New Wine Press December 2015.Indd
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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. 15 No. 5 December 2015 A Message from non-aboriginal. be a young woman far from and the result was peace. I I had a privileged experi- ‘Pope Francis is their families in a strange saw the beginnings of such Archbishop ence a few years ago that asking the isolated place and among peace on that occasion — a Richard Gagnon helped me to see what is Universal Church people they did not really beginning that needs to hap- involved in the idea of rec- to speak the know. One former student pen more and more in our onciliation. I was asked to said: “I have never been country. he topic of reconcilia- language of Ttion and mercy are very help bring together former able to thank you for what But this also holds true timely today especially residential school students, reconciliation and you did teach me in school. for all of our relationships when so many people seem now in their late 50s and to live But I thank you now.” which have broken down. to be aware of the need to 60s, and former teachers, all reconciliation in This encounter was one Pope Francis is asking the members of religious orders. which truly began to open Universal Church during redress past wrongs and our personal lives’ find a path for the future. We were about 10 or twelve up what reconciliation re- this Year of Mercy to speak The experience of the Truth around the table. The atmo- — Archbishop Gagnon ally means. It is more than the language of reconcilia- and Reconciliation Com- sphere was tense as there mutual respect, it has to do tion and to live reconcilia- mission is a good example was so much troubled his- personal exchange between with hearing both sides, en- tion in our personal lives, of this. The Commission tory present in that room. A them. After a little while, ful in learning this truth. In tering into compassionate our family lives and in our has allowed the painful few former students began something surprising be- return they told the former listening to what the person Christian communities. experience of the Residen- by listing their frustrations, gan to happen. The former students what their experi- really has to say, facing the He is encouraging us to tial Schools in Canada to anger and grief and directed teachers were able to share ence was of the schools, full truth as people experi- be Merciful like the Father be publically exposed and their comments to specific how they did not understand as young women and men. ence it and a willingness to (Luke 6:36). placed within our national religious who had taught the feelings and experiences Some of the former students re-establish a true friend- memory. Much more how- them. This tense encounter that their students were liv- expressed their gratitude for ship. On that particular day ever, needs to be done if we continued for some time ing at the time, even now. hearing these words and said I began to witness a normal- Most Reverend are to live reconciled lives and I felt very much on the They expressed their sorrow that they did not fully un- ization of relationships — a Richard Gagnon together — aboriginal and outside as I listened to the over this and were grate- derstand what it was like to sort of harmony of hearts, Archbishop of Winnipeg World meeting celebrates family, the place where love begins rchbishop Gagnon Archbishop Gagnon: One invited some of of the things I took away A the faithful from was the affirmation of fam- the archdiocese who ily life. I saw people really were in attendance at the affirmed in their Christian World Meeting of Fami- family vocation. There were lies in Philadelphia in 17,000 people from 100 September to meet and countries coming together share reflections of their for the same vocation. experiences. WMOF was Q. How can we help our conceived by Saint Pope families in the archdio- John Paul II in 1992 to cese? look at strengthening the Archbishop Gagnon: Pope sacred bonds of the family Francis has said that every- unit across the globe. The thing is connected together first WMOF took place in in the family. When its spir- Rome in 1994. Every three it is wounded the infection years since 1994, families contaminates everyone. from all over the world Monique: Membership are invited by the Holy has doubled in our church Father to attend this global and they are Catholic in gathering. name but many of them are Archbishop Richard Gagnon led a discussion of the recent World Meeting of Families held in ‘unchurched.’ They want a The archbishop began by September in Philadelphia, with some of the faithful of the archdiocese who attended. baptism or a wedding and asking; What was the World we can show mercy and Meeting of Families like for sion. It all starts in the home and God will be happy. families that could never first time we have left our provide sacraments but is you? What did you take which is a sacred place. Judith: I wondered how come here, how do we take other two kids for 10 days. that a disservice? Can we away from it? Zalde: I saw lots of people did God choose us to be this back to them? Grandparents stayed with look at how we prepare for Rachel: Just the sheer who still believe in the es- in Philadelphia? I worried Maui: My wife Cheryl them and we could Skype sacraments and how the number of people all valu- sence and importance of about who would take care was pregnant at the time we with our daughters to pray family can get involved? ing the importance of fam- family. The people who at- of our children. My hus- decided to go and we knew every night. Zalde: After confir- ily. I really appreciated tended the World Meeting band said God wants us to that in her eighth month Khristine: Love is the only mation people leave the that the whole family was of Families really wanted to go because when you really we would be in Philadel- reason that you can forgive, church, even after RCIA. encouraged to take part, fight for the family in a so- serve, you serve uncomfort- phia. But we went and we you need to have a dialogue. What program can we en- there were babies, teenag- ciety where family is not al- ably. We were so helped by thought we’re here for a rea- In a family it’s hard to for- hance to have an impact? ers and grandparents. It was ways given importance, and our community. son and we need to be hope- give and heal but the only Maybe the materials we life-changing and made me even the idea of family is Monique: The image of ful, we’re bringing a new thing that can really heal is give to them are not rele- realize the value of family sometimes being attacked. the wounded heart really life into this world, and if love. At the World Meeting vant anymore. How do we as the foundation of every- Joi: Everything starts in the stayed with me. All of the we have a good relationship of Families you didn’t know evangelize the men? thing else. All relationships family, and when the family things that break us down, together, the stronger our the person next to you but start with the family, all is happy, the community is that prevent us from hear- marriage will be and the bet- the feeling was so light, so Continued on page 5 love, mercy and compas- happy, the world is happy ing God. There are so many ter for our children. It’s the friendly. 2 • The New Wine Press December 2015 Tri-Diocesan Prison Ministry Committee Presents Angel Tree Christmas he Tri-Dioc- Tesan Prison Ministry Commit- Rossbrook House tee would like to No Child Alone Dinner announce a pro- gram of Prison At the beginning of 2016, it will be 40 years since Fellowship Canada Sister Geraldine MacNamara and a group of inner city young people created Rossbrook House, entitled Angel Tree Christmas. a neighbourhood drop-in centre There is an increasing need to address the needs of victims with a simple mission: and communities affected by crime and violence. This includes “No child who does not want to be alone, the families and children of prisoners who are also impacted by should ever have to be.” the consequences of crime. Without proper support, victims of In the decades since, it has become a place for children and youth to belong, play, learn crime are often left with feelings of neglect, abandonment and and become... discouragement and healing then becomes difficult, if not some- Please come and help us recognize this milestone times impossible. and reach our goal of raising Every year, thousands of inmates in provincial and federal cor- $40,000 dollars towards afterschool programs at rectional institutions across Canada apply to Angel Tree Christ- the No Child Alone Dinner Celebration! mas in the hopes that their child will receive a gift on their behalf at Christmas. It is Prison Fellowship Canada’s vision that each of Thursday, January 28, 2016 5:30 pm these children be connected with a local church community who CanadInns Polo Park is available to support them, and their family in the difficulties (lots of free parking!) that abound when a family member is incarcerated.