Your prayers are requested for Marta Brisco, Sam Cappelletti, Claire Christie, Andy Demeule, Maria Dos Santos, Joan Dowling, Brandon Fairleigh, Rose Gill, Mark Hamilton, Wade Kaczkielo, Frank Kilian, Gretchen Mostardi, Robin Newton, Margaret Ng, Ariel Nonan, Diego Nunez, Mary Catherine O’Sullivan, Jeannette Oulette, Barbara Samociuk, Desi Santos, Tony Tadey, Maria Villarroel, Jarrod Wiesner, Karl Winterstein.

Marriage Anniversary Mass – “Love isn’t easy. No. But the most beautiful thing that a man and a woman can give each other is true love, for a lifetime.” – Pope Francis

Archbishop Michael Miller, CSB will honor couples celebrating Milestone Marriage Anniversaries. The Marriage Anniversary Mass will be at St. Francis Xavier Church in Vancouver on Sunday, May 14th at 1:30 p.m. Registrations received before Monday, April 24, will receive their certificate at the Mass, and have their names included in the Mass booklet. Learn more and register at family.rcav.org/mam.

Your prayers are requested for Marta Brisco, Sam Cappelletti, Claire Christie, Andy Demeule, Maria Dos Santos, Joan Dowling, Brandon Fairleigh, Rose Gill, Mark Hamilton, Wade Kaczkielo, Frank Kilian, Gretchen Mostardi, Margaret Ng, Ariel Nonan, Diego Nunez, Mary Catherine O’Sullivan, Jeannette Oulette, Barbara Samociuk, Desi Santos, Tony Tadey, Maria Villarroel, Jarrod Wiesner, Karl Winterstein.

A Paschal Letter from Fr. Mark of St Stephen’s Parish in the North Shore:

At the beginning of the celebration of the Easter Vigil Mass, the light of the Paschal Candle is processed into a darkened Church, which then quickly becomes bathed in light as the candles people hold are lit from that one flame. Our belief in the resurrection is the light of faith which can bring peace, joy and hope in the midst of all that is happening in our world today.

The Lord appeared to His disciples after His resurrection and greeted them, saying, “Peace be to you.” Many times in sacred scripture our blessed Lord offers His peace. So it is in our lives, the Lord Jesus stands in our midst and says, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid..” (John 14:27)

This Easter may we see the Risen Christ in our lives and recognize His deep love for each one of us.

On behalf of Vienna, Robin and myself, may you all have a Blessed Easter. God bless,

Fr. Mark

Parishioners are invited to a Lenten Mission with Rev. David Bellusci, OP on the evenings of March 27 until 30, starting at 7:00 until 8:00 pm. The event is held at St. Patrick’s Parish, Vancouver. A Mass Celebration each evening follows and then a mission talk. The theme of the mission is ‘Mary at the Foot of the Cross: Jesus Gives Us His Mother.’ All are welcome.

St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Vancouver invites everyone to this extensive exhibit on the history, significance and scientific aspects of the Shroud of Turin, widely believed to be the authentic burial cloth of Jesus. There will also be lecture talks by renowned Shroud specialist and scholar Dr. Cheryl White. Starting on Wednesday, March 29, until Sunday, April 2. Learn more and view the complete schedule at beholdvancouver.org/events.

Working for the Church and serving various ministries entail the constant giving of the self for others. To prepare for the busyness of Holy Week and Easter, you are invited to take time away with the Lord and commune with Him, together with the Archdiocesan community of leaders. Come join the RCAV Ministries and Outreach Office for a retreat on Saturday, April 1. The retreat will begin with Mass at 9:00 a.m., followed by talks, prayer, and lunch. Learn more and register at beholdvancouver.org/events. A registration fee of $25 will be asked from each attendee to help cover the costs of the activity.

Join The Archdiocese of Vancouver as they continue the dialogue on mental health through a Catholic lens, facilitated by mental health professionals equipped to answer your questions. The last two topics will be covered on the following dates from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.:

• Wednesday, March 22 – Session 3: Mental Illness
• Wednesday, April 26 – Session 4: Self-Care

Locations: Online or in-person at Saint Mary’s Parish, Vancouver; Saint Patrick’s Parish, Maple Ridge; Christ the Redeemer Parish, West Vancouver; Good Shepherd Church (Star of the Sea Parish), Surrey. ​​​Learn more and register at beholdvancouver.org/events.

This Sunday’s second collection supports our retired priests who have dedicated their entire life to the Church. Generous support from the community ensures a comfortable living environment, quality medical care, and other essential services for our retired priests. Parishioners can make their tax-deductible donation to St. Joseph’s Society in-person at their parish or online at rcav.org/second-collection.

ASH WEDNESDAY – FEBRUARY 22 – Besides the morning Mass at 8:30 am there will be evening Mass at 7:00 pm with the distribution of ashes at both Masses. It marks the beginning of Lent, a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares us for Christ’s Resurrection on Easter Sunday.
FAST AND ABSTINENCE FOR LENT: Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting and abstinence as is Good Friday. On those days you may not substitute acts of charity or piety in place of abstinence. Normally, Fridays of the year are days of abstinence from meat, but Catholics may substitute special acts of piety or charity. The requirement to fast binds those from 18 to 59 years of age. Abstinence (no flesh meat allowed) binds those 14 years old and up.
St. Stephen’s Parish will start the LENTEN DEVOTIONS – MASS & STATIONS OF THE CROSS – Every Friday Mass at 7:00 pm followed by Stations of the Cross.

The Archdiocese of Vancouver is blessed to be made up of a committed core of individuals who are eager to serve in ministry. If you feel called to be a part of this team, you can view our current openings below.

If you would like to contact our Human Resources Office, please get in touch here or call 604-683-0281, Ext. 50426. Please visit this page to look for opportunities that may be of interest to you.

Pope Francis prayed for the victims of a deadly earthquake in Turkey and Syria as the Catholic Near East Welfare Association launched an emergency fundraising effort to shelter survivors in northern Syria.

More in this article.

The Archdiocese of Vancouver recently lost two priests who touched the hearts of those they knew. Here are tributes we received for Father Oscar Pauwels, OMI, and Father Rufin Mika. Please read all about them in this wonderful article.

https://bccatholic.ca/voices/in-memoriam-two-beloved-priests

The Life in the Spirit Seminars are designed as an introduction to a life lived in the power of the Holy Spirit. They provide an opportunity for people to learn more about that life, and to be helped in taking the first steps of a new relationship with the Lord.

For those who are not Christians, this can serve as an introduction to Christianity and a time to make a first commitment to Jesus Christ. For those who are already Christians, they offer help in finding a fuller release of the Holy Spirit to live a deeper Christian life.

The seminars are a series of talks and discussions which take place over a period of seven weeks. But more than a series of courses or lectures, the Life in the Spirit Seminars are a chance for Christians who have found a fuller life in the Holy Spirit to come together with people who want to know more about that life, to share with them, and to help them take the first steps of a new life themselves.

ST STEPHEN’S PARISH INVITES YOU: TO A LIFE IN THE SPIRIT SEMINAR:

Every Thursday from 7pm to 9pm: it starts on February 16 and ends on March 30, 2023:

February 16 – Talk 1 – God’s Love
February 23 – Talk 2 – Salvation
March 2 – Talk 3 – New Life
March 9 – Talk 4 – Receiving God’s Gift
March 16 – Talk 5 – Praying for Baptism in the Holy Spirit March 23 – Talk 6 – Growth
March 30 – Talk 7 & Mass – Transformation in Christ

Registration is now closed, thank you for your interest.