Surrey: A Festive and Celebratory May

By Fr. Samson D. Antony, SDB

(Surrey, BC – June 7) – Greetings from Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish (OLGC) from the land of sunset. On Sunday, May 1, we began the month of May with St. Joseph’s Day and Labor’s day. We also started the Marian month with a daily Rosary. One week later, we celebrated the Mothers’ Day by having special prayers and blessings for the mothers at each Mass. We began the Novena to Mary Help of Christians the following week.

On Monday, May 23, Province Delegate for Youth Ministry Fr. Lou Molinelli, SDB, arrived from New Rochelle. During his stay, he visited OLGC school and Holy Cross High School. He also met Coordinator of Youth Ministry Mrs. Beth Reyes and celebrated the the feast of Mary Help of Christians with the first batch of Associazione Di Maria Ausiliatrice (ADMA) members making their commitment. It was a great event for the parish. We had the crowning of the statue of Mary Help of Christians followed by the Procession of Mary as we recited the holy Rosary, accompanied by the Knights of Columbus. After the procession, we had the Solemn Eucharistic Celebration, during which 17 candidates made their Commitment to ADMA, the "Association of Mary Help." After that, we had a family gathering with snacks and refreshments served by the newly professed ADMA as a sign of gratitude and sharing the joy with all the participants of the Holy Eucharist.

On Wednesday, May 26, we had the OLGC school children’s musical concert to appreciate the parents’ dedication in bringing up the children. Two days later, we we celebrated the birthday of Fr. George Atok, the rector of OLGC. Later that evening, we celebrated "Fiores di Majjo Fiesta" of our Blessed Mother Mary.

On Tuesday, May 31, we concluded the Marian month with the feast of the Visitation of our Blessed Mother Mary to St. Elizabeth. We had a special thanksgiving Mass in the evening organized by ADMA as a gratitude for the successful commitment into the association.