Sacraments of Initiation, Canoe Narrows, Sk., May 27th, 2010

The newly initiated candidates of Canoe Narrows gather for a group shot on a beautiful day. This was one of the largest groups in recent memory for this community. Fr. Louis Legare OMI, the pastor, was away on retreat with his brother Oblates in Winnipeg and so was not present for this celebration.



Most of the missions in our archdiocese are located on or near a river or lake and have a beautiful view. Canoe Narrows is an example of that. This is the view from the deck of the church.


The little rectory in Canoe Narrows consisting of a bedroom, living room, small office and small kitchen. The shower, toilet and hot water heater are all crowded in the bedroom, which is not the best situation but certainly handy and a lot better than an outdoor biffy.


The dream of building a grotto was realized some years back. It is situated near the rectory on the shore of the lake.


The church at Canoe Narrows which was newly painted and given new windows when Fr. Robert Laroche OMI was pastor some years ago.


Two young candidates who were involved in a sports day on the day of the initiation were confirmed at the weekday mass the day before, shortly after I arrived, and stayed to participate in the retreat that evening.


I was invited to attend the memorial service for Elvis that was held at the gym as we were ending the retreat in preparation the ceremony of initiation. I was able to get there just as it was finishing (in time for the food). This was a thoughtful, caring and prayerful gesture on the part of the community for the grieving family.


Ambroise Corrigal with elders waiting patiently for the feast at the reception.


These three beauties posed for the camera during the reception after the ceremony.


Gilbert and Veronique Iron generously provided me with breakfast of pancakes made from his special recipe along with birch syrup that Gilbert made himself - a unique and delicious breakfast.


Margaret Opekokew is one of the respected elders in Canoe Narrows that I enjoy visiting. I was able to anoint her and bring her communion, accompanied by Linda Lariviere who usually stays longer when she visits.


Mrs. Alice Opekokew, one of the elders that I was able to visit and bring communion to during my short stay in Canoe Narrows.


Part of the crowd that gathered at the school gym after the celebration for a meal and fellowship.


Linda Lariviere who so generously gave of her time and expertise to share her faith with the candidates and help them prepare for this great event in their lives.


One of the tables visiting and feasting during the reception

Sacraments of Initiation, Ile-a-la-Crosse, Sk May 25th, 2010

This picture was taken by Tina Schwartz. Ile-a-la-Crosse is one of the many communities that are participating in a new initiative to restore the order of sacraments to their original order of baptism, confirmation and then Eucharist. A specialness about this community is the ability of the catechists to carry on and put on the preparatory retreat without me, as I had to stay in Saskatoon for a dental emergency. Everything was set to go for the celebration when I arrived a few hours before, and for that i am grateful.



Louis and Dorothy Dubrule as always provided great hospitality and supper upon my arrival in the community. Dorothy is the contact person with the archdiocese and Louis serves on the Diocesan Pastoral Council. Here they are pictured with their daughter Charlene, husband Patrick Ratt and son Brian.



After the celebration, folks made their way to the Friendship Center for fellowship, visiting and some good food courtesy of the parents.



Catechists Rose Raymond, Dorothy Dubrule and her dauther Charlene Ratt. They certainly deserve to be congratulated and thanked for the dedicated ministry they are doing with the youth of the parish in preparing the for the sacraments of initiation.



Fr. Wendelin Rolheiser OMI, pastor of Ile-a-la-Crosse St. John the Baptist Parish, with parishioners Mikaela and her mother Erin Desjarlais.


Gerry and Jeannie Lavoie from Amyot Lake. Gerry is a former principal of Valleyview School in Beauval, a distant cousin and also an author.


Marie Favel, who was one of the catechists, with Elizabeth Bouvier who at one time was a counselor at the rehab center who taught me a lot in my early years of addictions awareness work.


Folks enjoying a moment of relaxed fellowship after the celebration.


Leon and Brenda Gardiner and family enjoy the reception after the celebration.


Three young candidates and friends pose for a picture on their big day.

Sacraments of Initiation, La Ronge, Pentecost, May 23, 2010

Here Fr. Mark presents a teaching on sacramentals to the candidates during a preparatory retreat the day before the event. These candidates were well prepared by a team of catechists. Their letters to the bishop were very mature and showed a deep understanding of their responsibility as fully initiated members of the Catholic Christian community in La Ronge.



The group of newly confirmed posing with catechists Ivan and Linda (Bernice was not able to be present), Archbishop Sylvain and Pastor Fr. Mark Blom OMI



The celebration of initiation was followed by a reception in the adjacent parish hall. Here Vern and Iva Studor visit with their daughter Carol Orr



Iva Studor, her son Mark and her grand daughter Halle who obviously loves her grandmother.



Victoria Daignault, Justin Burnouf, Raquel Daignault and Marlena Corrigal with family members.



The Lee and Raquel Cwenda family with newly confirmed Ashuarya.


Fr. Mark Blom OMI, pastor of South End and the parish of St. John Vianney in La Ronge, with catechists Linda and Ivan.



A good crowd stayed for the reception after the ceremony, certainly a great used for the hall which had been beautifully decorated for the event by generous volunteers.



Elsie Guy and her son John, who happily joined in the festivities though not directly involved with any of the confirmands.


Corlie Custer, Fedora Halcrow, Leanna Halcrow, Brendon, and in the back, Kierra, Angie and Dana. Kierra and Brendon were newly confirmed.



Diana and Ivan Robertson with friend Claudette Anderson in the middle.



Parish Pastoral Council members Ivan Robertson, Denise ? and Keith Krachmer. The PPC is a basic building block of a viable parish life, as outlined in the Second Vatican council.



Newly confirmed Ashwarya with Georgette Chrispen.



Newly confirmed Cody with his mother Patti Letendre.

Releasing Forgiveness Tour, Flying Dust, May 18th, 2010

Fr. John Zunti OMI from La Loche, Fr. Paul Guzman, pastor of Meadow Lake and I attended this event which was held on the Flying Dust First Nation. This meant traveling down from Patuanak for me and from Beauval for Fr. John. The agenda was simple: prayer by and elder, a meal, entertainment by coutnry gospel award winner Yvonne St. Germaine, a grand entry with a drum group, eagle staff and flags, messages by dignitaries, some sharing by survivors, comments by non-aboriginal participants, a candle-light ceremony and presentation of a charter of forgiveness that will be taken to Ottawa for a national event in June. The event was a unique blend of traditional and Christian spirituality which in itself speaks of reconciliation and respect. This tour is traveling across the country to set the stage for the national event in Ottawa where the message that will be communicated to the Prime Minister by the First Nations peoples involved is: "We forgive you."



A large crowd of folks from Flying Dust and the surrounding area gathered for this event that began of course with a catered meal. For me it was like a homecoming as i knew people from most of the areas from which them came, such as Red Pheasant, Loon Lake, Canoe Narrows, La Loche, Waterhen and the Flying Dust community, to name some.


The elementary school grades of the local Flying Dust School sang the Oh Canada in Cree, and were invited to do so in Ottawa.


Former FSI Chief Lawrence Joseph, who was recently awarded an honorary doctor of Canon Law degree by the Emmanuel Chad College at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, spoke eloquently of his hopes for the future through the power of forgiveness. He mentioned that the residential School was a blessing for him as his family was mired in poverty. He also mentioned the impact that the visit by former National Chief Phil Fontaine to Pope Benedict in Rome had on him as he witnessed the pope praying over cultural symbols that in the past were seen as pagan. Developments such as these and this event filled him with hope for the future.


Former chef Kevin Blacksmith from Quebec was the inspiration behind the tour. He explained that the purpose for the tour was bigger than simply to respond to the apology by Prime Minister Harper in 2008, though it included that element. The deeper purpose was to promote forgiveness as the best way to heal, to move beyond victimhood, and to open the way to a brighter and better future.


Marcie Merasty was the one who took the initiative to organize this event for our area after experiencing it elsewhere.

Confirmation in Patuanak May 18-19th, 2010

Though the numbers preparing varied, ultimately there were seven young men who were confirmed, almost enough for a hockey team. In a sense they were joining God's team. This is probably a first in that no girls were confirmed. Always there is a hope that one of these fine young men will respond to God's call to become a priest to replace Fr. Mathieu, who is 86 years old! On the left is Fr. Gaspar Savarimuthu, a priest from India who is experiencing a time of orientation in preparation to minister in our archdiocese. He also helped out with the retreat.


The evening before the confirmation celebration itself was given over to a retreat in preparation for the event. Seven candidates, along with some of their parents and sponsors gathered in the Church for the retreat which involved singing, exercises and teachings.


Here Archbishop Sylvain leads the participants in singing and also facilitated the retreat that focused on living a Christian life more fully, learning more about Jesus, being open to the Holy Spirit and a ritual run through of the ceremony itself.


Our retreat for the nine candidates and sponsors wrapped up with a closing circle that included the pastor Fr. Bertrand Mathieu OMI.


The other half of the closing circle for the retreat in the Patuanak Church.