From Your Pastor

It is wonderful to have Deacon John Vallely to celebrate with us on Vocation Sunday. We celebrate the gift of the Spirit that gets expressed in the church through the various vocation we are called to. Each vocation and ministry strengthens and fortifies one another. The deacons in our diocese make me want to be a better priest in the same way the married couples I know help me grow in my priesthood.
It is important to me that this Vocation Sunday we have Deacon John Vallely with us because deacons are an important part of the church. They are sacramental expressions of our universal call to serve and spread the good news. They remind us all of our baptism vocation. I am always praying for vocation and in Huron Perth I know there are many married men who are being called to serve as deacons.
The Diocese of London will be receiving inquiries from interested applicants for admission to the Permanent Diaconate Formation and Study Program.  An Information Session for Huron Perth will be held on Thursday, May 13, 2010 from 7:30—9:30 pm at St. Patrick’s Parish, Dublin.  If you would like more information on the Permanent Diaconate Program, please pick up a brochure from your Parish Office.

From Your Pastor

The resurrected Christ encounters his disciples on the beach in this week's Gospel. This simple intimate encounter of having breakfast on the beach summarizes my time in Bluewater. Where water and land meet has always been that special place of transition. I think that is why we are drawn to the shoreline. Here things never change because they are always changing.

Peter is challenged with the question, “Do you love me?” His affirmation is followed by the command to feed Christ’s flock. For me the same question and command resonate. As I begin to contemplate my move to Sacred Heart Sarnia and St. Michal’s Bright Grove in July, I understand what Peter felt on the beach. It was part of Peter’s vocation to follow Jesus and part of mine to follow where I am lead.

On the weekend of April 24-25 we celebrate vocation weekend. Deacon John Vallely will be here to remind us that we all have a vocation to serve in love. Deacon John serves our diocese as the coordinator of formation for our deacons. I know there are many vocations in our parishes. Hear Jesus ask…. “Do you love me?” in your answer you will comprehend the challenge to “feed my sheep”. In this constant dialogue we find our purpose and fulfillment.

From Your Pastor

It is with sadness that I announce that I am being moved in July. The hope of every priest is to leave their parishes a little better then they found them and ultimately to have some one capable to follow them that will continue on the good work of the parish. Being able to announce that Fr. Graham Keep will be your new pastor gives me the confidence to move on.

Born and raised in London, Ontario; Fr. Graham Keep went into the St. Peter's Seminary London after graduating from Catholic Central high school. He was two years ahead of me at the Seminary and helped keep me sane. (ie: he is funny).

He has been ordained for 17 years and has served in various parishes in the London Diocese. He has been on a study sabbatical since January finishing a Pontifical Licentiate Degree in the area of Pope John Paul II’s call for a New Evangelization in today’s culture (ie: he is smart).

Along with two other priests he will be helping evaluate and encourage evangelization in the diocese. (ie: he is dedicated) Before that he was pastor of Listowel and Hessen in Huron Perth and just recently 8 years at Mary Immaculate Parish in London. Mary Immaculate is a large parish with an active youth ministry especially a Life Teen group (ie: he is hard working).

Fr. Graham has given talks at conferences in several different countries, including the Ukraine, Slovakia, Ghana, and the United Sates. He was a speaker at the Journey to the Father Youth Conference in Cornwall Ontario (ie: he is a great speaker).

Best yet as of July Fr. Graham will be your pastor (ie: he is lucky)