Surrey: News from the Land of Sunset

By Fr. Samson D. Antony, SDB, OLGC Parish, Surrey, BC

(Surrey, BC — April 7) — On Monday, February 28, the SDBs went for the monthly Recollection at St. Augustine Monastery in Ladner, BC. The Recollection, which closed out the winter season, focused on interculturality with the help of the videos animated by Surrey Director, Fr. George Atok, SDB.

March brings spring, and spring brings flowers. Flowers bring joy, and joy leads to celebrating life, as Jesus has come to "give us new Life, life in abundance" (Jn. 10:10). This began with Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. On Saturday, March 19, the Surrey Community celebrated the Solemnity of St. Joseph with the provincial visitation. Fr. Provincial Tim Zak, SDB, gave the opening conference entitled, "Reflections on GC28, Part One: Priority of the Salesian Mission Among Today’s Young People." He met all the SDBs individually each day. The following day, he met the Salesian Family. On Monday, March 20, Fr. Provincial joined the SDBs for an outing to Vancouver. On Tuesday, March 21, we visited the Cemetery of Gethsemane. The next morning, Fr. Provincial gave the concluding session and left for Edmonton by mid-day.

On Friday, March 25, the Solemnity of Annunciation, the Surrey Community had Lenten Retreat for the youth, led by Mr. Clay Imoo from the Outreach Ministries of the Archdiocese of Edmonton. The retreat was organized by Mrs. Beth Reyes and her team. About 47 young people attended and had great experiences.