If I could, for but a brief moment, I would like to share a little of what travelling across this great country has provided for me. That is, I would like to reflect briefly on the faith I have received from my family, as well as from some very memorable clergy and educators.

As I lived in Newfoundland for 6 years, I learned an awful lot. I learned about some wonderful people who have seen and experienced many truths. Now that I call the Prairie’s home I hope that learning continues, and I have every reason to believe it will. Both regions of our Edmonton-Toronto Province and the communities of St. Mary’s and St. Teresa’s hold so much in common. They both share a common history, and I would like to mention a recent shared moment in that common history. Earlier on this year, in August of 2011, The Greater Saskatoon Catholic School District was blessed with a wonderful message from a Redemptorist from St. John’s, Newfoundland.

As this current school year began, Fr. Leo was invited to share an opening address to the Catholic School Community of Saskatoon, SK. An article about that address has found its way into the “Prairie Messenger” of September 14, 2011 and as we all strive to promote vocations in our world, I believe that address has to find its way into all of our hearts. The opening school address centered around the idea that Catholic education (and if I may add, opportunities to share our faith) will disappear if we don’t speak up. As the article and Fr. Leo say, “Use it or lose it”. These simple words from John Crosby as he spoke about the railroad are very true when speaking about sharing our faith.

The address to the Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Community reminded us that, “Complacency at so many levels is an inadequate response”. Those were just a few of the words that were spoken as the 100th Anniversary of the School district was marked. We need to “never take for granted what we have” and we have a rich history which we all need to keep alive.

In 1732 our rich Redemptorist history began. It is up to each one of us, associates, novices, students in formation and vowed members of the province and the congregation to keep the history of Catholic education alive and moving forward. It is up to each one of us to share what we have received, “Compassion”, “Contemplation” and “Community” with each other and with Christ.