OUR CANADIAN NORTH

By Sr. Rosemary Hughes, OLM
Summer 2001

Return to Table of Contents
Print Article

(L-R): Sr. Rosemary Hughes, Samelia Fiddler, Panina Rae, Laura Meekis, Bertha Mamakesic, Mary Meekis and Lydia Fiddler, take part in the reflection circle. St. Bernadette’s Parish, Sandy Lake, Ontario.

In July of 2000 I came to the Archdiocese of Keewatin-Le Pas, taking up residence in The Pas, Manitoba. Since September of the same year I have been a member of the ministry formation team that was set up in the archdiocese by Archbishop Peter Sutton, an Oblate. This diocesan formation team has developed out of the formation efforts of previous years, especially those of Notre Dame Sister Val Leibel, and Sr. Kateri Mitchell of the Sisters of Saint Anne. The current team is composed of Ursuline Sister Anne Lewans, Fr. James Ravenscroft, and myself, Sr. Rosemary Hughes of Our Lady’s Missionaries.

So far our work has consisted of visiting many Northern communities scattered across this vast archdiocese that extends from the Alberta border with Saskatchewan over to Sandy Lake in Northern Ontario. As well as visiting and getting to know the people, in some of the communities we have offered mini-retreats in order to discover what their needs are in regards to parish ministries.

Catherine Moore, a respected elder in Nelson House, Manitoba, performs the Smudging ceremony, a Native cleansing ritual, for Nancy Campbell and Nancy’s granddaughter Maris.

Many missionaries from various communities of women, and members of the Oblate Fathers and Brothers, have spent their lives serving among the people in this vast area. With a decline in recent years in vocations to the priesthood and to religious orders, lay formation is a necessity. However, the need for lay involvement is not just a response to this reality. The Second Vatican Council asserts the role of all the baptized in the mission of Christ. Emphasis has thus been placed on training dedicated lay people to take on various services in their local parish. The ministry formation team is a response to the need for this training.

Visiting the communities has been a very rewarding experience for me. Many are First Nation and Metis communities. In the circle sharings of our various gatherings, I have been privileged to hear of the faith journeys that our brothers and sisters have travelled. It is a great honour for me to share in some of these journeys and to support any of the efforts that are being made to serve in local ministries.

Return to Table of Contents
Print Article