2021 Jubilarians

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

Read more: Fr. John Bastigal: A sower went out

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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.

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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. 

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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

Read more - Fr. Bill Stephenson: Starting Out

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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

Read more: Fr. Bill Trienekens: Happy are tho se who take refuge in Him

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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

Read more: Fr. Joseph Tran: You are a priest forever

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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

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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

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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

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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. ​

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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

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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!
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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.

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