My dear Sisters and Brothers,
Episcopal Ordination: On December 12, history will be made in our Diocese. Our own Fr. Bart Van Roijen will be ordained the Bishop of Corner Brook and Labrador. Fr. Bart grew up in Penticton and attended Mass with his family here. I’m happy for the opportunity I received to go to Newfoundland for his ordination. As you know, Fr. Bart’s parents have both passed on. Our parish is his family. He was one of us. If you have anything you wish to give him – a congratulatory card, a gift, a note, I will be happy to take that to him. It’ll be an encouragement for him to receive some love from our parish. Above all, please pray for him – that he may be a Shepherd after God’s own heart. Farewell Mass for Fr. Bart is this Sunday, November 10 at 7pm at St. Charles Garnier, Kelowna. All are welcome.
Days of Grace and Gratitude: The past week has been one that brought us many graces: Dinner with the Saints, Evening of Favourite Marian Hymns, Night of Prayer and Meal with bereaved Families. Special thanks to CWL Ladies for their visible and prayerful presence at the Marian night. Thanks, too, to all who led a Hail Mary in different languages. And to everyone who made it a memorable night, may the Lord bless you abundantly.
I would like to thank St. John Vianney Knights of Columbus for preparing a sumptuous meal for the bereaved families of our parish. November 6 was indeed a grace-filled night for us as we gathered to share a meal, pray and ask God to bring eternal rest to our deceased loved ones. The next event called ‘Master’s Bouquet Night’ comes up on November 23rd at 9am Mass. We are thankful to Mother Cynthia for this initiative.
Parish Advent Mission: our Parish is organizing a Parish Mission this Advent titled: ‘Coming to A Greater Appreciation of the Beauty and Awesomeness of Holy Mass this Advent and Beyond’ What will the mission offer us:
An explanation of how every Mass is a ‘little Christmas and Easter,’ How the procession from the door to the altar is like an Advent Journey to the altar – the manger, the tomb – where Jesus is born, where we see and experience the Risen Lord. We will have a tour of the Mass: the meaning and significance of the words, gestures and postures of Holy Mass. We will also explain why the Church chooses the special readings we read at Mass during advent and how the readings can help us prepare for Christmas. We shall also look into the deeper meaning of some of the advent and Christmas hymns like ‘O Come O Come Emmanuel’ ‘Mary Did You Know’ etc.
Who will benefit from this Mission?
- All our families: for grandparents – when grandchildren ask questions about the meaning of the things we do at Mass. For young parents who desire to live the faith, to know more about the faith and to give answers to the children on why Mass is not boring
- All Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Lectors, Greeters, Choir Members and Musicians, Altar Servers and all who do ministry in the Church
- Knights, CWL and all the different organizations in our parishes
- Teachers, students and parents.
Don’t miss it. It’ll be an enriching evening for all. Let us together prepare the Way of the Lord this Advent.
Date: November 29, at 6pm at St. John Vianney.
~ Fr. Obi