2019 was my first full calendar year as the Director of Pastoral Services. It was a year filled with growth and transformation in the Pastoral Services Department and Diocesan Centre. I am continually in awe of the way the Holy Spirit works in the pastoral offices, inspiring us when we don’t feel like we have any energy left to continue in our ministries.
I am humbled by the way God puts the people in our path who we need at the right moment, for the right reason. As my staff and I go about our daily work: coordinating events & programs, communicating the needs of the people in our world and seeing those needs filled, providing support for parishes who are seeking a better way forward, offering healing to those who are suffering, teaching, planning, and consulting, we are witness to numerous transformations from the very minute to the most life-altering. We are blessed to work with people of all ages and walks of life.
2019 saw such highlights as a visit from Salt + Light Media, the Conscience Rights Campaign, the Archdiocesan Youth Rally, the visit of the relics of Saint Pio of Pietrielcina (Padre Pio), the ArchRegina Congress, three priestly ordinations and two ordinations to the transitional diaconate, continued work in the area of clergy sexual abuse led by victims, and the opening of Trinity Manor.
Many learning opportunities take place each year and 2019 saw another cohort of permanent diaconate candidates begin and a new year of Lay Ministry participants engage, and Dying Healed workshops – whose focus is on accompanying the dying – being offered in deaneries throughout the archdiocese. We have been provided opportunities to learn about, and with, our ecumenical partners with an expanded covenant agreement with our Lutheran, Anglican and Ukrainian Catholic brothers and sisters.
As the challenge to pastorally meet the many needs of all of the people in the Archdiocese of Regina continues, we continue with the inspiration provided by the One who sends us on this mission – Jesus Christ.
