Bishop Javier Echevarria

Just to let those of you who live in the area know. . . The Prelate of Opus Dei, Bishop Javier Eschevarria is Vancouver for the first time this week. He is the second successor of St Josemaria Escriva. If you're in the area, you are invited to a get-together with the Prelate this Saturday, September 23^rd at the Westin Bayshore Hotel in Vancouver. It starts at 11 am, but you must be there at 10 am. I found the following article on the Opus Dei Canada website:

"Opus Dei’s Prelate begins North American Pastoral Visit

Bishop Javier Echevarria, the Prelate of Opus Dei, spoke with more than 2,000 members of Opus Dei, family, and friends in Manhattan on Sept. 13, at the start of a pastoral trip to the United States and Canada.

In a gathering at the Manhattan Center concert hall, Bishop Echevarria explained Opus Dei’s message of finding God in family, work, and friendships.

“God is not a distant being, somewhere off with the shining stars,” Bishop Echevarria said. “He wanted to come into the world and walk alongside us, doing what we do, showing us that everything we do can be converted into the work of God.”

Bishop Echevarria also spoke of how much Opus Dei’s founder Saint Josemaria Escriva prayed for the United States. “Saint Josemaria prayed for this land,” Bishop Echevarria said. “How much he loves you. He follows you closely with the heart of a father and a mother.”

Participants in the get-together asked Bishop Echevarria questions about different matters, ranging from how to impart faith to children, to how to find joy in forgiveness in the aftermath of September 11.

During his trip, which lasts from Sept. 12 to Sept. 29, Bishop Echevarria will visit New York, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, San Francisco and Houston."

Unfortunately I won't be able to attend this amazing opportunity to hear Bishop Echevarria speak because I'm attending a conference in Victoria, BC, for the weekend. George Weigel will be the speaker at the conference in Victoria Friday evening and all day Saturday. Sigh, why does everything have to happen at the same time? If you're going to listen to Bishop Echevarria, can you take notes for me? I'll trade you. I'll take notes at the Weigel conference and you take notes at Bishop Echevarria's talk. Fair trade?