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Share Lent

Mar 14, 2019 11:32:57 AM

Dear Pastors and People of God,

Every minute, 31 people are forced to seek refuge in another village, city, or country. Currently about 68.5 million children, women, and men are displaced throughout the world. This year, we are invited to Share the Journey with our sisters and brothers who have been forced to flee their homes. “Hope is the force that drives us to ‘share the journey,’ … to understand them, to understand their culture, their language” said Pope Francis during a general audience on September 27, 2017.  During this Lenten Season, we are invited once again to undergo a true transformation of the heart to build a culture of encounter through mercy and compassion as we reconnect with God through prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

For me this word is very important. Encounter with others. Why? Because faith is an encounter with Jesus, and we must do what Jesus does: encounter others. … They all have something in common with us: they are images of God, they are children of God.

Pope Francis, Pentecost Vigil, May 18, 2013

Share the Journey, and actively participate for the success of Share Lent Campaign 2019, including generously contributing to the special collection that will be held on April 7, 2019, the Fifth Sunday of Lent. The President of the National Council of Development and Peace, Evelyne Beaudoin, and Nancy Stuart from our Diocese who is a National Council Member for British Columbia/Yukon, have both assured me that the monies collected will only go to member-partners aligned with the teachings and the ethical and moral standards of the Catholic Church. 

The work of the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (CCODP) is fundamentally about integral human development, and as a member organization of Caritas Internationalis, it has the ability to respond to human crisis at a moment’s notice.  Please use the resources available from the CCODP website for education and to inspire action in your parish at https://www.devp.org/en/sharelent2019/materials.

 Your support of this important initiative is greatly appreciated.

In Communion,

Most Reverend Gary Gordon
Bishop of Victoria

Download Bishop Gary's Pastoral Letter

Bishop Gary Gordon

Written by Bishop Gary Gordon

The Most Reverend Gary Gordon serves as Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Victoria.

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