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) The Diocese is seeking volunteers to livestream the 9:00 am Sunday Mass from St. Andrew’s Cathedral. No previous experience is necessary, and all training will be provided. For more information or to apply, please email chancery@rcdvictoria.org.
2) Rachel’s Vineyard on Vancouver Island is offering a safe and confidential retreat from May 9-11, 2025, for women and men seeking healing and peace after abortion. To learn more or register, please email rachelsvineyardvancouverisland@gmail.com. You can also find more information here: https://www.rachelsvineyardvanisland.org/
Please find the brochure for the upcoming May retreat here.
3) Bishop Gary Gordon will celebrate a special Mass at 11:00 am on Sunday, April 6, in honour of the dedication of those who work and volunteer in health care. Everyone is invited to participate, either in person at St. Patrick’s Parish in Victoria (2060 Haultain Street), or via livestream at www.youtube.com/live/Lt2E0Ihxlw4. A Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfast will follow for those attending in person.
Attached is a poster for this Mass.
4) Bishop Gary Gordon will celebrate the Chrism Mass on Thursday, April 10, at 7:00 pm, where sacred oils are blessed and distributed to parishes for use in sacraments throughout the year. Everyone is invited to participate, either in person at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Victoria (740 View Street) or via livestream at https://youtube.com/live/zREAxTGEtG8.
5) The Vatican's Dicastery for Culture and Education has launched the “Sport in Motion” international photography contest, inviting young photographers under 25 to capture the essence of sport. This contest is part of the 2025 Jubilee of Sport, celebrating its universal values. The closing date for participation is 30 April 2025, please find contest guidelines here: https://www.dce.va/it/news/2024/concorso-di-fotografia.html
Attached is a poster for this contest.
There are also several Lenten Retreats and Parish Missions happening this season, and all are invited to participate:
Sacred Heart
Join Fr. Dean Henderson (Rector of St. Andrew’s Cathedral) for a three-day Lenten Retreat on the “Gospel of Joy & Hope” at Sacred Heart Parish from March 30–April 1, 2025. Each evening will feature a 7:00 pm Mission Mass, reflecting on themes from Pope Francis' The Joy of the Gospel and the Jubilee Year of Hope, focusing on God’s love, transformation, and healing. See the poster for more details.
St. Joseph the Worker
Save the dates for a Lenten Retreat, “Meeting Jesus Along the Way,” with Dr. David Pitt on April 1 and 2, 2025, at St. Joseph the Worker Parish. There will be a Mass at 6:00 pm, followed by the Lenten Retreat at 6:30 pm. A liturgical scholar and musician, Dr. Pitt will offer insights on Christian initiation, the Eucharist, and liturgical music, inviting us to deepen our faith and journey with Christ. See the poster for further details.
St. Andrew's Cathedral
St. Andrew's Cathedral is hosting a parish mission from March 22–26, led by Fr. Joseph Yuson with the help of Dcn. Philip Yuson, focusing on the theme Ave, Crux, Spes Unica: "Hail, Holy Cross, Our Only Hope." See the poster for schedule details.
