Visit to my dad's old stomping grounds

 I drove in to Toronto this morning for the week-long plenary of the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario (ACBO). I got here early for a meeting at Regis College, but then I realised I was close to the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies (PIMS). I had never visited there before, but my father had studied there as a young man back when Étienne Gilson and Jacques Maritain and Marshall McLuhan were part of the life of the Institute. So I decided to just show up and introduce myself.

I was very warmly received by the President, Father Augustine Thompson, and we have a great time chatting about the Institute, salvation theology, and the current state of the Church. He also gave me a tour, and I was grateful to see the places where my dad would have studied and prayed. There is a notable spiral staircase in the common room, so I made sure you go up and down once, just to literally follow in Dad's footsteps. 

Special celebration for the Jesuits of Sudbury

 Last fall, the Society of Jesus announced that they would be leaving the city of Sudbury, after being here since 1883. So today, we celebrated a special commemorative Mass for them, at Sainte-Anne-des-Pins parish. Here is a photo of the priests who were present:

Left to right: L'abbé Thierry Adjoumani Kouadio, Mgr Roch Martin, Bishop Thomas Dowd, Père Ron Perron SJ, Father John McCarthy SJ.

The parish also decided to dedicate their parish hall to Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Once the Mass was ended, we went downstairs and I blessed the doors to the hall.

While the celebration was lovely, it was also bittersweet. The Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie, and indeed all of our society, particularly the francophone population, has benefitted from the leadership of the Jesuits for decades. I hope history will remember their contribution.

Our Chrism Mass is in the news!

Because some social media companies aren't allowing for news articles to be posted, I've posted them here for you to enjoy!

The Manitoulin Expositor published an article about our Chrism Mass!

Historic Chrism Mass held at Wiikwemkoong’s Holy Cross Church 

And so did the Catholic Register!

Chrism Mass celebrates Indigenous ways

And here is a column I wrote for the Register, explaining the choice of Wiki as the location:

Recognition, honour, respect 

If anything else gets published, I'll be sure to add it here!

Family Christmas 2023!

 We had family Christmas a bit later this year, i.e. today! My sister and her family came up from Nashville, Tennessee, where they have been for the past little while.

My aunt Mish was there, as well as my sister-in-law Tawnia and her three daughters and their respective significant others. And, of course, my mom! Given the decline in her health we had the event at Saint Patrick's Home in Ottawa, where she resides (which explains why we were meeting in what looks like a board room - because it was). 

I was very happy to be there with everyone, given that I now live far away. Many thanks to my sister Miriam for putting it together.

Mass with the HHCJ at their new convent

I had the pleasure this evening to celebrate the inaugural Mass for the Sisters of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus, in the chapel of their new convent.

I was joined by two African priests of our diocese who know this community well and who came to show their support. Some other members of the local prayer group were also in attendance.

May this community flourish in our diocese!

Time for my own cooking show?

 We had our meeting of the Diocesan Finance Council today, and while on a break one of the members presented me with a lovely gift: my own kitchen apron, which he made himself!

Steve has apparently become quite crafty (in a good sense!) in the last few months. As for me, I love to cook, so this will definitely come in handy. Many thanks!

My kindergarden teacher passed away at age 100

I went to the visitation for Doreen Lewis this afternoon, who died on December 6. We celebrated her 100th birthday this summer. She was my kindergarden teacher when I was little. Please pray for the repose of her soul.

Obituary

In Loving Memory of Doreen Mary Frances Lewis (nee D'Cruz)

The oldest of 12 children, is united with her loving husband, William Lewis, and her eldest son, Richard. She will be sadly missed by her children: Michael Lewis (Brockville), Mark Lewis (Pointe Claire), and Celia Wiley (Sudbury - David predeceased). She leaves behind a legacy of 29 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren who celebrate her life of service and deep belief. A third-order Franciscan, Doreen, inspired by the Holy Spirit, spread the Love of God in community works of Faith. Church communities where she lived her faith were changed by her Loving presence at St. Lawrence, (Karachi), Ste. Suzanne (Montreal), St. Charles Borromeo (Toronto), and St. Patrick's in Sudbury. A dedicated teacher and consummate pedagogue, she left her mark on the hearts of her students for almost 50 years from her beginning in Karachi, Pakistan to Montreal, Quebec. To all who knew her and loved her, she would say " I love you, I bless you, I leave you in God's hands".