HIGH TOR CLOSES — Bishop Donald Bolen joined parishioners of Blessed Sacrament Parish at High Tor, Sask., Sunday, Aug. 26 to mark the closing of the parish in the Wadena deanery. After many years of declining numbers, parishioners decided this summer that it was time to close the parish. (Statchuk photo)
High Tor parish closes
By Kiply Lukan Yaworski
HIGH TOR, Sask. — The Catholic faith community at High Tor, Sask. gathered with Bishop Donald Bolen Aug. 26 to mark the closure of Blessed Sacrament Parish.
After many years of declining numbers, parishioners decided this summer that it was time to close the small parish, located in the Wadena deanery.
“As we gather, we remember the past generations who have called Blessed Sacrament their parish home and we acknowledge them for their vision, determination and enduring faith,” said the bishop during the eucharistic celebration in which the building and its people were blessed in a closing liturgy.
“We come together with so many good and treasured memories, but with a strong sense of grief at saying farewell to this holy place. We come together, also, with great hope for our life of faith as we continue to give witness to God’s great love,” Bolen said.
Blessed Sacrament Parish was one of those in the Perigord region that was served by pastor Rev. Jean-Marie Lacasse, OMI, for some four decades. With his retirement earlier this year, a number of other changes have also taken place in the Wadena deanery.
St. Athanasius Parish in Perigord has joined the Wadena pastoral region, which is served by co-pastors Rev. Fred Caylan and Rev. Raphael Vezhaparambil, VC.
St. Lawrence Parish in Nobleville, Sask., and St. Felix Parish in Archerwill will remain open from June 1 to Labour Day weekend each year, but will close during the winter, with parishioners invited to attend a neighbouring parish in the Wadena region.
Formerly part of that Wadena pastoral region, St. Catherine Parish at Quill Lake has joined the parish cluster Watson, Englefeld and St. Gregor, served by pastor Rev. Darryl Millette.
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