Quebec Community's Vibrant Faith Leads to Banquet to Fund Construction on Church!

We’re now in the Ville-Emard neighborhood of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in St. John Bosco Parish, and we’re all raring for an unforgettable experience! (writes Fr. Jean-Marie Bilwawa) When I visit families, I’m always amazed by how fortunate we are to have so many elderly Italians. We are thrilled to announce that the construction of our church has been made possible thanks to the elderly Italians as generous benefactors who have contributed to this project. It is a moment of profound gratitude as we now have the opportunity to gather in a place of worship that radiates with beauty and significance. It’s extremely exhilarating to tell you that the’'ve poured their hearts and souls into our church and parish. 

Now, we’re united in our mission to grow this community and live our faith with joy and enthusiasm. Their dedication continues unabated, a testament to their unwavering commitment.

 As you may know, Saint Anthony of Padua is also revered as the patron saint of the elderly. Organizing a banquet in his honor also makes us think of our elders, even if our banquet in particular was intended for everyone: children, young people and the elderly. It’s incredible how different the reality is! Most of the elderly live alone in their homes, leaving their children scattered across Canada...

I can assure you that from time to time I have had the great privilege of visiting senior parishioners, and I am sure that this moment will remain etched in my memory forever. Their smiles and good humor have touched me deeply. 

I firmly believe that we have the responsibility and opportunity to do everything in our power to bring them some joy. We have a perfect solution for them!

 Take for example “Âge d'Or,” an association for the elderly based in the same parish. Our activities have been a resounding success, such a warm and positive reception that we couldn’t hope for better! From unforgettable birthday parties to exciting physical exercises to non- profit raffles and memorable parties, every event is an unmissable opportunity for fun and sharing.

And that’s not all! We also organize social events that bring all our senior parishioners together, creating an atmosphere of sharing and joy that is simply indescribable. It’s the perfect opportunity to get out of the house and meet with others! I wholeheartedly believe that these activities are the key to keeping our parishioners happy and smiling, even beyond the celebration of the Eucharist. Pope Leo XIV recently shared a truly powerful thought: "...We are called to love God's people, to serve them, to suffer with them." We decided to organize an extraordinary event that would bring together all our parishioners. It will be a truly unique opportunity for sharing and community! Our goal was crystal clear: to show the world our unwavering fellowship and solidarity! We are thrilled to announce that we will be organizing an extraordinary banquet in honor of St. Anthony of Padua (patron saint of the elderly) on Sunday, May 25, 2025 at 12:30 pm. We want to offer ourselves, seniors and youth, a moment of joy and fellowship, because life is too short not to celebrate! We were thrilled that this initiative would get us out of the house and meet new people. Our feast was a smashing success, an unforgettable event that will remain in our hearts forever. Our banquet was held in a stunning setting at Villa Toscana, a dreamy Italian restaurant in LaSalle.
The service was simply amazing, exceeding all expectations! We are pleased to report that we enjoyed a delicious lunch. I can assure you that everyone, young and old, was enthusiastic and always smiling. It was thrilling to see everyone in action! The event was hosted by DJ Salvatore Bruno. With hearts full of gratitude and tremendous appreciation for each and every one of us, we are ready to continue this amazing journey!

Special to Catholic News World from regular writer Father Jean-Marie Bilwala Administrator and Episcopal Vicar.

ST. ANTHONY BANQUET AT SAINT JOHN BOSCO PARISH IN
MONTREAL, CANADA