“Padre” Remembrance Reading Tour of the Kootenays

Community Announcement
“’Padre’ Inspires Faith, Hope, and Love”

As a tribute to the resilient spirit of the those who persevered against the odds, and to those who fell, Jeff Forst presents the “Padre” Remembrance Reading Tour of the Kootenays - assisted by a grant from the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance. “Padre” is a chap-book compiled from his great-grandfather Dr. Uriah Laite’s inspirational writings from four plus years in WWII Hong Kong POW camps.
The “Padre” Remembrance Reading Tour begins in the East Kootenays, 3:00pm, Thursday, Oct. 23rd, at the Cranbrook Library (1212 2nd St. North), followed by 8:00pm the same evening at the FERNIE ARTS STATION (601 - 1st Avenue). Both events are by donation and run about an hour in length. Stay tuned for the upcoming West Kootenays dates in Kaslo, Nakusp, Salmo, and more.
The tour is raising awareness of the Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association’s ‘C’ Force Memorial Wall fundraising campaign. Recipient of the Osprey Community Foundation 2006 Literary Grant, and Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance touring support, “Padre” is the real story of a church minister’s four years as a prisoner of war overseas. A loving peaceful family man of two, the military chaplain and non-combatant dedicated himself to the overall well-being of the camp, while praying for the “dearest of wives and children” back home. This hopeful living dream, along with the inherent spiritual journey, enabled him to survive systemic malnutrition, rampant disease, pest-ridden quarters, and an uncertain future with faith to spare. The result is a coherent vision of the peaceful life under any circumstance.
Relevant today as they were then, the entries in Dr. Laite’s diary, and the sermons in his notebooks, paint a picture of a world on the edge in both matters of war and spirit. Now, at a time when our world is again far from peace, and the words ‘holy’ and ‘war’ grow ever closer, we can learn from the plight of a fore-father as he grapples with the same traditional challenges we face.
An experienced performance artist (and UVic English Literature graduate) living in the Kootenays, Jeff Forst is honoured to spread the peaceful message of his wonderful great-grandfather - whom he knew well as a child. Supporting a Memorial Wall the veterans themselves requested, the event features an interactive exchange session, personal anecdotes, and details of the stellar life Dr. Laite lived before and after the war. Come hear the message arising from one man’s faith, hope, and love, as expressed in trying conditions like no other.
For Memorial Wall information, please visit www.hkvca.ca.