Cornwall, March 29, 2011

To all the Faithful of the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall :

Next week, we will hold the annual Share Lent collection, the proceeds of which are given to the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace. This organization, set up more than forty years ago by the Bishops of Canada, is dedicated to transforming the world in view of the Kingdom of justice, peace and joy which Christ came to inaugurate among us.

We are all quite aware of the many situations of poverty and injustice that exist across our planet, especially in what we call the Third World. Our Christian faith calls us to alleviate the symptoms of this poverty by coming to the help of those who suffer most. It also invites us to eradicate the causes of this poverty by involving ourselves in the development of a more just world. Development and Peace acts on both these fronts, through its emergency help when major disasters occasionally strike our planet, as well as through its education and action programs both in Canada and in the Third World.

With the help of the Bishops of Canada, Development and Peace is committed to integrating the whole of the Church’s social and ethical doctrine so that all its projects and services will reflect the convictions that we share as disciples of Christ. I invite you to collaborate in the work of the bishops by supporting Development and Peace through your generous contribution next Sunday to the Share Lent collection.

With the assurance of my prayer and blessing,

+ Paul-André Durocher

Update: I am updating this post with a Newsletter sent out by Development and Peace today (April 7, 2011)

(This message was read at all the masses across our Diocese on the Fourth Sunday of Lent.)

Matthew Kelly is coming to Cornwall as part of our Diocesan Speaker Series this fall. Who is Matthew Kelly, you might ask? Well the best way to tell you is to show you. In March of 2009 he gave a mission at St. Andrew the Apostle Parish – Chandler Arizona (Theme: The Genius of Catholicism). Major segments of this mission were filmed and now appear as Videos on the parish website. In The Genius of Catholicism, Matthew Kelly talks about the 7 pillars of Catholic spirituality and challenges us to discover the relevance of Catholicism for modern problems, happiness, and day-to-day living. He challenges his listeners to be the best version of themselves – and to recognize and open their hearts to all their Catholic faith has to offer. The presentation will take place at St. Joe’s – General Vanier Auditorium on December 15th, 2009. For Further details please visit our Diocesan Website.

Sister Kathryn Cameron, c.s.c, Sister Jeannine Bissonnette, s.s.c.g., and Sister Georgette Thibault, s.s.c.g., of our Diocese of have been awarded the Holy Cross Pro-Ecclesia et Pontifice medal by Pope Benedict XVI. The awards were presented to them during a special mass to close the Year of St. Paul, on June 29th at St. Finnan’s Cathedral in Alexandria by His Excellency, Bishop Paul-André Durocher. Read More

OUR RETREAT HOUSE HAS MOVED

Did you know that Shalom House, our Diocesan Retreat Centre, has ceased operations at its long-time facility in St. Raphael’s, Ontario? Iona Academy Catholic Primary School will be expanding into the premises in the near future.

 The new Retreat Centre is located in the former Poor Clare Sisters’ Monastery and has been transformed into the new Shalom Retreat Centre. All renovations are complete and the Centre is already open. The facility sleeps 28 in a combination of rooms. Every bedroom is servced with a sink, and individual washrooms are located in the hallways. A large chapel and smaller oratory are available for worship, prayer, and contemplatin. A large meeting room is complemented by smaller breakout areas. The Retreat Centre also includes a full-service kitchen with cook and a sunny dining room. On the grounds one will find a grotto of the Nativity, Shrine to Our Lady and a Rosary meditation path.

Contact Sr. Alice Larin for retreats, bookings, programs, and further information at 613-347-2391.

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Monsignor Rudy Villeneuve was born on Christmas Day 1923, and ordained to the priesthood on May 31, 1947 to serve as a priest in the Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall. After suffering minor stroke a few years ago, he retired as pastor of St. Joseph’s Parish in Lancaster, Ontario.

But, Fr. Rudy didn’t really retire. Ever zealous in his priestly ministry, he joined Fr. Gary Ostler, as Fr. Gary began his second term as pastor at St. Columban’s Parish, the largest parish in the Diocese, and situated in the downtown core of Cornwall, Ontario. Like all large inner-city parishes, the pastoral needs are many and perpetual, Along with Fr. Matthew Brunet, (ordained 2006), Fr. Rudy worked side by side with Fr. Gary and Fr. Matthew in responding to the spiritual needs of the parishioners.

It should be mentioned that Fr. Rudy was and inspirational figure and mentor in Fr. Gary’s life. As pastor,years earlier, he new the Ostler family and the young man Gary. And, it was Fr. Rudy that inspired and encouraged Gary during his journey to ordination on September 9, 1972.

On Thursday morning May 29th, their journey together ended. Fr. Gary died at 3am in the morning from complications of surgery and a massive stroke. His brother, Fr. David Ostler was at his bedside at the Ottawa Civic Hospital.

On Sunday, May 31st, Monsignor Rudy Villeneuve remembered his good friend and brother priest in his homily, and at 2pm, he and Fr. Matthew celebrated the liturgy that celebrated Fr. Gary’s return for visitation and prayer. His funeral was celebrated the next day at 10am.

Listen to Monsignor Rudy’s Homily on Sunday, May 31, 2008 at St. Columban’s in which he remembered the life of this wonderful priest.

http://audio.ccrso.org/mp3s/MsgrRudyHomilyTribute.mp3

Left click link to download Mp3 and save it to your computer.

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Father Gary Ostler
April 5th, 1946 – May 29th, 2008

Prior to ordination he headed public relations for the diocesan synod
and had the synod Mass aired on national TV.

Fr. Gary was Fr. Rudy’s Associate Pastor at St. Francis de Sales in 1972.
While there he organized a folk group of 70 young people for Saturday afternoon Mass, which drew a large turnout. He also led them on a successful tour of Western Canada. He launched the diaconate program in the diocese.

At Nativity Parish he became chaplain of La Citadel High School. He started the Neumann Club at St. Lawrence College and also taught the student nurses.

Navivity Co-Cathedral Parish

His first parish was at St. Raphael’s where he launched the annual Galaramas. He also started the Shalom Retreat House and Mount Carmel alcohol treatment centre.

ST. RAPHAEL’S PARISH

SHALOM HOUSE RETREAT CENTRE

In 1983 he became Pastor of St. Columban where he oversaw the parish purchase of Notre Dame Convent as a Ministry Centre base of operations for collaborative lay and clergy ministry. He and Fr. Bob MacDonald arranged a three year Christian Leadership certificate program to be offered here in the parish to laity from across the diocese with courses offered by Wadham’s Hall Seminary. Fr. Gary also provided leadership to re-establish a parish Knights of Columbus council. He also led us through reconstruction after the church arson of 1992. Under his tutelage an historical society published a history of the parish. Sponsorship of refugees and establishment of the parish St. Vincent de Paul Society were all a part of Fr. Gary’s tenure here.

ST COLUMBAN’S PARISH

In 1993 he became Pastor of St. Francis de Sales where he increased lay participation in parish life. During a violent windstorm, the church roof shifted, necessitating the rebuilding of the church on the existing foundation. He met the challenge by rebuilding the church, increasing handicap access via an elevator and increased the overall comfort by installing air conditioning.

A few years later he returned to St. Columban although he was hesitant because he knew that needed changes would be unpopular. Due to a priest shortage, the number of weekday and weekend Masses had to be reduced. Recognizing the financial burden the parish hall caused the parish, he found a way to sell it and still maintain a place for parishioners to gather for fellowship. He improved liturgical services and formed a vibrant pastoral team. Even though he didn’t always live here he performed a good deal of parish work from his home in Long Sault, often arriving at the parish offices at 6:30 a.m. He loved his people and did his best to serve them in spite of failing health.

For more than 25 years he was head of vocations in our diocese, directing and encouraging most of the young men who became priests. Because of his commitment to ecumenism, he was appointed head of the ecumenism committee by the bishop and also served as President of the Cornwall Christian Council and was at the fore in promoting the annual Good Friday ecumenical Way of the Cross. Each month he offered a Padre Hour to the soldiers at NavCan & at one time was chaplain to 4,000 soldiers. Fr. Gary provided 42 years of service to the army.

Among his many talents Fr. Gary was a specialist in understanding and explaining the Holy Scriptures. He built his life on the Word of God, the key to eternal life.

May he hear: “Well done good and faithful servant!”

See Photo Album: Fr. Gary (flickr)

The weather was just right today in Cornwall. The sun rose early in clear blue skies. For me, it was the day to say good bye to a long-time friend, and the weather made it so much easier. A refreshing breeze of the kind that one enjoys by the sea, kept the cathedral sized church of St. Columban’s, comfortable, despite the overflow of people who gathered.

As I entered the church and proceeded to the vesting room, I was greeted by friends, both new and old, and it was a comforting trip down memory lane. All of us had one thing in common, Fr. Gary, and we had come to pray for him, and to celebrate his faith and our own faith.

Looking out from the Sactuary at the throngs of mourners who had gathered for the funeral mass, both in groups (military, relgious, lay movements), and as individuals and families, I thought of words spoken by Sr. Joan Chittister: “We are, each one of us, stones skipped across the waters of the universe. The ripples of our presence, whatever it is, radiates forever.” Fr. Gary had brought us all here because he had, in one way or another, touched our lives, and his presence still radiates.

As we all gathered around the Lord’s Table, Jesus’ proclamation reverberated in my mind: “You are the light of the world.” If led by God’s loving spirit, how could we not be bearers of light? Indeed, each one of us has this power by allowing the Lord to dwell in our hearts and living the Good news. Again, the words of Sr. Joan: “What people see in you, they know to look for within themselves. What people see in you, they too may hope to extract from the depths of their own hearts.”

Thank You Fr. Gary for touching my heart, and the hearts of so many. May God grant you eternal joy and happines in the eternal home where we all hope to gather again some day. My prayer this day is that the Lord has welcomed you with great joy with the words: Well done, good and faithful servant.

May He Rest In Peace

June 2, 2008

See Photo Album: Fr. Gary (Flickr)

June 1, 2008

For many this was a very sad day, as Fr. Gary returned to St. Columban’s for one last time. Monsignor Rudy Villeneuve, one of our oldest priests, and Fr. Matthew Brunet, one of our youngest presided over the service. Here are a few pictures of his final return, and the loving tribute the Parish, Diocese, family, and friends welcomed him with. 

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OBITUARY, MILITARY SERVICE,  (Photo Album)

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