Catholic Missions In Canada

Most of our supporters and readers are aware that Catholic Missions In Canada has long assisted the First Nations peoples of this nation to be evangelized and grow and be comforted by the Catholic faith. From stories and illustrations in our magazine, and on our calendars, the images of the native people as recipients of mission service, as participants in the faith, and indeed as leaders of the Church, are familiar.

EDMONTON, ALBERTA—Sunday, June 29, has been set aside as Awareness Sunday throughout the Eparchy of Edmonton to make the work of Catholic Missions In Canada better known.

“This year, Catholic Missions In Canada is celebrating its 100th Anniversary of service to missions and missionaries throughout Canada, which includes assisting Ukrainian Catholics in need,” this was announced by Most Rev. David Motiuk, Eparchial Bishop of Edmonton and newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of Catholic Missions In Canada. The June 29th date was specially chosen as it coincides with the Feast of the Saints Peter and Paul the Apostles who, as great missionaries, spread the Gospel message to the far ends of the world, said the bishop.

On June 25, 1908,  the first organizational meeting was held in the archbishop’s residence on Sherbourne Street, with the Apostolic Delegate, Archbishop Donato Sbaretti present as the honorary founder. Fergus McEvay became the first Chairman of the Board of Governors, and his Vice-Chairman was Bishop Joseph-Alfred Archambeault of Joliette, who was accompanying Archbishop Louis-Nazaire Bégin from Québec, also a member.

Also attending were the bishops of Charlottetown and Saint Albert;  the Minister of  Public Works for Canada, the Honourable Alexandre Taschereau;  the Honourable Nicholas Beck, judge of the Alberta Supreme Court;  as well as Fathers Alfred Burke and  John Kidd, as the first secretary of the Society. The Treasurer of the Board was Sir Eugene O’Keefe, with whom McEvay was already conferring about a new Seminary.

Catholic Missions In Canada President Father Philip J. Kennedy welcomed more than 250 guests, including His Grace, Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto, and Former Prime Minister John Turner at the seventh Annual Tastes of Heaven Dinner at Sala Caboto in Toronto April 23.

Also present were bishops from across Canada and this year’s St. Joseph Awardee for outstanding missionary work, Oblate Bishop Denis Croteau, retired Bishop of Mackenzie-Fort Smith.

Guest speaker Archbishop Sylvain Lavoie, O.M.I., of Keewatin-Le Pas, spoke of the hardships and struggles of missionaries serving their flock in the northern Archdiocese of Keewatin-Le Pas.

View photos of Tastes of Heaven 2008