quelques reprises : « Aujourd’hui, disait le Pape, ma
pensée se tourne spontanément vers la très Sainte
Vierge Marie, que nous invoquons par le titre
d’Auxiliatrice. Que ce soit elle l’étoile lumineuse
qui éclaire notre chemin chrétien, et que ce soit elle
qui nous inspire et nous soutienne à tout moment
dans notre pèlerinage quotidien vers la patrie
éternelle. » Et en slovaque, le Pape ajoutait : «
L’Église aujourd’hui fait mémoire de Marie,
auxiliatrice du peuple chrétien. À l’exemple de
l’apôtre saint Jean, prenez vous aussi Marie chez
vous, et faites-lui place dans votre existence
quotidienne ».
Le 25 mai, je représentais les salésiens au
lancement des fêtes du centenaire de la paroisse
Ste-Claire à Montréal. Le P. Georges Parent, curé
lui aussi de cette paroisse que les salésiens ont
remise au diocèse en juin 2004, était présent aussi.
Bonne fin d’année scolaire et pastorale!
SURREY, B.C. The first Monday of the month
was the feast of St. Joseph the Worker and our
Community Day. That morning our special guests,
along with Fr. Luc, left for Edmonton. Mid-morning
we went over Fr. Esteban’s community report in
depth to see how we would tackle the challenges
placed before us. Fr. Mario Villaraza, with his
computer skills, has compiled the Salesian
Educative-Pastoral Project: Youth Ministry Manuel
Made Simple, which was originally designed in
2003 by Fr. Mario A.Villegas Baclig, SDB, in
Rome. It will be a helping guide for reflection and
for developing a community mission statement, our
own personal spiritual vision, as well as a structure
for animating our local youth ministry. Definitely
we have our work cut out for us, and it has begun
on a positive note.
On May 13th, The Youth for Christ Pacific
Region held a day of prayer, sharing, workshops,
sport competitions, talks, etc. with music, band,
dance and winners awards in an all day event held
at our Don Bosco Youth Center. Over 300 youths of
all ages participated. The actual Conference will be
held in Montreal sometime in August. MAJESTY is
a one day event where youth from all Chapters of
the Pacific Region gathers to celebrate its diversity,
talents, skills, but most importantly, they gather to
celebrate their love of God.
The same day, First Communion had ninety-
eight youngsters. A packed church, a sunny
morning, four home made symbolic banners,
musicians and one of our seven choirs helped to
make their day extra special. The following day,
Mother’s Day, had eight Polish youngsters receive
their First Communion. Every evening for one week
these parents and their children will attend Mass and
receive Communion in the Polish custom known as
“The White Mass.” It is an extended opportunity
for each family to pray together.
Moving about! Bro. Jerry went to Red Deer,
AB, for a few days’ rest and to visit a school chum,
Fr. Donald Stein, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish
celebrating its 100th Anniversary. Fr. Michael
Korceba recently flew to Toronto for a week’s
evaluation at the South Down Centre; he has since
returned to Rome. Let us remember to keep him in
our prayer. Fr. Tadeusz Goryczka returned from a
week’s vacation that took him to Colonia, Calgary,
Banff, Jasper, and Lake Louise. On the trip he
enjoyed the company of Mr. & Mrs. Anthony
Jochlin, parishioners, who were kind enough to show
Father these beautiful sights. Fr. John Basso and
Bro. Jerry represented the community at the
dedication of the new Mission Office in Montreal;
Bro. Jerry also attended the Provincial Council
meeting and concluding conference given by Fr.
Esteban Ortiz. They then went to Sherbrooke to
participate in the Jubilee feast.
Fr. Basso returned from Montreal in time to
solemnly celebrate the feast of Mary Help of
Christians with a special concelebrated Mass in the
evening. Prior to that special occasion, a novena of
prayers, in her honor, had been made after the daily
Masses. Our Lady of Good Counsel School honored
their helpful Mother at a Children’s Mass blest with
song and loads of flowers for her shrine. On the
following Sunday, a Marian Procession with all the
various Madonna pictures and statues certainly gave
witness to our neighborhood of our parishioners’
love for Mary under her various titles. They said the
rosary, sang, carried flowers and candles. They were
led by the Don Bosco Knights of Columbus who
acted as Honor Guards and Flag Bearers. About eight
hundred people braved the weather elements to
participate and walk in this block long parish event
as the statue of Mary Help of Christians was carried
aloft. Umbrellas made their quick appearance
towards the end of the event when sprinkles rained
down blessings.
