New Mass Restrictions – Maximum 50

Effective immediately, Monday, March 16th, the maximum allowable persons at mass and any parish event will be 50 people.

For us, Patrick & I, our commitment to God is to provide music for Holy Mass regardless of numbers. A congregation of 50 should be able to celebrate as fully as a congregation of 500. 

That is our commitment, we understand and appreciate you will do what is necessary for your situation.

There is comfort in the fact that 1. there will be ALOT of space to do some Social Distancing (as witnessed last Sunday) and 2. we do enter and exit in a mostly separate entrance from the congregation. 

Will keep you updated as we receive further information from Father Maciej

In Christ,    Patrick & Peggy

READ: The Archdiocesan Directive: https://rcav.org/coronavirus/

 

 

 

Mass Attendance Restrictions

From the Archdiocesan Website – IMPORTANT

Update – Friday, March 13, 2020

Yesterday afternoon, amid increasing concerns over the spread of COVID-19, British Columbia’s Public Health Officer directed “all event organizers to cancel any gathering larger than 250 people.” Respecting this new directive and until further notice, and out of prudent concern for the well-being of the entire community, attendance at Mass or any other Church events in the Archdiocese of Vancouver is to be restricted to a maximum of 250 people.

I realize that a number of parishes will have difficulty in keeping Mass attendance below 250 this weekend, and that managing this requirement will call for creativity and compassion on the part of pastors and parish staff.

If any of the faithful are unable to attend Sunday Mass due to these restrictions, they may be encouraged to find another Mass to participate in. However, given that someone has attempted to go to Mass and could not do so for reasons beyond their control, they have fulfilled the obligation. It is always good to encourage those who do not attend Mass to have a time of prayer, if possible with the readings of the Sunday and a spiritual communion.

The faithful are reminded to avoid physical contact with others at Mass, as much as possible, and should attempt to maintain a safe distance from one another. Those over the age of 65 are encouraged to stay home rather than attending Sunday Mass, as are those who feel even remotely unwell and those who believe they might be genuinely at risk.

Please remember to take into account the recommendations made in previous memos on this subject, all of which can be found online at rcav.org/coronavirus. These measures are only temporary, in order to get us through these challenging times, and your patience and goodwill are greatly appreciated.

During this highly unusual situation, let us join together in praying for all the members of our community, especially those who are most vulnerable, those who have already lost their lives to COVID-19 and their families.

Read Archbishop Miller’s Letter (English)

I had a heart attack and a young lady died

On Tuesday, August 27th I climbed up the several flights that take me to my 4th floor office and felt an odd twinge on the right side of my jaw area. I noted it but, went about my day. It was a hot summer day and I remember that I just did not feel well for the rest of the day.

On Wednesday, August 28th I woke up and descended down the stairs, dogs in tow, and fed them. Immediately afterwards I noticed the pain in my jaw was back on both sides…and not going away. Along with feeling of nausea and then…tightness in my mid chest. Time to go to Eagleridge Hospital.

Three hours later and still in Emergency, I didn’t feel horrible as they ran a battery of blood tests and an echo-cardiogram. I was actually stunned when the nurse told me, some 3 hours later, that blood tests showed I was having a heart attack and would be admitted. SHOCKED.

Thanks to our medical system, the care at Eagleridge and the surgeons at Vancouver General Hospital, I received one stent for a 90% blockage and was released from the hospital on Saturday, August 31st. Still SHOCKED. Today…still SHOCKED.

Please take care of your heart, it’s the only one you have…when it’s done…you are done, friends.

This Saturday I attended a service with my daughter Liz for a friend of hers. Beautiful young lady in her 30’s passed away of cancer. I sat and watched her equally beautiful 6 year old son kiss an urn of ashes that was “mommy” before it was placed in the wall, gone forever to him. To say this was heartbreaking is an understatement.

So, I am here…and she is not. This young lady with her whole life yet to be lived. I don’t get it and I know I’m not supposed to.

God has given me an opportunity to treat my heart differently moving forward, to treat it better, and to share the story.

Salt for the earth, light for the world.

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