Please find our latest bulletin for Sunday, August 7th, 2022 here: August 7, 2022

An Introduction from the Pastor

Greetings to Family and Friends of St. Joe’s Parish,

As I begin my ministry here in St. Joe’s, I thought a word of introduction would be important to introduce who I am and what I have done in the past.  This fall will mark 41 years since my ordination.  Since then I have ministered mostly in different First Nations Communities across northern Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.  During that time, I lived and worked mostly in and on northern reserves, staying an average of about 8 years at a time.

Inculturation has always been important to me, and I had the chance and privilege to attend and participate in a number of First Nations ceremonies such as Sweat Lodges, Sun Dances and pipe ceremonies.  My last First Nations parish was in an inner-city parish of Winnipeg called St. Kateri where I served for almost two years.  From there, I accepted to become a chaplain at a federal prison called Stony Mountain Penitentiary.  I truly enjoyed this ministry, but COVID brought an end to this when the chaplains were seen as non-essential, which terminated our ministry for months.  In the meantime, a small French-Canadian Parish in southern Manitoba found themselves without a priest, again because of COVID.   Here the local bishop asked the Oblates for a helping hand and we as Oblates responded to the call to serve.  Since this parish did not meet the criteria of “mission” I was to stay for only one year.  Fortunately, because of a crisis the parish was experiencing, I was able to stay two years to help the community through this difficult situation and bring it to a peaceful resolution.

One of my goals while ministering at St. Joe’s is to be present to the poor and marginalized, and to help the recognize their dignity in the society and within the Church.  Another goal I would like to undertake is to help and promote lay involvement within the Church.  This is an important role as we are called to become authentic witnesses of the presence of Christ in their lives.

Fr. Robert Laroche, OMI

Introduction of the New Coordinator of Young Adult Ministry & Faith Formation

Hello Everyone,

As some of you are probably aware, my name is Paul Dansereau and I am excited to have begun in the role of Coordinator of Young Adult Ministry & Faith Formation here at St. Joseph’s Parish just this past week. My family and I—I am joined by my wife and four young children (all under the age of 8)— relocated from Alberta in order to serve this parish community in this capacity. I am very much looking forward to getting started, ever since I received the news I’d been hired this past May! Originally hailing from British Columbia, we spent two of the past three years in Edmonton, Alberta, while I finished my degree in theology at Newman Theological College, and the past year helping run a retreat centre just outside Hinton AB.

While I am keen to learn more about how St. Joseph’s Parish lives its faith, I also come with a deep sense of passion for what St. John Paul II referred to as the “New Evangelization”—a concentrated effort, so-to-speak, to meet people where they are, and lead them to where God is calling them to be. It is my hope that I may be of particular service here at St. Joseph’s Parish—being that it is a community that strives to do just that, meet people where they are—and do what I can to help lead them to where God is calling each of us to be — in a loving relationship with Him, the God who “is love” (Jn 4:16).

Thank you in advance for the warm welcome. I’ve really appreciated getting to know all those people I’ve met so far, and I look forward to getting to know all those I have yet to meet.  If anyone would like to get ahold of me anytime, for anything pertaining to either young adult ministry or faith formation, my email is pdansereau@st-josephs.ca. I look forward to hearing from you!

THE MIME

For those of you who attended Fr. Jim’s farewell BBQ, you will recall the excellent mime done by two clowns, parishioners Colleen Kerr and Gail Hillier? What you may not know is the story behind the costumes they wore.

Sister St.Ethel (Raika) GSIC wanted to learn clowning in the late stages of her life in order to share some happiness to the community she served. Her community in Pembroke supported her request and sent her off to the USA to take a clowning course.

Upon her return, she made up costumes and would head off to hospitals and other venues to spread joy and happiness. Fr. Andy Boyer, a former pastor recalls how she would use the outfit in teaching children about sacramental preparation and do it without words.

Sister Raika died in 2018 and left the two clown outfits to Fr. Boyer, who was the spiritual director for the Grey Sisters in Pembroke. Fr. Boyer was surprised by the generous gift but was uncertain what he would do with them.

He decided to give them to Colleen Kerr who has made good use of them. Photos taken at the farewell party for Fr. Jim will be given to Sister Raika’s blood sister, St. Coga .

 

My Little Church Reopens: August 7, 2022

After more than two years, My Little Church will be reopening this Sunday. It features toys, and books to keep the children of St. Joe’s occupied during mass. Please note that children need to be supervised by parents or guardians when they are in this play space located in the gathering area of the church.

St Joe`s Women`s Centre: Towel Program

St. Joe’s Women’s Centre is looking for donations of bath towels for our shower program.

Gently used and/or new towels can be dropped off to the Women’s Centre Monday – Friday, 9:30 – 3:30pm.

For more information, please contact Jennifer jclark@st-josephs.ca, 613-231-6722.

Thank you for your generosity & support!

St. Joe’s Supper Table: Items Needed

St. Joe’s Supper Table is currently looking for some ground coffee, instant coffee, tea, white sugar, cookies, toilette paper, soap and granola bars. Any brand is most welcomed. Thank you for thinking of us!