Originally from a farm in Southwestern Ontario, Julia O’Shea VanSpall (“Julie”) moved to BC in 1992 to pursue her dream of teaching. After marrying Stephen VanSpall, she became a stay-home mom to their four children for ten years before returning to her career. Julie currently teaches at IC Delta School and has been writing for the BC Catholic since 2006.
In the first reading for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, we are confronted with vivid images of fire and acid as tools of purification. Malachi tells us … Continued
When I was a child and teenager, our parish priest was Father Joseph P. Finn. I have many memories of Father Finn, including the times he left his microphone switched … Continued
“When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is the newborn king of the … Continued
The focus of Gaudate Sunday – and the third week of Advent – is joy! In pondering this joy, I also lament those who began their lives as Catholics but … Continued
We hear it every year: Advent is a time of waiting and preparation. As a Christian living amidst the influences of the secular world, I take this to mean deliberately … Continued
At a party I recently attended, a few people were chatting with a friend who serves as a police officer. The legal limits of alcohol were being discussed, and several … Continued
November is a time of contrast: cold winds and warm fires; dark mornings and afternoon sunglasses; early evenings and candlelight; prayers for the dead and prayers for life. As a … Continued
Light and darkness have been the topics of many of my recent discussions. My students are studying the Geologic Time Scale, so we began the unit with an examination of … Continued
This article was updated to correct editing errors. Throughout the 32 years since I became a teacher, there have been many times when I’ve thought of my own teachers and … Continued
Last fall, during the building of a new fence between the house next door and our own, I was saddened to discover that the red rose bush in my front … Continued