# NATIVITY FAST MISSIONS OF PREPARATION

- Link: https://nweparchy.ca/2025/12/nativity-fast-missions-of-preparation/
- Published: 2025-12-19T14:16:25-08:00
- Author: Website

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The Parishes of **Sts. Peter and Paul** in **Grindrod **[where we have been holding
an Eparchial Pilgrimage for the last couple of years] and **Holy Trinity** in **
Kamloops** held “Missions” on the weekend of December 13-14 as part of their preparation
for the celebration of the Nativity of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Father**
Andrzej Wasylinko**, Parish Priest of Kamloops was also substituting at the time
for Fr. **Andriy Werbowy** at Grindrod, and therefore facilitated the events in 
both parishes.

Bishop **Michael** was invited to lead the missions, especially as an _extraordinary_
or visiting confessor and to preach a special pre-Christmas homily for the occasion
at the Eucharistic Liturgy. Those who wanted, had the opportunity to make their “
Christmas confession” prior to the Divine Liturgy as the congregations prayed a 
Rosary or sang hymns.

Being the weekend of the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers, Bishop Michael spoke of
how the Lord set His plan of salvation if motion from the very beginning. From fall
of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:15) through the Old Testament prophets (e.g. Isaiah 7:
14; Micah 5:2) to the Angel mentioned in the infancy narratives (Luke 2:9ff), the
Lord gave us messages and promises about the coming of the Christ. The Lord continues
to give us direction and guidance in our personal spiritual journeys by means of
the Scriptures, by our living the teachings of His Church and through our prayer
and even an interior voice in our consciences and in our hearts. As the feast of
the Nativity was approaching and would soon be followed by the conclusion of the
Jubilee Year, Bishop Michael asked everyone to consider allowing the grace of our
Lord to move us to rededicate ourselves to our uncompromised living of the Faith.
By our lives we can bring great joy and hope into our families and to the people
of the world that so desperately hunger for that which the Lord can give through
us.

Both parishes offered fellowship meals afterward where everyone could enjoy wonderful
food and just talk and share among brothers and sisters in Christ.

The parish in Kamloops even had an additional surprise! Good **Saint Nicholas** 
also visited the parish at the luncheon and offered gifts to the children (of all
ages) that were gathered there.       

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