DECLARATION — During this year’s Western Conference for the Catechumenate gathering in Saskatoon, Bishop Donald Bolen presented members of the late Msgr. Michael Koch’s family a declaration from Pope Benedict XVI about his appointment as monsignor. Koch was the founder of the WCC and the director of Christian Initiation for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon. (McKay photo)

Koch noticeably absent at conference

By Arch McKay

SASKATOON — Noticeably absent at the 22nd annual Western Conference for the Catechumenate (WCC) gathering in Saskatoon this spring was Msgr. Michael Koch, who died May 10 after a short but valiant battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or “Lou Gehrig’s disease.”

Koch was the founder of the WCC, which provides formation and leadership about the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) to parishes in Western Canada. He served as chair from 1990 to 1994, and again from June 2000 until his recent death.

Bishop Donald Bolen of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon celebrated mass May 26 with those attending this year’s WCC event at Holy Spirit Parish. Members of Koch’s family also attended the celebration, which focused on Koch’s life and the many contributions he made to the catechumenate.

During his homily, Bolen quoted a letter that Koch had written to Bishop Klein, indicating his desire to go to the seminary, stating that he was “most willing to labour for the souls of the diocese.” In the work of Christian initiation Koch often cited that “God does the calling (and in RCIA) there was no need to push.”

Bolen also described Koch’s strong belief that the RCIA process had the potential for transforming lives and renewing parish life and the life of the church.

The bishop related how after being diagnosed with ALS, Koch accepted the journey he was given, saying “how can I preach (the Gospel) if I do not live it?” In Koch’s last days, “while the outer person was wasting away, the inner person was being renewed,” Bolen said, quoting St. Paul.

During the celebration, Bolen presented members of Koch’s family with the declaration from Pope Benedict XVI, honouring Koch with the title Honorary Prelate of His Holiness which included being addressed as monsignor. At the family’s request, the framed declaration will be kept at the Diocesan Pastoral Centre.