Canadian Christmas Experience

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Canadian Christmas Experience

Cosmas Kithinji, a Kenya Scholastic, studying in San Antonio, Texas, has a Canadian Christmas Experience

I had an inspiring, insightful and amazing Canadian winter experience this last Christmas in British Columbia. Between the 9th of December and 8th of January I had a providential opportunity to visit several of our Oblate communities and Missions in Vancouver, Prince George, Fort St James and Fraser Lake. I also had a chance to visit friends in Burns Lake.

The inspiration and insights came from the stories I heard from the Oblates I encountered, the hospitality they gave me, the ministries I saw them doing and the community life I saw them living. Some of the stories were about the courageous ministries done by some of the Oblates who had been missionaries in countries with civil and political strife, and even hostile to the Church. The other stories were about ministry in the Northern Territories and some Canadian First Nations reserves. I was particularly inspired by hearing one of the Oblates, sing some of the native songs and do some native drumming. I was also able to witness the missionary work of Fr Andrew in Vancouver, Fr Tap in North Vancouver, Fr Gilbert in Prince George, Fr Frank in Fort St. James and Fr Vince in Fraser Lake. I was moved by their closeness and devotion to the people they serve especially during visits with the Oblates when I accompanied them. I was also struck by the collaborative ministry the Oblates are doing, particularly with other consecrated men and women, and other members of their parishes.

The striking thing about the Oblate community life that I experienced at the Crescent community, Pandosy community and Prince George Oblate District was the intentionality to create community, and care for each other. In the two retirement communities I saw the Oblates help each other to go for doctor appointments, pray for those who went for appointments and procedures. They helped each other look for misplaced things, and patiently waited for each other. In Prince George District I was moved by the regular phone calls the Oblates make to check up on each other and the occasional visits and accommodation they gave each other. I thought that these oblates are an antidote of the Genesis Cain, unlike him they are their brothers’ keepers. Lastly, I was inspired by the Missionary zeal and outlook of two Oblates from Poland and Sri-Lanka, who are doing ministry in BC. All this brought to life and illustrated for me the Oblate values of hospitality, community, charity, collaboration, internationality, and closeness to people that I have been learning in my Oblate formation since I joined the Oblates in March 2006.

I was also privileged to meet Fr. Joachim Singarajah, one of the four Canadian pioneers who founded the Oblate Mission in Kenya back in 1997, in response to the request of the Bishop of Meru in 1995 to the then Oblate Superior General, Fr. Marcello Zago. I was happy also to catch up with Frs. Jim Jordan and Mario Azrak who had been Missionaries to Kenya, and both of whom played an important role in my formation; Fr Jim was my formator and Fr. Mario as our Mission Superior sent me in January 2016 to my current house of formation here in San Antonio Texas. It was great to re-live and tell stories about Kenya. I was also very happy to re-unite with Trina and Nyssa both of whom I met in Kenya in 2009 and 2007 respectively during their Oblate Mission trip. As a common adage back home asserts, it is true that only mountains do not meet! Small world!

During the trip I was also moved by the faith of the people. In the South of the Globe, we are fed with the story that churches are dying in the North of the Globe. I came with this misinformed mindset just to unexpectedly see active churches. It was neat to see grade school students at St Augustine’s Catholic school in Vancouver have an evening of advent prayer marked by presentation of advent songs from every class. It was also moving to see the missionary and charitable outlook of the students, teachers and parents of this school as they made a collection to support the Oblate Mission of Kenya through MAMI in building of St Paul’s school in Kionyo. Besides this I also met several people who shared with me the missionary work they had done either oversees or in their communities and the causes that they support both abroad and in their communities. For instance, I met people who had done Mission trips and missionary work in places like Kenya and other third world countries. I met a couple that had lived as missionaries with their entire young family in a Northern Territory for a year. I met a lady who belongs to a group that among other charitable works makes rosaries and sends them to mission countries, I met a family that through MAMI helps to build houses for people in Peru every year. Knowing the difference these kinds of actions make from my experience as a Kenyan, I was filled with gratitude for these generous people and thanked them on behalf of all those that they help. Another highlight of this experience of the faith of the people, was seeing how parishioners generously volunteer and wholeheartedly do various ministries in their parishes and liturgies. I was also filled with joy and hope for the Canadian Church for meeting a family that has a son in the seminary and a daughter in a contemplative monastery.

One source of amazement for me was the racial and international diversity in Vancouver. It was captivating to see all the races from the four corners of the earth represented in this city and the apparent peaceful co-existence all these people have. The well organized and dependable public transit system and the beauty of this city, the mountains, the water and magnificent building and infrastructure, was also remarkable.

I was also amazed during the lumber mill tour in Burns Lake. I was thrilled to see the fully computerized and mechanized process of making various wood products. I was also happy to hear of the measures which are taken to ensure that new trees are planted as mature ones are harvested, for ecological balance and perpetuity of this important economic activity and care of the habitat of the wild animals.

Having been born and grown in Kenya, near the equator where we do not have extreme cold temperatures, it was amazing for me to have my first experience of winter! I was exhilarated when I went up the Cypress Mountain in Vancouver and saw all the snow and the people who were skiing. Later, as if to show me where snow comes from and how it is handled, my first day in Prince George was graced by snow fall. What followed was an experience of voluntary snow shovelling. This made me understand why after remarking that I loved the sight of snow and fog on the trees, someone jokingly told me that I was welcome to take it all with me! I was also fortunate to do some winter activities, like ice fishing in a weather of -25 ℃ while dressed for -50 ℃. With this I managed to walk on water, but I was not fortunate to catch fish, the only fish I was about to catch was more clever than the amateur fisherman and so it managed to run away with my bait and part of the fishing line. Another interesting activity was ice skating with all possible protective hockey gear on and two strong guides on my either side, and a walker, just to last on the rink for less than 10 minutes! I was also able to make a snow angel, do snow shoeing, and to ride on a snow mobile! Away from the outdoor activities, I also had the chance to play indoor soccer with some youths in Burns Lake!

 

Learning to skate with the help of Blair and Colin

Snow mobiling with Colin Bardason in Burns Lake.

I am grateful to all my brother Oblates that I encountered for their fraternal hospitality and kindness to me, and the inspiration that they gave me. I am also grateful to all the people that I encountered, especially the teachers, students and parents of St Augustine’s Catholic School, and all the parishioners and pastors of St Augustine’s Vancouver and St Mary’s Prince George, for their warm welcome in their liturgies, sharing of some of their stories, the witness of faith and listening to my story. Now I know what it means and takes to be a good Missionary and an intentional disciple who puts his faith into action like the faithful Christians that I met. I also know first-hand what winter looks and feels like and how Canadians Celebrate their Christmas! All this has enhanced my formation and broadened my missionary outlook as I get closer to my final vows as a Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate, and ordained ministry.

By Cosmas Kithinji Kubai, OMI

With Frs. Frank Salmon and Vince James

With Santa, Fr. Frank Salmon, during a native elders Christmas luncheon at Fort St. James

With Fr. Gilbert Bertrand in Cotton Wood Park.

In Cypress Mountain in Vancouver

Making Ginger Bread Village with Taylor, Kaitlin and Colin

Outside St. Marysddf Prince George Rectory