I will give your pastors according to my own heart

​I will give your pastors according to my own heart." ~Jeremiah 3:15

As a bishop, one of the challenges is finding regular opportunities to be more present in the parishes. There is the yearly celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation. The recognition of a special anniversary of a parish such as the celebration of St. Boniface German Parish’s 70 years of the dedication of their church this past weekend. I have also introduced the practice of making a three-day pastoral visit of a parish since coming to the Diocese and have completed over 35 visits to our urban and rural parishes as of this year. 
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On August 1, the yearly pastoral moves occur in the Diocese. It is at this time that some of the priests are asked by the bishop to accept a new parish assignment in the Diocese of Calgary. For the faithful, it is sometimes difficult to see a priest leave the parish, however, it should also be a sign of his obedient generosity in recognizing the needs of the diocese and of the commitment which he made at the time of his ordination. In transferring a priest to a new parish, it also offers the bishop the opportunity to go to the parish community to install the priest as pastor in an order of service that is known as a Mass of Installation.

Installation of Fr. Joseph Glaab as pastor of St. Mary's in Cochrane

Installation of Fr. Cristino Bouvette at Sacred Heart Parish in Strathmore

The reaction of the parishioners at the conclusion of this Mass is always interesting. Some are intrigued that they have never witnessed such an order of service. Others are moved by the symbolism that the relationship of the priest to the parish community represents a commitment of pastoral and sacramental service which is shared with the parishioners and that is somewhat also analogous to that of marriage. I also say at the Mass that if I am the one who has made this pastoral move then it is important for the bishop to come to the parish as a further sign of support for the priest as well as the parish community.
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At the very beginning of the Mass, immediately after greeting the faithful, the bishop invites the congregation to be seated and then a member of the parish pastoral council comes forward to ask the bishop to install their new priest formally ​as pastor of the parish. The bishop then asks that the official letter of appointment be read to those present in the church. The parishioners then stand and sing the Gloria as a response of thanksgiving. Following the Liturgy of the Word and the homily, the Order of Service of Installation begins. 

Installation Mass of Fr. Eligio Canete, St. Mary's Brooks

Installation of Fr. Vijaya Bathineni at St. James' Parish in Okotoks

The priest standing beside the bishop leads the faithful in professing their faith in the Nicene Creed. He then states his personal witness of faith by acknowledging that he believes with religious submission of will and intellect everything contained in the Word of God and that which has been handed down in Tradition through the Magisterium regarding the teaching on faith and morals. The priest then continues with an Oath of Fidelity stating that he will preserve communion with the Catholic Church, carry out with great care and fidelity the duties toward the Church, hold fast to the deposit of faith, hand it on and explain it, avoid any teaching contrary to it, foster the common discipline of the Church, and faithfully assist the diocesan bishop, so that the apostolic activity, exercised in the name and mandate of the Church be carried out in communion with the Church. He then concludes this oath by placing his hand on the Book of the Gospels that is held the deacon and states, “So help me God, and God’s Holy Gospels on which I place my hand.” 

Installation of Fr. Tadeusz Jordan, SDS at St. Joseph's Parish, Calgary

At this point in order of service, a procession led by a cross bearer then leads the priest and the bishop to the places within the Church where the sacraments are celebrated. It begins at the baptismal font, moves to the confessional or reconciliation room, to the ambry which contains the blesssed oils for the sick, continuing to the pulpit where the scriptures are proclaimed and the prayers of the faithful read, to the altar where the Eucharist is celebrated, and finally, the priest is taken to the celebrant’s chair where he is reminded of the symbols of his ordination in the stole and chasuble that he wears. It concludes with the bishop reminding the priest to offer his generous priestly service to the parish that is now entrusted to his pastoral care. 

Installation of Fr. Domingo Bongalos as pastor of St. James, Calgary

Installation Fr. Marino Infante as pastor of St. Michael's, Pincher Creek

Installation of Fr. Fabio DeSouza as pastor at St. Peter's, Calgary

I have come to see that the Installation Mass of the Pastor, for those parishioners who are present, is a catechetical opportunity to see the importance of the sacraments in the life of the parish as being the responsibility of both the priest and the faithful. As the bishop, it offers me the opportunity to be present in a parish to acknowledge the ministry of the priesthood and the witness and the sacrifice that all of the priests in the Diocese make in serving our parishes with a spirit of generous obedience.
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I ask for your prayers for all of our priests, especially for those who are taking up new pastoral assignments this year. In the spirit of our Diocesan Pastoral Renewal, please also pray for our seminarians, who in discerning God’s call, they may respond with that same generosity of heart as they prepare to become ordained priests in the future.  

The following priests were installed as pastors in their new parishes: 

• Rev. Vijaya Bathineni, August 18, 2024, as pastor of St. James, Okotoks
• Rev. Marino Infante, August 17, 2024, as pastor of St. Michael's, Pincher Creek
• Rev. Cristino Bouvette, August 24, 2024, as pastor of Sacred Heart, Strathmore
• Rev. Tadeusz Jordan, SDS, August 25, 2024, as pastor of St. Joseph's, Calgary
• ​Rev. Pawel Andrasz, August 31, 2024, as pastor of St. Peter's, Milk River
• Rev. Joseph Glaab, OFM, September 1, 2024, as pastor of St. Mary's, Cochrane
• Rev. Eligio Canete, September 7, 2024, as pastor of St. Mary's, Brooks
• Rev. Domingo Bongalos, September 14, 2024, as pastor of St. James, Calgary
• Rev. Fabio DeSouza, September 15, 2024, as pastor of ​St. Peter's, Calgary

Bishop McGrattan at St. Mary's Parish in Brooks

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Photos courtesy of Miranda Bunarto, St. Joseph's Parish in Calgary; St. James' Parish in Okotoks; Sacred Heart Parish in Strathmore; Frank Buendia, St. Mary's Parish in Brooks; Annie Chirka, St. Peter's in Calgary; and St. James' in Calgary.

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​Written by Most Rev.  William T. McGrattan, Bishop of Calgary
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​Sep 16, 2024