By Brianne Cascanette
We find ourselves just over a week away from the historic visit of Pope Francis to Canada. A visit to lead us towards healing and reconciliation with our Indigenous neighbours.
Spiritual writer Henri Nouwen once wrote that “those who do not run away from our pains but touch them with compassion bring healing and new strength. The paradox indeed is that the beginning of healing is in the solidarity with the pain”.
This Papal visit will bring with it a mix of sorrow and joy, grief and healing. And so, we ask that you please keep the Holy Father and all those involved in the visit in your prayers.
We are accepting donations to fund this trip. Donations will cover travel, food, and accommodations for survivors who wish to attend the papal events in and around Edmonton, Alberta. They will also allow us to host two livestream events which will take place here in Regina and at Cowessess First Nations.
As we approach this visit, we now have a greater sense of how many will be travelling to Alberta to hear in person the Pope address Indigenous Peoples.e With a clearer number of travellers in mind and expenses for remote events, we project this initiative to cost nearly $100,000. Because of your generosity, we have raised $30,000 so far. We are tremendously grateful.
As we continue to accept your gifts, there are various opportunities to get involved:
- For $5,000, you can sponsor a bus that would bring survivors to the meeting with Pope
Francis. - For $500, you can sponsor a survivor’s journey to meet the Pope. This includes the cost of transportation, accommodations and meals.
- For $250, you can sponsor a significant portion of the travel costs, and help support a survivor as they travel.
While we will continue to accept donations following the trip, we would be grateful to hear prior to the Pope’s visit how you wish to get involved.
You or your parish can join us in compassionate action, in touching the intergenerational pains with love, bringing restoration and new strength. Your generous giving and thoughtful prayers can bring us to a moment of healing and play a part in one of the most significant events in the history of our nation’s Church.
How to donate:
- Send an e-transfer to [email protected]
- Write a Cheque payable to the Archdiocese of Regina with “Survivors to Edmonton” in the memo.
Mail to:
Archdiocese of Regina – Survivors to Edmonton
PO Box 1546 Stn. Main
Regina, SK S4P 3C4
- Donate Online using Canada Helps* (credit card or PayPal).
*Please select Survivors to Edmonton from the drop-down list
For more information, please visit archregina.sk.ca/giving. If you need further assistance, please contact James Lipoth ([email protected]).
To get involved:
If you wish to be involved, or have any questions about the work of truth and
reconciliation within the Archdiocese of Regina, please contact Sr. ReAnne Letourneau
([email protected]).
