|
7 September 2007
Dear Pastors, Lay Pastoral Assistants and Parishioners of the Archdiocese,
The summer days are over, the school year has begun, and the air is more fresh these mornings as leaves begin to display more color. Fall is upon us. This has been an eventful summer for many of us. I pray that it has also been relaxing for you, giving you the courage to face the coming months with confidence. Let me bring you up to date on some events in the archdiocese and in my own life.
Seminarians: I am delighted that we have two young men who have entered the seminary this fall with the intention of preparing to become priests for the Archdiocese. Patrick Lepage, of the cathedral parish of St. John the Baptist, is beginning his spiritual formation for the priesthood at St. Joseph Seminary in Edmonton; his courses in philosophy will be taken at Concordia University. Daniel Jodoin, from St. Joseph Parish in Grande Prairie, has returned to the Seminary of Christ the King, as well to begin his philosophy studies. Both of these men have several years ahead of them, but I assure them that these years pass quickly. Please keep Daniel and Patrick in your prayers; I also call on you to encourage more of our people to consider a priestly or religious vocation.
Pilgrimages: Over the past month, I have had two very different but equally uplifting experiences of pilgrimages. The one was the pilgrimage of the Little Red River Cree Nation, held near Fox Lake from August 10th to 13th. The other was the Notre-Dame de Lourdes Pilgrimage in Girouxville on August 15th, the feast of the Assumption of Mary. I was impressed with the faith and devotion expressed at both these events. It is my hope to take part in these each year, and I encourage all members of the archdiocese to consider joining me on them.
Beginning of School Year: It was my joy to preside at the Masses which began the school year for the two Catholic school boards located in our archdiocese. Holy Family School Board held theirs at St. Andrew’s School in High Prairie on August 29th; the Grande Prairie and District Mass was at St. Joseph Church in Grande Prairie on August 31st. Both districts have hired several new teachers this fall; I welcome them all, especially those who are new to northern Alberta and may still be adjusting to a new environment. Our Catholic education system in Alberta is a precious heritage that we cannot afford to take for granted – not every Province has guaranteed this right for Catholics. Our commitment to Catholic education is shown by our involvement as families and parish communities in the life of our schools.
I also bring to your attention that there is one school in our archdiocese that belongs to Living Waters School Board (Whitecourt) – Our Lady of the Lake School in Slave Lake. The Catholics of Slave Lake will be voting on a plebiscite this fall on whether to remain with their current board or align itself with another Catholic board. Please keep the community of Slave Lake in your prayers as they face this divisive issue.
Priests moving: As announced already, we have new pastors assigned in Sexsmith, Valleyview and Slave Lake and their respective missions. I am still attempting to find a pastor for Fairview. This underscores the need in our archdiocese for more priests, especially those who will belong to our diocese. I am grateful for the priests we have, who are offering their gifts for us all.
Upcoming Events: The following are some of the events on my calendar in the coming weeks:
Bishop-elect Murray Chatlain’s episcopal ordination in Yellowknife, September 14th.
Diocesan Lay Formation Program’s 10th anniversary in Peace River, September 23rd
Archdiocesan clergy retreat at Providence Centre, Edmonton, September 24th to 28th.
Web Site: Let me remind you that the archdiocesan website is up and running. As it develops, you will find more and more items of interest on it. You can now find this letter and my previous letters on the web page, found at www.archgm.ca
+ Gerard Pettipas, C.Ss.R.
Archbishop of Grouard-McLennan
(back)
|
