It was an opportunity to continue to build fraternity and commit to the mission together with regards to policies for health, care and aging, as well as our safeguarding policies and procedures to exercise of our ministry responsibly and with accountability. 

As we have recently lost a number of confreres, we gathered our first evening in prayer to remember those who have recently died, remembering that their life and ministry continue to bear witness to the faith and in the mission of the Province.  One afternoon and evening, the capitulars went on a field trip to downtown Toronto for the celebration of the eucharist at St. Patrick’s Shrine Church, and dinner and tour of the new Redemptorist Centre on the property of the former St. Patrick’s German Settlement House.  The new Centre is part of a condominium development with space for the Parish Offices, new Provincial Offices, as well as ministry space.

We also welcomed Sr. Elizabeth Davis RSM, a participant at the Synod on Synodality in Rome, who joined us virtually to share and inspire us in our thinking of Synodality as a Province and in our ministry. In listening to our feedback on Synodality and mission, Sr. Elizabeth is further assisting us with recommendations and future steps for our reflection and decisions as a Province.

As one might expect, a Provincial Chapter is a full week of presentations, reports, and reviews of community life. It is also a sacred time for gathering in prayer and reflection, enriched by moments of celebration. We took time to honour our jubilarians and express our gratitude for their many years of dedicated service to the Congregation and to the people they have faithfully served. This year’s jubilarians were Fr. Normand Sliger, C.Ss.R.; Fr. Serge Laverdure, C.Ss.R.; Fr. Bohdan Lukie, C.Ss.R.; Fr. David Richard Louch, C.Ss.R.; Fr. Francis Szadiak, C.Ss.R.; Bishop Michael Brehl, C.Ss.R.; Fr. Réal Tremblay, C.Ss.R.; and Fr. Santo Michael Arrigo, C.Ss.R. In a true spirit of fraternity, care, and honesty, the members of the Province of Canada came together amid uncertain times and ongoing challenges, remaining united in mind and heart.

As we move from this time of Chapter, we are called to reflect on where the Lord invites us to do and be in our mission in Canada; continuing to be inspired by the mission, but mindful of the journey of walking together across the vast regions of our country.  We remain reminded in this Easter journey, through the words of Fr. Jim Puglisi SA, “Easter doesn’t explain suffering away…. it passes through it”.  We remain hopeful in the continued call in the redeeming love of Christ active in our world, our Church, and in our community.