Sunday, April 28, 2019, was a banner day for faith, fitness, fun, and food as, for the first time ever, the Diocese of Victoria Pastoral Centre staff entered a team into the 30thAnnual Times Colonist 10K.
Our walking team consisted of Michael Jurcevic, Michele Nouwens, Mary Carmichael, Leslie O’Brien, Rob Cherneff, Keefer Pollard, Catherine Minvielle, Irene Green, and Nancy Marsiglia. Glen Palahicky, Cassie Cherneff, and Braden Pima rounded out the team with a running contingent and Heidi Pivaral provided team support and checked equipment during the race.
Following the event, the team attended the 11 Mass at the Cathedral. Who says you have to miss Mass to attend a sporting event? They did both! Standing up and sitting down was somewhat problematic as their leg muscles started to recover, but that was of minor concern. The experience of prayer together with the larger Catholic community of the Diocese of Victoria elevated a simple sporting event to an experience of faith community.
We concluded with a communal breakfast at a team member’s house featuring a tomato and Italian bread strata, fresh fruit and muffins.
The team members were heartened the next day to hear that Philip O’Reilly, Music Specialist at St. Andrew’s Regional Highschool, had observed them from the choir loft at St. Andrew’s Cathedral. Seeing the team T-shirts, he mistook them for a Youth Group. This has inspired everyone to commit to entering the event next year as walking must surely be the ‘fountain of youth’.
It was a beautiful day for a walk! The Diocese of Victoria Companions on the Journey salute Island Catholic Schools, who also took part in the race. We challenge other parish groups to enter next year, or to join with the Companions on the Journey for a springtime experience of faith, fitness, fun, and food.
