This early January meeting time has become the common practice of the PIM Commission in this quadriennium and, although the Canadian winter does its best to challenge us, we have proved ourselves up to the challenge!

“Dominion from sea to sea….” These words, taken from the prophet Jeremiah and engraved on the tower of our Federal Parliament building, were a perfect title for our conference of over 800 attendees, associated with Catholic Christian Outreach.

Upon his episcopal ordination and installation in 2018, the new bishop will bring his wisdom and experience to guiding Canada's second-largest diocese.

Fr. Gerald “Tex” Keindel died on the morning of Monday, August 14th at Villa Marguerite in Edmonton at the age of 82.

The instruction from Pope Pius IX was a simple one: “Make her known.” And in the 151 years that have passed since that day, generations of Redemptorists around the world worked diligently to answer that call. Once again, St. Patrick’s Church in Toronto has continued that mission to promote the icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, known as “the Icon of Love.”

Jubilation and high numbers on the UV index marked Our Lady’s feast day celebrations and Marian Consecration in Vancouver in June.

The novitiate year in Toronto is entering its final phase. The past few months have had wide-ranging activities with trips and visits.

The Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences (sometimes referred to as “The Learneds”) was held in Toronto May 29-June 2, 2017, and St. Alphonsus Liguori seemed happy to once again be among his learned peers!

From the 21st of May through the 27th, all the Redemptorist students in North America along with those in formation ministry and those in vocation ministry met at Notre Dame Retreat Centre, near Rochester, New York.

From Tuesday the 25th of April through Thursday the 27th, Redemptorists and Lay Missionaries of the Most Holy Redeemer from the Edmonton-Toronto Province met at Queen of Apostles Retreat Centre in Mississauga, Ontario.

In planning my sabbatical year one of the places where I wanted to have a missionary experience was in the Canadian North, in the land of the midnight sun. Already having one of my confreres, Fr. Jon Hansen, working there in the McKenzie- Fort Smith diocese made the dream a possibility.

God is indeed so good. One of the many joys I have is to share in people’s experience of the goodness that God works in our lives! Quite often this experience includes literally tasting good food together in a way that helps us to build Gospel friendships.

On Saturday, Feb. 11th, a church full of confreres, family, friends and parishioners gathered at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Vancouver to remember Fr. Brendan Boland, to celebrate his life, and to entrust him to the ever-loving arms of Our Redeemer.

First, let me introduce you to the four Amigos…myself, Stewart, Bishop Don Bolen and Andre (pictured at right), this was our team for the first three weeks of the Camino. Later, on Aug. 24th, we would be joined by Bishop Don’s sister Judy and her husband Bob.

“We are in this together” was the catch phrase that we – Sr. Fay Trombley scic, Andrea Wan, and I – used during the busy 2016 Christmas season in the most northerly settlement of mainland Canada – Tuktoyaktuk or Tuk, as it is affectionately known, in the Northwest Territories.

Let your face shine on us and we shall be saved!

First it was the rust and crimson colours of fall and now the twinkly lights of Christmas which are beckoning parishioners and passersby alike, to stop and stay a while at the newly landscaped garden of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish.

Imagine my surprise when I got an e-mail from the Superior General informing me that I would be the lay representative from North America! I learned that I would join Jose Antonio Hidalgo (Latin America), Rafael Junquera (Europe), Roksan Latorre (Asia/Oceania) and Malcolm Salida (Africa/Madascar).

An engraved chalice belonging to Fr. George Daly has become part of the vocations project for religious vocations in the Archdiocese of Toronto.

The joy, which Fr. Clark McAulay spread throughout his life, was captured at the Mass of Resurrection in St. Patrick’s church, Toronto, on November 24.

Twenty-five years ago, as my initial formation was beginning to take place, I met an amazing IHM Sister. She possessed many qualities and she had many lines to describe her life experiences and to teach life lessons.

For the first time, the conference was held in Canada and Fr. James Mason was the first Canadian confrere to receive the Seelos award from the Institute of Redemptorist Historical Studies in recognition of “his outstanding contribution to historical research and writing.”

An archivist’s excursion to collect records is always a pleasurable occasion. In mid-September in the unlikely venue of the Hilton hotel in downtown Toronto, it was extraordinarily so.

As you are all aware, the Edmonton-Toronto province did not have a Chapter or Assembly this year which is where we would normally celebrate our Jubilarians. Fortunately, we were still able to celebrate the five men who have arrived at a special anniversary this year when we gathered in Grande Prairie.

Although many in the old Toronto province would not have known Ron, he was better known in our Edmonton province. He and I were among the first students to enter Holy Redeemer College in Edmonton some 56 years ago.

Whenever I meet a confrere or someone who knows, I am the novice master the first question inevitably raised is, “How many novices do we have this year?” The answer, “Five.” The second question, “Are there any Canadians?” The answer to that question is, “Unfortunately, no.”

Brother Kevin (Matthew) Garvey was born on February 5, 1921 in Mayo (Buckingham), Quebec, a place he left an indelible mark upon by constructing a Shrine to Our Blessed Mother.

So now, my dear sister and faithful friend, you have been taken down the QEW (highway) one last time. It was so good to know some of our sisters were there for you, …. while I couldn’t so much as water your grave with my tears!

We have 4 adult faith formation dates scheduled through the next number of months. These evenings are an excellent way to explore in a deeper way articles of our faith journey.

In February 1977 I participated in the first course on Redemptorist History and Spirituality offered in English in Rome. It was organized and led by Fr Joe Oppitz (Baltimore Province). In the years since then the General Government of the Congregation has established the Centre for Redemptorist Spirituality at our motherhouse in Rome.

Graham Hill was ordained a priest, by Archbishop Gerry Pettipas on the 10th of June. Archbishop Gerry spoke about three people who had greatly influenced Graham’s spiritual and personal formation.

The sun came out to join the festivities on our Jubilee Day, June 26, as priests, altar servers, choirs, flower girls, Knights of Columbus and members of the congregation gathered outside to witness the blessing of the newly built grotto for Mother Mary at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Vancouver.

Friday, the 20th of May, was a very important date here in Toronto at the North American Novitiate of the Redemptorists, not only because it was our monthly retreat day, but mostly because it was the day on which our novices were officially invested with the Redemptorist habit.

Saint Alphonsus was an accomplished musician in his own right and recognized that music could be a powerful tool for evangelization. So it’s no surprise that today many of our Redemptorist confreres and lay associates are gifted musicians. Jeannie Pernal is one such person.

As some of you may know, Joseph Manh Thuong Nguyen, was ordained a priest in St. Anne de Beaupré, on Sunday the 24th of April. Originally a member of the Vietnamese Province, Joseph decided to learn French, finish his studies here in Canada and dedicate his life in service of our Congregation here in Canada.

The Redemptorist Community and Redemptorist Associates of Saskatoon hosted a Mission at St Mary’s Parish to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help being entrusted to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists).

The Year of Jubilee for the 150th Anniversary of the Restoration of the Icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help to public veneration continues to be a year of celebration and inspiration for the faithful to express their confidence in Mary as she continues to lead us to Christ, her Son and be for us an intercessor in our times of need and our model of Christian discipleship.

February was filled with a number of important community and parish events which I would like to share with you in this update letter.

On February 7, our parish decided to encourage people to come out of the cold and into the warmth for a local pilgrimage to celebrate and reflect upon the icon of Our Mother of Perpetual Help.

Today I saw a glimpse of the sun for the first time since the beginning of December. While winter is far from over this little glow brings hope that longer days and the warmth of spring will come again.

When Fr. Jon Hansen asked if I would be interested and willing to come to Inuvik over Christmas to offer pastoral assistance there and say Mass in one of the smaller communities he serves, I gave it some thought, and then eventually agreed, not knowing what to expect except that it would be an adventure for sure.

With the Year of Mercy well underway, 8 churches in the Archdiocese of Toronto have been asked to serve as pilgrimage sites by establishing a Holy Door for this year. St. Patrick’s Shrine Church was approached by Cardinal Collins in October.

On the 9th of November, Archbishop Gerry Pettipas ordained Graham Hill as a transitional deacon.

The month of October was full of travel to the various communities and beyond.

Fr. Des was born in Montreal on June 8, 1932, the first of five children, to Michael and Margaret (Scullion) Scanlan and baptized at St. Gabriel’s Parish. There were four subsequent children: Ellen, Margaret (who became a Holy Cross Sister), Johanna, and Larry; Des remained close to his siblings and their families all his life.

On Thursday, October 22, 2015, Fr. Mark Miller, Provincial Superior of the Edmonton – Toronto Province received the vows of Brother Graham Hill. Fr. Peter Chin and Fr. Bill Comerford were the witnesses. Fr. Tom O’Rourke who has been formation director for Graham presented him for these final vows.

On October the 4th, St. Edward’s parish and the Serra club, invited the Toronto and Area Vocation Directors to set up displays for various religious orders in their parish hall. One religious priest, brother, and sister in turn, was invited to speak at each of the Sunday Masses.

This is a special year for our Redemptorist family in Canada. We celebrate several milestones of new members in our midst.

The Sisters were joined by others so committed to saying that Poverty is Political and there must be room in our society for those on the margins – truly biblical indeed.

Greetings to you from Inuvik, Northwest Territories, home of the newest mission of the Redemptorists in Canada and the most northerly mission of the Redemptorists in the world.

On August 1st, the Feast of St. Alphonsus, Fr. Ronnie, the assistant novice master and I, Raymond Douziech, the novice master, formally welcomed eight new novices to the novitiate.

The Pan Am games ran from July 10-26 and the Parapan Am Games run from Aug 7-15. Faith groups are using the occasion of the games to educate the public on the horrors of human trafficking.

On May 19th, Redemptoristine Sister Pearl Mutter, OSsR, celebrated her Diamond Jubilee here in Toronto. She lives in community with other Redemptoristines at St. Bernard’s Convent, owned and operated by the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood.

A time of celebration! A time of prayer and thanksgiving! A time for Jubilee! From June 23 – 25, 2015, St. Patrick’s Shrine Church to Our Mother of Perpetual Help welcomed pilgrims from across the Greater Toronto Area to the annual celebration of the Novena Triduum.

The clothing “investiture” ceremony (receiving the Redemptorist habit) is another step on the way to taking on more deeply what it means to be a Redemptorist.

Like so many others, I feel the emptiness and loss of Fr. Ed’s death. Fr. Ed touched so many lives and his influence inspired not only members of his family, but his religious family of Redemptorists, friends and countless others.

With his terrific intelligence, Fr. MacGregor was always a keen learner, who read voraciously and studied everything from the daily newspapers to the Classics, who often surprised people with his knowledge of sports, and who was at heart a humble servant of God’s people in whatever ways were asked of him.

As you know the 9th of November marked the end of the year for the promotion of the Redemptorist Missionary Vocation. We were fortunate to have Fr. Michael Brehl with us in Toronto to mark this event.

At the 100th anniversary celebration, Fr. Albert Sterzer and another former pastor, Fr. Bill Bernard, joined in all the festivities.

In earlier posts, I was sharing with you the work of the Redemptorists at Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré. I share here with you something I learned through this work.

There’s an old saying, once you get the dust of Africa on your feet you will always return. I don’t know if it’s true for everyone, but it was for me.

On Sunday August 24, Fr. William Fitzgerald looked from the altar to see St. Peter’s Church filled to capacity with family and friends for a Mass in celebration of the 50th anniversary of his ordination.

Novitiate for 2014-2015 officially began on July 31. Father Ray, the new novice director, and Fr Ronnie, the new assistant director, were pleased to welcome the first wave of novices.

Two years ago I asked Fr. Provincial if I could retire when I turned 75. Fr. Mark obligingly agreed. You know, of course, that someone who retires becomes a member of the ‘Leisure Class’. What most people don’t know, however, is what it means to be a member of the ‘Leisure Class’.

At the Partnership in Mission Commission Meeting in January this year, Commission members discussed the possibility of Associate Circles doing a common apostolic project across the country.

“The Spirit is a-movin” in the larger centres. Confreres at St. Patrick’s monastery in Toronto hosted a Come and See Retreat on the 7th & 8th of June.

From June 12 to June 19, 2014, with my “Boss”, Archbishop Martin Currie and Fr. Jeff Kolonel, a priest of our Archdiocese, I journeyed with a group of 42 pilgrims to honour the 350th anniversary of the Archdiocese of Quebec. It was amazing. Absolutely amazing.

This year, five more names have been added to the list of participants chosen for this special opportunity to deepen their Christian faith through prayer, service and community in the tradition and charism of the Redemptorists.

On the bright sunny morning of Father’s Day, St. Patrick’s church was filled with German hymns and hundreds in the congregation to bid farewell to Rev. Karl Hoeppe, who had served in the German parish for 50 years.

On Pentecost Sunday, I was tremendously blessed to celebrate my 30th anniversary of priesthood at St. Patrick Church in Toronto.

After a year of meditation, prayer and retreats, the novices of the North American and French provinces, formed by Fr. Gary Lauenstein and Fr. Ray Douziech, novice master and assistant respectively, are getting ready to take their first temporal vows as Redemptorists.

A great big thank-you to all who participated in our promotion of the Redemptorist Missionary Charism on the occasion of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations.

Here are some updates from the Interprovincial Novitiate in Toronto.

One hundred Redemptorists and Lay Associates gathered recently in Campo Grande, Brazil to attend the First International Congress on Devotion to Our Mother of Perpetual Help.

University training does teach us to ask questions, and test out what has been handed on to us. However, I am so excited to show off examples of how our education can enhance our service of Jesus and the Church.

A few firsts for the Edmonton-Toronto Province and the Interprovincial Novitiate in Toronto.

I know that many of you have been praying for our vocation ministry of the Redemptorists. Thank-you kindly. In the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 66 we rejoice, “Truly God has listened; God has given heed to the words of our prayers. Blessed be God, because he has not rejected our prayer.”

On Wednesday, Feb. 5th, the Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated for Fr. Jack Spicer by Archbishop Richard Smith, accompanied by Archbishops Joseph MacNeil and Gerry Pettipas, C.Ss.R., over twenty priests, and a congregation of relatives and friends.

I am deeply grateful for all the activities that have already taken place and those that are coming in the months to follow. Below are some more stories about events that have already taken place.

This first Sunday in February, we celebrate a World Day of Consecrated Life. In our last edition of Community Connections, I told you how truly grateful I am for all you are doing to promote our Redemptorist Missionary Charism. I am still filled up with thanks to God as expressed by the writer of Psalm 118…. ‘Give thanks to the Lord, for the Lord is good, for God’s steadfast love endures forever.’

Now that the wonders of the Christmas Season are over, I just want to take a few moments and share a few awesome experiences that came my way over the last few days of 2013 and into 2014. Over these days I was blessed to visit more of Saskatchewan than I could have ever imagined.

I am deeply grateful for all the activities that have already taken place and those that are coming in the months to follow. Below are some more stories about events that have already taken place.

After discussion with Fr. Tom Picton, Director of the Desert House of Prayer, it was agreed that I would be Bro. Jeffrey’s socius for the visit to the Vice-Province of Manila (October 1-15). This visit took place before Typhoon Haiyan devastated parts of the Philippines.

The life of the much beloved Brother Edgar Hoffman was remembered and celebrated by a large community of fellow Redemptorists, family and friends gathered at the Mass of Christian burial in St. Patrick’s church.

It is hard to believe that a new liturgical year is upon us…and harder to believe that we are now five months into a Year for the Promotion of the Redemptorist Missionary Charism. In order to help with this promotion, there are seven videos for your use that are posted on RedemptoristTV on Youtube.

On November 6th, 2013 the Redemptorists from Seattle and Vancouver gathered at the cottage owned by the Edmonton-Toronto Redemptorists.

Five members of Fr. Matthew Meehan’s family made history themselves at the North American Redemptorist history conference in October when they attended a session devoted to their uncle’s Redemptorist life and media career.

Joyous hymns and tributes wafted throughout St. Patrick’s church during the Mass of Resurrection for Rev. James Farrell, the oldest and longest serving confrere in the Edmonton-Toronto Province.

We are now at the end of our course on Redemptorist History and Spirituality. We decided to each take a turn at providing a contribution to this article for Community Connections.

July 1st has come and gone, and though the work on the “Monastery” at St. Patrick’s continues, we await the completion of the building which is currently scheduled for mid-September.

I wrote the following poem for the Feast of St. Joseph, March 19, 2013.

As many of you know I completed the Via Primativa (The Original Route) to Santiago de Compostela on May 7th. The Original way is 325 km of walking if you don’t get lost.

In May I was part of an event that impressed me deeply.

Brother Paul Bernarcyzk CSC expressed his delight to me at being able to lead us in a reflection about the promotion of vocations to religious life. He was very grateful for the hospitality he experienced among us during our Chapter in April.

Through our ministry and living our vocations as members of The Edmonton-Toronto Province in Canada, we are all called to help the Canadian portion of that dream come true.

David Cottingham was born in Moose Jaw, SK and raised in Caronport, on the open Prairie west of Moose Jaw. The Redemptorists served this area and often said Mass in his parents’ home.

On October 27th, the six Redemptorist martyrs from the time of the Spanish civil war (1936-39) will be declared Blessed. The following is an article from the February edition of “Redemptoristen Kontakte,” the mission outreach newsletter from the St. Clement Province (Germany):

When Provincial Superior Mark Miller joined the celebrations on March 16-17 for the 100th anniversary of the founding of St. Patrick’s parish in London, ON, he was also honouring the first new foundation of the English-speaking Canadian Redemptorists.

As you know, Archbishop Joseph Tobin gave the first of two keynote presentations at the biennial convocation of the National Religious Vocation Conference, held in Plano, TX November 1-5, 2012.

In January, the St. Patrick’s community met to reflect on our work of promoting God’s call for people to join our Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. We recounted stories about what has helped foster vocations in the past. We also discussed some of our disappointments from the past.