News & Events
- Gjoa Haven Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Catholic Tradition
- Oblates From Our Delegation Meet in Gjoa Haven
- New Destinations for Missionaries
- Young Leaders Will Have a Formation Meeting in Ottawa
Gjoa Haven Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Catholic Tradition
50 years after establishing the Roman Catholic Mission on King William Island by Fr. Pierre Henry OMI, the community of Gjoa Haven is celebrating great events. The 50th Anniversary Celebration of Catholic tradition in Gjoa Haven had begun already in January of 2001. The closing ceremony of the Jubilee year was the most beautiful occasion to begin our Immaculate Heart of Mary's Mission 50th Anniversary. Our community has celebrated baptisms, marriages and renewal of marriage vows and confirmation in a very special way. Read More
Oblates From Our Delegation Meet in Gjoa Haven
On the occasion of the 50th Anniversary, the Oblate Fathers working with the native people in Nunavut territory, had gathered in Gjoa Haven for their annual pastoral as well as Oblate Community meeting. Again great opportunity to celebrate together with people we serve. May was the month when Fr. Kajualuk arrived to Gjoa Haven in the year 1951. His dream was to have all the Oblates of the Inuit land to come one day to Gjoa Haven.
The Oblates had their own important issues to deal with during the day. Every evening in the church there was also a special celebration with the local community. Read More
New Destinations for Missionaries
Some of the Oblates are going to assume responsibilities for new missions. Unexpected death of Father Lorson OMI left the community of Rankin Inlet (with its largest catholic parish in Nunavut) without the priest. Father Jusipi Meeus OMI was asked to help out in this situation. He will take care of the catholic community in Rankin Inlet, leaving Igloolik, where he spent past 11 years.
He will be replaced by Father Tony Krótki OMI, who since 1993 was living in Gjoa Haven, serving at the same time communities of Taloyoak and Kugaaruk (Pelly Bay). Father Tony spent already two years in Igloolik, from 1991 till 1992. Going back there he will take responsability for 5 other places: Iqaluit, Pond Inlet, Arctic Bay, Nanisivik and Hall Beach. All this is planned for January 2002.
Young Leaders Will Have a Formation Meeting in Ottawa
Our communities are getting ready to send our youth for the Faith Formation session in Ottawa this September. From whole Nunavut around 60 young people are invited to take part in this workshop. Only from Kitikmeot 11 delegates will attend that session. That will be hard work for our youth. We are supporting them in fund raising. Our prayers accompany their activities and their work. We wish them a good and safe summer.
In One Word
The construction of the mission and the new church has begun in Taloyoak. The material for construction was brought by barge already last year. There are few things to be shipped this September yet and our crew is working hard to relocate the present house. With God's Blessing we will be working inside before snow comes.
Arviat gave us news regarding Fr. Greg's second visit in Winnipeg's hospital. His foot is not healing well. The doctors do not know what is wrong. We do hope Fr. Greg will recover soon and come back to Arviat for the summer.
Fr. Robert Lechat OMI is already in Igloolik to minister the people of Baffin. He will do the ministry in Sanerajak as well.
Fr. Jusipi has moved to Rankin Inlet where he will reside for years to come. He will have to begin formation of the lay leaders there. To let the community be more responsible for the local church that particular formation is necessary. We hope that this program will attract some to serve their community as leaders. We all pray in that intention and for the blessing they need.
Fr. Rogatien Papion OMI, for many years missionary to the Inuit, now retired in Winnipeg but who still gives great part of his time to serve missions in Nunavut, has left Canada for his holidays in France. We wish him a wonderful and blessed summer.