, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, National CWL Community Life Chair; Paul Desaulniers, Holy Family, Council Treasurer; John Corrigan, St. Francis of Assisi; Deacon Eddie Lavoie, St. John Vianney; FRONT His Excellency, Bishop David Monroe; Katrina Laquian, D&P BC/Yukon Regional Animator; and Peter Hart, Council Chair. 2 Diocesan News, Roman Catholic Diocese of Kamloops – Easter, 2015 THE BISHOP’S MESSAGE One of the great wonders in anyone’s life is to visit Rome, go into the Sistine Chapel and see the Biblical story as told in the frescoes of Michelangelo. Looking upon the story of creation on the ceiling we see one of the most photographed scenes – the story of the creation of man (‘adam’). God reaches out with a finger that is truly alive towards the limp forefinger of the newly created body of Adam. The fingers have yet to touch: we anticipate the electrifying instant of creation, the moment the fingers meet. We are shown, and we know, that life is a gift of God. The Book of Genesis states that the Lord God “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being” (Gen. 2:7). Life is a gift of God, forming Adam in God’s own image; Adam is to share in the very life of God. In the Book of Genesis the Tempter tells Adam and Eve that they will be like God if they disobey Him: it is then they will know both good and evil, as He does. When they disobey the word of God by eating the forbidden fruit, they then know evil and must leave the perfect order of Eden. We are reminded during Lent when we read and hear the words of Saint John the Baptist, of Jesus and of Saint Peter, that to return to a union with God we must: “Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19). Through Lent and especially during the Easter Vigil we hear that Christ has conquered sin and death and that we are always to live in the life and love of the risen Christ. From the knowledge of our miseries springs the sincere resolve to purify ourselves of the old way of our passions in order to be renewed completely in the risen Christ. Throughout the Easter celebrations may we always be aware to live by the Light of Christ and may God bless you with knowing, loving and serving God. May God bless you at Easter! Most Reverend David J. Monroe, Bishop of Kamloops CATHOLIC ORGANIZATION FOR LIFE AND FAMILY (COLF) Reaction to Supreme Court Decision on Assisted Dying February 6, 2015 is a sad day for our country. Today, Canadians are confronted with the sobering fact that their nation’s highest court has set itself up in direct opposition to the Law of God: “Thou shalt not kill.” By ruling existing laws against euthanasia and assisted suicide unconstitutional, the Supreme Court of Canada is giving some of us permission to kill. It would be difficult to overstate the gravity of the situation in which we find ourselves. As Christians and as citizens how are we to respond? To begin with, Christ calls each of us to do everything in our power to serve the most vulnerable in our society, to eliminate suffering – but never at the price of eliminating those who suffer. Jesus reminds us, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me” (Matthew: 25:40 NRSV). As Pope Francis has repeatedly urged us, we must work to cultivate solidarity with those at the “periphery” of society, the weak, the disabled, the marginalized – the most vulnerable. Simply put, we must take more seriously the call to love one another! Freedom of conscience In the Carter decision, the Supreme Court bases its decision on false notions of autonomy and human dignity; these terms are being misused in such a way as to seriously COLF issued this statement on 6 Feb. 2015 (see www.colf.ca/index.php/en/in-action). COLF is co-sponsored by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus. weaken the common good. What of the autonomy, what of the rights, of the medical practitioners who may now find themselves pressured to provide what some euphemistically call “medical aid in dying”? What of the rights of citizens opposed to “assisted dying” who will now find themselves forced to finance, with their tax dollars, the killing of their neigbours? In this hour of crisis, more than at any time in our history as a nation, as citizens and as Christians, we have a moral obligation to uphold the rights of conscience and freedom of religion which are guaranteed by Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The consequences of failing to do so may prove dire. Restrictive legislation Given today’s [Feb. 6] judgment by the Supreme Court, it seems only a matter of time before euthanasia is seriously proposed as a solution to End-of-Life-Care in our overburdened health care systems. Yet, in 2011, the Parliamentary Committee on Palliative and Compassionate Care found that 71 per cent of Canadians surveyed favoured investing in improved palliative care. Now is the time to petition our elected representative to: 1. Work to limit the harm done by today’s judgment of the Supreme Court by initiating or supporting restrictive legislation; and 2. By initiating or supporting legislation which would prioritize the allocation of resources to the improvement of palliative care across Canada. Palliative care We find ourselves at a crossroad. We must choose what kind of country we want, recalling that a society’s attitude towards its most vulnerable members is a sign of its level of civilization. We need to ask ourselves: Can anyone feel safe in a society in which the state, having relieved us of the responsibility of being our brother’s keeper, has given some among us permission to be his killer? How long will it be before YOU are numbered among the “useless” or the “burdensome”? We must speak out against euthanasia and assisted suicide! To inform yourself and to assist family members, fellow parishioners and colleagues in understanding end-of-life care which eliminates suffering but not the sufferer, check out COLF’s Life-Giving Love Campaign (www.lifegivinglove.com/). As Christians, each of us has an obligation to form our conscience and to defend life. § † PRAY FOR VOCATIONS Diocesan News, Roman Catholic Diocese of Kamloops – Easter, 2015 † Diocesan News A publication of the Roman Catholic Church in the Diocese of Kamloops The Diocesan News is an associate member of Canadian Catholic News (CCN). MANAGEMENT BOARD Most Reverend David Monroe, Bishop of Kamloops – publisher; Gary Cooper – advisory member. EDITORIAL POLICY The Diocesan News seeks to increase the unity of the people of the diocese by providing current information about matters of Church teaching and policy, in addition to diocesan and parish news. News will be as up-to-date as possible, given the publication schedule, and generally will reflect relevant Church issues affecting this diocese. Diocesan and parish news will inform the people of the diocese about the activities of individuals or groups within the Church. The purpose of publishing this news is to celebrate activities that foster the life of the spirit within the diocese. As publisher of The Diocesan News, the bishop is responsible for its content. Any material submitted for publication is subject to revision following editorial review for suitability, style and accuracy. The decision to publish unsolicited material depends on its relevance to the overall mission of The Diocesan News and availability of space. In all cases, contributors are urged to be concise and to strive for the highest standards of accuracy and fairness. GUIDE TO WRITTEN LENGTH Most news can be told effectively in 300 words or less. Letters to the Editor should be as brief as possible. PUBLICATION SCHEDULE Four times a year: Easter, June, October and Christmas. Delivery by Canada Post. Design & Layout – Bishop & Bishop Advertising & Public Relations. The Diocesan News c/o 635A Tranquille Rd. Kamloops, BC, V2B 3H5 Tel. 250-376-3351 Fax 250-376-3363 • info@rcdk.org • Canada Post Customer No. 0254232399 Publications Mail Agreement No. 40013998 3 CNS PHOTO ST. POPE JOHN PAUL II 2015: Canada celebrates first ‘Pope John Paul II Day’ on April 2 I received the following information in February in a letter from Mr. Wladyslaw Lizon, Member of Parliament for Mississauga East-Cooksville, Ontario. Private Members Bill C-266 – An Act to establish Pope John Paul II Day – received Royal Assent after it passed the Senate defence of freedom and profound statement of hope and commitment to all people. “He encouraged religious acceptance and inter-religious dialogue – and a love for all people. “His work to help others continues to touch the lives of people throughout the world. He is often referred to as ‘Canada’s Pope’ as during his papacy [1978-2005] he made three official visits to our Country.” Most Rev.David J. Monroe Pope John Paul II was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI and canonized by Pope Francis Countries share first North American Aboriginal saint – but not her feast day Known as the Lily of the Mohawks, Kateri Tekakwitha was born in 1656 in Ossernenon (today Auriesville, New York) to a Catholic Algonquin mother and a Mohawk Chief. When she was four years old, her parents and brother died of smallpox. Kateri was also affected by the disease, which left her almost blind and badly scarred her face. She was taken in by her aunts and uncle, who was strongly opposed to Christianity. When she was 10 years old, her village moved to Caughnawaga (today Fonda, New York). In 1667, her village was visited by the Jesuit missionaries Fathers Fremin, Bruyas and Pierron. From them, she received her first knowledge of Christianity. When Kateri turned 18, Father Jacques de Lamberville arrived to take charge of the mission in her village. Despite his misgivings, her uncle allowed her to be baptized as long as she remained in the village. Following her Baptism, Kateri lived a pious and faithfilled life, spending hours in prayer and fashioning crosses out of twigs. She also refused to marry, believing that she was married to God and that no man could take God’s place in her heart. Her beliefs were met with ridicule, hostility and threats. Thus, two years after her Baptism, she fled to St. Francis Xavier Mission, a Christian Mohawk village in Kahnawake, Quebec. There, she received her first Communion on Christmas Day 1677. She also made a vow of perpetual virginity on the Feast of the Annunciation in 1679. In Kahnawake, Kateri was known for her faith and holiness. She taught prayers to children, cared for the elderly and the sick, and would often attend Mass at sunrise and sunset. Kateri’s health deteriorated in the last years of her life. She died of tuberculosis on April 17, 1680, shortly before her 24th birthday, and was buried at St. Francis Xavier Mission. Her final words were ‘Jesos Konoronkwa’ (Jesus, I love you). Witnesses report that within minutes of her death, the smallpox scars vanished from her face, which then radiated with beauty. It is believed that since Kateri’s death many miracles have been performed through her intercession, with the sick being cured and many prayers being answered. Kateri was declared Venerable by Pope Pius XII on January 3, 1943 and beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1980. On December 19, 2011 Pope Benedict XVI signed a decree officially acknowledging another miracle attributed to her intervention. Saint Kateri Tekakwitha was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on October 21, 2012 in Rome. She became “the first native North American to be raised to the glory of the altars”. Today, there are a number of shrines and centres dedicated to Kateri in both the United States and Canada. These include the National Shrine of St. Kateri Tekakwitha at the site of her Baptism in Fonda, New York; the Kateri Centre at her burial site at St. Francis Xavier Mission in Kahnawake, Québec; and the Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs at her birthplace in Auriesville, New York. § Source: www.cccb.ca/site/eng/church-in-canada-and-world/ File photo: stained glass window installed in Sacred Heart Cathedral, 2014 (Fill ST. KATERI TEKAKWITHA Feast Day: April 17 (Canada); July 14 (United States) Recognition of the Martyrdom of Archbishop Oscar Romero; friars Michal Tomaszek and Zbigniew Strazalkowski; and Fr. Alessandro Dordi Vatican City, 3 February 2015 (VIS) – Today the Holy Father Francis received in a private audience Cardinal Angelo Amato, S.D.B., prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, during which he authorized the Congregation to promulgate the following decrees: MARTYRDOM – Servant of God Oscar Arnulfo Romero Galdamez (El Salvador, 1917-1980), archbishop of San Salvador, El Salvador, killed in hatred of the faith on 24 March 1980. – Servants of God Michal Tomaszek (Poland, 1960) and Zbigniew Strazalkowski (Poland, 1958), professed priests of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, and Alessandro Dordi, Italian diocesan priest, killed in hatred of the faith in Peru on August 9 and August 25, 1991. ‘I am a Catholic.’ Please be sure that this fact is recorded when you or a relative is admitted to hospital. SAINTLY SAYINGS 4 on the evening of December 16, 2014. The Bill designates the Second Day of April annually in Canada as Pope John Paul II Day. Mr. Lizon presented his Bill with the understanding that “Pope John Paul II presented a valuable message of courage, a HEROIC VIRTUES – Servant of God Giovanni Bacile, Italian priest (1880-1941). Vatican Radio further reported: “Pope Francis officially approved a decree saying that Romero had been killed out of ‘hatred for his faith’ rather than just a political assassination. The step means Romero can be beatified without a miracle being attributed to him. The archbishop of San Salvador was shot by a rightwing death squad on March 24, 1980 as he celebrated Mass in a hospital chapel. His beatification is expected to take place in San Salvador, but no date has yet been announced.” § the spaces to see the words) Diocesan News, Roman Catholic Diocese of Kamloops – Easter, 2015 BISHOP MONROE’S 2015 SCHEDULE CONFIRMATION, MASSES and EVENTS (dates subject to change) DATE PLACE – EVENT TIME MARCH Sun March 29 Sacred Heart Cathedral – Palm Sunday Mass Tues March 31 Sacred Heart Cathedral – Chrism Mass 10:00 a.m. Thurs April 2 Sacred Heart Cathedral – Holy Thursday Mass 7:00 p.m. Fri April 3 Sacred Heart Cathedral – Good Friday Liturgy 3:00 p.m. Sat April 4 Sacred Heart Cathedral – Easter Vigil Service 8:00 p.m. Sun April 5 * Sacred Heart Cathedral – Easter Sunday Mass * St. Joseph’s, Kamloops – Easter Sunday Mass 8:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Sun April 12 St. John Vianney – Confirmation 10:30 a.m. Sun April 12 Sacred Heart Cathedral – Divine Mercy Mass 3:00 p.m. Fri April 17 IHM, Cache Creek – First Nations Event Sun April 19 Carmelites, St. Joseph’s Armstrong, St. Ann’s Enderby – Mass ; Confirmation St. Ann’s Enderby Fri April 24 – Sun April 26 Sacred Heart Cathedral – CWL Diocesan Convention Thurs April 23 – Sat April 25 Richmond, BC – State Convention, Knights of Columbus APRIL DATE PLACE – EVENT TIME Fri June 19 IHM Shrine & Centre, Cache Creek – Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Votive Mass Sat June 20 IHM Shrine &Centre, Cache Creek – Pilgrimage Mass: Feast of Immaculate Heart of Mary Votive Mass 10:00 a.m. Sat June 20 Our Lady of the Mountains, Whistler – Mass 5:00 p.m. Sun June 21 * Our Lady of the Mountains, Whistler – Mass * St. Christopher’s, Mt. Currie – Mass * St. Francis of Assisi, Pemberton – Mass 9:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Sun June 28 * St. Jude’s, 100 Mile House – Mass * St. Augustine’s OR Holy Family – Mass 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. Sun July 5 * St. Gerard’s, Ashcroft – Mass * IHM, Cache Creek – Mass * St. Peter, Clinton – Mass 9:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. Sun July 19 Carmelite Monastery, Armstrong – Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Mass 2:00 p.m. JULY AUGUST MAY Fri Aug 14 – Sun Aug 16 Fountain Lake – Pilgrimage Mon Aug 31 – Tues Sept 1 IHM Shrine & Centre, Cache Creek – Clergy gathering 5:00 p.m. SEPTEMBER Fri May 1 Our Lady of Perpetual Help – Confirmation 7:00 p.m. Sat May 2 Our Lady of Lourdes, Quilchena OR St. Paul’s, Coldwater – Mass Sun May 3 Sun Sept 13 – Fri Sept 18 Plenary, Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops 5:00 p.m. Fri Sept 18 – Sat Sept 19 IHM Shrine & Centre – CISKD School Council Training * Sacred Heart, Merritt – Confirmation * St. Michael’s, Logan Lake – Mass 9:00 a.m. 12 noon OCTOBER Mon May 4 – Wed May 6 IHM, Cache Creek – Spring Pastoral Study Days 5:00 p.m. Sat May 9 * IHM, Cache Creek – CISKD meeting * Sacred Heart Cathedral, Kamloops – Confirmation 9:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. Sun May 10 Holy Family, Kamloops – Confirmation 10:30 a.m. Fri May 15 St. Ann’s Academy, Kamloops – Grad Mass – Graduation Commencements 1:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Sat May 16 Kamloops – St. Ann’s Academy Grad Dinner Sun May 17 * Blessed Sacrament, Chase – Mass * Our Lady of the Lake, Blind Bay – Mass 9:00 a.m. 11:15 a.m. Sat May 23 Our Lady of the Valley, Coldstream – Confirmation 7:00 p.m. Sun May 24 * Sacred Heart, Lumby – Confirmation * St. Benedict’s or St. Theresa’s – Mass 9 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Sat May 30 Sacred Heart, Williams Lake – Confirmation Sun May 31 St. Ann’s Quesnel – Confirmation 11:00 a.m. Sat June 6 * Our Lady of Fatima, Sicamous – Mass * St. Joseph’s, Salmon Arm– Mass 3:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. Sun June 7 * St. George’s, Barriere – Mass * St. James, Clearwater – Mass 9:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Sun June 14 * St. John the Baptist, Lillooet – Mass * Seton Portage (or other) – Mass 9:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Mon June 15 – Fri June 19 IHM Shrine & Centre, Cache Creek – Clergy Retreat JUNE Mon Oct 6 – Wed Oct 8 IHM, Cache Creek – Fall Pastoral Study Days Fri Oct 23 IHM, Cache Creek – CISKD Board of Directors Meeting & Annual General Meeting 7:00 p.m. Sat Oct 24 IHM Shrine & Centre, Cache Creek – CISKD 9:00 a.m. Sub Nov 1 Hillside Cemetery, Kamloops – Blessing of the Graves 2:00 p.m. Mon Nov 2 – Tues Nov 3 IHM Shrine & Centre, Cache Creek – Clergy gathering 5:00 p.m. IHM Shrine & Centre, Cache Creek – Clergy gathering 5:00 p.m. NOVEMBER DECEMBER Mon Dec 7 – Tues Dec 8 NET CANADA CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE CHURCH On behalf of all the Bishops of Canada, Conference president Archbishop PaulAndré Durocher of Gatineau has sent congratulations to NET Canada staff, team members and supporters for “bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ to young people and their families”. “By challenging young Catholics to love Christ and embrace the life of the Church, NET Canada is responding to the Spirit’s call to be joyful evangelizers, a calling articulated with a particular clarity in Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation Diocesan News, Roman Catholic Diocese of Kamloops – Easter, 2015 Evangelii gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel).... NET Canada has come a long way from its beginnings in 1995. You now have a francophone team serving in the province of Quebec. “Given the historic roots of Canadian Catholicism in French-speaking Canada, this is not only welcome but an area to be further developed as NET Canada discerns its future. “...May Our Lord encourage and support you as you strive to follow him with joy, loving service, and enthusiasm.” § 5 6 † Diocese of Kamloops BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS January 1 Rev. Patrick Cerdeno, SRC January 4 Rev. Swann Kim February 8 Rev. Anthony Ackerman March 2 Rev. Andrew L’Heureux March 16 Rev. Donal O’Reilly March 29 Rev. Fredrick Weisbeck April 14 Most Rev. David J. Monroe April 25 Rev. Derrick Cameron April 27 Rev. Vernantius Ononiwu May 6 Rev. Boniface Ogbenna June 12 Rev. Peter Hoan Nguyen June 14 Rev. Paul Simms July 23 Rev. Msgr. Jerry F. Desmond July 23 Rev. Clinton Pendleton August 7 Rev. Vincent Asomugha August 16 Rev. Kenneth Anoruo August 27 Rev. Robert W. Haggarty, OMI August 28 Rev. George LaGrange, OMI August 29 Rev. Dale Normandeau October 27 Rev. Wladyslaw Karciarz, OMI November 28 Rev. Martin Peyton IN MEMORIAM Please keep our priests in your prayers ANNIVERSARIES OF ORDINATION January 3, 1976 Rev. Wladyslaw Karciarz, OMI March 1, 2008 Rev. Patrick Cerdeno, SRC March 12, 2002 Most Rev. David J. Monroe (Episcopal Ordination) March 18, 2002 Most Rev. David J. Monroe (Installation as Bishop of Kamloops) April 28, 1966 Rev. Msgr. Jerry F. Desmond May 11, 2012 Rev. Paul Simms May 12, 2006 Rev. Andrew L’Heureux May 20, 1967 Most Rev. David J. Monroe (Priestly Ordination) May 22, 2009 Rev. Clinton Pendleton May 22, 2010 in Vancouver Rev. Swann Kim May 27, 1961 Rev. Martin Peyton May 27, 1967 Rev. Donal O’Reilly May 31, 1986 Rev. Fredrick Weisbeck June 1, 1991 Rev. Peter Hoan Nguyen June 6, 1992 Rev. Dale Normandeau June 29, 1998 Rev. Anthony Ackerman August 14, 1971 Rev. Robert Haggarty, OMI August 15, 1998 Rev. Vincent Asomugha August 18, 2001 Rev. Boniface Ogbenna August 24, 1996 Rev. Kenneth Anoruo August 27, 1994 Rev. Vernantius Ononiwu October 19, 1968 Rev. George LaGrange, OMI November 1, 2001 Rev. Derrick Cameron SISTER EILEEN GAMBLE, MCR (1924 – 2014) On November 21, 2014, on the Feast of the Presentation of Mary in the Temple, Sister Eileen Gamble of the Missionary Sisters of Christ the King went home to the Lord. Aged 90 years and 16 days, Sr. Eileen had been a professed Religious for 66 years and had served and taught for many years. Altogether she served in Mount Currie for nine years, in Vancouver for 10 and for 45 years in the Anaham country which she loved. She taught three generations in Anaham and had a special love for the Native people. With increasing years, Sr. Eileen had more and more difficulty getting around and finally moved back from Anaham to her congregation’s Mother House at Chomeday, Quebec in 2011. Although she was in constant pain from a fall, Sr. Eileen lived a life of joyous prayer while remembering the communities where she had served. Her funeral Mass was celebrated in the chapel of her congregation’s Mother (L-R) SISTER EILEEN AND FRIENDS at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Shrine in Cache Creek (UNDATED PHOTO) House on November 25, 2014. Sr. Eileen was buried in Monteal’s Notre Dame Cemetery. “Sister Eileen made many conributions to the life of the Diocese,” said Most Reverend David Monroe, Bishop of Kamloops. “We owe a tremendous debt to Sister Eileen and the other religious who have served here over the years.” SISTER MARY ADELE ST. CYR, CSJ (1921 – 2014) Sr. Mary Adele became a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet on August 15, 1939 and celebrated her 75th annversary in 2014. She is the author of the Jubilee History of the Diocese of Kamloops (1945 – 1995). On page 204 we learn that Sr. Mary Adele was one of three members of her Congregation to arrive from Los Angeles in 1984 to minister in the Diocese. She first served as Director of Religious Education. She also served as administrator in at least one North Okanagan parish. She was the Diocesan Archivist before returning to California in 1996. We learn from her obituary that SISTER MARY ADELE ST. CYR Sister Mary Adele spent 34 years in Catholic elementary education in both Northern and Southern California and that she was a great help to Bishop Sabatini in Kamloops Diocese. Back in Los Angeles, she served in ministries to senior groups. Sr. Mary Adele went very peacefully to the God she had come to know and serve so well in her life at 4:40 a.m. on Dec. 15, 2014 at Vitas Hospice, Los Angeles. She is survived by her sister, Terry Finlay; a niece, Linda Samis; and cousins Maurice St. Cyr and Loraine Noriega. The Graveside Service on Dec. 23, 2014 in Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, CA followed the Service of Remembrance and Funeral Liturgy on Dec. 22 at Carondelet Center, Los Angeles. Donations in her memory may be sent to: Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, 11999 Chalon Road, Los Angeles, CA. § Diocesan News, Roman Catholic Diocese of Kamloops – Easter, 2015 The Bishop’s Journal 2014 Advent and Christmas Seasons December is always the special time of the year for Confessions and the schools Christmas Concerts. The priests in the Kamloops area go from school to school and parish to parish to hear Confessions and to enjoy a Christmas concert at St. Ann’s Academy and Our Lady of Perpetual Help School. This year I celebrated the Christmas Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church and on Christmas afternoon at Saint Joseph’s Church. Christ the King alumni meeting and to be present on Tuesday for the Ordination to the Priesthood of Frater Leo Barker, O.S.B., but by midday Sunday there was already the beginnings of a good snowfall with a warning of freezing rain near Hope. Leaving Tuesday morning gave me plenty of time to get to Mission for the beginning of the annual Western Bishops’ retreat at Westminster Abbey with a short visit at the St. Clare (Poor Clares) Monastery before going to the Abbey. The retreat directed by Most Rev. V. James Weisgerber, Archbishop Emeritus of Winnipeg, continued until breakfast on Friday. 2015 January 5 to 9 – Monday to Friday The original plan was to leave for Mission, BC on Sunday, January 4 in order to be present on Monday for the Seminary of January 11 – Sunday I received an invitation from Father Pavlo Myts of Most Holy Trinity Ukrainian Church, Kamloops to be present for the Great Blessing of Water and the parish Potluck Dinner. January 17 – Saturday There was a regional meeting of CCODP (Development and Peace) at Holy Family Parish to get acquainted with the main project and the information materials for this year’s Share Lent program entitled ‘Sow Much Love To Give’. January 25 – Sunday This morning I drove from St. James, Vernon to Sacred Heart Church, Lumby to celebrate the 9:30 a.m. Mass, then on to St. Theresa’s Church at Six Mile on the Okanagan Reserve. After Mass I went to the old St. Theresa’s Church a short distance from the present church. February 1 – Sunday Father Patrick and Brother Joshua, Servants of the Risen Christ, are away from Immaculate Heart of Mary Shrine on their holiday, visiting their families and community in the Philipines. I drove out to the Shrine in the early morning snowfall to celebrate Mass first at St. Gerard’s Church in Ashcroft, then at the Shrine and in the afternoon at St. Peter’s Church, Clinton. February 8 – Sunday I went on the same drive today as last Sunday to celebrate Mass (Ashcroft, Cache Creek and Clinton), but this time without any snow. February 11 – Wednesday, Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes Today was a special time for Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Heffley Creek. The parish celebrated the feast day Mass in honour of Our Lady of Lourdes, followed by the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. After Mass the parishioners and visitors went to the Heffley Creek Community Hall for supper. February 15 – Sunday I celebrated Mass at St. John Vianney Parish, Westsyde and joined parishioners at the pancake breakfast cooked and served by the Knights of Columbus of the parish. § – JOYFULLY SERVING THE LORD – 68th Annual BC & Yukon Provincial Convention of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada THE DIOCESE OF KAMLOOPS covers 120,000 square kilometres (46,332.26 square miles) in south central British Columbia. Diocesan News, Roman Catholic Diocese of Kamloops – Easter, 2015 The Prince George Diocesan CWL Council will host the BC & Yukon Provincial Convention from June 11 to 13, 2015. Hundreds of ladies from all over the province of British Columbia and territory of the Yukon will travel to this vibrant city to experience wonderful hospitality and community! Bishop Stephen Jensen of the Prince George Diocese will join us for the opening and closing Masses at Sacred Heart Cathedral. BC & Yukon Provincial CWL President Pat Deppiesse will guide us on this action-packed weekend filled with discussions, spiritual programs, workshops and entertainment. Guest speakers will include National CWL President Barbara Dowding and Sr. Irene Baker, CSJ, both speaking on the national and provincial themes: ‘One Heart, One Voice, One Mission’ and ‘Joyfully Serving the Lord’. Fr. Vincent James, O.M.I. of St. Andrew Parish, Fraser Lake, BC will introduce members and guests to Rose Prince and the Annual Pilgrimage. The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development & Peace will be represented. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Moira McQueen, one of five women appointed to the Vatican Theological Commission in 2014. She will speak on End of Life Issues, Euthanasia and Assisted Dying from a Catholic perspective. For more information please visit www.bcyukoncwl.com. § 7 SORRENTO CONFERENCE: By Christa Grillmair, CWL member, Nanaimo, BC Human Trafficking is a violation of human rights and a serious crime. The BC Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking defines trafficking as “the recruiting, harbouring and/or controlling of a person for the purpose of exploitation”. The exploitation of a trafficked person can take many forms, including sexual exploitation, forced labour and coerced organ removal. Catholic Women’s League (CWL) members from across the province participated in a Human Trafficking Conference hosted by the International Anglican Women’s Network in Sorrento, BC on Nov. 14, 2014. Keynote speakers included the Hon. Joy Smith, MP for Kildonan-St. Paul, MB; Sr. Nancy Brown of Covenant House, Vancouver; Glendene Grant, founder of Mothers Against Trafficking Humans (MATH); Corp. Jassy Bindra, RCMP; and The Rev. Terry Robinson, Executive Director of Women in Church and Society (Anglican Communion Office, London, England). Glendene Grant founded MATH after her daughter was a victim; her story put a face to the horrors of trafficking. MP Joy Smith has been instrumental in presenting and supporting various amendments to the Criminal Code with regard to human trafficking. She wrote The Tipping Point supporting Bill C-36, which recently became law, making the purchase and advertising of sexual services illegal. Sister Nancy Brown and her staff at Covenant House provide a safe haven for youth in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and work to empower vulnerable youth to make changes in their lives as they journey from victim to survivor. Corp. Jassy Bindra brought reallife examples on how the Criminal Code is applied to human trafficking cases before the courts. The Rev. Terry Robinson shared how the Anglican Church is working nationally with the Catholic Church and other denominations to combat human trafficking. She shared a poster campaign picture from South 8 Standing Up Against Human Trafficking Africa that showed two people with the words: ‘She sees her future in medicine, he sees her a slave’. Human trafficking is modernday slavery and ending it requires changes in systems such as legislation, regulation, policy, enforcement and accountability plus inter-jurisdictional coordination. We need to provide programs that address root causes such as poverty, inequality, abuse, violence and racism as well as developing intervention strategies (crisis lines, emergency support, safe houses, counseling) to help a person rebuild his or her life. And we need, continually, to build awareness that human trafficking affects us all. “…their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God…and God heard their groaning” (Exodus 2:23-24). § Pope Francis denounces the shameful scourge of human trafficking Vatican City – In his remarks on the first International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking on Sunday, Feb. 8 Pope Francis called for help for “the many men, women, and children who are enslaved, exploited, abused as instruments of labour or of pleasure, who are often tortured and mutilated”. The Day of Prayer occurs on February 8, the liturgical memorial of St. Josephine Bakhita, a Sudanese sister who, as a child, was herself a victim of slavery and human trafficking. This Day was established by the Union of Superiors General of religious institutes. Pope Francis called on government leaders to act decisively “to remove the causes of this shameful scourge… a wound that is unworthy of civil society”. Everyone is called to be “a voice for these our brothers and sisters,” the Holy Father, Pope Francis said. HUMAN TRAFFICKING SEMINAR, SORRENTO, BC. (L to R) FRONT Nancy Simms, National CWL Education & Health Chair, Kamloops; Sister Nancy Brown, SC(H) OBC, Covenant House, Vancouver; Hon. Joy Smith, MP for Kildonan-St. Paul, Manitoba; Doreen Gowans, National CWL Community Life Chair, Kamloops; Sharon Geiger, BC & Yukon Christian Family Life Chair, Salmon Arm. BACK Adele Huculak, Sacred Heart Cathedral CWL Past President; Diane Barker, BC & Yukon Resolutions Chair; Regena Cameron, O.L.P.H. CWL Communications Chair; Winnie Parisone, O.L.P.H. CWL Spiritual Development Chair; Christa Grillmair, Victoria Diocesan CWL Communications Chair; Agnes Geiger, BC & Yukon CWL Education & Health Chair; Gisela Montague, BC & Yukon CWL Legislation Chair; Judy Robinson, O.L.P.H. CWL President; Mirella Wessel, O.L.P.H. CWL Community Life Chair; Dorothy Hruby, Kamloops Diocesan Legislation Chair; Dawn Fitzmaurice, Blind Bay CWL member. § SORRENTO, BC. Sacred Heart Cathedral CWL of Kamloops presents MP Joy Smith (second from left) with a CWL membership for all her work to raise awareness of, and combat, Human Trafficking. (L–R) Nancy Simms, National CWL Education & Health Chairperson; MP Joy Smith; Dianne Barker; and Doreen Gowans. He concluded his remarks by leading the crowds in praying a Hail Mary for all the victims of human trafficking and for those who are close to them. SOURCES VATICAN RADIO AND VIS ST. JOSEPHINE BAKHITA 1869 – 1947 Respectfully submitted by Doreen Gowans, Kamloops National Catholic Women’s League Community Life Chairperson Josephine Bakhita was born in 1869 in the Darfur region of Sudan. At the age of seven while working in the fields with her family she was kidnapped and subsequently sold into slavery. Josephine was terrified and did not remember her name, therefore her captors named her ‘Bakhita’ which in Arabic means ‘fortunate’. Josephine had many owners who tortured, beat and cut her. As she reported, one master cut her 114 times and poured salt in her wounds to make sure her scars were visible and didn’t fade. Eventually Josephine was sold to the Italian consul in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan. She became a nanny to his daughter and accompanied her to a school run by the Canossian Sisters in Venice. Although she did not know God she had an awareness of the world and a higher being: “Seeing the sun, the moon and the stars, I said to myself: ‘Who could be the Master of these beautiful things?’ And I felt a great desire to see Him, to know Him and to pay Him homage.” She felt called to learn more about the Church and was baptized ‘Josephine Margaret’. When the time came for her return to Sudan, she refused. Her refusal was taken to the Italian courts: it was ruled that as slavery was not recognized in Italy and it was illegal in Sudan, Josephine could stay in Italy because she was a free woman. She remained in Italy, where she joined the Canossian Sisters in 1893 and made her profession in 1896. She dedicated her life to assisting her community by teaching others to love God. “If I were to meet the slave-traders who kidnapped me and even those who tortured me, I would kneel and kiss their hands, for if that did not happen, I would not be a Christian and Religious today.” St. Josephine was canonized October 1, 2000 by Pope John Paul II. In his homily at her canonization Mass in St. Peters Square, he said that in Saint Josephine Bakhita,“we find a shining advocate of genuine emancipation. The history of her life inspires not passive acceptance but the firm resolve to work effectively to free girls and women from oppression and violence, and to return them to their dignity in the full exercise of their rights”. Pope Francis has stated “the trafficking of persons is a crime against humanity...which affects the most vulnerable people in society.... All persons of good will, whether they profess a religion or not, cannot allow these women, these men and these children to be treated as objects, deceived, violated, often repeatedly sold, for various purposes, and at the end either killed or ruined physically and mentally, to end up discarded and abandoned. It is shameful.” The theme of his message for the 48th World Day of Peace – January 1, 2015 – was Slaves no more, but brothers and sisters. The Catholic Women’s League of Canada (CWL) has been very involved with issues of prostitution, human trafficking and pornography through resolutions presented to government and work on issues relating to human dignity. Continues on Page 13..... See Human Dignity Diocesan News, Roman Catholic Diocese of Kamloops – Easter, 2015 HOLY FAMILY PARISH. Leader Fr. Fredrick Weisbeck makes a point during the gathering arranged by Catechetics Coordinator Sr. Analisa Baracena, SFIC. Advent Day of Reflection: The Joy of the Gospel By Jeanette Melnychuk On Saturday, December 13 many gathered at Holy Family Parish for an Advent Day of Reflection on ‘The Gospel of Joy’ led by Father Fred Weisbeck. Our day began with the celebration of the Eucharist, which was followed by inspiring talks that gave us an opportunity to search deep within our hearts during our time for personal prayer and reflection. During our group session, many shared that we can no longer be content in our faith life; we need to take a risk and reach out to others with an open heart so that they too can fully experience Jesus. We are so grateful to our Holy Father, Pope Francis, for his beautiful and inspiring document, The Joy of the Gospel, for it gives us the courage and hope to journey where we have never gone before, to walk in solidarity with one another so that we may be able receive and embrace Christ with Joy! § FUN AND GAMES ON DEC. 6. The writing on the wall (‘Hakuna Matata’) means ‘No Worries’ and the game was Animal Dance: “please teach me your dance”. Children’s Advent Party honours St. Nicholas The Diocesan First Nations Ministry chose the Feast of St. Nicholas for its first children’s celebration. It was a great success thanks to the help of volunteers from city parishes and organizations such as the CWL and the Secular Franciscan Order. Twenty-five children in the company of parents, guardians ‘and the occasional grandparent’ savoured food prepared by countless volunteers and blessed by Bishop Monroe. Children and adults alike enjoyed the games prepared by our SACRED HEART PARISH, MERRITT The festive Christmas Candy Cane Breakfast was hosted by the Parish Council. (L-R) ABOVE Master of Ceremonies Terry Neilson with Confirmation candidate Cole Schultz, who presented a brief history of Saint Nicholas for the children; RIGHT Each child received a small gift from Santa. (Just for fun, MC Terry presented a mini hockey stick and puck to Fr. Ken.) Diocesan News, Roman Catholic Diocese of Kamloops – Easter, 2015 Franciscan Sisters and presented at the Briar Avenue Drop-In Centre courtesy of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. All of the children received numerous gifts, donated by many individuals. – JIM FANKHAUSER PHOTO COURTESY OF JEAN STENHOUSE, SFO Knights of Columbus $500 Bursary application deadline JUNE 30, 2015 The Knights of Columbus of BC/Yukon State Council is once again offering 30 bursaries in the amount of $500 each through its Bishop Thomas J. Lobsinger Memorial Bursary Program. Applications are now being accepted for the 2015 fiscal year. This program is available to all Catholic students who are enrolled or entering into their second or higher year of post secondary education in the Province of British Columbia. Applications must be received on or before the deadline of June 30, 2015. Interested and qualified students should request a bursary application, in writing, from the State Bursary Chairman at the following address: Michael Gernat, State Bursary Chairman 4311 – 31 Street, Vernon, British Columbia V1T 5J8 For general information and the Terms of Reference, please visit the website www.kofcbc.org; choose Documents & Forms and scroll down to Useful Documents – Bursary 2015. § 9 PRAYER BOXES. (L to R) Hailee Pitzoff, Grade 5 and Avery Bautista, Grade 4. Catholic Schools Week at St. Ann’s, Quesnel By Robin Hay, Principal The staff really embraced this week and each took on a number of tasks making it a great time for our students. Highlights included: an outdoor winter olympics with unique winter games; the Knights of Columbus free throw basketball shooting contest; the male staff making breakfast for the school; an amazing talent show; the Great Canadian Geography Challenge; the Primary classes doing a “readin” at the local public library; a special church tour for each grade conducted by Father Peter; ice skating and swimming sessions; and making prayer boxes. For the talent show students performed either a dance, a song, comedy routines or air band entertainments. The winter games had six teams of students and staff. There were five events: ice cube scrabble (which team could find the most); tug of war; sled pull relay; snow angel relay; and the ping pong ball relay with athletes wearing oven mitts to carry one ball at a time to their home team’s bucket. § 10 SILLY GAMES DAY during Catholic Schools Week at Sacred Heart School, Williams Lake: Mr. Lee is showing Axel Buller how to race by using the plunger and the scooter board. (L to R) Kaitlyn Bennett, Emily Bartle, Jayda Sodke and Miss Spina MISSION IMPOSSIBLE? The ice cube scrabble is one of five events in the outdoor winter olympics at St. Ann’s, Quesnel. MORE SCHOOLS AND PHOTOS • PAGES 16 & 17 • LIVING ROSARY LEADERS AT ST. ANN’S ACADEMY. St. Ann’s Academy celebrates Catholic Education Excitement was in the air February 1-7 as students and staff of St. Ann’s Academy celebrated Catholic Schools Week. The annual festivities honouring and celebrating Catholic education kicked off with St. Ann’s students in their school uniforms participating in Sunday Mass in each of the Kamloops parishes. The week full of school-based activities began Monday, Feb. 2. Students enjoyed activities including movies, bowling, tubing, pancake breakfasts, a Winter Sports Day and themed dress-up days. Our high school students also reached beyond the school community, heading out to downtown streets to serve hot chocolate and fruit to those less fortunate. The week’s celebrations wrapped up in the school gymnasium with Mass and the Living Rosary for the entire school. Honouring faith-filled edu- cation is always at the forefront of this thrilling week! § (L to R) STUDENTS Victor Barros, Marco Aufschnaiter, Nikolas Dimopoulos, Kyle Bates, Lorenzo Bennett and Jacob Eichenberger share the joy of the Living Rosary presented at St. Ann’s Academy’s closing ceremonies for Catholic Schools Week. – PHOTOS BY VICE-PRINCIPAL MRS. JOANNE LEGGETT Diocesan News, Roman Catholic Diocese of Kamloops – Easter, 2015 Highlights of Catholic Schools Week at St. James School, Vernon SACRED HEART SCHOOL, WILLIAMS LAKE. Nikohl Dimitrov and Kieran Meshue enjoy hot chocolate and cookies. BELOW Hailey Sherlock & Kylie Syme with rainbow blocks. Read all about it on PAGE 16. By Dianne Wilson, Principal What better way to celebrate Catholic Education in BC than by setting aside a week each year to honour Catholic education! CSW 2015 at St. James School was full of memorable moments. The week began with our school participating in the Sunday Mass at Our Lady of the Valley Church. On Monday the staff, with the help of some members of the Knights of Columbus 4949, provided a pancake breakfast for the students. Our ‘Ready Set Learn’ event on Tuesday was an opportunity for three- and four-year-olds and their parents to participate in a variety of enriching activities. In keeping with the theme Live the Joy of the Gospel, on Wednesday morning the school community gathered for a special assembly that focused on Pope Francis and his message. That same day the students in Kindergarten to Grade 2 went bowling. In the evening, the fifth annual ‘Ishmael’s Spear-It’ reading extravaganza involved teams that included students from Grades 3 to 7, staff members, parents and school council members in an exciting evening of food, chants, challenge questions and prizes. On Thursday, the Grade 2 class held a bake sale with proceeds going toward our mission outreach project in support of Santa Elena Primary School in Belize. As well, students in Grades 3 through 7 went bowling. On Friday, the school community attended First Friday Mass at St. James Church. This was followed by a reception for parishioners and parents in our renovated school library. The week wrapped up with the school’s participation in the 8:30 a.m. Sunday Mass at St. James Church. § ‘ISHMAEL’S SPEAR-IT’ READING EXTRAVAGANZA. ‘Treasure Trackers’ (L–R) Dominick Kitzman, Grade 4; Ben Kleger, Grade 6; and Jack Riches, Grade 7. New music teacher for O.L.P.H. School and St. Ann’s Academy, Kamloops Mrs. Maaike Kopper says Hello I am excited and extremely grateful for this opportunity to join your community, team of teachers and staff at SAA and O.L.P.H. I sang for many years as a professional opera singer in Canada and Germany, which ultimately led me to teach within the school system. I taught for several years as a classroom music teacher with the Halton Catholic School Board in Ontario and more recently in BC. I come from a family of teachers (all four siblings teach) and I look forward to this new journey with all of you! § KAMLOOPS. The Grade 2 class rounds off their music lesson with Mrs. Maaike Kopper at O.L.P.H. soon after her arrival in February. The students were learning about rhythm keeping. – PHOTO BY O.L.P.H. PRINCIPAL CHRISTOPHER YUEN PRAY FOR VOCATIONS Diocesan News, Roman Catholic Diocese of Kamloops – Easter, 2015 11 Sacred Heart Cathedral CWL Council celebrates 90th Anniversary KAMLOOPS. Sacred Heart Cathedral CWL Council’s planning committee members for the 2015 Diocesan Convention are: FRONT LEFT Kathy Dahl at the computer; BACK – LEFT TO RIGHT – Dani Schoof, Nancy Simms, Dominica Spina, Anne Benson (standing), Josephine Bruno and Val Klunder. 2015 DIOCESAN CWL CONVENTION APRIL 24 – 26 SET FOR DOWNTOWN KAMLOOPS By Nancy Simms Sacred Heart Cathedral Council of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada is excited and ready to welcome all women of the Kamloops Diocese to the 68th annual Kamloops Diocesan Convention from April 24 to 26. Led by cochairs Kathy Dahl and Nancy Simms the planning committee has been hard at work organizing all of the details to make this event a fun and faith-filled occasion. Under the theme Lord Lead Us the convention will begin with the opening Mass at the Cathedral (255 Nicola St.) at 7 p.m. on Friday, followed by messages and greetings from Diocesan President Catherine 12 L’Heureux and other officials. A wine and cheese social will then be enjoyed in the church basement hosted by the Knights of Columbus Council 1614. All business sessions will be at the Double Tree Hotel (339 St. Paul St.) and will commence at 8:10 a.m. on Saturday. There will be inspirational talks and educational workshops, along with times of spirituality and the promise of abundant laughter and food to feed both the body and the soul. A Eucharistic celebration at the Cathedral will begin at 5 p.m. followed by a banquet at the Double Tree at 6:30 p.m. with entertainment that is sure to put a smile in your heart. Business sessions will begin again at 8:10 a.m. on Sunday. The closing Mass will be the regularly scheduled 11:30 a.m. Sunday Mass at the Cathedral, with the installation of new Diocesan Council officers to follow. If you are a woman over the age of 16 and looking for faith, fun and fellowship please consider registering for the Kamloops Diocesan Convention of The Catholic Women’s League of Canada – and see where the Lord Leads YOU. § For information or a registration form contact Nancy at j.simms@shaw.ca or Kathy at kathysdahlhouse@gmail.com. By Kathy Dahl, Past President. SHC Council Catholic Women’s League of Canada members celebrated the first 90 years of the Sacred Heart Cathedral [SHC] Council with High Tea on Nov. 15, 2014. Life members, past presidents, spiritual advisors and council members recalled their history. Moments of pride for SHC Council include the 1947 Sentinel newspaper invitation to submit articles about CWL activities. In 1959-60 the League formed an affiliation with World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations, with its 37 million members in 120 organizations in 65 countries. WUCWO continues to unite Catholic women throughout the world. In 2014 two resolutions from Canada were presented at the Fatima, Portugal Conference and incorporated into resolutions on families and communities; both resolutions originated in BC – one of them right here at Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish. In 1964-65 Funeral Honour Guards were first demonstrated for members. Life members Mrs. Fulton and Mrs. Wright (1959), Alice Millar (1965), Rose Marra (1979), Mary Tymich (1985) and Nancy Simms (2009) all served at the parish, diocesan and provincial levels. Sacred Heart Council has existed since 1921. Catholic Women’s League of Canada was incorporated under the laws of Canada on Dec. 12, 1923 and Sacred Heart’s Charter #52 was issued Nov. 2, 1924. The first meeting’s minutes report hospital visiting and fundraising for church facilities. Highlights in the history of SHC Council include many examples of service to Kamloops by Catholic women. In 1926, Mrs. Winifred Fulton (mother of MP Davie Fulton) was elected president. During the Depression a committee helped destitute families. During the Second World War, CWL assisted Red Cross with knitting and clothing for overseas, provided funds for Merchant seamen and operated a welfare committee from the church basement. In 1951 National President Madeline Clay visited. Door-to-door canvasses obtained new members in the 1950s. By 1959 council membership was at its highest, at 227. In the 1960s diocesan and provincial CWL conventions were held in Kamloops and World Day of Prayer became an annual event. In the 1970s the National Organization Convenor conducted a leadership course and the Resolution and Legislation committees were instituted to bring grassroots values to government and follow legislation. The 1980s brought Vietnamese refugees, which reconnected members with the League’s original purpose (welcoming immigrant women to Canada after the First World War); WRAP (White Ribbon Against Pornography) campaigns began and continue to this day. In the 1990s a Widows Support Group and Young Mom’s Group, as well as catering for funerals and celebrations, drew members together. By the 21st century, the CWL had begun sponsoring a Nativity Scene at the annual ‘Wildlights’ display at the Wildlife Park in Dallas. Members continue to serve on most parish and community committees. Resolutions and meetings with government have encouraged legislation on human trafficking, mental health support, the age of consent (16) and many other issues. Sacred Heart Cathedral Council remains vibrant and busy in its efforts for God and Canada. § 2015 CWL DATES TO REMEMBER April 24 to 26 • Diocesan Convention • PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATES TO INCLUDE THE FEAST DAY OF OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL Sacred Heart Cathedral, Kamloops June 11 to 13 • Provincial Convention • Prince George August 16 to 19 • National Convention • Vancouver HIGH TEA. (L to R) Life members Lorraine Faherty, Mary Tymich and Nancy Simms are among those attending the 2014 celebration – PHOTO BY CATHERINE PATENIO Diocesan News, Roman Catholic Diocese of Kamloops – Easter, 2015 Kamloops Diocesan Council of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada launches membership drive The Catholic Women’s League of Canada (CWL) is a national organization rooted in gospel values calling its members to holiness through service to the people of God. Have you considered becoming a member? All women are welcome and invited to be members of the Catholic Women’s League. The unique strength of Catholic women is the faith that binds them together. When put into action, this faith brings the values of Christ into the world. All participation in the League is gratefully acknowledged at the parish council level. The acceptance of women in diverse situations and circumstances is very important in the ‘fabric’ of the League. Thus the CWL highly values your participationin the League if you are: • a fully active member: These members pay dues, attend meetings, take part in business procedures with voting privileges, serve on committees and can take advantage of the many opportunities for personal and spiritual development offered by the League; • a partially active member: These members pay dues, but cannot always attend meetings or functions. They are willing to help when needed, on a task-bytask basis. They want to be part of the organization and make a difference but have limited time to offer. • a financially supportive member: These members pay dues to support the national organ- FROM PAGE 8: CWL stands up for Human Dignity Since 1983, eight resolutions have been passed at the National level of the CWL. They are: 1983.13 – Campaign against Pornography; 1985.06 – Pornography; 2002.12 – Child Pornography; 2003.08 – National Strategy to Eliminate Computer Based Child Pornography; 2004.05 – End Trafficking of Children; 2008.01 Preventing Human Trafficking at 2010 Olympics; 2009.01 – Exit Strategies for Prostituted Persons; 2009.02 – Protection and Support Services for Foreign Victims of Human Trafficking; 2012.01 – Criminalization of the Purchasing of Sexual Service. Both resolutions 2004.05 and 2012.01 were presented to the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations, with the latter also presented to the United Nations. Other actions taken by CWL members relating to assaults on human dignity are: • Delegations meet annually with our federal and provincial governments, • Members sent thousands of ‘Pornography Hurts’ postcards to the federal govement emphasizing the effects of pornography, • Institution of a Human Trafficking Prayer Service and praying the Stations of the Cross for victims of Human Trafficking, • Informing 85,000 members of the signs of human trafficking and how to help the victims, • Councils are providing financial and material items to support women exiting CARTOON by Fr. Martin Peyton NEWS ITEM – Easter, 2000. “The Diocesan News welcomes Fr. Martin Peyton of Sacred Heart, Lumby as ‘Cartooonist in Residence’. the sex trade and victims of human trafficking, • Attendance at a workshop on trafficking of aboriginal people, • Assisting the RCMP with trafficking workshops given to local high schools, and • Through the efforts of our members and meetings with some MPs we are proud to celebrate the fact that Bill C-36, Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act, was passed. This bill criminalizes the buyers of sex and those who profit from prostitution. ization and their local council. They cannot be fully or partially active currently, but may become more involved in the future. They wish to stay informed of events and educational updates through the CWL websites and The Canadian League magazine. • a prayer partner: These members pay dues, taking part spiritually as prayer partners – either with a specific person or with and for our CWL members in general. In turn, they are included in all CWL prayers. ••• Each of these members offers a unique and welcome voice, representative of all Catholic women. A membership in The Catholic Women’s League of Canada (CWL) adds your voice in support of local and national work for life from conception to natural death, as well as many other social justice issues. We want to give you this opportunity to share your God- given gifts with us as we try to affect change in our parish, community, Canada and in those countries that have not been blessed with the abundance we enjoy here in Canada. We encourage you to find out more by talking to any CWL member: she will be happy to tell you more about the League, our goals and objectives and she can get you started right away on your path to becoming a true Christian Catholic Woman’s voice in solidarity. We invite every woman in every parish in the Diocese of Kamloops to join your CWL! Won’t you please join us? We promise you’ll be glad you did. ••• More information can be obtained from your Parish CWL Council, the National website (www.cwl.ca), the Provincial website (www.bcyukoncwl.com) or by calling Sheila Doherty, Diocesan Organization Chairperson at 250-374-5181. § In his apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), Pope Francis entitles Section 53 ‘No to an economy of exclusion’. He states “Human beings are themselves considered consumer goods to be used and then discarded….It is no longer simply about exploitation and oppression but something new. Exclusion ultimately has to do with what it means to be part of the society in which we live; those excluded are no longer society’s underside or its fringes or its disenfranchised – they are no longer even a part of it. The excluded are not the ‘exploited,’ but the outcast, the “leftovers’.” How can we as human beings and as Christian Catholics, stand by and allow our brothers and sisters to be excluded? By following the example of St. Josephine Bakhita and answering the Pope’s invitation to include the excluded, the grassroots Catholic Women’s League members are making a difference. § Diocesan News, Roman Catholic Diocese of Kamloops – Easter, 2015 13 IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY SHRINE & RETREAT CENTRE † DAILY MASS 8 a.m. SUNDAY MASS 11 a.m. Rosary 10:30 a.m. Words from our secondary patron, St. John Vianney ‘We must watch our heart, our mind and our senses, for these are the gates by which the Devil enters in.’ Box 250 (1540 Stage Road) Cache Creek, BC V0K IH0 Telephone: 250-457-9930 14 NOTICES & COMING EVENTS April, 2015 October, 2015 Two Parish Missions Deacon Glenn Harmon from California will preach two parish missions in our Diocese. April 20 to 23: Deacon Harmon will return to the Vernon area to preach a Parish Mission at Our Lady of the Valley in Coldstream. April 27 to 30: The Kamloops mission at St. John Vianney Parish is open to everyone in the city parishes and beyond. Watch for details in parish bulletins. § Three Kingdoms Tour Oct. 7 to Oct. 26 Join Fr. Peter for a tour of the Three Kingdoms of Indochina: Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia in October. For more information please contact the O.L.P.H. Parish Office at 250-376-5541 in Kamloops or Nancy Cuzzetto at 250-851-0211 (email nancy@travelwise.ca). § New Evangelization Summit This two-day conference will bring together speakers who are leaders in the New Evangelization to provide inspiration, encouragement, training, practical wisdom and resources on how Catholics can evangelize effectively. Pastors, missionaries, lay ministers and the lay faithful will benefit immensely from this powerful opportunity to be further equipped in the fundamental mission of the Church. April 24 & 25: The annual NES will be live-streamed from Ottawa to 20 host sites, one being Saint Patrick’s in Vancouver. For more information visit www.newevangelization.ca. § Bursary Deadline April 30 The Sisters of St. Ann are offering a Bursary named in honour of their foundress, Blessed Marie Anne Blondin. This bursary offers assistance to women seeking education in theological and ministry studies that promote justice, peace, integrity of creation, healing, holistic living and a healthy life style. Priority will be given to a candidate from BC, the Yukon or the Northwest Territories. Preference will be given to one who is on limited income and who sees the educational opportunity as a means of employment training or personal growth. For an application form, please contact administration@ssabc.ca or call 1-250-592-3133. § Continuing Opportunities Catholic Club on Campus Attention Thompson Rivers University students: a Catholic Club has been established on campus. ‘We are a group who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and the truths of the Catholic faith. We believe in enriching ourselves and sharing with others.’ To connect with the club on Facebook, like the Kamloops Catholic Connection page. § Kamloops Bottle Boxes help the poor General Grant’s has recycle boxes at both Kamloops locations – 611 Fortune Drive and 1395 Battle Street – for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Take your bottles to the boxes and the proceeds will be directed to the Society every month. It’s a great way to help support the Society and help the poor and marginalized in our city! § Secular Franciscans A vocation for men and women, married or single, who follow Jesus in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi. If you are interested in Franciscan spirituality and would like information on the Secular Franciscan vocation, please contact Mary at 250-573-4441. § † Your Diocesan Newspaper 2015 SCHEDULE JUNE ISSUE To ensure Canada Post delivery by June 19 the deadline for contributions is Friday, MAY 8 OCTOBER ISSUE To ensure Canada Post delivery by Friday, October 23 the deadline for contributions is Friday, SEPTEMBER 11 CHRISTMAS ISSUE To ensure Canada Post delivery by Friday, December 18 the deadline for contributions is Monday, NOVEMBER 2 Diocesan News Delivery The mailing list depends on upto-date parish lists. Please ensure that your parish has your current household mailing address. There are four issues each year: Easter, June, October and Christmas. • QUESTIONS & CONCERNS • Please contact the Bishop’s Office – telephone 250-376-3351; email info@rcdk.org. § Visit your Diocesan website ... www.rcdk.org BUYING OR SELLING REAL ESTATE? For professional, confidential service, CALL ED today Ed Barker for real estate results Office/Pager: (250) 374-3331 Fax: (250) 828-9544 Toll Free: 1 877 374 3331 e-mail: edbarker@remax.net www.edbarker.com RE/MAX ED BARKER Diocesan News, Roman Catholic Diocese of Kamloops – Easter, 2015 Pope Francis recounts his pastoral trip in Asia WHO AND WHY WE ARE ..... THE KAMLOOPS PRO-LIFE SOCIETY Saturday, April 11, 2015 O.L.P.H. Parish Centre 635 Tranquille Road Speaker – Deacon Eddie Lavoie Gathering 5:30 p.m. • Dinner 6:30 p.m. Tickets $25.For more information call 778-220-5584. † PRAY FOR VOCATIONS † M Society as an integral part of pro-life persuasion. Since our results are often invisible, we rest with Mother Theresa’s motto: “God does not call us to be successful, He calls us to be faithful.” We realize that, this side of Heaven, we may not know the hearts that have been turned, and understand that we do not need to. Being within the circle of His will is blessing enough. Due to a number of recognizable factors (mostly beyond our control) our income has dropped significantly. In order to maintain our educational outreach, we are hoping for a good response to our fundraising dinner. Details follow. Kamloops Pro-Life Society Banquet and Silent Auction RO We are an educational charity, with formal charitable status with Revenue Canada, so we are able to issue tax receipts for donations. All our income (from both fund-raising and donations) is used towards office supplies, rent and, by far the greatest portion, towards our projects. No salaries or wages are paid; all work is done by volunteers. Our mandate is to address moral poverty. We educate the public on the intrinsic value of all human life from conception to natural death. Because the nature of our work is to change minds and hearts through the presentation of facts and apologetics, the results of our labours are not nearly as readily seen as if we were a service organization such as the St. Vincent de Paul Society. This makes what we do as seemingly less necessary than the efforts of pro-life service groups. However, just as the Church attempts to persuade people towards faith with words and images as well as lovein-action, so we see the Kamloops Pro-Life those who are still afflicted by the sufferings of recent years.” In the Philippines, he noted “the constant fruitfulness of the Gospel and its capacity to inspire a society worthy of mankind, in which there is a place for the dignity of each person and the aspirations of the Filipino population”. He explained that the main aim of his visit was to express his closeness to those brothers and sisters who had suffered as a result of the devastation wrought by typhoon Yolanda. “The power of God’s love, revealed in the mystery of the Cross, was made evident in the spirit of solidarity shown by the many acts of charity and sacrifice that marked those days of darkness.” He also mentioned the young volunteer Kristel killed following his visit to Tacloban by collapsing scaffolding due to extreme weather conditions. Pope Francis went on to speak about his encounter with families in Manila. “I have heard it said that families with many children and high birth rates are among the causes of poverty. It seems to me a simplistic opinion. I can say that the main cause of poverty is an economic system that has removed the person from the centre and replaced him with the god of money; an economic system that excludes and creates the throwaway culture in which we live. … It is necessary to protect families, which face various threats, so that they can bear witness to the beauty of the family in God’s plan.” Finally, the Holy Father spoke about his meeting with the young. “I wanted to offer them my encouragement for their efforts in contributing to the renewal of society, especially through their service to the poor and the protection of the natural environment. Care for the poor is an essential element of our Christian life and witness – because corruption steals from the poor – and requires a culture of honesty,” he concluded. § I offer the salvific truth of the Gospel in a multi-religious context. With regard to the meeting with the governmental authorities, he emphasized the importance of dialogue, respect for HIS HOLINESS human dignity and POPE FRANCIS efforts to involve all in finding suitable solutions for reconciliation and the common good. He also spoke about his encounter with religious leaders, which confirmed the good relations that exist between the various communities. “In this context, I wanted to encourage the cooperation that has already been initiated between the followers of different religious traditions, also in order to heal with the balsam of forgiveness TR Vatican City, 21 January 2015 (VIS) – Before proceeding to the Paul VI Hall for the weekly Wednesday general audience Pope Francis, following a centuries-long tradition, blessed two lambs whose wool will be used to weave the pallia imposed on the new archbishops on June 29, the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul. During his audience, Pope Francis gave an account of his apostolic trip to Sri Lanka and the Philippines. “I will always keep in my heart the recollection of the joyful welcome I received from the crowds” and the culmination of his stay in Sri Lanka was the canonization of St. Joseph Vaz “His example of holiness and love for his neighbour continues to inspire the Church in Sri Lanka in her apostolate of charity and education,” said the Pope, adding that the new saint represented “a model for all Christians, who are called upon today to IND TRI - ROM INDUSTRIES LTD. Preventative Maintenance Program • Heating • Air Conditioning • Refrigeration • Appliance Install & Repair DENNIS ROMBOUGH (250) 554-8733 24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE We Sell the Best and Service the Rest #1-825 LAVAL CRES. KAMLOOPS, B.C. V2C 5P2 MASTER ROOFERS 250-374-0154 SERVING THE INTERIOR FROM KAMLOOPS SINCE 1969 Diocesan News, Roman Catholic Diocese of Kamloops – Easter, 2015 15 16 WORDS FROM OUR SECONDARY PATRON ST. JOHN VIANNEY † ‘All the Angels and Saints are engaged in trying to prevent us from committing sin.’ Ronald A. Tenisci, MBA, CA Mario Piva, BComm, CA Dennis Piva, BBA, CA Sacred Heart School, Williams Lake celebrates CSW by embracing the Joy of Christ By Nick Iachetta, Principal Each day was a celebration of our community and filled with joyful events. Catholic Schools Week 2015 was kicked off on Sunday, February 1 with The Joy of the Parish. Sacred Heart students created a wonderful art project for the church foyer. They participated in ministries at Mass and we all gathered for a pancake breakfast put on by the Knights of Columbus. On Monday we celebrated the The Joy of School. Each student was given a special lunch of burger and fries before students got together for buddy reading and activities. The Joy of Health was celebrated on Tuesday with the annual Students vs. Staff basketball game. Once again the students triumphed with a little help from the scorekeeper. The afternoon was filled with fun games organized by our Parent Support Group. We celebrated The Joy of Community on Wednesday, February 4. Each student got to dress up in the style of a decade of their choice. With wild and wacky costumes, the whole school got together for an afternoon dance. We were lucky to have our preschool and daycare children join in the fun. That evening we had a Movie Night for all students. Families gathered in the gym in their PJs to snack on hot dogs, popcorn and treats while cuddled up to their favourite stuffy and their favorite buddies! The Joy of Friendship was celebrated on Thursday. Two students were ‘Principal for a Day’. They went about their administrative duties by starting the day with their coffee (hot chocolate) and donuts because, according to them: “Principals just eat donuts and drink coffee all day.” They visited each classroom, making sure that students were safe and happy. They also gave a lot of free time and decided that recess should be extended by 10 minutes. They took their happiness theme into the kitchen to make cookies for each student. The afternoon was filled with winter fun: sledding, snow soccer, snow art and rainbow blocks. Students ended a wonderful day of friendship with hot chocolate brought by the Parent Support Group. There is no better way to celebrate the The Joy of Christ than through the Eucharist. We celebrated Mass as a school on Friday, giving thanks for such a wonderful week and the opportunity to attend a Catholic School. We extended this celebration to our community, with a family skate in the afternoon filled with fun and, of course, treats! Catholic Schools Week is a great opportunity to create lifelong memories of joy and happiness. Thanks be to God. § SACRED HEART SCHOOL, WILLIAMS LAKE. ABOVE LEFT ‘Principals for the Day’ (L to R) Aya Katsura and Amelia Burrill enjoy donuts and hot chocolate while full-time Principal Mr. Iachetta explains their duties for the day. ABOVE RIGHT ‘Reading Buddies’ Sascha Katsura and Keifer Chisamore (FRONT) and Tristan Gullickson. LOWER LEFT Aya and Amelia bake cookies for all the students. LOWER RIGHT (L to R) Gabby Chapman, Piper Kosolofski & Payton Destree on ‘Dress Up Day’. tp@teniscipiva.com 372-2551 950 Notre Dame Dr. www.smithchevolds.com ICE SKATING IN QUESNEL. Olivia vanden Elzin is in Gr. 5 at St. Ann’s. Diocesan News, Roman Catholic Diocese of Kamloops – Easter, 2015 THE JOY OF SHARING Ruth Robert (LEFT) of the St. James CWL, Vernon presents the CWL’s donation plus the proceeds from the Loonie Shoes Fundraiser to Principal Dianne Wilson of St. James School for the upgrade of the school’s computer lab. Ruth – CWL’s ‘fundraiser extraordinaire’ – asked parishioners from St. James and Our Lady of the Valley to donate a Loonie for every pair of shoes, boots, flip flops or other footwear in their closets. – PHOTO COURTESY OF JAN HILLIS , PAST PRESIDENT, ST. JAMES CWL, VERNON ST. ANN’S ACADEMY. ABOVE A group of energetic Grade 7 students enjoy snacks while taking a break during their tubing adventure at Harper Mountain. This was one of the many activities students participated in during Catholic Schools Week. RIGHT Sisters Juliana (Grade 3) and Charlotte (Kindergarten) enjoy pancakes and syrup before ‘Hat Day’ begins on Feb. 4. There were two pancake breakfasts during Catholic Schools Week. ST. ANN’S, QUESNEL Jaeanna Dumais, Gr. 4 and Grand Knight Dan Canuel take time out for a parley during the perennially popular Knights of Columbus Free Throw Competition during Catholic Schools Week, February 1 to 7, 2015. OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP SCHOOL, KAMLOOPS. The Tier 2 Girls Basketball Team, seen with our mascot Fin are all smiles after achieving first place in the O.L.P.H. Basketball Tournament. Coached by Mr. Backmeyer (teacher, second from left) and Mr. Hermiston (parent, far left), the girls played several hard-fought games and were victorious in their efforts. Great team play and determination leads to great success! Way to go, dOLPHins! – PHOTO COURTESY OF O.L.P.H. PRINCIPAL CHRISTOPHER YUEN www.rcdk.org – YOUR DIOCESAN WEBSITE Diocesan News, Roman Catholic Diocese of Kamloops – Easter, 2015 17 SPIRITUAL CLASSICS A series of articles by Rev. Dale Normandeau, Pastor of St. James Parish in Vernon Catherine de Hueck Doherty’s ‘Poustinia’ Baroness Catherine de Hueck Doherty, in the last chapter of her autobiography Fragments of My Life, alludes to three books – Poustinia, Sobernost and Stannik – that she wrote between the years 1974 and 1978. The three books are entitled with a single Russian word and present certain ideas and practices found in Russian spirituality. Of the three books, Poustinia is the most important, as it introduces readers to core qualities found in Russian spirituality and helps them better understand the insights found in the following two books. No history of Catholicism in Canada can be written without referencing Baroness Catherine de Hueck Doherty – Russian aristocrat, refugee, lecturer, social reformer, founder of Madonna House, pioneer Catholic lay apostle, writer, wife, mother and candidate for sainthood. Catherine was born Ekaterina Fyodorovna Kolyschine on August 15, 1896 in Nizhny Novgorod, about 400 kilometres east of Moscow. Her parents were members of the minor Russian nobility. During her early childhood, the family moved to Egypt, as her father was posted there by the Czarist government. In 1910, the family moved to St. Petersburg and Catherine married her cousin, Baron Boris de Hueck, in 1912. COUPLE FLEES RUSSIA In the midst of the Russian Revolution, Catherine and Boris barely escaped Russia with their lives, followed by near starvation in Finland and their arrival in England, where she became a Roman Catholic in 1919. Arriving in Toronto in 1921, Catherine eventually joined a travelling lecture circuit, which replenished much of her wealth left behind in Russia. She was, however, spiritually restless and dissatisfied with her present life. With the encouragement of Archbishop Neil McNeil of Toronto, Catherine gave away her possessions and established Friendship House in downtown Toronto, where she began to serve the poor. In 1937 she founded a Friendship House in Harlem, New York City, where she promoted justice and civil rights for the African-American community and worked closely with Dorothy Day, founder of the Catholic Worker Movement. 18 SECOND MARRIAGE After receiving an annulment of her first marriage, Catherine married Eddie Doherty, a well-known American reporter who had become enamoured with her while writing about her apostolate. They moved to Combermere, Ontario in 1947 and there established the Madonna House Apostolate, which by the year 2000 numbered some 200 lay staff, more than 125 clergy and 22 mission houses throughout the world. Eddie Doherty died in Combermere in 1975 and Catherine in 1985 at the age of 89. Her cause for canonization was opened officially by Pope John II in 2000. The process is being promoted by Ontario’s Diocese of Pembroke, since Combermere falls within its diocesan boundaries. RUSSIAN WORD FOR ‘DESERT’ Catherine Doherty is known for introducing Russian Orthodox spiritual ideas and practices to both Roman CATHERINE Catholics and other de HUECK non-Orthodox DOHERTY Christians. Among (1896-1985) those practices Candidate for is poustinia, the Canonization Russian word for desert. While most Catholics understand a ‘poustinia’ as a prayer room or small building devoted to prayer, the fuller meaning of the word implies more a spiritual state than a physical place. The space merely provides the place where one, in silence and solitude, encounters God and is transformed by the encounter. It is this engagement, however, rather than the place, which most authentically describes the meaning of poustinia. Although published in 1974, the initial work on the book Poustinia began more than a decade earlier. The book is divided into four parts, with the first consisting of seven chapters, initially presented as lectures, written in the early 1960s. These chapters serve as an introduction, for those unfamiliar with Russian spirituality, to poustinia. The origins of the practice are found in third-century Egypt, where St. Anthony left his home and possessions to encounter God in the solitude and silence of the desert. He was then followed by likeminded men known as the Desert Fathers. Catherine reminds the reader that silence, a necessary part of the poustinia experience, is active because it is listening to God. Silence sets aside one’s self-will, agenda and personal plans in order to be more receptive to God’s promptings. This process is known as kenosis, meaning selfemptying. One becomes, in poustinia, not only aware of God’s presence, but so transformed by that presence that one lives God’s will and love exclusively, rather than one’s own. The call of the Eastern poustinik (one who resides in a poustinia) is to listen to God, then proclaim to others, prophet-like, what one has received from God. The poustinik would first be blessed by a priest before going alone into the poustinia, where he or she would wait for God, armed with only a bible, bread and container of water. The purpose of this was to experience God directly, to know him, rather than just know about him. This is a place of encounter rather than study. The poustinik, it must be said, is not a hermit, although solitude is a central part of his or her vocation. They are called, rather, to be hospitable and immediately serve the needs of others who arrive at the poustinia, as they would receive God himself. The poustinik remains in the poustinia only for as long as God wills. If God calls them to leave the poustinia to pursue another divine calling they must, obediently, leave. While the poustinia is a sacred space, this should not be interpreted as being a sombre and ominous place. Catherine reminds those preparing to enter the poustinia: “Calm your mind. Close your intellect. Open your heart. Smile at everybody – especially yourself – and be at peace.” Catherine was very aware that in the West, the practice of poustinia would need to evolve in order to meet new spiritual needs and that this evolution should be encouraged. In Chapter Seven of Poustinia, entitled ‘Poustinia in the Marketplace,’ she describes how the poustinia, where Christ dwells, is internalized by the poustinik. Once internalized, Christ’s healing presence is then brought into the secular world and the workplace by the poustinik. The spirituality of the poustinia, like the Orthodox faith, centres on the Blessed Trinity. While one’s single greatest aspiration is to live with the Trinity forever in heaven, the poustinia offers the poustinik a foreshadowing of that union in the present moment. This union enables one to grow in detachment from personal possessions and agendas, to be better able to respond flexibly to God the Father’s will, to see Christ in all people and perpetually live in the freedom and joy of the Holy Spirit. While the poustinik is called to share with others what has been received in the poustinia, they will themselves receive Christ-like qualities to enable them to radiate Christ’s presence and be his icon (image) in the world. They will be more forgiving, better listeners and radiate a love for all, especially the weak. The poustinik does not show compassion, but rather com-passion [sic] – a virtue that goes beyond empathy and demonstrates a vibrant solidarity with a spiritually needy world. The final purpose of the poustinia is to make the poustinik a better listener who, having listened well, becomes a more authentic and effective communicator of God’s message to the world. This really goes to the heart, not only of the new evangelization, but of Catherine de Hueck Doherty’s life, ambition and message. § Marian League Prayer Cards Just to remind everyone of the beautiful treasure we have to offer you. The Diocese of Kamloops Marian League is offering prayer cards for you to enroll your friends and family. They will be enrolled perpetually and remembered in all Masses and prayers offered at the Diocesan Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Cache Creek for all members of the League, living and deceased. Cards for yourself or your parish are available at the Chancery in Kamloops (250-376-3351) and at the Shrine (250-457-9930). All offerings benefit the Shrine. § Diocesan News, Roman Catholic Diocese of Kamloops – Easter, 2015 Carmelite Corner Sisters appreciate annual parish fundraiser As always, the Annual Carmelite Fundraiser at St. Joseph’s, Salmon Arm was a success in December. Thanks to the parish community for their generous support of this event. The Sisters are very grateful for the financial help. However, promoting awareness and providing information about the Carmelite Sisters is another important aspect of hosting a fundraiser. We need to be reminded of the many blessings that are available to us and the benefits of having the Carmel of St. Joseph Monastery in our Diocese. ooo Speaking of awareness – what a pleasure it was to read about the Carmelites in the Dec. 26 issue of Salmon Arm’s Lakeshore News. There are two articles in Leah Blain’s ‘friends & neighbours’ column: ‘A Life of Quiet Dedication’ and ‘The History of the Carmelites’. For example, we learn that this community of nuns keeps busy from 5:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. with regular duties such as household tasks, bookkeeping, sacristy work, office work, cleaning the barn and caring for the alpacas and the dogs; in winter, lots of shoveling and in summer long hours of outdoor work, growing flowers and vegetables plus fruit for making juice and jam. In addition to many hours of prayer, there is quiet time and free time on Sundays for sing-a-longs, playing piano and flute, crafts, picnics, going for walks and enjoying nature. ooo Mother Ann advises that Sister Raphael had not been well after a bout of pneumonia and prayers would be appreciated. Some history: Sister Raphael, who is 87 and still sharp as she helps with the bookkeeping, was one of the first Sisters who came from the Carmelite Monastery in St. Agatha, ON in 1991. Most Reverend Bishop Sabatini had requested that these cloistered contemplative nuns settle in our Diocese to pray, especially, for priests. Mother Ann hopes for new postulants this summer. Prayers are always needed for increased vocations, for both priests and nuns. ooo Please continue to support the Carmel of St. Joseph Guild so we in turn can help to meet the Sisters’ needs. Please share membership information with friends and family (active members $25; honorary members $75). Contact President John Scott at liznjohnscott@gmail.com or Vicepresident T. Sinclair tmaesinclair@shaw.ca about joining us or use the Guild’s mailing address below. Remember the spiritual benefits received from the Sisters’ prayers are ‘priceless’. ooo During the Easter Season please send your prayer requests to the Sisters and remember them in your prayers as well. The power of prayer is available to all. Donations are appreciated, but not necessary. May you and yours have a very blessed Easter as we celebrate ‘The Lord has Risen!’ God lives in the city Vatican City, Feb. 7 (VIS) – Pope Francis received in audience the participants in the Plenary Session of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, ‘Encountering God in the heart of the city.’ This year will be the 50th anniversary of the closing of Vatican Council II and to mark the occasion, the Council is preparing a ceremony to commemorate the publication of the decree on the lay apostolate, Apostolicam actuositatem: “The initiative looks not only to the past, but also the present and the future of the Church.” He noted that the chosen theme reiterates the invitation in Evangelii gaudium to face the challenge of urban cultures, adding that “the phenomenon of urbanization has now reached global proportions: more than half the world’s population lives in cities”. “The urban context has a strong impact on the mentality, culture, lifestyles, interpersonal relationships and religiosity of the people. In such a varied and complex context, the Church is no longer the sole generator of meaning and Christians absorb ‘languages, symbols, messages and paradigms which propose new approaches to life, approaches often in contrast with the Gospel’.” Despite these risks, he said, we must remember that God has not abandoned cities: “The title of your Plenary underlines the fact that it is possible to encounter God in the heart of the city.… It is therefore imperative not to abandon oneself to pessimism and defeatism, but to have an outlook of faith with regard to our cities, a contemplative gaze ‘which sees God dwelling in their homes, in their streets and squares’. God is never absent from the city, as He is never absent from the heart of man! In the city the terrain for the apostolate is often far more fertile than many might imagine. It is important, therefore, to pay attention to the formation of laypeople: to educate in having this gaze of faith, full of hope, that knows HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS how to see the city through God’s eyes…and at the same time it is necessary to nurture in them the desire for witness, so that they can give to others the gift of the faith they have received, accompanying with affection those brothers who are taking their first steps in the life of faith”.... Francis said “to be genuine, authentic and to live that which truly counts [is the only way it is possble one can] adopt that attitude of respect towards people: offering the essential that is the Gospel”. § God Bless all you do, Mrs. Terry Mae Sinclair Newsletter/Publicity Convenor Carmel of St. Joseph Guild Bag 9000, suite 186, 190B TCH NE Salmon Arm, BC V1E 1S3 Carmel of St. Joseph Monastery 4815 Salmon River Road Armstrong, BC V0E 1B4 1-250-546-8801 Diocesan News, Roman Catholic Diocese of Kamloops – Easter, 2015 19 SISTERS OF ST. MARTHA AT HOME – SUMMER, 2014. LEFT The statue of St. Martha graces Bethany’s grounds. CENTRE All of these Sisters served in Kamloops: (L–R) SEATED Sr. Rosalie Lahey, Sr. Adele Cormier, Sr. Arlene MacKinnon, Sr. Margaret Landry, Sr. Marcella Rankin; STANDING Sr. Genevieve MacDonald, Sr. Lucy MacNeil, Sr. Marie MacDonald. Down through the years these and other members of their Congregation travelled from Antigonish, Nova Scotia to provide valuable service to O.L.P.H. Parish, its school and our entire Diocese. RIGHT Former Diocesan chancellor Sr. Marie greets Jeanette, now O.L.P.H. School secretary. elow (L–R) Margaret, Sr. Genevieve, Sr. Marie and Sr. Adele move indoors. – PHOTOS BY JEANETTE MELNYCHUK AND MARGARET DENNISON O.L.P.H. visitors receive warm welcome By Jeanette Melnychuk and Margaret Dennison, Kamloops In 1962, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish welcomed the Sisters of Saint Martha of Antigonish to teach in the school. During their time at O.L.P.H., the Sisters were more than just our teachers; they became our friends and mentors and they played an important role in our families’ lives. This past summer, we were able to travel to Antigonish, Nova Scotia to visit with the Sisters at Bethany. It was wonderful to get a glimpse into the lives of the Sisters. Upon our arrival and during our stay, every Sister welcomed us into their daily routine and went out of their way to make our visit memorable through their warm and loving Martha Spirit! Catholic Schools Week at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Kamloops VOLLEYBALL SHOWDOWN: TEACHERS VS. STUDENTS The staff of O.L.P.H. School faced a challenge from the Grades 5-7 students to determine who would be the true heroes of the volleyball court. Led by Mr. Isenor and Ms. Hallinan (FAR LEFT), our staff were determined the winners of the event, but it was a close one! (Good thing no one needed medical attention!) OUR HANDS-ON PARISH PRIEST Father Martin Peyton is no stranger to the halls and classrooms of O.L.P.H. School. He is always to be seen engaging in school activities and generally showing his interest in whatever students are doing. From having lunch with everyone to swinging his end of a skipping rope in the schoolyard (RIGHT), there is no telling what Fr. Martin will be involved in next! 20 Courtesy of Mr. Christopher Yuen, Principal Diocesan News, Roman Catholic Diocese of Kamloops – Easter, 2015