FEAST OF OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL
ST. EDMUND’S CHURCH, NORTH VANCOUVER, BC
The Solemnity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was celebrated at St. Edmund’s Parish by Bishop Gary Gordon of the Victoria Diocese and concelebrated by Fr. Jerald D’Souza, Regional Superior of Canada, along with our Carmelite Friars and Fr. James Comey. The Mass was well attended by Secular Carmelites, religious, parishioners, family and friends.

Bishop Gordon, who was born and raised in Vancouver, thanked Fr. Jerald for the invitation to celebrate this great solemnity of our Order. Bishop Gordon expounded on the Gospel Reading that day (John 19:25-27). Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and John, the beloved disciple, stood at the foot of the Cross. Addressing Jesus’ words to John, he said, “Here is your mother!” And to His mother, he said, “Here is your son!” “The Gospel speaks so powerfully about the closeness of God to us. We find a particular way for God to draw closer to us and for us to draw closer to God in the image of Mary at the foot of the cross. It is this incredible encounter in the words of Jesus that we are invited to take care of one another. There are many people carrying heavy crosses: addiction, mental health, poverty – we don’t have to go too far to have a closer relationship with “Abba”, Our Father. It’s going to be the cross of another that will draw us closer to God.”

After Mass, Fr. Jerald thanked Bishop Gary Gordon for gracing the occasion and thanked everyone for their valuable help and support with the flowers, refreshments, and generous donation of the scapulars which were distributed as a parting gift to everyone. A sense of joy and thanksgiving to the Most Beautiful Flower of Mount Carmel prevailed as everyone gathered in the hall for fellowship and light refreshments.