For the MacKinnons, a first visit to the Canadian mission in Atlin, B.C.

Our first week of July visitors, the MacKinnons from Toronto:

Hugh and wife Laura and their youngest son Peter.

July 1st weekend provided a wonderful time to welcome Hugh and Laura MacKinnon and their youngest son Peter to the diocese, for a five-day experience at St. Joseph’s mission in Atlin, British Columbia.

Boat mascot and guide: Celty, my Golden Retriever.

The MacKinnons travelled more than 5528 km from Toronto to live in our Northern mission diocese for a few days to see and encounter in a brief way the Catholic community in this small village. They saw firsthand the dedication of Catholic Missions In Canada and our many supporters to keep these isolated small Catholic communities and their churches open and vibrant.

St. Joseph's mission church in Atlin, British Columbia.

Good folks like the MacKinnons who support Catholic Missions make the life of our faith and celebration of the Mass and sacraments possible for the far-flung northern missions. Though we were unable to catch a lake trout in Alton Lake, we experienced together the work of the Lord being fishers of men and women in the kingdom of God.

On the boat to fish for lake trout in Alton Lake.

Checking out Peter's fishing tackle.

The trout, the Mackinnons discovered, were also out on another

mission: to stay scarce when they came to fish.

 
The bald eagle and the sheer beauty of this corner of God’s kingdom were a sign of welcome, and the gracious love of God experienced through the tiny Catholic community will, I hope, leave a lasting impression in their hearts.