News from the Chancery is published each week to share information and upcoming events with the people of the Diocese of Victoria.
We have seven items to share with you today:
1) Bishop Gary Gordon has shared a message on the Lapu-Lapu Filipino Festival Tragedy, which can be read here: https://www.rcdvictoria.org/news/bishop-gary-gordons-message-on-lapu-lapu-filipino-festival-tragedy
He will offer a special Memorial Mass for those who recently died at the Lapu-Lapu Festival in Vancouver. All are welcome to attend at St. Andrew's Cathedral in Victoria on Friday, May 2, at 7:30 pm. Fr. Dino Villadiego will be giving the homily. Your continued prayers for the victims of this tragedy, their families, and all those impacted are greatly appreciated.
2) Bishop Gary Gordon has written a letter regarding the reintroduction of the distribution of the Precious Blood from the chalice during the Liturgy of the Eucharist to all the faithful. This change will come into effect on the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, June 22, 2025. View the full letter here.
3) The annual March for Life will take place on May 8th, beginning with a noon Mass at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Victoria. The march will start at 1:45 pm from Centennial Square and proceed to the Legislature for a rally at 2:15 pm. All are welcome to participate. A dinner will follow at St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Victoria (753 Burnside Rd W), co-sponsored by the March for Life Committee and the Knights of Columbus Councils 1256 and 13356. Doors open at 5:00 pm. Tickets are $55 and can be reserved or purchased until May 5 by contacting Gary at garys235@outlook.com.
Please see the poster here for full details.
4) The Knights of Columbus and CWL are hosting a Craft Sale & Flea Market at St. Elizabeth’s Church (10030 Third St, Sidney) on May 10 from 9:00 am–1:00 pm, with spots available to rent for $20—email gary.koett@telus.net to reserve. All are welcome to shop and enjoy refreshments and baked goods for sale, as well as potted plants available from Birthright Victoria!
Please see the poster here for more details.
5) St. Joseph the Worker Church (753 Burnside Rd W) is hosting a Community Garage Sale on Saturday, May 10 from 9:00 am–2:00 pm, featuring over 30 tables of household items, books, jewelry, plants, tools, vintage finds, clothing, and more. Shoppers can enjoy coffee, tea, and lemonade, with hot Egg McKnight breakfasts, BBQ burgers, and hotdogs from the Knights of Columbus. Donations are being accepted until Friday, May 9. Come find a treasure and support the parish community!
Please see the poster here for more details.
6) To celebrate National Family and Life Week from May 11–18, 2025, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has released liturgical and pastoral resources themed "Abound in Hope!". These materials are available at: https://www.cccb.ca/faith-moral-issues/family-and-life/national-family-and-life-week/
7) May 15th is Moose Hide Campaign Day, an Indigenous-led, national day of ceremony calling all Canadians to stand together against violence toward women and children and to take meaningful steps toward reconciliation. All are welcome to register for the virtual events, and/or join the Walk to End Violence in Victoria from 12:00 pm–1:00 pm. Details and registration can be found here: https://moosehidecampaign.ca/campaignday/