Dear Parishioners,

Advent is a Liturgical period of four weeks, which prepares us for Christ’s birth. At the center of Advent celebrations are the Lord’s first coming in the flesh and that at the end of times. So salvation and fulfillment, past and present, promise and crowning speak in a special way of God’s love for his people. Advent Season also refers to Jesus’ constant coming. Between the two comings Mother Church celebrates our Savior’s constant manifestation. In this way, our life on earth is but a preparation to encounter Him with songs of praise and deeds of charity.

Advent wreath is a wide spread tradition in the Catholic Church. The first candle, which is purple, symbolizes hope. It is sometimes called the “Prophecy Candle” in remembrance of the prophets, especially Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ. It represents the expectation felt in anticipation of the coming Messiah. The second candle, also purple, represents faith. It is called the “Bethlehem Candle” as a reminder of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. The third candle is pink and symbolizes joy. It is called the “Shepard’s Candle,” and is pink because rose is a liturgical color for joy. It is “Gaudete Sunday” and is meant to remind us of the joy that the world experienced at the birth of Jesus, as well as the joy that the faithful have reached the midpoint of Advent.

On the fourth week of Advent, we light the final purple candle to mark the final week of prayer and penance as we wait for the birth of our Savior. This candle, the “Angel’s Candle,” symbolizes peace. It reminds us of the message of the angels:

“Peace on Earth, Good Will toward Men.” Christmas is then celebrated with great joy because God is with us! He is God’s gift to humanity. He is the Light of the World that became flesh to show us the way to the Father! May our prayer for the virtues of Hope, Faith, Joy and Peace be heard! May each one of us, transformed by God’s living Word, let Baby Jesus dwell in us!

From the bottom of our hearts, we extend our sincere greeting of peace and unity. Merry Christmas and a blessed 2020 to all!

Fr Eduardo, Fr Rosemond, St Ann’s Staff

Dear Parishioners

The Church has been celebrating the World Day of Migrants and Refugees since 1914. It is always an occasion to express concern for many different vulnerable people on the move; to pray for the challenges and increase awareness about the opportunities that migration offers.

In 2019, the World Day will be celebrated on September 29th. Pope Francis has chosen the theme “It is not just about migrants” to show up our blind-spots and make sure no one remains excluded from society, whether a long-time resident or someone newly arrived.

Last Sunday, the Archdiocese of Vancouver celebrated the 105th World Day of Migrants and Refugees. Migrants and refugees are human beings, not numbers! There is a story, families, projects and dreams behind each one of them.

Taken from Bishop Scalabrini’s writings, behold how the idea of a Religious Congregation came about…

In Milan a few years ago, I witnessed a scene that left me with a sense of profound sadness. As I walked through the station, I saw the vast waiting room, the porticoes at the side and the adjacent piazza filled with three or four hundred people, poorly dressed and separated into various groups. 

Their faces, bronzed by the sun and marked by premature wrinkles drawn by privation, reflected the turmoil agitating their hearts at that moment. There were old men bent with age and labor, young men in the flower of manhood, women leading or carrying their little ones, boys and girls – all united in a single thought, all heading to a common goal. 

They were emigrants. They belonged to the various provinces of northern Italy and were waiting with trepidation for the train that would take them to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, from where they would embark for the distant Americas where they hoped to find a less hostile destiny, a land less unresponsive to their labors.

They were leaving, poor souls, some sent for by relatives who had preceded them in this voluntary exodus; others, without knowing where they were heading, drawn by that powerful instinct that impels the birds to migrate. They were going to America, where (they had heard many times), there was well paid work for anyone with strong arms and good will. It was not without tears that they had said goodbye to their native villages, to which so many tender memories still bound them.

I left there deeply moved….

A new school year is about to start. Energized and strong in faith, we, priests and parishioners, continue journeying together.

On Saturday, November 16th at 5:00 pm a Solemn Mass will be celebrated to commemorate St Ann’s 90th Anniversary. An organizing committee was formed, a choir will soon start rehearsing, a photo directory will be updated and published. Be part of a milestone in St Ann’s
life!

Maintenance and repair projects are also in our agenda. Parish life continues and we want to be prepared to live our faith and serve all brothers and sisters who knock at our door. A Parish Day Care is also in mind: it is another effective way to assist families and their needs!

Our Farm Workers Ministry is active and vibrant. Holy Mass and Rosary, as well as farm visits are ways by which stronger bonds of friendship, support and communication get stablished. Food or clothing donations help us reach out to them, as we reflect the Church’s charitable face. Drivers are needed to take farm workers to and from Church. If interested, call the Parish Office!

A Fundraising Dinner for our Farm Workers is scheduled for Saturday, September 21. I invite you all, dear friends, to support this initiative. Let us open the door of our hearts in hospitality and solidarity! Jesus, who passed doing good and curing all those oppressed by the devil (Acts 10:38), taught us to care for the foreigner. So we imitate his example!

Finally, the Provincial Superior for the Scalabrinians will be in the area from Sept 7 to 11. Fr Miguel Alvarez, CS will conduct a Canonical Visit. It is an opportunity to encounter the confreres and the community they are assigned to; it is also a great occasion to evaluate and plan at personal and community levels. Fr Miguel will celebrate Mass when it is possible, and he will also meet with the Parish Pastoral and Finance Councils. He makes himself available if someone wants to talk…

I sincerely thank you for your presence and support. May God bless us and help us build bridges, to be living signs of mercy and understanding.

Fr Eduardo Quintero, CS