Sunday 9:00 AM Mass

 I ran into Father Oliver.  He will be out in the Killarney area on his next gig.

Sunday 19:00 Mass

 Father Oliver presided.  Apparently he is leaving to attend to other churches in South West Manitoba.

12/24 6:30 AM Novena Mass

 I attended the 9th Novena  Mass “Simbang Gabi” at Augustine’s.  It was doubly special for me because I had Father Oliver do a birthday blessing for me during the Mass.  I had found out at the other 6:30 AM Mass, I attended  that they did these things and I thought why not do one for myself.  So I did it, and I felt gratitude and I felt guilty at the same time.  I have to give my birthday up to others.

That’s me and Father Oliver.  He presided over the Mass and was assisted by Father John: a rare time to see both fathers at the Same Mass.

The darker lighting at Staug made it great to take a photo of the four lit Advent candles:

And the music & singing were wonderful.

The above is under review on a Chinese website.

Sunday 6:30 AM Mass

 This was done for the Filipino community of Brandon.  It was like a regular Mass but with singing in the Filipino language.  It was wonderful for two reasons:  1) the Filipino atmosphere of piety. 2) the 6:30 AM time.  I wish they could have these early morning masses all the time.

The four advent candles have been lit:

Father Oliver

 Father Oliver is one of the priests at the Catholic Church in Brandon.  He presided over the second mass I attended and I very much enjoyed his homily.  I suspected he was from the Philippines. I conformed this with my Filipino connection in Jiangyin, China: the one with whom I attended Catholic masses in Jiangyin.

I thought it would be a nice touch to have my connection make a short video to introduce me to Father Oliver.  I wanted it to be done in the Filipino language.  Noel, my connection, consented to do it.

I had the video on my phone for a few days as I wasn't sure when I would be able to introduce myself to Father Oliver.  I attended a Friday mass which was presided over by Father Gordon, the chief priest of the Church.  I enjoyed it.  When I left the main church, I saw Father Oliver in the corridor.  I introduced myself and showed him the video my friend in China had made.  Father Oliver very much appreciated it and he understood Noel's speaking.  It seemed very fortuitous, the way it happened.  

I should have asked Father Oliver to make a short video back, but thought it best to ask him to take a selfie with me so I could send it to Noel in Jiangyin.