Category Archives: Council

God sent us this beautiful day, and we have made it even more beautiful by our prayerful presence at the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil.  This being the midway point in the campaign, the occasion was graced by praise songs from Kathleen Dunn and an inspirational speech from Stephanie Gray followed by a few words and blessing from Archbishop Miller himself.  Listen to the end of Stephanie’s talk here.  Some photos have been posted on the website here.  More to follow as people send in their photos (keep them coming).  Thank you to everyone who participated in prayer and spirit.

We’ve been challenged by the LifeTeen-ers to a Volleyball Match this Sunday, March 15 after the 6:30pm Mass. Brother Knights.  Let’s show up and demonstrate that it’s all about experience, technique and having a good time!   We need some fans to cheer, too…

Pancake Breakfast coming up folks.  All hands on deck please, for setup and on the day of, thank you.  BP takers, too.

And Monday night is our one and only… General Meeting for the month.  Your presence and your input are what makes this Council unique and activated, so please be there.

WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK:

March 9 Monday 8pm @ Room 1+2
General Meeting

March 10 Tuesday 8pm @ Nezil Residence RSVP 604-448-0868
Rosary Night

March 14 Saturday 10am @ St. Paul Gym
Pancake Breakfast Setup

March 15 Sunday @ St. Paul Gym
Pancake Breakfast; Blood Pressure Check

March 15 Sunday 8pm @ St. Paul Gym
Knights vs LifeTeen Volleyball Challenge

COMING UP:

March 17 – Regional Training Seminar @ St. Francis Xavier Parish
March 19 – Fourth Degree General Meeting
March 23 – First Degree Exemplification
March 25 – Marian Hour of Prayer @ St. Monica Church
March 27 – Euthanasia Seminar @ Pope John Paul II Pastoral Centre
March 28 – Fourth Degree Exemplification and Banquet

“The authentic dwelling place of God, the sanctuary that replaces the corrupt sanctuaries of religion is the temple of his crucified and risen body. Jesus himself is the place where God dwells, and we, in the measure that we are grafted on to him, are temples of the Holy Spirit.” – Fr. Robert Barron.

Definitely not Vancouver, BC. This is in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

You may never know how God used you to save a baby from abortion … but occasionally He will show you!

When we report the number of babies saved during 40 Days for Life vigils, we always add the phrase “that we know of.”  There are many women who change their minds and leave the abortion centers or simply keep driving and never go in for their appointment.

Occasionally, though, 40 Days for Life volunteers find out much later that a life was spared. A young woman will approach them with a small child, a big smile … and a huge “thank you!”

It’s a beautiful occurrence and one that makes it all worth it. Here’s one of those stories …

When a young mom in her early 20s who lives in the surrounding neighborhood came down the street carrying her son on her hip, one of the 40 Days for Life volunteers greeted her as she was passing.

She responded with “Hello!” and then added, “Thanks for what you do,” as she continued to walk by.  Then suddenly, she stopped, turned and said, “Thanks to you my son is alive.” 

During Lancaster’s fourth 40 Days for Life campaign in the fall of 2013, she came to Planned Parenthood determined to sign up for an abortion, which she was convinced she wanted and needed. When she saw the volunteers praying outside the building, she avoided them and went inside. After completing all the required paperwork and “counseling,” there was nothing left to do but watch a short video.

“She went into a room, sat down alone and started the DVD,” said Bob, the local leader in Lancaster. “But she couldn’t get those who were praying out of her mind. Suddenly, she realized that they were right … ending the life of her unborn baby would be a tragic mistake.”

She stopped the DVD, got up, left the building … and never looked back.  Her son is now a healthy one-year-old and is deeply loved.

“From those considering an abortion, to those suffering with the pain and brokenness of an abortion, to those simply driving past a vigil,” Bob said, “we simply don’t know how many hearts and lives are touched by 40 Days for Life campaigns … in Lancaster and across our nation.”

Don’t be late for Mass!  Advance your clocks one hour before you go to bed tonight.  (Actual change happens at 2am, which jumps to 3am.) Go to bed one hour early so you don’t miss out on your sleep…

See you at the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil.  Let us pray for the mothers that they may find the support they need to choose life.  Let us pray for the hospital workers, that they may follow the voice of conscience and protect life from conception to natural end.  Let us pray for our lawmakers, that they may find the courage to pass laws that are fair for all Canadians, including the most vulnerable unborn!  St. John of God, pray for us.

This is in Abuja, Nigeria. Unfortunately, the Vancouver 40 Days for Life campaign will be bereft of banner and posters this year because:

Unfortunately, our box with all our supplies disappeared last year in the middle of the campaign.  Because we weren’t able to gain a secure site in time for this year’s campaign, we decided to forgo getting any.  We will approach the Archdiocesan offices (at the corner of 33rd & Willow) next year…

Check it out here…

Because Sunday March 8 marks the midpoint of the 40 Days for Life campaign, we get to join in the Midway Rally and listen to some awesome speakers!  What are you waiting for?  Sign up now… tinyurl.com/stpaul-40days

I was happy to see many Brother Knights at the Parish Mission.  Fr. Larre is a prophet for our times.  May we take his words to heart, to our homes and beyond.  We are all called to be missionaries!

March 8 is a very important day:  40 Days for Life prayer vigil by St. Paul Parish.  Let us bring a very strong presence as a prayerful witness in the public square.  If you have not signed up for your hour, please do it now:  tinyurl.com/stpaul-40days  There are many more hours that need a second person.

Continue reading →

Lots of people today, but room for more!  Fr. Larre is quite the storyteller, in the footsteps of the Ultimate Storyteller.  Tomorrow, he talks about Maintaining Hope in Hopeless Situations…

A big welcome to our newest brother Knight, Joseph Lo.  We look forward to getting to know you and to a mutually beneficent involvement with Council 6855.

Thank you to all the Brother Knights who took the time to attend our Education Seminar last Tuesday.  We hope you found it both informative and inspiring.  Thanks to those who worked hard to organize and to present, and to Mrs. Patricia Barnwell for the yummy banana bread!

Continue reading →

Shawn Carney, 40 Days for Life Campaign Director, writes:

In some areas, a warm 40 Days for Life vigil is hard to find right now.

Anchorage, Alaska

Of course, if you want to be certain of avoiding cold weather, you could visit a 40 Days for Life location in Australia, Nigeria or Brazil!

Columbia, Missouri

But please do keep in mind that the invitation to participate in 40 Days for Life is a call to sacrifice. Sacrificing your time – and warmth – can make quite an impression on a mom who’s arriving for an abortion.

It’s often the case that the locations with the worst weather have more women turn around and leave without having an abortion. The willingness of strangers to be out in miserable conditions speaks to the heart of women at that most crucial moment.

Your peaceful presence shows a sacrificial love they simply will not get when they enter the abortion facility…

Read today’s prayer intentions here.