thuy nguyen ordained priest winter 2015.pdfthuy nguyen ordained priest it was a long journey that...

Volume 15 Number 1 WiNter 2014

Thuy Nguyen Ordained Priest

It was a long journey that took several routes but “God’s will” brought Thuy Nguyen to Regina where he was ordained priest December 12, 2014, the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. He strongly believes that God had a plan for him and despite different “challenges and difficulties” in his journey, it was all God’s will. Whatever those challenges and difficulties he didn’t elaborate either during his thank yous at the end of the ordination service or in the following interview with the PM. “I don’t blame anyone. I don’t want to blame anyone.”Thuy was born and raised in Hanoi, capital of Vietnam. He was educated there and spent seven years in a monastery studying for the priesthood.Until recently the Vietnam government controlled the number of seminarians limiting them to 40 every second year and thus controlling the number of priests according to an April article in the National Catholic Reporter.It was during a 2011 Vietnam visit that Regina’s Archbishop Daniel Bohan met Thuy and talked with his bishop. “I was very impressed with how happy the people at the monastery were with Thuy,” said the Archbishop prior to his homily. Thuy was offered and accepted the opportunity to come to Regina, learn English, complete his education and become an ordained priest in the Regina Archdiocese. It all came together in Holy Rosary Cathedral, December 12 a year and a half after his arrival here. “I was very happy to celebrate this first Mass with my Archbishop,” said Thuy in the interview. The name Nguyen is as common in Vietnam as Smith is in Canada. There

are five Priests in the Regina A r c h d i o c e s e with the name Nguyen, none are related.In his homily, Archbishop Bohan traced the lineage of priests from God to Christ to the disciples who were charged to go out and bring the Word to the world. “Through them and their successors, the bishops, He continues the work of teacher, priest and shepherd. Priests are co-workers of the Order of Bishops.”Traditional gifts of flowers and fresh fruit accompanied the gifts of bread and wine brought to the altar by members of the Vietnamese community wearing traditional dress. Thuy’s father Nguyen Van Thoa read the second reading in Vietnamese.The Cathedral was about two thirds full including a large contingent of Regina’s Vietnamese population. Among the guests were Thuy’s parents. “They don’t speak English,” said Thuy, “so it was dangerous for them to come to this country, their first overseas trip.” Thuy said his sister and other members of the family were refused visas.For the first time in the Regina Archdiocese the ceremony was live streamed on the Archdiocese web site where it has been viewed nearly 2,000 times and is still available.

the arch, WiNter 2014

Bob Kowalchuk New Archdiocesan Pastoral Director

B o b K o w a l c h u k ’ s vocation was education and he spent 40 years as a teacher and administrator; almost 36 of those years in the provincial school s y s t e m i n c l u d i n g Regina Catholic and another five as Director of Education with the File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council. November 12, he became Director of Pastoral Care for the Regina Archdiocese.Kowalchuk was born in Foam Lake and spent his early years growing up on the family farm

until Grade Four. “I took a horse to school” he fondly remembered, “It was a one room school.” His life changed when the family moved to Regina and for the next 20 years the family was “suitcase farmers” travelling to the farm on weekends and holidays. He had an opportunity to take over the farm when it was sold but decided instead to go to the University of Saskatchewan and become a teacher largely because of the influence of his Uncle Joe.“He was an electrician but he was chairman of the Shamrock School Board. He told me I should become a teacher because I was a natural. I had worked with kids as a volunteer and enjoyed it so the next thing I knew I was off to university.” His education career included in school and system wide administrative positions and some human resource training as well, an experience Vicar General Very Reverend Lorne Crozon referred as valuable to the Director’s position when he introduced Kowalchuk to Pastoral staff November 4.Kowalchuk took the position because he is always looking for new challenges. “I am also of the Catholic faith and I have always responded to it and this is another way of doing something that I’d like to try and do. I have had so many interests and so many things I have done where I may not be able to say I’m doing it as a Catholic.”Kowalchuk said he expects the first couple of months will include listening, looking and learning about the individual ministries offered through the pastoral office and “not make any judgments until I can make a rationally intelligent statement. I think that’s going to be the biggest challenge is getting my head around what services they really are delivering.” He knows of the Pastoral Plan that calls for decentralization that’s supposed to put all the work with the deaneries and the pastoral offices are supposed to support the deaneries but he doesn’t know to what extent that has been happening. “The challenge will be to figure out where it is now and what needs to be done.”He and Marie celebrated 46 years of marriage this past summer. They have two married sons and one nine-month-old granddaughter.

Fr. Burdzy Officially Installed

On November 16th, the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time His Grace Daniel Bohan Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Regina presided over the official Installation of Fr. Mieczyslaw Burdzy, OMI as the Pastor of St. Henry's Parish in Melville, SK. With cold at minus double digit temperatures outside, inside the parishioners gathered to witness again another Oblate to be officially installed as their pastor.The bulletin insert read: "On this Sunday we welcome very warmly Most Reverend Daniel J. Bohan, the Archbishop of the Diocese of Regina. The Archbishop is presiding over the Eucharist, with the official installation of Father Mitch to the office of the pastor of the parish. Installation of the pastor into his office at the parish involves the Bishop walking the new pastor to various points of significance in the church, from the ambo to the altar, to the confessional and the baptism font with a prayer at each place where the Bishop asks the new pastor, if he is going to do what is specifically applied to that site, to which the Pastor replies, "With God's help, I will." Each time the Bishop asks the congregation if they would in turn do their part.The congregation is asked if they will bring their children to baptism, come to confession, call the pastor for their sick, listen to the Word of God, recieve Communion and so on.When a priest accepts a pastorate, he becomes the appointed leader of the parish, the bond of communion, the designated head, and the father in the faith to this community of believers. He is also called to be a servant of the people. Moreover, he is to be the animator, motivating his people to work together, and at the same time to be the healer, bringing peace and unity to avert division and anger. Consultation with parishioners, as individuals and as a community, is required for a pastor to carry out his duties responsibly."After the celebration during the Sunday Eucharist, the Archbishop, the newly installed pastor and the faithful moved to the parish hall for a meal shared in the family style.God's blessings to Fr. Mieczyslaw "Fr. Mitch" as he is known in Melville.


Rev. Patrick McCoy died peacefully Jan. 4, 2015 at St. Joseph’s Nursing Home in Saskatoon at the age of 67 years. Born Nov. 20 , 1947, in Prszemysl, Poland, Father Patrick was ordained June 22, 1975 into the Order of the Conventual Franciscans (Black Franciscans). He served as parish priest in Poland until his exile to France in 1984, as a political refugee.He then came to the Diocese of Peterborough, Ontario, in Canada, and in 1988 he joined the Archdiocese of Regina where he served in a number of parishes.In 2005, Father Patrick moved to Saskatoon due to health issues. In 2007, he was appointed chaplain at St. Ann’s Senior Citizen Village in Saskatoon and remained there until April 2012, when he retired due to failing health. Father Patrick then became a resident of St. Joseph’s Ukrainian Catholic Home where he resided until his death.Father Patrick’s hobbies included coin, stamp and pen collecting. He was a member of the Toastmasters Club since 1982.Memorial donations may be made to Parish Nursing Ministry, Saskatoon c/o St. Philip Neri Parish 1902 Munroe Avenue South, Saskatoon, SK S7J 1R8.

Lukose Luka Joins Archdiocesean Finance Office

He is a relative newcomer to Canada arriving August 20, 2010 with his wife and two sons from Kerala, India. Eight months later, April 2011, he began work as bookkeeper for a local business for two years until September 2013, when he joined the Regina Community Clinic as the Finance Officer. He joined the Regina Archdiocese July 2, 2014 filling in for Gwen

Swan-Rey who is on leave.Luka obtained a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Kerala, India and a Masters Degree in Commerce from the Gandhiji University, also in Kerala. From 1992 to 2007 he was accounts officer and finance manager for companies in Thalassery and Ernakulum, India then opened his own financial and accounting service in Ernakulum which he operated until 2010 when he decided to take his family and come to Canada at the urging of his brother-in-law. “Canada has good living conditions and it was good for my family,” said Luka. Coming to the Archdiocese was also a good move, said Luka, “It is a good place to grow in my Catholic faith.”He holds memberships in the Certified Management Accountants of USA and is a Fellow of the Institute and Cost Management Accountants of India.

Rest in Peace Father Patrick

Campion College Alumni of Distinction AwardsNeither Randy Garvey nor Curtis Kleisinger expected their careers and contributions to community would earn them the Campion Alumni of Distinction Award. Both recipients described the award as an honour and humbling and both spent a considerable amount of their podium time thanking people they met on their life’s journey.Garvey, a graduate of Campion High School, is Executive Vice President of Canadian Western Bank and resides in Edmonton; Kleisinger, a graduate of Campion College federated with the University of Regina, is Executive Director of the Mother Teresa Middle School in Regina.Former award recipient Tim Young introduced Garvey and briefly reminisced how the two met at Campion High School. “Campion gave me my core values,” said Garvey at the November 6 gala held at the Hotel Saskatchewan. “It taught me hard work and to make a contribution to community.”Garvey’s University of Regina Business Administration degree took him to the Canadian Armed Forces first as a jet jockey, “then as a desk jockey,” as a financial administrator. He left the armed forces and began a 25 year career with the cities of Regina then Edmonton as a financial officer. He

also worked for Worker’s Compensation in Edmonton before taking his current position with the Canadian Western Bank. Along the way he obtained a glider license and taught glider flying for a period. He currently serves on several boards and committees including STARS (Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service), Edmonton.

Kleisinger obtained his Education Degree from the University of Regina and an Arts Degree through Campion College, University of Regina. He began a 14 year teaching career with the Regina Catholic School Division then took on the challenge of becoming the first principal of the Mother Teresa Middle School, a school patterned after the Miguel Nativity Model in the U.S. It is

a faith based school that provides a middle school education for disadvantaged children. “He has helped to transform the lives of many people,” said Dr. June Zimmer U of R Education professor in her introduction. Kleisinger is also the recipient of the Governor General’s award for teaching history in recognition for a unique program that took students to Europe where they visited WWII graves of Regina soldiers whose lives they researched before making the trip. He thanked several individuals and organizations for their support “”Any success I’ve had is due to the people I met along the way.”

Curtis Kleisinger Rev. John Meehan, S.J. and Randy Garvey.


St. Gerard's Ecumenical Committee in Actionby Debbie and Keith Hayward, Ecumenical Coordinators

The ecumenical committee at St. Gerard's in Yorkton held their Fall Art Retreat in November. A good turn-out of artists in a variety of art forms from painting to embroidery to photography were on hand for the day as we explored the theme of "healing".Part of our group exercises included a

"spiritual" visit to the Camino de Santiago, where we all left our pebbles of worries at the Iron Cross, as well as writing down our cares and worries on paper and burning them as a form of c leansing. Later, we made a group mandala, wr i t ing down specific prayer intentions. The day also consisted of readings and brief meditations as well as productive artistic time to work on our projects. It was a wonderful, peaceful, spiritual day.

St. Gerard's Ecumenical Committee also held a Prayer for Christian Unity service on Monday, January 19. Our pastor, Fr. Francis Hengen, hosted five visiting pastors in the beautiful and meaningful service based on John 4:7. The choir provided beautiful accompaniment. Following the service, guests enjoyed fellowship, coffee and snacks (including some Brazilian selections!) in the parish hall. Thank you to Father Francis for making the visiting pastors feel very welcome and included at St. Gerard's.

World Religion Day

Extra chairs were required to accommodate the almost 200 people who at tended the annual World Religion Day held January 18 at Beth Jacob Synagogue. “It’s getting bigger every year,” said Krishan Kapila the first president of the Regina Multi-Faith Forum that now organizes the event

each year.World Religion Day brings together local representatives of religions who each present a short prayer, usually asking for peace and harmony among nations. This year, a few gave short speeches as well as a short prayer but all asked for peace and harmony. The Baha’i representative led off the 11 religions and asked that all nations be one. She was followed by a Buddhist monk dressed in the traditional saffron robe who suggested everyone knows the meaning of peace, but don’t realize it. They were followed by Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Muslim, Regina Qu’Appelle Spiritual Care, Satya Sai Baba, Sikh, Unitarian and Christian traditions. Several Eastern religions chanted their prayer in the traditional language followed with an English translation.Rabbi Jeremy Parnes greeted everyone with the traditional, “Shalom,” followed with greetings of several other faiths. “We

are gathered here to share our faith to live free and express our faith in harmony.” He referred to a tapestry hanging on an easel at the front of the gathering which he commissioned. It contains symbols of the various faith traditions and the four Hebrew letters that spell out God’s personal name. “It is unpronounceable,” said the Rabbi, “But if it were it would sound like this,” and he gave out a deep breath. “It is the breath of life.”Reverend Mary Brubacher of the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region Chaplaincy also prayed for refugees from the world’s war torn countries and an end to poverty. There were several references to ecology, care and health of the earth. The Unitarian representative said it was inspiring to hear the words of others and called for peace for Mother Earth. The Christian representative simply recited the Prayer of St. Francis which calls for peace and forgiveness. Service was opened with the traditional blowing of the sankh and closed with the blowing of the ram’s horn. The sankh is a symbol in Hindu and Buddhist rituals and the rams horn is used in Jewish rituals and symbolizes the presence of God.


Shaunavon Parish Celebrates 100th

Christ the King Roman Catholic Church in Shaunavon was built just 20 years ago and it still looks new but its history goes back over 100 years.The Catholic Community of Shaunavon celebrated its first masses in 1907 when a priest from Gull Lake celebrated mass in the homes of the pioneers, much like the history of other churches in the province. That continued until 1914 when Reverend Terence Caraher was appointed Pastor and a “basement church” was built for the still unnamed parish. That centennial milestone was marked October 19 with a special mass celebrated by Regina Archbishop Daniel Bohan and con-celebrated with Pastor Reverend John Mock, followed by a reception and banquet that attracted more than 160 people. A rectory was built in 1923 and the parish was named Christ the King. The area continued to grow and a new church was built in 1939 and served until the present church and rectory complex was opened in October 1994. The Centennial and the 20th anniversary of the church were celebrated at the same service.The Sisters of St. Louis arrived in 1945 and opened St. Joseph School in the basement of the church. Twelve years later, in 1956, the new school Christ the King was opened.Christ the King parish started life as part of the Regina Archdiocese until 1930 when the Gravelbourg Diocese was created. It reverted to the Regina Archdiocese in 1998 when Gravelbourg was amalgamated into the Regina Archdiocese in a re-organization of Saskatchewan’s Roman Catholic Dioceses.

The Archbishop’s homily quoted Pope Francis’ Evangelii Gaudium, The Joy of the Gospel, in which Pope Francis calls for a change in the modern church to become a missionary church and parishioners to become evangelists. It is a theme the archbishop has used in most of his recent homilies. “Our faith in Jesus Christ brings wonderful things to our lives. It gives us hope, meaning, security happiness and freedom from fear. We need to let that happiness show and when we do, we are evangelizers. When we deliberately let happiness show, we are being missionaries.”“Everybody was very happy,” said Joeann Ruetz Chair of the Centennial Organizing Committee. “It’s quite an accomplishment to have 200 families when we started and 216 families now and we expect to grow because new families have moved into town.” Shaunavon’s population is about 2,100. The Centennial was also honoured with a Papal Blessing scroll which was presented to the parish community by Archbishop Bohan.


Memorial Blanket Art Installation

“The most poignant artifact for me are the braids,” said Dr. Shauneen Pete, as she explained the meaning of the Memorial Blanket art work set up along a wall in the University of Regina’s Research and Innovation Centre Atrium.The Memorial Blanket was put together by West Coast Artist and Master Carver Carey Newman. Residential school artifacts were collected from across Canada and placed in panels of the 40 foot wide work. The art work contains everything from an old door, worn out skates, a shoe, door handles, a clock, pieces of wood, glass, photos etc. Old books and encyclopedias occupy slots along the bottom of the work. A slide show of old photos and letters are displayed on an old table behind the Memorial Blanket.Pete said the braids held the most meaning for her because one of the first things that happened to the children when they arrived at the school was to have their hair cut. “Hair was cut, their clothes removed, showered and other clothes given,” said Pete. Her father, Jacob Pete, seated in a wheel chair partially hidden in a corner, watched as his daughter gave explanations to media who attended the official January 9 opening. He attended St. Anthony’s residential school in Onion Lake and St. Paul’s in Lebret, Saskatchewan. He thinks the wall is a good reminder for the citizens of Canada of how “the Catholic Church, the State and the missionaries tried to destroy our culture.” He said students had to do what he called slave labour in and around the schools.First Nations University of Canada Professor Dr. Blair Stonechild attended St. Paul’s residential school in Lebret, for nine years. The Memorial Blanket brought back many memories, good and bad, that he hadn’t thought about for a long time. “I remember the dormitories; long rooms with lines of beds; a sterile, authoritarian and not a very affectionate environment.” The Blanket also brings together pieces of “the shattered lives of the students who went there.” Stonechild said one of the roles of the First Nations University of Canada is to give students a more holistic education, “an understanding of who they are and what the culture is about and we’re taking that step of reconciliation that goes beyond the stories of residential schools.”The Memorial Blanket is part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Memorial Project.Dr. Shauneen Pete is Associate Professor and Executive Lead on Indigenization at the U of R. She heard about the art project through the media and contacted the people involved who offered the work for January 1-February 27. There is no cost to the University and the display is open to the public.

John Paul II Centre Sold

It took three years but the John Paul II centre has been sold. Nicor Group, a Regina based property management/development company purchased the property from the Regina Archdiocese with the final documents signed and payment made in early January. “We’re very pleased” said Regina Archbishop Daniel Bohan. “We’ve been trying to sell that property for a number of years. There have been a number of prospective buyers but none of them were able to complete the purchase so I’m very happy we were able to sell it.”John Paul II Centre was originally built in 1959 as a convent for the Sisters of the Precious Blood then purchased by the Regina Archdiocese in 1985 when the Sisters built a smaller convent just north on the same property. JPII was used as an educational and training centre housing several programs and services delivered by the Regina Archdiocese including the Regional Marriage Tribunal. Declining enrollments for some of the programs led to its closure by 2007 with the remaining programs moved to St. Michael’s Retreat Centre in Lumsden. The Marriage Tribunal is now located in the Chancery. JPII was put on the market for sale in 2011. The sale price has not been publically announced but previous bids on the property were in the range of $2-million. The city of Regina lists its assessed value at $1,822,400.Archbishop Bohan said while no decisions have been made it is likely the money from the sale will be used for a number of Diocesan needs including the Chancery and Martha House. Martha House is owned by the Archdiocese and houses several retired priests and laymen. The Chancery office is the former St. Anne’s School and is owned by the Regina Roman Catholic School Division. “We moved here about 20 years ago on a temporary basis,” said Bohan, “and our situation here is tenuous.”The Nicor Group of Companies is well known in Regina for its redevelopment of heritage properties and is the recipient of numerous awards for its work in that area. The President of Nicor, Ross Keith, said they are in the planning stages and their immediate plan is to keep the existing building. “We appreciate the building. It is an amazing building, incredibility well built,” said Keith. He said his company has been carefully over the building, are committed to the deal and are satisfied that there are options that the company can make work. “The key to the way we do things is we want sensitive renovations because the fact that the building is unique is a plus not a minus in terms of marketing.”


CWL Memorial ServiceOn November 6, 2014 the members of Catholic Women’s League of Canada Sturgis council and Preeceville council held a memorial service for deceased members at St. Patrick’s church in Sturgis, Saskatchewan. Using the service found in the CWL Ceremonies booklet the two councils gathered to remember 16 deceased members of the Sturgis council and 11 deceased members of the Preeceville council. Family members also joined in the memorial for our departed sisters; Dehlia Durham, Lizzie Weikle, Hazel Gibney, Katie Hauber, Alma Lubiniecki, Evelyn Carr, Phyllis Sommerville, Margaret Desroches, Luella Beatty, Janet Delwo, Nellie Babchishin, Angeline Johnson, Olive Rose, Mary Robertson, Birgit Beatty, Anne Suknasky, Ilene Kalenchuk, Mary Jakubowski, Blanche Pruden, Margaret Barteski, Rose Schmidt, Minnie Kish, Margaret Pantiuk, Judith Mihalicz, Kathleen Leigh, Ellen Doetzel and Mary Kuzminski.The service began with the hymn, “New Life.” After the opening prayer the first reading was 2 Maccabees 12:39-46 followed by the hymn “The Lord is My Shepard.” The Gospel was from John 11:17-27. Our Spiritual Advisor, Rev. Marcin Mironiuk, gave a reflection on the great good of praying for the souls in purgatory.Following Father’s reflection a white rose was presented as a living memorial for each departed member. These roses were presented by family members and league sisters with the prayer ‘N..., we thank God for the gifts you shared with us. Amen.’ When all the roses had been presented the hymn “Peace is Flowing Like a River” was sung. Peace was definitely flowing through the church at that time.

The photo shows the beautifully decorated sanctuary with both Council’s banners, the Book of Life on the altar, a candle burning for each deceased member and the vase of 27 white roses.

Marian Centre’s Nancy Topping Leaves Regina

Nancy Topping has been a fixture at the Marian Centre soup kitchen for 14 years, 12 of them as director. It’s one of the longest terms for a member of the Madonna House Apostolate. “I’m going to really miss the people,” said Topping in an interview with the PM, “the people who have come here as staff and also the people who are associated with us and the men who come here.” What she won’t miss is the responsibility of being

in charge. “It’s like a mother with a lot of children; you’re always thinking about what will happen next; how you’re going to plan something. I think I’ll appreciate a little bit of a break from that.”Topping’s experience with Madonna House Apostolate is an example of how a religious calling does not confine one to a life of what some see as boredom or repetition. Besides experiencing different parts of Canada, she served in Combermere, Toronto, Edmonton, Whitehorse and even a short stint in Africa, she has sung in choirs and played her violin or viola with different groups in Regina. Before entering Madonna House she became a Practical Nurse and has used her skills at various times in her vocation and undoubtedly will use them more in her new duties in Combermere.Marian Centre’s new Director is Hugo (pronounced oogo) Isaza who has been with Madonna House for 14 years and has served in Regina for 5 years. Coming to the Marian Centre as, a staff member in 2009 was a return to where his Madonna House vocation began. He came to the University of Regina in 1997 from his home in Columbia, South America to study English. “I read a book by Catherine Doherty (Madonna House foundress) and I fell in love with that.” He went to Combermere as a guest for one month, returned to Columbia where he practiced law for two years then returned to Combermere in 2000 to join the Apostolate.Residents, friends, supporters and volunteers of Marian Centre attended a come and go open house January 10 to say good bye to Topping and welcome Isaza as the new Director.Kate O’Donnell originally from Syracuse, New York joined the Marian Centre staff to retain the Centre’s population at five.


Diaconate Candidates Begin Journey

Ten candidates have begun their four year journey towards ordination as permanent deacons for the Regina Archdiocese. They gathered at St. Michael’s Retreat House here December 13 for their second weekend session to learn what it takes and what it means to be deacon in the Roman Catholic Church.Norbert Gaudet said when he heard the letter from the Archdiocese read in his church, Sacred Heart in Raymore, inviting applicants for the program, he heard a call. “The next day the chair of parish council said to me ‘you’d make a great candidate so think about it’,”. So he thought about it, discussed it with his wife who said it was something he should and could do, discerned about it, filled out the application and was accepted.Gaudet is a retired French teacher in the Horizon School District. He is very much involved in his church as a member of parish council and former chair of the council. He is an acolyte and serves as leader in lay presided services.The description of what a deacon does attracted him to the program. “When you describe Jesus as Christ the Servant, helping people, working with the poor and marginalized, that’s something I could do,” he said in an interview with the PM. So far, Gaudet said it has been interesting but he finds the amount of learning about scripture a challenge. “I’ve never been involved much with scripture except listening to scripture in church but now I’m learning more about how God spiritually speaks to you.” The weekend of December 13-14 was taken up with the Old Testament taught by Deborah Rolfes. Rolfes teaches Scripture in Newman College’s Satellite program in Saskatoon.Gaudet said in hindsight he sees how the Holy Spirit has influenced his life. “Now I’m trying to get more into seeing it in the present moment.”The background of most of the ten candidates is somewhat similar. Most are retired and all are very active in their respective parishes and saw the deaconate as something more they could do in living their faith. A few had expressed an interest and a desire to become deacons prior to the Archdiocese instituting the program under the leadership of Archdiocesan Theologian Dr. Brett Salkeld.The program is delivered one weekend a month for eight months in each of four years. After successfully completing the program each will be ordained to the permanent diaconate and will serve the church in various capacities as volunteers.

National Roman Catholic Evangelical Dialogue

Progressing"The ultimate goal is to dispel misconceptions and break down barriers,” said Regina Archbishop Daniel Bohan referring to the National Roman Catholic Evangelical Dialogue following a Toronto meeting in December. Bohan is Co-Chair of the Dialogue with Reverend David Freeman, Vice President Canadian Ministries for the Christian and Missionary Alliance. “We engage in dialogue, seeking mutual understanding, trying to learn from one another and trying to get rid of and clarify stereotypes,” said Freeman.

According to Freeman the dialogue began when the two faith communities found themselves with similar positions in presentations made to the parliament of Canada and the Supreme Court particularly on the dignity of human life, definition of marriage and other issues. That led to what both Bohan and Freeman called a task force to discuss whether there should be a dialogue between the two. After about a year-and-and-a-half the Canadian Council of Catholic Bishops and the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada decided there was enough common ground to formalize the talks and in 2011 the National Roman Catholic Evangelical Dialogue was formed .

“The Dialogue is continuing to develop and deepen,” said Bohan in an interview. The December meeting was spent mostly in updating three new Evangelical and two new Roman Catholics to the 12 member Dialogue. Dr. Brett Salkeld, Regina Archdiocesan Theologian and Ecumenical Officer, is one of the new members. He and Dr. David Guretzki of the Briercrest Seminary, Caronport, Saskatchewan, were charged to write papers explaining their faith traditions. In an interesting twist of what might be expected, Salkeld’s paper explains Evangelicals to Catholics, and Guretzki’s explains Roman Catholicism to Evangelicals. The two worked together to make sure the papers are an accurate reflection of the two faith traditions.

Salkeld and Guretski didn’t suggest any difficulty in explaining each other’s faith tradition but each used a different approach while relying to some extent on the writings of others. “I used four key ideas,” said Salkeld, “scripture, the Cross, Evangelicalism and history.” Guretski said he focused on the commonalities that exist between the two faiths. “Yes, there are some doctrinal differences but we agree on some orthodox teachings, like the Trinity, definition of marriage, and others which even some Protestants can’t agree on.”

The papers will be published but when and in what venue has not been decided. “Dr. Salkeld’s paper is done and approved by the CCCB and will be published as a separate resource,” said Bohan. Freeman said Guretzki’s paper is “caught up in the bureaucracy.” The goal is at some point to publish them together.


Camp Lemieux is now accepting applications for the position of

Camp Director for the summer of 2015. If you enjoy working with children, coordinating activities and overseeing the operation of a summer program then please consider applying.

Applications are due by Friday, February 20, 2015.

Call (306)773-0026 or (306)628-4249 for an application or email

[email protected].

Archdiocesan Webcast CoordinatorThe Archdiocese is looking for expressions of interest from those who would consider either a part time or contract position to provide project support for live and/or recorded webcasting of events in the Archdiocese of Regina. These webcasts will enable people to watch the event on the internet anywhere in the world.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIESWorking cooperatively with the Communications Director this position involves recruiting, and training volunteers, supporting and scheduling events. You will need to:• Assess individual requirements for live events, audio and video

webcasts; determine specific resource and location needs and technical details

• Administer webcast set-up, including creation of Live-Stream event,

• Scheduling and training of volunteers• Provide information for bulletin announcements, webcast

attendees and participants• Troubleshoot basic technical issues throughout the webcast

and provide online support

• Schedule equipment and facilities

If you are interested please contact: Bobbi Yanko, Communications Coordinator,

[email protected]

Camp O'Neill Looking to fill the following positions for the upcoming season:

Camp DirectorCamp Councilors

Camp Cook Caretaker

The camp is open during the month of July. Applicants should be from the area and somewhat familiar with the camp. Candidates are welcome to apply by contacting:

Our Lady of Victories Parish rectory

306-745-3315, 1480, Esterhazy, SK S0A

[email protected] or board members: Arnold Pretracek

306-745-6212 Gerd Reese 306-896-

2904.

Employment Opportunities

Woodrow Lloyd Lecture Features Dr. BlackstockThe Canadian Human Rights Tribunal (CHRT) is expected to release its decision on the human rights of Indigenous children by April 2015. If the ruling goes against the federal government, Indigenous children will be entitled to the same rights, privileges and services available to non-Indigenous children. Dr. Cindy Blackstock, a passionate defender of the rights of Indigenous children as well as founder and Executive Director of the First Nations Child and Family

Care Society of Canada, brought the case to the CHRT in 2014. She was the Woodrow Lloyd Lecturer, January 21 at the University of Regina and made her case again to the more than 300 who packed the Education Auditorium.Without notes but aided with slides projected onto 3 huge screens above the audience, she outlined how the federal government denies Indigenous children the same services available to non-Indigenous children and quoted several government reports to back up her argument. “First Nations children do not get the same basic services other Canadians take for granted,” she quoted the former Auditor General

Sheila Fraser in a 2011 report.She gave two examples of First Nations children who spent unnecessary years in hospital, “not because they were sick but because they were First Nations.” They required services and equipment readily available to non Aboriginal children but denied to them, said Blackstock. One of them spent 2.5 years in hospital and died there at age five. She quoted the World Health Organization who said for every dollar spent on a child, the government would save $7. “If you invest in a kid’s education, culture, language, recreation, you’re going to be raising a kid who isn’t going to accessing the prison system, the health system and the social system. We’re doing ourselves a favour by investing in every baby that comes along,” she told the PM in an interview.Blackstock said when you add up all the columns, Indigenous children spent 66,000,000 nights or 187,000 years of childhood in foster care. Saskatchewan’s numbers alone made up 7,933,708 nights. She told the audience members that they have to stand up and do something about it. “When the government can’t do better, it’s up to us to make them do better.” Equality and freedom are not free, she said, you have to stand up for it.In response to several questions she said when First Nations children feel they don’t belong they join gangs. “There is no excuse for any child in this country to go to food banks for food,” she said and in another response she said when you lift from the bottom everyone rises.


“Love is Our Mission... The Family Fully Alive.” Is the theme of a World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia on September 22-27, 2015.This meeting will call together people from all over the world. If you would be interested in going as part of an Archdiocese of Regina group please contact Tina Kleisinger by email: [email protected] Check out their website: http://www.worldmeeting2015.org.

Pope Francis, in his World Youth Day,Address to the Bishops of Brazil in, July 2013 said, “It is very important to reaffirm the family, which remains the essential cell of society.”

"The SEARCH weekend is an opportunity for spiritual growth, for youth by youth, that encourages a deeper understanding of faith through the experience of community and individual reflection. It is best to register by: Wed Feb 4th, 2015. To Register: www.archsearchsk.com or for more Information, please contact: Monica Shenher - SEARCH Director Ph: 306-371-5853 [email protected] Christ the King Parish, Shaunavon, SK"

Alive with the Spirit.....


Sitting comfortably on an upholstered rocking chair and looking much like a grandfather speaking to his grandchildren, Regina Archbishop Daniel Bohan told a group of young adults they have an important role to play in the life of the Church.The informal gathering of Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO) a university centred youth group invited the Archbishop to speak on a subject of his choice and to meet with local participants in CCO. The 25 sat in chairs, love seats, chesterfields and on the floor of the Aquinas Room used by the parish’s youth ministry.Bohan, frequently quoting Pope Francis and Evangelii Gaudium (Joy of the Gospel), said young people like all baptized Catholics are called to be evangelists but not evangelists going door to door like Jehovah Witnesses. “Let people see the joy that is in our life because of our faith.”The Regina Archbishop is a big fan of Pope Francis. He told the group he was in Rome November 2014 to meet with a seminarian studying there and while there met the Pope following Francis’ weekly general audience. “I thank God for him every day. I find the things he says go to the heart of Christ. When I met him I told him that I pray for him every day.”With all the modern forms of communication with social media there are people and especially young people who complain about loneliness, depression and emptiness. “We know we are never alone. Our faith gives us a lot of good things to think about. With Jesus in our lives we can deal with it (loneliness, emptiness etc.).”We are all called to share in the mission of the church, said Bohan and age doesn’t matter. “The mission is to bring the message of Jesus to the world, to the people we associate with. Let them see our joy. You really are important to the life of the church in the way you live your life,” said the Archbishop.There is a revolution going on in morals and manners, he said. People believe they can decide for themselves what is right or wrong. “It gives them freedom they say.” But what he called the culture of contemporary has people afraid of making a commitment. Nothing is permanent. Quoting Francis again he said marriage is in crisis because of this culture. “Women, children and old people suffer the most in the current culture”

he said, and poverty is high among that group of people. “You need to have courage to go against the current trend.”CCO president Patrick Malone said he was pleased at the turnout, the largest so far this season.

Archbishop and CCO: Youth In The Church

My Generation… Called to make a mess!

A rally for grades 8 - 12 Archbishop M.C. O’Neill High School - Regina

Visit for information and to register Financial assistance is available - contact Michelle at (306)352-1651

$50 or $100/family

My Gen Rally is a shared mission of:

The Archdiocese

of Regina

The Knights

of Columbus

The Regina Catholic

School Division

"What is it that I expect as a consequence of World Youth Day? I want a mess...I want trouble in the dioceses!"

-Pope Francis

March 21 & 22, 2015

thuy nguyen ordained priest winter 2015.pdfthuy nguyen ordained priest it was a long journey that...

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