Beauval Sacraments of Initiation April 25th 2010

A preparatory retreat for the candidates, sponsors and parents and others who care to attend was facilitated by Archbishop Sylvain Lavoie OMI. This allows him to get to know the candidates and do a little bit of youth ministry, which was a predominant part of his ministry as a priest.


A candlelight ceremony was part of the preparatory retreat.


The newly initiated candidates are pictured here with Archbishop Sylvain Lavoie OMI and their catechists.


Leda and Alvena share a moment of friendship and pose for a picture at the reception after the celebration.


The gathering space in the church proves very useful for food and fellowship after celebrations such as this celebration of initiation.

Nelson House MB Confirmation April 19th, 2010

The first confirmation in many years in Nelson House was preceded by a retreat for the candidates facilitated by Archbishop Sylvain Lavoie OMI. The retreat covered topics such as being fully human, self esteem, forgiveness, Who is Jesus Christ and the Names of the Holy Spirit, as well as a run-through of the ritual of confirmation itself. Great hospitality was provided by the Dominican Sisters Susan and Ellen who shared their residence with the group and fed the bishop for two days.


This warm up exercise during the preparatory retreat involved everyone and provided a short break between input sessions.


Lay Formators Sr. Susan Gardner OP and Ellen Kennedy OP as well as lay presider Karen Spence participate in a warm-up exercise during the preparatory retreat. Sue and Ellen are Dominican sisters from the States who have generously offered their knowledge, skills and presence to empower the local lay people of Nelson House and area.


Lay presider and community leader Madeleine Spence joins others in warm up activities during the preparatory retreat.


The group of newly initiated members of the Catholic faith community in Nelson House are pictured here with Archbishop Sylvain OMI.


A reception for the candidates, family, friends and parishioners took place in the meeting room of the sisters' house after the ceremony. Pictured here is about half of the group that enjoyed food and fellowship.


Part of the reception was participating in the game called Mrs. Mumbly which had everyone laughing till their sides hurt. The point of this exercise is to remind everyone that living our faith is meant to be a joyful experience even in the midst of our challenges and difficulties.

Thompson Confirmation April 18, 2010

Pictured here is the newly initiated young peoplle with their pastor Fr. Eugene Whyte, Fr. Terry Kraychuk, Archbishop Sylvain and the two young catechists Tamara and Patricia.


Thompson parish is blessed with dedicated young catechists Tamara Landego on the left and Patricia Sroga on the right who have helped out with sacramental preparation for some years now. What exemplary young people they are and a role model for others.


Fr. Terry Kraychuk, uncle of one of the candidates, was able to attend this special event in her life and is pictured here with Sr. Andra Dumont csj., pastoral assistant.


After the ceremony a reception was held in the hall in the front of the church for the candidates, family, friends, relatives and parishioners.

Caritas Award Banquet April 15th 2010

Every year the Caritas Foundation, a Catholic charitable organization based in Winnipeg founded by the Knights of Columbus, recognizes an outstanding person who has contributed to the life of the Church in Manitoba and Canada. This year the award was presented to Archbishop James Weisgerber, past president of the Conference of Canadian Catholic Bishops. Among many other accomplishments, his work in caring for the environment, social justice and improving relationships with the First Nations peoples of the country was noted. A highlight of that effort was his role in organizing the historic meeting of past national chief Phil Fontaine with Pope Benedict XVI in June of 2009.


Archbishop James Weisgerber is pictured here with his award and Tom Lussier, president of the Caritas Foundation.


Caritas Award winner Archbishop James Weisgerber is pictured here with some of his brother bishops, clergy and dignitaries. To the far left is Bishop Reynald Rouleau OMI of Churchill. To the far right is Archbishop Albert LeGatt of St. Boniface. To his right is Bishop Douglas Crosby OMI of Corner Brook and Labrador who was the keynote speaker. Metropolitan Archbishop Lawrence Huculak of Winnipeg had not arrived yet when the picture was taken.

Visit to the Trappist Monastery in Holland, MB

On April 15th, while waiting for the Caritas banquet to start, I made the hour and a half journey to Holland, Manitoba, where the Trappist Monastery is located. There a community of 11 Trappist monks live out their lives dedicated to prayer and work (ora et labore). Though the farming activity has been scaled back, they still make and sell their well known cheese.


I was able to join the monks for Nones, their prayer at 1:30 after lunch. Not comfortable in taking a picture while we were praying, I took this picture of their beautiful chapel on my way out.


The main purpose of my visit of course was to visit these two esteemed holy men of God, Bishop Emeritus Noel Delaquis, bishop of the former diocese of Gravelbourg, and Fr. Norman Schurter, a diocesan priest who served in our archdiocese. Both have taken on a new life as Trappist monks. Norman is fully professed, while Bishop Noel still has a year and a half to make a final decision. We had a brief but very warm visit that was long overdue.

Southdown Conference 2010

Every two years, Southdown Institute in Aurora, Ontario, a treatment centre for priests and religious of all faiths, offers a conference for major religious superiors and bishops on human growth and development as well as addictions awareness. Pictured here are the participants who come from all over North America as well as from abroad. The conference this year was held in Toronto from April 11-13th.


Dr. Miriam Eukaritis, director of Southdown, gave an opening address and was one of the presenters.


Fr. Edward Arsenault, director of St. Luke's Institute in the USA and Lynn Ledo, one of the presenters, share a conversation.

Easter 2010 at Lac Brochet, April 1-4

Every Easter I try to go to a different community for at least part of Holy Week. This year it worked out that I was able to fly into Lac Brochet. Though the plane was delayed due to poor weather, I was able to arrive just in time for the Holy Thursday celebration of the Lord's Supper and washing of the feet, plus adoration until around eleven pm. Over the next two days until I left on Sunday, I hardly had time to leave the house, as people kept coming to visit or to celebrate reconciliation. Certainly one cannot help but feel fulfilled as a priest or as a bishop after an intense time of prayer, visiting and just being present in such a faith-filled community. Pictured here is the entrance to the Church that some men decorated with flags.


Pictured here are the pilgrims who did the Holy Week walk from about 50 kilometers away, timed to arrive just in time for the Good Friday service. This walk over three days has become a tradition for the community of Lac Brochet.


One of the elders who visited after an Easter service, whose name I am tracking down. These elders are very special keepers of the faith tradition and very concerned with the youth of their community.


Another elder who visited after the Easter services, whose name is being sought out.

Installation of Eric Apetakon as new Chief of Norway House

On March 30, 2010, Eric Apetakon was installed as the new chief of the Norway House First Nation. Eric has completed three years of the Nathaniel Lay Formation program in St. Boniface, MB and was contemplating full time ministry with the Church when he was approached by community members to run for the office of chief. The well attended ceremony was a blend of First Nations and Christian spirituality, making it rather unique.


The invitation to attend this event coincided with a trip to Thompson that Fr. Bill and I were making that day, so we traveled the extra distance out of the way to Norway House for this happy event and are pictured here with the new chief.

The new chief and council pose for a picture. Each member of the council spoke a few words, expressing their hopes and dreams for the new administration and the community.


The newly installed chief addresses the community and assembled guests and dignitaries. We wish him well and pray God's blessing on him and his new council.

Healing Soul Pain Training Workshop The Pas March 21-26

Dr. Jane Simmington, founder of Taking Flight International, gave a training session for 12 participants in The Pas. She gives workshops and trains facilitators on Trauma Recovery and Grief Support. Here she is pictured with Fr. Bill Stang OMI vicar and chancellor; Sr. Ethel Detz OP Director of Pastoral Development and Sr. Iva Gregory OP who is coordinator for HSP in or archdiocese. Srs. Ethel and Iva reside and work out of Pine House, Sask. All three are now fully certified facilitators for Healing Soul Pain.

Images of Hope 12 Step Workshop March 27, The Pas

The Henry Budd Ministry Formation Centre in The Pas, under the direction of Paul Sodtke & Marion Jenkins, graciously hosted a 12 Step Addictions Awareness workshop that I facilitated Friday evening, March 26 and all day Saturday, March 27. The workshop covered the themes of Being Human; a Spirituality of Recovery; The Journey into Addiction; The 12 Step Healing Journey and Integrating the 12 Steps. Pictured here are some of the participants doing part of the process work that was part of the workshop.


Rev. Clara Lambert is the Anglican priest ministering in Moose Lake and was one of the participants.


The remainder of the participants who took the workshop, doing some of the process work. Paul Sodtke is third from the left.