Truth and Reconciliation

Messages from the Archdiocese of St-Boniface
 

*NEW* A Prayer of the Faithful for the Children of the Former Indian Residential Schools, and
For Reconciliation Between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous People
Each week, the Archdiocese proposes the offering of an additional Prayer of the Faithful, for use during
Sunday Mass, and perhaps daily Masses:
May 22 – Heal our children and youth. Heal First Nations, heal cities, heal the provinces, heal our
nation and the nations of the world. We pray to the Creator Lord.
 

 

September 2021

In order to mark September 30th as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, each parish has been asked to share a video during their Masses on the weekend of September 25 and 26, 2021. The video, which is roughly 13 minutes long, presents a dialogue between Archbishop LeGatt and myself concerning the vision for reconciliation in our diocese.

The video will be available on the diocesan Facebook page Sunday (the 26th) in the afternoon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kww_Rk28dwc

Please share the video with family and friends, if they are interested. More information will be provided explaining the different works the diocese is committed to undertaking to play an active role in the truth and reconciliation movement. Some of these works could be a support to parishes.  It is in this spirit of cooperation that we hope to move forward with you. Let us journey together in prayer on this path of truth and reconciliation. Mireille Grenier Director of Pastoral Services

September 16 2021

 In July, the Government of Canada announced that we would now celebrate National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th. The Canadian government explained that they are "committed to reconciliation and ensuring that the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools is never forgotten.” 

The Archdiocese of St. Boniface would also like to mark this day in a special way. To this effect, a video consisting of a dialogue between Archbishop LeGatt and Brenda Arakaza, the Pastoral Minister at the Cathedral and a young woman who is involved in Returning to Spirit’s reconciliation workshops will be shown during the homily at each Mass on the weekend of Saturday, September 25 and Sunday, September 26. The video will then be available on Facebook and YouTube as of September 30, 2021.

The Archdiocese is plans to continue on this journey toward truth and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. Details will be sent to parishes during the last week of September. Let us continue to ask the Holy Spirit to guide us on this journey. Mireille Grenier Director of Pastoral Services.


July 28 2021 
 
Conversations about the importance of truth and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and the Catholic Church continue to surface in many facets of our Canadian lives. Many faithful feel an awakening to be active participants on this journey but are not always sure where to start. At the Archdiocese of Saint Boniface, we see the importance of everyone being actively involved. We will continue to find ways to help guide you in this endeavour through listening, learning and action. Archbishop LeGatt is still in discussion with the Indigenous parishioners of our faith communities in the northern part of our diocese and with the chiefs and members of their respective band councils. The discussions revolve around how they would want assistance from the archdiocese. In a recent message Archbishop LeGatt shares that "as a fruit of these ongoing discussions begun quite some time ago, I am already asking the faithful of the diocese, parish by parish, to organize ways in which they can become more informed about the Indian Residential Schools and the many elements of their tragic legacy.” 

A new initiative that has surfaced is that of 'Catholics for Truth & Reconciliation'. This campaign, initiated by committed lay people, aims to invite Catholics to fully commit to Truth and Reconciliation through action pledges, as well as offer a way to contribute funds as a tangible sign of reconciliation. An extensive list of suggested actions is available. Click here to access this list. Some of these actions may be taken by individuals or perhaps by your parish community. Committing to these actions helps to bring real change. Please share this with your parishioners and see what actions your parish community could commit to.

We will continue to keep you informed of any further initiatives that will be taking place. We are focusing on the education component and currently have a few ideas that are being developed by the different pastoral services. United in prayer, Mireille Grenier Director of Pastoral Services.

July 2 2021

The recent news regarding the discoveries of unmarked graves on Residential School sites has been shocking. Many of our parishes have been listening and have been acting since the very beginning. Whether it be placing little shoes on the front steps or orange ribbons, these symbols demonstrate that we hear the Indigenous peoples’ pain. We encourage each of our parishes to demonstrate that we are grieving with our Indigenous brothers and sisters, in a way that is visible to their parishioners and the community. These tangible signs are but a first step. The Archdiocese will continue to share resources with you to help you journey toward reconciliation. In the meantime, I invite you to visit this page of our website. Here you will be able to listen to Archbishop LeGatt’s messages. United in prayer, Mireille Grenier Director of Pastoral Services.