News from the Chancery is published each week to share information and upcoming events with the people of the Diocese of Victoria.
Dear friends,
We have seven items to share with you today:
1. Bursaries and Awards Applications Now Open
Applications are now being accepted for bursaries and awards offered by the Diocese of Victoria to outstanding students and educators. The deadline for applications is July 15th. More information and application forms are available at the following links:
The Jawl Bundon LLP Bursary ($2500): for a grade 12 Catholic student who has been accepted to a post-secondary institution. Preference will be given to Indigenous students, and to students who live outside of Greater Victoria and Nanaimo.
https://www.rcdvictoria.org/jawl-bundon-bursary
The Char Deslippe Memorial Award ($500): for a teacher working in Island Catholic Schools or a parish catechist serving in children, youth or adult ministry.
https://www.rcdvictoria.org/char-deslippe-award
2. Grief to Grace Retreat
Grief to Grace is hosting their next retreat in Canada on September 22 – 27 in Kelowna. This is a program rooted in our Catholic faith. Designed to express the healing ministry of Jesus Christ, it is an integrated healing process of the body, mind, and spirit using the principles of trauma-informed care. It helps those who have endured abuse to find healing for neglect, abandonment, physical, emotional, sexual, clerical, and spiritual abuse, whether in childhood, adolescence, or as an adult. The deadline for the intake process is June 15.
For more info visit: www.grieftogracecanada.org
Email: grieftogracekelowna@gmail.com
Or confidential call at: 250-808-6403
3. Katesismong Pilipino (KP) – Flores de Mayo Filipino Mass
Filipino Catechism of the Catholic Church here in Victoria are inviting the Diocese community to their 2nd Quarter Filipino Mass on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 6:00 PM, at Holy Cross Catholic Church.
This Eucharistic celebration forms part of Flores de Mayo (“Flowers of May”), a beloved Filipino devotion celebrated throughout the month of May in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is a meaningful expression of faith that brings together families and communities in prayer, cultural tradition, and Marian devotion.
4. Invitation: World Youth Day Seoul 2027 Pilgrimage
We are excited to begin exploring interest in forming a group from across our diocese to attend World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul, South Korea! World Youth Day (WYD) is a powerful international gathering of young Catholics, offering an opportunity for prayer, cultural exchange, and a meaningful encounter with Christ and the universal Church alongside the Holy Father. It is often a life-changing experience that deepens faith and builds lasting friendships.
At this early stage, we are reaching out to parishes to gauge interest from youth, families, and leaders who may wish to participate in this pilgrimage. We have received preliminary travel proposals that include youth hostel accommodations for:
-7 nights in Seoul with roundtrip transfers
-9 nights in Seoul with roundtrip transfers and a full-day tour
If you have anyone interested that may want to see the preliminary travel proposal, please have them email Fr. Joseph Thomas who is organizing at: jthomas@rcdvictoria.org
5. KAIROS Blanket Exercise at Sacred Heart Parish
In the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation, the Catholic Women's League of Sacred Heart Parish is pleased to announce the KAIROS Blanket Exercise in the Parish Hall on Saturday, May 23rd from 9:30-12noon. The blanket exercise is a powerful interactive and experiential activity that walks people through 500 years of historic and current relationships between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples in Canada. This educational exercise guided by trained facilitators is great for members of parish councils and finance councils to deepen their learning.
After a coffee and goodies break, the session will conclude with a debriefing, conducted as a “talking circle”.
6. St. Vincent de Paul "Cram the Van to the Max" event
With the school year ending in June, most breakfast and lunch programs for children stop. This makes it especially challenging for those in need over the summer months. Demand increases significantly at St. Vincent de Paul food pantry on Yates Street in Victoria, as these families visit for food assistance. To ensure the shelves are well stocked to handle this increased demand, they are holding a "Cram the Van to the MAX" event on 2 Saturdays from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm:
-May 30th at the Sticky Wicket on Douglas Street.
-June 6th in the parking lot at Sacred Heart Church, 4040 Nelthorpe Street
7. Our Lady of the Rosary 50/50 Raffle Fundraiser
Our Lady of the Rosary Parish is excited to launch their own online 50/50 raffle fundraiser to support their new childcare and early learning facility. This centre will nurture children, support families, and serve our growing community for generations to come, while helping address gaps created by recent changes to provincial ELCC capital funding.
• Ticket sales are open now
• Ticket sales end: June 30, 2026 (PDT)
• Draw date: July 4, 2026 (PDT)
Get your ticket starting May 8th here: https://www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/oltrp