Winnipeg, Manitoba
Bishop de Galarreta's visit - March 17-20, 2004

On March 17, Bishop De Galarreta arrived by plane with Father Violette in the afternoon. In the evening we were invited to the home of a family to celebrate the Birthday of Father Girouard with the bishop.

On March 18, there were 4 Masses at our church in the morning. In the afternoon Father Violette and Fr. Rusak toured the city with Bishop De Galarreta. In the evening, the same supped along with our housekeeper at the home of two Italian parishioners who made us a real Italian supper.

March 19, the feast of St. Joseph was the day of Confirmations with the ceremony at 5 pm preceded by a practice for the confirmands at 3:30pm and one for the acolytes at 2:00 pm. There were eleven confirmations. The Bishop spoke on St. Joseph and on Confirmation. The ceremony and the practices were well attended despite terribly bad weather, high winds and icy roads before and after. The event was followed by an agreable parish dinner. The Bishop was presented with a cake on which the words: "Welcome to our parish" were written in Spanish.

On his last day here, Bishop De Galarreta celebrate the low Mass of a Bishop. It was well attended, and served by Father's Violette and Rusak along with Jonathan Prescott and Edouardo Persian. At noon, Father Rusak invited the Bishop along with the Fathers and a neighbouring priest to a restaurant at Assinboine park. The Bishop and Father Violette left for Toronto in the afternoon.

The Faithful and the Fathers were very pleased to have the visit of Bishop de Galarretta, as he strengthened not only those confirmed but all of us in our Catholic Faith.

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