NEW COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF THE SAINTE-ANNE-DE-BEAUPRÉ COMMUNITY

Our Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré community recently welcomed three new Redemptorist missionaries, all members of the Vice-Province of West Africa, who committed to serving in the ministry of the Shrine for three years. Father Marek Marszalek, C.Ss.R. (centre), originally from Poland and also a citizen of Burkina Faso, had dedicated 35 years to mission work in Burkina Faso before joining the community. Father Dassi Sébastien Bienvenu, C.Ss.R. (right), a native of Togo, and Father Dimanchi Gabriel Bourgou, C.Ss.R. (left), a citizen of Burkina Faso, also joined the team, bringing their rich experience and dedication to the service of pilgrims and the pastoral life of the Shrine. Welcome, dear brothers!

UPDATES REGARDING OUR STAFF

We are pleased to announce some updates regarding our staff: Elora Garbutt will become a full-time employee for the Province of Canada as our Provincial Archivist, expanding her work from the Edmonton-Toronto region. Meanwhile, The Welcome Home in Winnipeg is pleased to welcome back Delores Courchene to the team as part-time Community Care Coordinator and welcome to Abigail Pyrz as part-time Administrative Assistant, joining Fr. Larry Kondra and Br. Eumir Bautista. Congratulations to our staff and thank you for your presence and work in our mission.

CELEBRATING ARCHBISHOP GERRY'S BIRTHDAY AND RETIREMENT

Archbishop Gerry Pettipas, C.Ss.R. of Grouard-McLennan, recently celebrated his 75th birthday, which meant that he has reached the retirement age for bishops. Pope Leo XIV has accepted his resignation, and on October 4, a Jubilee Mass in McLennan will mark the succession of Most Rev. Charles Duval, C.Ss.R., as the sixth Archbishop of Grouard-McLennan. Following this, he will be moving to Toronto to join the community there.

FUNERAL SERVICES FOR BISHOP STASIUK IN CANADA

A Parastas Service was held was held for Most.Rev. Peter Stasiuk, C.Ss.R.† at St. Joseph’s Ukrainian Catholic Church on August 21, led by His Grace, Most Reverend Lawrence Huculak, OSBM, Metropolitan of Winnipeg and assisted by Bishop Andriy Rabiy, Auxiliary Bishop of Winnipeg, Archbishop-Emeritus Stefan Soroka of Philadephia, Bishop-Emeritus John Pazak, C.Ss.R. of Phoenix, Bishop David Motiuk of Edmonton, Redemptorist priests and brothers in Winnipeg, and the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate. The alumni of the Redemptorist college of St.Vladimir in Roblin, served as the choir for the service under the direction of Fr. John Sianchuk, C.Ss.R. A Funeral Divine Liturgy was also held on August 22 for Bishop Stasiuk before his remains were transferred to Roblin for another Funeral Service. He will be transferred to Australia for interment.

OPENING MASS FOR YELLOWKNIFE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

Bishop Jon Hansen, C.Ss.R. of the Diocese of Mackenzie-Fort Smith and Father Mick Fleming, C.Ss.R., Pastor of St. Patrick’s Co-Cathedral in Yellowknife presided over the opening mass for Yellowknife Catholic Schools staff as they began the new school year in late August. Also with them was Noel Oco, C.Ss.R., who has been assigned to Yellowknife for the next few months to help the Redemptorist ministry there as part of his pastoral year. In his homily, Bishop Jon spoke about the district’s three-year theme, beginning this year with Faith, and looking ahead to Hope and Love. Following the homily, the bishop blessed new teachers’ bibles while the entire staff joined in a blessing song. Bishop Jon’s homily encouraged teachers to ask God for help, to see the strength in the mustard seed and flourish.