Return undelivered copies to: 1495 Pembina Highway, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2C6 www.archwinnipeg.ca The New Wine Press A Publication of the Archdiocese of Winnipeg (Publication Agreement No. 40628045) Vol. 10. No. 5 December 2010 Archbishop receives honorary degree from St. John’s College rchbishop of Winni- in an age where the church counters with the arch- Apeg James Weisger- in the west might be thought bishop as “exceptionally ber, praised for his com- to have lost its voice, Arch- warm, and with a brilliantly mitment to social justice bishop Weisgerber’s elec- sharp wit and mind, a per- and pastoral ministry, tion as General Secretary son knows that they have received the honorary de- of the Canadian Confer- been heard as if they were gree of Doctor of Divinity ence of Catholic Bishops in the only one in the room. during the 144th annual 1990, Bishop of Saskatoon To bring together the need convocation at St. John’s in 1996, and Archbishop for large and statesmanlike College at the University of Winnipeg by Pope John thinking, with deep com- of Manitoba Nov. 7. Paul II in 2000, signals a mitment to Christ, and pas- The archbishop was pre- strong commitment to the toral engagement is truly a sented for the conferring of patterns of life and scholar- great gift in the life of the the degree by the Rev. Dr. ship that have characterized church and a sign of God’s John Stafford, the college’s his ministry throughout.” presence. And in you, we dean of theology and chap- Stafford said Weisgerber’s gladly receive this.” lain. Stafford called Weis- “vocal participation” in the Stafford said the list of gerber “a man of singular aboriginal apology pro- honours conferred on gifts, commitment, craft vided by Pope Benedict Weisgerber is “very exten- and contribution, in the ser- XVI to Canada’s First Na- sive both in the Church and vice of Christ, his church, Archbishop James Weisgerber with the Chancellor of St. John’s College, tions leaders in April 2009 in his home province,” in- and society.” the Right Rev. Donald Phillips, Bishop of Rupert’s Land. for the experiences suffered cluding the Saskatchewan Stafford said Weisger- at residential schools, and Order of Merit in 2005. Following degrees in phi- Wilcox, Sask., where he ishes in Regina and Fort ber’s “vigour and tenacity his continuing work in the “We honour your pres- losophy and theology at St. taught philosophy, religious Qu’Appelle. throughout his career must Truth and Reconciliation ence with us today and Paul’s University in Ottawa studies and French. “This is a key aspect of surely have received some process, “affirms that struc- give thanks for the ex- Weisgerber was ordained Stafford said Weisgerber’s Archbishop Weisgerber’s considerable inspiration tures, secular or sacred, can traordinary and manifest to the priesthood at Holy commitment to social jus- ministry,” said Stafford, “for from his prairie stock, in be made to work, and can gifts God has given to you Rosary Cathedral in Regina tice and pastoral ministry it strikes the sort of balance particular his birth and be- have the necessary depth and which you have given in 1963. “An academic fu- has been consistently ex- that is unwilling to place a ginnings in Vibank, Sask., of understanding to support to us,” Stafford said. ture was certainly taking pressed in word and action wedge between the life of and later at St. Peter’s Col- the reshaping of crucial re- shape,” said Stafford. Weis- and was evident during the mind and the pastoral lege in Muenster, Sask., in lationships in this country.” Contributed by gerber became Dean of Arts his years as rector of Holy consequences of the Gos- the Benedictine tradition.” Stafford described en- James Buchok at Notre Dame College in Rosary Cathedral and par- pel. What this means is that St. Benedict’s retreat centre celebrates 40th year he 40th anniversary enty miles north of Win- her 15 years as a Catholic Tof Winnipeg’s St. nipeg . lay person in her native Benedict’s Retreat and In 1923 the building at England. Conference Centre was Arborg was enlarged and In 1981 she moved to celebrated Sept. 17 with the monastery was re-lo- Chicago and earned a music, song and the tell- cated there, leaving the Masters in Theology and ing of one woman’s story convent in Winnipeg as a certification as an HIV of helping and healing. mission where the sisters counsellor. Edwina Gateley, who an- continued to teach. “I had a list of seven swered God’s call to live In 1961 a new priory things I could do and God and work with the pros- and girls’ academy were chose number eight. Tak- titutes of Chicago, gave erected on the present ing care of the little ones, thanks for St. Benedict’s 72- acre riverside site on the most marginalized, and those who heard the the northern outskirts of the prostitutes,” Gately call to create “a place of Winnipeg, on Masters said. hospitality to all. Look Avernue off Main Street. “I told them ‘you are at what God is doing in In 1970 in response to God’s work of art who that little corner of Mani- the call of Vatican II, the sees the beauty in all of toba,” she said. community undertook a His creations.’ ” St. Benedict’s was origi- self-study and renewal. In 1983 Gateley founded nally formed in 1912 by One of the results was From left, Dr. Moti Shojania, chair of the Winnipeg Arts Council, guest Genesis House in Chica- four Benedictine sisters the decision to close St. speaker Edwina Gateley, Sr. Mary Coswin OSB, Director of St. Benedict’s go to assist women who from Duluth, Minnesota Benedict’s Academy and Retreat and Conference Centre and Sr. Virginia Evard OSB, Prioress of St. choose to leave prosti- who established a monas- to reopen that same year Benedict’s Monastery. tution by offering them tic community in Winni- as St. Benedict’s Edu- al organizations and busi- providing pastoral care The Sisters of St. Bene- services and support. peg with a mission of ed- cational Centre which ness. in parishes and personal dict also own and operate Gateley said six hundred ucation and the practice became St. Benedict’s Today St. Benedict’s is care homes, providing re- St. Benedict’s Place, an women have left prostitu- of Christian charity. Retreat and Conference a community of 28 mo- ligious instruction in par- independent living resi- tion since Genesis House At that time, the sisters Centre. nastic women. ishes, schools and through dence for seniors located was started. taught at Holy Ghost Since 1970, St. Bene- The sisters’ endeav- correspondence, serving on the same site as the “God can work miracles School on Selkirk Avenue dict’s has hosted meet- ours over the years have as homemakers, minis- monastery and confer- but we have to go to the and opened an orphanage ings, retreats and in-ser- included building rural tering as retreat directors ence centre. edges,” she said. to care for 75 children. vices for groups from hospitals, staffing paro- and spiritual guides and “We celebrate their mis- In 1915 the orphan- various churches, gov- chial, private and public providing leadership in sion and their story,” said Contributed by age was transferred from ernment departments, schools, administering prayer, spirituality and Gateley as she led into her James Buchok Winnipeg to Arborg , sev- schools, other education- personal care homes, liturgy. own story beginning with 2 • The New Wine Press December 2010 Rene Bouchard leaves Ordination to Transitional Diaconate the Catholic Centre for St. Boniface College Eric Zadji will be ordained to the Transitional Diaconate on Friday, December 17 at 7:30 p.m. at Rene Bouchard, diocesan Chief Financial St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Winnipeg. Officer, is leaving his position effective, Dec. 31 to become the Vice President (Finance, Eric is currently on Pastoral Internship at Administration and Resource Services) of St. Paul the Apostle Parish. St. Boniface College. Everyone is invited to a�end this important Archbishop Weisgerber expressed his grati- celebration in the life of our local church. tiude for Rene’s seven years of service. Rene Bouchard “While we wish Rene well in his new posi- tion, we are saddened to see him go; his leadership of the Fi- nancial Affairs of the Archdiocese has been exemplary. Rene has Christmas Gift Giving done so much to reorganize and renew our administration and for That Makes this we are grateful.” a Difference “I am sure that everyone, especially Pastors and those involved in Parish Financial Administration, will want to join me in thank- Finding it hard to buy a Christ- ing Rene for his leadership and wish him well in his new respon- mas gift for someone who has everything? Why not honour sibilities.” your loved one by giving a gift, in his/her name, to someone who is in need of everything? The Sisters of Our Lady of the 25 Years of Service Missions (RNDMs) of Canada, who have served the Arch- In September, Mrs. Arlie Poltronetti marked diocese since their arrival in her 25th year of service to the Archdiocese Manitoba in 1898, are inviting you “to partner in mission” with of Winnipeg as the administratiive assis- them through buying a Christ- tant to the Catholic Marriage Tribunal at the mas Gift that makes a differ- Catholic Centre in Winnipeg. Congratula- ence. The RNDMs “Christmas Gift that Makes a Difference” tions Arlie! provides you with a range of gifts for the Christmas season.