Canada's Irish Festival on the Miramichi

The Irish Festival on the Miramichi has been an annual event for twenty-six years. It is held in what was formerly the town of Chatham, my father's birth place on the banks of the Miramichi River. The festival celebrates Irish heritage in a part of New Brunswick which has been a welcoming place for Irish immigrants since the 1700's. The Bohan's came to the Miramichi in 1830 along with the Mann's, my mother's family. It's always very nice for me to return here to the place where I spent much time growing up and visiting with my grandparents in Chatham and Newcastle.

The Festival celebrates families, many of whom walk in the annual parade under family banners. Looking at these pictures, I am reminded somewhat of the Rider games.

The festival is also a time to do a little genealogical digging and investigating.

And spending time with some real leprechauns: here some friends for many years, members of the Carrol family. The children here are about the age of their parents when I first met them during my time at St. Bartholomew's Church, Melrose and St. Clement's, Port Elgin, in the 1970's (to the back)when their parents were altar servers and members of the childrens choir. Friends are always a great blessing.

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On Vacation

I arrived in Moncton to begin my vacation just in time to join the priests of the Archdiocese of Moncton for their annual celebration of priests anniversaries which is usually done at the Holy Cross Father's Cottage outside of Moncton on the Northumberland Strait near Cap Pele. It also usually means a lobster supper. I was a priest in this diocese for 37 years before being made bishop and leaving for Toronto, two years before coming to Regina. So, due to the kindness of Archbishop Andre Richard, I was given the opportunity to share this special day and see many of my brother priests who I had not seen for six years.


Seen here, obviously enjoying this treat from the sea, is Fr. Jean-Guy Dallaire, Vicar General and next to him Fr. Guy Legendre.

Many of these priests have been serving their diocesan church since before I was ordained to the pristhood. There is great commitment and generosity to their life as priests as they serve Christ and his church. I am very proud to have been part of the presbyterate of Moncton.

And Fr. Allison Carroll, VF, EV; Fr. Arthur Bourgeois and Fr. Robert Allain, Judicial Vicar. It was a very pleasant day for me which allowed me to renew friendships and remember the many years that I was a part of that diocese.

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Just Before Vacation: Christ the Redeemer Church Blessing

Just before leaving for vacation, I had the happy experience of blessing the newly completed Church of Christ the Redeemer in Swift Current, pictured above. The project was exemplary in its involvemnt of so many parishioners who, in the true spirit of Stewardship gave generously, even more than generously, of their time and of their talent in many, many volunteer hours of skilled workmanship to bring this church building to the point of being ready to house the church community for its worship of God. This, coupled with generous financial support from the rest of the community, allowed this church building to be completed with remarkable dispatch. It was a joyous day of great celebration and thanksgiving.

While getting pictures of the actual liturgical celebration hit a snag, I did get this wonderful group of Acolytes who served with great skill and grace, enhancing the liturgy as the ministry of acolyte is supposed to do.

A very nice gathering of priests also made the blessing special. On the left is Fr. Rick Krofchek, the Dean of the Swift Current Deanery, next to him is the Parish Priest, Fr. Sathiadas Antony, then Fr. Tonny Dizi, Archdiocesan Chancellor. Then next to me are three former priests who served Swift Current over the years: Msgr. Ken Millar, PH, VG; Fr Stephen Bill and Fr. Raymond Rodrigez.

Also adding to the solemnity were the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. The Knights of Columbus are an excellent Catholic mens' organization who do much good work and wonderful service to the church.

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