Sent to bring good news

St. Andrew's Parish sends one of its own to walk as a Scarboro missioner in another land and culture

By Miriam Wheeler
October/November 2006

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My mission-sending ceremony at St. Andrew's Church in historic St. Andrews West, near Ottawa, Ontario, was the culmination of a lifechanging formation program with Scarboro Missions. Family, friends and parishioners at my home parish received me warmly and shared in blessing my mission journey. Fr. Bernard Cameron graciously welcomed the Scarboro contingent to the Sunday liturgy, concelebrated by Scarboro Fathers John Carten and Vic Vachon.

The luncheon following Mass gave the Scarboro group an opportunity to meet the parishioners and share stories of mission. Everyone lingered, enjoying the friendly atmosphere.

The next day, Scarboro lay mission coordinators John and Jean MacInnis and I embarked on a three-day round of school and community presentations.

We were warmly greeted by Sr. Terry Ann Wilson, chaplain at St. Joseph's Catholic Secondary School, our first stop in nearby Cornwall. John and Jean gave two slide-show presentations to the Grade 11 classes of Cathy Shea and Brian Butlin. One presentation gave a brief history of Scarboro Missions and the other focused on Scarboro missioners at work.

The students of St. Joseph's are well familiar with the work of Scarboro's Fr. Lou Quinn in the parish of San Jos. de Ocoa, Dominican Republic. For the past 12 years, Sr. Terry has been organizing and accompanying student groups from St. Joseph's to Ocoa. Preparations such as fundraising and information sessions for this valuable learning experience start almost as soon as classes begin in September. While in Ocoa, the students assist with the building of homes, schools and clinics. They work on environmental conservation projects and help the people dig trenches for water lines to their communities.

That afternoon I had the opportunity to reconnect with staff at St. Andrew's Catholic Elementary School where I taught before joining Scarboro Missions. It was a pleasure to introduce John and Jean and to share the Scarboro story.

The following morning St. Andrew's students from Grades 4 to 8 filled the gymnasium. This time, John and Jean presented a slide show featuring their years as missioners in Guyana. The children were most attentive and anxious to have their questions answered. St. Andrew's School has always had a generous mission spirit, raising money for Scarboro and other mission endeavours.

That afternoon we drove to St. Francis Xavier Catholic High School located near Hammond, Ontario. Hammond is a small community nestled in the lush farmland of Prescott and Russell Counties. St. Francis Xavier and a neighbouring elementary school, Pope John Paul II, sit on a large tract of donated pastureland. Both schools create a commanding presence amid the rural landscape and picturesque farms. We were welcomed by St. Francis school chaplain Gordie Van Putten. It was a joy to meet the students and respond to their interest and questions about mission.

Tuesday evening, we were invited to attend the Catholic Women's League annual potluck dinner in the historic parish hall of St. Andrew's church. The women of St. Andrew's parish are both generous hostesses and marvelous cooks.

My thanks to Scarboro Missions, my parish and community, and the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario for the opportunity to come back to speak as a Scarboro missioner.

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