catholic missions in canada magazine, spring 2015

CatholiC Missions in Canadawww.cmic.info Spring 2015

ISSN

170

2-28

94

PLUS: Roughing it in the North • Hope, faith in Berens River • Fire in Standing Buffalo

MeMoRieS oLd & NewRebuilding church in Fort Simpson

editoR’S NoteS

HoPe, New LiFe

winter is past, and in the garden of our lives, we see joy and new life.

We await each spring with amazement and hope. In our mission communities, nothing is more inspiring than the care and concern that each missionary brings to nurture faith and growth among their faithful.

Read Father Aidan Devine’s story on braving blizzards and snowstorms to celebrate the much-anticipated Easter Mass at Good Shepherd mission in Black Tickle, Newfoundland.

Follow Sister Eucharia Mgbeadiche, h.h.c.j., and Sister Glory Umoh, h.h.c.j., as they go from mission to mission in the isolated communities in Northern Manitoba to share God’s Word and offer their faithful ministry.

We share these stories and more and invite you to listen to the Lord’s call to celebrate God’s blessing and presence in our everyday life.

Indeed, Jesus Risen is the source of new life. And so we bury the dead parts of our spirit in the winter that has just passed in the hope that the Easter of Christ’s Resurrection may stir us to deepen our faith.

Patria C. Rivera

contentsFeatUReS

6My return to Fort Simpson

Pastor returns to more ‘unsameness’ after absence

Father Joe Daley

8A month testing the Yukon

Visiting priest wonders how long he would last:

‘A day—maybe?’ Father David Reilander

14Helping at church helps

salvation of soul Generosity keeps

St. John Bosco mission thriving in Poplar River

Sister Eucharia Mgbeadichie, h.h.c.j.

20Hope and faith in Berens RiverPastor soon finds

where youth turn to when in despair

Father Rhéal Forest

24Roughing it in the North

Easter with blizzards and church doors blocked by snow

Father Aidan Devine

Volume 34, Number 1 Spring 2015

2 SPRING 2015

contents CatholiC Missions in CanadaCatholic 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 Pinehouse Lake, Saskatchewan; Marie Di Poce of Kleinburg, Ontario;

Leonard Racioppo 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-CMIC1 (866) 937-2642 (toll-free)

Fax: (416) 934-3425E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.cmic.infoISSN Number: 1702-2894

Publications Mail Agreement 40044706Member of the Catholic Press Association

of the United States and Canada

©2015 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 Photo: Elder Bill Villeneuve collects cans and bottles and donates all proceeds

to Sacred Heart Church building fund in Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories.

Photo courtesy of Father Joe Daley

30Standing Buffalo fire guts church interiorAfter fire at Our Lady of Light Church, Sister could not pray Sister Bernadette Feist, o.s.u.

34Church renovations completedA Report from the Parish Council, St. Ignatius Parish

dePaRtMeNtS 2 Editor’s Notes 4 From the President’s Desk 42 Gift Planning 45 Faith in Action 46 Letters

Volume 34, Number 1 Spring 2015

CAThOLIC MISSIONS IN CANADA 3CAThOLIC MISSIONS IN CANADA 3

6

Lector Naila Cazon at Sacred Heart parish, Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories.

a SeaSoN FoR aLMSGiViNGDonors and benefactors can make a divine difference in the daily lives of people serving in our mission communitiesBy FatHeR PHiLiP J. KeNNedy, PReSideNt

tRUe PeNaNCe

this is a time of the year when the Church desires that we turn our attention

to prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Jesus himself speaks of these three counsels, especially in Mat-thew 6. These are elements of

true Christian penance, the peni-tential practice that Jesus hopes we will each make part of our spiritual lives.

The Scriptures direct us to penitential acts. Proverbs 7:10 says, “Do not grow weary when you pray; do not neglect to give alms.” Almsgiving is something freely given, in money or goods, to the needy, and what urges the

giving is love and pity for the one who is lacking, the recipient who is going without what properly should be provided to him or her.

Almsgiving is practised by single persons as they see fit

and when the chance for such a gift comes up, or it may be done through organized charities. Catholic Missions In Canada is one such organized charity: when a gift is made, it can be given to the Society to extend to

a specific need in the missions throughout the country. One should realize that assistance to the home Missions is a practical way to reach out to individuals who yearn to nurture their spiritual needs.

To keep the Word of God alive and active and a vital part of the daily lives of the many people in our mission

‘there is always a need of financial assistance to keep the church and house in good order’

4 SPRING 2015

communities, prayer and almsgiving are necessary. We always have grave situations that require our financial assistance, but one of the current cases is in Whitehorse diocese, where, in the Yukon there is one mission among several that is staffed by a family of lay persons. In the town of Ross River, Irene and Jean-Claude Morin reside in the parish rectory and serve the Church by visiting the shut-ins and making parish members feel welcome, as well as doing catechesis and preparing the people for Eucharistic

celebrations when their priest, Father John Vines, is available.

But the community this couple witnesses to cannot sustain itself by its own funds. There is always a need of financial assistance to keep the church and house in good order, and provide a reasonable amount to allow the residents proper food, and heating and water throughout the year. This particular kind of almsgiving keeps God’s presence a vital and active part of the people’s lives. The generosity of our donors and benefactors can make a divine difference! Ph

oto

by B

isho

p Ga

ry G

ordo

n

In Ross River, Yukon, lay missionaries Irene and Jean-Claude Morin serve the Church by visiting the shut-ins and making parish members feel welcome.

CAThOLIC MISSIONS IN CANADA 5

On his return, missionary suddenly remembers words from a former university professor:

‘Some sameness but more un-sameness than sameness’By FatHeR Joe daLey

twelve years had passed since I left Fort Simpson and the DehCho region where I served as pastor from 1996 to 2002.

On my return, the expression of a university professor came to mind: “Some sameness but more un-sameness than sameness.”

The adults, including the community itself, look much the same. The children are now adults, and the corner lot where Sacred heart Church once stood is vacant.

Our faith community now

gathers at the gym of Bompas Elementary School (named after a former Anglican bishop). Local people lead Sunday liturgies when I am away at the other five communities of the region.

Soon after my arrival, I was informed that I must move out of the priest’s resi-dence—referred to as “the trailer”—because of mould.

God operates in mysterious ways! At the time the local Pen-tecostal minister was leaving to pursue further studies, so I was invited to live in the residence

PaStoR to deHCHo MiSSioNSPh

oto

cour

tesy

of F

athe

r Joe

Dal

ey

My RetURNto FoRtSiMPSoN

6 SPRING 2015

of the Calvary Pentecostal Chapel until the arrival of the new minister—which hospi-tality I am gratefully enjoying!

There is a strong fundraising group, including an elder, Bill Villeneuve, who picks up cans and bottles as he cycles about the community on his three-wheel bike; he donates all proceeds to the church building fund.

Our congregation is encour-aged by the support of our new

Bishop Mark hagemoen, who visited immediately after his recent ordination. In his homily, Bishop Mark focused on the need of a church in the hub of the DehCho region where Saint Pope John Paul II visited in 1987.

Father Joe Daley is vicar general of the Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith as well as pastor to six mission communities in the DehCho region, Northwest Territories.

Father Joe Daley gives Holy Communion at Mass held in the gym of Bompas Elementary School. The 91-year-old church of the Sacred Heart was torn down in October 2013 because of concerns about its foundation.


Visiting priest wonders how long he would last: ‘A day—maybe? There’s nothing here

—a gas station, highways department and summer campground, plus the church.’

StoRy aNd PHotoS By FatHeR daVid ReiLaNdeR

a MoNtHteStiNG

tHe yUKoN

i’ve never really under-stood what hoar frost was until I saw it in the Yukon. It becomes so thick that it weighs branches down,

bending poplar half over. It’s beautiful in the sunlight. Sunlight in the Yukon during the darkest part of the year is not intense, unless you’re staring straight into the sun. The sun, after appearing at about 10 a.m., rises to about 30 degrees and stays at that angle until 3 p.m. If you’re in hill country, it may be too low on the horizon to see. Colours are

subtle or pastel in hue. It’s a dif-ferent world from Southwestern Ontario, where my parish is.

I’m in the Yukon for a month after arriving on December 26th. Father Kieran Kilcommons, apostolic administrator for the Diocese of Whitehorse, picked me up from the airport in Whitehorse and deposited me at Mary’s house, part of the Madonna house community of Combermere.

After two days, I drive two hours to Carmacks for Mass at St. Jude’s mission. Kathleen

PaRiSHeS witHoUt PRieStS

(Right) Jim McNichol (seated), St. Mary’s parish, Dawson City; in back, Kathleen LaBrie, St. Jude’s, Carmacks, Yukon and Father Paul Mariampillai, o.m.i., visiting priest, Sacred Heart parish, Diocese of Whitehorse, Yukon.

8 SPRING 2015

LaBrie is the pastoral associate there and is part of the Madonna house contingent. She prepares for Mass in the rectory (it isn’t worth heating the church, Kathleen protests). “Carmacks is the place I love

to be,” she says with enthu-siasm. I look out the window to see a forest of hoar-frosted deciduous and what I think are pyramidal white spruce. “There are subdivisions here you can’t see from the highway,” she adds.

St. Mary’s Church in Dawson City, Yukon.

10 SPRING 2015

“Subdivisions huh,” I respond, mockingly. “Well…not subdivi-sions, but little neighbourhoods in the woods.” She disappears into the church and I follow. It’s -17° Celsius in the wooden structure. The outside temper-ature is -28°C. “You sure you don’t want to have Mass in here?” I ask. “I’ll do whatever you like Father,” she says seri-ously. She hasn’t caught on to my wry wit yet. I go back into the rectory. I’m freezing. She comes back after a few minutes with supplies. “Are you really sure you don’t want to stay in here for Mass?” she asks with all innocence. I just look at her, and she laughs. “Gee I thought you were serious.”

A car pulls in beside us. It’s Kathleen’s pillar of faith, Ennia. Ennia enters to a big hug from Kathleen who looks at me and says, “Ok, we can begin.” Begin?!? I drove two hours for one person? Welcome to the Yukon! So, the three of us have Mass celebrating the Feast of the holy Family. The homily is a dialogue between the three of us. It’s very quaint and intimate. Both women are faith-filled. I find myself inspired by them. I couldn’t be out here like

Kathleen, though. It’s too iso-lated for me. I’m wondering how long I would last. A day—maybe? There’s nothing here—a gas station, highways department and summer campground, plus the church. The hair is standing on the back of my neck as I’m contemplating. It’s only two hours back to Whitehorse, I think to myself.

a couple of days later, I meet with Oblate Father Paul Mariampillai, a Tamil

priest on sabbatical for a year. We’re picking Kathleen up to accompany us to Dawson City—another four hours away. We tell each other our voca-tion stories and how we got to the Yukon. Fr. Paul just fin-ished being provincial of the Sri Lankan Oblates. he’s going back to teach moral theology in their seminary. I’m here testing out whether I could be in the North.

‘the hair is standing on the back of my neck as i’m contemplating. it’s only two hours back to whitehorse, i think’


we get to Dawson City and find the church. Jim McNichol, the pastoral

associate here, greets us. There’s two hours to Mass, so we decide to check into the “Downtown hotel” and get something to eat. To my pleasant surprise, the man-ager tells me our two rooms have

been paid for. There’s a perk. I just saved $220. Kathleen and I reg-ister, then meet the other two in the dining room. Jim gives us his story of having left Dease Lake further south in Northern British Columbia. Bishop Gary Gordon, the former bishop, told him he was needed in Dawson City because there was no priest.

Dawson is the second largest community in the Yukon Terri-tory. Jim’s a big man of 75. he carries himself well and looks like he isn’t a day over 65. he has a commanding presence with a herman Munster-kind of gentleness. he is a layman

out of Buffalo who is a mover and shaker with definite ideas.

i pay for dinner and we go back to the church with three parishioners who meet us in

the dining room. It’s exceedingly cold and time is a factor so we settle for Liturgy of the Word. We are very tired. I need to go to bed. We have to leave by 9 a.m. Everyone hugs and we disperse.

It takes a long time before light appears. I have to remember that we are farther North, though still below the Arctic Circle. At

it is simply beautiful. i think i can see myself being here. the people are great and hospitable. the land is stunning.

12 SPRING 2015

about 11 a.m., on our ride back, I stop the car so we can take pic-tures. It is simply beautiful. I think I can see myself being here. The people are great and hospitable. The land is stunning. By July there will only be three priests left in a diocese that takes 18 hours to drive across. I listen to Fr. Paul and Kathleen talk about last night and what happens to a commu-nity that has no resident priest. Carmacks, Dawson City, and the other missions only get Mass once a month. The rest of the time, people like Jim and Kathleen lead

the communities in Liturgy of the Word and minister to the local Catholics. There’s a definite need here and I’ve answered the most basic of my questions. The more serious questions will only be answered if I’m living here.

UPDATE: Beginning July, Father David Reilander, pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption parish of Owen Sound, Ontario, in the Diocese of Hamilton, will be posted in the Diocese of Whitehorse, to join the three priests serving in Northern British Columbia and the Yukon.

Sunrise over the Yukon.


Many willing to helpBy SiSteR eUCHaRia MGBeadiCHie, H.H.C.J.

our two months pastoral work—this past November and December 2014—in Saint John Bosco Roman Catholic Mission

in Northern Manitoba, were productive spiritually and otherwise.

When the news of our going there—the third since we began ministry in 2013—reached them, the First Nations community arranged for a new set of window blinds and new seats for the living room. All this to show their appreciation for our work with them by making sure we were comfortable.

aLL BeCaUSe ‘yoU aRe aLSo Good’ Ph

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HeLPiNG at CHURCH HeLPS SaLVatioN oF SoUL

14 SPRING 2015

Bree Kevin, Emmi Kevin, and Shailay Kevin (left to right) were baptized in the Catholic faith before joining their group who received First Holy Communion.


Richard Marter, the manager of the Northern Store in this community, and his wife Edith, are exceptionally good. I remember telling him, “Richard, you are simply good to us and the Church in general,” and he replied, “All because you are also good.” he bought the seats and sent some plates, cooking utensils and cutlery—even cookies, coffee and its accompaniments—to aid us in attending to the faithful. God bless him and his family.

Worthy of mention too is that any time we call and tell anyone from the communities about our visit as well as our need for a ride to the rectory, the response has always been: “I will come to the airport to pick you up.” Once we arrive, people come to welcome us.

We also enjoyed visiting the elders in their elders’ lodge. They are so welcoming and interesting to be with, both the workers and the elders. They are ever appre-ciative of our visits, especially the day we decided to help wash their dishes after lunch.

The catechumens were wonderful and ready to learn. We found out they loved to dance because during our breaks, we would dance as part of check-off exercises. News about the dance breaks

brought some more children to want to make their First holy Communion. hopefully, these new catechumens will receive holy Communion this year.

Christmas with the commu-nity was special and enriching. We began our 2014 ministry in Poplar River and successfully ended the year with the same community. I think that was God’s design. Surprisingly, when I visited one of the Church’s committee members to discuss about Christmas Vigil supper after the midnight Mass, she said, “Sister, please don’t bother

16 SPRING 2015

about that. Everything has been taken care of.” I believed her because I know what they can do. Some of the members came to help decorate the church for the birth of the Child Jesus.

We had nine people for First holy Communion and three people for baptism. The visiting priest, Father Romanus Enyinnia, heard the people’s Confessions. The church was packed, filling even the porch on Christmas Vigil; a good number also turned up for Christmas Day Mass. There was more than enough to eat and drink,

all through the kindness of the community members.

Many people were ready to help us do this work of evangeli-zation. Sister Glory and I learned to make fire with a wood stove to heat the church and the rec-tory. We have to alternate using electricity and wood for heating since the cost of hydro is high.

One of the faithful who saw us chopping wood to make fire donated a machine for sawing wood for the church. he bought it from his savings. And our thanks go to yet another faithful who always makes sure that

Sister Eucharia Mgbeadichie, h.h.c.j., on left, and Sister Glory Umoh, h.h.c.j., on right, with some of the residents at the Elders’ Lodge in St. John Bosco mission in Poplar River, Northern Manitoba.


there is wood in the rectory and the church. I asked him how much I needed to pay him after doing some job, and he said, “Please do not pay me anything. Whatever I am doing in the church is for God and salvation of my soul.” I was deeply touched and challenged.

At Christmas Eve Mass, I invited the sawing machine donor Collin Bruce, and vol-unteer helper Albert Bruce, the one who will use the sawing machine, to the altar, and Father Romanus prayed for them.

The second donation was made by a woman whose two children were among those who made their First holy Communion. She gave two guitars for the church’s use.

Almost every Sunday, while coming to church, parishioners would bring some potluck for everybody to enjoy after Com-munion service. To these kind

gestures, we the faithful could only be happy and thankful.

We, the Sisters, on the other hand, have never stopped going out for home visits, our Radio Outreach, and taking holy Eucharist to the sick even with the very cold weather. This fulfils one of our Mother

Foundress’s sayings, “The work of God must be done at all costs, no matter the inconve-niences.” We receive feedback after each radio presentation, and this con-tinues to encourage and to strengthen us in our min-istry. We are just mere helpers to the God who makes all things well. All

these are the fruits of prayer: prayer calls on God while he governs us.

May God continue to bless all those who contribute to the success of mission work in Canada. Some go to mission work by contributing, and some go to mission work through evangelization. We are all mis-sionaries in our own way.

Sister Eucharia Mgbeadichie, of the Congregation of the Handmaids of the Holy Child, together with Sister Glory Umoh, h.h.c.j., serves in the First Nations ministry team in the Archdiocese of St. Boniface in Northern Manitoba.

almost every Sunday,while coming to church,parishioners would bring some potluck foreverybody to enjoy

18 SPRING 2015

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Our missionaries proclaim God’s Word and provide provide a Christian presence in our nation’s remote communities. We fund missionaries’ urgent needs, building and repair of churches, ministry to First Nations communities, seminarian and lay formation, and religious education programs. Your gift will support:

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AMOUNT PERCENTAGE

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Building, repair and maintenance of mission churches and church buildings

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Children $123,120 4%

Youth $84,396 2%

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Seminarian Burses (58 seminarians) $476,500 14%TOTAL 2015 GRANTS AND BURSES $3,476,275 100%

i had spent four months on sabbatical to rewrite my notes and prayers for baptism preparation, First Confession, First Communion, as well as

marriage preparation courses.After my second year in my

first parish, there was a fire which burned all my notes and their contents. I rewrote them, and then when I was posted in Berens River, there had been another fire and again all my notes were burned. One can say after all these years, “Can’t you prepare with no notes off the top of your head?” Well, with the two sacramental preparation courses that I prepared, I am so relieved, more confident, happy to meet the parents, and teach. For me it makes a big difference.

Celebrating Mass each day with about ten people, young couples and elders, has renewed me. When I clean the sacred vessels on the altar and look to my parishioners in deep prayer, hands folded, head bowed, eyes closed—men and women—I

tell myself this is worth a mil-lion dollars. It’s something to see and joy to the heart. Out here, there is no commercial fishing, no work, thus, much time in idleness for many, and more boredom and more incidents of alcohol abuse.

After this comes their plea for the need to pray, to overcome their fears, and to intercede for their children and grandchildren. I know their heavy hearts, and I am happy that I can give them Jesus to console, to uplift, and to empower them. And through Confession, help deliver them-selves from the pains of sin, guilt and shame, by showing them the mercy of Jesus. I also provide them, in easy to understand terms, some spiritual vitamins to say yes to Jesus and no to sin.

Lately, I was speaking to a priest in Edmonton who told me of an issue that came up during their priest study days. It was about the dangers our youth are getting themselves into. Almost constant noise in their

HoPe aNd FaitH iN BeReNS RiVeR

Many of our youth who have not been raised in the faith are tapping into another power. It gives fast results. By FatHeR RHéaL FoReSt

wHeRe yoUtH tURN to wHeN iN deSPaiR

Phot

o by

Sis

ter E

ucha

ria M

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.h.c

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20 SPRING 2015

Many of our youth who have not been raised in the faith are tapping into another power. It gives fast results. By FatHeR RHéaL FoReSt

wHeRe yoUtH tURN to wHeN iN deSPaiR

Father Rhéal Forest, pastor at Our Lady of the Snows mission, celebrates Mass in Berens River, Northern Manitoba.


ears, texting on their cellphone or Facebook on Internet, no quiet time to hear God speak.

Many of our youth who have not been raised in the faith are tapping into another power. It gives fast results. Some who have been hurt, turn to the occult and buy books on hexes and spells. They use the evil

one’s powers to revenge. The obsessions, the voices, the dark presence, “moving” things in the house. No Jesus, no peace; it’s almost hell on earth.

For ten days last winter, the Bible School Team from St. Malo came to all the schools in the mis-sions to give talks, and to warn the students of the dangers of the occult. If your life is not rooted in Jesus, you will chase after other gods, who cannot be there when you need them. It’s a dead-end road. Let us pray for our youth

and guide them to the truth, and not to despair. One elder told me, “We need you here, you know these two churches, one apos-tolic and one Pentecostal, that were burned—these kids who did this are into the occult.” The two fires were actually a blessing; a revival in the faith took place after these incidents.

At present, we have two religious Sisters from Nigeria spending time with the children. They spend two months in one mission, then move to another mission for two months. I share them with five other missions. We have had them twice last year, two months in Poplar River and in Berens River. It was a great success both for the children and the adults. They are vibrant, faith-filled, happy missionaries. I believe this will be the answer. Each mission will have good teachings and their presence for at the least two to three months a year. We do not realize the power we receive through our baptism. “Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord God you have an everlasting rock.” Isaiah 26:4

Father Rhéal Forest is pastor at Our Lady of the Snows in Berens River, and in five other First Nations communities in Northern Manitoba, in the Archdiocese of St. Boniface.

‘ trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord God you have an everlasting rock.’ isaiah 26:4

22 SPRING 2015

MA-

2015

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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 education and formation of seminarians and lay leaders • The religious education of children and youth • The building and repair of places of worship • The basic needs of our missionaries

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.

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T o c r E a T E a l E g a c y o f f a i T h f o r f u T u r E g E n E r a T i o n S

eaSteR iN BLaCK tiCKLe

Huskies, blizzards, and church doors blocked by snow

24 SPRING 2015

StoRy aNd PHotoS By FatHeR aidaN deViNe

Houses blocked by more than five feet of snow in Black Tickle, a coastal community in Newfoundland.


s I walked to the car on my way to the air-port in Goose Bay to prepare for my trip to Black Tickle, the sounds of the snow underfoot was

a grim reminder to me that no matter how beautiful the sunrise is in winter, we are far from the warmth of the summer months. This time, I was lucky enough to hitch a plane ride with the medic flight that was heading to Black Tickle and then south to Port hope Simpson and Mary’s harbour before heading back to Goose Bay. As we climbed into the eastern sky into the bright sun, it brought about shadows and images against the snow on the mountain tops.

It was a flight that brought us over the Mealy Mountains and continued east flying over some of the great rivers of Labrador.

An hour into the flight, the

island where Black Tickle is located came into view. I saw immediately that it was going to be difficult to celebrate Mass: the front door of the church was covered with snow. We landed, and I took the first snowmobile ride in my life. It was a scream as the skidoo flew over the snow and I hung on for dear life. however, as we sped along, the cold wind cut into my clothes. I thought it was cold where I lived, but the cold in Black Tickle reminded me of knives that cut right through the skin.

We finally made it to the com-munity only to find that a man had arrived the day before with a dog team of seven huskies. I asked if I could get a ride and I ended up driving the team. What

an experience! I stood on the runners, and as soon as the dogs knew I was on, away they went, and run they did. They flew over the snow. With dogs travelling very fast, and I without the proper winter clothing, pro-duced one very cold parish priest at the end of the 5-km ride. They

told me that I was the first priest in 65 years to ride the huskies, like the French Oblates of the ’30s and ’40s who went from settlement to settlement.

Heavy snow kept the doors shut at the Good Shepherd Church in Black Tickle before Easter Mass.

26 SPRING 2015

FoLLowiNG aRe exCeRPtS FRoM a ReCeNt LetteR FRoM FR. deViNe: One of the great surprises I received upon my arrival home was notification from Catholic Missions In Canada that our application for financial aid for Black Tickle was approved. Without aid from CMIC, it would be impossible to do any type of ministry in Black Tickle. My plane ticket to get to Black Tickle for Christmas was over $1,150. This is typical of the cost of living in Labrador as everything is either trucked in from Québec by road, or by sea, from the Island when the boats are running during the spring and summer months.

To truly understand Labrador, one has to live here to grasp what it is truly like. Travellers to the North are aware of the cost and way of life for all of us in Northern Canada. I am fortunate in that I have a parishioner who is a member of the military stationed at Goose Bay and has his own plane. When he is free, he flies me into Black Tickle and charges only for the cost of the gas, which usually is a savings of about half the cost to fly into the community. Unfortunately, he is able to do this only several times each year.

View from the plane shows village of Black Tickle on a clear day in spring.


When I arrived at the rectory and church, I had to walk up to my hips through the snow to get to the side door leading into the basement—the back door of the house was blocked in with snow. Although I had scheduled Mass that night, I knew nobody would be there because of the snow block. however, the

parishioners got together and dug a walkway in the snow; later that night, the church had many who came for Mass.

I had scheduled Mass for the next day but Mother Nature had her own thoughts, as I awoke the next morning with a blizzard that lasted all day and through the next day. It reminded me of the fog of August when nothing could be seen. I knew that out there people lived in houses, but I had a hard time trying to view them through the snow. The wind howled so much that I felt that the roof was going to be blown off at any moment. It was not until

Thursday that the storm passed. Earlier in the year I was able

to get the service of a priest to travel to Black Tickle for the Easter services. however, in life not all things work out the way one wishes.

A few weeks before Easter, the priest who had planned to come had to cancel his trip. As it

was too late to find another priest, I was fortunate enough to have a parishioner who is a military person with his own plane. he vol-unteered to fly me to the mission sta-tion. This was a great relief as the people

live on the coast and the only way to travel there is either by boat—a journey of 12 hours, or plane—a journey of one hour. I got in touch with the mis-sion station and told them that the visiting priest could not come but I had decided to take his place and would fly out on Easter afternoon.

We flew low over the commu-nity and we could see immediately that the church was again blocked in with snow. I knew then that Mass would most likely be can-celled as the snow bank fronting the main doors was very high. It did not take the people long to

Mother Nature had her own thoughts, as i awoke the next morning with a blizzard that lasted all day and through the next day.

28 SPRING 2015

realize that the plane was carrying the priest, and came out to bring me and the pilot back to the community on skidoos.

With so much snow, we did not travel the road but took a shortcut passing the community of Domino. I was finally able to get into the house and started to prepare for supper, not real-izing that a neighbour, knowing about our plight, arrived with two hot turkey suppers. While we were eating supper, parish members began to shovel the snow, enough to have a walkway made. By 7 p.m., parishioners had arrived for the Easter Mass. As the weather was uncertain, we

decided to leave after Mass the following day.

The pilot filed a flight plan that took us north allowing us to fly over the community of Cartwright and then eastward towards the Mealey mountains and westward into Goose. As we flew, the snow was still heavily packed on the mountains and would be there for many months ahead.

Father Aidan Devine is pastor of Good Shepherd mission in Black Tickle, Newfoundland, as well as Our Lady Queen of Peace parish in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, in the Diocese of Corner Brook and Labrador.

Father Aidan Devine, left, with volunteer pilot Les Beothy before take-off.


the September 2014 issue of Gathering the Four Winds newsletter, pub-lished by Valley Native Ministry in the Archdio-

cese of Regina, includes coverage of the recent church fire in Standing Buffalo, Saskatchewan.

In an email to Catholic Missions In Canada. Sister Bernadette Feist, o.s.u., pastoral administrator at Standing Buffalo, wrote:

“Regarding the fire, the R.C.M.P. said the vandalism has been solved but the arson is still

under investigation. It’s a sad story, for sure, but the sun is shining once more after another day and night of rain. harvest is slow.”

Along with damage to the interior of the church, the fire destroyed religious education materials, pictures, hymn books and records.

“Without insurance,” says Sr. Feist, “rebuilding will be quite unlikely.” The mission community continues to gather at Lakeview Lodge in Standing Buffalo.

ReBUiLdiNG CHURCH ‘UNLiKeLy’

Fire guts interior of church in Standing Buffalo, SaskatchewanBy SiSteR BeRNadette FeiSt, o.S.U.

taKePityoN US

30 SPRING 2015

aFteR FiRe at oUR Lady oF LiGHt CHURCH: ‘No, i CoULd Not PRay’On Sunday, September 24, 2014, after returning from a meeting in Toronto, I drove out to see what remained after a fire at Our Lady of Light Church in Standing Buffalo, Saskatchewan.

No, I could not pray, especially for those who had done this.

The wind whistled in the building which had the entrance and exit doors open, as well as the windows. I walked slowly up the centre aisle, stepping over partially burned papers, mud

and debris on the floor—to the altar. My heart was numb and I cried. On my fifth trip to see the church, l could only repeat the one sentence of The Great Spirit prayer: “Take pity on us.” The altar that offered so many sacrifices and prayers of the people—desecrated. Where were the songs? Where was the Word? Where are my teaching charts and supplies? Where is the picture of St. Kateri? Where is the Baptismal font? Where is the Crucified Christ? Where is the altar stone? I noticed a dog Ph

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from the reserve which had qui-etly entered the church with me, and Oblate Father Wojchiec Wojtkowiak, who was with me this visit. It sat on its haunches at the entrance hallway, its ears drooped—silent, saddened, as if listening from the heart. The last missionary serving here for 20 years was Father Wojt-kowiak and I, since 1979. After this fifth visit, I could pray.

MiSSioN UPdateSister Feist, in an update, says there has been no celebration of the Eucharist at Lakeview Lodge, the home for many elders in Standing Buffalo, since September.

The community has been

without a church where people could gather monthly for Mass, lay-presided liturgies, or faith instructions. There are no water or plumbing facilities there. In addition to driving 1 ½ hours to get to the mission, the mis-sionary would need to look after some basic needs.

The mission’s Sask Power expenses are paid by Catholic Missions In Canada, through the Archdiocese of Regina. Collections from the First Nations communities pay for half of the hydro bill. Our Lady of Light Church in Standing Buffalo did not carry insurance. “We gather now at the Care home at Lakeview Lodge, and the

A dog from the reserve sat on its haunches at the entrance hallway.

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Valley Native Ministry Centre in Lebret—where gatherings for Sacrament preparation and Eucharist are held every month, or as arranged.”

She continues: “In all instances of going out to the people where a celebration is being held, missionaries have to take with them what they need to answer the requests of the people or celebrate with them.

“Some First Nations are served every month, for Eucha-ristic gatherings; some have Eucharist available to them, twice a month; some are closer to weekly gatherings in parish churches. And some hear only this: ‘You are welcome to come to our church.’

“Priests assigned to First Nations communities are very busy with their orga-nized parishes. It is easy to get a substitute priest in for these parishes, and easy to cancel First Nations gather-ings, when the assigned priest is not available. It may not be long when we would be back to lay-presided liturgies.

“First Nations ministry in Regina archdiocese in Saskatchewan is very much mission country.”

Ursuline Sister Bernadette Feist is pastoral administrator at Our Lady of Light mission in Standing Buffalo, Saskatchewan, in the Archdiocese of Regina.

Our Lady of Light church, Standing Buffalo, Saskatchewan.

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ViBRaNt PaRiSH oN NewFoUNdLaNd’S SoUtH CoaSt

34 SPRING 2015

A Report from the Parish Council, St. Ignatius Parish, Diocese of Grand Falls, Newfoundland

CHURCH ReNoVatioNS CoMPLeted


It is said that Fr. hayes saw a picture of a church in Trois Rivières, Quebec, in a magazine and was so impressed with it that he decided to build one as close to it as possible in St. Alban’s. With three local self-taught carpenters and loads of volunteers including schoolchildren, our church was completed in 20 years, using simple hand tools such as hammers, saws and nails.

Electricity was not available at the time.

Today St. Ignatius boasts that it is the biggest and most beau-tiful church on the south coast with a seating capacity of 1,000. however, since the church has been built, no major renovations have been completed and it is no surprise that in recent years major costly repairs are needed, such as the towers and front of the church repair project

St. Ignatius parish is located in St. Alban’s, a small community of about 1,200 residents, found on the south coast of Newfoundland. St. Ignatius Church serves several communities and a mission church in Conne River.

Construction of our church started in 1949 by the parish priest Father Michael hayes.

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(completed in 2008 with finan-cial help from Catholic Missions In Canada).

In 2014, the roof of the church was reshingled, and once again, CMIC came to our aid with a $15,000-grant and a $30,000-loan. Thanks to Catholic Missions In Canada and the generous support of St. Ignatius parishioners, these projects were completed. We are already planning a future project—to replace the windows and siding of the church.

Under the pastoral leadership of Father Edward Brophy, our faith community is vibrant. Since there are no longer pub-licly-funded Catholic schools in Newfoundland, catechetical instruction and sacrament prep-aration are the responsibility of parents and dedicated volunteers.

All liturgical ministries are run by volunteers. One wish for our faith community would be to have more youth involve-ment to carry on the work of their forefathers.

Father Edward Brophy is pastor of St. Ignatius parish in St. Alban’s, Bay d’Espoir, on the south coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, in the Diocese of Grand Falls.

UPDATE: Since this work was completed, reports Calvin Collier, finance chairperson of the St. Ignatius Parish Council, “we have had several heavy rainstorms without any leaks in the roof or towers. We continue to raise funds for the loan amount and we hope to have this loan fully repaid in two years.”


tHe GiFt oF MUSiC

MUSiCaL BLeSSiNGSChristmas concerts continue to benefit missions

By aNNe HaNLey

38 SPRING 2015

the musical blessings of the Christmas season will again extend throughout the year to benefit our Northern Canadian missions.

This is the 15th year that musical director Fergus Egan has led Toronto-area musicians in a concert of carols and Christmas music in support of Catholic Missions In Canada.

The 2014 concert featured musicians from the St. Mary Star of the Sea Choir, St. Mary Star of the Sea Children’s Choir, St. Gregory Ensemble, St. Gregory School Choir led by Oksana Kotliarenko, Salvation Army North York Temple Band under director Glen Barlow, and featuring John Scerri, David Ruggiero, Richard Lavor and Altaf Velanni.

Over the past 15 years, thanks to the efforts of Fergus and his fellow musicians, the Christmas concerts have raised well over $100,000 in support of missionaries working throughout Northern Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland.

On behalf of our missionaries and the people of whose lives are enriched by their ministries, thank you to Fergus and your fellow musicians for so generously sharing the gift of music. Your talents benefit so many!

Anne Hanley is publications and communications officer with Catholic Missions In Canada.

Musical director Fergus Egan leads Toronto-area musicians in a concert of carols and Christmas music in support of Catholic Missions In Canada.

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tHiS eaSteR, Let God’S SPiRit SiNG to yoUWith Jesus, one is never lonelyBy FatHeR MiLtoN MCwatCH

MiSSioN HoRNePayNe

within the Octave of Easter last year, I received a call from hornepayne,

Ontario. They needed a priest to hear Confessions and to conduct an exposition of the Blessed Sacrament during their retreat.

I started my trip, talking with the Blessed Virgin Mary on the rosary. The forest was alive with returning wildlife, robins, hawks, ducks, and the most amazing sight of a Great Blue heron serenely winging its way down the high-way. The lakes were frozen solid and creeks were ice-covered, but there the heron was, flying along with not a care in the world. he knew who he could depend on to find him some open water for the night. he made my heart sing, with a love for all that was before me.

I drove through a deceased uncle’s trapline, and I thought of him lying on the lakeshore enjoying the sun after a meal of duck soup, and another trapline that belonged to my Nabigon relatives. Memories of

long-gone family friends came alive to me, good memories of loved ones I grew up with. I was among my people, people in isolated communities pray-ing to God for renewal, simply hardworking people being led in prayer by a group of young missionaries from Ottawa.

The key to working in this isolation is to be part of the people who live here. Develop friends. Eat meals with them. Let them know you well so they can look after you when your bodily ailments want to over-whelm you. People whom your conversation with is prayer. And travel with the holy Family, they are good company.

When you love your community and Jesus Christ, you are never lonely. Let God’s spirit sing to you and with you.

Father Milton McWatch is pastor of Holy Saviour parish in Marathon, Ontario, in the Diocese of Thunder Bay.

40 SPRING 2015

Will Planner

Yes, I’m interested in supporting Catholic Missions In Canada!

Please send me information on:

c A gift in my will c Please send me a copy of your free Will Planner

Name_____________________________________________________________________ Fr./Sr./Br./Dr./Mr./Mrs./Miss/Ms.

Address___________________________________________________________________

City_______________________Province_________Postal Code_________

Phone_______________________ Birthdate (D/M/Y) _____ /_____ /_____




Email request to: [email protected] Website: www.cmic.info

A GUIDE TO MAKING A WILLYour will is one more way that you can provide for the neediest missions in our coun-try. Preparing your will is an expression of love for those you leave behind: your family, your friends, and the charities whose work you believe in and want to continue to support.

The gift of a bequest won’t add financial stressbut it will give you the assurance that the work of our missions will continue into the future.A will planner—with key information about your assets and your wishes—will help you get started.

Transform your faith into your legacy.

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would you like to hear a good news story? Then come with me to the

southern shores of Newfound-land—to the beautiful Bay d’Espoir area and in partic-ular, the scenic community of St. Alban’s.

St. Alban’s is a mere 6 ½ hours drive from St. John’s—but a much quicker boat ride from Port-Aux-Basques, if you can get someone to ferry you. With a population of about 1,200 residents, it’s the largest town in Bay D’Espoir. St. Alban’s is one of the few pre-dominantly Roman Catholic communities in Newfoundland.

Come to St. Alban’s and you will find an energetic, resourceful, and faith-filled people. In 2014, when faced with the overwhelming cost of

repairs to their old but beloved St. Ignatius church—the esti-mate for the repair work was $55,000—they put their heads together to see what they could do to restore their church. They decided to turn to Catholic Missions In Canada for help.

They asked for a loan. Yes, not a gift, but a loan of $30,000! Catholic Missions granted their request and gave them a term of three years to repay the loan. The work was done: their church was repaired, and it

looked good, too.Then, they set about the task

of raising the funds to repay the loan. Recently, they contacted us to say St. Ignatius parish has had a number of very successful fundraising projects during the past year. “On February 1, we have another

CoMMUNity to RePay LoaN aHead oF tiMeThe people of St. Alban’s asked for a loan and we gave it. If we ask you for a loan, will you give it? By wiNNie QUiNN, CHaRitaBLe GiFtS MaNaGeR

in St. alban’s,you will findan energetic,resourceful,and faith-filledpeople.

42 SPRING 2015

major fundraiser that should raise the final amount needed so that we can repay the full loan by February 15, 2015—ahead of time—by two years.”

Resourceful, energetic, deter-mined, and with the will to find the means: that’s the people of St. Alban’s! I hail from the shores of Bonavista coastline so I know the type. They deserve a hearty handshake. (See pages 34-37)

What does this have to do with you? Well, the people of St. Alban’s asked for a loan and we gave it. If we ask you for a loan, will you give it?

You can—through a Charitable Gift Loan. here’s how it works:

You simply loan a sum of money to Catholic Missions. We use your funds to support a need in our missions right now. A charitable gift loan agreement is created between you and Catholic Missions In Canada. A Chari-table Gift Loan is a means for you to support our missions now without the worry of not having that money for emergencies or special needs in your own future.

At any time, upon your request, we will return your funds to you and the agreement shall be cancelled. In the event that your Agreement is still in effect at the end of your life, the principal sum loaned shall become the property of Catholic Missions In Canada

Community of faith: St. Alban’s Church in Bay D’Espoir. St. Alban’s is one of the few predominantly Roman Catholic communities in Newfoundland.

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and used to support our missions. In that event, a charitable receipt will be issued to your estate.

With the current minimal interest paid on your bank savings, this might be the best time ever to loan your funds to Catholic Missions In Canada and put them to good work. If you give Catholic Missions a loan, we will be able to lend a hand to more people, like those in St. Alban’s,

when they are in need for their parish community.

St Ignatius Parish of St. Alban’s mission is: “We seek to be a loving, friendly community that worships God, and serves others.”

Their vision is to make a difference and “renew St. Alban’s, Newfoundland, and beyond with the transforming message of Jesus Christ through words and actions.” As they’d say, “Come as you are—we’d love to get to know you.”

Mail to: Catholic Missions In Canada201 – 1155 Yonge Street, Toronto ON M4T 1W2

c Write to me for information on Gift Loans c I plan to set up an Gift Loan with Catholic Missions In Canada

Or you may prefer information on one of the following:

c Wills c Endowments c Shares c TFSAs

c RRSP/RRIFs c Gift Annuities c Other Gifts

For annuitants: Minimum age: 70 Minimum amount: $10,000

individual: c Male c Female Birthdate: ______ /______ /______ Day Month Year

Joint: c Male c Female Birthdate: ______/______ /______ Day Month Year

Name ________________________________________________________Fr./Br./Sr./Dr./Mr./Mrs./Miss/Ms.

Address ______________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

City _________________________ Province _________________________

Postal Code_______________ Phone________________________________


tel: 416-934-3424 toll-free: 1-866-YES-CMIC (937-2642) Email: [email protected]

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FaitH iN aCtioN

For many years, the Catholic community of Fort Simpson in the Northwest Territories,

in the Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith, struggled to keep their parish going even with an old decaying church.

After weath-ering brutal Canadian win-ters for 91 years, the church of Sacred heart parish (shown at right) was condemned as a health and fire hazard in 2009 and torn down in 2014.

Saint John Paul II chose Fort Simpson as his destination for his 1987 North Canadian visit. The faithful continue to rejoice that a saint walked among them, cel-ebrated Mass, and blessed them. They have faith they will once again have a church.

The parishioners of Sacred heart, majority of whom are Dene and Métis, have not only

been praying for a “new begin-ning,” for a new church, but have been zealously fundraising for many years now.

Countless bake sales, raffles, flea markets, collecting recy-clables, spreading the word, and

having faith that one day soon ground will be broken and timber raised—certainly all adds up but they are not there yet.

happily, five other Catholic communities in the DehCho-Dene region will benefit from this new 100-person capacity church.

With continued fundraising, generous giving, and prayers, parishioners of Sacred heart hope to break ground this spring. May God bless all who have greatly helped or now may feel inspired to help make this possible. You may email me at [email protected].

GeNeRoUS GiViNGBeginning this issue, Patricia Gyulay, Catholic Missions In Canada outreach officer, will give an update on major gift projects that help keep the faith alive in our mission communities.By PatRiCia GyULay, oUtReaCH oFFiCeR


thank you so much for your generosity over the past years. St. hilary parish is

deeply indebted to Catholic Missions In Canada as its sup-port has enabled us to remain open and operating.

We hope and pray that sometime in the future, we will become self-sustaining. As a parish, we are working diligently toward that goal.

God bless you in all your endeavours and the good that you do.

You are in our thoughts and prayers especially at Sunday Mass.

Father alberto adaza, PastorBetty Jane Mercier and Lisa LacariaCo-Presidents St. Hilary Parish Pastoral CouncilRed Rock, ontariodiocese of thunder Bay

we wish to extend our thanks to Catholic Mis-sions In Canada for the

grant of $3,000 for the First Nations Catholic community of Lac Simon in the Dio-cese of Amos. Your gift will serve to defray a good part of the repair costs of the rectory which has been sorely in need of renovation.

Sister Renelle Lasalle, ss.cc.jm.Pastoral assistantSt. George MissionLac Simon, Quebecdiocese of amos

PRayeRS FoR MoNSiGNoR FoRMoSiPlease take a moment to say a prayer for our beloved past presi-dent, Monsignor Roger W. Formosi (1997–2002), who is facing

serious health concerns at present. May the Lord of healing give him the strength of grace and provide him sol-ace and peace at this time.

In CMIC photo (left), Mon-signor Formosi speaks at the St. Philip Neri Mass and gathering on May 26, 2014.

LetteRS: yoUR doNatioNS at woRK

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46 SPRING 2015

AgeMaleRate

Female Rate

Joint Rate

70 4.72% 4.44% 3.84%

75 5.34% 5.05% 4.48%

85 7.24% 6.99% 5.86%

94+ 10.0% 9.54% 7.96%

Rates as of February 28, 2015Rates are based on a $10,000 annuity

with quarterly income payments.

Gift Annuityi T i S T i m E To i n v E S T i n a

c a l l i n g a l l p r i E S T S , b i S h o p S , a n d S u p p o r T E r S !

c Please send me information on gift annuitiesName_____________________________________________________________________ Fr./Sr./Br./Dr./Mr./Mrs./Miss/Ms.

Address___________________________________________________________________

City_________________ Province__________Postal Code____________

Phone_______________________ Subscribe to our email list at cmic.info/home/subscribe Minimum Age: 70 Minimum Amount: $10,000

Individual: Male/Female: Birthdate: ______/______ /______Day / Month / Year

Joint: Male/Female: Birthdate: ______/______ /______Day / Month / Year



E-mail request to: [email protected] Website: www.cmic.info

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CGA

Our gift annuity program offers:

✓ Secured monthly payments

✓ Freedom from investment stress

✓ Tax-free income guaranteed for life

Best of all, peace of mind and continued support to our Canadian missions—for generations to come!

There’s no better way to feel more secure spiritually and financially than with a gift annuity with Catholic Missions In Canada.

Call or write todayfor your free annuity proposal!

MiSSioNaRy UPdate

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LiFe oN edGe oF BoReaL FoReStBy SiSteR CaRMeN CateLLieR, S.N.J.M.

p.S. This spring, 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 [email protected], 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.

Mail to: CATHOLIC MISSIONS IN CANADA

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From (Your Name):

To (Name of person you want it sent to):

Address:

City: Province: Postal Code:

Phone: Subscribe to our email list at cmic.info/home/subscribe

www.cmic.info

Fr./Sr./Br./Dr./Mr./Mrs./Miss/Ms.

i am now in a Northern Métis village being Church presence to a self-sufficient progressive

community on the edge of the boreal forest in Saskatchewan.

Most are Cree-speaking and their descent is intermingled with French-Canadian Voyageur char-acteristics. The ceinture fléchée is in the traditional artwork displays. Many are employed at the mines two to three hours north of Pine Lake. Others are diligently

working in the infrastructure of the incorporated village, and so are seasonal fishermen.

Around me is all sand, no soil, so I see no gardens any-where. The nearest large centres are LaRonge and Prince Albert. A lot of names are familiar—Lariviére, Durocher, Boyer, Laliberte, McCallum, and Smith—but others are very new—Misponas, Natomagan, Caisse, Redire and Tinker.

catholic missions in canada magazine, spring 2015

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