In the light of the tragedy that happened on April 26, Saturday at the Lapu-Lapu Block Party Festival, the four parishes of St. Mary’s South Hill, St. Mary’s Sapperton, St. Michael’s Vancouver & St. Michael’s Surrey ( with largely Filipino congregations) will hold a Prayer Vigil and Candle Lighting Service to mourn those who died, have been injured, and impacted by the horrific tragic incident.
What: Rev. Wilmer Toyoken, Rev. Arvin Amayag, Rev. Louie Engnan
and Rev. Expedito Farinas (all Filipino Priests) will lead the service
Where: St. Mary’s South Hill-808 East 50 Avenue, Vancouver
When: Sunday, May 4, 2025 at 3:00 pm
The Most Reverend John Stephens, Archbishop of the Diocese of New Westminster and Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of BC and Yukon will be attending to bless us all, families and communities.
As of this writing, eleven (11) people have died, majority are female and the youngest a five-year-old girl and the oldest a 65-year-old man. The fatalities include family members (Vietnamese and Columbian families). There are 3 members of the Filipino community. One was a native Calgarian (AB), one was from Brazil.
There are many more who are injured and in the hospitals.
The prayer service and the candle lighting vigil is for all our communities, Filipinos and non-Filipinos.
Grief and mourning bring us together. Kinship and friendship make us stronger. Solidarity holds all of us in its embrace as we move towards justice and accountability.
All are welcome to attend.
Related posts:
The Archbishop’s Statement on the Lapu-Lapu Day Tragedy in Vancouver, April 26 | https://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/news/archbishops-statement-on-lapu-lapu-day-tragedy-in-vancouver
Rev. Expedito Farinas “Lapu-Lapu Day Vancouver: A Tragic End to a Filipino Community Event | https://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/news/lapu-lapu-day-vancouver-a-tragic-end-to-a-filipino-community-event
Senseless deaths at the Lapu-Lapu Block Party | https://pinoyabrod.ca/senseless-deaths-at-the-lapu-lapu-block-party