With a major highway—Highway #37—closed because of forest fires, some of the communities in the Diocese of Whitehorse have been cut off from outsiders recently.
However, when the call came in last week about the accidental death of parishioner Dan Pakula in Telegraph Creek, British Columbia, it meant going to the air with the help of Marcel Dulac
(Sifton Air) so I could get to Telegraph Creek to be with the family to celebrate the Rites of Christian Burial and the Mass for Dan.
Much of the Stikine river is only accessible by travel on the river so the river became the highway to get to the graveyard downriver from Telegraph Creek.
The whole graveside service was held under the watchful gaze of the Lord and a large black bear perched up a tree right above the grave.
There is no priest or pastoral worker at St. Theresa mission in Telegraph Creek, but with a little ingenuity and determination, I and Father Terry Brock from Terrace, B.C., are able to get there every month. Of course, we are on call 24/7 to help the people in difficult times. God always provides the way.
P.S.: I was not able to get a photo of the bear I was a little busy taking care of the prayers and the grieving family.
WORK IN PROGRESS: Meanwhile, contruction of Mary Our Morning Star Retreat Centre and the Bishop's House continues. Above, carpenters work on the roof.
