IN MEMORY

Rev. Paul Denis Ouellette, S.F.M., 1928-2003

By Fr. Gerald Curry, S.F.M.
April 2003

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Fr. Paul Ouellette passed away on February 13, 2003. Diagnosed with cancer in June of last year, Fr. Paul chose to forego chemotherapy after consulting with his doctor. On February 7 he was admitted to Scarborough General Hospital where he spent his last days preparing for death, accompanied by family, friends, and his Scarboro community.

Born in Windsor, Ontario, in 1928, Fr. Paul attended St Joseph's Primary School and Assumption High School. He entered St. Francis Xavier seminary in 1946 and was ordained a priest by Bishop Nelligan on December 20, 1952, in Windsor.

In his first two years as a Scarboro missionary priest, Fr. Paul served in the Promotion Department in Canada. In 1955 he was assigned to the Dominican Republic and in 1968 he represented the Dominican mission at the Fourth General Chapter where he was elected Superior General. He served in this position of leadership until 1974, returning to the Dominican Republic the following year. He was recalled to Canada in 1978 to coordinate the formation and education of priests and lay missioners.

He was appointed to Peru in 1983 for four years, returning to the Dominican Republic in 1987. He ended his overseas missionary service in 1994 and up until recently worked in communications, helping to promote Scarboro Missions through the use of computer technology and the Internet.

As Superior General, Fr. Paul led the Society at a pivotal time in its history. He helped Scarboro Missions to be open to and to accept the laity as co-workers in mission. Under his leadership, the Society made decisions based on a common consensus. Fr. Paul insisted that those affected by a decision would have a major voice in making that decision.

Fr. Paul recognized the importance of study and renewal, of keeping up with the changes in the Church and in the world. He attended courses, studied Scripture, and kept himself aware of the times in which he lived.

Numerous as his contributions were, perhaps his greatest gift was the example given to us as he faced with courage the reality of his own death. In the midst of his suffering, he said, "I am now ready to die, and not only that, I am looking forward to it."

In his own will he wrote, "It is okay to praise me a little, but don't exaggerate. Remember I will be watching and listening.

"Death is as much a reality as birth, growth, maturity and age. It is the one certainty of life. At the wake, please make comments about God's love and bounteous generosity."

His courage as he faced his own death changed his final months into a life-giving experience for all of us who were privileged to walk with him. His faith in the promise of Christ helps us who journeyed with him to look beyond his death and to draw strength from the hope we have, that with death, life is changed, not ended.

Fr. Paul was predeceased by his parents John and Delia, and a brother Edouard. He is survived by his twin, Sr. Pauline (a member of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary), his sister Lucille, and his brothers, Leo, Henry and Gerald. They and numerous cousins and friends came to celebrate with us his life and mourn his passing.

The Mass of Resurrection took place on February 15 in the chapel at Scarboro Missions. Fr. Jack Lynch, Superior General, celebrated the mass and Fr. Joseph Curcio, a classmate of Fr. Paul, gave the homily. Fr. Paul was buried at Our Lady Queen of the Clergy cemetery on the grounds of St. Augustine's Seminary where many Scarboro priests have been buried.

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