True Parents in Canada

Franco Famularo
August 2013

Robert Duffy and Franco Famularo with True Father on June 6, 1991

Canada has been particularly blessed as True Parents have visited Canada eighteen times. True Father visited on his own and blessed a Holy Ground in Ottawa in 1965 at the time of his first world tour. He stayed for two days. True Parents came together to Canada nine times -- three times in the 1970s, twice in the 1980s, three times in the 1990s and once in 2005. True Mother visited on her own when she spoke in Canada as part of her worldwide speaking tours. She spoke in Ottawa in 1993; in Toronto in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2006; Montreal in 1996 and Vancouver in 2006.

During their two visits in 1991, True Father gave guidance concerning our farming operations. He spoke to members each morning and evening. He oversaw and led the Canadian church through significant structural changes including an election of leadership for the Canadian church.

Father spent considerable time fishing on Lake Ontario, while True Mother visited several cities in Canada including Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and the Thousand Islands District on Lake Ontario, bordering New York State.

John Bellavance, Franco Famularo, Robert Duffy, and Mike McDevitt with True Parents at Thousand Islands in Ontario, Canada, on June 19, 1991

I was privileged to go fishing with True Father for several days. On June 7, 1991, True Father, Peter Kim, Mike McDevitt, Robert Duffy, Mike Templeman and I were on the boat. The following is based on what I wrote at that time:

We were on the boat from 6:00 AM until sunset, and although Father was generally focused on fishing (his hand was constantly on the rod in case a fish struck), he spent much of the time meditating and praying. Since the peak of salmon season was a few weeks away, we caught only three salmon and a couple of trout. When a salmon struck Father got very excited, and it appeared as though it were his first time fishing. Throughout the day, he also shared with those of us on the boat many of his thoughts about God, the sacrificial way of life, the need to create a personal foundation in our life of faith, and his plans for the future.

At one point, he spoke for up to five hours in English with Robert Duffy, Mike Templeman and me, covering a wide range of topics. He explained how he foresaw that more would change in the world during this decade [the 1990s], than had changed since World War II. He also spoke extensively about establishing fish farms and using fishing expeditions as a means to share the message of Unificationism with others. He said that once the guests were on the boat, we could create a very godly atmosphere that our guests would never forget.

Not only did Father share his thoughts with us, but even his food. My wife Chizuru was responsible for preparing the meals for True Parents during their time in Canada. Prior to departing in the early morning for the lake, she gave me True Father's lunch and emphasized that it had been especially prepared for him. When it came time for lunch, I brought True Father his lunch, unwrapped it and served him.

True Father insisted that I sit there with him. To my surprise, he encouraged me to eat from the same plate with him. In his heavily accented English he said, "Try this; it is good." We even drank from the same glass. The memory is indelibly etched in my mind.

It was a hot day, the sun was shining strongly and we were listening to Father speak to us in a very personal manner. At one point I wondered, "Here I am sitting with the Messiah, whom all religious people throughout history have been longing for. Is this a dream? Is this really happening?"

Yes it did happen, and I shall never forget how privileged I felt at that time.