Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish
Year of the Priest Celebration
by John Belgrave
Earlier in the year, the Parish Pastoral Council and Liturgy Committee of Blessed Mother Teresa Parish in Halifax, Nova Scotia, decided that as a parish, we would like to do something meaningful to honour our priests during this ‘Year of the Priest.’
As a result, on Wednesday May 5th, a celebration to honour the priests who had served or been associated with the parishes of St. Stephen’s, St. Joseph’s and Blessed Mother Teresa was held at the parish church. The invitation was also extended to the members of the local Oblate Community who have been part of our parish family for the past 9 years. The celebration consisted of Mass followed by a wine and cheese reception in the parish hall. Joining us for the celebration were:
- Archbishop Anthony Mancini
- Archbishop Emeritus James Hayes
- Fr. Gilbert Bertrand, O.M.I.
- Very Rev. Gerald David, VG
- Fr. Donald Boudreau
- Fr. Gordon MacLean
- Fr. Joe Hattie, O.M.I.
- Fr. J.J. MacDonald
- Fr. Tom Kurudeepan, O.M.I.
- Fr. Louis Cassie
- Fr. Toochukwu Okafor
- Fr. Charlie Donovan, O.M.I.
- Fr. Ed Grant
- Fr. Terry O’Toole
At the beginning of Mass, after the entrance procession, a number of symbols of the priesthood were taken up in procession and placed in a prominent place in the sanctuary. The taking up of the symbols was accompanied by an explanation of each symbol followed by an appropriate response from the assembly. The symbols included the following:
· Symbol of Gathering · Stole · Word of God · Symbol of Baptism · Holy Oils · Symbol of Youth · Symbol of Eucharist
At this time, Fr. Gilbert, in a symbolic gesture, presented the keys to the parish to Fr. Gerald David, who has been appointed as the new pastor, effective July 1st.
The homily was preached By Fr. Louis Cassie, who reminded us that not only must the ministry of priesthood abide in Jesus, but it also must be rooted in the community where the priestly ministry is exercised. The gift of priesthood dwells not only in those who have been ordained, but it begins in the life of those who are baptized. He went on to talk about the distinction between the priesthood of the baptized and the ministerial priesthood. He quoted from an article on the priesthood by Pope Benedict when he was Cardinal Ratzinger, in which he expressed that the priests in the ministry of the Apostles are “drawn into a community of mission with Jesus.” It is this community of mission with Jesus, which makes the ministerial priesthood a distinct sacrament, endowing the priest with the power of Jesus - the power to reconcile, shepherd and teach, which is the essential ministry of the priest. In addition, he mentioned the recent teaching of Pope Benedict, in which the Pope recalls that the ministry of the Church through the priest is expressed in the traditional works of “WORD” and “SACRAMENT”, which he proposed are the “two main pillars of priestly service”.
Fr Cassie indicated that we should all thank God especially for this gift of ministry in our own community over the years, performed by our pastors and that we should thank them and support them especially in times of difficulty, through our affection and our prayers.
He concluded his homily by thanking the parish of Blessed Mother Teresa, for this expression of support for priests.
After Mass, everyone came together in the parish hall for a wine and cheese reception, which allowed the priests to mingle with approximately 150 parishioners, to renew friendships and to talk about old times. A gift of the ‘Year of the Priests Icon’ attractively mounted on a wooden plaque was presented to each priest. Cards made by the young people from our Religious Education Program, expressing their sentiments about priests adorned the bulletins boards all around the Hall. Presentations were also made to our pastor, Fr. Gilbert, from the Knights of Columbus, the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Women’s League, Our Lady of Fatima Prayer Group and the Parish Music Ministry. In this, the “Year of the Priest’” the parish has installed a plaque inscribed with the names of all the pastors who have served St. Joseph’s, St. Stephen’s and Blessed Mother Teresa Parish in the Church entrance. Our current pastor, Fr. Gilbert, has the distinction of being included three times, as he has served as pastor at each of the three parishes.
The consensus of those in attendance was that this was a very meaningful, joyful celebration. Let us continue to support and pray for our priests!