ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF CALGARY
  • Blog
  • About
  • Give
  • News & Events
  • Ministries
  • Contact Us
  • Parish Finder
Picture

2021 Jubilarians

10/24/2021

5 Comments

 
Picture

Fr. John Bastigal

One of several vocations to come from the Drumheller Valley, Fr. John Bastigal was raised first in Rosedale, and then in Calgary.  After a year of uncertainty following high school, the seeds that were planted by various priests during his childhood began to germinate.  He accepted a school friend’s invitation to check out the seminary, and soon enough, was ordained in 1961. 

Much of Fr. Jack’s work was done in ecumenical affairs, including his work as founding pastor of Ascension of Our Lord Parish, Sandstone, Calgary; he finds that seeds that he planted in this time now begin to grow and bear fruit. Even now in his retirement, Fr. Jack sees more seeds that need to be sown in the soil of this diocese that he sprang from. Read more: Fr. John Bastigal: A sower went out
Picture
Read more: Fr. John Bastigal: A sower went out

Fr. Stephen Gattafoni, OFM

Fr. Stephen Gattafoni has served in many different roles in the Diocese of Calgary over the years, first as pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in downtown Calgary from 1979-1984, and then as the chaplain of St. Francis High School in Collingwood, Calgary from 1986-1999.  He was appointed retreat master at Mount St. Francis in Cochrane in 2004, and served in the position until 2007, during which Mount St. Francis received much needed renovations. Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre is nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The Retreat Centre is served by Franciscan Friars of Canada, inspired by the vision and example of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi.
Picture

Fr. Louis Geelan, OFM

Fr. Louis Geelan is a native of this diocese, born and raised at the south end of the Turner Valley oilfield. He attended the first lay men’s retreat at Mount St. Francis in August 1949, and joined the Order of Friars Minor.  He was ordained on May 27th, 1961. He has spent two stints in this diocese, both on the retreat team at Mount St. Francis, where his vocational journey with the Franciscans first began. The Friars built the Retreat Centre's wing for retreatants and on August 15, 1949 gave their first retreat to the Calgary Diocesan clergy and retreats for lay people began that same autumn. Fr. Louis Geelan, presently a member of the Retreat Team, was on that first retreat. More about Fr. Louis Geelan as his story becomes available. 
Picture

Fr. William Stephenson

Where does a vocation come from?  According to Fr. Bill Stephenson, it isn’t in the extraordinary events or revelations, but from the quiet support of a community.  In his case, it was a large family of twelve children, with hard-working, generous parents and grandparents; and an active church community, with strong teachers in Catholic schools, and an energetic pastor. 

​Fr. Bill continued receiving this support through his time at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, NS, and through to St. Augustine’s Seminary in Scarborough, ON.  As the diocese of Antigonish had a surplus of vocations at the time, Fr. Bill applied to the diocese of Calgary. His longevity of a priestly life here shows what can happen with  the support, love and generosity of a whole community
. Read more - Fr. Bill Stephenson: Starting Out
Picture
Read more - Fr. Bill Stephenson: Starting Out

Fr. William Trienekens

As an altar boy in Boekel in the Netherlands, Fr. Bill Trienekens knew he was going to be a priest. However, with the outbreak of the Second World War, things in his family became much more complicated. During these difficult years, the words of Psalm 34:8 began to carry significance:  “Taste and see that the Lord is good, happy are those who take refuge in Him.” 

​Arriving in Calgary in 1955, Fr. Bill found a surrogate father figure in Bishop Carroll, who taught him one of the most valuable lessons in his life in his initial interview. Throughout his priestly ministry, Fr. Bill has striven to strengthen parish life by actively building community in a multitude of different ways. At the age of 90, it has been a “happy, graced life” for Fr. Bill – for “happy are those who take refuge in Him”. Read more: Fr. Bill Trienekens: Happy are those who take refuge in Him
Picture
Read more: Fr. Bill Trienekens: Happy are tho se who take refuge in Him

Fr. Joseph Hau Duc Tran, OP

Ordained in the Eternal City by St. John XXIII, it seems natural that Fr. Joseph Tran has a unique perspective on the eternal nature of the Church and of the priesthood.  Fr. Tran distinctly remembers his audience with “Il Buon Papa”, remarking upon the extraordinary saint’s presence among the ordinandi as simply “a priest among his brothers”. 

In a poetic way, the well-travelled Fr. Tran analogizes that the Church is like a bouquet of everlasting roses blooming, impressive with tradition, and yet ever new.  Fr. Tran gives thanks to God for his sixty years of priesthood, “a marvellous gift lasting to eternity”. ​Read more: Fr. Joseph Tran: You are a priest forever
Picture
Read more: Fr. Joseph Tran: You are a priest forever

Picture
Picture

Fr. Stefan Ganowicz

In a special guest column, Deacon Michael Soentgerath of St. Bernadette’s Parish, Ogden, Calgary, reflects on his experience of Fr. Stefan Ganowicz’s caring, dutiful ministry to the people of God. From his time spent in parish ministry to the work that he has done in hospital chaplaincy, it is clear that Fr. Stefan’s attitude of service and compassion have catechized, healed and brought consolation to the faithful. Read more: Fr. Stefan Ganowicz: A Servant Attitude

Picture

Fr. Terrence (Terry) Connolly

As a priest now for 40 years, Fr. Terry Connolly reflects upon the many blessings God has bestowed on him.  Among them, he is thankful for the example of his family, the teachers at the Catholic schools he attended, and the vocations retreats the diocese offered. He also expresses his gratitude for the many people that he has served over the years, and for the opportunity to celebrate the sacraments.

Read Fr. Terry's article: Fr. Terry Connolly: Priestly Blessings

Picture

Fr. Marino Infante

Fr. Marino looks at his formative years in the Philippines, and how they helped him discern a vocation to the priesthood; in particular, familial example, including many vocations in the family, have shaped his path to priestly ministry. 

A vigorous prayer life is stressed by Fr. Marino as being essential to vocational discernment. Read an interview with Fr. Marino here

Picture

Fr. Luciano Cortopassi

Fr. Luciano Cortopassi was born in Massarosa, Lucca, Italy. He was ordained at the age of 39 on June 29, 1996 in Livorno, Italy by the Most Rev. Vincenzo Savio. Fr. Luciano has served in the Diocese of Calgary from 2007, first as associate pastor, and then temporary administrator at Our Lady of Grace Parish (now Mary, Mother of the Redeemer) in Calgary. He then served as the associate pastor of St. Bonaventure's Parish in Calgary from 2007 to 2008, and then as the pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Balzac until 2012.  This was followed by pastorship of two parishes sharing a common patron:  St. James, North Glenmore Park, Calgary (2012-2016), and St. James, Okotoks (2016-2020). Starting last year, Fr. Luciano has served as the pastor of St. Agnes' Parish in Carstairs, AB. ​

Picture

Fr. Samer Naaman

Fr. Samer of St. Basil’s Melkite Catholic Parish traces his growth in his priestly life, from childhood through seminary, and then through to further studies. In his studies, Fr. Samer has learned the importance of dialogue through ministry, especially in spaces of natural difference between people, as the father who is called to love all like the Father.

Read Fr. Samer's story: Fr. Samer Naaman: The priest is not his own

Picture
Stories written and compiled by Solomon Ip for Faithfully.

A note from Solomon 
The Diocesan Office of Communications had initially approached me last year if I would be willing to write the jubilarian interviews for 2020, but I was just about to leave for Ontario for six months.  This year, I thought I’d be proactive and offer to take on the project, not realizing that there is a wonderfully large amount of jubilarians this year!

My life is often that of St. Martha, where I am distracted by many different things; it has been a blessing to take the part of St. Mary of Bethany for a change, and to figuratively “sit at the feet” of these masters, and learn what it means to live out one’s vocation. My sincerest gratitude to this year’s jubilarians for all they have done in their priestly lives - we would be much spiritually poorer without you!
​
My deepest gratitude as well to the Diocese of Calgary, Dcn. Michael Soentgerath, Fr. Dan Gurnick, OFM, Fr. Kevin Lynch, OFM, and Mariette and Kristoph Dobrowolski.


5 Comments
Robert Pettigrew link
10/25/2021 10:27:32 am

On behalf of the Knights of Columbus please accept our gratitude for the service to the communities & parishioners that you serve. Vivat Jesus!

Reply
John Wu
10/25/2021 02:04:29 pm

So many models to imitate, and may be I can learn from them to be more Christ-like. To God be praised for their faithfulness and their crosses and joy.

Reply
CINDY MAIRS
10/27/2021 03:42:34 pm

Congratulations
Fr. Stephen Gattafoni OFM!
He is my mother's cousin and I know she was very proud of him when she was alive!
It's funny for me as I literally looked at his face and thought "I know that priest, even though it has been many many years since I have seen him!
Wishing him well!

Cindy

Reply
Debbie Heikkila
10/27/2021 05:33:02 pm

A special thank you to Father Marino who officiated my dad's funeral. You were so compassionate and authentic - congratulations!

Reply
Dafe Ojevwe
10/30/2021 12:54:59 am

Congratulations to all the servants of God for serving our communities diligently. You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Catholic Pastoral Centre Staff and Guest Writers

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018

    Categories

    All
    Advent & Christmas
    Art
    Bereavement
    Bishop Emeritus Henry
    Bishop McGrattan
    Book Review
    Care For Creation
    Catechetics
    Catholic Charities & Development
    Catholic Education
    Catholic Schools
    CCCB
    Christian Unity
    Climate Change
    Consecrated Virgin
    Conversion
    Covid 19
    Culture
    CWL
    Development & Peace
    Devotions
    Diocesan Event
    Discipleship
    Ecumenical
    Elizabeth House
    Environment
    Euthanasia
    Evangelization
    Faithful Living
    Faithfully
    Family
    Feed The Hungry
    From The Bishop's Office
    Fundraising
    Funeral
    Grieving
    Health
    Health Care
    Homelessness
    Indigenous
    In Memoriam
    Interfaith
    Jubilarians
    Lay Associations
    Lent
    Lent & Easter
    Liturgy
    Marian
    Marriage
    Mary
    Mass
    Mental Health
    Migrants
    Miscarriage
    Mission Mexico
    Movie Review
    Music
    One Rock
    Online Formation
    Ordination
    Parenting
    Parish Life
    Pastoral Care
    Pastoral Visit
    Permanent Diaconate
    Pope
    Pope Francis
    Prayer
    Pray For Peace
    Priesthood
    Prolife
    RCIA
    Reconciliation
    Refugee
    Religious Education
    Religious Freedom
    Religious Life
    Resources And Guidelines
    Sacred Art
    Safe Environment
    Saints
    Scripture & Reflection
    Seniors
    Social Justice
    Stewardship
    St. Joseph
    Synod
    Vocation
    Youth And Young Adults
    Youth Ministry

    RSS Feed

GET TO KNOW US
Our Bishop
Offices & Ministries
​Our Staff
Read our Blog
Catholic Community
​Lay Associations
CONNECT WITH US
Contact us
​Careers
​Parish Boundaries

News & Events
Faithfully
​Reporting Abuse
NEED INFO ON
Becoming Catholic
Marriage Preparation
​Vocations
Annulment 
Sacraments Prep
Catholic Funeral
GIVE TO
Diocesan Ministries
Together in Action
Feed the Hungry
Elizabeth House
Your Parish Church​ 
​Other Ministry

Catholic Pastoral Centre  | 120 - 17th Ave SW, Calgary, AB  T2S 2T2 | ​Phone: 403-218-5500 | communications@calgarydiocese.ca
Charitable Number: 
10790-9939-RR0076​. Donate Now.
  • Blog
  • About
  • Give
  • News & Events
  • Ministries
  • Contact Us
  • Parish Finder