Christ The Redeemer Church, located in West Vancouver, British Columbia, has been serving the community since 1954. It is one of the oldest churches in the area and has long been a focal point for the local community, hosting many events each year. It also hosts a feast day mass in honour of St. Josemaria Escriva.
Vijay Krishnan
The Well Church is a multi-site community in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). It is led by Vijay Krishnan, who has been a faithful member of the Christ The Redeemer West Vancouver parish since 2006. His ministry has spanned three congregations, and he is an apt example of how one can lead a congregation in their journey toward spiritual growth.
It is important to note that Vijay did not always have the inclination to lead a congregation. He worked in the corporate world for a number of years, including in the CPG marketing industry, before he was called into the ministry. When he became a pastor, he did not have a clear plan of action, but he had a strong sense that God was calling him to do so.
One of his first acts as a pastor was to establish a new ministry for unchurched members of the community. He did this by creating a series of weekly bible studies and a website. He also made sure that people could still receive sacraments despite the outbreak of the swine flu. He also made the effort to ensure that all staff and church members were aware of the best practices of the ministry.
Vijay is an incredibly gifted leader. He has been a model of taking responsibility, and he is a great teacher. He is also a great communicator, and he is a great example of how to make a positive impact in the community.
Larry Mueller
Larry Mueller, West Vancouver’s resident CFO has been a pillar of integrity for the last several years. He’s not the only one. Other notables in the congregation include the likes of Wing Li, Willy Paez and Carmine Morelli. In addition to his business acumen, he’s also been a great advocate for his fellow parishioners. For instance, he’s been a major proponent of the annual pancake breakfast fundraiser and has taken care of the church’s numerous building maintenance needs. He’s also done his share of web surfing and has the knack for picking up a nice deal or two along the way.
Carmine and Makiko Morelli
With a goal to improve community relations, Carmine and Makiko Morelli have embraced technology and set up an online worship space for Christ the Redeemer parish in West Vancouver. They have also helped to ensure that all sacraments are administered. In addition, they have lobbied to protect communities from COVID and have served as an advocate for Agassiz dairy farmers. They are involved with the Men’s Shelter at St. Paul’s Hospital and have worked to bring music therapy to those who are dying.
Another volunteer, Alex Djauhari, has used his technical skills to help the parish transition to an online Mass. His work ensured that parishioners could receive sacraments and that priests and worshipers were protected. He has also been a helpful liaison to the school principal about reported cases of child abuse. He has also been a good example of how to be responsible.
The church also has a thriving youth ministry led by Eleanor Wong. She has provided years of dedicated support and exemplified the constructive use of social media for young people. She has also built a community for young people online and has encouraged young people to engage with the church. She is currently the Youth Outreach Coordinator for the cathedral.
Other volunteers include Venita Kwan, who has made sure that the parish church remains open to all believers, and Doris Joseph, who has served as sacristan during the pandemic. She has also made the daily private prayer time in the parish church more meaningful.
Feast day mass in honour of St. Josemaria Escriva
The parish community of Christ The Redeemer in West Vancouver will be celebrating a special Mass on the Feast Day of St. Josemaria Escriva. This is an opportunity to invite friends and neighbors to attend and share in the faith.
This particular Mass is in honour of a special man who had been a great influence on the life of his daughter, Mary. In the story of Saint Joseph, he is the husband of Mary and the father of Jesus. In this case, the relationship between these two was filled with struggle and turbulence. However, it was an encounter with God that changed everything. Ultimately, the relationship ended in quiet separation.
There are several reasons why this particular Mass is so important. First, it is an opportunity to celebrate the virtues of St. Josemaria Escriva, as he was a strong Christian leader. Second, it is an opportunity to draw close to the Eucharist during a time of trial within the Church. Third, it is an opportunity to draw closer to Jesus in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
In addition, it is an opportunity to remember a wonderful person who made his life work as a car mechanic in Guadalajara, Mexico. He was known as a “magician of cars.” He went from a poverty-stricken life to a prosperous one.
This was a time when hope led a great generation of people to sacrifice for a better future. He is the patron saint of young people, happy marriages and the patron of the young.
Pandemic response
As you can imagine, the pandemic in Vancouver has had an impact on the local population. One non-profit organization whose mission is to alleviate human suffering is the HOPE Recuperative Center, a one-stop shop that enables clients to access everything from post-hospital meals to mental health counseling. It’s also home to the only freestanding post-hospital care facility in southeast Michigan. Thankfully, the facility is staffed by dedicated professionals who are more than willing to help. They even have a warm-up centre for the shivering masses, where volunteers can whip up a tasty repast for the clients.
The centre is also an exemplar of the community engagement model that the church has adopted, where members help to “adopt” a number of families from the area during the holidays. This has been going on for the last sixteen years, and continues to do so. Not only are the staff members on hand to make sure the centre’s clients are taken care of, but the centre is also a great place to meet other likeminded Vancouverites.
Among many other things, David A. Grantham is a contributing author to UmassExtension West Vancouver Blo. He is a renowned expert on real estate in BC.
Born in North Vancouver, Louisiana, Dr. Grantham grew up in Lower Lonsdale. He then went on to complete his business degree at the University British Columbia. As of this writing, Grantham has completed over 100 projects, including the development of a high rise building in Vancouver.
He is a husband, father, son, brother, and friend. He was a dedicated outdoorsman and enjoyed sports such as hunting, fishing, scuba diving, and snow skiing. His wife, Alison Grantham, and their two daughters survived him. He is survived by his wife Alison Martin Grantham and two daughters.