Aboriginal Ministry Committee

Before the annual meeting of the Assembly of Western Catholic Bishops met in February, its Standing Committee for Aboriginal Ministry met during the previous day. This committee was formed in 2006 by the AWCB in recognition that ministry to no longer was the sole responsibilty of the Oblate Community. The native people are part of the Roman Catholic Church in all of Canada. The Committee was set up to investigate what could be done to train people who minister to the native people of our region in matters of native spirituality and to bring together in some way the native groups recognizing the major difference that exists between the different tribes. The Committee then would deal with other related fields.

In 2007 it was transformed into a Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs. The Committee is chaired by Archibishop Sylvain Lavoie, OMI, the Archbishop of Kewatin-Le Pas, a diocese which stretches over northern Manitoba and covering a portion of northen Saskatchewan as well.

There are five members of the Committe. Going from left to right: Bishop Richard Gagnon of Victoria, Archbishop Sylvain Lavoie, Bishop Murray Chatlain of Mackenzie-Fort Smith, Bishop Gary Gordon of Whitehorse and myself. Everyone is looking quite happy despite the huge challenges of carrying out effective ministry to our indigenous peoples.

The Committee had seen to providing a summer school session at Newman Theological college in the summers of 2007 and 2008 for those involved in ministry to native people and for native people themselves to come and be part of the sessions. It has also looked to the development and presentation of Orientation sessions for Native Ministry. To this end, Sister Eva Solomon was hired as coordinator of this project.

In 2007 Sr. Eva was hired to co-ordinate a thirteen month pilot project "Interculturation of Faith" in the dioceses of Western Canada. Here is Sr. Eva with a pretty happy group at Telegraph Creek.

And Sr. Eva speaking with a group at Fort McMurray.

Her pilot project has been extended into the "Building Bridges Project" which includes Orientation and Information Sessions held throughout the dioceses of northern and western Canada, Directions for First Nations Ministry sessions held at Newman Theological College during the summer and in the planning is a Dialogue withFirst Nations Elders.

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Saskatchewan Roman Catholic Bishops Visit the Premier

On February 10 I took part, along with Bishops Albert LeGatt, Albert Thévenot and Brian Bayda along with Scott Irwin, President and CEO of the Catholic Health Ministry of Saskatchewan (Saskatchewan Catholic Health Corporation) in a meeting with Premier Brad Wall at the Legislature in Regina.

We were warmly and cordially welcomed. The meeting provided an opportunity for the Bishops to re-establish their relationship with Premier Wall and for both parties to raise a number of health care related issues. The Bishop’s congratulated Premier Wall on forming the government and on a number of initiatives that his government has undertaken since taking office, including the “Ready for Growth” initiative, government sponsored education sessions for affiliate board members and the recent announcement to replace 13 long term care facilities throughout Saskatchewan.

We also touched on a number of other topics including personal liability for affiliate board directors, the need for long term care standards in Saskatchewan and opportunities for further partnerships to improve and enhance health care delivery in Saskatchewan.

The Bishops expressed their desire for an open and ongoing relationship with the Premier's Office in those areas which were of mutual concern, such as the topic dealt with that day: Health Care in the Province of Saskatchewan and the role of Catholic Health Care in that area of provincial life. The response of the Premier was positive to us and ours to him. We share a common desire to contribute to the quality of life for all people in our province.

Praise for the Prairie Messenger

On February 6th, I was invited by Abbot Peter Novesosky, the Editor of the Prairie Messenger to accompany him to the Saskatchewan Council for International Co-operation's 2009 Regina Global Citizen Awards. It was a great evening during which the Prairie Messenger received the Global Citizen Award.

The Council was formed in 1974 by international development agencies active in Saskatchewan. Now it encompasses the local committees of 35 major churches, educational organizations and international development agencies. It's mission statement is published as follows:

The Saskatchewan Council for International Cooperation is a coalition of organizations involved in international development and committed to the recognition of the dignity of all people and their right to self-determination, to the protection of the world's fragile environment, and to the promotion of global understanding, cooperation, peace and justice.

Abbot Peter was very happy in receiving this award and is justly proud of The Prairie Messenger and its nomination of this award. The Prairie Messenger was nominated by Development and Peace Saskatchewan for being an excellent source of news and analysis on international development and global justice issues

Also receiving Awards were Bill Curry and Dale Dewar. In nominating them it was said: "Dale and Bill are living proof that the constructive work of advocating for justice and building the wider community into a just and peaceful context for raising children is the core of global citizenship, and the foundation of life-long empowerment." (Earthbeat Jan 09)

And there were some familiar faces present to lend support to those receiving the Award.

Everyone enjoyed an unusual treat in a supper prepared by Abi Hafyze of Afghan Cuisine in Regina. Several people were seen going back for seconds.....

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