SEVEN PRIESTS — Together, these seven priests of the Regina archdiocese represent nearly four centuries of service. From left: Revs. Norm Marcotte, Emile Toupin, Michael Hogan, Daniel McArthy, Art Vandendriessche, Eugene Schaffer and Gordon Rushka. (Flegel photo)
Martha
House celebrates Year for Priests
By Frank Flegel
REGINA — There are
only seven of them, but together they represent 377 years of priestly
service.
They are seven retired priests
whose lives and contributions were celebrated June 14 with a special
mass and reception at Martha House, a home for retired priests. The
celebration, part of the Year for Priests decreed by Pope Benedict XVI,
was organized by the sisters who operate the house, the Daughters of
St. Mary of Leuca, a community that originated in Italy.
The mass celebrated in the
little chapel was packed with about 30 people including members of the
Martha House Board, families with a few children and the sisters. A
staff of five, including a nurse, cooks and housekeeper, work with the
sisters in caring for the priests.
There was no homily but Msgr.
Michael Hogan, who lives at the house, gave brief remarks of appreciation
for the recognition and, with his trademark sense of humour, spoke briefly
about being a priest. He noted that five of the seven are home grown
and two are imports, including himself and Rev. Daniel McArthy. The
others are Revs. Norm Marcotte, Emile Toupin, Gordon Rushka. Eugene
Schaffer and Art Vandendriessche.
McArthy celebrated the mass with Hogan and the others assisting. The mass was followed by a reception held on the secluded outdoor patio with coffee, tea, homemade cookies and other dainties.
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