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Parts of church’s body in trouble, need help
ANNE HANLEY

In homilies delivered at Masses across the Archdiocese of Edmonton, missionary bishops spoke of the work of Catholic Missions In Canada

 ‘‘Parts of the Body of Christ are in trouble and need our help.” Those words were spoken by Archbishop Martin Currie of  the Archdiocese of St. John’s, Newfoundland, in November last year, as he addressed parishioners at St. Joseph’s Basilica in Edmonton about Canada’s mission communities.

Throughout the Archdiocese of Edmonton, the weekend of November 22-23, 2008, saw parishes working to increase awareness about the needs of Canadian missionaries.

The weekend was designated Catholic Missions In Canada Mission Awareness Weekend by Archbishop Richard W. Smith, who, in a letter to pastors in the archdiocese, invited participation of the “whole faith community in the parishes, in the schools and in the media.”

Three missionary bishops—Archbishop Sylvain Lavoie, O.M.I., Archbishop James Weisgerber and Archbishop Martin Currie—spoke at Masses that weekend in three centres throughout the archdiocese. Archbishop Lavoie of Keewatin-Le Pas drove from The Pas in Manitoba to Lloydminster, Archbishop Weisgerber of Winnipeg journeyed to Red Deer and Archbishop Currie travelled from St. John’s in Newfoundland to Edmonton.

About 5,000 people attended Masses in the three communities.

Mission Awareness Weekend at Saint Joseph’s Basilica in Edmonton, Alberta. From left to right: Deacon John Lindsay, Deacon Michael Schumacher, Archbishop Martin Currie of St. John’s, Newfoundland, and Father Adam Lech, rector of Saint Joseph’s Basilica.

Mission Awareness Weekend at Saint Joseph’s Basilica in Edmonton, Alberta. From left to right: Deacon John Lindsay, Deacon Michael Schumacher, Archbishop Martin Currie of St. John’s, Newfoundland, and Father Adam Lech, rector of Saint Joseph’s Basilica.

In homilies delivered at Masses in Edmonton, Archbishop Currie spoke of the work of Catholic Missions In Canada. Throughout its history, he said, Catholic Missions In Canada has “heard the cry of the poor and undertaken a mission of caring that continues today because of the love we have for our faith.”

The great love that parishioners in the Edmonton archdiocese have for our faith was evident that weekend.

Catholic Women’s League Councils at St. Joseph’s Basilica, St. Anthony parish in Lloydminster and Sacred Heart parish in Red Deer prepared receptions and welcomed parishioners to receptions and information sessions after Masses. As well, St. Joseph’s Young Adult Group sponsored an informal and spirited discussion for young adults with Archbishop Currie after Mass on the 23rd

Media outlets throughout the archdiocese were also involved in the weekend’s success. CTSTV in Edmonton aired two30-minute television specials about Catholic Missions In Canada on November 23 and November 30. Catholic Missions In Canada brochures were also inserted in issues of The Western Catholic Reporter and Prairie Messenger newspapers.

To heighten awareness of Canada’s missions among young people, religious education consultants in the archdiocese’s three school districts were advised of the weekend’s activities, and provided with elementary and secondary school lesson plans on the work of Canada’s missionaries.

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of so many throughout the archdiocese, the weekend was a tremendous success! Over$12,000 in support of Canadian missionaries has been raised as a result of activities held that weekend, and many new donors introduced to their work.

Deacon John Lindsay helped coordinate the weekend’s events at St. Joseph’s Basilica in Edmonton. “The missionaries need our support,” Deacon Lindsay said. “My wife Louise, son David, and I were honored to help make their work better known among our neighbours in Edmonton.”

Our thanks to Archbishops Smith, Lavoie, Weisgerber and Currie, to Fathers Lech, Sobkowicz, Drewicki and Eze whose parishes hosted the archbishops at Sunday Masses, to Deacon John, Louise and David Lindsay, Deacon Lynn and Sherry Pion, Julien Hammond, director of pastoral services and the Mission Council in the archdiocese, Cathy Bouchard, diocesan president of the Edmonton Catholic Women’s League, and members of CWL Councils who prepared the welcoming and informative receptions.

Thank you also to pastors throughout the archdiocese who spoke of Canadian missionaries that weekend from pulpits and to volunteers who distributed Mission inserts after Masses and in parish bulletins. You each generously gave of your time and talent to further the work of Canada’s missionaries.

If your group would like to host a Mission Awareness event or teachers wishing to receive lesson plans on the work of Canada’s missionaries,  please contact us at 416-934-3424.

Anne Hanley is national development assistant at Catholic Missions In Canada.

© 2011 Catholic Missions In Canada Charitable BN # 119220531 RR0001