Join us for the 6th annual Race for the Ridge!

Fraser Foreshore Park
Sunday, August 7th – 11 am to 3 pm
7411 Fraser Park Drive, Burnaby, BC (Google Map Link)

Register or donate today!

Invite your friends to visit www.racefortheridge.ca.

Download a PDF poster that you can print or share.

We are excited to announce the 3rd annual Copper Ridge Conference Centre Golf Event!

A day of golf and fun!

Register or Donate Now

Player Registration Fee: $200 ($45 tax receipt)
Includes green fee, shared power cart and dinner

Dinner Only: $100 ($40 tax receipt)

Westwood Plateau Golf & Country Club
3251 Plateau Boulevard
Coquitlam, BC, V3E 3B8
Google Map

After golf, relax and enjoy fine food with family and friends at the dinner function.

Spread the word to your friend golfers and enjoy the full length “championship” course, nestled on the Plateau of Eagle Mountain in Coquitlam.

For more info and sponsorship contact:

Nick Cheng
604-317-2795
nick.cheng@copperridgeconferencecentre.ca

Thank you to our 2021 Sponsors!

On a warm and sunny September 10^th, the day finally arrived for Archbishop J. Michael Miller to visit Copper Ridge Conference Centre for the first time. In a solemn celebration of the Mass, Archbishop Miller consecrated the marble altar and dedicated the oratory to God for all time.   

Welcomed by Msgr. Antoine de Rochebrune, Regional Vicar of Opus Dei for Canada, the archbishop then greeted those present: concelebrants Msgr. Antoine and Fr. Julio Lagos as well as Fr. Anthony Griffin and Frs. Pablo Santa Maria and Alessandro Lovato who assisted with the ceremonies. He had warm words of affection for Fr. Joseph Soria, present at the ceremony in his wheel chair.  He also greeted the small congregation of lay faithful and mentioned Fr. Paul Cormier who was not present but ministers frequently at the Conference Centre.

In his homily, the archbishop spoke warmly of “this splendid Chapel {that} tells all those who come to the Centre, for whatever reason, that it is Christ Jesus, who is the foundation (1 Cor 3:11) and cornerstone of all the activity that takes place here (cf. 1 Pt 2:7).

He explained that “a Chapel vividly calls to mind that God is “Other,” the Creator of all things. This is a sacred space, withdrawn from the other work and recreational spaces and is dedicated to God alone”.

As the sun streamed through the stained-glass windows, and rested on the life-sized carving of the crucified Christ looking down at his Blessed Mother and St. John at her side, the archbishop continued:

…it is a beautiful Chapel; and this is important. As Benedict XVI said in his homily at the Dedication of Gaudi’s masterpiece, Sagrada Familia, in Barcelona: “beauty is one of mankind’s greatest needs; it is the root from which the branches of our peace and the fruits of our hope come forth. Beauty also reveals God because, like him, a work of beauty is pure gratuity; it calls us to freedom and draws us away from selfishness.”

Like this Chapel, “every place set aside for divine worship is a sign of that spiritual temple, which is the Church, made up of living stones: of the faithful united by the one faith, of their participation in the Sacraments and of the bond of charity.”

As the sacred rite of Consecration of the Altar took place, the cantor intoned the Litany of the Saints. Archbishop Miller prayed and incensed the altar on every side while the cantor sang the antiphon “Stetit Angelus.” Following this, the archbishop anointed the altar, rubbing it entirely with the Holy Chrism Oil.  Later Msgr. Antoine and Fr. Julio anointed the walls of the oratory with Chrism. As the consecration of the stone altar imprints an indelible mark that may not be removed, and the oratory is dedicated to God, we may from now on celebrate this anniversary each year on September 10. 

Before the ceremony, Archbishop Miller was taken on a tour of the facility and met with the Administration. Finally, he enjoyed a luncheon with all those present in the dining room overlooking the waters of Howe Sound.

The Board of Copper Ridge Conference Centre are sincerely grateful to Archbishop Miller for his presence at the Conference Centre and we look forward to welcoming you, the reader, to the beauty of Copper Ridge soon.

We are excited to announce the second annual Copper Ridge Conference Centre Golf Tournament!

A day of golf and fun!

Register Now Donate in lieu

Player Registration Fee: $195 ($50 tax receipt)
Includes green fee, shared power cart and dinner

Dinner Only: $75 ($25 tax receipt)

Westwood Plateau Golf & Country Club
3251 Plateau Boulevard
Coquitlam, BC, V3E 3B8
Google Map

Families are welcome for golf & dinner, or dinner only.

Note: If you have extra sets of golf clubs, please consider inviting some friends who have not golfed before. Have a foursome, have some fun!

For more info and sponsorship contact:

Nick Cheng
604-317-2795
nick.cheng@edwardjones.com

The Excursions!

Editor’s note: Last month we published the experiences of ladies attending their first annual course at Copper Ridge. This month we continue with the adventures they had while exploring the great outdoors.  We hope this will whet your appetite to go to the registration page and book your next retreat!

Our first excursion day arrived and we made a list of what we would like to do. A quick search generated a list of 25 activities in and around the Squamish and Howe Sound area as well as in Vancouver. We spent the remaining excursion days and sports times exploring the area near CRCC. In doing so, we discovered an amazing brook that was so charming we visited it multiple times and prayed there. The contrast between the hot sun (it averaged a pleasant 24 degrees Celsius for most of our excursions) and the cool, clear water of the brook made it obvious that the first health spa was indeed created in nature. One participant from Alberta exclaimed that the brook changed her entire opinion of an annual course in a natural environment. She, like me, was a self-proclaimed city girl – until then. We also went to the beach, visited Alice Lake and went kayaking, hiked to both Shannon Falls and Brandy Wine Falls, and drove up to Whistler. A day was spent in Vancouver visiting Stanley Park, Granville Island and English Bay.  We ventured further, visiting Bowen Island on another day. On the Feast of Our Lady on September 8, we visited Our Lady of Copper Ridge (the name we gave to the beautiful statue and semi-grotto of Our Lady some few meters from the entrance gate to the centre. Some of us even drove to visit Our Lady of Peace at a Dominican Monastery with views comparable to those at CRCC. One definitely needs a vehicle to visit all these sites. We were ready for that too. A rented 8-seater van and a 5-seater car belonging to one of us made for  amazing road trips as we sang, “In the jungle…A-weema-weh!”

There are bears in the Copper Ridge area so we were sure to take a rattle with us on walks to warn them of our approach (although our crescendo of excited banter was probably an adequate substitute for the rattle). While we avoided going on such walks alone, most of us wanted to see a bear and talked about it often. Talk of seeing bears became a conversational theme in the halls, arousing laughter and jocular trepidation. On our last day, we finally saw one! A freshly-weaned cub scavenging on the other side of a river. We could watch safely and for as long as we wanted. It was another Copper Ridge dream come true.

When it was time to leave – 48 hours away from leaving to be exact – the weather changed dramatically, a thick haze from California wildfires covering our view of the mountains and the water. The temperature dropped and suddenly we were thrust into an autumn that no one expected, given the weather only hours before. Undeterred, we kept on enjoying the vicinity and it became increasingly clear that this dramatic change in weather was also a gift. Otherwise, it would have been almost too challenging to have departed from the paradise of Copper Ridge Conference Centre.

By I.K. Ero

The following article was submitted to us in September 2020. As Fall rolled into 2nd wave pandemic closure, we decided to hold it until the enticement of reopening was on the horizon. 

I.K. Ero writes a wonderful account of the first workshop at Copper Ridge Conference Centre (CRCC)

(Part 1) 

We could not believe that we were finally at the conference centre! Years of hard work, years of dreaming, fundraising, staring at architectural models in hope – all of that had come to reality. CRCC now stands on a cliff overlooking the waters and mountains of Howe Sound, British Columbia. Here we were, about to spend two weeks on our annual workshop for associates of Opus Dei! An historic first workshop at Copper Ridge Conference Centre. As BC residents, my colleague and I prepared ourselves as hosts. We met and greeted the other eight associates at the airport and subsequently felt very proud as we drove toward the conference centre. We smiled and nodded all the way as we repeatedly heard gasps of “wow!” a million times as we cruised past breath-taking BC scenery particularly on the Sea-to-Sky Highway. These participants from Quebec, Ontario, Winnipeg and Alberta made a running commentary at the wonder of nature and how “majestic” it all looked. Living in BC, I admit that sometimes these wonders had become a mere background to my busy life. But today it was different. Maybe it was the fact that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic had reset our eyes in appreciation of our immediate surroundings; or maybe it was just the reaction of the others; either way, we all marvelled and we knew that this annual course was going to be super.

And it was!

Arriving at the conference centre was an experience on its own. It looked like paradise! The leading car of our convoy from the airport had in fact turned around at the gate. They had thought, “This can’t be it; it looks almost too good.” Once they realized that indeed, it was “it,” another chorus of “wow’s” began as we offloaded our vehicles and, as delighted as children, took a tour through the tasteful, modern design and elegantly decorated centre. The oratory! The stained glass and sculpture of the scene of the crucifixion held us in meditation! And the dining room! It was strategically constructed at an angle so that we felt that we were on a cruise ship with large windows overlooking the Sound and its picturesque surrounding mountains. This would be one of our favourite rooms, not only for the view, but also because of the variety of delicious cuisines that we would enjoy in it: adobo from the Philippines, Nigerian jollof rice, Mexican tacos and indigenous salmon burgers. We spent the rest of the first day discovering living rooms with open balconies, windows and exits opening to amazing natural views. We basked in the flood lights, both natural and man-made, that brightened the entire edifice.

We spent our two weeks at CRCC enjoying hilarious get-togethers in the airy living room with the picture windows. We dove into the study of fundamental moral theology in one of the most beautiful classrooms ever. To our right, the professor and to our left an amazing view. It was a no-brainer to step out on to the balcony of the classroom during breaks to enjoy it even more.  Meditation and Mass in the Oratory were also experiences of nature. As the morning sun shone through the tall stained-glass windows, the images of the mysteries of Christ’s life came to life in a way that gave one hours of contemplation. In between prayers and classes, we excitedly chattered about excursion plans – all these and more with social distancing measures. 

I.K. Ero

Editor’s note:  the excursions these ladies embarked upon were amazing and we are saving them for another edition of the newsletter, so stay tuned!  But do enjoy some teaser photos.

Travelling north on the Sea to Sky Highway, you know you are getting close to the turnoff for the Copper Ridge Conference Centre when the Mining Museum appears on the right. A visit to this National Historic Site gives a glimpse into the fascinating life of Britannia Mine (1904-1974).

Britannia Mining and Smelting Company played an important part in Canadian mining history. Over the course of 70 years more than 60,000 miners from 50 different nationalities worked there.

There were two towns and various smaller camps that serviced the mine. In the 1920’s and 1930’s, Britannia Mine was the largest copper producer in the British Commonwealth, producing 17% of the world’s copper.

Continuing up Copper Drive toward the Conference Centre, it is hard to believe that nestled in the steep valley above the town of Britannia Beach at a height of 600 m. was another town, Mt Sheer, fondly known as “the Townsite” by the locals.

Most visitors passing through Britannia Beach had no idea that this upper town site, where the miners and their families lived and where the miners entered the mine shaft, even existed.

In 1940, Mt Sheer had a population of 1200. There were three bunkhouses, a cookhouse, a hotel, and 200 families.

It was a fully functioning town with an outdoor swimming pool, a recreation center, a theater, a high school and a hospital.

Mt Sheer townsite was unique, nestled as it was deep into the valley and surrounded by steep mountains whose shadows made for harsh and sunless winters. One year ten meters of snow was recorded!

In the early days, everything was brought in by pack horses. In 1914, an incline railway was built. It became known as “The Skip.”

The Skip was the lifeline between the Upper Townsite (Mt Sheer) and “The Beach.” When new families arrived by boat, they would have to carry their baggage through The Beach and up 347 steps to get onto the Skip.

This railway travelled 7.5 mph at a thirty degree angle up the mountainside, the 30 minute trip allowing newcomers to catch up on the news about local goings on. Travellers then boarded a narrow gauge railway into the townsite which took another thirty minutes. Those railway tracks were the main street of the town. The Skip was terminated when a road was built in 1953.

In 1958 the highway linking Vancouver to Britannia Beach and Squamish was constructed. With the construction of the road and the mine closure that same year, the town was abandoned and the buildings were destroyed in the 1960s.

What was it like to live in Mt Sheer those early days? Community life was very important in an isolated company town. It was needed in order to keep the miners and their families happy so they would stay to work.

The company manager, C.P. Browning, sponsored company parties and encouraged the community to form their own clubs. This also encouraged intense competition between the two townsites.

The most enduring of all the Britannia traditions was the crowning of the Copper Queen. The first of these celebrations was held on May 24, 1925, and the last in May 1966. This celebration brought all of the mining community together. The queen was selected by the school students with a grand ceremony while the children danced around the Maypole. The crown, made out of copper from the mine, can be seen in the Museum today.

Sue Shives

It was late in December of 2019 when I came with Fadi Sarraf to visit Copper Ridge. At that time, the project was in the late stages of completion and with activities already planned, the first of which was scheduled for mid-February of 2020. After a tour of the building, he offered me the opportunity to take care of the day-to-day operations and maintenance of the Conference Centre.

Even though I was not involved in the project, I was already very familiar with the area which together with some friends, including Fr Joseph Soria, we used to explore regularly from the time the property was bought in 2007. I was very lucky to spend many moments admiring the view that is the delight of everyone who sees it. Therefore, realizing that the project was now a reality, I accepted Fadi’s offer which for me was like “The Call of Copper Ridge”.

Some time ago, I came across a book with stories that narrate the reasons why people go to the mountains. In one of these stories, the author describes the experience an excursion group had on a sunny day after ascending a high mountain in the Pyrenees. They were all overwhelmed by the breathtaking beauty of the panorama. In the “summit book,” where mountaineers write their reflections upon reaching the top of the mountain, one of the members of this group stamped a phrase that reflected everyone’s feelings: “Admire the created, and praise the Creator.” That is the same feeling one has at Copper Ridge. The joy of contemplating this stupendous beauty leads us immediately to think of God.

The phrase “Admire the created, and praise the Creator” got me thinking a lot during this year while fulfilling all my day-to-day responsibilities at Copper Ridge. It has somehow consolidated the natural and supernatural outlook that can be applied to life. It has helped me grow in human virtues, as well as improve my relationship with God. At times, seeing a starry night, the winter twilight, the awaking of spring, the summer flowers, the seasonal habitat of birds, bears, deer, and other species, that phrase has led me to an authentic enchantment. Other times, especially during the global pandemic, it has helped me deal, with peace and joy, the work that is required to maintain all aspects of the conference centre (mechanical, electrical, security, plumbing, fire protection, elevators, kitchen, roofing, landscaping, the septic system, etc.) necessary to meet the expectations of the Administration team. 

We have had many visitors at Copper Ridge, but a recent one was particularly noteworthy. Fr. Antoine de Rochebrune, the newly appointed regional vicar of Opus Dei in Canada, visited Vancouver for the first time in March and I had the privilege of meeting him in person at the conference centre. He celebrated Mass in the oratory, and I received, for the first time in months, the Holy Eucharist. Looking back on a year during which the pandemic has prevented most of the Catholic world from participating in person in the Eucharistic celebration, he stressed that this is something that we will remember all our lives, and which will help us realize how important this sacrament is in our Christian vocation. Fr. Antoine mentioned that Copper Ridge needs to be more than ever a place of conversion. He encouraged us to meet, and through our personal apostolate in continuation of the apostolate of Christ, to bring many people to this beautiful location.

My Memories of Helen, an example of loyalty, constancy, serenity, and humour.

When I was asked to write my reminiscences of Helen Ryan to share with the readers of the Copper Ridge newsletter, I paused to consider what can I say? I had known Helen for many years; we worked together on numerous projects in Canada and lived together at Crestwell Centre in Vancouver for almost 23 years.

Helen was born in Dublin, Ireland on February 25^th, 1930. She originally wanted to be a veterinarian but her mother encouraged her to explore her other talents. Reflecting, she decided to study architecture. I confess I am very grateful to her mother because as an architect, Helen helped in many projects of Opus Dei in Canada. In addition to her regular work for architectural firms, she designed the first house for the staff in Montreal, designed several oratories in various cities and adapted a number of houses to meet our specific needs.

While working as an architect in Montreal, a colleague spoke to her about Opus Dei. Helen began participating in activities and soon realized that God was asking her to become one of those few members of Opus Dei at that time in Canada in order to spread and live the universal call to sanctity. With courage and enthusiasm, she gave herself wholeheartedly to this call.

Helen had a great zest for life. In her last ten years she suffered several serious illnesses; however she was always cheerful and never complained. She would even joke that she enjoyed having breakfast in bed! When we reminded her of an illness, she claimed she had ‘forgotten’ it and dismissed it as a trifle, diverting the conversation away from herself.

Helen visited Copper Ridge Conference Centre only once. She had dearly wanted to attend a retreat but it turned out that God had other plans for her. I am sure Helen is now enjoying it from heaven.

On January 6^th I was with Helen in the early hours of the morning. I invited Trisha, a friend, to join us for half an hour. It was evident Helen’s condition had deteriorated considerably. Trisha began to sing for Helen, first some Christmas carols and then some Irish songs. When Helen heard the first Irish song, she opened her eyes. Trisha sang on and finished with a song in Gaelic. Helen listened very intently. After this we played her an audio message from Spain.  And finally, I asked her to pray for the special intentions of three particular ladies.  Just after I made this request, Helen gasped slightly and then stopped breathing.

Trisha and I prayed for the repose of her soul and I phoned home to tell everyone Helen had left us for Heaven. While we were still praying all her housemates arrived, followed shortly by her priest. He celebrated Mass in her hospital room. Many of the staff caring for Helen were clearly amazed to see a priest coming frequently to celebrate Holy Mass for her; it was evident they were very moved by this.

I thanked Our Lord for allowing me to be with Helen in her last moments in this world, as sad as this experience was. By her steadfast service to souls and the suffering she experienced during her last illness I am sure she left us greatly purified. While the proponents of euthanasia may not know or appreciate the value of suffering, we do and Helen certainly did.

During her wake I placed in Helen’s hands some prayer cards with her photo and a quotation from The Way, one of St. Josemaría’s works, that speaks about being faithful to the little things. This certainly characterized Helen. As I left I gathered all the cards to give to other people and to keep one for myself. The next day, very much to my surprise, I saw written on the back of that card “Thank you for your friendship.” It made me realize how many people could have written those words: indeed, all of us, including me.  

What would I want to say to everybody after saying goodbye to Helen? Two things come to mind: first, the value of time — none of us knows how much we have left. Use it to do all the good you can. Second, the value of love and of showing it with deeds without waiting for tomorrow, without taking it for granted, today and now! Husbands and wives should tell each how much they love each other without remembering something that went wrong before. Never let the sun set without making up over any disagreements. Show all those Our Lord has put by your side how much you care for them: remember, neither you nor they will be there forever.

Marie M.