Immaculate Conception

Had to be in BC for Holy Week. No choice about it. Wanted to have one place to spend the Triduum. Vetted the others close by but chose this one because it had more times for confession. (I need lots of opportunities) Each day of the triduum was wonderful. We did not get to Saturday’s Vigil Mass. (The purpose of our trip centered on that day.) But they had a late afternoon Mass on Easter Sunday.
What a wonderful parish — what a great community of people. Everyone was on the spectrum that ran welcoming to neutral. (I like just being able to quietly be a part.) Everyone else seemed to feel accepted too. No bare shoulders or too short skirts. Prayerful, warm, normal people.
Stations and chapels all around the interior perimeter of the Sanctuary with natural light. People actually did the stations themselves and as small groups — and it wasn’t just on Holy Friday. Simple but deeply meaningful design and surroundings. All things liturgically correct as far as I could tell.
Energetic, fastidious, happy priest. His homilys were deep, but not boring. And they seemed to have confession nonstop — it was wonderful. There was no chance to miss going to confession (the first one since the beginning of Lent for me – yikes!): too many time/​date options and too many priests. Still, people stood in line for confession.
As with most Catholic Churches, get there a bit early for a decent parking place. But you will want to get there early. The people, the sanctuary and the priests are a delight and a respite.