Page 14 Journey <strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2013</strong>Life north <strong>of</strong> ordinaryPreaching the Gospel, the St. Francis wayBy Father Vincent Travers, O.P.(Dublin, Ireland)love the weekends in the Yukon. Invariably,they entail long journeys toImission stations in faraway places. Thescenery has a majestic beauty.Jesus promised his followers a hundredfold in this life and the next. Livingin this part <strong>of</strong> the world, despite theisolation, the loneliness, the cold anddarkness, is to experience the hundredfoldin the “now”. I merit none <strong>of</strong> it,but I am grateful for all <strong>of</strong> it.The sun had set on a gorgeous summer’sevening in late August. Themoon was rising in the night sky whenI reached the gas station at Carmacks,the village named after George Carmacks,the man who made the goldfind in the Klondike that triggered thefamous gold rush to Dawson City in1898.Strangers in the night becomebrothers in the LordI noticed him at the other side <strong>of</strong> thepumps, filling up his motorcycle. Hewas a striking figure.I must confess that whenever I see abig, heavyset man, overweight, with along beard, ponytail, on a motorcycle,I think “Hell’s Angels”.Yet, some <strong>of</strong> the most interesting andgentlest people I have met in the Yukonare bikers. When possible, I am quickto strike up a conversation.As I was gassing up, I said, “How isit going?”“Good.”“And you?”“Good.”“Where are you from?”“Atlanta.”“Where are you heading for?”“Dawson.”“You’re a long way from home?”“Yeah,” he answered with a smile.“What do you do for a living?”“I am Methodist preacher.”He saw my look <strong>of</strong> surprise and said,“After twenty years <strong>of</strong> preaching, I figuredI needed a break.” Then he asked,“What do you do?”“I’m a Catholic priest.”He looked at me with disbelief andsaid, “Well, I’ll be darned, a Catholicpriest and a Methodist preacher, meetingat a gas station, in the middle <strong>of</strong> aYukon night.” He then asked, “Whatexactly do you do in this remote part <strong>of</strong>the world?”“I help out.”“How are things in the Biblebelt?” I added.“Not good. We’re about 10years behind Europe and the rest<strong>of</strong> North America, but heading inthe direction <strong>of</strong> secular values andmindset. We’re losing our youth.”“So what is the Methodist approachto young people in the Biblebelt?”“We’re struggling to find one.What’s your secret?”“Exactly what we’re doingnow,” I said, “Doing what St. Francisdid. Francis sent his brothers tothe market place and urged them topreach the Gospel, and, if necessary,use words.”Suddenly we both realized the queuewas building up at the pumps. It wastime to move on.A blessingI said, “Let’s bless each other.” Helowered his head and I traced the sign<strong>of</strong> the cross on his forehead. I loweredmine and he traced the sign <strong>of</strong> the crosson my forehead. There was a moment<strong>of</strong> silence; the silence seemed to go onfor a long time. Then I said, using aNative expression, “We’ll meet again,when we pass over to the other side.”And that was it. He headed <strong>of</strong>f toDawson and the Klondike, and I continuedmy journey home to PorterCreek, on the outskirts <strong>of</strong> Whitehorse.It’s amazing what can happen betweentwo human beings at a gas station.Amazing what can happen whenhuman beings are open to each other.We met as strangers and parted asbrothers.Before Christmas <strong>of</strong> last year, FatherVincent Travers shared his recollection<strong>of</strong> a Yukon summer serving as a visitingpriest in the Diocese <strong>of</strong> Whitehorse.The Dublin-based Dominican priestalso wrote: “I heard today from BishopGary Gordon and he has invited me tospend the summer <strong>of</strong> <strong>2013</strong> in the Yukon.That is an invitation I cannot refuse.”Journey would like to thank CatholicMissions In Canada (www.cmic.info)for permission to reprint this story.CMIC operates MISSION EXPRESS,“a news service to newspapers, magazines,journals and e-mail servers toshare with our friends in the media storiesabout our missionaries at work.”Photo courtesy <strong>of</strong> Father Vincent TraversCatholic education awardsAlgonquin and LakeshoreCatholic District School Board AwardsThe Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic DistrictSchool Board has awarded the <strong>2013</strong> ArchbishopFrancis J. Spence Catholic Teacher <strong>of</strong> the Year Awardto Denise Boilard, a teacher at Nicholson CatholicCollege in Belleville. The award was presented duringa Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bellevillecelebrating Catholic Education Week.The late Archbishop Spence chose to honour allteachers in the Algonquin and Lakeshore CatholicDistrict School Board by specifically recognizingone teacher annually during Catholic EducationWeek with the Archbishop Francis J. Spence CatholicTeacher <strong>of</strong> the Year Award.The Secondary Volunteer Award recipient for <strong>2013</strong>is Caroline Lollar, a Grade 12 student at Holy CrossCatholic Secondary School in <strong>Kingston</strong>.The Contribution to Catholic Education Award ismeant to recognize an individual, group or organizationthat has made a significant contribution to theschool system, but particularly to the staff or students.This year’s recipient is Father Leo Byrne, pastor<strong>of</strong> St. Paul’s Parish in <strong>Kingston</strong>.The Adult Volunteer <strong>of</strong> the Year Award recognizesthe generous contribution <strong>of</strong> time and talent by adultvolunteers who have provided exemplary volunteerservices to a school or work site to the benefit <strong>of</strong> thestaff and students at that site. This year’s recipientsare Scott Erb and Cindy Carquez, <strong>of</strong> Holy FamilyCatholic School in <strong>Kingston</strong>.Donna Craigen, secretary at J.J. O’Neill CatholicSchool in Napanee, was named the recipient <strong>of</strong>the Excellence in Supporting Catholic EducationAward–CUPE, Support Staff and Senior Managers.The award recognizes an individual who demonstratesexcellence in the workplace while supportingfaith-based education; community service; socialjustice initiatives; involvement in workplace and/orcommunity life; and personal accomplishment.The Katharine Award is given to an individual,group or school whose charitable efforts honour thespirit <strong>of</strong> giving <strong>of</strong> the late Katharine Splinter, an educatorin elementary and secondary schools before beingappointed as curriculum coordinator at the boardlevel. This year the award was presented to TheKnights <strong>of</strong> Columbus and The Catholic Women’sLeague.The Catholic District School Board <strong>of</strong>Eastern Ontario AwardsThe Bravo Breakfast Awards recognize deservingCDSBEO students for their exceptional contributionto the life <strong>of</strong> their school and the extended Catholicschool community.The ceremony provides a public forum in which tohonour these students for their ongoing contributionsto our school system.Each school selected one student to receive theaward. The award winners, their parents, schoolArchbishop Brendan O’Brien with Denise Boilard,recipient <strong>of</strong> the Teacher <strong>of</strong> the Year Awardprincipals, Board representatives, and local dignitariesattended the breakfasts.The Catholic District School Board <strong>of</strong> EasternOntario hosted the breakfasts at four sites: Russell(April 8), Cornwall (April 15), Brockville (April 22),and Perth (April 29).The CDSBEO operates 40 elementary and 10 secondaryschools across eight counties.
<strong>Summer</strong> <strong>2013</strong> Journey Page15Providence Spirituality Centrewww.spiritualitycentre.caST. CARTHAGH’SCEMETERY MASSTWEED, ONSaturday, July 20, <strong>2013</strong>11:00 a.m.Pray for all the deceasedthrough whomlove is remembered,hope is rekindled,and faith is renewedand strengthenedLuncheon to followPlease bring lawn chairsWE INVITE YOU TO JOINONE OR MORE OFOUR RETREATS & WORKSHOPSAugust Guided Retreat: “The Prophetsand their Poetry”Wed Aug 7, 4 PM – Wed Aug 14, 1 PMRegister by Wed Jul 24 ** $525Sister Rose-Anne Engel, O.S.U.The focus <strong>of</strong> this retreat will be to reflect on some <strong>of</strong>the rich poetic passages in the Prophetic Books <strong>of</strong>the Bible that bind together the past and the future inan uninterrupted history <strong>of</strong> Salvation.The picturesque and passionate verses <strong>of</strong> Isaiah,<strong>of</strong>ten dark yet powerful images <strong>of</strong> Ezekiel, andthe maker <strong>of</strong> metaphor and stunning imagination<strong>of</strong> Jeremiah, become gripping moments <strong>of</strong> bothdesperation and inspiration. The prophets speakforcefully for our time. Their message and their poetryare treasured sources for meditation and prayer.Sr. Rose-Anne is a member <strong>of</strong> the Ursuline Sistersin Saskatchewan. Her experience includes: Leader<strong>of</strong> her Congregation, Teacher, Religious EducationConsultant, Director <strong>of</strong> Adult Religious Education,Chancellor for the Catholic Diocese <strong>of</strong> Calgary, andChaplain in the Correctional Facilities in Lethbridge.As well, Sr. Rose-Anne has served on numerouscommissions and boards. She is a member <strong>of</strong>the Faculty <strong>of</strong> St. Mary’s University College in theBachelor <strong>of</strong> Education and Religion Departments anda frequent guest speaker in a variety <strong>of</strong> settings inCalgary and in other parts <strong>of</strong> Canada and the U.S.August Directed RetreatWed Aug 7, 4 PM – Wed Aug 14, 1 PMRegister by Wed Jul 24 ** $495 or $75/dayPSC TeamFall Seniors Christian Spirituality Series:“Presence: The Mystery <strong>of</strong> Providence”Thu Sep 26 + Oct 109:45 AM – 1 PMWe share in the mission <strong>of</strong> theSisters <strong>of</strong> Providence <strong>of</strong>St. Vincent de Paul(includes lunch) $20/sessionRegister 2 weeks in advance for meal count.Senior or not – if you’d like to comeyou’re welcome!Lucy Bethel, SP“Providence is God present and active in all <strong>of</strong>creation manifested in creative and healing energieswe see at work.”~ Ruth McGoldrick, SP. We willreflect together on this mysterious Presence wename “Providence” – God present and active withinour lived experiences and all around us in the beauty<strong>of</strong> the created universe.Overnight Retreat: “Spirituality <strong>of</strong>Discipleship: Biblical Reflections on themeaning <strong>of</strong> discipleship and followingJesus.”Fri. Sep 27, 4 PM – Sat. Sep 28, 4 PMRegister by Fri Sep 13 * $75Deacon Bill GervaisThis retreat will build on Jesus’ command to bringthe gospel to all nations. It will look at discipleshipthrough the eyes <strong>of</strong> the evangelist as well as throughthe witness <strong>of</strong> modern day disciples, such as theseven French Cistercians who were martyred inAlgeria in 1996Bill Gervais is a deacon serving as a PastoralMinister at St. Mary’s Cathedral and BlessedSacrament Parish in Amherstview. He has advanceddegrees in pastoral ministry and spirituality. He hasserved as Director <strong>of</strong> Pastoral Care services at HotelDieu Hospital and more recently has been involvedin retreat work, spiritual direction, diaconal formation,and writes a monthly religion column in the <strong>Kingston</strong>Whig Standard.All retreats are <strong>of</strong>fered inan environment <strong>of</strong> silenceA *$25 or **$35 non-refundable deposit mustaccompany your request.A time apart with the possibility <strong>of</strong> peace! Come, refresh yourself in silence and serenity.You can pray, relax, write, read, paint, listen to tapes or simply enjoy the stillness.$10 includes lunch $25 includes private dayroom.Please call to register for a quiet day.On behalf <strong>of</strong> Father Ray Vickers, Iwould like to thank all <strong>of</strong> the many religioussisters, clergy, family and friendswho came to celebrate his Golden Jubileeon April 28. It was an enjoyableand memorable afternoon. We couldnot have done this without the assistance<strong>of</strong> the many hands that helpedwith all aspects <strong>of</strong> bringing this specialday to fruition. Our gratitude is extendedto the Marian Community Homefor allowing us to host this event. Yourpresence and generosity were truly appreciatedby Father Vickers.– Isabelle Curry (Father Vickers’ sister)Our smoke and scent free Centre <strong>of</strong>fers meeting rooms, accommodations and meals for group bookingsProvidence Spirituality Centre Team: Lucy Bethel, SP,Dolores Hall, Reinalda Kloosterman, SP, Ingrid Lacis, Anne WilliamsTo register: Box 427, 1200 Princess Street, <strong>Kingston</strong>, ON K7L 4W4Telephone: (613) 542-8826 Fax: (613) 542-3510 E-mail: info@psck.org
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