AWCB (Assembly of Western Catholic Bishops) March 2-5, 2010 Lumsden, Sk.

This year, the AWCB met in at the St. Michael’s Retreat Centre in Lumsden instead of Edmonton as it is the 100^th anniversary of the Archdiocese of Regina. The gathering began with a meeting with some of the staff of both St. Joseph’s Seminary and Newman Theological College, followed by two and a half more days of meetings to share common concerns and discuss future plans for the Church in northern and western Canada. Pictured here are some of the bishops attending.

Fr. John Hibbard was our guest presenter this year. He shared a power point presentation with us on liturgical books, the translation of the missal and the GIRM (General Instructions on the Roman Missal) that will be forth coming and will certainly have an impact on the life and worship of the Church in the English speaking world.

Archbishop Daniel Bohan of Regina (left) was re-elected for a second term as president. Abbot Peter Novakowsky remains in his role as secretary to the AWCB.

Metropolitan Archbishop Lawrence Huculak stays on as vice-president of the AWCB. After the elections, the bishops had their business meeting and heard reports from the provinces and liason bishops.

Bede Hubbard, Associate General Secretary to the CCCB gave a report to the assembly.

Thursday, March 4^th was the exact date of the 100^th anniversary of the Archdiocese of Regina. All of the bishops were bussed in for an anniversary Eucharist at one of the first parishes in Regina where it seems the body of Louis Riel had been kept hidden for three weeks. Archbishop Daniel Bohan of Regina is seen here surrounded by his brother bishops.

A highlight of the week was a visit to the Marian Centre in Regina. This Madonna House Apostolate, started by Baronness Catherine Dougherty out of Combermere, Ontario, is a community of mostly lay men and women who take annual promises and serve the poor and destitute in cities across Canada. Some of the staff attended the anniversary mass and posed for this picture. A dream that I have is that some day they may open a centre in our archdiocese.