Article in Soo Today regarding Father Hamish

The article can be found at this link: https://www.sootoday.com/local-news/sault-priest-connected-with-people-from-other-faiths-bishop-says-11247173

Obituary for Father Hamish Currie

I went with Father Hamish's sister to the funeral home this morning. You can see the obituary on their website, which will also give a chance to offer condolences. The obit is also available below.

In Memory of

Father Hamish Currie

1952 - 2025

Obituary of Father Hamish Currie

With heartfelt sorrow, we announce the unexpected passing of Father Hamish on Friday, September 19, 2025 at the age of 73.

Father Hamish was known and loved in countless ways. To some, he was the shepherd of a flock, leading liturgy with a steady hand, an open heart, a thoughtful mind, moving music, and a spiritual calm that steadied others. To others, he was a violinist in the Sault Symphony, the potter at the wheel, the painter with a careful brush, the pianist whose notes lifted a room, or the actor who delighted on stage. To his brother priests, he was a mentor and guide; to his friends, he was a well of laughter, loyalty, and kindness. And to those struggling with addiction or recovery, he was a gentle companion who embraced them without judgment, meeting them in their humanity.

At family gatherings, Hamish was a beacon of light. Funny, thoughtful, dependable, and always ready with a tale, he could turn a simple dinner into an evening of shared laughter and belonging. He loved to entertain, but more than that, he delighted in making people feel seen and included, whether through a mischievous joke, a perfectly timed story, or simply his attentive presence.

Hamish lived his values not as appearances, but as actions. He was grounded in humility, choosing presence over pomp, service over spotlight. Many whose lives he touched never even knew he was a Catholic priest; they only knew the grace and kindness of a man who walked beside them in their struggles and joys.

Hamish is survived by his sister Maureen and her husband Joe DeJong, his nephews and niece Michael (Olga) and Iain DeJong (Ciara), Andrea (David) Caroffino and Mark Trudeau (Kim), his cousin and dear best friend Jean Scott, and other cousins in Canada and Scotland who cherished him deeply. He now joins in eternal rest his parents James and Mae Currie and his younger sister Sarah and her husband Brian Trudeau. His family and friends will carry not only memories of him, but also the lessons he wove into their lives.

Friends and family are invited to visit at Precious Blood Cathedral (778 Queen Street E.) on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. until the conclusion of the Vigil Service (which begins at 7:00 p.m.). Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Precious Blood Cathedral on Thursday, September 25, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to The Journey at Precious Blood Cathedral would be appreciated.  Honour Hamish in the way he lived: by quietly practicing kindness. Help a neighbour. Write a note of thanks or encouragement to someone who needs it. Make peace where there has been hurt. That was the way Hamish gave himself to the world, asking for nothing in return.

May his life be not only remembered but emulated. In his memory, let us choose love, hope, and kindness, and in doing so, carry forward the light he so freely shared with us all.

A special thanks to the paramedics, firefighters and city police.  Your thoughtfulness and compassion were very much appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to Northwood Funeral Home Cremation and Reception Centre (942 Great Northern Rd, 705-945-7758). 

Father Hamish embodied love as a verb. He saw people before labels. He lifted spirits, soothed hurts, shared wisdom, sparked joy, and inspired hope. 

Article in the Sault Star about Fr. Hamish Currie

 Link to the article here: https://www.saultstar.com/news/currie-filled-with-compassion-and-faith

Father Hamish Currie has died

It is with great sadness that I pass on the news that Fr. Hamish Currie, Pastor of the parish of Precious Blood Cathedral in Sault Ste. Marie, passed away this morning. Wake and funeral details to follow. Please pray for him, and for his family, friends, and parishioners.

Happy 55th birthday to me!

 Yes, today is my 55th birthday. Here's a picture of me at a somewhat younger age. How times change! Please pray for me!

14th anniversary of episcopal ordination

 Today is my 14th anniversary of ordination as a Bishop. One thing for sure, it has never been boring. Please pray for me, and all the people I am called to serve!

COVID - again!

 I was looking forward to participating in our English-language retreat for priests this week, then this happened (result from this morning). Aarrgghh! I guess I'll be doing my retreat from home.

Day 3 of the Joint Working Group

 Day 3 of our meeting of the Joint Working Group (Wed, Sept 3). I am posting this a couple of days later to make sure I got the photos and news articles associated with the day!

Our day began with a special private audience with the Pope. He greeted each of us one by one, offered a few remarks of encouragement, and then we had a group photo. 

Archbishop Flavio Pace was interviewed by Vatican News about the meeting.

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-09/popes-encouraging-words-to-joint-working-group-united.html

We then returned to our working groups to, well, work! Finally we came back together in our plenary to decide one the truly contentious issue: the dates of our next meeting! I say that only partly tongue in cheek, as it isn't easy finding a common date for 24 people.

Having finally decided on Sept 1-3, 2026, we got to work on the draft of our communiqué. You can read it here:

https://www.christianunity.va/content/unitacristiani/en/dialoghi/sezione-occidentale/dialoghi-multilaterali/dialogo/gruppo-misto-di-lavoro/communiques/en111.html

After a time of concluding prayer we all went our separate ways. Thursday was my travel day, so I returned to the Casa Romana on Traspontina for a meal and a good night of sleep. I was absolutely zonked, but also full of joy for our time together. It was a good 3 days.

Final article from the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity about the meeting:

https://www.christianunity.va/content/unitacristiani/en/news/2025/2025-09-04-jwg-plenary-meeting.html

Day 2 of our meeting of the Joint Working Group.

Most of our day was spent listening to representatives of the different Roman dicasteries, who presented the work they do. Many of the World Council of Churches reps shared with me how they found it helpful, as they of course have much less familiarity with the inner workings.

We also received presenters from four ecumenical centres in Rome, who shared on their various programs. I wish there was a program for the training of ecumenical officers, but alas. Perhaps I need to design one.

We then went out to dinner together, where we also met up with reps from various Protestant groups who have permanent representation in Rome.

Finally, as a personal treat, I ran into Archbishop Gabriel Malzaire of Castries, Saint Lucia. We met back in 2003, when I had been a priest for barely a year and he was bishop in Dominica, and here we were, 22 years later. A most pleasant random encounter!

Day 1 of our meeting of the Joint Working Group

Day 1 of our meeting of the Joint Working Group. While a formal statement of what we accomplished will be published later, I am happy to share some personal reflections.

We began our first full day together with introductions and catching up on news from our local churches. We then welcomed Cardinal Koch, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, who offered us a brief reflection on our work. And of course, a group picture!

Our afternoon session was taken up with a visit to the archeological excavations underneath Saint Peter's Basilica, which in 1950 rediscovered the tomb of Saint Peter himself, as well as a niche with contained what we believe are the bones of Saint Peter himself. Very impressive.

For our afternoon discussions we broke into our working groups. I am in the group discussing salvation theology (soteriology) and its importance for Christian unity. I wrote a whole pastoral letter on the topic, which you can read here:

https://dioceseofsaultstemarie.org/letter3