The Parish Team, or “Team” as they are often referred to, are the management staff, which serve the parish and its ministries. In biblical terms we may be described as stewards – looking after the resources of the community and ensuring the ministry and work of the parish follows the ideals of our Mission Statement.
Since January 2010, the Parish Team has taken on a new look. Joining Fr. Richard Kelly, OMI (Pastor), Melissa Sabourin (Director of Administration, Finance and Social Programs – temporary replacement for Garry Byrne), Mary Murphy (Pastoral Associate), and Olesja Ro (Interum Manager of Operations - replacing Melissa Sabourin as she fills in as Interum Director of Admin) are Marsha Wilson, Director of St. Joe’s Women’s Centre, Dave Ro, Manager of St. Joe’s Supper Table, and Nick Cacciati, Supervisor of Maintenance.
The shift in the Team structure began in response to the Oblates of Mary Immaculate invitation for the parish to discern if it could be a Mission Centre. This called the parish Pastoral and Financial Councils, as well as the management staff to reflect on the identity of who we are as St. Joe’s. The unanimous decision was that it was all of us together – the outreach ministries, the soup kitchen, the women’s day program, the refugee outreach, the parish, the liturgy, the Oblates – and the openness to serve, respond and be lead by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Thus was born a renewed sense of collaboration among the parish management staff in a desire to serve the mission more effectively in the spirit of St. Eugene and the Oblates as they serve as the presence of Christ to those who are marginalized. The Mission Centre idea and concept is still in discussion, but in the midst of that discussion is the very real struggle of Garry Byrne, Directory of Administration, Finance and Social Program, who has been struggling with severe cancer, and the expected transition of Pastors from Fr. Richard C Kelly, OMI to another and former Oblate Provincial, Fr. André Boyer, OMI which is expected to take place October 31st, 2010.
The Parish Team meets every Wednesday, with their prepared agendas. Some of the current working projects that we are working on include the development of a personnel and procedures policy, the development of a procedure for composting that is both economical and realistic for us. We are looking at facilitating stages of transition for the return or the retirement of Garry Byrne (an anticipatory job positing has been posted on our website and on Charity Village to seek out a new Director of Administration, Finance and Social Programs), and the welcoming of a new pastor
Parish Council Team
Fr. Richard C. Kelly, OMI Pastor 613-233-4094 ext 222 rcjkomi@yahoo.com
Mary Murphy, Pastoral Associate 613-233-4095 ext 227 Mary@st-josephs.ca
Terry Byrne ( interim Director of Administration, Finance and Social Programs) 613-233- 4095 ext 234 Garry@st-josephs.ca Garry Byrne is off on sick leave. Please keep Garry in your prayers.
Melissa Sabourin, Manager of Operations. 613- 233- 4095 ext 223 Melissa@st-josephs.ca
Together they form the Parish Team. The Parish team consult with the advisory boards of Parish Pastoral Council and Parish Pastoral Finance Council.
As well, the Parish Team works collabortively with the Manager of the Supper Table Dave Ro and the Director of the Womens Centre, Marsha Wilson.
Contact the following team members if you need help or information in the following areas:
Fr. Richard: Setting your wedding date, a pastoral visit, anointing of the sick, confession
Mary Murphy: preparing for the sacraments including marriage prep, Liturgy, general parish ministry information, religious education, want to start a ministry, registration of new parishioners, interfatih, youth group, young adult ministry, parish communications,
Terry Byrne: Administration, overall managment issues and concerns, The Supper Table advisory board,
Melissa Sabourin, donations, sacramental records, bulletin announcements, hall booking, Church booking, room booking, parish calendar management,
Get to know the new pastor - Andre Boyer, OMI who will be taking the helm on November 1st 2010.
Easter 2008
(Andre Boyer, OMI – Provincial)
This year Easter is the earliest that it can possibly be in our calendar. One would have to be well into their 90s to have a memory of the last time Easter occurred this early. All of us will not see Easter arrive this early again in our lifetime. (The next time will be March 23, 2285.)
Normally, Easter is a time of signaling the coming of Spring. It is a time of joy and anticipation of new things to come. For us across the country, this year’s winter has been overly harsh to the majority of us. An early coming of Easter, with its anticipated newness of life, is indeed a welcome event for us all.
Many of the familiar symbols of Easter quite often can become ordinary for us. The Easter egg is
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Andre Boyer, OMI
Provincial – OMI Lacombe |
an apt symbol of life temporarily encased in a tomb-like shell reminding us of Easter’s secret: God has raised Jesus Christ from death to life.
The other Easter symbol that tends to be often overlooked is that of the stone being rolled away at the tomb. In all four Gospels, consistent reference is made to the fact that at Easter, the stone was rolled away. In each of our lives the stone can mean those things which weigh us down, obstruct our vision, and imprison us in life situations. Many of us still experience the burden of the IRS settlements and subsequent healing and reconciliation endeavors.
At the first Easter, joy was not the first emotion experienced. It was rather fear, disbelief and confusion. Joy only became a reality after a further period of reflection and understanding.
At the most practical level of all, the resurrection of Jesus means that in every human situation or set of circumstances there is “a saving possibility.” The apostle Paul wrote that God is present in all things, working to bring about what is truly good. (Romans 8:28) When things look hopeless and the world seems like a tomb, God is at work to bring life out of apparent death. This is the good news of Easter. Christ is Risen!
On behalf of the Leadership of OMI Lacombe Canada, it is our prayer that you will experience the true joy of Easter through Jesus our risen Savior.