Pender Island is part of the island chain that includes Vancouver Island off the city of the same name; Pender is a relatively small island of three thousand souls. These 3,000 doubles in summertime, when people return to their summer homes, made accessible by car ferry.
This large population of people of all faiths and none contains a small number of Catholic individuals and families, about 50 of whom are registered to the local Community of St Theresa, a mission of Sidney Parish on the main island.
Pender Island has always had Catholics, but it is only since AD 2000 that has its own church. Before that, locals rented the island’s community church for their Masses. This suited Catholics, but they were disappointed not to be able to keep the Blessed Sacrament on the island between Masses; it meant they could not celebrate weekly services of Holy Communion.
They would gather in the church for a Sunday liturgy with Holy Communion led by lay presiders”
This all changed when local Catholics John and Mary Adele Mulligan purchased a property for the community, which members then remodelled and made suitable for worship. As well as a worship space for 30 people, the church contains an apartment where a visiting priest might stay overnight, as well as bathroom and kitchen facilities. Thanks to the generosity of the Mulligans, this chapel is supplied with all the items necessary for worship, including a tabernacle where the Eucharist is kept, as well as the supplies necessary for hospitality.
The arrangement Pender’s Catholics made with their bishop was that every Sunday morning they would gather in the church for a Sunday liturgy with Holy Communion led by lay presiders, three of whom serve on a rota basis, Diane, Jo and Karen. Then, at least once a month, a priest visits and celebrates the Sunday Mass on Friday mornings (leaving him free to lead Sunday celebrations in other churches). At present Fr Rolf, who administers the parish of Sidney on Vancouver Island, visits monthly, when he is not prevented from doing so by being needed at funerals in Sidney or elsewhere.
Celebration
You might wonder what these Sunday celebrations consist of. The Canadian bishops have published a ritual which lay presiders follow (entitled ‘Sunday Celebration’ 1995). A gathering song launches the Sunday worship, after which prescribed words of introduction are used, followed by the penitential rite and Opening Prayer. A procession of the Word of God follows, during which the book of the Word is enthroned.
Their speciality is the creation and assembly of people into local gatherings”
The Sunday readings are read, including the Gospel, and the diocese provides a reflection which the prayer leader reads at homily time. The Creed and Bidding Prayers follow, after which a Thanksgiving Prayer for all God’s gifts is offered, concluding with the Sign of Peace. The Our Father and prayers following it are proclaimed, after which Holy Communion is shared with all. After the Prayer after Communion, local community notices are announced and the weekly collection taken up, then after the final hymn, those at Mass share a cup of tea or coffee together, to which everyone brings their own speciality – cakes and snacks. The community comes together in their church at other times too, for prayer or adoration – or for a community potluck to mark particular occasions.
Pender’s Catholics have an influence in the community in excess of their numbers. Their speciality is the creation and assembly of people into local gatherings, and through various groupings they do. They participate fully in the Friday lunches in the community hall at which local artistes perform, and also support the Monday gatherings for seniors.
In prayers and deeds, Catholics make their mark, in Pender as elsewhere.
Three presiders lead the Sunday liturgy in their turn: Karen, Diane and Jo.
When faith is larger and stronger than numbers
Pender Island is part of the island chain that includes Vancouver Island off the city of the same name; Pender is a relatively small island of three thousand souls. These 3,000 doubles in summertime, when people return to their summer homes, made accessible by car ferry.
This large population of people of all faiths and none contains a small number of Catholic individuals and families, about 50 of whom are registered to the local Community of St Theresa, a mission of Sidney Parish on the main island.
Pender Island has always had Catholics, but it is only since AD 2000 that has its own church. Before that, locals rented the island’s community church for their Masses. This suited Catholics, but they were disappointed not to be able to keep the Blessed Sacrament on the island between Masses; it meant they could not celebrate weekly services of Holy Communion.
This all changed when local Catholics John and Mary Adele Mulligan purchased a property for the community, which members then remodelled and made suitable for worship. As well as a worship space for 30 people, the church contains an apartment where a visiting priest might stay overnight, as well as bathroom and kitchen facilities. Thanks to the generosity of the Mulligans, this chapel is supplied with all the items necessary for worship, including a tabernacle where the Eucharist is kept, as well as the supplies necessary for hospitality.
The arrangement Pender’s Catholics made with their bishop was that every Sunday morning they would gather in the church for a Sunday liturgy with Holy Communion led by lay presiders, three of whom serve on a rota basis, Diane, Jo and Karen. Then, at least once a month, a priest visits and celebrates the Sunday Mass on Friday mornings (leaving him free to lead Sunday celebrations in other churches). At present Fr Rolf, who administers the parish of Sidney on Vancouver Island, visits monthly, when he is not prevented from doing so by being needed at funerals in Sidney or elsewhere.
Celebration
You might wonder what these Sunday celebrations consist of. The Canadian bishops have published a ritual which lay presiders follow (entitled ‘Sunday Celebration’ 1995). A gathering song launches the Sunday worship, after which prescribed words of introduction are used, followed by the penitential rite and Opening Prayer. A procession of the Word of God follows, during which the book of the Word is enthroned.
The Sunday readings are read, including the Gospel, and the diocese provides a reflection which the prayer leader reads at homily time. The Creed and Bidding Prayers follow, after which a Thanksgiving Prayer for all God’s gifts is offered, concluding with the Sign of Peace. The Our Father and prayers following it are proclaimed, after which Holy Communion is shared with all. After the Prayer after Communion, local community notices are announced and the weekly collection taken up, then after the final hymn, those at Mass share a cup of tea or coffee together, to which everyone brings their own speciality – cakes and snacks. The community comes together in their church at other times too, for prayer or adoration – or for a community potluck to mark particular occasions.
Pender’s Catholics have an influence in the community in excess of their numbers. Their speciality is the creation and assembly of people into local gatherings, and through various groupings they do. They participate fully in the Friday lunches in the community hall at which local artistes perform, and also support the Monday gatherings for seniors.
In prayers and deeds, Catholics make their mark, in Pender as elsewhere.
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