What is a Parish Visit?
According to the Code of Canon Law, the Archbishop is expected to pay visits to the parishes of his Archdiocese in order to familiarize himself with the pastoral needs of his people. The Parish Visit is an occasion to rejuvenate the energies of the parish, to encourage and to reassure the lay faithful, and to foster the evangelizing mission of the Church.
The Parish Visit lasts three days
Depending on time and circumstances, Archbishop Miller will:
- Celebrate Mass
- Meet with the pastor, assistant, deacons and staff who serve in the parish
- Meet with the Pastoral Council and the Parish Finance Council
- Meet with PREP teachers
- Meet with leaders of different ministries: CWL, Knights of Colubmus, music, liturgical and outreach services
- Visit the school to meet with all the staff
Fruits of the Parish Visit
The Archbishop’s visit is a time of grace and celebration. It is a special event in the life of a parish; an opportunity to invite the lay faithful to a renewal of Christian life. The visit engages parishioners, focuses on how the Archdiocesan priorities and goals are being lived out and includes opportunities for discussion and social interaction. It is a time of rejuvenation, encouragement and reassurance. Afterwards, the Archbishop will prepare recommendations to the pastor to help parishioners become more intentional missionary disciples.
- (Feb. 2020) St. Augustine’s renewal program ‘inspiring’: Archbishop | This is an excerpt of Archbishop Miller’s remarks during a visit to St. Augustine’s Parish Dec. 15. Read more on bccatholic.ca.
- (Jan. 2020) ‘Flourishing’ Langley parish needs its new hall: Archbishop Miller | This is an excerpt of Archbishop Miller’s homily Dec. 1 during a visit to St. Joseph’s Parish in Langley. Read more on bcccatholic.ca.
- (Jan. 2020) Star of the Sea liturgies ‘reverent, relevant’: Archbishop | This is an excerpt of a homily by Archbishop Miller during a visit to Star of the Sea Parish Oct. 31 to Nov. 3. Read more on bccatholic.ca.
- (Oct. 2019) St. Mary’s in Vancouver lauded for evangelism, outreach | This is an excerpt from Archbishop Miller’s homily Oct. 20 at St. Mary’s Parish in Vancouver. Read more on bccatholic.ca.
- (June 2019) Richmond parish reflects diversity of body of Christ: Archbishop | Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, recently paid a visit to Canadian Martyrs Parish in Richmond. The following is an excerpt of his homily June 16. Read more on bccatholic.ca.
- (May 2019) Jesus offers a true model of love | This is an excerpt of Archbishop J. Michael Miller’s homily during a visit to Immaculate Conception Parish in Delta May 19. Read more on bccatholic.ca.
- (May 2019) Love bears witness to faith: Archbishop in Powell River | As part of his parish visits, Archbishop Miller travelled to Powell River to meet local Catholics and celebrate Mass with them at Church of the Assumption, Sacred Heart Church, and St. Gerard’s Church April 25-28. This is an excerpt of his homily for Divine Mercy Sunday, April 28. Read more on bccatholic.ca.
- (March 2019) Faith in action at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish | This is an excerpt from Archbishop Miller’s homily March 17 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish. Read more on bccatholic.ca.
- (March 2019) Mass is parish’s heart: Archbishop at O.L. Assumption | Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB, continued his tour of parishes with Our Lady of the Assumption in Port Coquitlam this February. Here is an excerpt of his Sunday homily. Read more on bccatholic.ca.
- (Feb. 2019) Keep saying ‘yes’ to God’s call: Archbishop to St. Pius X | This is an excerpt of Archbishop Miller’s homily during a visit to St. Pius X Parish Feb. 10. Read more on bccatholic.ca.
- (Dec. 2018) Mary invites us to trust in God’s faithfulness | This is an excerpt of Archbishop Miller’s homily at St. Edmund’s Parish during his visit Nov. 30-Dec. 2. Read more on bccatholic.ca.
- (Nov. 2018) IC lauded for First Nations rols, seismic upgrade, hospitality | Excerpts from Archbishop Miller’s homily during a visit at Immaculate Conception Parish in Vancouver Nov. 11. Read more on bccatholic.ca.
- (Nov. 2018) Jesus answers prayers with gentleness, truth: archbishop | This is an excerpt of Archbishop Miller’s homily during a visit to St. Francis de Sales Parish Oct. 21. Read more on bccatholic.ca.
- (Oct. 2018) Don Bosco’s spirit lives on in parish: Archbishop to OLGC | This is an excerpt of Archbishop Miller’s homily during a visit to Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish Oct. 7. Read more on bccatholic.ca.
- (Sept. 2018) Let’s ask God to heal our deafness and blindness | This is an excerpt of Archbishop Miller’s homily during a visit to St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Vancouver Sept. 9. Read more on bccatholic.ca.
- (May 2018) We don’t need to earn God’s love: Archbishop Miller | This is an excerpt of a homily given during a visit to Sts. Joachim and Ann Parish May 3-6. Read more on bccatholic.ca.
- (April 2018) Parish needs you: archbishop to Holy Spirit community | Excerpts from Archbishop Miller’s homily at the conclusion of his parish visit to Holy Spirit Parish March 18. Read more on bccatholic.ca.
- (April 2018) ‘Warm welcome despite cold weather for Archbishop’s visit’ | Fresh snow didn’t chill the spirits of St. Andrew’s parishioners who arrived with mittens and hospitality for Archbishop J. Michael Miller’s visit to their church Feb. 22-25. Read more on bccatholic.ca.
- (March 2018) ‘Continue to build on your successes,’ Archbishop tells Holy Trinity Parish | Excerpts from Archbishop Miller’s homily at the conclusion of his parish visit to Holy Trinity Jan. 25-28. Read more on bccatholic.ca.
- (March 2018) ‘Harvest’ of spiritual gifts, good works at St. Matthew’s | Remarks from Archbishop Miller’s homily at the conclusion of his parish visit to St. Matthew’s Jan. 21. Read more on bccatholic.ca.
- (Jan. 2018) What to expect when you’re expecting the Archbishop | So, Archbishop J. Michael Miller is visiting your parish. While the amounts of paperwork and preparation might seem daunting, this three-day pastoral stopover can encourage and revitalize a church community. Read more on bccatholic.ca.
- (Oct. 2017) Archbishop announces plan to visit all 77 parishes | Catholics in the Lower Mainland may soon be seeing more of their archbishop. Read more on bccatholic.ca.
- Oct. 19-23, 2017: Corpus Christi, Vancouver (Photos)
- Jan. 18-21, 2018: St. Matthew, Surrey (Photos)
- Jan. 25-28, 2018: Holy Trinity, North Vancouver (Photos)
- Feb. 22-25, 2018: St. Andrew, Vancouver (Photos)
- Mar. 15-18, 2018: Holy Spirit, New Westminster (Photos)
- May 4-5, 2018: Sts. Joachim and Ann, Langley (Photos)
- Sep. 6-9, 2018: St. Francis of Assisi, Vancouver (Photos)
- Oct. 4-7, 2018: Our Lady of Good Counsel, Surrey (Photos)
- Oct. 18-21, 2018: St. Francis de Sales, Burnaby (Photos)
- Nov. 9-11, 2018: Immaculate Conception, Vancouver (Photos)
- Nov. 30-Dec. 2, 2018: St. Edmund, North Vancouver (Photos)
- Feb. 7-10, 2019: St. Pius X, North Vancouver (Photos)
- Feb. 21-24, 2019: Our Lady of the Assumption, Port Coquitlam (Photos)
- March 14-17, 2019: Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Vancouver (Photos)
- April 25-27, 2019: Church of the Assumption, Powell River (Photos)
- May 16-19, 2019: Immaculate Conception, Delta (Photos)
- June 13-16, 2019: Canadian Martyrs, Richmond (Photos)
- Oct. 17, 2019: St. Mary, Vancouver (Photos)
- Oct. 31, 2019: Star of the Sea, Surrey (Photos)
- Nov. 28, 2019: St. Joseph, Langley (Photos)
- Dec. 12, 2019: St. Augustine, Vancouver (Photos)
- Jan. 24-26, 2020: Holy Rosary Cathedral, Vancouver (Photos)
- Feb. 14-16, 2020: St. John the Apostle, Vancouver (Photos)
- Feb. 27-March 1, 2020: St. Helen
- March 12-15, 2020: St. Bernadette, Surrey
- Jan. 14-15, 2023: St. Anthony of Padua, Vancouver (Photos)
- Feb. 4-5, 2023: St. Jude (Photos)
- Feb. 24-26, 2023: St. Monica, Richmond (Photos)
- March 2023: St. Nicholas, Langley (Photos)
- January 21, 2024: Our Lady of Sorrows (Photos)
- March 10, 2024: St. Paul, Richmond (Photos)
- March 17, 2024: St. Clare of Assisi (Photos)