News from the Chancery - December 19, 2025

News from the Chancery is published each week to share information and upcoming events with the people of the Diocese of Victoria.

We have five items to share with you today:

1) Bishop Gary Gordon has written a message to the people of the Diocese of Victoria on the occasion of Christmas 2025. The message may be read online at: https://www.rcdvictoria.org/news/bishop-gary-gordons-message-for-christmas-2025 

2) On Sunday, December 28, the Diocese of Victoria will join the worldwide Church in celebrating the Rite of Closing of the Jubilee Year. The Rite of Closing will happen at the 11:00 am Mass at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Victoria, with Bishop Gary Gordon presiding. All are invited to participate in person or via the livestream at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BBauIl-9vo 

3) We’re getting close to our goal for the 2025 Bishop’s Appeal: Love & Unity campaign—thank you to everyone who has generously donated so far! If you’ve been waiting to give, now is a wonderful time to participate. To receive a 2025 tax receipt, donations must be received by the Diocese before December 31, 2025. To learn more or give online, please visit: https://www.rcdvictoria.org/bishops-appeal 

4) The recap blog of the 2025 Diocesan Faith Day, held on November 22, 2025, is now available on the Diocesan website. A handout from speaker Dr. Erin Barisano on “The Active Silence” can also be found at the bottom of the recap page: https://www.rcdvictoria.org/diocesanblog/faith-days-recap-finding-renewal-through-the-active-silence 

5) Bishop Gary Gordon and the Diocesan Health Care Committee are pleased to announce that Amanda Achtman will visit our Diocese from February 26–March 8, 2026, for a speaking tour titled “Dying to Meet You: Preventing Euthanasia, Encouraging Hope.” Amanda is the Ethics Education & Cultural Engagement Lead for Canadian Physicians for Life and founder of Dying to Meet You, where she addresses questions around death and dying through storytelling, beauty, and a deeply hopeful vision grounded in the dignity of the human person. A schedule of events and further details will be shared in the new year.

Please note, there will be NO News from the Chancery post or email on December 26, 2025. Friday News from the Chancery posts and emails will resume on January 2, 2026.