Praying for the Victims of the Tragedy at the Lapu Lapu Festival on April 26.

The Province of British Columbia has declared Friday, May 2, 2025, an official day of remembrance and mourning for the victims of the tragedy at the Lapu Lapu Day Festival in Vancouver on April 26, 2025.  

BC Synod Bishop Kathy Martin offers the following reflection and prayers: 

God invites us to hold the needs of others as dear to us as our own needs. It has 
been an incredibly difficult week with the news of the terrible events at the Lapu-Lapu Day festival in Vancouver on Saturday night. Sadly, many people are grieving 
the sudden and tragic death of a loved one, family or friends. We know that many
 people are in the hospital with serious injuries and some have been released. There 
are many more trying to deal with the psychological trauma of witnessing this horrific act.

I know that many of you were praying for the Filipino and Vancouver community in your worship [last] Sunday morning. In our service, someone got up at the end of worship to ask people to reach out to the Filipino community, to any people they knew to let them know that they were thinking of them, praying for them and to offer support in whatever way seems most helpful. I wonder if we all might take action to show our support. Thank you for your compassion and tangible acts of care. 

Here are the prayers I offer this day . . . 



God of healing and mercy, we gather before you with heavy hearts, knowing that
 your presence is felt by those who are grieving, injured, and those who have lost
 loved ones in this tragedy. We pray for your comfort and healing for those who are 
suffering.
 We give thanks for the wisdom and strength of those who were so quick to act and 
worked together to bring about order, safety and relief. Give us courage to reach out in person to the Filipino and Vancouver community to offer your comfort and support. Hear our prayers for first responders, for spiritual care providers, and for all people whose trust has been shattered by what they have seen or experienced. Bring 
healing and good companions to walk alongside during this very difficult time.
We pray for this young man and his family. Only you know his heart and the anguish 
he and his family may also be experiencing. Hold them also in your mercy. Help us 
make the changes necessary so that people struggling with their mental health can
 get the resources and treatment they need. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN



God's peace be with you, 
Bishop Kathy

On Sunday, May 4 at 3pm a prayer service will be held at Anglican Church of St. Mary's, South Hill (808 E. 50th Ave., Vancouver) in memory of the victims killed at the recent Lapu Lapu day street festival. The parish community will gather, along with the Archbishop, to hold in prayer those who died, the injured survivors, and their loved ones.

All who wish to join in prayer and support our Filipino siblings are welcome to attend.