It was a homecoming for Archbishop Donald Bolen, recently-appointed to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Regina. The Archbishop visited the Our Lady of Assumption Co-Cathedral in Gravelbourg on November 27. He was born in Gravelbourg to the late Joseph and Rose Bolen.
He led mass at the Co-Cathedral with parish priest Rev. Hope Klutsey , Rev. Valentine Amobi from Regina and Rev. Joe Strohoffer from Mankota. The cathedral was filled with Gravelbourg’s parishioners as well as many visitors who came from Lafleche, Mankota, Swift Current, Regina and many other locations.
After the Gospel reading, Bolen gave an insightful homily. He laid out his vision and goals for the Archdiocese, which are based on Pope Francis’ recent directives. Some of the key points include developing parishes to utilize the potential of all, fostering dialogue and seeking justice and peace. Bolen will work toward implementing these goals in the Archdiocese.
At the end of the mass, a representative from the Lafleche parish presented the Archbishop with a peace blanket made by the women of the parish with prayers and love. As the parishioners departed following the service, the choir sung a closing hymn that had been sung in the parish since 1929.
The Archbishop was among many friends and family this day. “As I look around today I see my teachers, neighbours and relatives,” he stated in his closing address. The parish was delighted to be hosting the Archbishop and they are very proud of his achievements. He knew many of those attending personally. Visitations by an archbishop do not happen often, but Bolen’s aim is to be able to visit more parishes in his large archdiocese. A luncheon followed at the community hall next to the cathedral. The lunch was prepared and served by cathedral parishioners. Bolen was ordained as a priest in 1991. He went on to study at universities in Regina, Ottawa and Oxford. Most recently, he had been serving as Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon since 2009 until July 11 when he was appointed Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Regina. He was installed at Regina’s Holy Rosary Cathedral on October 14.
