Thursday afternoon

Greetings today to you:

Today in Fort Nelson the weather seems to be more of the normal temperatures as it is around -18 and went down to -29 last night. Had to put another blanket on last night. There might be some snow flurries but have not seen it yet today.

I went to the Fort Nelson Literacy Center last night for a potluck dinner and the theme last night was French. They have once a month a potluck and next month it will be China so people are supposed to bring a dish that would represent that country. There were people from Japan, Korea, France, Mexico, China as some of the countries represented.

Saturday night is a moonlight cross country ski and bonfire with hot coco afterwards with some singsong. Will go to the community event after mass so we will miss the cross country ski part. The parish is having a pancake breakfast after mass this Sunday.

Monday I will be heading up to Whitehorse for a visit. I will stop at the Laird hot springs in the way up to Lower Post where I will visit with Deacon Ben who is there and covers Lower Post and Watson Lake up the road. Fr. Kieran who is the administrator for the diocese is coming down to Lower Post and Watson Lake for masses this weekend. I will stay till Friday and than head back to Fort Nelson.

A week this Sunday some baptisms are planned at Mile 295 Sacred Heart Church that I go to each Sunday and at Prophet River also later on that day. That will be my last weekend as I leave on the Tuesday February 10 overnight in Fort St. John and than back to Victoria Wednesday evening.

I will have some great pictures of the trip to Whitehorse as the forecast for next week is sunny and cold.

Fr. Mike

Friday afternoon Jan. 23rd

Hi to all this afternoon! Yesterday as I had mentioned I was going to Prophet River for a visit. It is a quiet hours drive south of Fort Nelson. In one of  the pictures looking south west one can see the Northern Rocky Mountains in the distance as they come into view a spectacular sight. I almost went pass the reserve as it is tucked away off the highway for the speed signs jumped to 100 ks. There are about 200 people living on the reserve. It was moved a few years ago to the present location and a couple of years ago they built a new complex that includes the administration, medical, and activities for the community. It is a lovely looking structure with some art work and stuffed animals. The temperature was 11 degrees down there amazing for this time of the year.

The included pictures are of the drive down the highway and back. Pictures of the building and art work and stuffed animals.

Hi Again:

The last post should have said Tuesday Evening not Monday though the date was right. As you can see from the pictures the two churches are both unique. I understand at Prophet River a hall is used for mass.

Fr. Mike

Monday Evening

This morning I saw the hoar frost so beautiful as the snow crystals are floating in the sky. When I was in Saskatoon while in the minor seminary I used to see this often when it was a sunny day and the crystals were coming off the trees. It was a sunny and warm day today as it was been warmer than usual and that trend will continue in the next few days.

I went to the Fort Nelson Aboriginal Friendship Centre for lunch today as on Tuesdays they have soup and bannock. Met some of the people and saw the facility and heard of some of the programs that they have for the community. There is a youth centre upstairs and a large hall that they rent. There is counselling programs and a woman transition house in the community and a men's shelter also.

Tomorrow I will attend the ministerial meeting and on Thursday visit the community of Prophet River an hour south on the Alaska Highway. I did take some pictures of the church inside so will now post some of the photo's.

Fr. Mike
Sacred Heart Church first two and last picture Our Lady of Sorrows in Fort Nelson the other pictures

Good Evening:

It is Sunday evening as the first weekend here in Fort Nelson has passed by. Yesterday was a sunny and pleasant day here. Shovelled some of the sidewalks and finished the church steps. Did some shopping as there not too much food in the house. I say that for Fr. Emmanuel is from Africa and their style of cooking is much different that for us. Found that shopping is more costly, heard that the shipping costs makes it more expensive.

The parish is Our Lady of Sorrows here in Fort Nelson and the parish on the reserve is called Sacred Heart Parish. I have felt welcomed by the people and look forward to being with them for the coming month. I took some pictures of the two churches and will post them soon. Have none yet of Our Lady of Sorrows here in Fort Nelson.

I hope that the funeral for Robin Terry goes well at the church tomorrow afternoon. Andrew Cullum is still in the hospital and hope that he will be well enough soon to come home as he has been there for two weeks now.

Fr. Mike

Good Evening from Fort Nelson

I arrived here in the early afternoon to a sunny warm day. It was an early start to the day though a lovely day to be flying with clear skies all the way. Thank you to Patty and Gus who brought me to the airport this morning.

I was impressive to see the mountains and the rivers flying in the province. One can sure tell the impact that the oil and gas industry has before Fort St. John and all the way up to Fort Nelson. Seeing all the roads, pipelines and sites where a well has been dug from the air.

I was picked up by one of the parishioners Vern and he showed me around the community after lunch. We saw the church on the reserve, Sacred Heart Parish and here in town Our Lady of Sorrows Parish. I will take some pictures in the days to come to show you. Met some of the parishioners this evening. Will shovel some snow in the morning on the walkways and steps from the other day.

Fr. Mike

Hi to all:

Tomorrow morning January 16th I will be on my way to Fort Nelson for the month to have the northern winter experience in the Whitehorse diocese. I will update you as the adventure happens.

Fr. Mike