P ♰ C

Connecting Catholics in parishes across Vancouver Island

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  • Belief

    Belief

    by Jean Allen

    I may have been the only person at the Good Friday Liturgy thinking about this week’s gospel about Doubting Thomas. But in my defense, the reason I was thinking about that text was because of the Good Friday Gospel reading where Jesus was given sour wine and after he received the wine, he said, “’It is finished.’ Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” Whenever that is read on Good Friday, my heart feels the wrenching grief and shock of all of his followers who witnessed that. Dead. Gone. Done. The end. All over. Sobs of anguish won’t bring him back.

    It was probably a need for comfort that made my mind skip ahead to this week’s Gospel where the disciples were locked, not only in a room but also in the fresh wounds of their shredded hearts. The light bursts in upon them. Jesus is there! Alive and full of joy, forgiveness, healing and consolation.

    We’re supposed to be reflecting on the doubt in Thomas but did Thomas doubt in the way we normally think of doubt: disbelief born out of cynicism, lack of faith and hardness of heart? Or were his statements of doubt just self-preservation because his grief could not take any more disappointments or any more betrayal of hope? When Jesus said, “Do not doubt but believe,” was he not saying, “Believe you are loved; you are not excluded,”? When he said, purportedly just to Thomas, “Have you believed because you have seen me?” I think he was talking to all the disciples. None of them had believed before they saw Jesus – and none of them immediately proclaimed Jesus as Lord and God, like Thomas did.

    One lesson of this Gospel is that Jesus not only wants us to believe in his resurrected life but he also wants our belief to be bound up by an inner experience of his love, love that comes to us even when we struggle with belief. No, we have not seen him, but we believe we can have relationship.

    And we are so blessed.   

  • News from the Chancery

    […in case you still don’t receive these directly to your inbox from RCDVictoria…]

    Dear friends,

    We have four items to share with you today:

    1) The Laudato Si’ Animators Program is a free, online formation offered by the Laudato Si’ Movement that invites parishioners to deepen their faith and respond to Pope Francis’ call to care for our common home. Through spiritual reflection and practical learning, this free online training offers a rich experience that will empower participants to bring his Laudato Si’ encyclical to life in their communities through faith-based action, ecological education, and community engagement. A new course is starting April 15, 2026. For more information go to: https://laudatosianimators.org/

    2) Catholic Women’s Leadership Foundation is hosting a leadership program in partnership with Saint Paul University starting May 1. In this eight-week online program Catholic women are invited to grow as confident, faith‑centered leaders in a synodal Church. Through prayerful reflection, dialogue, and skill‑building, participants are provided with a transformative learning opportunity to acquire deeper self-awareness, knowledge and skills that will foster agency as mature Christian disciples in and for the world. For more info visit: https://www.cwlfcanada.ca/st-paul-university

    3) Bishop Gary Gordon will celebrate a special Mass at 11:00 am on Sunday, April 19 in honour of the dedication of those who work or volunteer in health care. Everyone is invited to participate, either in person at St. Patrick’s Parish in Victoria (2060 Haultain St, Victoria BC), or via livestream at https://www.youtube.com/live/BcHDjhHItMc.  A Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfast will take place before and after Mass in the Lourdes Hall

    4) St. Andrew’s Regional High School invites the community to their theater presentation of Annie Jr! Tickets are $20 at the Spectrum Theatre. Come out and support our students and staff. For show times and instructions to purchase tickets go to: https://www.rcdvictoria.org/anniejr

    Many thanks,

    Communications Office
    Diocese of Victoria

  • News from the Chancery

    […in case you don’t receive their emails…]

    Dear friends,

    We have three items for you today:

    1. Bishop Gary Gordon has written a message to the people of the Diocese of Victoria for the occasion of Easter 2026. The message may be read online at: https://www.rcdvictoria.org/news/bishop-gary-gordons-message-for-easter-2026

    2. Would you like to help restore an important Garry Oak ecosystem? On April 12 and running every 2nd and 4th Sunday from 1–4 pm, all are invited to come rain or shine to build community and help remove invasive species from our property on the slopes of Christmas Hill. Please meet in the Sacred Heart parking lot (4044 Nelthorpe Street, Victoria). For more information and to sign up visit: https://garry-oak-ecosystem-restoration-2026.eventbrite.ca

    3. Island Catholic Schools warmly invite you to their annual Joy of Music Concert at the UVic Farquhar Auditorium on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 6 pm. This special evening showcases the musical talents of students from St. Patrick’s, St. Joseph’s, and St. Andrew’s, bringing our communities together in celebration through choir, band, and musical theatre performances. Join for an inspiring night as our young musicians share their dedication, creativity, and passion for music while honouring the spirit of our Island Catholic Schools community. Purchase tickets by calling the UVic Box Office at (250) 721-8480 or online at:

    https://purchase.tickets.uvic.ca/EventAvailability?EventId=12601

    With best wishes for a blessed Easter,

    Communications Office

    Diocese of Victoria

  • The Fickle Crowd

    The Fickle Crowd

    by Jean Allen

    I have never experienced this in any parish where I have attended the Passion Sunday liturgy but I discovered it is not an uncommon practice during the long Gospel reading, where, instead of the readers, the congregation are the ones who cry, “Let him be crucified!” and “His blood be upon us and on our children.” Just think about that for a moment.

    At the beginning of the liturgy, the congregation is enthusiastically singing a Hosanna song and waving our palm leaves. Would it not be fitting for this same crowd to call for Jesus to be crucified as happened in the gospels? This is important because it was the same crowd in the gospels that sang enthusiastic Hosannas who later got caught up in calling for his crucifixion. It would feel repugnant if I had to say those words in the liturgy. My feeling is, “I would never have done that!”

    But crowd-speak happens more easily than we think. We can easily get caught up in what everybody else is saying, feeling that if everyone else agrees on something there must be merit to it. This is what happened to Jesus. The crowd got caught up in celebratory hosannas perhaps because some followers thought that he was the Messiah on his way to conquer the Romans. It was a great crowd exaltation moment – such a wonderful experience in the midst of their shabby and humdrum lives. Such joy! Such hope!

    But fast forward to this same crowd witnessing Jesus being arrested, spat upon, mocked and led to Pilate. What a disappointment! What a let down! What an imposter. One person grumbled, “He should be crucified,” and it didn’t take long for the outrage to spread. Jesus became the scapegoat for all the people’s crushed hopes and dreams. 

    Ask yourself if you would get caught up in something like that if you were downtrodden and bereft of hope.

    I fear we all would.  

  • News from the Chancery

    [For those of you not on the Bishop’s email list…]

    Dear friends,

    We have four items for you today:

    1. Times and locations of Holy Week and Easter services across our Diocese are available on our website at: https://www.rcdvictoria.org/events/2026-holy-week-mass-times
    2. You’re invited to support Help Not Harm, a campaign organized by the Archdiocese of Toronto to push back against plans currently in place to expand euthanasia (Medical Assistance in Dying – MAiD) for those suffering from mental illness.  Visit HelpNotHarmCanada.ca where you can e-mail your Member of Parliament, asking for their support of Bill C-218: The Right to Recover Act before the anticipated vote in the House of Commons in mid-April 2026.
    1. St. Andrew’s Cathedral is seeking a full-time Office Assistant to provide comprehensive administrative and clerical support to the parish.  They are looking for someone with a welcoming attitude and eye for detail, who can comfortably prioritize duties and work diligently under pressure. A detailed position description is available on the St. Andrews website at: https://www.standrewscathedral.com/post/office-assistant-position
    2. The final video from the video series Journey through Lent is now available. This series was designed by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops to help the faithful prepare for the Church’s celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord on Easter Sunday. To view the videos, please visit: https://www.cccb.ca/evangelization-catechesis-catholic-education/video-resources/journey-through-lent/

    Many thanks,

    Communications Office
    Diocese of Victoria

  • Take it to the Lord

    Take it to the Lord

    By Jean Allen

    “When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved.”

    When we are sad and grieving, Jesus is not distant from our pain. In fact, he is deeply moved by our sorrows – all our sorrows. In this Gospel, Jesus knew that the outcome of his presence there was going to be stunning and that all would be well. But even in this knowledge, the heartfelt pain of those he encountered, especially of Martha and Mary, touched him in the core of his being and he travailed along with those there who were greatly disturbed in their own spirits. His empathy knew no bounds.

    His empathy knows no bounds even today. Jesus does not abandon us in our grief as if grieving is a sign of lack of faith. He is not offended and he always comes to meet us with compassion. Compassion means ‘to suffer with’. We do not ponder the meaning of compassion often enough when it comes to the Lord. Subconsciously we tend to feel that every moment of grief and struggle is a test of our faith and, most often, we feel that we are failing that test. The Lord is not so removed from us as that perception would indicate. He knows life is hard. He knows what it feels like to be harrowed by grief. He lost his beloved father, Joseph. He lost John the Baptist who died brutally. He is no stranger to grief. 

    When we grieve for someone, whether it’s a spouse, a child, a friend or even a beloved pet, we must feel free and comfortable to bring the fullness of our grief to the Lord, knowing we will not be judged but will be held with compassion. As the old hymn says, “Oh what peace we often forfeit, oh what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer.”

    What a friend!  

  • News from the Chancery

    […in case you don’t get these to your inbox already…]

    Dear friends,

    We have six items to share with you today:

    1) The Diocese of Victoria is now accepting applications for the position of Assistant Director of Faith Formation and Evangelization. The Assistant will help to carry out the primary mission of the Diocesan Ministry of Faith Formation and Evangelization: as agents of the Bishop of Victoria, serve the People of God to know, celebrate, contemplate, and live the Christian faith in the One Triune God. The job posting may be viewed at https://www.rcdvictoria.org/employment.

    2) Everyone is invited to join in the celebration of the Chrism Mass on Thursday, March 26 at 7:00 pm. At this yearly liturgy, sacred oils are blessed and given to representatives from each parish in the diocese. These will be presented in each church on Holy Thursday and used during the coming year for Baptisms, Confirmations, and Anointings of the Sick. This year’s Chrism Mass will be celebrated at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Victoria (740 View Street), and also livestreamed at https://youtube.com/live/4CstVRsmU_A

    3) You are invited to join Katesismong Pilipino for a Filipino Mass on March 29 at 7:00 pm at St. Patrick’s Parish in Victoria (2060 Haultain St). This Eucharistic celebration will commemorate Palm Sunday, remembering Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem and marking the beginning of Holy Week.

    4) All are invited to join Fr. William Hann for the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday, April 3, 2026, at 11:00 am at Mount Tolmie. The Way of the Cross will begin at the bottom of the hill (Cedar Hill Cross Rd at Gordon Head Rd). For more information, including a map and the meditations that will be used, please visit www.rcdvictoria.org/stations

    5) New videos are now available in the Journey through Lent video series. This series was designed by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops to help the faithful prepare for the Church’s celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord on Easter Sunday. To view the videos, please visit: https://www.cccb.ca/evangelization-catechesis-catholic-education/video-resources/journey-through-lent/

    6) Rachel’s Vineyard on Vancouver Island is offering a safe and confidential retreat from September 11-13, 2026, for women and men seeking healing and peace after abortion. To learn more or register, please email rachelsvineyardvancouverisland@gmail.com.

    Many thanks,

    Communications Office
    Diocese of Victoria

  • News from the Chancery

    [in case you don’t already get these in inbox]

    Dear friends,

    We have six items to share with you today:

    1) Amanda Achtman’s “Dying to Meet You: A Tour of Hope” has now concluded. Recordings of two of the tour events are available online:

    • March 4 Panel Discussion at St. Andrew’s Cathedral: https://www.youtu.be/iVlkLLvefLo

    • March 5 Presentation at St. Patrick’s Victoria:

    • Part 1: https://youtu.be/uwjtbP-U214

    • Part 2: https://youtu.be/DRYZ3k6XjBU

    Thank you to everyone who helped organize her visit, and to everyone who attended.

    2) On March 20 or 21, all are invited to participate in “Building Bridges Through Understanding the Village”. During this experiential workshop, participants explore their own role in supporting the revival of the values that have worked in Indigenous villages for thousands of years. The workshop is done from a non-blame and non‐shame perspective and invites all participants to become a part of the healing that is already happening. For more information and to register, please contact the host parish of the event you want to attend:

    • March 20: Holy Trinity Nanaimo, 12:00 pm – 4:30 pm – holytrinity@rcdvictoria.org or (250) 390-2612

    • March 21: St. Mary’s Ladysmith, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm – allsaintsparish@rcdvictoria.org or (250) 245-3414

    3) March 22 is March 17 is Solidarity Sunday, an opportunity to support Development and Peace – Caritas Canada in its work with the poorest and most marginalized of our human family. Bishop Gary has written a letter to the people of the Diocese of Victoria, encouraging all to embody Christ’s love through generosity and solidarity. To read Bishop Gary’s letter, please visit https://www.rcdvictoria.org/news/bishop-gary-gordons-message-for-share-lent-2026

    4) All are invited to attend a Lenten Reconciliation Service on Tuesday, March 24 at 7:00 pm at St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Victoria (753 Burnside Rd W). Priests from various parishes in the diocese will be in attendance to hear confession. We hope you will take this opportunity to let Jesus meet you with His mercy, healing, and love.

    5) Everyone is invited to join in the celebration of the Chrism Mass on Thursday, March 26 at 7:00 pm. At this yearly liturgy, sacred oils are blessed and given to representatives from each parish in the diocese. These will be presented in each church on Holy Thursday and used during the coming year for Baptisms, Confirmations, and Anointings of the Sick. This year’s Chrism Mass will be celebrated at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Victoria (740 View Street), and also livestreamed at https://youtube.com/live/4CstVRsmU_A

    6) New videos are now available in the Journey through Lent video series. This series was designed by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops to help the faithful prepare for the Church’s celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord on Easter Sunday. To view the videos, please visit: https://www.cccb.ca/evangelization-catechesis-catholic-education/video-resources/journey-through-lent/

    Many thanks,

    Communications Office

    Diocese of Victoria

  • Update about Bridges – Just in!

    [Pamela received this from one of our parishes; we feel called to amplify the message about the new Building Bridges workshop dates…]

    2. On March 20 or 21, all are invited to participate in “Building Bridges Through Understanding the Village”.  During this experiential workshop, participants explore their own role in supporting the revival of the values that have worked in Indigenous villages for thousands of years.  The workshop is done from a non-blame and non‐shame perspective and invites all participants to become a part of the healing that is already happening. For more information and to register, please contact the host parish of the event you want to attend:

    March 20: Holy Trinity Nanaimo, 12:00 pm – 4:30 pm – holytrinity@rcdvictoria.org or (250) 390-2612
    March 21: St. Mary’s Ladysmith, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm – allsaintsparish@rcdvictoria.org or (250) 245-3414

  • Parish Connections – March 2026

    [See the correction below regarding 40 cans for 40 days. This appeal is only running at St. Joseph the Worker Parish. – Katherina ]

    Greetings, friends of Parish Connections,

    We want to thank you for your patience as we have been seeking to find better ways to serve you to make new “Parish Connections”. (Double click the attachment below to find more activities coming up **Sat 12 March to June 2026**)

    From our inception, the Fall was a test run to see if there was interest to share information/event posters across the Diocese for activities often led by affiliated ministry organizations. We also hoped people might share some wisdom, offer their challenges or wins they may have faced organizing fundraising events, or write an editorial on something they attended!
    Our new look includes:

    •  “Post it notes” on our Bulletin Board for “Development and Peace” text-only invitations to their events.
    • Sharing Jean Allen’s latest “Gospel Reflection” for you to enjoy.
    • Knights of Columbus are asking for “40 Cans For 40 Days” during Lent in support of St. Vincent de Paul at St. Joseph the Worker Parish

    In a few days, watch for this text either in the blog or on a post-it:
    Asking for donations – a Catholic Women’s League in Victoria is hosting a “Spring Good Used Clothing, Jewelry and Books Sale- in April.

    Taize (6pm) is coming to St. Joseph the Worker (Victoria), followed by “Stations of the Cross” (7pm, Fri 20 March 2025)
    (*Found in the “Recent Post” of “News from the Chancery”.  https://parishconnections.ca/2026/03/10/news-from-the-chancery-9/)
    Lastly, we have decided to transfer our communication to a single platform and are excited to share it with you.
    If have you an event or something you want to share, enter the details into our website form and upload any attachments:
    https://parishconnections.ca/calendar-of-parish-connections/

    You may also use email and attach your poster (jpg), or text (pdf) and send to me: pamela@parishconnections.ca or katherina@parishconnections.ca.

    We’d love to hear your thoughts on our new format! Let’s work together and build strong parish connections!
    Blessings, Pamela

    NOTES:

    *To Upload A New Event Poster: https://parishconnections.ca/add-poster/
    *To Submit A New Blog Post: https://parishconnections.ca/add-blog-post/!
    *To Upload A New Post-It Note: https://parishconnections.ca/bulletin-board/

    Job posting below :>) There is another job posted for OLOR : https://parishconnections.ca/2026/03/10/news-from-the-chancery-9/