July2009

	Representatives of national churches, aboriginal organizations and the federal government gathered at the Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, QC, July 16, to commemorate the appointment of the new Commissioners for the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) .The mandate for the three commissioners -- the chair, Mr. Justice Murray Sinclair, Marie Wilson and Chief Wilton Littlechild, is to tell Canadians what happened in Indian Residential Schools (IRS) and document the truth of abuse survivors, their families, communities and anyone personally affected by the IRS experience.
	Covered with protective blankets Mr. Justice Murray Sinclair (centre), Marie Wilson and Chief Wilton Littlechild, prepare for their consecration as commissioners for the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) at a ceremony at the Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, QC, July 16, Behind them is Assembly of First Nations Chief Phil Fontaine. The AFN was involved in the selection process for the chair and commissioners of the TRC. Representatives of national churches, aboriginal organizations and the federal government also took part in the ceremony.
	Mr. Justice Murray Sinclair (centre), Marie Wilson and Chief Wilton Littlechild, were consecrated as commissioners for the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) at a ceremony at the Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, QC, July 16, attended by representatives of national churches, aboriginal organizations and the federal government.
	Archbishop Gerard Pettipas of the Archdiocese of Grouard-McLennan, chair of the corporation of Catholic entities that signed the Residential School Settlement Agreement in 2006 speaks at the welcoming ceremony for the three new commissioners for the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) "As you begin to document in some fashion, tales of loss of culture and language and inexcusable experiences of abuse, we hope that you will also hear stories of very compassionate teachers and administrators whom First Nations students remember fondly," he said. "We hope that you will also hear from the teachers and administrators themselves, as they have their truths to share as well." Pettipas added, "In the fulfilment of your task, we, the 53 Cathoic entities members offer you, the commissioners, our cooperation and assistance, lively faith, undaunted hope and sincere love. I pray that the God of us all, the Great Spirit, will guide and bless the work of this commission."
	Archbishop Gerard Pettipas of the Archdiocese of Grouard-McLennan, chair of the corporation of Catholic entities that signed the Residential School Settlement Agreement in 2006, draws from an aboriginal ceremonial pipe as part of the consecration of the new commissioners for the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). The event, which involved representatives of national churches, aboriginal organizations and the federal government, was held at the Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, QC, July 16.
	Presbyterian Stephen Kendall, the chair of the Ecumenical Working group on Residential Schools told the new commissioners of the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), "We’re eager to work in collaboration with the commission and be supportive of and engaged in its work." Kendall also said that the ecumenical group -- among them the Anglican, United and Presbyterian Churches of Canada, believes it is critical that its church members learn much more about the legacy of residential schools.
	Archbishop Terence Finlay, the Anglican Church of Canada's special envoy on residential schools, was pleased with the ceremony July 16 installing the new commissioners of the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) "I think this was a very holy moment for them." he said in an interview. "They were at the beginning of a sacred journey in which they were going to attempt to hear all of the stories, both from survivors and also from people who loved the children, and that they were going to work very very hard over the next five years to enable people to speak their story and if they couldn't speak, they would speak it for them.
	In an emotional address, Mr. Justice Murray Sinclair, chair of the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission said he is aware of "the hopes that ride upon our shoulders not only from the survivors of the (residential) schools who have yet to tell their stories" but also of "the hopes that ride on our shoulders of those who have worked in the schools and those who were there that tried to help and tried to do what they could - who loved those children, who did everything they could to make sure that they lived a full life." Speaking for his commission, which includes Marie Wilson and Chief Wilton Littlechild, Sinclair said, "This promise we will make to you. If you have a story to tell we will hear it. If you are unable to speak, we will speak for you. That will be our responsibility"
	Msgr. Pat Powers, the rector of Notre Dame Cathedral-Basilica in Ottawa and a former vicar general of the Archdiocese of Ottawa, is the new general secretary of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops effective March 1 of next year. Known for his administration skills, Powers was credited with raising over $26-million dollars for the Ottawa church during its 150th anniversary in 1997. He also oversaw the $10-million restoration of the cathedral-basilica, completed in 2000. Powers, Saint Paul University's Alumnus of the Year 2002, will succeed Msgr. Mario Paquette, who will finish his second and final three-year mandate, in accordance with the CCCB Bylaws, the CCCB said in a news release July 9.
	Bishop Nicola De Angelis of Peterborough, Ont., and 12 parishioners at St. Michael’s parish in Cobourg, Ont., face a complaint to the Ontario Human Rights Commission after the parishioners wrote a letter to the bishop questioning the presence of a gay man serving at the altar of St. Michael’s. The Catholic Register also reported July 9 that the case could cost the parishioners $20,000 each and the diocese of Peterborough $25,000 plus legal fees. The complaint was brought by Jim Corcoran after he was removed from all duties on the altar after the letter was sent to the bishop. “There are laws in Ontario,” Corcoran told The Catholic Register. “Those laws say that it is unlawful to discriminate against people for a number of reasons, one of which is sexual orientation.” De Angelis and the 12 parishioners have until July 28 to respond to to the complaint.
File photos	Prime Minister Stephen Harper, a Protestant, became the centre of a controversy after a video of him receiving communion from Roman Catholic Archbishop André Richard (right) at the funeral mass for former governor general Roméo LeBlanc in Memramcook, N.B. July 3 was posted on YouTube. It shows Richard offering the host to the PM who accepts it but isn't seen to consume it while on camera. Some observers wondered if Harper had slipped the wafer into his jacket pocket. But a spokesman for the PM said Harper did consume the wafer. As well, Senate Speaker Noel Kinsella, who is Roman Catholic, said in a statement July 7 that he "personally witnessed Prime Minister Harper consume the host ..." Archbishop Richard said that according to Catholic law Harper shouldn't have accepted it at all, the CBC reported.
	Two Canadian air crew members, MCpl Pat Audet and Cpl Martin Joannette, and one ISAF soldier were killed when a CH-146 Griffon helicopter like the one shown in the photo crashed during take-off in Southern Afghanistan July 6. Three other Canadian solders were wounded.
	Prof. Chantal Beauvais has become the first woman to be named rector of Saint Paul University in Ottawa, a pontifical university. As well, Beauvais is the first person to hold the post who is neither a priest nor a religious and who is not an Oblate. Her appointment as rector, "does not in any way represent for the Oblates a break with the past," said the university in announcing the appointment July 6. "On the contrary, it is in keeping with the sharing of responsibility that the Oblates have supported, and indeed desire," it said. As the sixth rector of the university since 1965, Beauvais, who is currently the vice-rector, succeeds Fr. Dale Schlitt, O.M.I., who has held the post for 15 years. Beauvais was hired in 2001 as a professor in the Faculty of Philosophy and was interim dean from 2003 to 2006.
	As above
	Police in Gatineau, Que., are looking for a man they describe as an "important witness" to the fire June 11 that gutted historic St. Paul Roman Catholic Church in Aylmer, which is part of Gatineau. A composite picture of the man has been released. Police also are now looking into the origins of a gas can found near the scene of the blaze, the Ottawa Citizen reported July 2. The fire gutted the entirre church, built in 1893, but the statue of St. Paul remained intact on a stone foundation high above the front door.
	As above
	King of the sandbox A life-sized sand sculpure of a lion sits atop a foundation also made of sand, at the annual Wonder of Sand Festival in Gatineau, Que., July 3-5. Over 300 tons of sand was used by world class sculptors to make about 20 sand sculptures depicting wonders of the jungle.
	One of about 20 sculptures made of sand by master sculptors at the annual Wonder of Sand Festival in Gatineau, Que., July 3-5. The sculptures, depicting the wonders of the jungle were built from over 300 tons of sand shipped in for the festival.
	As above
	Purple Rain A young couple watches the Canada Day fireworks show from across the Ottawa River from Parliament Hill July 1.
	As above
	The Snowbirds aerobatic team flies over the national Museum of Aviation in Ottawa on Canada Day July 1.
	Canadian singer Sarah McLachlan practises on the main stage of Parliament Hill June 30 before headlining the July 1 Canada Day show .