St. John's House in the Diocese of British Columbia is a community of Sisters committed to being a praying presence in the Diocese of British Columbia [
website »]. Prayer, intentional community, hospitality, and mission are at the heart of our life in the Diocese of British Columbia.
St. John's House, BC
We seem to have travelled through the year from one project to another and from one end of the Island to the other! Some of the highlights of the year:
A new chapel: The building of the Chapel of St John, made possible through donations - a large donation of $20,000 from Gladys Kirwin and approximately $18,000 in generous donations from hundreds of friends, Associates and Oblates! The carport was made into a beautiful chapel, and consecrated on November 8, 2008.
See BC House chapel schedule here »
The new garden around St John’s house: with the construction of the chapel, the garden needed to be dug up and replanted, again made possible through generous donations. The garden at the time of writing is an amazing, colourful extravaganza that has been the source of much joy.
A new bedroom for St John’s house: with the arrival of 2 more Sisters, bringing the household numbers to 5, this meant creating and furnishing another bedroom. The former chapel was turned into Sister Jocelyn’s bedroom. Bev and John Evjen (Sister Doreen’s sister and brother-in-law) came and helped build furniture and put the room together - well supervised by their cocker spaniel Charlie.
Who are we at present: There are now four Sisters - Sisters Doreen, Jocelyn, Jessica and Louise, along with our Oblate Doreen Davidson at St John’s house.
The advent of the White Embroidery Department of the SSJD Community to St John’s house. Sister Jocelyn does the white embroidery of altar linens, and so with her arrival St John’s house is now the location of the white work for the community. All altar linen requests can be made to Sister Jocelyn at St John’s house, and Sister Jocelyn is available to speak to altar guilds and any people interested in learning to embroider altar linens.
Mission travel and Hospitality: We have travelled from one end of the Island to the other, visiting churches, doing retreats, quiet days and workshops - always we rejoice in the beauty of the Island and the hospitality of the people here. Trips have also been made to the Diocese of New Westminster, Diocese of Edmonton, and Diocese of Calgary. And we have welcomed into our household friends, relatives, Associates and Oblates - to share hospitality around our altar, to share our hospitality around our dining room table, and to share our life and hospitality with those who have come to stay for a few days retreat, refreshment or quiet time in our guest room.
Sister Jessica’s leave taking: As I write this report, we are all aware of the return to the Convent on August 13th of Sister Jessica after three years at St John’s house. We will miss her cheerful presence, her compassionate caring and outreach to our Associates, friends, and those who frequent Our Place on Pandora Street in Victoria.
Sister Patricia Marion’s arrival: As our General Chapter and Retreat approach in August we are looking forward to welcoming Sister Patricia Marion, a novice in our SSJD Community for her Branch house time in September.
From St John’s house in the Diocese of British Columbia we all send our love and prayers, and pray for us that we may be a faithful house of prayer and hospitality.
