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Fr. Bill Stephenson: Getting started

10/23/2021

11 Comments

 
I don't believe that vocations come from any dramatic events, insights or extraordinary experiences;  I believe that vocations often come from large, generous and committed families, with very generous parents.  In my case, it was a large family of twelve children with hard working, generous parents and grandparents. No one urged me to become a priest, but many people contributed to facilitating my vocation.

I attended Catholic school with the Sisters of Charity of Halifax teaching and serving as administrators; the pastor and his various assistants were very present to the school.  I was especially influenced by the pastor who was very committed, very prayerful, and very much involved in the community. He served in the parish for more than thirty years. Although it was a fairly large school, about 1,100 students from grades one to eleven, he knew all the students, their families and their history. He was very involved in facilitating sports, social events, and Summer Camps for the children. It was at the parish Summer Camp that I was especially impressed by his prayer life.  He spent hours in the camp chapel in prayer and had daily Mass for the campers.  

I also had the privilege of having two uncles who were parish priests in my home diocese.  Although I wasn't very close with them, they gave me the confidence that a vocation to the priesthood was not beyond the realm of possibility.  One of the most interesting bits of advice I received when getting ready to go the Seminary was from one of those uncles who told me that if I felt like leaving the Seminary, then leave. I think he was telling me that I should not feel obligated to be a priest just because he had two uncles who were priests, and not to go through with it just because other people expected it of me. On the other hand, it was very important to me that people did in fact expect me to enter the Seminary.
       
Another support for my vocation was attending Xavier Junior College and St. Francis Xavier University in my home diocese. There were a number of priests on staff at these institutions and they were very encouraging to any student who might be considering a vocation to the priesthood or religious life. They taught the courses that were required, especially Latin and Philosophy. They were almost like recruiters who would recognize candidates for religious vocations, and they were always available for counselling, spiritual direction and sacraments.

I began theology studies at St. Augustine's Seminary in Scarborough, ON in September of 1957 after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from the university. My home diocese in Nova Scotia at that time had an oversupply of priests. They also provided many priests for the Scarboro Foreign Mission Society and various other religious communities also. The bishop there decided I wasn't needed in his diocese, so I applied to the bishop of Calgary who accepted me. I was ordained on May 27th, 1961 in Antigonish, NS, for the Diocese of Calgary. The seminary life was rather spartan, but I felt at home there because my life growing up was similar. I appreciated the opportunity to get to know clergy and seminarians from various parts of the country.

After ordination, I was appointed the secretary to Bishop Carroll which was a great challenge, but also a privilege. I learned much of the history of the diocese and the priests, and got to travel about the diocese for Confirmations and other occasions. I learned a great deal from Bishop Carroll and the other priests who worked at the Bishop's Office in my time there. However, I was more attracted to work in parishes, and in 1968, I was appointed pastor of the small parish of St. Clement’s (now Mary, Mother of the Redeemer) while still acting as Chancellor of the Diocese during the episcopate of Bishop Paul O'Byrne.    

In 1972, I was appointed Co-Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Calgary, along with Monsignor John O'Brien and Fr. Duncan T. Sullivan.  It was a very busy parish with very active lay people, and many marriages and funerals.  One of the requirements for a priest is to be able to work with the laity, and to be supported by them.  I have been greatly assisted in my ministry by the support, encouragement and involvement of the parishioners I have worked with. We have great need of active lay involvement in the parishes. 

In summary, vocations come with the support and love of family members, the clergy, and the wider community, along with a generous willingness to endeavour to follow where the Spirit is leading us.  

Written by Fr. William Stephenson for Faithfully, October 2021.
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Fr. William Stephenson
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Ordained: May 27, 1961, Antigonish, NS by Most Rev. William Power

Pastoral Placements
  • Episcopal Secretary (1961-65)
  • Chancellor (1965-70)
  • Pastor: St. Clement’s, Calgary (1968-1971)
  • Studies: Lumen Vitae, Brussels, Belgium (1971-1972)
  • Co-Pastor: Sacred Heart, Calgary (1972-1977)
  • Pastor: Sacred Heart, Calgary (1977-1982)
  • Rector: St. Mary’s Cathedral, Calgary (1982-1993)
  • Sabbatical: (1993-1994)
  • Pastor: St. Bonaventure, Calgary (1994-2006)
  • Administrator: St. Anthony’s, Calgary (2008-2009)
11 Comments
Frank Blote
10/26/2021 07:16:00 am

Dear Fr. Bill

Thank you for your many, many years of selfless dedication to your flock

I have always enjoyed your sense of humor and stories, which carry a lesson within themselves.

It is comforting to know that there are still men out there who have a spirit of peaceful service and dedication

Only in Heaven will you know how much you have done for us

Blessings on this great milestone in your journey

Frank and Karen

Reply
Marion Finkbiner
10/28/2021 08:49:11 pm

Dear Fr. Bill
I just want to congratulate you on your 60 years of service in the Catholic Church. I pray God bless you and keep you healthy and active.
Keeping you in prayer.
Marion Finkbiner

Reply
Lisa Sears-Walsh
10/29/2021 07:44:12 am

Congratulations on this amazing milestone, Father Bill. I am grateful for the opportunity to get to know you through your time at St. Bonaventure parish, and always felt a strong Nova Scotian connection to you through my Thompson family uncles that attended St. Francis Xavier University with you. Thank you for your many years of service to your faith community.

Wishing you all the best in the future,
Lisa Sears-Walsh

Reply
Ron Nelson
10/29/2021 11:20:34 am

I note your humble beginnings, as you determined to enter the priesthood. I am not sure what was leading you to make that decision, but thank goodness you did. You were always a great friend in St. Bonaventure Parish to me and my family. And you showed me the way on the golf course too..... Congrats on your 60th anniversary.

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Diane and Tom Lehman
10/30/2021 10:27:12 am

Congratulations, Father Bill. Sixty years is a blessed achievement and you still look amazingly well.
Remember attending a celebration your family had for your fiftieth.
Had the pleasure of worshipping with you during your many years as pastor at St. Bonaventure. After your retirement you provided relief at the parish for many years. We always enjoyed your homilies and derived much spiritual direction from them.
Wishing you many more blessed years.

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Peter Boulanger
10/31/2021 02:44:24 pm

Fr. Bill,
Congratulations on your milestone anniversary in the priesthood.
During your ministry at St Bonaventure you had a positive spiritual participation in the lives of each of my family members and for that we are eternally grateful.
We were truly blessed.
Wishing you continued good health!

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Sherry
11/1/2021 09:47:39 am

Congratulations on your sixty years of service, You and your sense of humor is greatly missed at St.Bonaventure.

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Tim link
11/3/2021 09:27:52 am

By the time I joined Sacred Heart, Father Stevenson was pastor. He always made me feel welcome and you enjoyed his masses. So nice to be able to give a more direct thank you. Peace. Love. Tim

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Colm
11/4/2021 03:32:35 pm

Fr. Bill,

Thanks for taking a chance on this guy to get into Youth Ministry working alongside you. You were a generous, patient, and kind man as I found my way in ministry. I can't believe what you let me pull off, haha!

But seriously, you were supportive, empowering, and your sense of humour disarms many and fosters great friendships.

You inviting me into the mission field literally changed my life. Always and forever grateful. God bless you and keep you.

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GWEN VELLA
1/23/2022 06:03:33 am

DEAR FATHER BILL; THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR KINDNESS WELCOMING ME TO MY NEW CHURCH HOME IN CALGARY, I HAVE ENJOYED SEEING YOU FROM TIME TO TIME TIME WHEN OUR REGULAR PRIESTS ARE AWAY. I HAVE BEEN WATCHING MASS ON TV. I AM NOW IN AGE CARE SETON SO THE TV MASSES ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO ME AS I CANNOT GET TO ST. BONAVENTURE TO ATTEND MASS.
. FATHER COLIN CAME TO ME TO HEAR MY CONFESSION BEFORE CHRISTMAS FOR WHICH I WAS TRULY THANKFUL.
BEST WISHES AND PRAYERS FOR A HEALTHY AND HAPPY FUTURE.
CONGRATULATIONS ON 60 YEARS OF SERVICE TO GOD AND HIS PEOPLE.







S







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Brenda Arseneault & Peter Ciavarella
1/31/2022 12:28:48 pm

Dear Father Stephenson

Congratulations on your 60th anniversary of service.. We were so grateful for your witness at our wedding (1992).

God bless you always, Stay well, safe and happy.

Best regards,
Brenda & Peter
(Big hugs)

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