|
|
Mission's
Westminster Abbey: Arriving at a wooden railway platform in Mission City aboard the West Coast Express from Vancouver, we capped off our day with an overnight stay at Westminster Abbey. This combination made the weekend one to be remembered for a lifetime. This spiritual banquet was complemented by wholesome meals, joining the brothers for a farm-style breakfast that set us up for our drive to Abbotsford Airport and WestJet's Alberta bound flight. Operated by the Archdiocese of Vancouver, BC, Westminster Abbey stands like a proud sentinel on the highest point of a wooded hill above the City of Mission. We took one of several trails which led to a vantage point, where we could can see the river and its entire valley east and west, framed by the Coast Mountains, and to the south, Mount Baker, USA, capped with its usual topping of snow. Here
at Westminster Abbey, the monks have created a pastoral,
self-sufficient way of life, and it was an honour to visit
and break bread with them. The carefully tended the grounds
are spacious with rolling contours and plenty of park area.
Our guest rooms were spotless clean, quiet and comfortable.
A donation to the Monastery fund is the privilege. We loved
to hear the toll of the monastery bell tower, a Mission
landmark. Imagine how this heavenly scene must have appeared
to the founders. They came from Mount Angel Abbey in Oregon
in 1939 to create a new centre of monastic life, and to
expand the teaching and administration of Christ the King
Seminary at Ladner. Westminster Abbey became independent in
1948 and moved to its present site in 1954. The priesthood
is the abbey's special apostolate, fostering vocational
programs. The Priest monks are active and supportive in the
community. For
details contact: Rev. Peter Nygren, OSB Xá:ytem
(Hatzic Rock) Longhouse The variety of artifacts discovered to date and still being found in the "Valley of the Stone People" provides treasures that form an on-going record of the cultural history of the Northwest Pacific Coast. The valley's dominant tribal group belongs to the Sto:lo First Nations. Of 18 recognized Sto:lo bands, some names that come most easily to mind are the Cheam (wild strawberry place), Kwantlen and Matsqui. (easy portage). Declared
a heritage site of national historic significance by the
Federal Government in 1992, this was the first native
spiritual site in Canada to so acknowledged. The
Stó:lo Nation and the Province of British Columbia
are partners in the site's management. For
more details: http://www.heritage.gov.bc.ca |