st. anthony of padua

Beauty of a church

Posted on by Dennis

In Fr. Justin’s homily this past Sunday, he preaches that we find the best place to pray by looking at what is subjectively best for us and what is objectively best.

I’ve been going to Mass at St. Anthony of Padua parish for just over a year and half now. The church is nestled in a residential neighbourhood, but very close to major thoroughfares in all significant directions; in clear traffic conditions, it’s about a 10 minute drive from my home.

It’s not a large church, nor new, nor excessively ornate, but there’s something about the simple beauty that I find helps draws me in to focus on God in prayer more than other churches I’ve been to.

Why we Pray and How to Pray

Posted on by Dennis

“Prayer.” In youth ministry, it’s one of the most common responses youth give when they can’t think of anything else. Catholics who were raised in the faith from childhood may have been taught reciting prayers such as the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, and other “standard” prayers. Is “prayer” just saying the same words over and over again? Why do we as Catholics pray? And how do we pray to make the most out of it?

In the past two weeks, Fr. Justin Huang, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua parish in Vancouver, preached in his homilies the answers to these questions. I think it was a great reminder for some of us who might be just going through the motions and forgetting the purpose of prayer.

In the following sections, I summarize Fr. Justin’s homilies, but I encourage you to read the full homilies linked to understand the details.

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Blessing of cars and a pledge for safe driving

Posted on by Dennis

This weekend was the closest to the feast day of St. Christopher (July 25), the patron saint of travelers. It is a tradition at St. Anthony of Padua parish to pray the following Pledge for Safe Driving and to bless people’s cars with holy water after Mass.

Pledge for Safe Driving

Lord Jesus, You teach us to love others as you love. Help me to drive safely and responsibly: avoiding dangerous acts while driving such as texting, making phone calls, speeding excessively and driving impaired. Please give me the grace to be courteous and kind, and to use my car for Your glory and for the good of others. Come, Lord Jesus, and guide me as I drive.