From the Vineyard
Newsletter No. 2 - October 13, 2017
I WAS PLEASED TO INSTALL FATHER RAYMOND RICK as the new pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Lakefield this past weekend. Many parishioners attended the Saturday Vigil Mass and came for the social afterwards. The Installation Liturgy consists of beautiful words and gestures which articulate the ministry of a parish priest and I find that people are quite moved by it. I am grateful to Father Joe Moran, our Vicar General, who pinch hit for me last Sunday at the Installation of FATHER MARTIN DALIDA: Father Martin is the new pastor of Our Lady of Mercy in Honey Harbour. We offer prayers for all our new pastors and those who have undertaken new assignments in our diocese.
I WENT TO ST. AUGUSTINE'S SEMINARY IN TORONTO THIS WEEK along with our Vocation Director Father John Perdue. Father John and I were happy to visit our two men studying there, Deacon Stephen DeCarlo who is in his final year, and Peter Lukow who has just begun his first year of theological studies. We had a very good visit with them and were happy to take them out for a meal on the town! We also met with the Rector, Father Edwin Gonsalves and the Academic Dean, Father Luis Melo. And it was a privilege for me to celebrate Mass that evening for the seminary community. A trip back to St. Augustine's is always special. Both Father Perdue and I are graduates: he in 2014 and I, um.... a little before that.
I THEN STAYED IN TORONTO FOR THE EXECUTIVE MEETING OF CANADIAN CATHOLIC CAMPUS MINISTRIES. CCCM is the professional association of religious, clergy and lay people who provide ministry to Catholic students at our university and college campuses. A few years ago, I was tasked as the Canadian Bishops' liaison to this group, an assignment I have greatly enjoyed. I have learned a lot about the various ways that Campus Ministry is offered in our country and have gained great respect for the people who provide it - they do stellar work with our young people at a crucial time in their educational and faith lives.
CATECHIST WORKSHOPS HAVE TAKEN PLACE across our Diocese to train people to deliver the parish programs for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist. This is a vital ministry as parishes take on the mission of immediate preparation for the Sacraments. And it is a bit of a job to offer those workshops in a diocese as large as ours. Sincere thanks to Father Paul Massel, Father Bill Moloney, Father Craig Cruikshank, Sr. Advocata SSVM, Christina Callaghan, and Deirdre Thomas for coordinating that venture. Much appreciation goes to the catechists in each parish who will work with the young people and their families!
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE PARISH OF ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST IN KIRKFIELD. Their church was broken into last weekend in an act of desecration and vandalism. Father Anthony Ezeonwueme rightly cancelled Mass there last Sunday until the proper Rite of Reparation could be celebrated. I will offer Holy Mass and the Penitential Action there this evening. It's not the way that I had planned my first visit to St. John's, but it is important to do this now so that the community may gather there for worship on Sunday. Please pray not only for the parishioners but for the misguided individual or people who committed this dreadful act.
WE ARE READY FOR WINTER AT THE DIOCESAN PASTORAL CENTER. Work on our new roof was completed this week!
Pax et Bonum,
†Daniel
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