The Installation of Fr. Richard Beaudette, OMI as Pastor
St Joseph’s Parish—Sandy Hill, Ottawa, ON
The Solemnity of All Saints – November 1, 2015

THE CHALLENGE OF BECOMING SAINTS

[Texts: Revelation 7.2-4, 9-14; [Psalm 24]; 1 John 3.1-3; Matthew 5.1-12a]

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

[Spontaneous remarks re welcome received this morning; evidence of the generosity of parishioners as they entered church in giving to the food bank and supper table; the announced inclusive welcome of St. Joseph’s; the sounds in rehearsal of the vibrant and energizing choir; and the joyful engagement of the children in the entrance procession/liturgy.]

In a few moments I will formally install Father Richard Beaudette as your new pastor. In that ceremony, he will renew the promises he made at the time of his ordination within the Congregation of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. He will promise to live out his commitment for the next several years with you. The first bishop of our diocese of Bytown, later renamed Ottawa was an Oblate sent to the Canada Mission by the founder of the Oblates, St. Eugene de Mazenod.

Next year we will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Oblates, a year that promises to be rich, as you emphasize the Oblate charism of proclaiming the Good News to the poor, that is to say those who are distant or marginalized in any way as the special starting-point
of Oblate ministry.

In turn, I will invite you, representing all other members of the parish to assist him in leading this faith community. I hope that you will say “yes” to him with enthusiasm and joy.

We will process around the church to the various places where he will exercise his priesthood (the baptismal font, the confessional, the pulpit, the altar) and I will remind him of the spirit that should guide him in his service to you. Pray for him that he may do this generously and well.

-Archbishop Terrence Prendergast