On Oct 14th 2017 a group of parishioners from St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, led by Vivian Pereira and other volunteers, took up a challenge and joined the ‘Canada Needs Our Lady’ campaign of the Canadian Society for the Defence of Christian Civilization organization. Their aim is to win the hearts and minds of Canadians for Mary.
The group of about 40 participants prayed the the Rosary during the Saturday afternoon on the front lawn on the church in the bustling Heartland Town Centre shipping district.
The Canadian Society for the Defense of Christian Civilization was incorporated in 2013 as a federal nonprofit with the patent, “to advance religion by the promotion of the religious teachings, tenets, doctrines, morals, and observances of the Roman Catholic faith and their application to individuals, families, and society in Christian culture and civilization.” From their office in Saint Hubert, society members and volunteers reach out across Canada to ‘promote and defend the principles and values of Christian civilization and spread the Gospel message.’
Each year the organization invites parishioners through a grassroots crusade to hold public rosary rallies. Last year 337 groups simultaneously prayed across the country. This year a number of rallies were planned across the city.
Albert Peres, article and photos | afperes@3129.ca