Letter No. 1
8 February 2007

Dear Priests, Deacons and Pastoral Ministers,

            I send all of you my warm greetings, as I begin the ministry entrusted to me by the Holy Father, as archbishop of Grouard-McLennan.  This is the first letter that I am sending you, but I hope that I will be able to make it a monthly feature.  I have come to appreciate that communication is both the easiest task – as well as the most difficult to sustain.  But every relationship survives by communication, and what I have with the whole of this archdiocese is a relationship of shepherd to flock.  I am sending this to the pastors and pastoral animators of all of our communities.  I will have to rely on you to share it with whomever and by whatever means you feel it is appropriate – pin it up in the church entrance, print all or part in the bulletin, have someone read it out (in its entirety or bits and pieces) … I leave that decision in your hands.

Episcopal Ordination.  I was so pleased to see so many members from across the archdiocese share in the joy of my ordination as a bishop.  I realize that not everyone could come, and perhaps some communities were able to send nobody.  Grande Prairie had the lion’s share of seats, of course, and since they know me, well, they are delighted to be able to attend.  My family members and friends from away were overjoyed with the event and the hospitality offered them.  Bishops from away were encouraged to see the signs of affection shown me.  We had representatives from the CWL and K of C, Catholic school boards and hospitals, communities of Sisters, Newman Theological College, and the Anglican bishop of Athabasca, Bishop John Clarke. 
            Some have been wondering how to get a DVD or VHS of the ordination.  The ceremony was videoed, and these are available through Debbie Reed in Grande Prairie, at 780 532-5423 or by email at debbie8@telusplanet.net.  They cost approximately $25.  Still pictures can also be obtained at www.shutterfly.com/progal/gallery.jsp?gid=768a5498ce7d35609583.

Priestly Ordination.  The following week, we had the ordination to the priesthood of Father Joseph Jacobson, here in McLennan.  Father Jacobson was formerly a Lutheran pastor and bishop, converted to the Catholic Church along with his wife, and subsequently was granted permission by the Holy Office to be ordained as a Catholic priest.  That ordination took place on Friday, February 2nd, again with many of the ordained and baptized members of the archdiocese present, and again friends and family members of Father Joseph. 

Death of M. Laurent Lamoureux.  We were all saddened by the death of the archdiocesan business administrator, Laurent Lamoureux.  Laurent gave generously of his time and talents in his position here at the Chancery.  We still miss him.  We have begun the search for a new business administrator, which we hope will be completed in the next week or two.

Archdiocesan Appointments.  I have appointed Father Charles Lavoie as Vicar General of the archdiocese, and Father Joseph Jacobson as Chancellor.  The chancellor is responsible for many of the office tasks relative to a chancery; the vicar general is the “next in charge” of a diocese, and so is responsible whenever I am away. 
            Fathers Lavoie and Jacobson and I also make up the “Archdiocesan Curia” which meets as regularly and as often as possible, to handle the ongoing business of the chancery office. 
            I have also appointed Father Jacobson as my assistant here in the Cathedral Parish of St. John the Baptist.  Given my frequent absences from McLennan, he will be carrying the lion’s share of the pastoral ministry here.

Chrism Mass.  As has been our custom, the Chrism Mass will be held on the Tuesday of Holy Week, April 3rd at 7:00 p.m. in the Cathedral in McLennan.  Within this liturgy, we have the blessing and consecration of the Holy Oils to be used in the parishes over the next year, a renewal of the oath of fidelity by our priests, as well as the promise of commitment by the members of various diocesan and parochial ministers.  I encourage as many of you as possible to be with us for this special event.

Pastoral Visits.  It is my hope eventually to have visited all the parishes and communities of the archdiocese.  Given their number, and the fact that weekends are the best tike to do so, this may take some time.  Of course, I have already been recently present to the parishes in McLennan and Grande Prairie.  I am slated to visit John D’Or Prairie this weekend, and Manning later in February. 

Confirmations.  So far, the following are the parishes where I am slated to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation this year:

Bishops’ Meetings.  The role of a bishop in the Church also involves collaborating with other bishops across Canada, and offering a joint leadership in the Church of our nation.  I have already attended a meeting of the Alberta Bishops on December 11th-12th, 2006; I will also be attending a meeting of Western Canadian Bishops from February 27th to March 2nd, 2007 and a plenary meeting of all bishops across Canada from October 15th to 19th. 

Workshop of Parish Pastoral Councils.  We have begun to plan a workshop dealing with parish pastoral councils, to be held on Saturday, May 12th here in McLennan.  This would be for pastors and pastoral associates, members of parish pastoral councils (especially their executive members) and anyone who might be considering to become a PPC member.  More details on this will follow.

Lent: a Season to Grow in Holiness.  Ash Wednesday is around the corner.  I appeal to one and all to take advantage of this season for growing in holiness, through the traditional means given us by our long tradition: prayer (Mass, the Prayer of the Church, meditation and contemplation), fasting (acts of self-denial, care for the environment) and almsgiving (giving to the poor, respect for all).  As we make the journey inward to that place where the Lord dwells with us, may we discover our need and God’s abundant love.

            I hope to send out one letter such as this each month.  Let’s see how well I do!  Please keep me in your prayers, as I do you and all those you serve.

Sincerely in Christ the Redeemer,

Most Rev. Gerard Pettipas, C.Ss.R.
Archbishop of Grouard-McLennan

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