The more than 10,000 faithfuls new home…
As the grey cloud hovers on the horizon, and a crispy chilly spring wind rustles on the faces of the throngs of the faithfuls, a spiritual historic event on the Pentecostal Sunday is happening for the more than 10,000 parishioners who have been working to raise fund for the realization of the new $35-million St. Peter’s Catholic Church at the corner of Inkster Blvd. and Brookside.
That Sunday morning, May 15, the 10 acre-lot is dotted with a huge white tent where the concelebrated mass would be held led by Archbishop Richard Gagnon, with the parish priest Msgr. Enrique Samson, Jr and other priests from the various churches in the Archdiocese of Winnipeg; five gold painted shovels with golden ribbons for the ground breaking ceremony, a newly-dug hole where a time capsule would be laid, and the orderly parked cars and vans. It is more than a celebration of faith and love.
Quantum Stride of Faith
“We know that every journey always begins with a single step. Many of our faithful were overwhelmed with joy when for a quite long wait our parish of St. Peter at last did the groundbreaking to mark the start of the construction of the Multi-Purpose Hall, the first phase of the whole Church structure. And rightfully so for almost 10 years many parishioners have been working and praying so hard for this endeavor which we believe is a God-given mission to our Christian community.
They experienced different kinds of trials of faith; both joys and sorrows, encouragements and frustrations, loyalty and betrayals, intertwined with personal commitments and ambitions. But more people remained faithful, steadfast and solid in their faith. And they were filled with joy, joy that the world cannot give.
However, the groundbreaking was not the first step that we took to start our journey. The actual quantum stride of faith happened when we said our own “Fiat In Me” to God’s will just as Jesus and Mary said “Yes” to the mission that God has given them. The event was a great affirmation that God is always with those whom He has sent, and no amount of human criticisms, jealousies, passivity and negativism can stop God’s design for His people.
The turning of the sod, therefore, brings to the widest perspective of our faith. Our parish trek is only a part of the whole pilgrimage of faith of all mankind. We are all destined to the highest good and that is the Kingdom of God, a kingdom of justice, love, unity and peace. We have to walk hand in hand together for better, for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, because we are our brethren’s keepers.
At this moment, in the name of the Christian community of St. Peter, I would like to express our prayerful gratitude and sincerest appreciation to all who have made that momentous and graceful event meaningful and spiritually enhancing for all those who fully, actively and consciously participated in the activity.
Thank you very much to our WESTOY (Worship, Education, Service, Temporalities, Organizing and Youth) ministries including their subcommittees. Thank you to all those who have shared food and prepared them, the Religious Organizations and Movements, the Basic Christian Communities and BANC committee members and all BANC(King) more brothers and sisters. Thank you to all our brother priests who celebrated with us. Thank you His Grace, Archbishop Richard Gagnon, D.D. God bless us all.
To all our faithful and generous pledgers, I share with you my heartfelt gratitude. I pray that your generosity will merit you and your loved ones abundant blessing from our Merciful God!
Now, let us continue to make our quantum strides of faith… “ said Msgr. Enrique Samson Jr., Parish Priest, St. Peter’s Church.
The $30-million St. Peter’s Church has 3-phase development plan: the 1st phase of St. Peter’s Church building will feature the $12-million multipurpose hall and kitchen expected the completion in the fall of 2017. The other two remaining phases of the V-shaped building structures include a 1,500-seat sanctuary and 75-seat chapel on one side and a classroom at the other side. A basketball court, a labyrinth, a venue for wedding photos, parking for 640 cars and a grotto where the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary will be included on the grounds of the church.
The fund-raising efforts for the past four years, the parish was able to raise more than $9 million through pledges and cash money through the various concerts, fun runs, golf tournaments, gift card sales and dinner socials. Right now, Luchi Sanchez who has been involved in various fundraising has been campaigning for the Bricks of Faith: a pledge to support by buying a brick at $300 a piece. (See the Ad).
A Thanksgiving Mass was held inside the tent where faithful joined in prayer and thanksgiving for the realization of the new church building. The parades of banners signaled the mass when the various organization movements carried the banners and these include: Brothers Keepers, Cannanean Bible Study Group, Catholic Womens League, Couples for Christ, CFC-Foundation for Family and Life, Families in Christ Apostolate, Friends of Jesus, Jesus My Lord, Knights of Columbus, Legion of Mary, Light of Christ Charismatic Group and Virgin de los Remedios.
Followed by the Basic Christians Communities (BBC): Amber Trails, Burrows, Garden Grove, Manitoba, Maples 1, Maples 2, Meadows West, Seven Oaks and Tyndall.Gifts were given by families from the parish.
Prayers for the faithful were delivered by various sectors. After the Thanksgiving Mass, the ground breaking ceremony was held with Archbishop Gagnon as the presiding priest. A video was presented tracing the history of St. Peter’s Church.Followed by the signing of documents which were placed in a white tube for the time capsule. At the site, the blessing took place and five key people had the five golden shovels to do the ground breaking ceremony.
After the ground breaking, a sumptuous lunch was served, feeding everybody with Filipino food especially the 13 lechons which had become the favorite of all the attendees.
Photos by Rod Cantiveros and Ron Cantiveros | Filipino Journal
