Truth and Reconciliation Ceremony at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish
“The Government of Canada has asked Canadians to make September a time to be conscious of our need to work towards Reconciliation with the Indigenous people of this land. On September 15, Archbishop Richard came to St Kateri Parish for a celebration that residential school survivor, Louis Watt, described as part of the work of “Reconciliation with the survivors, and Reconciliation with the culture” — the Indigenous cultures which the residential schools were designed to suppress.
The ceremonies opened with smudging, drumming and a viewing of the Apology that Pope Francis made to Indigenous people at Maskwacis. That was immediately followed by a pipe ceremony, led by knowledge-keepers, Elaine Manham and Marsha Missiyabit. Joining them in the circle were Archbishop Richard, our pastors, Fathers Michael Wollbaum and Stan Fontaine and several survivors of Indian Residential Schools. The Eucharistic celebration concluded with a blessing of the survivors who were present, and a blessing of a memorial blanket on which are printed the names of dozens of survivors from our parish or who are connected with us, living and deceased. The blanket will hang in the church throughout the month.”
– Br. Thomas Novak
