Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Our Mass Schedule for The Feast of Mary, Mother of God




The Feast of Mary, Mother of God (New Year's) is one of two holy days of obligation in Canada.

Mass for this feast will be offered in our church on 
Wednesday, December 31 at 5 p.m. 
and Thursday, January 1 at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.  

A Holy Hour will also be held on New Year's Eve beginning at 11 and ending with Benediction at midnight.  All are welcome to attend.

Happy New Year!

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Our Christmas Masses

Masses for the Solemnity of Christmas

Christmas Eve Mass at 5 p.m. with Children's Procession and Presentation

Midnight Mass with organ prelude (selections from the "Livre de Noels")

Christmas Morning Mass at 10 a.m.


Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Cabbage Roll and Perohy Sale


Our neighbours at the Ukrainian Catholic Church of Transfiguration are holding 2 sales before (Gregorian)  Christmas:  Friday December 19th and Tuesday December 23rd from 10 am till 4pm.  

Cabbage Rolls and Perohy will be available, but to avoid disappointment, please call 623-3793 and leave a message placing your order.  Please specify which day you want to pickup your orders.

Merry Christmas!

Friday, December 5, 2014

Friday, November 28, 2014

Please CLICK HERE to view our latest bulletin.

Friday, November 21, 2014

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Parish Bulletin for the week of November 16, 2014


Please CLICK HERE to access and view our most recently posted parish bulletin.



Thursday, November 13, 2014

Like Us...

Our parish is expanding our online presence 
with the launching of our very own Facebook page!  

Click on this link or find us on Facebook under St. Peter’s Church, Thunder Bay.  

“Like us” and receive regular updates, photos and important information.  

It’s very important that we “like” ourselves, because if we can’t like ourselves, it’ll be more difficult for anyone else to.  


Tuesday, November 11, 2014

We Will Remember Them...


We were honoured to have two veterans visit our parish recently to share some of their experiences and stories of war-time service.  Mr. Roy Lamore and Mr. Bill Bissonette offered an inspirational message for the parishioners who took part in the gathering.

Our guests are pictured below with Fr. Terry and some of the younger parishioners.  The event was organized by the Catholic Women's League of our parish.



"Almighty ever-living God, hear our prayers for those who died in defence of country and freedom;  grant them eternal rest, and peace to us who keep faith with them, that we may be instruments of your reconciliation and peace, following the example of your Son.  Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen."

(Opening Collect for Mass on Remembrance Day)

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

First Friday All Night Vigil

First Friday All Night Vigil of Prayer
for Life, Marriage, Family and Priests



Begins with 9 p.m. Mass on Friday, November 7th 
and concludes with 9 a.m. Mass on Saturday, November 8th.

The vigil will include praying of the Stations of the Cross, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, opportunities for Confession, as well as various devotions and prayers throughout the night. 

Please come and join us for an hour or more!  

For more information please contact Irene at 629-6437 or e-mail irenehines555@msn.com 

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Last Things Ltd.

In our Catholic life we strive to fulfill the spiritual work of mercy of praying for the living and dead, and the corporal work of mercy of burying the dead.  

The following is an video about a group of monks who have brought both of these works of mercy together in a creative and practical way:




Cemetery Visit and Blessing of Graves

A service in memory of our departed family and friends 
will be held at St. Patrick's/Mountain View Cemetery on Sunday, November 2, at 2 p.m.

Please gather at the "Priest's Plot".

After the service, participants may make personal visits to the grave-sites of deceased friends and family members.


May the Divine assistance remain always with us, 
and may the souls of the faithful departed 
through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

"Two Bit" Time

The annual Two-Bit Auction 
of the parish Catholic Women's League 
will be held Sunday, October 26, in the church hall.
The doors open at 1 p.m.

Tickets are $5 each and will be available at the door.  
Start saving your quarters!  Some great prizes ahead!

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

"Set your mind on things that are above..." Col. 3:2


St. Paul's exhortation to the Colossians, to set their minds "on things that are above", has powerful spiritual implications.  At St. Peter's we have the added advantage of benefiting from a more literal interpretation.

One only has to look up at the church ceiling to understand why this is the case.  Gracing the ceiling of our church are 15 murals created by the Maritime-born artist, L. Scott Young, who died at the age of 37 in 1950.

The majority of them are signed and dated by the artist.  The date indicates that most were completed in 1945, which means that next year the paintings will be 70 years old!

The murals form a precious and treasured collection on account of their beauty, their history, and the assistance they offer in raising minds and hearts to "things that are above."


Jesus Knocking at the Door

St. Anthony of Padua and the vision of the Child Jesus

The Death of St. Joseph

A close-up of the book in the St. Anthony Mural

Signature of the artist in mural corner.

Another signed and date mural.

Guest Presentation: Anne Magiskan on the "Walk a Mile Project"

St. Peter’s CWL is hosting Ann Magiskan, Aboriginal Liaison, with the City of Thunder Bay to speak about the Walk a Mile Project

The Walk a Mile Project was developed and by the City of Thunder Bay Aboriginal Liaison Department. The project is a five-part film series. This unique and innovative project is designed to address the desperate need for education/training resources that focus on Thunder Bay’s changing demographics. 

This project is also a way of building on the positive steps the City of Thunder Bay has already taken to improve its relationships with the Aboriginal community. Following the presentation Ann will be available to answer questions. 

All parishioners are invited to this event. Coffee and refreshments will be available.  

Wednesday, October 1, at 7 p.m in the Church Hall.

Special Olympics Bottle Drive



Fr. Francois Maynard Council 15995 is hosting a bottle drive in support of the Special Olympics Ontario.

Save your beer, wine, and liquor bottles and join the Knights in support of this great cause!  

All refundable bottles and cans as well as "non-refundable" aluminum cans for recycling will be accepted.

Drop off location: Parking Lot at St. Peter's Church (corner of Pacific Avenue and McIntosh Street) 

Drop-off Times: Saturday, October 4, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 
Sunday, October 5, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Pancake Sunday!

Pancake Breakfast 

Sunday, September 28
(following the 10 a.m.  Mass)   

No admission fee is required, but a free-will offering may be made.  Hosted by Knights of Columbus Council 15995.
All are welcome!

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Pilgrim Journal ... in Photos.

The recent journey of parishioners and friends to a Marian shrine south of the city was captured in photos by one of the pilgrims who kindly shared them and given permission for them to be posted.

The rain-showers took an afternoon break to allow us to make the pilgrimage with spirits (and attire) un-dampened.

The pilgrimage coincided providentially with the Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross. Our meditation was on the Fifth Station of the Cross and the person of Simon of Cyrene, conscripted to help Jesus carry the Cross.

The days events gave us many opportunities to associate our own life with the lessons of the Fifth Station: being in solidarity with those who carry heavy crosses and being open to the help and concern offered by others are we carry our own!







Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Knights of Columbus - Installation of Officers

This past weekend, the officers of our newly-formed Knights of Columbus Council were formally installed in a ceremony following Sunday Mass.  Friends, family members and parishioners joined in the celebration.  

Our council banner - generously donated by other local councils.

The jewels/medallions worn by officers during regular meetings and at formal events.

The officers being invested with the jewels, symbolic of their office.

The crew...


Thursday, August 28, 2014

"An appeal for mercy, compassion and justice..."

An appeal for mercy, compassion and justice in the Middle East and throughout the world

The Executive Committee of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, meeting on August 25, 2014, in Quebec City, issues the following appeal:

In the name of the Father of life, and of the Crucified Christ, and of the Spirit of love, we make this appeal for mercy, compassion and justice.

We hear resounding about us still the question that God, Father of all life, posed to humanity at the beginning: “Where is your brother?” We see the homeless and the wounded of the Middle East: in Iraq, Syria and the Holy Land. We hear their cries in Ukraine and in parts of Africa. We observe the persecutions and hardships that hundreds of thousands of people today endure because of their faith and convictions – Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants, Jews, Muslims, members of other religions as well as ethnic minorities. The horrors of war and violence are ravaging so many innocent hearts. Families and children are left without water, food, aid and shelter. Homes and communities are being destroyed. Not only is the future at risk for the people of these regions, but international security itself is in peril. War and violence are again eroding the common bonds of humanity, fragmenting the human family. It is Jesus who is being persecuted, who is homeless, who is hungry, who is in prison, who is being tortured.

As followers of the Crucified One, we recognize particularly in the Middle East the sufferings of our own brothers and sisters in faith. Moved by their pains and afflictions, we make their cause our own. We are united with them in solidarity and faith. Our unceasing prayer and hope are rooted in the love and forgiveness by which Our Lord transforms the human heart. Our one comfort is in the concern and care that people around the world are offering. Encouraged by the calls of Pope Francis for peace and justice, we echo the statements and actions of the leaders of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches of the Middle East. We make our appeal to all people – of every faith and in the name of good will, here in Canada and around the world – to do even more to assist the suffering of those in need.

We pray that the Holy Spirit continue to inspire Canadians, particularly the faithful of our Catholic Church, to support the work of agencies that bring solace and aid to the persecuted and the exiled. We pray too that the transforming power of the Spirit inspire political, religious and community leaders, in each of the troubled
regions of our world, to speak out loudly for justice and reconciliation, to denounce atrocities, to renounce violence and oppression, to announce and demand peace.

“Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people and to his faithful…” (Psalm 85.8)

+ Paul-André Durocher
Archbishop of Gatineau
President

+ Douglas Crosby, O.M.I.
Bishop of Hamilton
Vice President

+ Lionel Gendron, P.S.S.
Bishop of Saint-Jean-Longueuil
Co-Treasurer

+ Anthony Mancini
Archbishop of Halifax-Yarmouth
Co-Treasurer


25 August 2014

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Signs and Symbols at St. Peter's: Impressions of Faith in Art

Candles burn near the window of the Assumption of Mary


A detail from the window of Our Lady of Fatima - The "Maria Regina" Symbol


The crucifix at the choir loft stairway


Four children, representing the all the peoples of the world, 
as depicted in the window of St. Therese of Lisieux, patron saint of missions and missionaries.


"I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven..." (Matthew 16)


Raising the Roof


This week work began on re-shingling the roofs of the church, the rectory and the garage.  The rectory is now re-shingled, and preparations are underway to take on the much larger and more challenging church roof.  Just a matter of waiting for a nice, sunny day!

Support for Iraqi Refugees



The Knights of Columbus announced today that is establishing a fund to assist those – particularly Christians as well as other religious minorities – facing a horrific and violent persecution and possible extinction in Iraq and the surrounding regions.

The Knights has pledged an initial $500,000 and will match an additional $500,000 in donations from the public.

“The unprovoked and systematic persecution and violent elimination of Middle East Christians, as well as other minority groups, especially in Iraq, has created an enormous humanitarian crisis,” said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson. “Pope Francis has asked the world for prayers and support for those affected by this terrible persecution, and we are asking our members, and all people of good will, to pray for those persecuted and support efforts to assist them by donating to this fund.”

Anderson added: “It has shocked the conscience of the world that people are systematically being purged from the region where their families have lived for millennia – simply for their faith. It is imperative that we stand in solidarity with them in defense of the freedom of conscience, and provide them with whatever relief we can.”

Those seeking to assist with the relief efforts can donate to K of C Christian Refugee Relief by visiting www.kofc.org/Iraq or by sending checks or money orders to: K of C Christian Refugee Relief, Knights of Columbus Charities, P.O. Box 1966, New Haven, CT 06509-1966.

100 percent of all donations collected by Knights of Columbus Charities, Inc., will be used for humanitarian assistance for those Christians – as well as other religious minorities –being persecuted or displaced in Iraq and the surrounding region.

The Knights of Columbus has a long history of providing humanitarian relief and has done so following Sept. 11, 2001; last year’s typhoons in the Philippines; Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Sandy; tornadoes nationwide; flooding in Mexico; and tsunamis in Indonesia and Japan.

In addition, the Knights of Columbus has also long supported persecuted Christians. Throughout the 1920s, the Knights provided humanitarian assistance and created international awareness of the persecution of the Catholic Church in Mexico.

The Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest Catholic fraternal organization with more than 1.8 million members worldwide.  Dedicated to charity, Knights last year provided more than $170 million and more than 70 million hours to charitable causes, assisting substantially with several humanitarian disasters from North America to Asia.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

"A Touch of Mystery"

The following article was written by a parishioner, Angela Meady, for the Kanadsky Slovak Newspaper.  She has kindly given permission for us to post the article on our parish blog.  Enjoy!

St. Peter’s Slovak Roman Catholic Church in Thunder Bay, Ontario celebrated its one hundredth anniversary a few years ago. Needless to say, the building is in need of some renovation and restoration
here and there. The carpets which covered the front altar area were removed and the original wood floors were repaired and re-stained and now look beautiful. When it was decided that the old carpeting in the sacristy should also be removed and new flooring installed, it was expected that we might see similar vintage wood flooring underneath. Instead, what parish priest Father Terry Sawchuk discovered was a great surprise.

Beneath the carpet was the symbol of the Slovak nation, undisturbed for many decades. It appeared to have been handmade by someone using red, white and blue tiles cut to form the familiar shape. No one who saw it was able to recall it being made or even ever having seen it before. Rev. Sawchuk was enlightened by parishioners about what the symbol meant to a Slovak church and he took it upon himself to try to preserve
it. With delicate movements and great patience he endeavoured to pry the tiles up with the intention of re-assembling them onto a wood plaque which could be displayed as a memento of the Slovak roots
of the parish. Regrettably, the tiles proved too fragile and friable.

Despite the best intentions, it soon became obvious that the stubborn image did not want to leave the floor.
One might imagine the original artist’s thoughts as he installed the tile, “No matter what the future might bring,
this symbol of Slovakia will stay here forever!” So, in the end, the design was photographed for all to see
and remember, and the new flooring then went over it. I hope that Kanadský Slovák readers will appreciate this intriguing bit of Slovak-Canadian history which came to light this year. It is history with a touch of mystery, and if any reader happens to know details about this image at St.Peter’s Church, we would love to hear from you.
Angela Mikita Meady
ameady@tbpl.ca


Thursday, July 24, 2014

Outdoor Mass and Parish Picnic

Our Annual Outdoor Mass will be held Sunday, July 27, at 10 a.m. in the church yard (weather permitting).

The Parish Picnic will follow immediately afterwards.  Parishioners are invited to bring salads and desserts.  Hot dogs and hamburgers will be supplied.  There is no cost to attend. 
Visitors and guests welcome!

Monday, June 30, 2014

Canada Day Mass Schedule

This Canada Day, (Tuesday, July 1) 
two Masses will be offered, 
one at 9 a.m. and the other at 7 p.m., 
for the convenience of parishioners and guests.

Happy Canada Day!

"God keep our land, glorious and free..."

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Forming a New Knights of Columbus Council



Our parish round table of the Knights of Columbus has grown to the point where we are now moving forward with a plan to form our own parish council.


Join us in the church hall on Thursday, June 12, at 6:30 p.m. for a pulled-pork supper and information evening.  Current and prospective Knights are welcome along with any spouses.

Please pray for the success of this exciting and historic venture!

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Outdoor Rosary in Review


 We are especially grateful for the amazing weather that accompanied our recent outdoor rosary and candlelight walk!  

This initiative was well attended by both our own parishioners and friends from other parishes.  Below are a few pictures from the evening of prayer:





Thursday, May 22, 2014

Day of Silent Recollection

You are invited to take part in a Day of Silent Recollection
this Saturday, May 24.




The schedule for the day is as follows:


9:00 a.m.     - Mass
9:45 a.m.     - Guided Reflection/Meditation
10:45 a.m.   - Coffee Break
11:00 a.m.   - Recitation of the Rosary
11:30 a.m.   - Spiritual Talk on Carmelite Spirituality
12 noon       - Lunch and Fellowship
1:00 p.m.     - Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Praying of the Divine Mercy Chaplet,
                                    Opportunity for individual confessions.
1:50 p.m.     - Benediction and Conclusion


Bring your own Bible, rosary, and bag lunch.

This is a free event sponsored by
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites
Contact: 577-8296

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Novena to Our Lady of Good Counsel

Please Note: The Novena Dates have been adjusted slightly to allow for wider distribution. 
The novena will now run from Sunday, May 18, up to and including Monday, May 26.

Novena to Our Lady of Good Counsel

The word Novena comes from the word "novem" which means "nine." It is a prayer that is said for nine consecutive days, or in some cases other arrangements of nine.   A novena may be a private or public spiritual devotion for the purpose of offering thanksgiving for a special favour from God or to make a special petition.    Novenas have been prayed since the very beginning of the Church and remain a popular devotion.

After the Lord’s Ascension, Mary and the disciples gathered in the upper room, and constantly devoted themselves to prayer (Acts 1:12-14).  After nine days had passed, the promised Holy Spirit descended upon them with transforming power.  In that same spirit of openness to divine blessing and the gift of the Holy Spirit, we too pray our novenas.  

Be aware that in some cases, novenas can be presented in a superstitious manner. Any novena instructions that include words such as, "say this prayer for 9 consecutive days and your wish will be granted to you," or that describe the novena as "never fail" may lead one to believe that we have God at our beck and call rather than our being His humble servants.  While the prayers themselves might be OK, such instructions should be absolutely rejected.

You are invited to join in praying this novena to Our Lady of Good Counsel in thanksgiving to God for the 25th Anniversary of the Catholic Women’s League in our parish, and for the grace of continued openness to the presence and guidance of the life-giving Holy Spirit.

Once a day, from Sunday, May 18, up to and including Monday, May 26, please pray the following prayer to Our Lady of Good Counsel, composed by Pope Pius XII:

Holy Virgin, moved by the painful uncertainty we experience in seeking and acquiring the true and the good, we cast ourselves at your feet and invoke you under the sweet title of  Mother of Good Counsel.  We beseech you: come to our aid at this moment in our worldly sojourn when the twin darknesses of error and of evil that plots our ruin by leading minds and hearts astray.

Seat of Wisdom and Star of the Sea, enlighten the victims of doubt and of error so that they may not be seduced by evil masquerading as good; strengthen them against the hostile and corrupting forces of passion and of sin.

Mother of Good Counsel, obtain for us from your Divine Son the love of virtue and the strength to choose, in doubtful and difficult situations, the course agreeable to our salvation. Supported by your hand we shall thus journey without harm along the paths taught us by the word and example of Jesus our Savior, following the Sun of Truth and Justice in freedom and safety across the battlefield of life under the guidance of thy maternal Star, until we come at length to the harbor of salvation to enjoy with thee unalloyed and everlasting peace. Amen.


(You are also invited to complement the daily prayer with daily activities as outlined below)


“Magnificat Novena of Praise”

Day One: Sunday, May 18
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord”

Activity: Read 1 Samuel 2:1-10

Day Two: Monday, May 19
“and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour
for he has looked with favour upon his lowly servant.”

Activity: Listen to a good and inspirational piece of music…

Day Three:  Tuesday, May 20
“From this day all generations shall call me blessed:
The Almighty one has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.”

Activity: Think of 50 things you are grateful to God for.
You can use your Rosary beads to keep count!

Day Four: Wednesday, May 21
“He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation.”

Activity: Focus on and pray for one person to whom you need to offer forgiveness.

Day Five: Thursday, May 22
“He has shown the strength of his arm,
He has scattered the proud in their conceit.”

Activity: Consider the gift of mobility, and read Acts 17:28.

Day Six:  Friday, May 23
“He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.”

Activity: Visit, phone, e-mail, text, or write a letter as an act of encouragement.

Day Seven:  Saturday, May 24
“He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.”

Activity: Prepare a charitable donation of your choice for the needy.

Day Eight:    Sunday, May 25
“He has come to the help of his servant Israel, for he haw remembered his promise of mercy,
The promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever.”

Activity: Pray three times today these words: “I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations” (Ps. 89:1)

Day Nine: Monday, May 26
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
                          As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.    
  
Activity: Be intentional about consecrating your work to God. 
Say “Amen” as you complete the ordinary tasks of the day.

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Outdoor Rosary and Candlelight Walk

To mark the month of May
and as part of our ongoing 25th anniversary celebrations for our parish Catholic Women's League,
an outdoor Rosary and Candlelight Walk will take place on Sunday, May 25, beginning at 8 p.m.



Parishioners and guests are asked to gather in front of the church. 
In case of poor weather, the event will take place indoors. 
All are welcome!








Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Celebrating 25 Years! Our Parish CWL

This year, our parish council of the Catholic Women's League is celebrating its 25th Anniversary.  To help celebrate this important hallmark, the next two months have been designated as "CWL Days".  A number of activities and events are being planned, including the following:


  • Holy Mass to mark the Opening of the Anniversary Celebration with reception to follow (Tuesday, May 6, at 7 p.m.)
  • CWL historical display/exhibit for Coffee Sunday (May 11)
  • Parish Novena for Our Lady of Good Counsel (May 17-25)
  • Outdoor Rosary with Candlelight Procession (Sunday, May 25, at 8 p.m.)
  • CWL display for Coffee Sunday (June 15)
  • Council representatives to participate in Outdoor Corpus Christi Procession (Sunday, June 22)
  • Holy Mass to Conclude the Anniversary Celebration (Saturday, June 28, at 5 p.m. with Banquet at the Slovak Legion to follow.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Holy Week and Easter Weekend Liturgy Schedule




Passion (Palm) Sunday

April 12/13 Weekend Masses

Saturday at 5 p.m.
Sunday at 10 a.m.

Holy Thursday (April 17)

Mass of the Lord's Supper at 7 p.m.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament to follow until Midnight

Good Friday (April 18)

Solemn Liturgy of the Lord's Passion and Holy Communion at 3 p.m.
Opportunity for Confession to follow
Stations of the Cross at 7 p.m.

Holy Saturday (April 19) 

Easter Vigil (blessing of New Fire, the Paschal Candle, Renewal of Baptismal Promises) at 8 p.m.
Blessing of Easter Bread to take place at the end of Mass

Easter Sunday (April 20)

Mass at 10 a.m.

Two New Canadian Saints!

It is with great joy and thanksgiving that the Bishops of Canada welcomed the proclamation on April 3, 2014, by Pope Francis that the Universal Church recognizes Bishop François de Laval and Mother Marie of the Incarnation as Saints. We are grateful to God for raising up in our midst these two wonderful examples of holiness and service. We thank Pope Francis for this great gift to the Church in Canada, and to all the people of our nation.

Saint François de Laval (1623-1708) was the first Bishop of New France. His diocesan territory originally included most of what is now Canada, much of upper New England and all the Mississippi Valley, extending even to the Rocky Mountains. He is admired for his pastoral work among the Aboriginal Peoples and the settlers of New France, and for trying to defend Native People from being exploited by merchants and governors through the sale of alcohol. He was especially committed to education, founding both a major and a minor seminary. The Séminaire de Québec, which later established Laval University, has made major contributions in the intervening centuries to higher academic education not only in Quebec and the rest of Canada, but throughout North America. Saint François de Laval was known for his commitment to evangelization and his generosity to the poor. After his resignation as Bishop of Québec, he devoted his final years to prayer, penance and the care of the poor.






Saint Marie of the Incarnation (1599-1672) was an Ursuline nun who founded a convent and school to educate girls in New France. Daughters of the French settlers and of the Aboriginal Peoples were educated together, sharing the same table and the same dwelling. After learning several Aboriginal languages, she compiled catechisms and prayers in Huron and Algonquin, as well as an Algonquin dictionary. She also maintained a voluminous correspondence. Her letters remain today an important witness to her deep and generous mystical spirituality, as well as to the day-to-day history of New France. Saint Marie of the Incarnation began a long tradition throughout our continent of Ursuline elementary and secondary schools, dedicated to the education of girls and young women of all faiths and languages. Her canonization happily coincides with the 375th anniversary of her arrival in what is today Quebec City.


Their proclamation as Saints arrives at an important moment in the history of the Canadian Church. The 350th anniversary of the canonical establishment of Notre-Dame-de-Québec, the first parish in North America outside Spanish-speaking territories, reminds us of the missionary nature of the Church as it was planted in Canadian soil. May Saint François de Laval and Saint Marie of the Incarnation renew in us a sense of mission and our commitment to evangelizing in the joy of the Gospel.