60^th Celebration Combines with Double Ordination

Three days after their Solemn Profession, brothers Armand Mercier, OFM, and Dan Gurnick, OFM, prostrated themselves before God once again to be ordained to the transitional deaconate.  The Sunday event was celebrated on the lawn of Mount St. Francis Retreat Centre in Cochrane, Alberta, and presided over by Bishop Frederick Henry of Calgary.  The ordination coincided with the celebration of 60 years of service by the Franciscans to the people of Southern Alberta.  An estimated crowd of 1000 people turned out for Mass and a barbecue on a gorgeous morning with the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop. 

For his part, Bishop Henry preached words of encouragement to the Franciscans for their particular role in the Church and world.  Acknowledging the Franciscan call to the marginalized, including those alienated by the Church, Bishop Henry suggested that Franciscans emulate the disciples by leading people to the Church through Jesus.  Like Christ and his first followers, Franciscans ought to “continue to turn the world upside-down, while really turning it right-side up.” 

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