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‘God is patient'
BY DEACON CONRAD PLANTE

Rome was not built in a day and neither will our relationship with the First Nations peoples

 When I first started my mission some years ago with the First Nations people on the five reserves where I currently serve, I felt frustrated because it seemed like nothing was happening. I made myself visible and introduced myself to the elders, including the Chief and his council. I continued to visit the reserves hoping to build a relationship with the people so they would recognize that I was thereto work with them and to share our faith in the context of their traditions and spirituality.

‘ONE OF THEIR OWN’

Well, after two years, the people have accepted my presence; now they say that I am one of their own, that they have someone who is available to help them with their spiritual needs and concerns. I have learned that God ispatient and that I, too, haveto be patient. Rome was notbuilt in a day and neither willour relationship with our FirstNations people. They have expressed to methe hurts that they have experiencedin their lives, but thatthey are willing to move on.

ASKED TO VISIT SCHOOLS

During Advent, I have been askedto visit their schools and to talkabout the coming of Jesus and themeaning of His birth. A communitymember who is both a goodsinger and guitar-player has offeredto help with these visitationsby singing Christmas carols. Moreover, I have been askedto preside at many funerals, attend health days, powwows, luncheons with the elders, andto visit the sick. I can only see better thingsyet to come, with our Archbishopand the Archdiocese ofWinnipeg initiating not only anew relationship with our FirstNations people but also in helpingthem to know Jesus betterand to love Him more.

Deacon Conrad Plante is co-coordinatorfor the Westman First Nationsmission in Onanole, Manitoba, inthe Archdiocese of Winnipeg.

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