I received a couple unintended or indirect compliments at last weekend Masses that pleasantly surprised me.  The first was a word of appreciation for the return of this ‘column’ in the bulletin since my return from Mexico.  I was glad for the affirmation as it’s a commitment of time each week to draft something that might be of interest. I frequently wonder if people actually read it, or it does any good for anyone.  I guess it does for some, and certainly assures me that it’s one way to communicate the ‘hidden’ complexities of parish life.  The other backhanded compliment came via a Mum who spoke on behalf of her seven year old son.  He had asked with regret, why I wasn’t giving the old 11:00 Mass children’s homily at Star of the Sea.  Now that’s a compliment that warms my heart.  And because of it, I’m considering a children’s talk at either the Saturday Mass, or Sunday 8:30 a.m., or both!  Speaking of children, pictured are two books I’ve just completed reading to do with children; one the horrendous and depressing fact of sexual trafficking of children in Canada, and the other authored by one of our speakers at last week’s Parksville Parish Leadership Study Days on Preaching to Children.  A much more inspiring read.  Even though our 30 days of prayer for our parish children ended in October, let’s continue to pray for them as ‘theirs is the Kingdom of God’.  Certainly no longer ‘children’, but closer in age than I am, the Young Adults are once again offering liturgical leadership at the Saturday Mass followed by a holy hour of Adoration in which all are invited.  This is a wonderful addition to our devotional life at OLOR.  Hopefully two priests will be available for confessions during the hour.

There is still a few spots available for the Advent Retreat December 8-10 to Westminster Abbey in Mission B.C. and it’s a wonderful way to prepare to celebrate Christmas.  Approach me or Patricia Cuthbertson for details.  This is the pre Advent season in which many a good ministry and service requests time to both announce and fund raise.  The CWL, Development and Peace, and St. Vincent de Paul will all be highlighting their good work and we’ll try to spread out the initiatives to prevent ‘giving’ fatigue.  I do try to lead by example and our family has given to the Bishop’s Appeal and the SVP collection with gratitude for God’s mercy and generosity.  Thanks once again for your varied gifts of ‘time, talent’ and treasure’.  Advent is around the corner with the liturgical season ending with the Solemnity of Christ the King next weekend.  You should see these Liturgies elsewhere in the bulletin but take note:

December 13^th SoS/OLOR Penitential Service with a tentative time of 6:30 p.m. to start.

Fr. Dean