Salesian Presence in Western Canada

By Fr. Samson David Antony, SDB

(Surrey, BC – October 14) – Our Lady of the Good Counsel Parish and Salesian community in Surrey, a prominent suburb of Vancouver, is at the moment blessed with five Salesians: Frs. George Atok, Samson David Antony, John Cosgrove, Tadeusz Goryczka, and Rufo “Junji” Zarate.

Our apostolate is multiple and integral, for the development of youth and all the family members. We can spell out the ministries including the regular parish apostolates as well as reach-out programs through the following:

Celebration of the sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation, service requirements for the sacraments, post-Confirmation classes at PREP chaplaincy to Holy Cross, OLGC School, altar servers, PREP, RCIT, Good Shepherd Catechesis, God’s Little People (children’s liturgy of the Word), Gospel Roads, Praise Team, Kids for Christ, Youth for Christ, Singles for Christ, marriage prep, Friday oratory, youth choir, living stations of the Cross, Christmas shows, Polish school, youth sports programs, summer camps, World Youth Day, outreach to university students, participation in archdiocesan or province programs, youth ministry team.

From August 17 to 24, 2019, we sponsored Gospel Roads. About 35 participated.

From September 4 to 6, we had OLGC School motivational camp for the Grade 7 students at Elphinstone Camp Centre. Fr. Samson joined them to animate and celebrate Mass during the camp.

On September 15, we celebrated Migrants and Refugees day with Archbishop Michael Miller presiding over the Eucharist and 17 priests concelebrating. Many cultural and ethnic groups participated in the event of the day. (Photos by Alfredo Chu at World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2019.)

We had the privilege of organizing the Mass wedding of the Vancouver Archdiocese at OLGC Church on September 21. About 25 couples convalidated their civil marriages or living-together states. There was great joy and satisfaction on the faces of the couples and their dear ones for bringing them closer to the sacraments through this pastoral service.

From September 26 to October 1, Fr. Tim Zak made the provincial visitation of the community. It was a grace-filled moment for the parish and confreres. At the end of his visit, the Salesians invited the FMA sisters for a fellowship dinner.