Installation of the new Pastor of Sturgis, Norquay, Rama and Buchanan

On the weekend of September 6th and 7th I took the pleasant ride up to Sturgis to install the new Pastor, Fr. Marcin Mironiuk OMI. The Installation of a Pastor is a ceremony that takes place in the parish church, usually at a Sunday Mass where a good number of parishioners can take part.

Fr. Marcin Mironiuk OMI

The ceremony we use in our diocese focuses on the principal places in the parish church which typify the ministry and responsibilities of the pastor: the baptismal font, the place for reconciliation, the ambo, the altar, the tabernacle and the chair.

"Lector: Listen to the words of our Lord in the gospel according to Saint John: “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.” (Jn 3:5)

Bishop: It is the duty of the Pastor to bring the good news of salvation to those who have not received it, and lead the unbaptized to newness of life through water and the Holy Spirit. When you do this, see that they are sons and daughters of God, members of the Church and children of the promise.
Pastor: I will do so, with the help of God."

"Lector: Listen to the words of our Lord according to Saint John: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

Bishop: It is the duty of the Pastor to bring to his people the healing power and mercy of Our Lord Jesus Christ, reconciling them to God and one another. When you do this, remember your own weakness.

Pastor: I will do so, with the help of God."

Having gone to the different places in the church, the new pastor then recites the Nicene Creed together with the people present as his Profession of Faith and swears an Oath of Fidelity to all that is contained in the Word of God, the definitive teaching of the Church and the teaching of the Magisterium of the Church. After this both of us sign copies of the Profession of Faith and Oath of Fidelity. And the pastor is well installed as shepherd of his people.

Before celebrating the installation in Rama, I had the great pleasure of presiding over the Celebration of the Eucharist at the three other communities which make up this pastoral unit. I had a very nice visit to St. Thomas Parish in Norquay on Saturday evening and began Sunday with Mass at St. Patrick's in Sturgis which was followed by a delicious breakfast.

Then we went on to St. Anne Parish in Buchanan where I met some very fine parishioners.

When we arrived at St. Anthony, Rama, the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus were present to provide their colourful honour guard and after Mass, again, a delicious pot luck dinner among friends and even the former pastor, Fr. Anthony Degutis who is springing back from hip replacement surgery.

On the way back to Regina, there was the beauty of harvest time in Saskatchewan with a typical prairie shower to add interest. What a beautiful way to spend a weekend!