Pray that the “spiritual” earthquake will topple the barriers in our lives, Archbishop addresses annual dinner – The BC Catholic

At the first Archbishop's Dinner, Archbishop Richard W. Smith found inspiration in Vancouverites' concern for earthquake safety, and called on Catholics to pray for a different kind of earthquake — a “spiritual” earthquake that topples barriers and rebuilds lives on God's love.

The archbishop's speech, delivered Oct. 22 to a sold-out auditorium at the Hyatt Regency, wove the city's growing awareness of earthquakes through reflection on renewal, gratitude and the church's mission.

The Archbishop reminded his audience that “the Church is not bricks and mortar, but a mission.”

Archbishop Smith said that since arriving in Vancouver in May, he has quickly learned how much debate there is around seismic upgrades, and how that language offers a metaphor for faith.

“I never lived in a seismic zone, so repeatedly turning to the need for seismic upgrades was a huge revelation,” he said.

Acknowledging the importance of strengthening buildings, he reminded his audience that “the church is not bricks and mortar; it is a mission.”

“As we move forward together, I also invite us to reflect on the cry of God’s people for lasting stability not only in the buildings, but also, much more importantly, in the very foundations of their lives,” he said.

Sister John Frances Lefebvre, FSE, spoke about the new Vancouver Archdiocese Fund to Support Women in Need announced shortly after Pope Leo's Apostolic Exhortation on Charity of the Poor. (Catholic Image BC)

He described the state of instability shaking the world today: “geopolitical instability, dramatic and sometimes deadly environmental changes, widespread questioning of what it means to be human, enormous economic pressures… and a broad and often angry polarity that separates peoples.” All of this, he said, “can only have a very negative and frightening effect on hearts and minds that long for stable environments.”

The archbishop referred to the “existential earthquakes” that strike individuals through divorce, job loss, illness, addiction or bereavement. He said that for many years the diocese “stood in loving solidarity with people who continue to suffer the aftershocks and tremors of the painful collapse of hope.”

Archbishop Smith said that this solidarity is not a call to prepare against change but to welcome divine transformation.

Archbishop Smith speaks to dinner attendees.

He said: “Our call at this moment is not to protect ourselves from an earthquake, but to pray for an earthquake – which is the saving revolution that accompanies the Lord when we allow Him to take charge of our lives and lead them.”

Recalling that the Gospel of Matthew describes Christ's resurrection as accompanied by an earthquake, he said that when God's love touches human hearts, “it comes like an earthquake, changing the foundation of our lives.”

He said that this earthquake replaces “self-love” with “God’s love and mercy,” and breaks down “all the barriers we have erected in our lives to separate us from God and from each other.” Out of this “necessary destruction,” he said, “rises the beautiful and indestructible edifice that we call the Church, the Body of Christ,” sent “to help rebuild the lives of others.”

Dinner attendees share a toast.

“Therefore, as we embrace this message anew, let us pray for the earthquake, and ask the Lord to do great and wondrous things to break down the barriers erected against His truth and justice, to awaken steadfast faith in the hearts of all people, and to give sure and sure hope to those whose lives have been rebuilt through the ministerial outreach of this diocese,” he urged.

This outreach has an additional element in a new initiative announced by the Archbishop, a new fund to help women in difficult circumstances.

“We have done a lot for those in need; we will do more. Out of our love for Christ and our neighbor, we will not stop looking for new ways to provide tangible assistance to people facing any form of difficulty.”

Deacon Zach Santiago prays before dinner with Archdiocese of Vancouver Vice President Sister John Frances Lefevere and Chief Financial Officer Sean O'Brien.

He said church outreach is different from the scope of social agency. “It is important to keep in mind… that the service we provide is not the service of a social service agency or an NGO. We are the church,” he said. “As the body of Christ, our ministerial outreach aims to bring people into a life-giving encounter with the Lord Jesus.”

The Archbishop also expressed his gratitude to the priests “who work steadily and remarkably” in the care of parishioners and distinguished renewal; to the deacons and their families who serve “the poor and marginalized”; And to have lay volunteers carry the church's message to those who need it most.

Archbishop Smith addresses the audience.

Recalling his recent visit to the Downtown Eastside, he said it was “amazing to see so many people struggling with addiction and poverty,” yet “it is incredibly inspiring to witness generous disciples serving our brothers and sisters in need” through parishes like St. Paul and Sacred Heart and programs like The Door is Open.

He praised the consecrated women and men “who with their presence radiate the joy that comes from knowing and following Jesus Christ,” noting that he recently dedicated the church altar for the new convent of the Dominican Sisters of Nashville in Port Coquitlam. Two new priestly orders – the Claritans of East Vancouver and the Immanuelites of Maple Ridge – have also joined the diocese.

“Our Catholic institutions are exemplary,” he said, praising the commitment of parents, teachers and administrators who support Catholic schools, and the generosity of the faithful who support Catholic colleges and health care facilities. He said he was grateful for Providence Healthcare's “determination to lead the way in caring for the vulnerable.”

He added that outreach to Indigenous communities under the leadership of Archbishop J. Michael Miller has been a “beacon of hope and direction for other dioceses across the country.”

The Archbishop concluded by expressing gratitude to everyone who helped the Archdiocese of Vancouver make “a huge and very positive mark in British Columbia,” he said.

Sancta House alumna Maria Schiele in a video for the Living Water Fund. (YouTube screenshot) Living Water Box

Archbishop Richard Smith announced that proceeds from this year's Archbishop's Dinner will be directed towards the New Living Water Fund, a charitable initiative that helps women facing adversity find safety, healing and new beginnings.

“Tonight, we come together to support Catholic ministries that accompany women through life’s toughest seasons,” said dinner co-host Sean O’Brien.

Rooted in the biblical story of the woman at the well, the Living Water Fund will provide grants to: • Safe shelter and long-term support for women escaping abuse • Outreach to women on the streets and affected by sexual exploitation • Helping single mothers build stable lives • Healing women facing trauma and injustice

Sister John Frances Lefebvre, FSE, spoke about the dignity of women through the words of Pope Saint John Paul II. Citing his 1995 letter to women, she noted his desire “to reflect on the problems and prospects of what it means to be a woman in our time,” and his call to thank God “for the mystery of woman, and for every woman.”

The timing of the fund is providential, Sister Lefebvre said, noting that Pope Leo XIV recently issued his first apostolic exhortation, Dilexi te (I Have Loved You), on love for the poor. “How wonderful that we are gathered here with the Archbishop to draw attention to the special needs of women less than two weeks after our Holy Father wrote about concern for the poor and those facing violence,” she said.

Deacon Zach Santiago linked the fund's mission to Christian discipleship. He said: “The Archbishop of Vancouver spoke about the mutual vulnerability, which links the minister to the prisoner, and to the weak other.” “It applies directly to our theme this evening of empowering vulnerable women…steadfast in the gift of self, and constantly vulnerable to the other.”

The Living Water Fund will support Catholic services that accompany women in crisis, including: • Domestic Violence Services (Our Lady of Good Counsel Society) • Momentum, a program for single Catholic women • Talitha Koum Society • Sancta Maria House

To learn more or contribute to the Living Waters Fund, visit rcav.org/livingwaters.

Your voice matters! Join the conversation by sending a letter to the editor here.

What Are The Main Benefits Of Comparing Car Insurance Quotes Online

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2020, / Compare-autoinsurance.Org has launched a new blog post that presents the main benefits of comparing multiple car insurance quotes. For more info and free online quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/the-advantages-of-comparing-prices-with-car-insurance-quotes-online/ The modern society has numerous technological advantages. One important advantage is the speed at which information is sent and received. With the help of the internet, the shopping habits of many persons have drastically changed. The car insurance industry hasn't remained untouched by these changes. On the internet, drivers can compare insurance prices and find out which sellers have the best offers. View photos The advantages of comparing online car insurance quotes are the following: Online quotes can be obtained from anywhere and at any time. Unlike physical insurance agencies, websites don't have a specific schedule and they are available at any time. Drivers that have busy working schedules, can compare quotes from anywhere and at any time, even at midnight. Multiple choices. Almost all insurance providers, no matter if they are well-known brands or just local insurers, have an online presence. Online quotes will allow policyholders the chance to discover multiple insurance companies and check their prices. Drivers are no longer required to get quotes from just a few known insurance companies. Also, local and regional insurers can provide lower insurance rates for the same services. Accurate insurance estimates. Online quotes can only be accurate if the customers provide accurate and real info about their car models and driving history. Lying about past driving incidents can make the price estimates to be lower, but when dealing with an insurance company lying to them is useless. Usually, insurance companies will do research about a potential customer before granting him coverage. Online quotes can be sorted easily. Although drivers are recommended to not choose a policy just based on its price, drivers can easily sort quotes by insurance price. Using brokerage websites will allow drivers to get quotes from multiple insurers, thus making the comparison faster and easier. For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ Compare-autoinsurance.Org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. "Online quotes can easily help drivers obtain better car insurance deals. All they have to do is to complete an online form with accurate and real info, then compare prices", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing CompanyPerson for contact Name: Gurgu CPhone Number: (818) 359-3898Email: [email protected]: https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ SOURCE: Compare-autoinsurance.Org View source version on accesswire.Com:https://www.Accesswire.Com/595055/What-Are-The-Main-Benefits-Of-Comparing-Car-Insurance-Quotes-Online View photos