11 May 2007

Dear Pastors, Pastoral Animators and Parishioners,

            I have been writing this monthly letter since my taking office here in McLennan with the hopes of enhancing communication between the Chief Shepherd and his flock.  I trust that you who receive it will share it with the parishioners in whatever form you find most appropriate: maybe as a bulletin insert, or copied and available at the church entrance, or read out loud at the end of Mass.  Some tell me they never see or hear a word of it.  If you have yet to find a way to share this news with your parish, I encourage you to keep trying!

Comings and Goings
            The past month has been a busy one for me, with many events both within the archdiocese and further afield.  To give you an idea of what I have been attending to, let me share this thumbnail sketch:
Sat 14 April: Ordination to the priesthood of Tony Bidgood, C.Ss.R. in St. John’s  NL
Mon 16 April: Mass at St. Mary’s Basilica in Halifax, for family, friends and people of my native province.
Fri-Sat 20-21 April: Lay Formation Program in Peace River
Sun-Mon, 22-23 April: Meeting of the Board for the 50 Catholic Entities, dealing with the Indian Residential School Settlement, in Ottawa
Tue 24 April: Mass with the Redemptorists gathered in Chapter, at Providence Centre in Edmonton
Thu 26 April: Meeting of the Council of Priests, McLennan
Sat 28 April: CWL Archdiocesan Convention, in High Level
Sun 29 April: Confirmations at St. Paul’s Parish, High Prairie
Mon 30 April: Finance Committee Meeting and presentation of Audit 2006, McLennan
Tue 1 May: Installation of Archbishop Richard Smith in Edmonton
Sat-Sun, 5-6 May: Sunday Masses at Our Lady of Peace Parish, Peace River

Development & Peace
            Mrs. Rita Thérriault, of Donnelly, is our archdiocesan representative for both CCODP (Development & Peace) and Propaganda Fide.  Development and Peace is a Canadian Catholic organization that funds development projects at the local level across the globe, and engages in education and awareness here in Canada.  Propaganda Fide promotes the Church’s mission of evangelization around the world.  In speaking to her recently, Rita expressed a desire to have a contact person in each Church community in the archdiocese, as well as to set up diocesan councils for CCODP and Propaganda Fide. 
            If there is anyone in your parish community who could be such a contact person, I would ask that they contact Rita directly at 780 925.3978.

Dedication of St. Joseph’s in Grande Prairie
            On Sunday, May 20th, I will dedicate the new St. Joseph Church in Grande Prairie.  This marks a milestone in the planning and fundraising that has been part and parcel of this project.  Not everything is complete, but the building will be functional as of that date. 
            This event is being planned for the benefit primarily of the parishioners of St. Joseph’s.  At a later date, most likely in the fall, we will have the Dedication of the Altar, to which the whole archdiocese will be invited.

Archbishop Guimond and Father Paul Hernou
            While in Edmonton for the installation of Archbishop Smith, I had occasion to visit Archbishop Guimond and Father Paul Hernou.  Father Hernou is now out of Intensive Care, and is sitting up and alert.  His body is still recuperating, but his spirit and sense of humour are intact!  Archbishop Arthé Guimond is equally in good spirits at Foyer Lacombe.  He is still getting around in a wheelchair, and finds purpose each day in studying Spanish.  Both these men express their gratitude for the prayers and good wishes of you, their friends and supporters from across the archdiocese. 

Next Month’s Schedule
            Over the next few weeks, these are my pastoral commitments:
Sat. 12 May     Meeting of Parish Councils, McLennan
Sun. 13 May   Confirmations, Manning
Sun. 20 May   New church dedication, Grande Prairie
Sat. 26 May     Confirmations, Peace River
Sun. 27 May   Confirmations, Beaverlodge
Mon.-Wed. 28-30 May  Confirmations, Grande Prairie
Fri. 1 June     STM Grad Mass, Fairview
Sat. 2 June     Holy Family CyberHigh Grad Mass, McLennan
Sun 3 June     Confirmations, Sexsmith
Mon. 4 June   Confirmations, Assumption
Tue. 5 June    Confirmations, Meander River
Wed. 6 June    Sod-turning for Mother Teresa School, Grande Prairie
Sat. 9 June     Confirmations, Slave Lake
Sun. 10 June  Confirmations, Fairview and 75th Anniversary, Hawk Hills

You are all in my prayers, as I also ask your prayers and support.

 

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

 

 

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