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Pilgrimage to the North

5/1/2022

8 Comments

 
Written by Fr. Tim Boyle.

For Fr. Wilbert Chin Jon and myself, Holy Week of 2022 will be remembered as the year of our pilgrimage to the North.

​As a child growing up in Canada, our North has always held a fascination for me. I read Jack London as a kid and since winter occupies half of our year, the North with images of the cold and darkness and the First Nation people who love being there, have always been part of my imagination.

When Bishop Jon Hansen, C.Ss.R. from McKenzie-Fort Smith Diocese asked our Bishop if any priests would be interested in helping out at Easter, I jumped at the opportunity. 
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Bishop Jon Hansen, Fr. Tim Boyle, and Fr. Wilbert Chin Jon.
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​Bishop Jon is a pretty laid back Redemptorist who drives a Ford Bronco and prefers to spend Holy Week in one of his mission communities. ​He asked Fr. Wilbert to go to a mission community on Great Bear Lake, and sent me to Fort Simpson - a mission that was visited by Saint Pope Jon Paul II in 1986. The trip there was noisy and to me it served as a reminder that this world is crowded and practical.  Father Macleen Anywanu, a missionary priest from Nigeria, welcomed me to Sacred Heart Church which to my surprise was modern and efficient.
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After a tour of the town, Fr Macleen left for Liard where he would celebrate Holy Week.  ​Our Good Friday service was simple. I put out some charcoal in a bowl and the folks added some spruce gum as we venerated the cross. 
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Several of the Dene people smudged using the incense as they prayed before the cross. After the service one of the elders asked if I wanted to join them for the Feeding the Fire. They hold this service several times a year. Here a special fire is planned.
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Set in a circle of rocks surrounded by spruce brought a symbol of all the life that flows from the fire. After blessing the ground with tobacco they begin with a log saved from their last event. Then with drumming they offer food to the four winds. We were invited to add tobacco to the fire. 

The fire connects us to our ancestors and by feeding the fire we strengthen them so they can assist us. As we prayed this Litany of the Saints the drumming rolled across the site that Saint Pope John Paul 11 visited. 
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The next day we prepared for the Vigil. A space was readied for the Easter Fire. The snow had melted and frozen. Andy and I dug out an area outside the doors of the church for the fire. ​
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At 9 pm we gathered around the fire. It was still pretty light outside, but if we waited for darkness it might have been only me! Our little community welcomed the Light of Christ into the church. One of the elders translated the Gospel into their language.  
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On Easter morning, I went for a walk along the banks of the frozen McKenzie River, and paused at their local monument to remember the children who died in the Residential Schools.
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Later a slightly larger group gathered to celebrate Easter morning. We also shared a potluck dinner in their wonderful church.
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On our last night at Trappers Lake the northern lights offered a final blessing on our pilgrimage. Truly this Holy Week has been a blessing for both Fr. Wilbert and myself! 
Additional photos from Fr. Wilbert Chin Jon
First night. Thank you for showing up early Aurora!
Amazing supper at Jim and Julia Lynn’s.
They don’t hold the drum dance often but the Elders thought that today being Easter Sunday would be most appropriate. Honoured to have been asked to offer a prayer and a blessing before we started dancing. I have been blessed by the community. A beautiful way to finish my time in this special place called Deline.
The Parish - St. Therese of Child Jesus.
Long weekend = camping. Joined a group of families for a cookout.
Long weekend = camping. Joined a group of families for a cookout.
Amazon reaches Deline. Taking off soon. God bless Deline and the community.
Amazon reaches Deline. Taking off soon. God bless Deline and the community.

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Written by Fr. Tim Boyle | Email
Fr. Tim currently serves as the Bishop's Delegate, and Episcopal Vicar for Clergy. 
8 Comments
Lawrence
5/2/2022 09:41:30 am

Your faithfullness and service to the flock of the Lord is an inspiration... May God Bless you all always and keep you safe and God's face shine upon you and be gracious to you.

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Jean Finely
5/2/2022 10:00:33 am

Sure enjoyed hearing of your trip. Recently came across clippings saved about the North, an obit. of Fr. Fumoleau. As a child, about the only reading material we had was all northern or outdoors - Jack London, Burgess Betime Stories, Grey Owl. We grew up as outdoors kids, later turned mountain young people -- the thrill of a first ascent from the Centennial Camp in the St. Elias Range when Kluane National Park was being considered. Later found myself in Calgary indexing a wealth of info. re Tom Berger Inquiry, then writing abstracts for an intriguing journal and doing indexing at The Arctic Institute (U of C). Articles included Inuit natural remedies, the Dene language, as well as scientific studies of many kinds. Perhaps another trip you might include a couple of lay folk (at our own expense, naturally.) Thank you for sharing the North with us all, Fr.Boyle. Sincerely,

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Rob Henderson
5/2/2022 12:03:25 pm

Wonderful country and a wonderful Church.

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Colleen Kinniburgh
5/2/2022 12:24:13 pm

What a fantastic journey for both of you. It was great to see that you visited with Jim and Julia Lynn's. Many in our area remember him from his years at Vauxhall. And awesome view of the Northern Lights! God bless.

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William Lawrence Kaufmann
5/2/2022 02:18:34 pm


well done Gentlemen !!!

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Chris Rappel
5/3/2022 11:29:47 am

What a wonderful experience. Thank you for sharing your story and the beautiful pictures. The natural beauty of the north is breath taking.

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Gerry
5/3/2022 03:51:59 pm

Wow what a beautiful opportunity to go north and share the Holy Week with a new community and to see and learn their traditions too

Thank you for sharing your story and photos

God bless your good work and keep you safe

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Mary Orosz link
5/4/2022 08:36:15 am

North is North and South is South what a beautiful joy it was to view the connection in the very blessings of Easter. I thank you.

Your sharing of writing and photos was indeed our gift to receive. May I again say thank you!

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