Installation of the new Pastor of St. Henry's, Melville

Last Sunday I had the pleasure of installing Fr. Antoni Degutis as Pastor of St. Henry's Parish, Melville. Fr. Antoni is a member of the Assumption Province of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Assumption Province provides priests to care for three parishes in the Archdiocese: Lestock, Sturgis and Melville.

Here we have the newly installed Pastor, Fr. Antoni Degutis OMI

We were blessed with good servers who carried out the responsibilities of Acolyte with great diligence. I am always promoting this ministry of Acolyte in our parishes. It sometimes takes second place to the ministry of Lector, which is indeed an important ministry in our Church. But the ministry of Acolyte provides for a dignified and well ordered celebration of the liturgy. And so it is a very important ministry if our celebrations of the liturgy are to be well carried out.

During the ceremony of installation, we move to different spots in the church which illustrate the duties of the pastor in his parish. Here the station is at the Altar. The rite here as is follows;

THE ALTAR

Lector: Listen to the words of St. Paul written to the Corinthians: “For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

Bishop: It is the duty of the Pastor to bring the faithful together to celebrate the Eucharist of the Church. When you do this, make them as sign of the Lord’s enduring presence among God’s People.

Pastor: I will do so, with the help of God.

Another stopping point is at the Chair from which the pastor presides over the Community during the Liturgy.

THE CHAIR

Lector: Listen to the words of St. Paul in the second letter to Timothy: “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favourable or unfavourable.”

Bishop: It is the duty of the Pastor to preside over the community of faith. When you do this, lead the People of God in the prayer of the Church with diligence and devotion.

Pastor: I will do so, with the help of God.

When the pastor has gone to each of the places in the church which are symbolic of his duties, he then stands before the Bishop and makes his Profession of Faith by reciting the Nicene Creed along with the faithful who are present and then he takes the Oath of Fidelity to the Church and its teachings.

He and I then sign a copy of this oath and the new pastor is officially installed. We then proceed with the celebration of the Eucharist which is the source and the summit of our life as Catholic people, the disciples of Jesus in our communities.

Fr. Casimir Krystkowiak who is also in residence at St. Henry's, concelebrated the Mass with us. Fr. Chris is recovering from back surgery and preparing to celebrate his 50th Anniversary of Ordination this month. We wish him God's continued blessings in his life and together with him we thank God for the gift of the ministerial Priesthood through which Jesus continues to care for his Church.

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80 Years of Serving the Church in Melville

Last Saturday St. Henry's Parish Rosary Sodality in Melville celebrated its 80th anniversary. This sodality and the many similar groups of women throughout the Archdiocese who are so generous with their time and effort carry out such important work in supporting the Church and its works.
We gave thanks to God at the Saturday evening Mass for the women of the parish who over 80 years have raised funds and worked to further the mission of the Church in their community. Then we gathered in the hall to spend time together and enjoy a lunch. These are the women of the Sodality together with their new pastor, Fr. Antoni Degutis OMI who will be installed as pastor the next morning.

A very interesting history of the Sodality was presented by Sarah Banow telling of the many activities that were done over the years to provide for the needs of the parish.

And here I am with the president of the Sodality Evelyn Schmeltzer and Fr. Antoni. It is very good to celebrate the dedication and the achievements of our parishioners on occasions like this.

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Annual White Mass

We celebrated the annual White Mass a week ago last Wednesday. In this Mass we give thanks to God for the work of Catholic Medical Personnel and Health Care Workers, Volunteers, and Women and Men Religious in Health Care ministry. Throughout his ministry, Jesus continually and repeatedly healed people from diseases and afflictions. It was his constant sign that he had come to give life and to give it to the full.

The symbols of healing and health care were solemnly brought into the Cathedral at the beginning of the Liturgy. Louis Morgentale carries the Oil of the Sick used for the anointing in the Sacrament of the Sick; Anita, a mortar and pestle; Dr Pavlosky, a stethescope and Dickie Osiowy the Nurses Cap.

Dr. McCarville reads God's Word taken from the Book of Sirach which praises the work of physicians and those who care for the sick and calls us to remember that all healing comes from the loving power of God. "God's works will never be finished; and from Him health spreads over all the earth.

"How good you are, Lord, to all, compassionate to all your creatures." Trish Engel and Carol Seipp lead the Assembly in the Responsorial Psalm.

Deacon Bob Williston, Mission Director of CHAS proclaimed the Gospel.

George Schaan and Julie Lemoine lead the intercessions for the Prayer of the Faithful

A number of our priests came to concelebrate the Mass and show the support of our pastors for those who work and volunteer their time in the ministry of caring for the sick.

At the end of Mass Sandra Kary, the Executive Director of the Catholic Health Association of Saskatchewan spoke of the work of CHAS and thanked all present. The White Mass is organized each year in collaboration with the Association.

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