But leading up to that day were events with young people attended by London Bishop Ronald Fabbro and Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Daniels, for what can make a bishop happier than to know the faith of the people in his diocese is truly alive?
As part of a Catholic Focus program on St. John Vianney and the Year for Priests, S+L cameraman Wally Tello and I went to St. Joseph’s Church in Chatham where Bishop Daniels was going to be with around 150 Grade 7 and 8 recently confirmed students from around the diocese. Parent and teacher chaperones and the presence of the parish priest really added to the joyful atmosphere. The young people spent a school day gathered together to pray, to share about the gifts of the Holy Spirit that they’ve received, and to interact with Bishop Daniels. I asked them about how priests have helped them in their faith and why we need priests and shepherds like Bishop Daniels.
The young people also reflected on the Pentecost Liturgy, and as Bishop Daniels urged these young people to “go out and spread the Good News”, it was really heartening to see the investment the Diocese of London is making with the young.
It was also an added bonus for me to bump into Christopher Pietraszko – if you remember, he is a seminarian from the Diocese of London who worked with Salt + Light last summer!