PASTOR’S MESSAGE

Before offering a few words of introduction, I wanted to offer thanks to a number of people who have been key to parish life in the recent months of transition.  I am grateful to Fr. Geoff Kerslake who generously gave me his time to brief me on the work done in his five months with you.  Fr. John Orban and Deacon Hugh O’Donnell have overseen the pastoral and administrative life of the parish, making much progress in a short time.  While remaining the pastor of St. Michael Fitzroy Harbour and St. Gabriel Constance Bay, Fr. John will continue to minister to our parish on the basis of two days per week.  His primary responsibility will be for property matters and ministry in our schools.  This decision was made further to the assessment of the Archbishop and his advisers that St. Isidore is a growing community and will continue to add members for some years to come.  Since his ordination to the diaconate last fall, Deacon Dave Lauzon has generously supported the liturgical and spiritual life of our community.  Our staff – Bella Fischer and Antonella del Papa – have been generously on the front lines supporting our parishioners with their administrative and sacramental needs.  I am sure that all are thankful for the faithful ministry of the priests studying Canon Law who have been looking after Sunday Masses and the liturgies of Holy Week – Fr. Mike Hartge, Fr. Patrick Bénéteau and Fr. Shane Lynch.

I will be 71 years old this year, thankful for the blessing of good health, which I pray will continue for some years to come.  For the last eighteen months, I have been in my hometown of London (Ontario) which gave me the opportunity to be closer to family members, including my mother who will be 93 years old this year and still living independently in her own apartment.  My prayer is that I have her genes!  During my time in London, I offered ministerial assistance in three parishes.  Prior to my stay in London, I completed a six-year term as Rector of Saint Patrick Basilica Parish in Centretown.  Before serving there, starting in July 2005, I completed a 10-year term as Vicar General of the Archdiocese, serving two years under the late Archbishop Marcel Gervais and then eight years under Archbishop Prendergast.  It was during my time as Vicar General that I was given the title of “Monsignor” as a Prelate of Honour of His Holiness.  In our Archdiocese, it has been the tradition of naming the Vicar General as a monsignor.  When speaking with me, feel free to simply say “Fr. Kevin.”  For three years prior to July 2005, I was on the formation team at St. Joseph Seminary (Edmonton) and taught at Newman Theological College.  Before my time in Edmonton, I was Rector of Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica which included the year when the Cathedral underwent a major restoration in time for the Jubilee 2000.  Before the Cathedral, I served in a number of bilingual and francophone parishes outside of the City of Ottawa after my ordination in 1995.  I had the good fortune of doing my seminary formation at the Grand Séminaire de Montréal.  Prior to the seminary, I worked with the Shepherds of Good Hope while completing my theology degree as a lay student at St. Paul University.

It was during my time as Vicar General that I first had contact with St. Isidore Parish.

In addition to celebrating in the old church, as part of my role in diocesan administration, I had meetings with Fr. Ross Finlan and Deacon Des Adam concerning the construction and financing of the new church.  I am pleased to see that the construction of the new church has resulted in a beautiful worship space and other facilities to further the community life of our parish for many years to come.

Msgr. Kevin Beach

NEW MASS AND CONFESSION TIMES (STARTING APRIL 8^th)

• Weekday Masses Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 9:30 am; Fridays 10:00 am
• Sunday Masses Saturdays 4:30 pm, Sundays 9:00 and 11:00 am
• Confessions Fridays 9:00 – 9:45 am, Saturdays 3:00 – 3:45 pm

ROCKIN’ SPRING EVENT – SATURDAY, APRIL 20th