Catholic Missions in Canada www.cmic.info
A TIME FOR
ISSN 1702-2894
Hope, faith & healing PLUS: Church in Tsiigehtchic • A long journey home • Wills
Summer 2016
Editor’s Notes
Praying our everydays
E
very day we wrestle with issues of work versus play, activity versus rest, and silence versus speech. It is the same everyday issues that people struggle with in communities where our missionaries serve. In their case, however, isolation, remoteness, adverse weather and poor living conditions are the staple of everyday life. Their day-to-day tasks could include hunting and trapping, setting out nets, cutting up and skinning game, hanging fish to dry and store for the long winter days and nights ahead. And in summers— time for visiting, building and repair, the ordinary chores that long full days of sun allow. While balancing activity and rest, missionaries are challenged to provide a way that allows each person to meet the Lord in the Bread of Life. In the stories our missionaries share in this issue, they open vistas on how, in the stillness, love moves, and how, in eternal activity, love rests. Such is how the everyday is experienced, touched and felt in these remote communities— the common life, the common purpose, the walking each day with God.
Patria C. Rivera
2 Summer 2016
cont
Volume 35, Number 2
Features 6
When we first came here Lay family learns to move with the rhythm of life in Tsiigehtchic Therese Steiner
12
Building community in Inuvik Visiting each mission keeps pastor rooted to his ministry Father Jon Hansen, C.Ss.R.
16
A long journey home Missionary mandate inspires priest to go to the margins of society Father Johmer Faderanga
22
My holy week up North Volunteer priest celebrates Easter Mass in Tuktoyaktuk Father Don Stein
26
Whale Cove, Nunavut Priestless mission manages to thrive on the Arctic coast Sister Dorica Sever, F.M.M., and Sister Fernande Rivard, S.A.S.V.
ents Summer 2016
32
A community poised to heal Prayer and sharing, faith and caring help community survive Archbishop Emeritus Sylvain Lavoie, O.M.I.
36
Missionary loved his ministry in Labrador
Remembered as a man of the people Anne Hanley
36 Father Aidan Devine (right) and Les Beothy
38
Students return for summer mission work Athabasca youth and summer students work, share stories Bishop Mark Hagemoen
Departments
2 Editor’s Notes 4 From the President’s Desk 42 Gift Planning 47 Letters
Catholic Missions in Canada Catholic Missions In Canada® is the magazine of Catholic Missions In Canada, founded in 1908 under papal mandate as The Catholic Church Extension Society of Canada, to support Canada’s missions.
President: Father Philip J. Kennedy National Director of Development: Kathleen Ancker, c.f.r.e. Director of Finance and Administration: Don Smith, c.a. Editor: Patria C. Rivera Officers of Catholic Missions In Canada are: Thomas Cardinal Collins of Toronto, Apostolic Chancellor; Bishop David Motiuk, Ukrainian Eparch of Edmonton, Alberta, Vice-Chancellor; James Milway of Hamilton, Ontario, Secretary; and Terence Freitas of Unionville, Ontario, Treasurer. Other members of the Board of Governors are: Bishop John Corriveau, o.f.m. cap., of Nelson, British Columbia; Archbishop Albert LeGatt of St. Boniface, Manitoba; Bishop Robert Anthony Daniels of Grand Falls, Newfoundland and Labrador; Bishop Stephen Jensen of Prince George, British Columbia; Sister Bernadette Feist, o.s.u., of Lebret, Saskatchewan; Sister Carmen Catellier, s.n.j.m., of Pukatawagan, Manitoba; Marie Di Poce of Kleinburg, Ontario; Leonard Racioppo of Toronto, Ontario; John Gennaro of Toronto, Ontario, and Carlo De Pellegrin, c.a., of Richmond Hill, Ontario. Published quarterly by Catholic Missions In Canada 201-1155 Yonge Street. Toronto, Ontario M4T 1W2 Tel: (416) 934-3424 1 (866) YES-CMIC 1 (866) 937-2642 (toll-free) Fax: (416) 934-3425 E-mail: magazine@cmic.info Website: www.cmic.info ISSN Number: 1702-2894 Publications Mail Agreement 40044706 Member of the Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada ©2016 Catholic Missions In Canada. All rights reserved. BN 11922 0531 RR0001 A yearly offering of $25 or more helps cover the costs of this magazine and our mission work. Cover: At Feast of the Transfiguration, Thomas Kaohina and Mary Avalak attend blessing of the restored Old Stone Church in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. It was also the birthday of Mary’s grandson and Thomas’s friend, Joanasie Avalak who died in 2015. Photo by Bishop Mark Hagemoen
Catholic missions in canada 3
PASSION AND RESURRECTION
A SEASON OF JOY
The Resurrection of Jesus is the crowning truth of our faith in Christ, a faith believed and lived as a central truth by the first Christian community. By FATHER PHILIP J. KENNEDY, PRESIDENT
We
Christians love the Christmas season, even if it means a lot of preparation and work in the time before, and the effort of gathering family and friends, with so many details and gifts
that carries on for six weeks and lets us think, stage by stage, of the ising from the dead of our loving Lord Jesus. The details of the events leading up to the betrayal and handing over and then the long passion and infamous crucifixion of the Lord are like no other series of incidents in the Bible. Easter compels us to draw to mind each year both the awful impact of the dreadful death on the cross, and the burial in a borrowed tomb of Jesus’ body. Everyone mourns our beloved Saviour. Yet the power of this ignominious cruelty is happily shadowed by the Easter morning occurrence. We are sympathetic with Mary Magdalene, who is the first to whom Jesus’ message
We can participate in the overwhelming joy of Easter by imagining ourselves in the upper room with the remaining Apostles and Mary herself, when Jesus appears. and visits, with lights and ornaments, and so much else. The joy of contemplating the Child Jesus and his mother Mary always touch our sensibilities. However, there is a more powerful exultant feeling about the celebration of Easter, a season 4 Summer 2016
‘ Christ is risen from the dead! Dying, He conquered death; To the dead, He has given life!’ – Excerpted from Prayer, Byzantine Liturgy
comes, through the angel, about the esurrection. Then Simon Peter and the others experience the isen Lord. There is joy, indeed, even if there should be perplexity and questions and many thoughts on the minds of all the followers, all the disciples of Jesus. We can participate in the overwhelming joy of Easter by imagining ourselves in the upper room with the remaining Apostles and Mary herself, when Jesus appears. He shows them Himself, though He did not need to unveil His wounds to them, since their belief and zeal in His mystical presence were then solidified in the awesome fact of the isen
Lord standing before them. The Catechism says that the esurrection of Jesus is the crowning truth of our faith in Christ, a faith believed and lived as a central truth by the first Christian community; handed on as fundamental by Tradition (Cat.638). The Byzantine Liturgy has a prayer: ‘ Christ is risen from the dead! Dying, He conquered death; To the dead, He has given life!’ Paramount among all the feasts and seasons of the Church year, Easter stands out for us as a time of exultation and praise and thoughtfulness. Catholic missions in canada 5
CHURCH IN TSIIGEHTCHIC
WHEN WE FIRST ARRIVED HERE The abundance of the caribou and the egg fish have been a great blessing for the people this year. Story and Photos By Ray and Therese Steiner
Helping check George’s net
J
ust wanted to backtrack a little to when we first arrived here…. The church in Tsiigehtchic has been a focal point of the community for over one hundred years, the first church built here in 1896. As you travel toward the village, the church stands out on a point, known locally as Church Hill. There are two churches here. The current “old church” was built in the early 1920s and needs repair. It is used occasionally for weddings, but is mostly used now after a death to keep the body until the funeral. The new church is smaller and is joined on to the rectory, our house. Unfortunately, the house and new church sit on a full basement—in the permafrost, which is causing some foundation movement issues. Days after we arrived, we were busy unpacking and trying to get organized and clean. The local people were busy hunting caribou. The people of the village were very thankful as the caribou were migrating through about a two or three-hour drive away. It is the Porcupine herd of caribou, and they had not migrated through the area for about four or five years. We’ve heard estimates of the herd from 100,000 to 200,000. Daily, we would see pick-ups leaving the village in the morning with a
Therese Steiner with Daniel, Theresa Rose and Kathleen, unpacking in the mission house, the Steiners’ new home.
snowmobile in the back, and returning in the evening or the next day with their caribou. While we were busy unpacking one evening, a local lady called and invited us over for soup so we could keep unpacking. She said her son had brought her caribou and she was making soup, and to come around 8 p.m. So we did. She was so thrilled to have caribou again. She was very tired that evening since her son and his group had brought nine caribou the night before and she had been up till two in the morning to get five of them skinned and Catholic missions in canada 7
cut up. This day her husband had been out hunting, but he had come home and didn’t seem to have any luck this time. As we went to leave, we thanked her for the soup and said maybe she
make dry meat. Dry meat is like beef jerky, but it isn’t cooked, just dried—those with wood stoves praise the stoves in their homes for making good dry meat. The fish is either fed straight as fish or made into a mash with grains, and tallow. The branches are to keep the ravens away. Many people have dogs here, but there are not too many dog teams left any more. At the time I took these pictures, things were winding down for fall. Most families had had the chance to get the caribou they needed. People knew that it wouldn’t be long until the Mackenzie iver froze and the ice would be thick enough to start fishing for egg fish. The abundance of the caribou and the egg fish have been a great blessing for the people this year. There is plenty of food from the land for those who have been able to get out, and those they share. Once the river ice was safe, the people started to set nets for the egg fish. The egg fish are the female whitefish that are filled with eggs. The eggs are eaten either cooked inside the fish, or raw. Some of the local fishermen say the best is just squeezed out on
There is plenty of food from the land for those who have been able to get out, and those they share. would catch up on her sleep as there was no caribou to do that night. We opened the door to leave and, to our surprise, there was a dead caribou on the doorstep. Her quiet husband had actually been successful in his hunt. She accepted our offer of help to cut it up. We dragged it over to the snowbank under the streetlight and skinned it, then cut it up on the hide. Nothing wasted—from the organ meat, to the hooves, to the head (a delicacy for the elders) all saved and used. We got home before midnight. On a typical day around the village, hides hang on porches, and the dogs happily chew on fresh bones. Many kitchens have thin strips of meat hanging to 8 Summer 2016
the ice, with a little salt on top. It seemed counter-intuitive to us to wait for the ice for the main harvest of fish, but of course the locals know what they are doing! With a couple of holes in the ice, and a jig to move the net along, the nets are set under the ice and are checked a couple of times a day. ay offered to help one of the elders with his nets. They would routinely get 80, 90, 110 fish each time they pulled their nets which are about 75 feet long. The fish are whitefish, though occasionally there are lingcod and inconnu in the nets. The fish freeze on the ice. They are taken home in the big toboggans pulled behind the skidoos and shared or stored for the winter.
There are different ways to cook them, but a common way is to bake them whole—not gutted—the eggs are cooked inside the fish. The eggs and fish meat are eaten together, though there is not a lot of meat on the egg fish—maybe 1/3 eggs, 2/3 meat. Another favourite recipe of many people here are fish patties. We enjoyed helping a local fisherman, George, with his net. He is very knowledgeable about the land. He is 80 years old and lives in a wall tent by the river. He has lots of stories and enjoys teasing us. He has about 1,000 fish for the winter. He needs the fish for his family, and his dog team of 10 dogs. He saves the female egg fish to eat, and the male fish are for his dogs. Meanwhile on the river, the
Down at the beach prior to freeze up, checking out the dog food
Catholic missions in canada 9
Father and son checking their nets
ferry continues to travel back and forth through a single channel in the ice to keep the highway from Fort McPherson to Inuvik connected. An excavator works steady, all day, every day, pulling ice from the river and has amassed quite a pile of ice. Tsiigehtchic has been cut off for a couple of weeks now, but the crew is out in all weather, building the ice roads. Building the ice roads is very much manual labour with shoveling, chiseling ice, running pumps— basically building a big skating rink. The men are out there working from morning into the night, and may soon work 24 hours a day. Yesterday, the 10 Summer 2016
temperature was -31C. They have pickups they can warm up in time to time. They all have to wear floater suits for safety, working on the ice. As well, the Arctic ed iver ice bridge opened, so now we can go buy milk! A week or so back, little Theresa really wanted some milk. She still is not used to the canned milk or powdered milk, and we had run out of frozen milk. I went to our little store. They too had long since run out of milk. I was pleasantly surprised when I found one lonely container of chocolate milk in the back of the cooler. When I went to pay, they said, “Oh, this is really out of date…you can just have it.” We tasted it and it was still palatable, and Theresa was thrilled. As we settle in, we are enjoying getting to know the people here and learning the rhythm of life in Tsiigehtchic. Ray and Therese Steiner and their children, Matthias, Kathleen, Mae Theresa ose and little Daniel, are a lay family serving at Holy Name of Mary in Tsiigehtchic, Northwest Territories, in the Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith. First published online on http://mfsdiocese. org/2015/12/update-from-ray-andtherese-steiner/
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BUILDING COMMUNITY IN INUVIK
Finding
Our Lady of Victory Church, Inuvik
balance in visiting missions Pastor observes: ‘An hour on Sunday morning, with me doing all the talking, doesn’t do a whole lot to build relationships.’ BY FATHER JON HANSEN, C.SS.R.
Catholic missions in canada 13
Photos by Our Lady of Lourdes, Paulatuk, Northwest Territories
I
continue to find my way around the inner workings of the Inuvik community. I have joined a few committees including the Mental Health and Addictions working group and the Emergency Warming Shelter Committee. There is a boys’ program supposed to be starting up this month and I have volunteered to be on that as well but have not heard back as to what day it begins. There are also lots of social events taking place in town. My parishioners have also been looking after me and I have had many dinner invitations. It is a great way to get to know the people because an hour on Sunday morning, with me doing all the talking, doesn’t do a whole
Tsiigehtchic on the Mackenzie River. On right, Holy Name of Mary church.
Caption TK
lot to build relationships. One of the areas that I continue to work on developing is a fair balance of visiting the various communities I am responsible for, along with travel for other events. So far I have been to each community at least once. My visit to Paulatuk was brief and unplanned as there was a sudden tragic death in the community, a couple’s newborn child. Tuktoyaktuk was a visit during the week so we didn’t get a chance to have Sunday Mass together yet, but it was a good chance to meet many people. 14 Summer 2016
Tsiigehtchic is just down the road about an hour and a half so I have been there twice now and we are looking forward to the arrival of the Steiner family in the coming week. The Steiners will be staying in the rectory of the Church over the next year teaching and helping the local faith community. (Please read Steiner family story on pages 7-11.) At the beginning of September I took a virtual trip to Toronto to join in our Provincial council meetings. By virtual I mean that I joined them by SKYPE, an audio and video
Our Lady of Lourdes, Paulatuk
Our Lady of Lourdes, Paulatuk Caption TK
Map photo courtesy of Father Jon Hansen
Map: Delta and Arctic Coastal Regions, Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith.
computer connection. It was not quite the same as being there but it was very effective and much cheaper then flying all the way to Toronto. At the end of the month I was in Yellowknife for nearly a week as we had our annual Diocesan Study Days. Twice a year all the pastoral leaders in the diocese gather, once for study days and once for a retreat. It was a very good opportunity to meet all of the other workers made up of priests, sisters, brothers and lay people who keep the many missions and parishes of the diocese up and running. We
heard from Sister Marie Zarowny, S.S.A., as she reflected on the call to ministry and what we need to continue to be sustained in our ministry. There is a lot of goodness up here but also a lot of pain and suffering. Keep us in mind and know that we will be praying for you as well. Redemptorist Father Jon Hansen is pastor of Our Lady of Victory parish in Inuvik, as well as three other missions in Tsiigehtchic, Tuktoyaktuk and Paulatuk, in the Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith, Northwest Territories. Catholic missions in canada 15
GAINING FOOTHOLD
BRING ONLY A WALKING STICK AND SANDALS
A LONG JOURNEY HOME Only five people attended the first Mass that Father Johmer Faderanga celebrated in one of his missions, but he is not losing heart. BY FATHER JOHMER FADERANGA
Photo by Father Nestor Silva, O.M.I.
T
ravelling is part of responding to the mission entrusted to me when I embraced the call to serve our First Nations brothers and sisters in Fort Ware, Lake Babine, Takla Landing and Tsay Keh, in the Diocese of Prince George in Northern British Columbia. It reminds me that, when we are sent out on a missionary journey, our Lord says to bring only a walking stick and sandals, 16 Summer 2016
or to bring only what is necessary for the mission. That is exactly what I experience every time I embark on my journey to these wonderful communities. A missionary mandate entails walking through the narrative of the appeal of Pope Francis. He inspires us to search, to go to the margins of society, to bring the joy of the Gospel and tell of the mercy and love of God for the First Nations people.
Photo by Google Maps
Fort Babine
Travel to these far-flung, remote communities is, at best, exciting and at the same time, challenging. The roads are primarily logging roads with only radio communication. It takes from eight to nine hours to get from Prince George to Fort Ware, roughly seven hours to go to Babine and about the same amount of time to get to Takla Landing. No matter how far or how
St. Theresa missions: Fort Ware, Lake Babine, Takla Landing and Tsay Keh in British Columbia
Catholic missions in canada 17
Fort Ware
Photos by Father Johmer Faderanga
People have warm and joyful hearts, and try their very best to respond. rugged the long and winding roads are, for me, embracing this missionary journey is not tiresome as long as it leads me home. I consider each community as my home because each is so welcoming. The people have warm and joyful hearts, and they try their very best to respond, to give their time, to be a community of faithful whenever the Sunday celebration of Mass is available to them. 18 Summer 2016
Fort Ware Fort Ware is primarily a young community with lots of children and young adults. There is an older generation there as well. The Catholic mission shares the church building with an evangelical community with a pastor who comes from Mackenzie. It is a unique and enlightening experience for me, living the spirit of ecumenism, of mutual respect for another denomination. Attendance at Sunday Mass is low with 10 people at best; 11 or 12 people exceed expectations. Most who participate are elders who come with their grandchildren. However, the lingering importance of the sacrament of baptism has a strong hold and being Catholic and having their children baptized is paramount. When I am in Fort Ware, I have time to visit the sick and the elderly and often give them the sacrament of anointing. I am also able to listen to their stories and share tea and laughter with them. Funerals in this community are not only for the bereaved family but are rather a community gathering for which I have developed a deep respect and admiration. Tsay Keh The church influence in this community is entirely
Evangelical Protestant. We share the church building with the Evangelical pastor and the growing evangelical influence is hard to ignore. There is no Catholic identity in the structure and design of the church; thus, when I celebrate Mass, I have to rearrange the sanctuary to make it suitable for our purposes. Given the circumstances, former pastors celebrated Mass in a house with the few remaining Catholic faithful. It is difficult to gather people; before Mass, it is necessary to go from house to
house to let people know. Only five people attended at the first Mass I celebrated there. This does not cause me to lose heart but rather awakens a sense of urgency to restore the foothold of Catholic identity that was once in Tsay Keh. This is a long-term plan for the people, a prayer and enduring hope. Takla Landing Takla is a vibrant community of young people with a number of elders as well. I feel a warm response from them. There is a Takla Landing
Catholic missions in canada 19
Father Johmer Faderanga
Going to the margins of society to proclaim God’s grace and mercy is the mission of our time.
Photo courtesy of Father Johmer Faderanga
slight but steady increase in attendance at Mass; about 12-15 elders, mothers, children and a few men participate. I try my best to be present whenever there are community gatherings such as feasts. Visiting the sick and elderly is an important part of my ministry here as well. Fort Babine These are exciting times for the community of faithful in Fort Babine. They have a big, new church building which is an imposing structure at the very heart of the community. It is a constant reminder of their Catholic heritage that is embraced by the people of Fort Babine. The celebration of Sunday Mass, as expected, includes 8 to 10 people at best. Most of them are elderly. A short-term plan A short-term plan for each 20 Summer 2016
community includes catechesis for children and Bible study for adults. I will encourage visitation with the Blessed Sacrament every First Friday. These are but a few avenues to enrich the faithful and respond to their spiritual needs. It is a privilege to serve these four unique communities and both a great honour and responsibility. Going to the margins of society to proclaim God’s grace and mercy is the mission of our time. To serve the least, the last, the lowly among us is a moment of grace and love. After serving St. Mary’s parish in New Hazelton, British Columbia, for five years, Father Johmer Faderanga began ministry at St. Therese’s missions in August 2015, serving Fort Ware, Lake Babine, Takla Landing and Tsay Keh in Northern British Columbia, in the Diocese of Prince George.
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OUR LADY OF GRACE MISSION IN TUKTOYAKTUK
MY HOLY WEEK UP NORTH Serving in the North a dream come true for volunteer priest BY FATHER DON STEIN
T
he past Holy Week marked my fifth Holy Week at Our Lady of Grace Mission in Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories. I missed last year because of a serious hip surgery, but was able to find a replacement in the person of Oblate Father Joe Gouthier of Foyer Lacombe in St. Albert, Alberta. He not only replaced me for Holy Week but remained there for one month. Because of the shortage of priests in the Northern dioceses, they are dependent on volunteer priests to assist them for Christmas and Holy Week. Otherwise, the pastoral leaders in those remote areas have to celebrate these important feasts with lay-led liturgies and Communion services. The Diocese of MackenzieFort Smith is no exception. The missions have always been very close to my heart since 22 Summer 2016
I was a little boy. My maternal grandmother used to read articles from mission magazines to me. Although I am a diocesan priest and spent forty-eight years of active ministry in the Archdiocese of Edmonton, I am now free in my retirement to volunteer for services in the North—a dream come true. I am honoured to travel the long distance from Edmonton to Tuktoyaktuk by plane via Yellowknife, Norman Wells, and Inuvik. I generally take an overnight stop-over on Tuesday of Holy Week in Inuvik to help Father Magnus Chilaka with Confessions. He is the resident priest in charge of the whole area. Then on Wednesday, I usually take a smaller plane ride to Tuk. This year, Sister Fay Trombley, S.C.I.C., the pastoral Leader in Tuktoyaktuk, came to pick me up in her jeep travelling on the
Photo courtesy of Sister Fay Trombley, S.C.I.C.
The newly renovated church at Our Lady of Grace mission in Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, in the Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith.
ice road of the Mackenzie iver. This is truly a unique experience as the tree line ends just north of Inuvik and the scenery is flat and barren until the pingos near Tuktoyaktuk. It is a good threehour drive. This year, I was pleasantly surprised with the completion of the renovated church which is the most remote Northern mission church in the Western Arctic. Sister Fay was able to organize the renovations with volunteers from
Whitehorse and financial help from Catholic Missions In Canada benefactor Len Gillis and the Knights of Columbus. On the weekend of March 15, the new Bishop of Mackenzie-Fort Smith made his pastoral visit to Tuktoyaktuk to consecrate the renovated church, and to baptize, Confirm and give First Communion to several of the parishioners of all ages. Bishop Mark Hagemoen was a big hit with all and expressed his Catholic missions in canada 23
joy in the pastoral dimension of his first visit. It is very costly to fly up North. I am blessed to have a benefactor for these trips. I donate my services to the mission. My first priestly duty was to officiate at a funeral mass for Bob Steen of Tuktoyaktuk, who died in the Palliative Care Unit
In the missions, it sometimes takes time to follow the rubrics. at Inuvik. It was held in the school gym to accommodate the large crowd. My last duty as priest was on Easter Monday just before my departure with the baptism of a 12-year-old girl in the church. Holy Thursday was special as we had substituted the washing of the feet with the washing of the hands as some had objected to the washing of the feet. However, this year we did the washing of the hands—then I offered anyone who wanted their feet washed to come forward, and, to our surprise, everyone came forward. In the missions, it sometimes takes time to follow the rubrics. 24 Summer 2016
The Good Friday service went well. I processed with the three invocations, “Behold the Wood of the Cross…,” before I invited them to come for the Veneration of the Cross. I recited the prayer, “Hang it on the Cross,” which made it more meaningful. On Good Friday evening, we had the Way of the Cross, and I made myself available for Confessions. Almost all who attended went to Confession—a true time of grace. That evening, Sister Fay and I were called to the Community Health Unit to anoint a parishioner who had had a stroke. The Easter Vigil was impressive with the lighting of the Easter Candle. In the sharing of the light, I lit the first candle to the first elder—also a pastoral leader, Jean Gruben. The second time, the light was shared by all the other elders. Then, at the third “Christ Our Light,” all shared the Light of Christ with one another thus ushering in the “Exultet.” All seven readings of our Salvation history were read. Easter Sunday was attended by a large group. Many were from the Anglican parish who had no priest and who came and joined us for Good Friday and Easter. So once again I was blessed
Photo courtesy of Sister Fay Trombley, S.C.I.C.
Bishop Mark Hagemoen of the Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith presides at the blessing of the newly renovated church at Our Lady of Grace mission.
with a wonderful pastoral experience of Holy Week, way up in Tuktoyaktuk. I am impressed with the wonderful work that Sister Fay Trombley and parishioners are doing in this remote community. They have a very active St. Vincent de Paul Society and are trying to extend it to the neighbouring mission in Paulatuk. Sister has a jeep available to help the young men learn how to drive a standard transmission, so they are able to drive when they leave Tuk for work elsewhere. She obtained a mini-school bus which is being used by the community school and also available to the elderly to go berry-picking in the summer. The pastor, Father Magnus
Chilaka in Inuvik, tries to keep in touch with the mission but can only make it to Tuk every sixth weekend. However, the parish is active and vibrant but still needs our attention and support. One is overwhelmed with the distances up North and moved by the tremendous work of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, especially the work of the Oblate Brothers and Grey Nuns and other religious communities who pioneered the Church in the North. Our prayers and support go with these communities as they continue to struggle and survive. Father Don Stein is a retired priest from the Archdiocese of Edmonton, Alberta. Catholic missions in canada 25
WHALE COVE, NUNAVUT
PRIESTLESS MISSION
MANAGES TO SURVIVE IN THE ARCTIC ‘We have to organize our lives without groceries and mail coming from the South.’
By Sister Dorica Sever, F.M.M., and Sister Fernande Rivard, S.A.S.V.
Tail of beluga whale: Signpost for Whale Cove, Nunavut.
In September 2015, Oblate Bishop Tony Krotki of the Diocese of Churchill-Hudson Bay, confirmed Sister Dorica Sever, of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, and Sister Fernande Rivard of the Sisters of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, in their ministry of forming pastoral leaders as well as in their service to the local Christian community at Holy Spirit mission in Whale Cove, Nunavut.
Photos courtesy of Sister Dorica Sever, F.M.M.
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oly Spirit mission in Whale Cove, Nunavut, was established on November 30, 1960. The first missionary was Oblate Father Rogatien Papion. He was a very devoted and respected man, a humble priest fluent in Inuktitut, always ready to teach children their own language and to respect their own culture. Fr. Papion passed away three years ago in France. He is still remembered today for his work and his teachings. Since 2008, the mission in Whale Cove has been without a priest in residence. Since December 2010, Sister Dorica Sever, of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, together with Inuit pastoral leader Mike Panika, carries the responsibility for this mission. Whale Cove has 400 people, 98 per cent of whom are Inuit and belong to either the Catholic or Anglican denominations. Praying together for Christmas and funeral services reinforces our common Christian values. The pretty little hamlet of Whale Cove is situated on a long
Parish leaders’ team: Sister Dorica Sever, F.M.M., with lay leaders Cecile and Mike Panika, and Sister Fernande Rivard, S.A.S.V.
point of the Canadian mainland, in Kivalliq region, on the western shore of Hudson Bay. The English name for this sheltered cove and its community comes from the great abundance of beluga whales that congregate there. The permanent settlement of Whale Cove was created during the Keewatin Famine in the winter of 1957-1958. Many Inuit living traditional life style on the land faced starvation as the caribou disappeared. The federal government relocated survivors of the famine to Whale Cove on the Catholic missions in canada 27
Mission house and church: Holy Spirit mission, Whale Cove, Nunavut, in the Diocese of Churchill-Hudson Bay.
shore of Hudson Bay, where it was believed that wildlife resources would allow these people to live off hunting, fishing and trapping. Like many Nunavut communities today, Whale Cove relies
polar-bear hunting. During the summer months, temperatures range from 5C to 20C. The wind coming from the North Pole keeps us fresh even in these months. The low humidity and the long stretches of cloudless days without precipitations are common. The sea ice breaks up near the end of June, when the sun shines 20 hours a day. Snow starts to build up around the end of September. With many windy days, huge snowdrifts are common. The shortest days of December have four hours of daylight.
The sea ice breaks up near the end of June, when the sun shines 20 hours a day. heavily on fishing and hunting for a living. Seal, walrus and beluga meat are the main fare provided by the men, as well as lake trout and Arctic char, augmented by seasonal caribou and 28 Summer 2016
Women’s group: Seated, from left to right Cecile Panika, Maureena Itigaitok, Marie Okalik, Rachel Teenar, Eva Angoo, Cecile Panika. Standing, left to right, Shirley Kabloona, Sister Fernande Rivard, S.A.S.V., Terry-Rose Teenar, Sister Dorica Sever, F.M.M., and Lu-Anne Itigaitok.
An almost nine-month-long winter with many days of blizzard and blowing snow is slowing down our life. There is time to rest, to pray, and to read. Temperatures of minus 58 below allow kids to stay home; there is no school, or plane coming in. We have to organize our lives without groceries and mail coming from the South. Most months, the shelves in our only Co-op store remain empty for some days. Thus, we have to look after each other more and share the basics we need to feed the families. People are very welcoming. Children speak English and Inuktitut. They love to come to the mission house each day after
school and spend time in a safe environment where they can grow spiritually. We provide them also healthy snacks and are always open for the needs of families in distress. We would like to thank Catholic Missions In Canada, especially Father Philip Kennedy and his staff, for being a channel of goodness and kindness. Through them, the precious help of benefactors reaches our mission and improves people’s lives. Sister Dorica Sever, F.M.M., and Sister Fernande Rivard, S.A.S.V., coordinate pastoral ministry at Holy Spirit mission in Whale Cove, Nunavut, in the Diocese of ChurchillHudson Bay. Catholic missions in canada 29
WHALE COVE MISSION IN NUNAVUT
PASTORAL CARE FOR WOMEN AND TEEN GIRLS
Through prayers and sharing together, mothers lighten their burdens By Sister Fernande Rivard, S.A.S.V.
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very Tuesday night, mothers are invited to pray together for their children and grandchildren, especially for those who have problems or are going through hard times. Very often, the only thing a mother can do is to pray for their children and surrender them to Jesus. The mothers follow the rule of confidentiality. Anything that is said at the meeting must never be repeated. As mothers learn to trust each other, through their prayers and sharing together, their burdens become lighter. We are happy to accompany them and are attentive to empower some of them to be in service of the group. Mothers Prayers was launched in England in 1995. At that time, two grandmothers, Veronica and her sister-in-law Sandra, both from England, felt led by the Lord 30 Summer 2016
to pray in a special way for their children. Through prayer, they learned that Jesus wishes all mothers to surrender their children into His care, to take away pain from the mothers and to pour blessings on their children. The Mothers Prayers movement has now spread throughout the world and is present in over 100 countries. There have been many wonderful answers to prayers. We wish this movement will spread to many other communities in Nunavut. In Nunavut, we are facing the fact of teen pregnancy. We would like our young teenagers to realize that “real love waits� for the right partner. From February 15 to February 20, 2016, we gave in the evenings a one-week workshop for teen girls. The purpose was to
Photo courtesy of Sister Fernande Rivard, S.A.S.V.
Teens during the workshop: Lorna Itigaitok, Leona Teenar, Sister Fernande Rivard, S.A.S.V., Louanne Itigaitok, Shufly Nattar, Jeannette Angoo, and Amber Sharp.
help them to learn more about womanhood. Using DVDs, songs and art works, we studied and deepened the following topics: • Importance of knowing myself: “I am a masterpiece”—Knowing my body, the women’s cycle; life in the womb • How to protect my body through wise choices • How to develop healthy relationships that do not hurt me • What to consider before dating, before entering a relationship with a boyfriend • How to choose a marriage partner: The qualities I am
looking for in a future husband • What is true love: Love does not equal sex or desire, but is based on commitment; it does not enter a relationship just to receive and to make demands • Why wait for real love The girls who participated were motivated and they appreciated the teachings prepared for them. The presence of two mothers also had a positive impact on the girls who were touched by their life-story sharing. Sister Fernande ivard, S.A.S.V., helps coordinate pastoral ministry in Whale Cove, Nunavut, in the Diocese of Churchill-Hudson Bay. Catholic missions in canada 31
Mission at St. Theresa Point
A community poised to heal ‘ These remained faithful to the teachings of the apostles, to the fellowship, to the breaking of the bread, and to the prayers.’—Acts 2:42 By ARCHBISHOP EMERITUS SYLVAIN LAVOIE, O.M.I.
Photos courtesy of NOVALIS
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very now and then, circum- nights were well attended. The stances reveal the uniqueness sessions consisted of music, of a community. St. Theresa singing, storytelling, prayer, ScripPoint is one such ture, teachings, community. and much sharing Shortly after in small and plelanding in this nary groups. The Northern Manicommunity’s toba Ojibwaydesire to continue Cree commuprevious community, our nity building Keewatin efforts sparked by enewal Team the Manitoba was invited to Oblate Mobile appear on the Team was local closed cirevident. cuit television During one of station. We were Stories of forgiveness and healing. the Parish asked to give an enewal sessions, impromptu introduction of Leanna (not her real name) ourselves—who we were and approached Angie Mihalicz, the what we would be doing in the female member of our team, to community. share how she had been sexually The Parish enewal sessions abused as a child. She felt the that took place over the next five need to share this with the
32 Summer 2016
community, yet up to that point surrounded by three lines of had not dared to share it with people, all waiting to give her her own husband, fearing he prolonged, tearful and compasmight react or not listen. sionate hugs. I could literally feel Angie wisely responded that the healing power of those hugs, the decision would be up to and almost see new life being her, but that we as a team poured back into her. would support Two weeks her totally should later, we returned she choose to do to that commuso. That she did, nity for a when the floor Christopher Leadwas opened up to ership course the participants. which we had With Angie by promised to give her side, hand on while there. On her shoulder, our minds was Leanna couraLeanna. “How geously disclosed was she doing?” the secret of her we wondered. Archbishop Emeritus Sylvain abuse that she had Lavoie, O.M.I., Archdiocese of On arrival, we carried for so long. Keewatin-Le Pas, Manitoba. found that she had When I heard tried to sign up her pour out her story, I was for the course, but had been both glad, and afraid. I knew turned down by the registration the risk she was taking, and person who had not attended wondered how she would feel the sessions, had not seen her after. As soon as the session was growth, and based on his prefinished, I made my way over vious knowledge of her, judged to where she was sitting to that she was too shy to take the check on her. course! Needless to say, we were To my surprise, I could not disappointed, and so was she. get close to her. She was That setback did not stop her,
‘ I could literally feel the healing power of those hugs and almost see new life’ Catholic missions in canada 33
however. During the course, she had never been interrupted. We made the team an exquisite table- sailed through sessions nine and cloth to express her appreciation ten, took a short preparation for her new found freedom, visbreak, and held the graduation ited us, and extended hospitality. banquet. And there was Leanna, And on Saturday, something hap- helping out at the banquet. Then pened which made us wish even around ten o’clock, as the banmore that she quet was drawing would have taken to a close, the the course. group told us that Two other they always had a ladies opened up, prayer meeting perhaps because Sunday night, so of her previous we cleared the example, and floor, gathered in disclosed that they a circle, and prohad been sexually ceeded to sing and molested by a pray for an hour. rather prominent What a unique member of the and special close community who to our stay in St. was now Theresa Point! deceased. The Through prayer More stories in Archbishop emotions and and sharing, faith Lavoie’s latest book. tears that followed and caring, this led us to take two unscheduled community showed itself ready breaks to deal with the pain of to continue its movement these disclosures. By midnight towards communal healing, with we were only halfway through only a gentle nudge from the lesson nine and decided to inter- outside. They also taught us the rupt the session, something we importance of creating an envihad never done before. “Would ronment where it is safe to share. we be able to pick it up again Truly this was a community the next day with the same poised to heal. spirit,” we asked ourselves? Reprinted with permission from Our fears were unfounded. Drumming from Within, by The class members returned the Archbishop Emeritus Sylvain next day (by foot, car, truck or Lavoie, O.M.I., Novalis, 2009. skidoo) and carried on as if we 34 Summer 2016
Establish an Endowment to create a legacy of faith for future generations
It is wonderfully fulfilling to do something good that lasts— something that makes a difference. Our Endowment Fund is growing and we couldn’t be more pleased. It means we can continue to support these four mission needs:
• The religious education of children and youth • The building and repair of places of worship • The basic needs of our missionaries
Oblate missionary Father Susai Jesu, left, comforts grieving man in St. Gertrude mission in Pelican Narrows, Saskatchewan, in the Archdiocese of Keewatin-Le Pas. Your endowment will keep our missionaries’ presence in poor and isolated communities.
Photo by Rob Waymen
• The education and formation of seminarians and lay leaders
To establish an endowment, a minimum gift of $5,000 is required; this can be funded through smaller installments over a period of five years, as many of our donors have done. Your endowment gift will remain intact forever—the interest earned on your gift will provide a perpetual stream of financial support to our missions each and every year—a great way to keep giving, generation after generation.
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FATHER AIDAN DEVINE SERVED MANY PARISHES IN NEWFOUNDLAND
MISSIONARY LOVED HIS
MINISTRY IN LABRADOR
‘An enthusiastic and committed pastor to his parishioners’—Bishop Peter Hundt By Anne Hanley
F
ather Aidan Devine died suddenly in Happy Valley-Goose Bay on January 21, 2016, following complications from a blood clot. He was 72. Father Devine was ordained to the priesthood in 1969. He went on to serve in parishes throughout Newfoundland
Happy Valley–Goose Bay, where he had served since 2012 after being named the first diocesan priest to serve as pastor of a Labrador parish. As part of his ministry in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Fr. Devine was also visiting priest to the community of Black Tickle. In addition to his Bachelor Degree in Theology, Fr. Devine was conferred a Master in Canon Law jointly by the University of Ottawa and Saint Paul University in 1992. In an email to Catholic Missions In Canada, Bishop Peter Hundt of the Diocese of Corner Brook and Labrador wrote, “Father Devine was an enthusiastic and committed pastor to his parishioners. He loved his ministry in Labrador; I think it was the fulfillment of a dream for him. He was always his own
Fr. Devine was the first diocesan priest to serve as pastor of a Labrador parish including St. Stephen’s in Stephenville, Holy Family in Port au Choix, St. Joseph’s in Harbour Breton, Our Lady of Fatima in Piccadilly and Maria egina in Port au Port. At the time of his death, Fr. Devine was chancellor of the Diocese of Corner Brook and Labrador, and pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace parish in 36 Summer 2016
Photo by Father Paul Mathew Vellimoozhayil
At Goose Bay Airport in December 2015: from left, Father Aidan Devine, Les Beothy (parishioner of Our Lady Queen of Peace parish in Happy Valley and Pilot at 5 Wing Goose Bay Base), Nate Mills and his father, Padre Al Mills (Chaplain at 5 Wing Goose Bay Base).
unique self and very much a part of whatever he was involved in. He was loved for who he was and will be greatly missed by all those he served and by all those who served with him.” “A man of the people,” is how Father Paul Vellimoozhayil remembers Fr. Devine. Fr. Vellimoozhayil is visiting priest to the community of Sheshatshiu and lived with Fr. Devine in the rectory at Our Lady Queen of Peace church. Fr. Devine was “always laughing, open and approachable” says Fr. Vellimoozhayil, “and always liked his strong cup of tea!” Fr. Devine was not only one of our missionaries, he was a financial supporter of his fellow
missionaries across Canada. In a letter accompanying his early January 2016 gift to Catholic Missions In Canada, he wrote with his well-known kindness, “I wish you all of God’s blessings for this coming year.” Masses for Christian Burial were offered for Fr. Devine on January 25, 2016, at Our Lady Queen of Peace church in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, and January 27, at the Cathedral of the Most Holy edeemer and Immaculate Conception in Corner Brook. Bishop Peter Hundt was the main celebrant for both Masses. Anne Hanley is publications and communications officer at Catholic Missions In Canada. Catholic missions in canada 37
MACKENZIE-FORT SMITH DIOCESE
STUDENTS RETURN FOR SUMMER
MISSION WORK Service-learning program focused on Aboriginal culture and issues By BISHOP MARK HAGEMOEN
Photos courtesy of Bishop Mark Hagemoen
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leven students and teachers from Corpus Christi College (CCC) returned to the diocese last summer as part of a service-learning program, which featured a focus on Aboriginal culture and issues in Northern Canada. The team was led by Jesuit Father John O’Brien, Aiden Wickey, and Christina Dumont. Upon their arrival, the group enjoyed an orientation and summary of the major features and issues for the Catholic Church in the North given by Bishop Mark Hagemoen, Patrick Scott, and Emeritus Bishop Denis Croteau, O.M.I. The two-week visit featured visiting two communities in the Decho region of the Diocese: Fort Liard and Wrigley, Northwest Territories. Students 38 Summer 2016
Bishop Hagemoen and Archbishop Murray Chatlain of Keewatin-Le Pas (in red jacket), with King’s University College students.
also visited the youth outreach centre in the Northwest Territories, named “The Side Door,” located in downtown Yellowknife, and the communities of Dettah, Behchoko, Fort Providence, and Fort Simpson. KINGS UNIVERSITY COLLEGE STUDENTS JOIN PINE CHANNEL SPIRITUAL GATHERING For the fifth consecutive summer, a group of undergraduate students
Corpus Christi College students repaint façade of Our Lady Heart of Mary church in Wrigley, Northwest Territories, with Bishop Mark Hagemoen (in blue shirt, mixing paint).
from King’s University College came to the 25th annual Pine Channel Spiritual Gathering in Northern Saskatchewan. Located on the north side of Lake Athabasca, the site is an impressive sign of the faith of the communities of the Athabasca Dene peoples. The pilgrimage site of the communities of Fond Du Lac, Black Lake, and Stony Rapids in the Athabasca region of
Northern Saskatchewan is on the traditional lands of the Chipewyan Dene people. The site is out of this world and yet very much in this world. Straddling half-way between the Fond du Lac and Black Lake communities on a long-extending island on the north side of Lake Athabasca, it is located in some of the most beautiful and pristine settings in this region. Catholic missions in canada 39
CCC students with Jesuit regent Father John O’Brien (back), and Peter Dai Nguyen, candidate for seminary (extreme left), in Fort Providence, Northwest Territories.
The site features a dock, a long red wooden pathway leading to a freshly-painted large open-air permanent structure that is the main body of a
Archbishop Chatlain is well known to the Athabasca peoples—he served as their local pastor for about five years, and was the Bishop of MackenzieFort Smith from 2007 to 2013. Archbishop Chatlain’s visit was also the occasion to propose the transfer of the Athabasca region from the Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith to the Archdiocese of Keewatin-Le Pas. This proposal has become a major consideration because of the greater connection of the Athabasca peoples with the Dene communities in Keewatin-Le Pas, and the greater and more costly
At regular gatherings, Athabasca youth and King’s students shared stories, life-experiences. church/worship space. At the front end is a raised sanctuary where the altar and Blessed Sacrament is positioned. Archbishop Murray Chatlain, from the Archdiocese of Keewatin-Le Pas, also attended. 40 Summer 2016
distance between the Athabasca region and Yellowknife. The visiting students were from the Catholic teachers program and social work program at King’s College. Guided by their chaplain, Father Michael Bechard, the students participated in a range of activities for children and youth throughout the week-long pilgrimage. The students also joined alongside other pilgrims for Rosary, Holy Eucharist, and the various liturgies throughout the week which featured the annual blessing ritual in support of
married couples, and a blessing and commitment ritual for persons struggling with addictions recovery. A vivid memory of the King’s students was the regular gathering of Athabasca youth and young adults around the King’s students—to “hang out” with them and to share stories and life-experiences. The students were inspiring examples of servant and caring leadership. Bishop Mark Hagemoen is shepherd of the Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith in the Northwest Territories.
Co-Founded Kateri’s Companions In Ministry Missionary Waltera Van Gennip: 1942–2016 BY CATHOLIC MISSIONS IN CANADA
Photo by Anne Hanley
It
is with sadness that we announce the death of one of our missionaries, Waltera Van Gennip, on April 13, 2016, after a valiant struggle with cancer. Waltera ministered for 41 years among Indigenous peoples—first among the Anishnabe of Pic Mobert First Nation in Ontario and then among the Cree people of Prince Albert and Sturgeon Lake, Saskatchewan. Together with Sister Pat Grisé (1938-2010), Waltera launched
Kateri House and founded the lay mission association, Kateri’s Companions in Ministry in Prince Albert. In recent years, Waltera ministered in Prince Albert diocese with her friend and co-missionary, Roy Wilmhoff. An article on Waltera and her ministry will be published in our Fall 2016 issue. Catholic missions in canada 41
PREPARING YOUR WILL
WHEN PICKING UP THE PHONE SEEMS THE HARDEST PART Is it time to revisit your Will? Find out why. BY KATHLEEN ANCKER, National Director of Development
At work on her will: Kathleen Ancker, national director of development, Catholic Missions In Canada.
I Photo by John Ancker
started out in the gift planning field in 1995, assisting people with their estates and annuities with Catholic Missions In Canada. I knew what I should do. And I have to admit, I have happily told others what they should do, too! Revisit your Will every five years, and, if necessary, rewrite it with the help of a qualified estate lawyer.
42 Summer 2016
Did I follow my own rules? No—in fact, my husband and I last rewrote our Wills in 2002, or fourteen years ago. At that time, we each decided to make a gift of $10,000 to Catholic Missions In Canada, to establish a family endowment of $20,000, to fund our Canadian missionaries and communities in need across
Photo courtesy of the Diocese of Hamilton
Canada forever. Not surprising, as Catholic Missions In Canada was a cause that I had passionately believed in and supported since my early 20s—well over thirty years now. The rest of our estate was to be divided between our four children (all on the cusp of being adults in 2002) and family. At the same time that we revisited our Will in 2002, we also rewrote our Powers of Attorney. A lot can change in 14 years. To put it bluntly, we were horrified with what we found—not in the Will (although there were changes to be made)—but in the Powers of Attorney. We have known for years that a family member had become mentally incapacitated. What we had forgotten was that we had named this person as our Power of Attorney for both Financial and Personal Care. Without any further hesitation, I picked up the phone and booked an appointment with our lawyer. Our children are now mature, and starting families of their own. We chose to name our two daughters, whose Catholic values most closely reflect our own, to be in charge of both our financial and “end-oflife” care.
So, when was the last time you revised your Will and Power of Attorney? Don’t put it off any longer. Pick up the phone. Get an appointment with an estate lawyer to either write, or rewrite, your Will and Powers of Attorney. Yes, life is busy. Yes, lawyers can be expensive. But not as expensive—and downright painful— as not having your Will and Power of Attorney express your values and beliefs at a time when you can no longer speak for yourself! Do it today. You will be so glad you did! The Last Will and Testament of Monsignor Roger William Formosi Catholic MisMonsignor Roger sions In William Formosi, CMIC president: Canada was 1997-2002. blessed to have Father Roger as our president for six years, from 1997 to 2002. And his final blessing to us, after his death last year was through a gift in his estate. While there are many ways to give a gift to Catholic Missions In Canada, perhaps the least painful way is to give a gift through your Will. Usually people choose to give Catholic missions in canada 43
in one of three ways through their Will: • a specific amount of money ($10,000) or piece of property (a cottage) • a certain percentage of their estate (10 per cent) • the residual amount (the
amount left over after specific gifts are made) It should come as no surprise that Catholic Missions In Canada was one of the beneficiaries of Father Roger’s Will. We are blessed by his memory and by his final gift.
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44 Summer 2016
PRAYER AND SHARING
THE PIPE CEREMONY A time for ‘our Creator to have pity on us in our created condition.’ BY Sister Bernadette Feist, 0.S.U.
It
was the wake for the late Alvin Bellegarde, and somewhat a different evening because the deceased had made known he did not want his body present at the evening wake. People gathered from many First Nations communities. There were stories to be shared, food to eat, prayers to be said. At one point, native elder Harry Francis called the men together in a circle to participate in a Pipe Ceremony. Oblate Father Wojciech Wojtkowiak, former pastor who was present, joined the circle and sometime into the ritual, Harry explained the purpose of the circle as we all pray to our Creator. Included in the prayer and sharing of the pipe is a time for our Creator to have pity on us in our created condition: there is a time we ask for healing and forgiveness; there is a time we pray
for good things to happen to us, so our whole self can be made strong; and there is a time to praise our God as Creator and Life-Giver. With words of respect for all cultures and religions, Harry turned to Fr. Wojciech, offered the pipe, and asked him to lead everyone in praying the “Our Father.” People who were not a part of the Pipe Ceremony, but were present, listening to the prayers, joined together in saying the “Our Father.”
‘ There is a time we ask for healing and forgiveness’
Sister Bernadette Feist, 0.S.U., pastoral administrator at Valley Native Ministry in the Archdiocese of Regina, Saskatchewan, writes that she has one wish this year: “One more person to work among, and share the gifts of, First Nations culture by listening and praying with our native peoples.” Catholic missions in canada 45
Cath o l ic M iss io n s I n C a na da’ s
Our gift to you Prayers and Masses offered for our donors living and deceased
As our staff gathers for Morning Prayer from Monday to Friday each week, our living and deceased donors are remembered. St. Philip Neri Mass on or near May 26th each year, our living and deceased Legacy Circle members are remembered. November 1st – All Souls Day – all our deceased donors are remembered at Mass at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre, Toronto. Each November (3rd week), our deceased Legacy Circle donors who have died during the past year are remembered in a special Mass offered by the President of Catholic Missions In Canada, at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre, Toronto. Missionary Bishops, priests, sisters, and lay leaders remember all our donors living and deceased in their daily prayers and Masses.
LETTERS: YOUR DONATIONS AT WORK
THANKS FOR SUPPORTING PROJECTS
T
he Atikamekw who aspire to independence and looking to preserve their language have received with joy The New Testament in Atikamekw Language. They are also grateful to all those who have contributed to this edition and also towards organizations which helped so their linguistic heritage may come to light through this volume. We would also like to thank Catholic Missions In Canada for supporting the project to translate the New Testament in Manawan and Wemotaci dialects. Father Denis Grenier, O.M.I. Committee CECOC Krist Omirotipatcimowin Richelieu, Quebec Today I received a cheque for grant payments for our projects and missionary needs in my diocese. I am most grateful to Catholic Missions In Canada for this needed help and assistance. Many are remote areas where unemployment is hindering the growth of the community. The communities are poor and struggling, and this help from Catholic Missions In Canada 47 Spring 2016
gives them hope that their parish and its works will continue even in these difficult times. We struggle also with distances in the North, and getting to remote areas either by car or plane is always a challenge. Catholic Missions In Canada makes it possible for us to serve even the remotest areas of Catholic communities. The missionary spirit is strong in our diocese, and Catholic Missions In Canada helps to sustain that spirit—many, many thanks. I ask God to continue to bless Catholic Missions In Canada with many more generous donors to assist the Catholic Church in the missionary areas of our land. Bishop Fred J. Colli Diocese of Thunder Bay Northern Ontario CORRECTION: In the magazine’s Spring issue, Sisters Bonita Komarnicki and Marijka Konderewich were inadvertently identified as members of the Sisters of Social Service. The two Sisters, in fact, belong to the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate. We deeply regret the error.
Catholic missions in canada 47
‘Search me, God, and know my heart.’ Psalm 139
A makeshift altar at St. Therese of Avila mission in Tulita, home to 2016 St. Joseph Award recipient and missionary Felician Sister Celeste Goulet, in the Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith, Northwest Teritories. Photo by Michael Swan. Look for Sister Celeste’s story in our Fall 2016 issue!
P.S. This summer, please feel free to send our magazine to your friends and family. They will thank you for it — and so will we! To send a free one-year subscription to a friend or family member, e-mail us at information@cmic.info, or call 416-934-3424, or toll-free, at 1-866-YES-CMIC (937-2642), or fill in the coupon below. Your gift of $25 will help defray for the costs of this magazine and our mission work. From (Your Name): To (Name of person you want it sent to):
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